A Demon's Heart
By YoukaiJilly
Summary:
A young Sesshomaru is in the plot to bring his father's new wife to their home. However when she goes missing two of her servants follow. The elder girl protests is ever loyal to her lady and the younger also agrees. But Sesshomaru knows something is wrong but doesn't find out exactly what is the problem until too late. Can he save his family from falling apart and why can't he get the younger girl to fear him?
Chapter One: When My Lady Comes A Callin'
'A low growl...'
'The scent of anger...'
'Perhaps I should knock first...'
Sesshomaru stood outside his father's room a clawed hand raised to knock on the door. Inside he heard his father shouting angrily at one of his spies. Withdrawing his hand he waited until most of the shouting ceased then knocked loudly.
"Sesshomaru! What is it you want?" snapped the dog lord, sitting a large mahogany desk, glaring at one of his lesser demon spies.
"Well...it seems that my problem is no where in league with yours." Said Sesshomaru, barley glancing at the demon that was now scampering out of the room.
"Ah, it's the report on Lady Umae. Seems her father is trying to marry her off to some ally demon while she's carrying my child!" growled Lord Mikado.
'Perhaps this is your punishment for mating with a human father. Only low demons would take a human to their bed. And out family bloodline is not of low demons.'
"Now Sesshomaru, don't you give me that look. I have enough of a headache as it is." Grumbled Lord Mikado. "I know you disapprove, but if you would just find a lady for yourself you'd understand."
"My interests have nothing to do with the female gender Father. And I intend to keep it as such." Replied Sesshomaru without missing a beat.
"That's what worries me." Replied his father. "Now what was your pressing matter?"
"Jaken. Must we employ such an annoying creature?" asked Sesshomaru, much disliking the taste the name of his underling put on his tongue.
"Yes, Sesshomaru. He has pledged his undying service to you. It was your own choice to murder all of your other personal attendants. At least Jaken knows what he is doing."
"I'll give him that," grumbled Sesshomaru.
"Is that all son?"
"Yes Father. That's all."
"Good. I want you down in the council room with the others. I will be there shortly."
"Yes Father." Replied Sesshomaru shutting the door once more. He ran his father's comment in his head over and over.
'Father said...the human lord is trying to wed Father's new mate off to an ally demon. But what lowly demon would take a human carrying the child of one of the greatest demons in all of Japan?'
Then it struck him. The great enemy of the Western demons.
'Lord Hiroshi would. Rumors have been saying he's joined alliance with humans. Must be the human lord. Damn Northern demons. Always mucking matters up.'
Sesshomaru soon found himself outside the council room where his father instructed him to go. Breathing in heavily, he swung open the door and walked inside. Gathered around a low table was of his father's three most important council members.
Lord Gita, a tiger demon was placed at his father's left and he was sharpening his long claws on a silver dagger. Lord Atsushi, another dog demon sat at his right with a slightly bored look upon his face. His wife, Lady Naomi sat next to him and gave a polite smile to Sesshomaru as he walked into the room. Sesshomaru sat at the place right next to his father's seat. They waited in silence when finally Lord Mikado stepped into the room and let the door shut with a bang.
Taking his seat, he looked at his council seriously. Waiting only a moment to start speaking, he said loudly:
"I have been informed that Lady Umae is in the process of being arranged to marry Lord Hiroshi of the Northern Lands and my child killed when born."
Lady Naomi gasped with a look of pity on her face. "How sad and horrible! How vile humans can be to their own kind! Do they know not how much you love each other?"
"I doubt they care." Said Gita.
"I must agree. One would think it would be a great privilege to be the in-law to the greatest demon in Japan." Said Lord Atsushi in his calm voice.
"That is why I propose we devise a plan to take Lady Umae away from her father. That way, we can prevent this horrible even from occurring." Said Lord Mikado.
"Sir, if I may speak boldly?"
"What is it Lady Naomi?"
"If I may say so sir, you tend to be...rash when dealing with Lady Umae. I would rather forget the time you tried to go see her when her pregnancy was announced. Her father had a fit and locked her away in a room for days!" said Lady Naomi timidly.
