I don't own anything Inuyasha.
A/N: My wonderful partner recovered all of my information. I will forever be grateful and only wish I had told him years ago that it was lost in the first place.
This was originally going to be part 2 of 2, but once it hit 4,000 words I decided to break it up.
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Part 2 of 3: The Centuries before the Girl Who Overcame Time
The tensions between the Inu no Taisho's old enemies and the West had increased yet again over the next two centuries. The vehemently loyal dragons still lamented the loss of Ryuukossei and now fought with the west, but not with sword and claw. They battled with words and their political maneuvering and undermining tactics were tedious. It bored Sesshoumaru to no end and whenever he tried to taunt those across the table with his dry, intimidating wit, the whole process took two steps back.
In his youth Sesshoumaru had learned the strategies required for political banter, but lacked the tact. Preferring straightforwardness, etiquette and diplomacy were more natural to him. He had shown as much during his alpha trials so many years ago. When it came to placating your opponent with empty gestures, however, Sesshoumaru was nonplussed. Traditionally, the fine dance of political exchanges was handled by the female of the house. His mother was a master of obfuscating conversations; essential to get more than what you gave. She had handled the death of her brother and transition as the new alpha's mate with such grace the war that had followed was said to have only concluded because of her presence. Before the West had trusted the Inu no Taisho they had trusted the Western Lady.
She had shown little interest in the West since her mate's passing. The queen stalked the grounds in a daze, weighed down by the grief she refused to shed and silent even about the most pressing matters. That is, unless she ever ran into her son. Her cold eyes would travel to the Heavenly Blade tied to his side then, without a word, a spark would light within them. He never knew how to approach her even when they were at their closest, so he was at a loss how to engage her now. She would then continue on her way, her presence a ghost throughout the halls of his home.
Sesshoumaru could not blame her for her sorrow, as he felt similar pangs. He did, however, lament her expertise during the seemingly countless meetings with other lords that were required for peace.
Peace. It seemed lacking, as if there was not enough to go around. To never know peace yourself must be a burden of a ruler. Whenever talks with the East calmed another calamity was waiting for his attention. First, it was quieting the dishonored lords he had shunned from his house upon becoming Alpha. Then, there was a rise of vulgar human warlords looking for a taste of glory. They only tasted his blade and that had been cathartic. Now, the current bothersome matter involved a tribe of cats. They were angered that the Inu no Taisho had slain their Panther King centuries ago.
The Devas, a tribe of panther youkai, were terrorizing the borders. Their specialties ranged from illusions to weather manipulation and were proving to be a formidable force. By the time the news had reached him, the eastern tip of his kingdom had been taken and his subjects were either burning, fleeing, or following the foe.
His allies were gathering to drive them out with the pointed exclusion of the Dragons. The similarities between their misgivings and the Devas' own was enough for them to turn their heads. Also, the elder households that had threatened to overthrow him were demanding more than he believed reasonable for their aid, strictly out of spite. He gave them little mind, only demanding their allegiance, and they claimed the Great Dog General would have never treated trusted comrades so coldly.
Every morning, the Western Lord woke wondering when his father's problems would stop being his own. They all prevented Sesshoumaru from further hunting down what he had actually wanted from his sire, The Tetsusaiga.
The search had been aggravating and many still gossiped about the absence of the coveted Earthly blade. It made Tenseiga weigh heavier at his hip. The spying on Inuyasha was fruitless and had grown more inconsistent over the years. The hanyou was clearly ignorant of anything to do with the tomb or sword and therefore was completely useless to him. That is, until he was just strong enough to justify killing him.
Soon enough. Inuyasha had grown practically feral after the death of his mother, but he was strong. One of their father's lesser known vessels, a flea demon if he remembered correctly, had found the impertinent whelp and was apparently assisting him. In a way, it was a good thing. If the hanyou lived long enough to stand his own ground, then the elder son could carry out the bastard's death with his honor intact.
Sesshoumaru so wished to have his personal conquests attended to. He fought to push that desire deep down, resisting the itch he constantly felt. It was that foolish sense of selfishness that got his father, as powerful and honorable as he was, into so much trouble.
Last he had heard, Inuyasha was spending most of his time around the village of Edo, outside the Western borders. Why a hanyou would be willingly be around more people than necessary he could not fathom, but he was tired of trying to figure out his half-brother's actions.
