If there is one thing about any anime convention that can be counted on to be a draw second only to the guests, it's the dealers room. It always has what you're looking for, but sometimes you have to be there at the right time, or you lose your chance. But if you play the cards right, you always find that hard to get things you had spent forever trying to obtain.
While Kyle was looking through the mangas for new issues of Sons of the Inferno, Lily and Stephanie was giggling over something they'd found at the doujinshi table, which Daniel had a feeling he didn't want know about, considering which part of the table they were going through. He was quite happy with going through the stuff that was not shounen or shoujo-ai, thank you very much, and just what some people found so great about it, he didn't know, nor did he want to know. He'd picked up a couple of InuYasha doujins, the entire set of the Ocarina of Time manga, and was now looking at what looked like an American original series doujin.
"Journeys: Legacy of Gaea," he muttered, looking at the cover image. On it was the profile of a pretty girl who had green hair, amethyst pink eyes, and a lilac cloak, while a young man with brown hair, a tanned attire with red cape and a red emblem on the chest, and a large battle axe in his hand was in the foreground. There was some kind of silhouetted figure in the left-hand corner that looked like it was folding its arms. It looked interesting from the description on the back, and the art looked good, but who was the author?
And then his eyes went wide. "Kyle!" he cried. "Kyle, come take a look at this!"
His search without success, the older teen walked over to see what Daiel was so excited about. "What did you find?" he asked, then saw the manga in Daniel's hands. "Holy crap! You found Journeys Issue One! Do you know how rare this is?"
"Kyle, look at the artist's name!"
"I know who the writers are, that's why the series is so rare!" He looked for a price, then flagged down the table dealer when he didn't find one. "How much is this!" he asked.
The man looked at the manga, then checked for any sign of the price sticker. Ah, there it was. "Thirty five."
"Sold!" He pulled his wallet out, took out the cash, and then walked away with the manga in hand. "Oh man! Daniel, thank you so much for finding this! I've been going nuts because I couldn't get the first issue!"
Blink, blink. "Kyle, Chris is the artist of that manga!"
Kyle was once more in happy fanboy mode as he clutched the manga. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he chanted before he realized Daniel was talking to him. "Was the artist," he corrected. "Chris and Eric wrote Journeys about a year ago, and it went on hiatus when Chris went to work for Ocean because he didn't have the time to do the art anymore. That's why the doujin is so rare." He was about ready to start bouncing around again, but Daniel quickly thumped him in the back of the head. Damn having to check in the props at the entrance. "I am so having Chris sign this thing!"
You learn a lot about people from just watching them act like idiots. Kyle, for instance, loved fantasy style settings, and when he explained to Daniel just why the setting of Journeys was so different, it was obvious how it stood out in its way. He'd have to read this series, because the art did look really good, if nothing else.
"Daniel is so going to kill you if you buy those!"
And it sounded like Stephanie and Lily were having a little too much fun. What had they found now, and why would it make him upset? Wait, if it was specifically him being upset, then it was probably involving InuYasha because they were dead perfect twins, and if they were in the shounen-ai section of the table...oh yeah, he was gonn'a start getting those claws wet. "I don't wann'a see anything involving me and Kyle, you hear me!"
They blinked, realized that his hearing was that insanely good, then proceeded to giggle like little girls and purchased the doujins in question. This did not bode well for his mental image at all. "Tell your boyfriend to relax," came the remark from Stephanie as she stowed her newest acquisitions into her bag. "There's no yaoi...well, not all of them." Evil grin. Definitely not good.
A hand clapped onto his shoulder. "Try not to worry too much," Kyle intoned sympathetically. "I'm probably in there too, so you're not alone."
Like that was any consolation. Knowing Kyle, he was going to get some kind of 'repayment' out of it from Stephanie's over-enjoyment of those doujin. That would be Kyle's style, living up his reputation as a real-life Miroku to the fullest. Speaking of living it up, the Friday night dance was going to start soon, and they needed to stow away their purchases in the hotel room. "We should get going," he said while they gathered the girls. Kistu had already gone to his father, though they had run into his older brother Kaitsu, who had been dressed as a dead perfect Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho. They would have to find him later to make sure he could join them for the contest Saturday night.
