.:All of My Tomorrows:.
chapter seven : sun and moon, part one
According to his sources, the woman-child and her kitsune pet were looking for him. The woman-child was surprisingly accommodating, saving him the time and effort to locate her. The pair had been steadily making their way toward the western lands, purposely avoiding interaction with humans but still attracting youkai.
The girl was a moving target now, attracting weaklings to her like a moth to a flame so Sesshoumaru had purposefully made the path to him plainer. He was anxious to break the seal, but he wanted her to come to him. It would be easier to engage her on his territory where he held the advantage and controlled the rules of the game.
In the meantime, Sesshoumaru kept busy preparing for her arrival and studying the legends surrounding the jewel.
He had first learned of the Shikon no Tama from Tsume when he was a child. Tales of the effects of the jewel caught Sesshoumaru's imagination and he enjoyed the idea of possessing it. The Shikon no Tama would be an easy way to gain strength and the temptation to possess it was strong.
Tsume fed that temptation by continually filling his young ears with the story of the woman responsible for the birth of the Shikon no Tama and the power held within it. Finally, he went so far as to hint that Sesshoumaru would do well to acquire it someday in front of the youkai Lord of the Western Lands. Sesshoumaru's father immediately interrupted them, telling Sesshoumaru that he was of noble and powerful blood and had no need for such inane trinkets.
Immediately Sesshoumaru felt shamed, and from that point on he closed his ears and mind to anything having to do with the jewel. He focused instead on making himself as strong as possible to prove himself worthy to his father.
It was not long after that did his father's focus shift from being the strongest, most powerful youkai in all the lands to satisfying his growing carnal desires for mortal women. Sesshoumaru felt the weight of shame bearing down on him, causing him to distance himself from his father. Shortly thereafter, Inuyasha had been born and Sesshoumaru's mother chose death over life as a rejected mate.
After the death of his mother, the youkai Lord had a slight change of heart. He realized his mistakes, but did nothing to remedy them. Inuyasha's whore of a mother still slept in the same bed next to his father and Inuyasha had run of the estate. Sesshoumaru, and his mother, had been betrayed again.
Sesshoumaru hated the mortal woman, but he hated his father more. Inuyasha was an innocent consequence of his father's weakness. The child was blood and Sesshoumaru came to respect that, there was no grudge between them. It was when Sesshoumaru learned that his father willed the sword to Inuyasha did the loathing for his sibling begin.
Inuyasha had never understood that. He had inherited his mother's annoying habit of jumping to conclusions, behaving irrationally and taking things for granted. As far as the hanyou was concerned, Sesshoumaru was a sadistic, jealous older brother with murderous intent toward everything that Inuyasha cared for. If that had been true, Sesshoumaru would have killed Inuyasha's mother, the miko, Kagome and the rest of the members of his little group long ago. As it was, he did not give a damn about the company Inuyasha kept while he was alive, except now.
The only desire in Sesshoumaru's heart now was to see his brother's bitch and make her break the seal protecting the Tetsusaiga. However, he still was not quite sure how he was going to persuade her to do it. He was certain that she was not even aware she was the one in control of the seal and the sword to begin with.
If she was not aware of the power she held over the Tetsusaiga, how was he supposed to make her carry out his wishes?
• • •
"This is it, Shippou," Kagome paused, carefully taking in the scenery. "This is the threshold to Sesshoumaru's domain."
Shippou studied the land before him and frowned. He could tell no difference from the forest they were currently walking through to the forest immediately ahead. It all looked the same to him.
"How do you know?"
Kagome glanced down at Shippou and smiled, "We just know. Once we pass those trees there, we will be in the Western Lands."
Kagome regarded Shippou for a long moment, and then kneeled down to look him in the eyes. "Are you sure you want to come with us? We do not know what will happen once we enter his domain. We'd feel better if you didn't come, Shippou."
"I told you, I want to come."
The girl smiled and nodded. "We just don't want to see you get hurt." Kagome affectionately stroked Shippou's head and cheek, her face reflecting a smile but worry clouding her eyes. "He's waiting for us. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready."
"Alright then," Kagome said as she straightened.
It had taken them almost two months to reach the Western Lands. In that time, Kagome had slowly continued to come back to herself. Her vocal tone and vocabulary sounded more familiar and she smiled more often.
Only when she sensed danger did the sound of her voice change and she reverted to referring to herself in the plural form. Occasionally, she would even talk to herself and make frequent reference to a woman named Midoriko. Shippou recognized the name. Midoriko was the woman responsible for the creation of the Shikon no Tama. It was supposed to contain her soul, trapped in an eternal struggle against a demon of immense power and hatred.
As odd as it was, Shippou was slowly beginning to adjust to the duality that existed within Kagome -- one being Midoriko and the other Kagome -- though he had a difficult time understanding it.
It was not until they neared the end of their journey to Sesshoumaru's domain did Kagome consistently refer to herself in the plural, though she retained her affection and kindness toward the kitsune cub.
Shippou knew that his senses were no where near as developed as Sesshoumaru's, but that did not prevent him from constantly scenting the air and rotating his ears toward the faintest of sounds. If Sesshoumaru was expecting them, then they could not afford to let down their guard.
The sun dipped well below the horizon when they decided to camp for the night. Shippou's nerves were already on edge as visions of an angry, powerful Sesshoumaru filled his mind. Kagome seemed more concerned about comforting him and easing his fears than she was at the actual threat of Sesshoumaru killing them in their sleep. She promised Shippou that she would stay up and keep watch for the youkai for part of the night and Shippou could stay up for the rest. The solution seemed easy enough and Shippou agreed to it readily. He trusted Kagome completely and was thankful for the chance to get some much-needed sleep.
The boy should have known better.
Morning came quickly, the bright light alarming Shippou into full wakefulness. His sudden start awoke Kagome, who held him securely in her arms and both peered around them in trepidation and confusion when a loud and commanding voice caught their attention.
"You are trespassing."