He was just so tired.
The anger and longing and feeling of incompleteness was draining him by measures. Between the emptiness of his home and the contrast between the small circle he could actually trust and the larger one he was having to, he was unsettled. The alpha felt the unbalance most significantly when Kimiko, the ibis youkai that had a seat in his closest counsel, requested to speak to him in private.
"You understand, don't you Sesshoumaru?"
The honorific was dropped in her attempt to establish sentiment. She had only done so when they came to each other on rare nights and the lines of need and duty blurred together. He was never ashamed of their congress. More notably, she was never subdued. Kimiko had not desired to be his mate, only enjoy each other without expectation.
But now, she urged, "I need to get back to my own people. These Devas are without mercy. I need to fight on the front." Honest tears glistened in her eyes. He had never seen her so vulnerable. "I cannot stand here while I lose anyone else."
Kimiko still mourned whoever she had lost before coming to the castle, almost as fiercely as Sesshoumaru resented Miko. A love lost was most easily ignored by the attentions of another, and a bitter taste could be forgotten by the bite of something sweet. He knew when she had growled into the crook of his neck she imagined him as someone else, which was acceptable since he could use her to forget about his own fading fantasy.
The ibis bowed lower, her hair cascading freely and pooling on the warm wooden floors. Her absolute deference made him slightly uncomfortable. "Will you release me, Sesshoumaru?"
He regarded the strong youkai kneeling in front of him. "You were never bound to me."
She looked up and smiled, the same fierce way she had the day they battled for alpha. That was better. "You would never dare. I am, however, loyal to your rule."
"Your loyalties were never in question." He stood from his overstated throne. "Nor is your character. I only wish I could immediately join you in your fight. Be assured, I will follow."
Kimiko rose, and she seemed lighter than when she had walked in. "I know for a fact you will always come after me, my lord." She winked, deviously.
Sesshoumaru kept his face passive and studied the youkai. Her chin was raised, proudly. Her improper jest tickled the corners of her round eyes and the edge of her wicked smile, unremorseful for her bold transgression.
Kimiko stood before him awaiting his final dismissal with an eager restlessness for needing such. Usually, she acted as if her every action was just the way the world was supposed to work. Illusionists were typically fickle, but she had an assured grace and haughty confidence that he saw in himself.
"You're a complete narcissist," a sweet voice called from his past.
His breath caught for a moment. Where had that memory come from? Over the years, he had purposefully pushed the foolish Miko from his mind. It was only at night, when he slept and could not control his thoughts, did her memory assault him. Memories of quiet conversations and magnolia trees. Of wild, sunlit fields and the orderly dojo they played in. Of make-believe and of the one night she was real under his touch.
Sesshoumaru brought his thoughts back to the proud woman in front of him and wondered if this was to be one of the echoes he would never be able to rid himself of.
He knew now that the small, shared moments that ingrained themselves in your memory were not conscious choices. It was the impression one leaves on you that determines how they were remembered, and how they made you feel was infinitely more important than what they ever did.
Would her request to leave his service be a moment that he could remember in vivid clarity? Would the mere mention of her name in the future spark this pivotal moment, or a inconsequential one from their years as trusted comrades?
Would this be cherished or haunt him later?
"Go," he prompted sharply. "I hope to find this Devas nuisance dealt with upon my arrival."
Again, she smiled as if a joke he would never understand lied within the curve of her lips. "As you wish, my lord."
Kimiko had left shortly after and Sesshoumaru did not wait for word to spread from servant gossip. The taiyoukai summoned his other lieutenants and then did little to lessen the blow that one of their closest council members was gone.
Dachi was appalled. "Who does she think she is? Leaving her Alpha at a time like this?"
The bear, brown inu, and taiyoukai walked out of the hall, the latter leading the other two towards an unknown location. Sesshoumaru cooly replied, "She is serving me by advancing to the front."
"She just wants to protect her own!" he growled back.
Osamu rested a hand on the large bear youkai's shoulder, their strides quick to keep up with the taiyoukai. "Nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone, is there?"
Daichi sneered. "That's a bad choice of words."
"Well," the brown inu shrugged, patting his sword reverently, "words were never my specialty."