"I suggest you merely barge into that palace and demand her." Said Gita. "A human lord is not worth drawing your claws out."
"Lord Gita, are you trying to start a war? We have enough problems with the Northern demons. We cannot risk confrontation with the humans as well, however little their threat." Said Lord Atsushi. "I say sir, go to your lady in the cloak of night and request her to come with you. Bring a few of her personal items back with you so the lady will not feel out of place."
"Excellent suggestion. But perhaps the human lord sends his samurai after her? We cannot risk exposing the whereabouts of my palace." Said Lord Mikado. "I would be more at east if someone would distract anyone trying to follow."
"Sesshomaru, why not you? You dislike humans am I correct? It would give you a chance to...sharpen your skills." Said Lord Gita with a wicked smile. Sesshomaru stared at his father who seemed to be brooding over the thought.
"You are assigned the task. And remember my rule," Lord Mikado trailed off.
"I am not to slay a human if they are under twenty human years." Grumbled Sesshomaru. "Very well."
'Father and his ridicules rule. A human has no proper age to die. All humans should be slaughtered. Young and old, strong and sickly. The world would be much pleasanter if humans were not in it.'
"I shall go to my lady tonight. Sesshomaru be ready to leave at sunset. We shall travel slowly so the palace eases into sleep. Barging in is as Lady Naomi so nicely put, is too rash." Said Lord Mikado standing.
"Yes Father." Replied Sesshomaru following suit. The rest of the council followed and they left for their separate rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Sess, are you in place?" Sesshomaru heard his father whisper.
"Yes Father."
"Good. Now wait at the edge of the forest. In ear shot of course."
"Of course. Can we get this over with?" grumbled Sesshomaru, jumping into a tree to wait for his father. Lord Mikado ran swiftly and silently to Lady Umae's room and knocked silently. He was let in and Sesshomaru heard Umae cry out in delight as she hugged him.
"Oh Mikado! Father wants me to marry one of you enemies! What are we going to do?"
"I have already thought of a plan dear. Would you come with me? To live in my palace and leave your father behind?"
"Oh Mikado! Of course! Are we leaving tonight?"
"Gather a few personal things and we shall leave right now. My son is outside to stop anyone who may follow us."
"I...of course."
"What?"
"Oh nothing! Nothing!" said Umae, rushing around the room.
"Umae, daughter who is in there?"
"Father! Uh, no one!"
"Are you decent? I must speak with you!"
"No Father! P-please wait!" said Umae loudly. Then she whispered:
"Good-bye Father. Let's go my dear Mikado."
"Of course." Said Lord Mikado, taking Umae into his arms. Then yelling, with a might sweep he destroyed the door in Umae's room leading to the garden. Sesshomaru hid himself as he heard the human lord throw the door open.
"Guards! Guards get in here! My daughter is being kidnapped!" shouted the outraged lord.
Sesshomaru heard the guards clamor into Umae's destroyed room and one stuttered:
"S-sir, that be the dog demon. It would not be wise to go after him. We'd be killed sir."
"You lazy good for nothings! Fine! I shall have to inform Lord Hiroshi. I should dismiss you all for this."
"Lord Hiroshi?" came a female voice.
"What is it Ayaka?" said the human lord.
"I...I request to go after Lady Umae. I...I promised my mother I would always stay with her."
"And how would a seventeen year old mortal girl find a dog demon?" snapped the human lord.
"At least I'm willing to try! Unlike you're spineless guards." Replied Ayaka with anger in her voice.
"Dare you speak against me Ayaka? Fine, you may go. It shall not be on my conscious if you are killed."
"Lord, I shall go with her. Surely you would not send a child on such an errand by herself?" said an older female voice.
"How does this interest you Mai? You care not for Lady Umae." Said Ayaka.
"I am worried about my lady just as you. Lord, I beg of you to let me go with little Ayaka."
