Author's Note: Creative liberties have been taken. If there's any hard-core Inuyasha fans out there, I am in desperate need of someone to ensure this story remains somewhat in canon. Again, I am new to Inuyasha and would love feedback in developing this story. Inspiration comes from Lord of the Rings, Hamlet and Swing Kids.
Chapter One: Dogs of War
The citadel was crowned by large banners that the wind beat against like war drums. The banners were burgundy with a large, cream color fox curled around, meaning to attack. Various demons of different breeds milled about the grounds, casting knowing looks at Sesshoumaru as he passed and others glaring at Rin. Full blooded demons ran around in true forms: young dogs snapped and batted at the foxes' bushy tails. In a distance, near a bonfire, small beings made of pure fire threw their hands into the blazes, making them dance blue and green from heat.
Water demons, those created from the souls of drowned children, who never cared much for the rest of the world were playing the puddles.
One looked up as Sesshoumaru passed, but ignored him and looked straight into Rin's deep brown eyes. She reached her hand towards Rin, a blue, bloated hand that was blotted with green and yellow puss. "Come," The little girl beckoned to Rin, "Come play with us, in the waters."
Another of the water demons, this time a small boy, rose to his feet and tried to approach the dragon. He paused when he felt the throb of the Tensaiga. The boy looked no older then Rin and he caught her gaze with his own sad green eyes. "I'm cold. Could we play together, you and me? Run, catch the sunshine." He blinked, his sad eyes glimmering. "Not the sun by maybe its beams…I'm so cold."
"Keep your distance." Sesshoumaru warned. "Do not…" He stopped, and turned towards the main home, where a creature was emerging and bounding towards him at great speed. Even though there were several kilometers from the palace to the main entrance, the great beast crossed the distance in a few leaps.
As it ran, the beast began to transform, shifting into the likeness of a man. The true form had resembled that of a huge orange colored Fox, and even now, in human skin, the youkai had visages of his vulpine nature. He was smiling, and canines peered from the corners of his mouth. His dark orange hair was very short close to the scalp, save for twin locks of hair that framed his face and trailed to his chin. Another ponytail hung from the back of his scalp almost to the small of his back. His skin had a reddish tone that was not unnatural in appearance but looked darker when set against Sesshoumaru's ivory skin. His fingernails were black, and long. There was a patch of darker skin, like the patch found on animals that was almost black cupping his right eye. His eyes were green.
His smile reached up to his eyes, and slowly the howling the Fox had made was slowly becoming laughter: true sincere laughter from the excitement of seeing a friend once more. The smile dissolved just as Sesshoumaru knew it would when Tama took notice of the changes. Tama brushed aside his cream colored sleeves up and reached to touch Sesshoumaru's left side but decided against it. He retracted his hand, but slid it down to Sesshoumaru's belt, and while they never touched, Tama's hand lingered just above the Tensaiga and Tokijin.
"Oh, my comrade…" Tama breathed, sadly. "Why didn't you allow me to me aid you? I could have attended…"
"This was my battle."
Tama looked up at him. "There are no private battles between us, Sesshoumaru. Ryuhoji made sure of that." Another sad smile passed Tama's face. "His blood bonded us all."
"Even Tajomaru?"
"Yes. Even the traitor." Tama's smile became animated again. "But enough talk of the past, we're together now, and I hope you'll stay will be a long one." His little nose scrunched up. "We have to get your clothing attended to, Sesshoumaru. You smell like one of my slaves."
Rin yelped a little at the insult, Sesshoumaru braced himself. Tama was staring at Rin in disbelief. His smile was morphing into a small uncertain sneer, as if he had caught scent of something rotten. His hand was curling into a claw again. "And what is this, Sesshoumaru Lord?" The Fox asked, taking on the air of formality and danger. "A gift for your Tama?" That smile again, hungry and dark. "For my children…"
Sesshoumaru leaned against Ah-Un, blocking the space between them.
Tama blinked, frowning. "What is this?"
"Rin."
Rin blinked, and put her hands together in front of her to sit up. She attempted a smile of her own, then tapered off and squatted a little closer to Ah-Un's neck. Sesshoumaru felt her small body heaving in fear. He was beginning to regret coming.
"Rin." Tama repeated, searching Sesshoumaru's face for some hint of an explanation. He was asking hundreds of silent questions, each one stabbing at Sesshoumaru like the wind's chill. Tama was known to keep human slaves: mainly as games for his children like hunting. He could even tolerate the women- never for companionship; they just made the best meals.
In the old days, when it had just been the four of them with no means or duties outside of ensuring they didn't annoy or insult Inutaisho and in doing so, get killed; humans had been a favorite pastime. Sesshoumaru had been the worst of the group when dealing with humans. Ryuhoji was fascinated with them, Tajomaru tolerated them for his brother's sake, Tama toyed with them, and Sesshoumaru killed them.