"A common problem, it appears," Sesshoumaru quipped in his usual, cold tone and heavily regarding his most trusted soldiers. They came to a halt before another hallway.
The other two smiled, knowing their lord enjoyed making deprecating jests in the form of intimidating insults. The brutish demon took a step forward, his nose twitching instinctually. "All's I'm saying is that she shouldn't have made demands. If it was your wish for her to go, then-"
Sesshoumaru interrupted, "It is my wish for you to leave as well."
Both youkai stilled then thought to look to where he had led them. The paper screens separating the hall from the private quarters at the end of their current path had paintings of giant bears conquering the north-most mountain range of the west along with the house sigil of Dachi's family. He had brought him here to start packing. Understanding dawned on the bear youkai's face and his nose stilled, no longer needing to tell him what his mind finally figured out.
"Daichi," the Western Lord continued. "You will return to the North. Rally the forces and ensure they are prepared. I expect them ready within the week."
The bear looked as if he wanted to oppose the order, but then he would only be arguing with his own logic. "If you are as clever with your enemies as you are with your friends," Daichi smiled grimly, "Those cats are in for a serious ass-kicking."
"With you there, my wits will not be needed."
"Someone there better have some." The bear lieutenant grumbled before taking his leave, the thunderous footsteps echoing through the dark hall towards his chambers, and Sesshoumaru felt his circle of allies shrink again.
Once Daichi had left, Osamu's face wrinkled as he looked at his alpha. "An interesting tactic."
"You question it?" Sesshoumaru probed, turning around to retrace their steps. "Soldiers fight more fiercely where their hearts are at stake."
"It will strengthen the front, but our center is being left more and more exposed."
"I have an idea for that as well." His golden eyes slid Osamu's way.
Understanding released the tension from his features. "You are sending your lieutenants to protect their homes, and the castle is mine." A rueful smirk lifted from the corner of Osamu's graceful lips. "I assume that you are leaving, then. What could possibly be more important than your own home?"
The silver inu grew quiet, their graceful footfalls suddenly jarring in his reticence. He knew he should answer, but speaking it out loud would feel like acknowledging a weakness his enemies wished to see in him. His subjects had not enjoyed a long peace after his ascension, and the dissension from the older nobles had never fully quieted. The Devas were a sudden threat, exploiting the fact that most of the Western Kingdom's focus was on the relationship with the Dragons. They increased the pressure to a breaking point and the neko tribe's loyalty would mostly outmatch those who fought alongside Sesshoumaru.
War was eminent, the odds were stacked against him, and he knew he needed Tetsusaiga- needed his father's strength- to gain a stronger foothold in the coming battle. He remained silent, but thankfully the tired look in Sesshoumaru's eyes answered the question.
The other inuyoukai brow furrowed. "You are continuing your search for the Fang?"
"It is where I am needed." As far as excuses to fulfill his deepest wish went, it was strong enough for him to live with, and one he hoped no one dared to question.
Osamu's neck tensed as he stopped himself from shaking his head, then sighed in acquiescence. If there had been any protest it died in his throat. Instead, his strong hand gripped Sesshoumaru's shoulder. "Do not worry," he reassured. "The West will be here waiting for you."
The alpha rose a menacing eyebrow. "I assume you are aware of what will happen to you if it is not."
Osamu chuckled, fully indoctrinated in his lord's cold wit. "Careful, Sesshoumaru-sama. It would almost appear as if you cared."
.
The early morning awoke with a flurry of rustling autumn leaves. The scent of the season's change carried on sturdy winds and enveloped him as he stepped outside. Most of the stronghold was still asleep, even the staff, but the quiet was very welcomed. He enjoyed being alone.
Without preamble, Sesshoumaru strode out from the inner courtyard, feeling the anxious itch grow with each step. He paused at the threshold of the outer gates, unsure why his pace would falter. He had grown accustomed to avoiding looking back to where he had been or what memories lay in wait for him, but now, some phantom grip held him and tugged from his chest. It demanded attention. He fought against the call and willed his foot forward. Then, he heard his name. Glancing over his shoulder, Sesshoumaru looked over to the Western stronghold.
His mother was at the front door.