Walking to the exit and picking up their props, the quartette headed out of the dealers room and made their way through the halls while getting stopped every so often for photos. It was about twenty minutes later they finally got to the rooms, put their props and all the stuff they'd bought inside, then headed back down to the main floor.
"When are we going to go talk to Mister Taishou?" Lily asked as they walked into the lobby. "I would hope not too late."
"I'm actually wondering what he wants to talk to us about," Kyle replied just as he gave a Sango cosplayer a nice butt grab. The squeal was music to his ears, even if Stephanie was giving him that subtle glare. She's be doing the same at the dance though, so it all worked out. "I don't know much about him, but Taishou-sama doesn't often take interest in cosplayers from what I've heard."
Well, that did make it very odd. If Mister Taishou didn't pay much attention to cosplayers, why did he have so much interest in them? They would probably find out when they dropped by his room later. "So do we go before the dance, or sometime during?"
"Before," Kyle stated. "During would kind'a be a drag on having fun, and we might end up going over there too late. In fact..." He glanced at his cell clock. "We best go over now and see if he's there, the dance starts in about half an hour, and I wann'a get on that floor as soon as possible."
They quickly turned back to the elevator, got in, and rode up to the second floor where they started looking for the room number they'd been given. Finding the right room, Kyle was the one who knocked, and he heard an odd barely audible gasp before some scuffling was heard. "Mister Taishou?" he called. "You asked us to come see you."
"One moment." A click, and the door opened for the four to see Sesshoumaru standing there with his coat off. "Please come in, I was just finishing up a call with one of my associates." Stepping aside, he allowed them to enter and gestured for them to take a seat on one of the two beds. Kyle thought he saw something moving from in the bathroom, something about Kistu's size, but there was nothing there. "I'm pleased you decided to make a stop before the dance."
A round of nods. "If I'm not being rude, Taishou-sama," Kyle began, since of the four of them, he was more versed on proper manners of the Japanese culture. "We were actually curious as to why you have an interest in our group. I've never heard of you paying much attention to costumers and the fans."
H tilted his head, eyes almost shining a bit, before he answered. "Normally, I don't," came his reply. "But as a producer for the Inuyasha anime, it is also my prerogative to find ways to promote the series in any of its forms. Takahashi-san and I had discussed the idea of an official cosplay group back when the anime was starting production, but we came to the conclusion that such would be a very difficult endeavor at best with regards to whomever was to preform as InuYasha." He paused a moment, then gestured to Daniel and smiled. "With Daniel-san, however, there's a great chance such a promotional troupe can be done. Of course, I wouldn't think of breaking up your group, so you all would be included, and I would of course meet with all of your parents to discuss a contract."
As Sesshoumaru finally finished, he noticed shock and amazement in their eyes. As well, Daniel and Lily looked like they were about to faint. Not unexpected, this was the chance of a lifetime he was offering them after all. "This would entail going to various conventions around the world," he continued just so that they knew the specifics of the offer. "Performing for an audience, making public appearances, and you would have to garner much study in other languages. But, if you think you can do it, and would like to, then I shall take the time this next week to make arrangements for you all." He paused and pulled his cellphone out as he remembered something else. "I should inform Kistunebi-san as well, since his son would do well with your troupe. You four can discuss my offer while I give him the call."
And discuss they did.
"He wants us for a cosplay group!" Stephanie exclaimed. "Us, to be the official performance team! I so say we should do this!"
Nods, but Kyle seemed to be considering things as well. "It's great and all, but it's also a lot of work," he stated. "We'll be representing not just ourselves, but the entire series and the fans in front of the people it matters with. Are we ready for that? We just barely got Daniel, and..." He paused as he saw the distant gaze in Daniel's eyes. "Danny, you alright?"