"Go, I care not. Dang women, wanting to get them selves killed..." grumbled the human lord as he left.
"I don't know what your reason is, but I know you aren't going merely because you are worried."
"Oh shush little girl. I suggest we start after Lady Umae." Said Mai stepping outside. Sesshomaru blushed hotly trying to tear his eyes away from her generous curves and beautiful face.
Sesshomaru slapped himself and cracked his knuckles.
'She's over twenty human years...I can smell it...now, where is the other girl...?'
Sesshomaru saw a younger girl come out, brushing locks of short black hair from her face.
'The lord said this one was seventeen human years. Oh well, she shall suffer watching her companion die. And no one said I wasn't allowed to injure her...'
Sesshomaru was just about to leap from the tree when Mai pointed to the left of the path.
"This way," she said.
Sesshomaru stared in amazement for she had chosen the right path. However, Ayaka protested.
"I shall go this way." Said Ayaka starting in the wrong direction Sesshomaru smiled at her misfortune and proceeded to follow the elder girl.
'She seems to know exactly where she's going...but that's impossible...no human could know where Father's palace is. Only our allies know how to find the palace.'
Sesshomaru followed her, his worry increasing as she continued to walk on with her head high. With Sesshomaru's keen hearing he heard the younger girl scream. Smiling, he rushed ahead to warn his father. He rushed to the council room and threw the door open.
"Father!"
"What is it Sesshomaru?" asked Lord Mikado, who had been holding Umae to him. Without looking sorry in the least, he said:
"Two of your human's servants followed. A younger girl named Ayaka I believe and an older girl named Mai. She's heading straight here. I thought it would be in our best interest to warn you."
"Are you sure? Heading straight here?" said Lord Mikado in worry.
"Yes. She seems to know exactly where she's going."
"I shall send one of the guards to get her. What of the younger girl?"
Sesshomaru smiled. "She took the right path. I heard a scream. Then I rushed here."
"Go fetch her." Snapped Lord Mikado.
"What!?" exclaimed Sesshomaru. His father shot him a "look" and Sesshomaru left with a scowl.
Sesshomaru left grumbling and went into the forest. He followed the girl's scent from the beginning of the human lord's palace and followed it down the path to almost half way through when the scent changed direction and went to his left. He heard a girl screaming her head off and found the girl in a cave cowering against a wall. An extremely tall man loomed over her.
"Now, now girlie. I won't hurt ya. Just stay still..." he said with a deep laugh.
"I...I know what you're trying to do!" Ayaka shouted getting to her feet.
'She isn't honestly thinking of taking on this man is she? She'll get pummeled. Well, Father never said I had to rescue her immediately...'
The man laughed and brought a hand down to Ayaka's throat. "Well, brave little sprite aren't we?" He leaned down and kissed her cheek. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and let his legs swing over the side of the tree branch he was sitting on.
Ayaka groaned and Sesshomaru saw as her leg swung forward and the man released her with a yell and toppled over. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow as Ayaka ran away from the direction of the palace crying. Sesshomaru followed bored and heard the man tearing after her.
'Might as well save her now. Father might get angry if I let anything happen to his dear human's little friend.'
Sesshomaru jumped from the trees and right onto the man's back. Ayaka screamed and the man was killed instantly. Sesshomaru leaped in front of Ayaka who screamed louder.
"Shut up human. Your lady is with my father. You'll be taken to her, just stop screaming!" snapped Sesshomaru lifting the girl up by her kimono collar. Ayaka stared up at him with fearing eyes then something changed. Anger erupted in them. A very fierce anger.
"You...you have gold eyes...the demon that killed my mother...had gold eyes..get your hands off me you filthy demon!" shouted Ayaka slapping Sesshomaru in the face.
---------------
A/N: Here is the first chapter of "A Demon's Heart!" Yay! Just a quick side note Ayaka and Mai are wearing kimono's like the dead girl in the episode where the Inu gang (excluding Sango) is hired to protect the princess's soul. Remember...? Good!
Oh yes.
You want to push the button...you want to push the button...you must push the button...
