Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.
Author's Note: This is me coping about the mess that is Yashahime and its severe character murder of one of the best boys: Sesshomaru. Inuyasha ended in 2010 and they lived bloody happily ever afters. Sesshy is the proud pseudo-dad of preteens and that is on period. Let's all ignore that disgusting lolicon fanfiction by sunrise and have healthy morals. Enjoy.
BREATHE
Chapter I
Far to the lands of the South, far outside the borders of his own territory, wandered the all-powerful inu-daiyoukai. Lesser beings cower in their shelter as he pass these untamed hills. He was known not famously this far down in this seemingly wild land, but the youki he emitted discourage challenge from smaller prey. Just as well, he had no time to spare for weaklings.
He continued on in this seemingly unending journey, guided by nothing but the sense that whatever he was looking for must be somewhere here. He's been to the North after all, and the West was his lands besides. There was only the East left, and here in these thick dark forests of the South, he'd not felt the tug of his sword so strong. What could it be?
The sky has turned russet in the horizon and there's but very little light under the canopy to begin with even at the sun's highest peak. He has excellent enough eyesight to continue on undeterred but still to his right Jaken lights a torch, eyes darting every which way.
Behind him A-Un huffed. A voice calmed the uneasy beast, and steady and low came Kohaku's voice. "It seems A-Un cannot go much further, my Lord."
Sesshomaru glanced back at him. The boy looks to be as awful as his dragon and dirtier too. How many days had his small party gone without rest? His gait was well enough, but Sesshomaru knew the boy had cushioned a fall on a sprained ankle two days ago on a battle with some unmentionable roaches who dared tarry his quest. It seems the taijiya cannot go further as well.
He nodded to his vassal and watched for a moment as they setup camp. Satisfied, he leapt over some lower branches of a nearby tree and found a spot to gaze at the sky. The sounds of the forest drape over them like a familiar cloth. Much of the land stretched in low, ill-formed hills and somewhere to his left there was the distant sound of trickling water.
Beneath his branch Kohaku lied by A-Un's side, his knee propped in a manner that no one may observe the swelling of his foot under the beast's shadow. Sesshomaru glared at Jaken who lay fast asleep by the fire. He contemplated throwing a rock at the snoring toad but left the matter for later and lost himself instead to the sound of the forest and the quiet creatures in its bosom.
In the slow hours approaching midnight, his head snapped toward his left where a river no doubt lie. His senses narrowed on that one infinitesimal disturbance. It is faint, not unlike a quivering leaf dancing upon a stray breeze in the distance. Tenseiga throbbed. Kohaku woke.
The boy sat up and looked toward the direction of which he was observing, young features scrunched in confusion. Curious.
"You've awoken," said Sesshomaru as he leapt to the ground.
"Lord Sesshomaru"
"Come, join me."
The boy glanced toward the rest and tossed a timber on the glowing embers. He followed. "What is it my Lord?"
Sesshomaru remained quiet for he did not know himself. By his hip, the infernal sword pulsed, the beat like an eager pup salivating for a dangling treat. "We shall soon find out."
Could it be the end of this quest? The sword has misled him before, what are the chances that it is isn't now? Ah but there was the case of its accursed pulsing. It was strong, he hadn't felt it as strong in so long.
He followed the sound of water. The trail is thick with overgrown grass and moss-covered rocks. It parted as he passed, Kohaku following suit. Finally they see the glimmering water, dark in the faint moonlight. It gurgled nonsense as they follow its path north.
"Here"
Kohaku stopped behind him. In front of them the water split into two paths. Sesshomaru's eyes narrow as the gaping maw of the cave drank its sustenance. His ears twitched, sensing the labored breath of the taijiya. The boy's heartbeats steadily sped up, and annoyed, Sesshomaru glanced back.
"What?" he asked, cold.
The boy looked stricken, his hand upon his chest rubbing it. "I- it's... What is this? This feels so familiar."
Sesshomaru's brows furrow. Since when did Kohaku sense divinities bar that of the now destroyed Shikon Jewel? "Come," he said instead. "Prepare yourself."
The water sloped downward and both Sesshomaru and Kohaku leapt gracefully from stone to stone as they descend toward its hollow halls underneath. The cave opened the farther they delve and at its core was a basin of clear blue water, calm, rock formations shimmering underneath its tepid surface. There is light here somehow, reflecting and refracting upon ancient surfaces.
Tenseiga is all but quivering in its sheath. Sesshomaru rounded the massive basin and Kohaku took the other side. Jagged stones protrude from the ceiling, its ends pointing down like a thousand menacing swords dulled by time, ever ready to strike down. His steps echo in the cavernous walls, loud and soft and ephemeral. He wondered why it can't pick up the sound of Tenseiga's pulse.
A foreign smell invaded his senses. It was weak, as though covered and sheltered by the ageless stone upon which he walk. He inhaled, but still it was useless.
He heard a strangled gasp, the sound bouncing off the walls. Sesshomaru spun and shot over the calm waters, faint steps making ripples over its still surface. His claws were drawn as he turned a severe curve and saw Kohaku's pale face. The boy was on his knees, looking up. He appeared ill, but unharmed. Sesshomaru followed his gaze and–
His breath caught.
Cocooned around a pocket on the cave wall, raised as though a grotto for worship, was a crystal tomb. The light danced upon its countless surface. Within it was the Priestess Kikyo.