He was silent for a few more seconds before finally nodding. "I'm doing it," he said, much to everyone's surprise. With a smile, he turned to his friends. "I've always been on the outside, even when you guys accepted me. This is my chance to be part of something and actually belong. And..." And he wanted to make something of himself for Lily. God knew he already had, but Daniel still lacked the faith in himself, still didn't think of him as deserving her affection. If only to prove to himself that he was worth it, he wanted to do this. And something made him want to trust Sesshoumaru, like he was a familiar figure from his life. Considering the irony that he looked like InuYasha and Mister Taishou was the real-life double of his namesake, it just felt right.
"I want to do this. I want to find a place I belong in, and I want to have all of you with me when I do it." He broke into a wide grin. "I trust him."
Well that sealed it. Daniel was the core of this group now, even if he was the new guy, and without him, they probably would have never gotten this offer. They all knew that it was going to be a lot of work, but really, it was going to be worth it, and they'd be doing what they loved to do. The only thing now was getting things settled with their parents. No doubt Kyle's were good to go, since he had family from Japan, and Daniel...his parents would do anything for him, and if he had this chance, they were going to give it to him. That just left Lily and Stephanie.
Finishing his call, Sesshoumaru clicked his phone off, then turned to the group. "Kistunebi-san says that he's in agreement if you all accept," he stated while setting his phone on the room desk. "So, what have you decided?"
They looked to each other, then decided that Daniel was the one to answer. He grinned, stood up, then bowed. "It would be our honor," he stated while rising up. "I can call my parents and-"
"Don't worry about that right now," he stated, giving the four a warm smile. "Tonight, I want you four to enjoy yourselves. Go to the dance, have fun, and allow me to handle all the arrangements." Pausing, the man pulled out his palmpilot and switched it on. "If you would like me to make the arrangements and discuss things with your parents tonight, though, I would be more than happy to contact them. Numbers?"
They were far too excited now as they supplied the necessary information, phone numbers and their full names. Sesshoumaru inputted the data, made a note to reach these people tonight, and then stood up and led them to the door. "As soon as I arrange everything with your families, I shall have an announcement put out, and if we are fortunete, you may just start as of this convention." A pause as he fingered Daniel's costume. "With all respect to your own skills at making these, and you did do a comendable job, we would have several professionally commissioned costumes made for you all."
It only made sense, you couldn't have an official group performing in homemade costumes. They all rapidly nodded, then headed out and for the elevator. Kyle was making the call to arrange a party for that night as Sesshoumaru closed the door, then turned the dead bolt before opening the bathroom door. "They've left, Jaken. You can come out now."
Crawling out of the bathtub, a small green imp that stood about two feet tall walked into the main room and tugged at the collar of his little business suit before straightening his tie. "Sesshoumaru-sama, may I ask as to your decisions in this?" he inquired while standing before his lord. "You've never shown such interest before in the humans and their obsessions with entertainment."
He glared at his retainer, causing the imp to remember his place. "You obviously did not see that boy, nor recall his scent," Sesshoumaru hissed. He allowed his facial markings to grow to their normal size while his claws extended out and his ears revealed themselves from under his white hair. "Daniel Stevens is my brother's son, Jaken. He is father's first born grandchild, and as such, he is family, just as my children and their offspring are." He paused, walked to the mirror, then allowed his attire to sparkle with light and transform into his white silk kimono, the yellow and blue sash forming and fluttering into place while his white fur curled about around his right arm.
This is how he presented himself to his children, and to his grandchildren and those few great-grandchildren he had garnered over five hundred years. And this is how he had appeared when he revealed his true nature to a human woman named Rumiko Takahashi after spending months telling her of the tales pertaining to his brother, inspiring her to write that now popular manga series. He rubbed his left arm, remembering how he'd regained that after having spent centuries with it gone.
Yes, humans. He dared not reveal himself to so many, since this was their world now, not the world to be ruled by the youkai and their cousins in other nations and regions. They were not his equals, they never would be, since he was a higher being than they. But he had learned that humans were something to respect and even learn from. His own business empire relied on humans, he played their games, and he had adapted to their world. If not for humans and their inventions, he would have never gotten his arm back, which had been grown from cloning in a secret genetics lab he supplied funds to. The world at large had no idea just how much he had his hands in, and he intended to keep it that way.
