Training Days
Sesshoumaru was hypnotized by the rhythm in which Miyanti walked. He would watch her tail swing from side to side and sometimes graze the grass as she walked. He noticed when Miyanti was tired that her tail would drag along the trail. When she was happy her tail would swing rapidly back and forth and sometimes the members of the group would get hit when they walked to close to her. But when something evil alerted her senses or if she were in a pensive mood her tail would stick straight up in the air. But now she was in a good but pensive mood. Sesshoumaru could tell she had a lot on her mind and was afraid to tell what was bothering her. So, he decided to walk beside her for a while.
Miyanti felt at ease with Sesshoumaru by her side. She felt stronger than what she was and more self-assured in accomplishing her goals. Sesshoumaru whispered in Miyanti's ear, "What's bothering you?" Seshoumaru wasn't sure why he was asking this and why it bothered him to see her so tense.
Miyanti was unsure about answering his question but she felt that she should be honest with her mate. "Naraku knows that we are coming and he's sending more and more demons in our direction. Soon there will be a huge battle between the seven of us and what could be hundreds if not thousands of demons. I am very powerful and my comrades are strong but if we are all not loyal to the cause then we might possible die. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Sesshoumaru honestly did not care for the cause or any of Miyanti's companions but he considered what she said carefully. It would be short sited to kill her in the heat of battle just so he could be free from his desire of her. If Naraku gathered the entire shikon jewel and became a full youkai, it would be nothing to him to destroy all of Japan and take over the world. If he fought against Naraku alone he would be sure to die eventually. If Sesshoumaru wanted to continue being the Lord of the Western Lands it was certainly in his best interest to fight by Miyanti's side.
"What have you decided to do, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Miyanti said apprehensively.
"To fight loyally by your side until Naraku is defeated?" Sesshoumaru said without an ounce of emotion.
"Then will you allow me to train you? You are strong but you could be stronger." Miyanti said and fully expected the youkai to try to slice her head off.
Sesshoumaru knew Miyanti was only trying to prepare him for war but his pride was hurt. A lowly soldier offered to train him in the art of war when he was trained by the finest of swordsmen in his lands. He bit his pride and looked at his half-brother that walked a good distance in front of him. Inuyasha has become a better warrior under Miyanti's tutelage he could even swear that he was gaining manners also. He hadn't cursed or threatened anyone in days and he held on to Kagome's hand as if she could save him from the world. What if I actually allowed her to train me, Sesshoumaru pondered. What if I could increase my strength and power—it would be to my benefit, he thought to himself. "I will allow you to train me on one condition."
"What is it?" Miyanti sighed.
"At least once a week Inuyasha, you and I should all battle each other at once to test our abilities and our teacher."
"You're on." Miyanti said and Inuyasha secretly smiled as he walked a little lighter.
After breakfast Miyanti and Sesshoumaru decided to train above the camp about fifty feet. Everyone thought it would be best for all of those concerned if they did so. Miyanti grew her nails and narrowed her eyes at Sesshoumaru. "I will not show you any mercy when we are training. I will not humor you or pause when I think that you are hurt. The only words that will help you are 'time out'."
"I'm not some weak hanyou that expects to be spoiled and giving leniency during training." Sesshoumaru said and smirked when Inuyasha growled at him. Inuyasha didn't say anything in response because he knew that his brother would receive the beating of a lifetime. So, Inuyasha leaned against a tree and prepared himself mentally for his brother's battle.
Sesshoumaru didn't wish to underestimate Miyanti again so he watched her movements carefully to develop a rhythm for her movements. He allowed her to make the first move and he was astonished at her speed. He barely moved within enough time to dodge her attack but then she increased her speed and detracted her claws. She held her fingers straight and plunged them into Sesshoumaru's newly replaced arm. Again she increased her speed and kicked Sesshoumaru in the stomach. While Miyanti was licking the blood off her fingers Sesshoumaru clawed her across her neck with his poisoned claws. This actually made the distracted Miyanti angry. She actually allowed herself to be distracted long enough to be attacked, so she pummeled Sesshoumaru until he crashed into the ground and then she flew at his body at full force and rammed him into the ground. Then she picked his body up out of the crater and kicked him like a football into the air but she was not finished with him. Miyanti held him in the air and slapped him around with her tail. She wrapped her tail around his neck and threw him hard into the ground.
