The candle flickered, causing the light within the dingy room to sway. A
band of five sat around a low table, each with anger upon their face.
Garbed in the robes of youkai courtiers, they radiated indignation.
"It is not enough for Inu Taisho to humiliate the entire Council by taking a human in the place of the late Western Lady," one vented. "No, instead he has a half-breed with her as well."
Another growled in resentment. "What the hell are we supposed to do? He is by far the strongest of us. We've let him have free reign of his desires but this cannot be tolerated!"
The door of the small room swung open, revealing the silhouette of a lithe male in the entrance. Walking calming into the room, Ryuukotsusei held one hand out in a gesture of pacification as he saw the others begin to speak. His piercing onyx eyes commanded the attention of all in the room as the burgundy scales surrounding his face caught the flicker of the candle.
"Inu Taisho has disgraced us for long enough. He has broken the sanctity of his promise to his mate. He has shamed all of the Western Lands with the birth of the hanyou. And he will continue these actions if he is not stopped. 'Lord' Inu Taisho's rein is over. The House of Inu shall fall from his lack of self-control."
A voice from the corner of the room called out, "How are we to accomplish this impossible task? And even if Inu Taisho were to be killed, what of the Lord Sesshoumaru? He is not so easily disposed of."
Ryuukotsusei smiled, the scales shifting with the movement. "I promise you that I have my ways..."
Kagome stood in the doorway of the small hut, paralyzed with a mixture of fear and shock. There in front of her, stood a seemingly younger version of the Sesshoumaru that she had met in the Sengoku Jidai. His age, however, seemed to be the only thing about him that had changed. The aura of arrogance and indifference still emanated from him, though to a slightly lesser degree, and Kagome couldn't help but want to flee from his domineering figure.
Hearing his whispered name, the youkai lord turned to regard the young woman that had just entered the hut. She seemed as any other miko at first glance, but Sesshoumaru could feel the leashed power that was held inside. Slightly perturbed, but never showing evidence of it, Sesshoumaru wondered how this slip of a woman knew who he was.
It was true that his name was feared throughout the lands, but few knew his face. Those who saw him outside of the Youkai Court usually didn't live to tell about it. Smelling the fear laced with her sweet scent of roses, he mentally smirked. 'So this is where the scent I smelt earlier originated. And she's frightened.' Seeing that she was bold enough to meet his eyes, Sesshoumaru held her gaze, his frigid eyes boring into her.
Yoshiro and Hikaru watched from the sidelines, realizing that there was something happening but not knowing quite what it was. Feeling Kagome's fear, the hair on Hikaru's nape stood on end, ready to defend the young miko should anything occur. Yoshiro, as well, prepared himself to intervene.
All tension was diffused, however, as Sakura moaned softly from the futon. Forgetting her fear, Kagome quickly brushed past Sesshoumaru, and nudging Hikaru aside, she sat down beside the wounded child. Sakura still lay on her stomach as to alleviate the pressure from the large gash on her back. Peeling back the bandage, Kagome lifted her hand and placed it above the wound. Looking at Eriko and seeing the elder miko's nod of consent, Kagome focused her energies into healing the child.
Suddenly, the wound emitted a dark glow, forcing the miko to stop her ministrations. Panting slightly, Kagome seemed slightly dazed and confused. Sesshoumaru and Yoshiro, on the other hand, knew exactly what this signified.
Growling slightly, Yoshiro bit out, "They dare threaten the Western Lord? They will pay!"
Sesshoumaru, though impassively, was as angered as Yoshiro, if not more so. Nodding slightly at Yoshiro, he signaled that it was time to leave. Just as the two were about to exit the hut, Kagome ran in front of them, barring their way. Hikaru looked on in fear, thinking that the girl had just signed her own death wish.
Face flushed, Kagome yelled, "Where do you think you're going? Who are 'they'? And what does it have to do with Sakura? Yoshiro, how could-"
The rest of her rant was effectively cut off as Sesshoumaru's cold voice pierced the air. "Move, wench, if you wish to live."
Kagome glared back at the demon lord. "Not until you tell me why I can't heal Sakura!"
Sensing that Sesshoumaru was quickly running out of patience, Yoshiro intervened. "Sesshoumaru, perhaps it would be wise to inform Lady Kagome for the current... situation. If there is another attack, it would be better if she and those around her are not ignorant of the reason behind it."
Wanting desperately to sigh in exasperation, Sesshoumaru nodded once, giving Yoshiro his consent.
Sitting down on a tatami mat, Yoshiro began. "To understand, you must first know of the power struggles that have begun in the Western Lands. Inu Taisho mating a human has caused the image of the Inu House to weaken, allowing for several other lords to contest for rule over the Western Lands. With the birth of a hanyou son, there is even more room for a rebellion to occur.