Yes, he had ordered the children to enjoy themselves this night. Perhaps he should take his own advice and join the festivities. Certainly, no one would expect him to make an appearance at the dance. But first, he did have the issue of informing their families and working out the contracts. "You will be contacting Takahashi-san after I place some calls, Jaken. Inform her of the situation. Also, make the arrangements for this week so that I may meet the parents of these children personally." He paused for a moment. "And do a genealogy check on Kyle Miyamoto. I have a suspicion about his bloodline."
Sometimes his master's methods and judgement confounded him, but non-the-less, Jaken bowed and got to work while Sesshourmaru began making those calls. This was going to be quite interesting to see how this all turned out. He had to call the offices back in Japan, inform them that Sesshoumaru was going to be spending an extra week in the United States, and then he had to inform Takahashi that the old proposal of that performance group had just been put into action. She wasn't going to be very happy about not being consulted before hand, but this was Lord Sesshoumaru. One didn't argue much with his decisions if one wanted to remain where they were in the world.
"I can't believe this!" Lily squealed while they stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the main floor. "We're going to be the official cosplay group of InuYasha! This is going to be so cool!"
There was a nod from Kyle, but something still felt off about all this. Why was Sesshoumaru Taishou taking such an interest now in cosplayers, notably American cosplayers? Certainly, wouldn't he had looked for a Japanese group instead? He and Daniel were the only members of the group that fit the bill perfectly for their characters. Stephanie came close in the facial structure, though she couldn't pass for Asian without hordes of makeup. And Lily was so obviously not a dead ringer for Kagome. Well, actually, she had that face, and her hair seemed to style right, but it was too light a brown, and like Stephanie, she didn't look a bit Asian at all. Then again, neither did any of the characters in InuYasha, with their wide eyes and peach skin color. Come to think of it, Sesshoumaru had an odd peach tone to his own complexion, as had Mister Kistunebi and his sons.
Maybe he was reading too much into this. If they dyed Lily's hair black, she'd pull off the look perfectly, and they did perform well in character. Even Daniel had been getting better over the course of the last month since they had started him on character study, but he was far from perfect. He came off as more playful than self-absorbed and arrogant, though perhaps that was the best thing for now. And Kyle's parents would be thrilled, especially his father. Hell, one of his uncles in Japan was from the Taishou family, maybe there was a relation. Come to think of it, his uncle did bear a strong resemblance to Sesshoumaru now that he thought about it. Maybe a brother or something.
There really wasn't much to worry about. Daniel trusted him, so that was good enough for the rest of the teens. He usually picked up on it if something was wrong, and he hadn't reacted like there was. No, Kyle was definitely just being paranoid about it all. He needed to just accept it, go to the dance, and enjoy himself. Besides, Stephanie was being extra clingy right now, he probably was going to get some action later on.
As they walked out of the elevator, the four were surprised to see Kitsu bounding up and leaping onto Daniel's shoulder. Wait, did he just jump five feet up onto Daniel's shoulder? "Dad just told me!" he squealed, oblivious to the stares they were giving him for that inhuman feat. "We're going to be the official costume group!"
Blink, blink. "You just jumped up onto me!" Daniel exclaimed in shock. "Kistu, that's...holy moley, how did you do that!"
Oh, whoops. No wonder they had been staring at him like that. How was he going to explain this? "Uh, well, I..."
"Hang on..." Kyle noticed something and stepped around to examine Kistu's backside. His hand grabbing the large fluffy tail, his eyes went wide when he could feel muscle structure in it. Something was seriously wrong. "Kistu," he stated in shock while he now noticed that there was no seam on the little boy's feet. "Is there you something you didn't tell us about you? Like the fact you have a real fox tail, and those are not fake feet?"
Gulp. This was not good. He'd gotten so excited, and now he'd completely blown his cover. There was no way he could explain this, not in a way that would convince them he was human. "Well...I...uh, that is..."