Using this vivid memory as a preconception made the image before Tama's eyes all the more unbelievable. The human, Rin, was for all intentions and purposes well cared for. She was fed and cleaned, with new robes adorning her small frame. There was even the smell of flowers on her, as if she were perfumed with oils. The soles of her feet were soft like an underbelly; she hardly walked on her own feet. And meanwhile Sesshoumaru stood, his clothing stiff and slightly soiled from the dirt the winds kicked up, smelling of sweat and reeking of humanity- namely this girl.
"You carry this girl." Tama realized out loud. "In your arms, you carry her…"
Sesshoumaru looked away, "Are the rooms prepared, Tama?"
Tama nodded. "You're right. We'll discuss this later." He lifted a hand, and two smaller servants hustled to them, to take Ah-Un's reigns. Tama sneered again as Sesshoumaru lifted Rin off the dragon's back. It took a conscience effort for Sesshoumaru not to pull Rin closer to his body and continue walking. Instead, he set her down. She quickly clung to his leg. Tama's eyes were like the wind are Sesshoumaru's back, searing hot pain.
"Ah-Un will be in my personal stables, behind the compound." Tama supplied quietly. "Your vassal Jaken is currently ensuring the rooms I've set aside are to your liking." He turned to study Rin again. "The girl can stay…"
"With me."
Tama blinked, meeting Sesshoumaru's eyes. Then, finally he nodded a little. "As you wish." Tama gave Sesshoumaru another deep look. "We will talk."
"Master Jaken!" Rin called, tackling him as she came tumbling into the room. "Master Jaken, there's a lot of kids here!"
Jaken turned from admiring the large painted murals that adorned three sides of the private quarters and gave Rin a sharp look. "Well, of course there are, foolish brat! A youkai as old as Master Tama has many children by now, as well as young vassals and protégés. It is a symbol to how great he is!"
"But Master Jaken," Rin started in a cool, uncertain voice she assumed when approaching a subject she was new to. "Lord Sesshoumaru has no children." Then, because the idea bothered her, she looked to Sesshoumaru. "Do you, my Lord?"
Sesshoumaru wasn't paying attention to her. He was standing in front of one of the murals, with his hand posed over the picture like Tama had been with his swords. He seemed to brush the painted figure's face kindly, as if it were an old lover rather then a portrait frozen in time.
The mural was of a battle scene, a thinly veiled massacre where four Youkai lords were positioned in epic, daring poses of victories. Slain humans, some dressed in common villager garb, others in proud Samurai armor gleaming like peacocks, were strewn about the ground in the painting. Smoke dulled the air, as painted swords clashed silently against one another. One could almost smell the blood; hear the cries of the dead and dying.
The figure of Sesshoumaru's attention was kneeling in the midst of the war, a slain Youkai before him, slain humans nearby. The creature looked vaguely Coyote, although his features clearly favored humanity. Dull brown eyes that were infinitely sad gazed down on the fallen, and below them a perfectly formed nose, small mouth and handsome chin brushed lightly with brown hair. His armor was light; an unwise move in such a chaotic battlefield, and no weapon could be seen about his person. He looked very young.
Ryuhoji.
Sesshoumaru brushed Ryuhoji's cheek once more, whispering to him something Jaken and Rin could not hear before stepping back and viewing the other Youkai Lords. Tama, in his armor, looked twice as fearsome and hungry. There was a captive woman in Tajomaru's arms. And he, Sesshoumaru, lurked somewhere in background of the painting: the real mastermind of it a mere afterthought in its immortalizing. He was wielding a sword that had long since passed into memory: a cheap imitation made in the likeness of the Tessaiga. Sesshoumaru would have smiled; the Tessaiga. Even then he coveted it, although he never would have taken it from his father, Inutaisho. At least, not at the time this mural had been painted.
His eyes flickered back to Tajomaru. He could hear the last fight they had ringing in his ears. So much passed then, in such a short time, it had winded even him.
"Rin." He ordered quietly, knowing she was still watching him, waiting for an answer to her question. "Stay with Jaken. Never go anywhere in this place alone. Understood?"
Rin nodded seriously. "Yes, my Lord." She frowned as he turned to walk away. Jaken stood up a little straighter. "But where are you going!"
Sesshoumaru ignored him.
Rin waited a few moments before gingerly approaching the figure that had so captivated Sesshoumaru's attention. "Master Jaken…who is he?"