"The fact that a village of the Western Lands was attacked is a grave insult in its own. However, the youkai that attacked Sakura was part of something larger. You see, when a youkai joins a certain legion or places his loyalty with it, he becomes part of it in more ways than one. His soul becomes infused with a 'signature', in a sense, and wherever he goes and whomever he attacks, that signature youki will linger.
"To the topic at hand, the youkai that attacked Sakura was from such a legion. Judging from the fact that he attacked those close to my brother, the legion's ultimate directive is the ruling house of the Western Lands. I am Sesshoumaru's second in command. Eliminating whatever threat I held would benefit them greatly.
"We must also thank Sakura's strong will to live. Had she died, the signature would have vanished immediately, which is why I could sense nothing from Aki's body. However, it is this signature that also prevents Sakura's body and you, Kagome, from healing her."
Throughout the explanation, the occupants of the hut had stood still and silent. Kagome was the first to speak.
"So what happens to her, Yoshiro?" she whispered.
Glancing at the child on the futon, the demon's grey eyes were clouded. "The leader of the legion controls the signature. Unless the leader is stopped, the youki left in her body will eat away at her until she dies of the pain."
Tears coming to her eyes, Kagome spoke softly. "Then is there nothing that can be done? She's just a child."
With a sideward look at Sesshoumaru, Yoshiro said, "There is one thing. It would involve Sakura being put into a stasis of sorts." Sighing slightly, the pearl-grey eyes downcast, he continued. "However, she must come to the Western Palace."
"WHAT?!" Kagome's shrill shriek caused all three demons to wince. Mumbling an apology, Kagome said, "How could she go with you? Don't youkai hate humans? She'll be killed!"
All through Yoshiro's explanation, Sesshoumaru had remained quiet. Now, he decided to speak to correct the miko's ignorant view. "We are not all so vile as to judge a whole race, miko. Refrain from making that assumption again if you wish to keep your life. However, there will be those who do. If the child does return to the palace with Yoshiro and I, she must have a guardian with her. While she will be under my protection, there are those who are foolish enough to ignore it."
Glancing at the waning sun, Sesshoumaru fought the urge to sigh. Tamping down his impatience, he said, "The decision must be made now. Lord Inu Taisho will no doubt be angry at this delay. Even the birth of Inuyasha might not be able to control his rage."
Kagome's eyes widened in realization. As she was about to begin musing, Eriko's voice alerted her to the present situation. "My lord," she said to Sesshoumaru, "Sakura will be leaving with you if that is the only way to sustain her life until the rebellion has been quelled."
Sesshoumaru raised an elegant eyebrow. "And you will be accompanying her then?"
Shaking her head, Eriko replied, "I'm afraid that I am needed here. Kagome will be accompanying her instead."
Head snapping out, Kagome let out another "WHAT?!" Ignoring the glare from Sesshoumaru, Kagome continued, "I can't go with her! My training isn't even finished. And... and..."
"Kagome, the spiritual part of your training has already been completed. As for the physical, I'm sure Yoshiro could train you."
"Why can't Hikaru go?"
Yoshiro answered this time. "Hikaru is not accepted by the youkai community. His presence at the Western Palace would cause too much controversy in an already unsteady system."
Sighing in resignation, Kagome nodded glumly. "Then I guess I must go..."
Hikaru, who had stood silently by as the fate of his adopted daughter was determined, now came forward. Looking at Kagome and Sesshoumaru, he bowed his head. "Lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Kagome, I'm asking as a father that you do all you can for Sakura. I would be forever in your debt."
Coming up to him, Kagome pulled Hikaru into a hug, whispering small comforts as the normally cheerful man blinked back tears. Releasing Hikaru, Kagome put on a false smile. "I guess we should get going now."
Nodding, Yoshiro gathered Sakura into his arms, taking care not to touch her wounds. Seeing this, Sesshoumaru gave a final, small nod of reassurance to Hikaru, swept out of the hut. Kagome followed nervously, fidgeting with the strap of her quiver which, along with her bow and dagger, she had not put down in her haste to check on Sakura. Yoshiro was the last to leave. Sharing a speaking look with his brother, Yoshiro took extra care not to jostle his precious cargo.
Cursing mentally, Kagome wondered why in the world she had agreed to this. She was currently sitting on something that appeared to be a cloud, racing across the sky. Sure, she had been on Inuyasha's back a couple of times when he'd jumped. But those times, she had something to grab onto.