By YoukaiJilly
Summary:
A young Sesshomaru is in the plot to bring his father's new wife to their home. However when she goes missing two of her servants follow. The elder girl protests is ever loyal to her lady and the younger also agrees. But Sesshomaru knows something is wrong but doesn't find out exactly what is the problem until too late. Can he save his family from falling apart and why can't he get the younger girl to fear him?
Chapter One: When My Lady Comes A Callin'
'A low growl...'
'The scent of anger...'
'Perhaps I should knock first...'
Sesshomaru stood outside his father's room a clawed hand raised to knock on the door. Inside he heard his father shouting angrily at one of his spies. Withdrawing his hand he waited until most of the shouting ceased then knocked loudly.
"Sesshomaru! What is it you want?" snapped the dog lord, sitting a large mahogany desk, glaring at one of his lesser demon spies.
"Well...it seems that my problem is no where in league with yours." Said Sesshomaru, barley glancing at the demon that was now scampering out of the room.
"Ah, it's the report on Lady Umae. Seems her father is trying to marry her off to some ally demon while she's carrying my child!" growled Lord Mikado.
'Perhaps this is your punishment for mating with a human father. Only low demons would take a human to their bed. And out family bloodline is not of low demons.'
"Now Sesshomaru, don't you give me that look. I have enough of a headache as it is." Grumbled Lord Mikado. "I know you disapprove, but if you would just find a lady for yourself you'd understand."
"My interests have nothing to do with the female gender Father. And I intend to keep it as such." Replied Sesshomaru without missing a beat.
"That's what worries me." Replied his father. "Now what was your pressing matter?"
"Jaken. Must we employ such an annoying creature?" asked Sesshomaru, much disliking the taste the name of his underling put on his tongue.
"Yes, Sesshomaru. He has pledged his undying service to you. It was your own choice to murder all of your other personal attendants. At least Jaken knows what he is doing."
"I'll give him that," grumbled Sesshomaru.
"Is that all son?"
"Yes Father. That's all."
"Good. I want you down in the council room with the others. I will be there shortly."
"Yes Father." Replied Sesshomaru shutting the door once more. He ran his father's comment in his head over and over.
'Father said...the human lord is trying to wed Father's new mate off to an ally demon. But what lowly demon would take a human carrying the child of one of the greatest demons in all of Japan?'
Then it struck him. The great enemy of the Western demons.
'Lord Hiroshi would. Rumors have been saying he's joined alliance with humans. Must be the human lord. Damn Northern demons. Always mucking matters up.'
Sesshomaru soon found himself outside the council room where his father instructed him to go. Breathing in heavily, he swung open the door and walked inside. Gathered around a low table was of his father's three most important council members.
Lord Gita, a tiger demon was placed at his father's left and he was sharpening his long claws on a silver dagger. Lord Atsushi, another dog demon sat at his right with a slightly bored look upon his face. His wife, Lady Naomi sat next to him and gave a polite smile to Sesshomaru as he walked into the room. Sesshomaru sat at the place right next to his father's seat. They waited in silence when finally Lord Mikado stepped into the room and let the door shut with a bang.
Taking his seat, he looked at his council seriously. Waiting only a moment to start speaking, he said loudly:
"I have been informed that Lady Umae is in the process of being arranged to marry Lord Hiroshi of the Northern Lands and my child killed when born."
Lady Naomi gasped with a look of pity on her face. "How sad and horrible! How vile humans can be to their own kind! Do they know not how much you love each other?"
"I doubt they care." Said Gita.
"I must agree. One would think it would be a great privilege to be the in-law to the greatest demon in Japan." Said Lord Atsushi in his calm voice.
"That is why I propose we devise a plan to take Lady Umae away from her father. That way, we can prevent this horrible even from occurring." Said Lord Mikado.
"Sir, if I may speak boldly?"
"What is it Lady Naomi?"
"If I may say so sir, you tend to be...rash when dealing with Lady Umae. I would rather forget the time you tried to go see her when her pregnancy was announced. Her father had a fit and locked her away in a room for days!" said Lady Naomi timidly.