They had encamped near a river because Tama liked to play in the water. There had been no other pressing reason or grand design part from that and for the four compatriots; it had been all that was needed. There was a small camp fire burning, not really to warm them or prepare foods but to illuminate the designs Sesshoumaru was drawing in the dirt. Two banners were impaled in the ground: dark blue with the name of Sesshoumaru's father scrawled across them. No other effigy was needed; Inutaisho of the Three Swords had enough of a reputation.
They had been waging small wars, and participating in skirmishes along the WesternLand's borders in all summer; out of boredom. Inutaisho, knowing his son's thirst for conquest, reluctantly allowed this. After all, Sesshoumaru's actions brought him more tribute from conquered lands, and more prestige as the Lord. Both gained from it.
The others of Sesshoumaru's coterie benefited from their vengeful prince too, each in their own way. Tama was the only bastard son of Inutaisho's prized assassin, Usagi, that had stayed around his father long enough to earn anything remotely like a title. As long as Tama accompanied Sesshoumaru on these campaigns and returned the Western Lord Prince in once piece, his family gained honor and hopefully, one day, independence.
Tajomaru and Ryuhoji were the princes of the Wild Packs, demons dogs that held no fealty to Inutaisho or anything Lord. They belonged to something more wild, more primitive then Courts and Kingships. They embraced the more basic parts of their nature; rejecting the pomp and ceremony that families like Inutaisho's had adopted. They did however give homage where it was due, if only to ensure safe passage through the Western Lands.
They were there for boredom's sake as well.
Sesshoumaru was sitting up crossed legged on the dirt, his plumed boa folded over his lap for Tajomaru to use as a pillow. Tajomaru was lying on Sesshoumaru's lap, looking up at his chin, and lifting one delicately clawed finger to his chin, careful to not touch.
"Don't smile. Don't smile! Don't smirk!" Tajomaru was warning in a mock serious voice, trying to get Sesshoumaru to do just that. He was failing as normal.
Tama pushed up from the water, gulping up air and throwing his head back. He cocked his head to one side, "Plotting the main battle?"
"Hm." Sesshoumaru replied. "Ryuhoji?"
"There was a village behind us." Tajomaru said. That was all that was needed to say.
Tama had emerged from the river, and plopped down beside the camp fire to study Sesshoumaru's sketches. He never bothered to dress. "You're moving the Second Army into the foreground?" Tama frowned, looking up. "The Second is old men and slaves They won't fight bravely enough. Nori will tear them apart."
"I will command the Second." Sesshoumaru replied, ignoring Tama's warnings. "You and Tajomaru will command light infantry and keep them on each side. I want Ryuhoji with my First Army." He leaned forward. "I'll push the Second deep into Nori's territory."
"He'll cut you off with his flanks. You'll be surrounded."
Tajomaru had stopped harassing Sesshoumaru to listen. "That's what you want." He blinked. "You're related to Nori, aren't you?"
"He's my Uncle." Sesshoumaru told him. "My mother's brother."
Tama paled a little. "So he will want to kill you more then anything. It'll make him come for you," He inhaled, catching on. "And then Tajomaru and I will come in."
"With Ryuhoji as the last charge." Sesshoumaru ordered. "He'll bring home the victory."
"But I don't want victory."
The three turned to see Ryuhoji appearing from the darkness, his fingers around a flute, posing over the holes in mock practice. He seemed very pleased with his newest discovery.
"I know you don't." Tajomaru said, sitting up and making room for Ryuhoji between them. Of them all, Ryuhoji loved being closest to Sesshoumaru. He seemed to know innately that of them all, Sesshoumaru would be most protective of him, most devoted to him. Even over Tajomaru. "But that doesn't stop him from making you the hero."
Ryuhoji looked into Sesshoumaru's eyes. "Am I a hero, my Lord?"
Of them all, he only called Sesshoumaru Lord. Sesshoumaru looked up, losing himself in Ryuhoji's eyes. He said nothing. He turned back to his drawings.
If he had known this would be the last time they were together, it might have changed something. He might have answered.
"Ryuhoji." Sesshoumaru whispered, as he walked the narrow hallway. Something burned his eyes because of the memory. Something ached in his chest. Something buzzed in his head, making his dizzy. His arm was hurting again. His hand fell to the Tensaiga's hilt, as if he wished to attack this phantom assault of memory and emotions he was never accustomed too. Most of all, he wanted his peace again. "Ryuhoji."
"Why do you call to the dead?" He turned, seeing Tama before him. The Regent stood posed and calm. His hands folded before him. He was walking closer to Sesshoumaru, his eyes downcast. Sesshoumaru removed his hands from his swords. Tama spoke again, "Do you think to find yourself again?"
"I was never lost."
"But you are." Tama whispered. "And that's the pain of it, Sesshoumaru Lord. You don't even know it."