Her long, white hair was immaculately groomed and embedded with rubies and amber jewels. The many layers of her kimono were in colors he had never seen her wear before. Bright, vibrant reds and oranges with ostentatious gold patterns blossomed from her, encasing her in warmth. The image contrasted with her cool stare and the silver inu embroidered on her navy obi. She had pulled herself out from wherever her heavy heart had dragged her and stood as regal as ever. Her stoic face was no longer haunted. The years she spent floating through the castle, weighed by the loss of her mate and by the unspoken secrets she kept, left practically no sign of their existence on her. Now, as Sesshoumaru was leaving, she was readying herself for change. Welcoming it.
Another breeze with dancing, fragile leaves broke through their field of vision, breaking the spell as well. She turned her face away, apparently changing her mind. Then, his mother lifted her chin proudly, signaling for him to leave, before returning back through the doorway.
Change was coming. He could feel a foreboding calm before the storm in the disquieted twitch of his claws.
"Hn," Sesshoumaru snorted derisively and leapt into the sky. He tired of the half-truths and unknown mysteries surrounding his parents and the general feel of the kingdom. Everything was a compromise and he felt as though he kept ending up on the losing side of them.
The taiyoukai had worked and trained for his birthrights. He had fought from a desire to keep them his as well. However, he also fought for contentment with all that was left to him. The title, the lands, the useless blade he was never without; they all still did not feel like his own. Sesshoumaru felt cloaked in his sire's clothing and enveloped in the empty folds. They did not fit. He did not fit. He was not a big enough presence.
But, out of the confines of his castle and into the endless sky Sesshoumaru felt himself fill the space. The scent of free wind stirred his restlessness. The wildflower meadows littered with rust-colored foliage were bittersweet, musty with the tinge of death, and held a promise of brightening the world again. The amber blankets of forests stood ageless even as they prepared for the long sleep of winter. A leaf would die, but the tree will continue on. The wilds of the world flew below him and he breathed deep, letting his mind slip.
"Does that make Sesshoumaru the spring?"
Sesshoumaru startled and willed her affect away. Miko's invading memories had been increasing of late much to his dismay. He had not given credence to Miko's reality since her banishment. Whatever she had actually been, he recognized her as a hindrance. If she was a part of him, it was a part he was trying to kill off. She spoke of mercy and love to fill his head and make him weak. On the other hand, if she truly was only a figment of his imagination, then he only needed to focus on reality. Dreaming did not bring anything but dashed hopes.
As his persistent denial fought with his wandering thoughts he flew through gray clouds that smelled of promised rain and lightning. Thunder had not yet begun to roll through the gathering storm, but the building pressure was oppressive. His hackles raised in response to the energy surrounding him. Within the haze, Sesshoumaru felt something about to shatter. He pushed forward to find a break in the darkening clouds. The still unformed electric currents goosefleshed his skin, caused his silver hair to rise, and the static in his silks to crackle. Gritting his teeth, he flew straight ahead. The danger was mounting, but it would not deter him. His path had always been clear, even if he had to battle unforeseen obstacles. Everything promised to him, everything trained into him to want, could be his if he only pushed through.
"Did you ever have a choice?"
Damn her.
He growled in time with the first rumble of thunder as blue eyes flashed in the ominous clouds. Then, without warning, he was out in the open again. In his haste the autumn gall was quickly left behind and he was greeted to the sunrise. The blood red sky and golden sun were welcoming at first, until they reminded him of a scared boy that had growled at him while hope died in his eyes. Eyes he had received from their father.
Instinctually, Sesshoumaru stretched his youki out to warn any living thing nearby. They scattered. He had just wanted to be alone. Somehow, he had still dragged the presence of a childish whim and a fool's heart with him.
The anxious feeling of inevitable change also still clung to him, but relief flooded him as the landscape began to look familiar.
Sesshoumaru descended and hovered over a dense forest, pleased the first part of his journey was already complete. There were two youkai, other than his father, who had a deeper connection to the Heaven and Earth blades then he might ever know himself. Since the swordsmith had been deliberately avoiding him, the demon rooted to the ground was the easiest to find.
His feet silently touched the ground in front of the ancient youkai and the sunlight that filtered through the old tree's rustling leaves dappled against the unused Tenseiga at his waist. Bokuseno's regard lingered on the stoic inu for several long moments as the forest mumbled with ambient life and swaying winds. The taiyoukai's travels had unsettled him, but there was usually little to gain from rushing demons such as the one he was seeking advice from.