Sighing yet again, something that she'd started to do quite often lately, Kagome allowed herself to think of the things that she had learned in a brief afternoon.
First, she had learned that Inu Taisho was still living. This would mean that Sesshoumaru was not yet the Lord of the Western Lands. And he'd said something about the birth of Inuyasha. Slightly amused, Kagome realized that she would see a baby Inuyasha.
Her thoughts drifted onto the topic of Sesshoumaru. Although he was still the same arrogant aristocrat that she had met in the Sengoku Jidai, the past Lord of the Western Lands seemed so much more ...human. After all, the Sesshoumaru that she met two hundred years in the future would never have offered his home to a human child in order to save her life... would he? Then again, Kagome thought of Rin. She had met the child on occasion. And wasn't it Sesshoumaru, not Inuyasha, who had saved her the last time?
Berating herself for thinking that the only thing Sesshoumaru ever did was try to obtain the Tetsusaiga, Kagome began to wonder what else the young lord did. After all, there was a whole Land to rule. It was as if the younger Sesshoumaru hadn't witnessed enough to make him completely cold to the outside world. Kagome hated to think of what would happen in the next two hundred years that would make Sesshoumaru into the cold statue that she had met in the Sengoku Jidai.
Lost in thought, Kagome didn't notice the way that Sesshoumaru glanced at her every now and then. The young demon lord seemed completely uninterested, and yet it was quite the opposite. Never had he met a female who didn't throw themselves at his feet. His outward appearance had been inherited from his mother, a sign along with his symbol that he belonged to the House of the Moon.
Yet here was this wench, a human one at that, who seemed to be completely ignoring him. No one had ever had the courage to do that before. Then again, no one had dared stand in his way as she had done in the small hut. Thinking back, Sesshoumaru thought of the fact that she had whispered his name as she had entered. Determined, he swore that he would solve the mystery of this miko before her stay at the palace ended.
Glancing back at Yoshiro, Sesshoumaru saw that he was still holding the child. The girl had once asked him if he wanted her to hold Sakura and Yoshiro had adamantly refused. Shaking his head inwardly, Sesshoumaru knew that the grey-eyed demon felt responsible for the attack. Seeing the child whimper and Yoshiro's barely masked guilt, Sesshoumaru swore that he would discover those responsible for threatening his inheritance.
Sensing the familiar aura of the Western Palace, Sesshoumaru stopped their small procession. Without looking at his two companions, Sesshoumaru spoke.
"We have arrived."
"It is not enough for Inu Taisho to humiliate the entire Council by taking a human in the place of the late Western Lady," one vented. "No, instead he has a half-breed with her as well."
Another growled in resentment. "What the hell are we supposed to do? He is by far the strongest of us. We've let him have free reign of his desires but this cannot be tolerated!"
The door of the small room swung open, revealing the silhouette of a lithe male in the entrance. Walking calming into the room, Ryuukotsusei held one hand out in a gesture of pacification as he saw the others begin to speak. His piercing onyx eyes commanded the attention of all in the room as the burgundy scales surrounding his face caught the flicker of the candle.
"Inu Taisho has disgraced us for long enough. He has broken the sanctity of his promise to his mate. He has shamed all of the Western Lands with the birth of the hanyou. And he will continue these actions if he is not stopped. 'Lord' Inu Taisho's rein is over. The House of Inu shall fall from his lack of self-control."
A voice from the corner of the room called out, "How are we to accomplish this impossible task? And even if Inu Taisho were to be killed, what of the Lord Sesshoumaru? He is not so easily disposed of."
Ryuukotsusei smiled, the scales shifting with the movement. "I promise you that I have my ways..."
Kagome stood in the doorway of the small hut, paralyzed with a mixture of fear and shock. There in front of her, stood a seemingly younger version of the Sesshoumaru that she had met in the Sengoku Jidai. His age, however, seemed to be the only thing about him that had changed. The aura of arrogance and indifference still emanated from him, though to a slightly lesser degree, and Kagome couldn't help but want to flee from his domineering figure.
Hearing his whispered name, the youkai lord turned to regard the young woman that had just entered the hut. She seemed as any other miko at first glance, but Sesshoumaru could feel the leashed power that was held inside. Slightly perturbed, but never showing evidence of it, Sesshoumaru wondered how this slip of a woman knew who he was.
It was true that his name was feared throughout the lands, but few knew his face. Those who saw him outside of the Youkai Court usually didn't live to tell about it. Smelling the fear laced with her sweet scent of roses, he mentally smirked. 'So this is where the scent I smelt earlier originated. And she's frightened.' Seeing that she was bold enough to meet his eyes, Sesshoumaru held her gaze, his frigid eyes boring into her.