"I suggest you merely barge into that palace and demand her." Said Gita. "A human lord is not worth drawing your claws out."
"Lord Gita, are you trying to start a war? We have enough problems with the Northern demons. We cannot risk confrontation with the humans as well, however little their threat." Said Lord Atsushi. "I say sir, go to your lady in the cloak of night and request her to come with you. Bring a few of her personal items back with you so the lady will not feel out of place."
"Excellent suggestion. But perhaps the human lord sends his samurai after her? We cannot risk exposing the whereabouts of my palace." Said Lord Mikado. "I would be more at east if someone would distract anyone trying to follow."
"Sesshomaru, why not you? You dislike humans am I correct? It would give you a chance to...sharpen your skills." Said Lord Gita with a wicked smile. Sesshomaru stared at his father who seemed to be brooding over the thought.
"You are assigned the task. And remember my rule," Lord Mikado trailed off.
"I am not to slay a human if they are under twenty human years." Grumbled Sesshomaru. "Very well."
'Father and his ridicules rule. A human has no proper age to die. All humans should be slaughtered. Young and old, strong and sickly. The world would be much pleasanter if humans were not in it.'
"I shall go to my lady tonight. Sesshomaru be ready to leave at sunset. We shall travel slowly so the palace eases into sleep. Barging in is as Lady Naomi so nicely put, is too rash." Said Lord Mikado standing.
"Yes Father." Replied Sesshomaru following suit. The rest of the council followed and they left for their separate rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Sess, are you in place?" Sesshomaru heard his father whisper.
"Yes Father."
"Good. Now wait at the edge of the forest. In ear shot of course."
"Of course. Can we get this over with?" grumbled Sesshomaru, jumping into a tree to wait for his father. Lord Mikado ran swiftly and silently to Lady Umae's room and knocked silently. He was let in and Sesshomaru heard Umae cry out in delight as she hugged him.
"Oh Mikado! Father wants me to marry one of you enemies! What are we going to do?"
"I have already thought of a plan dear. Would you come with me? To live in my palace and leave your father behind?"
"Oh Mikado! Of course! Are we leaving tonight?"
"Gather a few personal things and we shall leave right now. My son is outside to stop anyone who may follow us."
"I...of course."
"What?"
"Oh nothing! Nothing!" said Umae, rushing around the room.
"Umae, daughter who is in there?"
"Father! Uh, no one!"
"Are you decent? I must speak with you!"
"No Father! P-please wait!" said Umae loudly. Then she whispered:
"Good-bye Father. Let's go my dear Mikado."
"Of course." Said Lord Mikado, taking Umae into his arms. Then yelling, with a might sweep he destroyed the door in Umae's room leading to the garden. Sesshomaru hid himself as he heard the human lord throw the door open.
"Guards! Guards get in here! My daughter is being kidnapped!" shouted the outraged lord.
Sesshomaru heard the guards clamor into Umae's destroyed room and one stuttered:
"S-sir, that be the dog demon. It would not be wise to go after him. We'd be killed sir."
"You lazy good for nothings! Fine! I shall have to inform Lord Hiroshi. I should dismiss you all for this."
"Lord Hiroshi?" came a female voice.
"What is it Ayaka?" said the human lord.
"I...I request to go after Lady Umae. I...I promised my mother I would always stay with her."
"And how would a seventeen year old mortal girl find a dog demon?" snapped the human lord.
"At least I'm willing to try! Unlike you're spineless guards." Replied Ayaka with anger in her voice.
"Dare you speak against me Ayaka? Fine, you may go. It shall not be on my conscious if you are killed."
"Lord, I shall go with her. Surely you would not send a child on such an errand by herself?" said an older female voice.
"How does this interest you Mai? You care not for Lady Umae." Said Ayaka.
"I am worried about my lady just as you. Lord, I beg of you to let me go with little Ayaka."
"Go, I care not. Dang women, wanting to get them selves killed..." grumbled the human lord as he left.
