Chapter 16
(Someone asked me about Rin. Well I'll tell you. When I started this story I had not seen the episode about Rin. Sorry about that. Told you I loved the character but didn't know much about him. Now on with the story.Ladysesshoumaru41.)
Toe had returned to the fortress of his master, Shamotokai. He went in to report the 'story' of what had happened to him. It was surprising to see how the number of foes increased as he told the tale to his disbelieving master.
"Well master you see it was like this." Toe stammered under his master's glare. The group of us, were returning with the jewel shards as you commanded, when we were attacked; see, by another group of demons. And well… uh… They killed all the others. But luckily, I got away with the shards. And…well, I was on my way back to you master. But I was hunted like a dog all night and day… uh… Well, finally they caught me. I fought hard as I could but there were too many of them. There must have been twenty no thirty at least. I barely escaped with my life. But I came back cause I knew you would want to know."
"That was a very entertaining story Toe. How long did you practice it before returning to me?" Shamotokai was far from being a fool and he knew that this one was lying. "I don't believe you Toe. I believe that you killed the others and stole the jewel for yourself. The only reason you have returned is that someone stronger than you took them from you. Didn't they? Speak the truth to your master." Shamotokai's tone was decidedly soft almost gentle in quality. Toe began to reason with himself that maybe if he confessed his master would spare him.
Toe fell to the floor and assumed the formal apology position. Forgive me master. You are wise. I did do these things. I know now I was wrong to try and deceive you master. Please forgive me."
"There now Toe, don't you feel better for telling me the truth?" Shamotokai said as he walked toward the foolish demon. "Now, tell me, where are the shards now?"
"The demon that took the shards is called Shotimoto. I can take you there, master it's not far." Toe was actually feeling relieved. It appeared to him that his master wasn't angry at all.
"That won't be necessary Toe. Your work is done." With that the dragon demon blew out a terrific flame from his nostrils and completely incinerated the hapless demon. "Fool!" Shamotokai spat out. "I should have known better that to send such a useless excuse for a demon. Hotomatu!" The trusted servant of the demon lord ran to his master's side. "You heard the tale this fool told. Find the demon Shotimoto. He has a small territory to the north west of here, about a two-day run. Take my pet Shantu and fly to him I want those shards. Do not return to me without results. Know that if you fail me, you will beg for an easy death like this fool got."
Hotomatu bowed and ran from his master's chamber in search of the master's flying pet Shantu. Shantu was a crossbreed between a dragon and a dog demon. He had an excellent nose for tracking and could fly over great distances, without needing to rest.
At Shotimoto's camp…
Inuyasha and the boys dragged off the carcass of the demon Shotimoto to be buried. "Why are we burying him uncle? Shouldn't we just leave him in the forest?" Inu hated touching the thing that almost killed them all. He also felt that the demon didn't deserve a decent burial.
"Inu, I'm just doing this to keep busy while your father gets back on his feet. And besides your mom and Kagome both hate the sight of dead things. I'll have to listen to them whine all night about it if I don't. Do you want to have your mom after you all night?"
Inu shook his head. His mom was a real force to be sure. No one, except his father, dared go against her when she set her mind on something. The deed was done and they returned to camp.
Sesshoumaru, as always, was fighting the ministrations of his wife. "Leave me be woman, I only need rest. Must you pester me constantly with your incessant fussing?"
"You're hurt Sesshoumaru. Stay still and let me clean your wounds." Katame was struggling to wipe the dried blood off the cuts on the lord's face.
"You might as well give in. She's worse than that demon we just buried." Inuyasha said as he crouched down beside his brother. "Let her clean you up then she'll let you rest."
"Fine but the instant she finishes I want you to take her to the other side of the camp and tie her to a tree. I want to be left alone. Understood?" He was in a foul mood and Katame's fussing wasn't helping.
It had occurred to the demon lord that if this demon was nigh on unstoppable that Shamotokai would be the end of them should he get his hands on the now almost complete jewel. They shouldn't have brought the cured things with them. They should have left them behind hidden or well guarded. Instead they were practically bringing it to him. He cursed his own stupidity for not recognizing the danger.
Katame finished and went over to the other side of the camp. Inuyasha of course didn't tie her to a tree but he did threaten her 'tail' if she dared come any closer to the irritable lord.
Inuyasha sat by his brother. "Don't worry Sesshoumaru we'll be fine here for a while I'll guard the camp. You rest up."