Yoshiro and Hikaru watched from the sidelines, realizing that there was something happening but not knowing quite what it was. Feeling Kagome's fear, the hair on Hikaru's nape stood on end, ready to defend the young miko should anything occur. Yoshiro, as well, prepared himself to intervene.
All tension was diffused, however, as Sakura moaned softly from the futon. Forgetting her fear, Kagome quickly brushed past Sesshoumaru, and nudging Hikaru aside, she sat down beside the wounded child. Sakura still lay on her stomach as to alleviate the pressure from the large gash on her back. Peeling back the bandage, Kagome lifted her hand and placed it above the wound. Looking at Eriko and seeing the elder miko's nod of consent, Kagome focused her energies into healing the child.
Suddenly, the wound emitted a dark glow, forcing the miko to stop her ministrations. Panting slightly, Kagome seemed slightly dazed and confused. Sesshoumaru and Yoshiro, on the other hand, knew exactly what this signified.
Growling slightly, Yoshiro bit out, "They dare threaten the Western Lord? They will pay!"
Sesshoumaru, though impassively, was as angered as Yoshiro, if not more so. Nodding slightly at Yoshiro, he signaled that it was time to leave. Just as the two were about to exit the hut, Kagome ran in front of them, barring their way. Hikaru looked on in fear, thinking that the girl had just signed her own death wish.
Face flushed, Kagome yelled, "Where do you think you're going? Who are 'they'? And what does it have to do with Sakura? Yoshiro, how could-"
The rest of her rant was effectively cut off as Sesshoumaru's cold voice pierced the air. "Move, wench, if you wish to live."
Kagome glared back at the demon lord. "Not until you tell me why I can't heal Sakura!"
Sensing that Sesshoumaru was quickly running out of patience, Yoshiro intervened. "Sesshoumaru, perhaps it would be wise to inform Lady Kagome for the current... situation. If there is another attack, it would be better if she and those around her are not ignorant of the reason behind it."
Wanting desperately to sigh in exasperation, Sesshoumaru nodded once, giving Yoshiro his consent.
Sitting down on a tatami mat, Yoshiro began. "To understand, you must first know of the power struggles that have begun in the Western Lands. Inu Taisho mating a human has caused the image of the Inu House to weaken, allowing for several other lords to contest for rule over the Western Lands. With the birth of a hanyou son, there is even more room for a rebellion to occur.
"The fact that a village of the Western Lands was attacked is a grave insult in its own. However, the youkai that attacked Sakura was part of something larger. You see, when a youkai joins a certain legion or places his loyalty with it, he becomes part of it in more ways than one. His soul becomes infused with a 'signature', in a sense, and wherever he goes and whomever he attacks, that signature youki will linger.
"To the topic at hand, the youkai that attacked Sakura was from such a legion. Judging from the fact that he attacked those close to my brother, the legion's ultimate directive is the ruling house of the Western Lands. I am Sesshoumaru's second in command. Eliminating whatever threat I held would benefit them greatly.
"We must also thank Sakura's strong will to live. Had she died, the signature would have vanished immediately, which is why I could sense nothing from Aki's body. However, it is this signature that also prevents Sakura's body and you, Kagome, from healing her."
Throughout the explanation, the occupants of the hut had stood still and silent. Kagome was the first to speak.
"So what happens to her, Yoshiro?" she whispered.
Glancing at the child on the futon, the demon's grey eyes were clouded. "The leader of the legion controls the signature. Unless the leader is stopped, the youki left in her body will eat away at her until she dies of the pain."
Tears coming to her eyes, Kagome spoke softly. "Then is there nothing that can be done? She's just a child."
With a sideward look at Sesshoumaru, Yoshiro said, "There is one thing. It would involve Sakura being put into a stasis of sorts." Sighing slightly, the pearl-grey eyes downcast, he continued. "However, she must come to the Western Palace."
"WHAT?!" Kagome's shrill shriek caused all three demons to wince. Mumbling an apology, Kagome said, "How could she go with you? Don't youkai hate humans? She'll be killed!"
All through Yoshiro's explanation, Sesshoumaru had remained quiet. Now, he decided to speak to correct the miko's ignorant view. "We are not all so vile as to judge a whole race, miko. Refrain from making that assumption again if you wish to keep your life. However, there will be those who do. If the child does return to the palace with Yoshiro and I, she must have a guardian with her. While she will be under my protection, there are those who are foolish enough to ignore it."
Glancing at the waning sun, Sesshoumaru fought the urge to sigh. Tamping down his impatience, he said, "The decision must be made now. Lord Inu Taisho will no doubt be angry at this delay. Even the birth of Inuyasha might not be able to control his rage."