Miyanti waited about five minutes for Sesshoumaru to get back up and fight but when he didn't she flew down to the ground to heal him so they could fight again. Inuyasha laughed as his brother laid in the dirt and motionless but Miyanti was actually concerned for him. Miyanti leaned over Sesshoumaru and listened to his heartbeat—it was faint but steady so she began to heal him. She placed her hands over his body and closed her eyes to concentrate on healing Sesshoumaru. Suddenly, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and plunged his hand into Miyanti's heart. As a reflex Miyanti encased them in a desire bubble and reality for Sesshoumaru faded into a dream.
Inside the Bubble
Sesshoumaru looked victorious over Miyanti's dead body. The ground shook for a couple of seconds and swallowed her body whole. Inuyasha and his companions looked at Sesshoumaru with rage and contentment but he ignored their looks. "She said no mercy." He said and attacked the group. First, he cut off the monk's hand that had the wind tunnel, he cut Sango into shreds with his whip, and all before Inuyasha had time to recover from Miyanti's murder. Inuyasha transformed the tetsusaiga and used its full power so he could destroy his brother but Sesshoumaru quickly grabbed Kagome and Shippo as a shield. Their bodies evaporated from the initial blast and injured Sesshoumaru but then he ingested the many shards of the shikon jewel and increased strength. Even with the tetsusaiga at full power Inuyasha was no match for Sesshoumaru. The battle only lasted for minutes as Sesshoumaru transformed into full youkai form and ripped him to shreds.
With the bloody ordeal over Sesshoumaru began his search for Naraku. He decided that if he could not beat Naraku then maybe he should join him and become his loyal Lord of the Western Lands. He knew that Naraku could not be trusted and as soon as there was no need for him to be around, then Naraku would try to kill him, so he knew that he had to be careful. First, he would go and gain Naraku trust and then he would build up an army of youkai to defeat him if Naraku tried to betray him.
Sesshoumaru found Naraku's palace and entered in without a problem. Naraku was still disguised as the prince of the palace so all the people of the palace were loyal to Naraku but they knew not to anger a youkai. So, they sent messengers ahead of Sesshoumaru so the Naraku would be warned.
Naraku listened carefully to Sesshoumaru's proposal of him lending his services for peace and prosperity but he only listened out of amusement. He didn't trust Sesshoumaru's motives but he thought that he would make an interesting ally. The hanyou and youkai stuck a deal that day and became partners.
Naraku took over all of Japan within weeks and the rest of the world in years. Sesshoumaru was now the Lord over all of Japan and he ruled it in Naraku's name. Sesshoumaru didn't enjoy answering to Naraku when it came to business affairs but it quickly became a beneficial relationship in both directions. Naraku had a powerful servant that was as loyal as long as it was in his favor and Sesshoumaru ruled over Japan and could have anything he wanted, except Miyanti.
Centuries rolled by as Naraku poisoned the earth with his miasma and Sesshoumaru ruled over what was left of Japan. Which were very few people hiding inside of mountains and caves, dead rivers, and no one in his life for companionship. He thought of Miyanti everyday after she died. Occasionally, he would go to where they had fought and touch the earth where her body laid lifeless. He missed her beauty, her straight forwardness, and her strength. No female youkai compared to her and he never considered mating with another female. The desire to hold her again had almost driven him mad some nights unless he was blessed with a dream about her.
In most of Sesshoumaru's dreams he's defeated Naraku with the help of Miyanti and her companions. After the battle they always go back to his palace and mate for hours. Within a few years they would already have a litter of pups and cubs they were always spoiled to death by their parents. Rin was always alive in his dreams. The miasma never killed her in her sleep and Jaken wasn't killed for disobedience to Naraku. Miyanti treated Rin as if she were her own cub and they all lived happily except for the occasional visit from Inuyasha and Kagome with their pups.