"I'd hoped I could tell you four at a more appropriate time," came Shippo's voice as he walked over. "It seems now is as good as any though. If we could go somewhere more private, please."
They stared in shock, but nodded and followed Shippo to a secluded corner. He sighed, looked around to make sure it was safe, then reached to the top of his head and pulled away to reveal the small leaf that at been there, and to glow while a mass of golden sparks swirled about his body. A moment later, a bushy tail appeared from the back of his pants, his feet were tufted like a fox, and his pointed ears were very bluntly obvious. "You're not hallucinating," he said while taking Kistu from Daniel and holding him on his own shoulder. "I really am a kistune, and I would appreciate if you four did not inform anyone of this."
Right now, they had to worry about just being able to talk. He was a real kistune, a fox spirit, and so was Kistu! That meant his other two sons had to be kitsune as well! No wonder they were able to look so perfect in costume, they were shapeshifting! And it also meant that what they'd assumed to be mere myth and story was in fact true; youkai were real beings, and they still existed in the modern world.
"You...then...how..."
Maybe this would be a bit easier. "I came to this convention because I was informed of something that required my attention," Shippo stated while setting Kistu down. Now was not the time to tell Daniel what he knew. He had a good life, and he was going to have a life that would make him truly happy, it wouldn't do to destroy that. A few bits of general information on what he was would be alright though. "My name was once Shippo, until I became the taiyoukai of the Southern Lands. Now, I am Taishou Kistunebi, the Lord Foxfire."
"Then, being a mangaka..."
"My face in the human world," came the answer. He placed the leaf back on his head to retake his human guise, though his ears still remained and had to be tucked under his hair in order to hide the points. "In the last five centuries, my kind have had to adapt to a world that is most obviously one of humans. Some of us retreated into seclusion, some became businessmen and masters of the economy, and some of us took professions that did not give such power in the human world." He smiled now. "I, for instance, became a writer and an artist, while my friend, who told me to come here this weekend, became a martial arts teacher and came to your country." A pause. "I believe you know him, Daniel."
Realization came. No wonder he'd always had attention payed to him, groomed to be a rising prodigy at his school. "Sensei Ookami," he whispered, then looked to Shippo. "Sensei Ookami is a youkai?"
A nod. "When the Japanese wolves were driven to extinction, Kouga left our land and came here," he explained while giving a sigh. The memory was not a fond one. "We've kept in touch ever since, and actually..." He paused again, then focused his gaze on Daniel. "You, Daniel, are the reason he contacted me."
Blink. "Me?"
"Yes, you." This was going to be hard to explain, at least in a way that let Daniel not know everything. It wasn't the right time, he wasn't ready to know who he was, and the horrors that he had forgotten and been spared of. "Kouga told me about you five years ago, saying he'd been training a boy who had to be a hanyou. When he told me your parents had adopted you, I assumed you were the child of a human and a lycan, it's what his kind's western cousins call themselves. The half-breed child being abandoned is not uncommon for them, since lycan fathers cannot spend the time to raise the child, and rarely does a human mother survive giving birth." Again he paused and touched Daniel's ears, as if they were the biggest significance. "But now that I've met you myself, you're not a lycan kinfolk. You're definitely an inu hanyou."
Now they all stared at him as he was trying to take this information in. He was a half-breed? Then he wasn't human at all, never had been. This was almost as bad as it had been when he'd been a little boy, tormented for being so different, told by the meaner children that he was an animal who only looked human. His eyes went to his friends. Would they still be his friends? Would Lily still want to be with him? His life felt like it was going to crumble down on him, like it was over.
Wait, no. They'd accepted him when they'd all thought he was human, and he was the same person even now. And Lily...she's always been his friend, even as children, even when he'd admitted that he'd forgotten all about her. They wouldn't abandon him now.