Kagome's eyes widened in realization. As she was about to begin musing, Eriko's voice alerted her to the present situation. "My lord," she said to Sesshoumaru, "Sakura will be leaving with you if that is the only way to sustain her life until the rebellion has been quelled."
Sesshoumaru raised an elegant eyebrow. "And you will be accompanying her then?"
Shaking her head, Eriko replied, "I'm afraid that I am needed here. Kagome will be accompanying her instead."
Head snapping out, Kagome let out another "WHAT?!" Ignoring the glare from Sesshoumaru, Kagome continued, "I can't go with her! My training isn't even finished. And... and..."
"Kagome, the spiritual part of your training has already been completed. As for the physical, I'm sure Yoshiro could train you."
"Why can't Hikaru go?"
Yoshiro answered this time. "Hikaru is not accepted by the youkai community. His presence at the Western Palace would cause too much controversy in an already unsteady system."
Sighing in resignation, Kagome nodded glumly. "Then I guess I must go..."
Hikaru, who had stood silently by as the fate of his adopted daughter was determined, now came forward. Looking at Kagome and Sesshoumaru, he bowed his head. "Lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Kagome, I'm asking as a father that you do all you can for Sakura. I would be forever in your debt."
Coming up to him, Kagome pulled Hikaru into a hug, whispering small comforts as the normally cheerful man blinked back tears. Releasing Hikaru, Kagome put on a false smile. "I guess we should get going now."
Nodding, Yoshiro gathered Sakura into his arms, taking care not to touch her wounds. Seeing this, Sesshoumaru gave a final, small nod of reassurance to Hikaru, swept out of the hut. Kagome followed nervously, fidgeting with the strap of her quiver which, along with her bow and dagger, she had not put down in her haste to check on Sakura. Yoshiro was the last to leave. Sharing a speaking look with his brother, Yoshiro took extra care not to jostle his precious cargo.
Cursing mentally, Kagome wondered why in the world she had agreed to this. She was currently sitting on something that appeared to be a cloud, racing across the sky. Sure, she had been on Inuyasha's back a couple of times when he'd jumped. But those times, she had something to grab onto.
Sighing yet again, something that she'd started to do quite often lately, Kagome allowed herself to think of the things that she had learned in a brief afternoon.
First, she had learned that Inu Taisho was still living. This would mean that Sesshoumaru was not yet the Lord of the Western Lands. And he'd said something about the birth of Inuyasha. Slightly amused, Kagome realized that she would see a baby Inuyasha.
Her thoughts drifted onto the topic of Sesshoumaru. Although he was still the same arrogant aristocrat that she had met in the Sengoku Jidai, the past Lord of the Western Lands seemed so much more ...human. After all, the Sesshoumaru that she met two hundred years in the future would never have offered his home to a human child in order to save her life... would he? Then again, Kagome thought of Rin. She had met the child on occasion. And wasn't it Sesshoumaru, not Inuyasha, who had saved her the last time?
Berating herself for thinking that the only thing Sesshoumaru ever did was try to obtain the Tetsusaiga, Kagome began to wonder what else the young lord did. After all, there was a whole Land to rule. It was as if the younger Sesshoumaru hadn't witnessed enough to make him completely cold to the outside world. Kagome hated to think of what would happen in the next two hundred years that would make Sesshoumaru into the cold statue that she had met in the Sengoku Jidai.
Lost in thought, Kagome didn't notice the way that Sesshoumaru glanced at her every now and then. The young demon lord seemed completely uninterested, and yet it was quite the opposite. Never had he met a female who didn't throw themselves at his feet. His outward appearance had been inherited from his mother, a sign along with his symbol that he belonged to the House of the Moon.
Yet here was this wench, a human one at that, who seemed to be completely ignoring him. No one had ever had the courage to do that before. Then again, no one had dared stand in his way as she had done in the small hut. Thinking back, Sesshoumaru thought of the fact that she had whispered his name as she had entered. Determined, he swore that he would solve the mystery of this miko before her stay at the palace ended.
Glancing back at Yoshiro, Sesshoumaru saw that he was still holding the child. The girl had once asked him if he wanted her to hold Sakura and Yoshiro had adamantly refused. Shaking his head inwardly, Sesshoumaru knew that the grey-eyed demon felt responsible for the attack. Seeing the child whimper and Yoshiro's barely masked guilt, Sesshoumaru swore that he would discover those responsible for threatening his inheritance.
Sensing the familiar aura of the Western Palace, Sesshoumaru stopped their small procession. Without looking at his two companions, Sesshoumaru spoke.
"We have arrived."