After these dreams Sesshoumaru would sit on his bed with his head in his knees and pine for Miyanti more and more until finally one morning he said, "I wish I had never killed Miyanti. I wish I stayed faithful to her and defeated Naraku."
Instantly, the bubble that was around Sesshoumaru popped and he rolled over to see that Miyanti was lying beside him. Sesshoumaru had been in the bubble for a full day and it was the next morning. While he was in the bubble the ground did swallow Miyanti but only to hastening her healing. She had finished her healing process and decided to lie beside her untrustworthy mate and no one but Kagome understood her actions. Sesshoumaru's eyes became teary at the sight of his mate sleeping beside him. He thought he was dreaming, so he looked carefully at her neck and he opened up her armor to take a seriously look at her chest. Everything was in order so he gathered her up in his arms and hugged her. Miyanti knew what was going on but she was too tired from healing to deal with Sesshoumaru behavior. She allowed him to hold her and kiss her lips gently as she slept in his arms. No matter what he had done to her she knew she would easily forget his sins against her.
Before dawn broke the next morning Sesshoumaru went hunting for some food and found a male deer. He quickly killed it and brought it back to camp for someone to cook because he didn't know how. Everyone looked at him with loathing as he brought the food but they cooked the meat without saying a word to him.
Kagome gave Sesshoumaru a plate and she put enough food on it for Miyanti and him. He picked up Miyanti and they went to a secluded spot in the woods. The group was worried that Sesshoumaru would hurt her again but he assured them that it wouldn't happen. Inuyasha followed the couple from far behind them. He wanted to be near in case anything happened but far away enough from them to have some privacy. Sesshoumaru knew that his half-brother would be able to hear the conversation but he knew that how he felt had to be spoken. Sesshoumaru laid Miyanti against his chest and fed her from the plate of food. Miyanti wasn't going to tell him that she was completely healed and able to feed herself, so she allowed him to take care of her.
"I need to tell you the story of how my parents met. After this story I want to know how you feel about us." Sesshoumaru said quietly.
"Yes, I do believe that we should talk." Miyanti replied.
"Well, my father was Lord over the Western Lands but before his father died he was just a prince and general over the armies. There was a female inu-youkai by the name Kiyone in the army ranks and she was beautiful, strong, and a fierce but intelligent fighter. During a battle the dragon clan of the Northern Lands a dragon was about to stab my father with its claws but my mother pushed him out of the way and took the blow instead of my father. My father killed the dragon and fell in love with Kiyone. The war with the dragon clans went on for years until one finally battle where the dragons ambushed the palace. Warriors from all around the Western Lands joined the battle and we won the war but not without lose. Half of the warriors for the Western Lands died in battle. My father thought Kiyone had died in battle and went crazy. Most of the dragons that were left alive died at my father's hands. The surviving numbers of the dragons were under a hundred, but only one prince survived, his name was Radgoni. He later killed my father in a huge battle. Kiyone found my father after he killed most of the dragons and consoled him with a kiss. They mated and gave birth to me. They were never allowed to marry because she was not of noble blood but that didn't matter to them. My mother and father loved each as much as they possible could in such a short matter of time."
"What do you mean by short time?"
"I was told that Radgoni murdered her as soon as he had a chance--revenge for killing his brothers. It happened a year after I was born. My mother was guarding the palace walls and she was slain by Radgoni. The guards that survived the slaying said that it was him because he left his mark on the palace door in my mother's blood.
If my mother had been a simple princess she would have been able to marry my father and she would have been protected. Instead my mother was guarding a palace of warriors and politicians who didn't lift a finger to save her. Everyone in the palace had their own excuse for not saving her.