"I don't know what your reason is, but I know you aren't going merely because you are worried."
"Oh shush little girl. I suggest we start after Lady Umae." Said Mai stepping outside. Sesshomaru blushed hotly trying to tear his eyes away from her generous curves and beautiful face.
Sesshomaru slapped himself and cracked his knuckles.
'She's over twenty human years...I can smell it...now, where is the other girl...?'
Sesshomaru saw a younger girl come out, brushing locks of short black hair from her face.
'The lord said this one was seventeen human years. Oh well, she shall suffer watching her companion die. And no one said I wasn't allowed to injure her...'
Sesshomaru was just about to leap from the tree when Mai pointed to the left of the path.
"This way," she said.
Sesshomaru stared in amazement for she had chosen the right path. However, Ayaka protested.
"I shall go this way." Said Ayaka starting in the wrong direction Sesshomaru smiled at her misfortune and proceeded to follow the elder girl.
'She seems to know exactly where she's going...but that's impossible...no human could know where Father's palace is. Only our allies know how to find the palace.'
Sesshomaru followed her, his worry increasing as she continued to walk on with her head high. With Sesshomaru's keen hearing he heard the younger girl scream. Smiling, he rushed ahead to warn his father. He rushed to the council room and threw the door open.
"Father!"
"What is it Sesshomaru?" asked Lord Mikado, who had been holding Umae to him. Without looking sorry in the least, he said:
"Two of your human's servants followed. A younger girl named Ayaka I believe and an older girl named Mai. She's heading straight here. I thought it would be in our best interest to warn you."
"Are you sure? Heading straight here?" said Lord Mikado in worry.
"Yes. She seems to know exactly where she's going."
"I shall send one of the guards to get her. What of the younger girl?"
Sesshomaru smiled. "She took the right path. I heard a scream. Then I rushed here."
"Go fetch her." Snapped Lord Mikado.
"What!?" exclaimed Sesshomaru. His father shot him a "look" and Sesshomaru left with a scowl.
Sesshomaru left grumbling and went into the forest. He followed the girl's scent from the beginning of the human lord's palace and followed it down the path to almost half way through when the scent changed direction and went to his left. He heard a girl screaming her head off and found the girl in a cave cowering against a wall. An extremely tall man loomed over her.
"Now, now girlie. I won't hurt ya. Just stay still..." he said with a deep laugh.
"I...I know what you're trying to do!" Ayaka shouted getting to her feet.
'She isn't honestly thinking of taking on this man is she? She'll get pummeled. Well, Father never said I had to rescue her immediately...'
The man laughed and brought a hand down to Ayaka's throat. "Well, brave little sprite aren't we?" He leaned down and kissed her cheek. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and let his legs swing over the side of the tree branch he was sitting on.
Ayaka groaned and Sesshomaru saw as her leg swung forward and the man released her with a yell and toppled over. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow as Ayaka ran away from the direction of the palace crying. Sesshomaru followed bored and heard the man tearing after her.
'Might as well save her now. Father might get angry if I let anything happen to his dear human's little friend.'
Sesshomaru jumped from the trees and right onto the man's back. Ayaka screamed and the man was killed instantly. Sesshomaru leaped in front of Ayaka who screamed louder.
"Shut up human. Your lady is with my father. You'll be taken to her, just stop screaming!" snapped Sesshomaru lifting the girl up by her kimono collar. Ayaka stared up at him with fearing eyes then something changed. Anger erupted in them. A very fierce anger.
"You...you have gold eyes...the demon that killed my mother...had gold eyes..get your hands off me you filthy demon!" shouted Ayaka slapping Sesshomaru in the face.
---------------
A/N: Here is the first chapter of "A Demon's Heart!" Yay! Just a quick side note Ayaka and Mai are wearing kimono's like the dead girl in the episode where the Inu gang (excluding Sango) is hired to protect the princess's soul. Remember...? Good!
Oh yes.
You want to push the button...you want to push the button...you must push the button...