"It has been many, many years since your last visit, pup," the ancient creature finally said.
Sesshoumaru ignored the pet name. "A hundred or so years are a mere yawn in comparison to the span of our lives."
"Yet, you come to me now with urgency in your eyes."
His lip sneered before he could stop himself. "You already know why, I presume."
"Oh yes," Bokosono replied. "Which is why I am dismayed that I had to wait for so long."
The silver inu growled. "I tire of my father's games... and yours."
"Oh, then you will dislike what I have to tell you now."
A breeze gently roared through the ancient limbs and leaves, mocking the deep, forced sigh from Sesshoumaru. "So you have known. This whole time."
A poignant creaking of wood as Bokoseno shrugged. "You once criticized me for offering my advice too freely. Besides, there is merely just a time to know things." Bokuseno's natural idleness was not as great a weakness as others would like to believe. Regardless that his bark was impossible to cut through, unless willingly given, his roots ran deep, and far, as did his knowledge of the world.
He knew what information the taiyoukai wanted, but he was going to make him ask for it anyways. If there were any demon to defer to, it would be Bokuseno. "I am searching for his tomb and the sword he thought he could keep from me."
Another quiet moment passed as the tree sat in the morning sun.
"And," Sesshoumaru continued as patiently as possible when his father's old friend was not forthcoming, "I am tired of waiting."
The rough bark that made his brow cracked. "It is not for you, Sesshoumaru."
The taiyoukai glowered. "It is not for you to say."
"Is it not?" he argued back. "There were very few entrusted with secrets to be revealed in time to you and your half-brother. Their purpose is important. More important, I would say, than your ambition."
Perhaps it was in increasing pressure over the last two centuries. Or maybe it was the invading memories of people he wished would not bother him. Or, most likely, his patience had just finally run thin. Sesshoumaru growled, the stripes at his cheeks breaking into dangerous, jagged streaks, and he removed Tenseiga, sheath and all, from his obi.
His red eyes stared in Bokuseno's own and Sesshoumaru dropped the sword between them.
"My ambition?" he snarled incredulously. "To hell with his plans. It was my father's ambition that has led me here. It was his weakness that is tearing everything left to me apart. My only ambition is to piece together what was shattered. I will conquer them all. I will have them kneeling and be glad for it. If they are lucky, I will even spare most of them."
The silver inu took a dangerous step forward, his heel pushing Tenseiga into the soft earth at the magnolia tree's roots. "You would do well to decide whose ambition might serve you better."
He felt his own youki flare and threatened to break free. Sesshoumaru panted in his sudden rage, letting the anger fill him and all those empty spaces he lamented just this morning. The same crackling energy from the storm was coming from within him now and he was unsure he could stop it from breaking loose.
Bokuseno kept his expression passive, but never broke his attention away from the troubled demon at his roots. "His tomb is seen, but unseen, and hidden behind a black pearl."
Sesshoumaru's anger did not relent. "More riddles!?"
The older demon ignored the dog's indignation. "There is a weapon that can help you find what you think you want, but you will need help wielding it from a kappa." He elaborated as Sesshoumaru's eyes returned to gold. "Both will be not far from here."
As the morning grew later, the inuyoukai's breath began to calm. Ever patient, the tree in front of him waited for another outburst, a dark remark, or even for him to leave without another word. From his weary, steady gaze, Sesshoumaru did not think either would matter much to him. So, he turned and started to leave.
"I do not fully agree with your father's plan," Bokuseno broke the quiet and Sesshoumaru stopped to listen. "His mistakes were grave and I am truly saddened by the pain they have caused, and will continue to cause you." The tree groaned, rustling his strong limbs until he was completely settled naturally into his surroundings again. "Will you visit me again, Sesshoumaru?" a disjointed voice asked from the sun-fauceted canopy.
The young lord glanced over his shoulder and gave him no answer, as was his custom. Then he considered the sword half buried in the rich forest ground for another moment. Eventually, he decided to pick it up, even now unable to deny his father's gift. His grip on the scabbard was gentle, apologetic, and he tied it back into place before walking away.
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A/N: Please review! And thanks for reading! :]
If there are errors, please let me know as well. Editing isn't exactly my strong suit