Sometimes I believe that it was a conspiracy against my mother and father by my grandfather's council. My father deeply loved my mother and vowed that he would get Radgoni back for his lust for blood but I never completely believed that the dragon was intelligent enough to hurt my father the way he did. It also seemed too convenient that my father was patrolling the Western Lands when the attack happened. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"No, explain it too me carefully." Miyanti said cautiously.
"If my council does not agree to our marriage then it could be a very short marriage." He said with as much compassion as he could muster.
"If you love me and promise to be faithful and true to me, then I will destroy any barrier that stands against us. I am the most dangerous enemy that anyone could possibly have. If they choose to get rid of me, then they better prepare for war." Miyanti said with conviction.
"I don't want to repeat my father's path. But I don't want to live another lifetime without you." Sesshoumaru said sadly. Unlike his brother he remembered everything that happened in the bubble lifetime. Every memory flashed before his eyes with a clarity that frightened him; Rin's death, cities filled with miasma and his total obedience to Naraku's madness. He decided that he would never live under his reign again, but he wasn't going to die foolishly in battle either. He needed a plan.
Miyanti reached her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck and pulled him into a kiss. Inuyasha was satisfied that Miyanti and Sesshoumaru wouldn't start fighting again so he left to go tell Kagome what he just listened in on. Everyone at the camp let out a sigh of relief at the thought that they made up.
"This Friday we'll make up for all of our time napping by having a one on one with just the two of us and on Saturday we'll Inuyasha, you, and I will fight all at once and the winner will receive one day off from training." Miyanti said and smiled.
"Is there ever anything on your mind other than fighting?" Sesshoumaru smiled and allowed a small smile to grace his lips.
"Well, if you win the battle then we can spend a few hours together alone and you can find out what else I think about." Miyanti said blushing.
"Oh, I think it would take us a little longer than a few hours to discuss your thoughts fully with me." Sesshoumaru said and nibbled on Miyanti's ear. Miyanti purred at her mate's actions and ran her hand through his hair. Before this discussion could go any further screaming women interrupted them. They dropped the plate of food they were eating from on the ground and ran towards the noises.
It seemed as if thousands of demons had surrounded the camp and attacked the group without warning. Kagome had already ran out of arrows and reverted to using the weapons she made out of demon bones. Shippo used his fox tricks to confuse the demons but his powers of illusion were not fully developed yet. Some of the demons merely pushed his toys aside instead of taking them seriously. Miroku was using his wind tunnel to suck demons into his void until poisonous bees approached the camp from the air so he was forced to physically fight. Sango was killing dozens of demons with her hiraikotsu but she was starting to look exhausted. Inuyasha was fully transformed and using the tetsusaiga to kill hundreds of demons at a time but the sky was flooded with on coming demons. Sesshoumaru joined the fight in full youkai form but the vast number of demons coming towards them was quickly overwhelming him.
Miyanti encased her companions in shield bubbles and opened her mouth to scream. Everything that wasn't encased in Miyanti's shielding shrieked in pain. Bodies of demons exploded for miles around. The forest was littered with the body parts of spiders, worms, birds, and various types of other demons. Inuyasha and the others could not hear the sound that Miyanti was making but they feared it all the same. Miyanti continued screaming for a full five minutes without taking a breath. She was sure that she felt Naraku's presence and since she wasn't positive of his location she decided to keep him at bay until all of his slaves her dead. She had fought with Naraku many times before so she knew he was testing her abilities. She wouldn't give away all of her powers just yet but she would defend her friends to the best of her ability.
"Naraku, we will find you." Miyanti screamed. Naraku watched Miyanti from miles away in the clouds. This new cat youkai bothered him. Kagome and Inuyasha were bad enough, he found out the hard why to not underestimate them but he didn't know what to expect from this new youkai. So, whenever he felt that she would be caught off guard then he would send demons to attack them to get her to show her powers. With every battle with she showed off more and more of her powers but he knew she was holding back and that bothered him. So, Naraka decided that he would send his spawn to spy on them and find out the full extent to the youkai's powers.