"Inuyasha, we must do something about that jewel. We can't risk bringing it with us to Shamotokai's fortress. If he gets a hold of that thing there will be nothing to stop him. He will rule as Kai and we will all perish."
What can we do? We can't leave it unguarded it'll be found. And we can't spare anyone to guard it only you and I are strong enough for that. I wouldn't even think of leaving it with Kagome. Even with her magic she would be no match for a demon of any strength."
"Wasn't it she who dispatched the demon?"
"No her arrow only removed the jewel. She is no warrior. She could never kill." Inuyasha was wracking his brains. The only thing I can think of is to send her back to her time. She would be safe there for a while. But Ky-aite's village is a long way from here and I couldn't send her on her own. We'll just have to be extra careful that's all. She and I have battled against a lot of demons collecting those shards. I'm sure we can handle this. We were caught off guard that's all, it won't happen again."
Sesshoumaru nodded and fell asleep.
Inuyasha and Miroku kept watch that night. The next morning Sesshoumaru was almost completely healed. Only the tiniest of scratches remained of his terrible wounds. He was back to his usual self giving orders and generally running the show. Everyone was used to him.
Sango especially tried her best to make sure everything went smoothly. She wasn't sure if she had gotten into trouble with Sesshoumaru over not wanting to leave the battle. And she didn't want to make things worse for herself. She prayed that he hadn't reset her year. She had made a promise to herself that she would serve the demon one year and not one day longer than that.
The group had some breakfast and again took to their mounts. "We will travel directly south to the palace of the Kai. I'll talk to the servants and find out if there is any more information to be had. Then we will go to the mountain of Shamotokai. I want that demon dead. We cannot allow the Kai's murder to go unpunished." Sesshoumaru was in fine form but foul temper. Everyone just stayed out of his way.
The trip to the palace was delightfully free of trouble. Sesshoumaru took this time to rest up some more. He rode on the back of his dragon instead of flying by himself. They arrived at the palace and approached the guards at the gate.
"It is I Sesshoumaru, lord of the western realm. I must speak with whomever is in command of the Kai's estate."
"That would be the Kai's advisor, Foukyu. I will announce you but I doubt you will be allowed inside." One of the guards said as he turned to leave.
A few minutes later the guard returned. "Follow me. Foukyu has agreed to see you. It seems you have a reputation in the court my lord. Forgive me I didn't know." Sesshoumaru had lent his support many times in the past to the old Kai and was a trusted ally in times of trouble.
The group of hunters followed Sesshoumaru in silence. He had warned them not to speak or touch anything. No human or half-demon had ever been allowed within the hallowed halls of the Kai's great palace. The old Kai had no use for humans and felt strongly that half-breeds were an abomination. They should show the proper respect for the place.
Sesshoumaru spoke at length with the advisor. "So he hasn't tried to claim the throne. This is good. Has anyone else made a claim?"
"No, Sesshoumaru we've tried to keep this quiet. You found out quite by accident. I had the guards that told you, disciplined." Foukyu explained.
"We intend to go after Shamotokai and return Mesosuki to his rightful place on the throne. Is there anything you can tell me about the demon that will help us in our task?"
"I'm sorry lord but I know very little of him. He arrived on the mountain about a year ago. The Kai let him have the mountain range as his territory. But he was unconcerned since Shamotokai was not from any of the royal houses. In fact he felt the demon to be mediocre at best. It proved to be a fatal mistake. Recently the demon's power has increased greatly. It was rumored that he had some sacred jewel fragments. When he came to the palace in a storm we were completely unprepared." Foukyu bowed his head. "The master fought a terrible battle and then…" He stifled a tear. "The master was struck down and the demon made off with young master Mesosuki.
It all happened to fast. Our forces were devastated. What was left of the Kai's personal guard pursued the demon and his minions into the mountains but none have returned. I truly believe they are all dead. None of them had even half the master's power. Now that he is dead we are all lost.
If you can't bring the heir back alive, lord Sesshoumaru, we are going to have to accept Shamotokai as the new Kai. I beg you please, don't fail our whole way of life depends on you."
"I won't let that happen. Defend the palace Foukyu. Accept no claims to the throne. Let all those who come think that the Kai is still alive and that the heir is home but indisposed. You will know if we fail because Shamotokai will return and claim the throne. But I give you my word I will die before that happens." Sesshoumaru bowed to the Kai's advisor and left with the group following on his heels.
(Cool n'est pas? Only five Chapters to go. Have to resist. Download! Download! Noooo… LadySesshoumaru41)