And then, Kyle said the words that made him realize it didn't matter what he really was. "Dude, you're a hanyou. This is so friggin' cool!" He laughed and gave Daniel a nuggie, ruffling up that white hair when the boy pulled away from his hold. "That explains everything! You're just like InuYasha, right down to being a half-spirit! This is the coolest thing ever, no wonder Taishou-sama wants you for this official group deal!" Now it hit them all as he said that. Taishou had been very determined to recruit Daniel. Did that mean... "Oh my god. Sesshoumaru Taishou-"
"Is the Inu no Taishou," Shippo supplied. If he had surrendered his disguise, he was going to tell these children the truth of his fellow taishou as well. "He rules the Western lands of Japan, hence why he's taken an interest in Daniel." A faint smile as he decided that these four were going to take the truth very well now. Lily was even hugging Daniel tightly. Yes, they definitely were going to be alright with it. "But he also understands that Daniel has grown up in a human world, and thus, he understands that to separate you all would be a mistake. It's odd that you have never figured this out before, since as a hanyou, you turn human for one day of the month."
Wait, that was the mystery. He'd never once been a total human, no matter how much he had wished he could be. Daniel knew that such was a focal point of the hanyou legends, and it never applied to him. Why was he different. "I don't," he stated. Now the two youkai were staring at him in surprise. "I don't turn human, ever. If I could, I would be throwing a party every time it happened, but I'm always like this." He paused for a moment. "What does that mean?"
Yes, this was puzzling. Daniel should have a day where he turned into a full human, when his youkai blood was dormant. But this boy said that he'd never had such a day. Could it be the Shikon Jewel's influence? Yes, that was the most logical explanation, it had to have been the Jewel's energy. But how to explain that to the boy. "That is an oddity," he finally said in response. Shippo had to think it over more before he gave a full answer, since he couldn't give the real explanation without telling Daniel the truth. "All hanyou have a day of the month, I wonder why you don't." He shrugged and smiled. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, that also means you don't have a day when you're at your weakest."
Kistu leapt up onto Daniel's shoulders again, and he still got those surprised looks, but this time, they were just lingering amazement. "Sorry about all that," he said. "Dad wanted to tell you guys before, but there were too many people."
"Understandable," Kyle replied while he turned to Shippo, now with another question. "I have to know though. You really are a youkai, and so is Taishou-san. Does that mean that InuYasha really happened?"
That question had been expected. Obviously, since this had been true, the children wanted to know about their favored series. "In a fashion, yes," he replied. "I did know a hanyou who was Sesshoumaru's younger half-brother, who is the son of the previous Inu no Taishou and lord of the West. Takahashi-san wrote her manga based on legends about that hanyou, though she filled in quite a few gaps with her own imagination."
"Ohmygod!" Lily squealed as she was now bouncing up and down while gripping Daniel's hand. "You really are InuYasha! I can't believe this, you're even cooler than you were before!" Whoops, there was that hurt look on his face. "I mean, you were really cool before, but this makes it even better! You're the real thing!"
Well, she seemed to have adapted to the idea that her boyfriend was a half-spirit rather well. And Kyle and Stephanie were enthusiastic as well. Speaking of Kyle, he did spark a memory on Shippo's mind. He looked quite a bit like that monk, though maybe it was just the outfit. Obviously he was of a mixed ethnic heritage, but still, it was worth checking into his family line. "Sesshoumaru will no doubt work things out with your families," he said, regaining their attention. "So, take tonight to celebrate not just the start of a dream come true, but finding a world you thought only a myth." He grinned, patted Daniel on the shoulder, then turned to head off. "I'll be at the dance as well, if you wish to ask me anything more." A pause as he thought about something else. "Oh, yes, that reminds me. Your friend, the voice actor."
That was too much to believe. "Chris is a youkai too!"
"No, but he does have spirit blood in him." Shippo grinned at the expression on their faces. "His grandfather is a cat fae from the Celtic regions named Caliburn, Chris-san is a second generation changeling." He pulled back his hair to show one of his ears. "He's not inherited much, save the fei appearance and his ears, so he's able to pass for a human with deformed ears." Shippo let his hair go back down to cover the points, then shrugged and gestured for the group to join him. "Well, are you all going to the dance or not?"
