Note: I will not be writing over the filler episodes. These episodes are: 75, 76, 77, 96, 99, 133/134, & 162.
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Sesshoumaru had left Jaken and Rin behind. He could get where he was going and do what he needed to do much faster without them.
Walking through the deserted and desolate land, he was heading for the only thing that could be in such an area, a gathering place for youkai. It was rather a permanent gathering place, as evidenced by the wastelands around, which had either been selected because nothing else could live there, or had become wastelands because of centuries of nothing but youkai living there. A small world of black rock formations, skeletons of animals, barren trees, and fire and ash was all that could be seen.
He was here for information, though he would never have it appear that he was only here to ask--well, demand--of others what they knew. Sesshoumaru also had another reason to be here. Toukijin had gotten slightly damaged while he had been fighting Naraku, and there were those here that could fix it.
Once to the main part of the place, Sesshoumaru made his way toward the forges. Several youkai sword smiths were working on blades over hot fires. One of them paused what he was doing and made his way over to where Sesshoumaru stood. The best one of them, and the most annoying one. Mazou. Despite his usefulness, Sesshoumaru loathed doing business with Mazou at all.
"Sesshoumaru-dono," he said. "What a pleasant--well, what a surprise. What can I--" He suddenly paused and looked around. "Lose your human?"
"You don't see her, do you?"
"What'd you finally do with her?" he asked with interest. A bit too much interest, Sesshoumaru thought.
"None of your business."
"Fine, fine. At any rate, what can I do for you?"
Sesshoumaru pulled out Toukijin and held it up.
"Nice. I take it you found Kaijinbou?"
Sesshoumaru gave a barely visible nod and handed the sword to Mazou, who took it held it up.
"Excellent make. I might have to go look him up."
"Don't bother. He's dead."
"It looked like he did good work. What'd you kill him for?"
"I didn't."
"Who did?"
"No one of consequence." Sesshoumaru wasn't going to bring up the hanyou's name if he could help it.
"So why are you here?"
"There's some scraping near the hilt. Fix it."
Mazou studied Toukijin for a moment. "That's it? That's hardly anything."
"I wish it in perfect condition. Just fix it."
"Sure, whatever. It'll take an hour or two," he said, sticking Toukijin into the fire. "Hey, I heard that your brother was making quite the name for himself. What was his name? Inutashi?"
"Half brother," Sesshoumaru said before walking away.
He went through the forges and past them, walking past the small groups of youkai that were lingering around until he could find one that he thought might know something. Normally, he wouldn't have stayed in this place while waiting for a sword to be repaired, but this time he did have two purposes in coming.
Sesshoumaru also somewhat enjoyed the disturbance that his presence was creating. It was one thing for humans to run from him, but watching other youkai nervously edge back for him to pass was much more satisfying. They were powerful in their own right, but he could easily dispose of all of them. There were very few that could trifle with him and live. Which brought to mind the other half of the reason that he was here. To see if any others knew of Naraku.
"Well, if it isn't Sesshoumaru," a voice suddenly said.
Sesshoumaru looked over, to see an ancient youkai sitting between two rocks. One of his father's distant acquaintances, if memory served.
"Haven't seen you in almost a century," the old youkai continued. "What're you doing here?"
"Have you heard of a youkai called Naraku?"
"Nope. Someone you know?"
"Not exactly."
"Someone you mean to kill, then," the old youkai said with a grin.
"Exactly."
"Haven't heard of any Naraku. Must keep to himself."
"He seems to be connected to unlikely things. Any strange happenings?"
"Not among youkai."
When Sesshoumaru didn't give a comment one way or the other, the old youkai continued.
"East of here there's some rumors about a band of mercenaries getting out of their graves. You know, I met two of them once a while back, if it's the same guys I'm thinking of. Creepy bastards. The most twisted humans I ever saw. Strong, too. They could give some youkai a chase. Actually, they did. Killed six guys just on the edge of here. Someone here was impressed enough that they made a sword for one of them."
"I am not interested in human mercenaries."
"Never said you were. But you asked about strange, and that's strange. People don't just resurrect themselves."
Going east was as good as going any direction, Sesshoumaru decided.
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For the remaineder of his time, Sesshoumaru talked to the old youkai. It was not exactly a cordial conversation, but it was as close to one as Sesshoumaru would be giving. And for the most part, he just listened. The old youkai was rather well informed, as it was, which was what came of sitting around all day and listening to other youkai talk and come and go.
As Sesshoumaru turned to leave, the old youkai asked, "You want me to tell Naraku anything if I see him?"
"He is not the type to come out of hiding." Then he smirked. "And if you ever meet him, I doubt you would live long enough to deliver the message."
"Heh. Probably not."
Sesshoumaru went to collect Toukijin, which Mazou was just pulling out of the final fire. Parts of it still had a dull glow, but he picked it up anyway. "Well, here it is. It's fixed." He handed it to Sesshoumaru. "But what're you being so particular about? It was great before."
"As I said, it needs to be perfect."
"Going to kill something big?"
Sesshoumaru held the sword up, looking at the flawlessly polished surface. "Yes, I believe that I am."