Disclaimer: The character known as Inu Yasha is one of many, many things which I do not own.
**quick note that may be skipped: I must at this moment hearken back to something I've said in a previous post: "I do not take this fic seriously, and will be highly amused by anyone that does." Just a lil' something I wanted to remind everyone of ^_^. **
One more thing: I began this post ages ago, but certain situations (war, protests, illness, and a second part-time job) have caused me to be WAY too busy recently. So now, when I FINALLY have a moment away from all that, do I do the housework that has slowly been piling up to an alarming mess around me? Nah, I post another chapter of my fic! It'll be more productive in the long run, I'm sure. ^_^
**********
Prisoners
Brotherly Love
**********
On the roof of Inu Yasha's home in Osaka, Kirara stretched and yawned luxuriously, her long white fangs gleaming in the moonlight. Through the window just below her, she could hear her oldest and dearest friends arguing over whether or not to walk straight into the clutches of an enemy. The case seemed pretty clean-cut to the little cat demon, but it now looked as though she's have to go against her instinct for self-preservation.
She's follow Sango (even if her name and body have changed) anywhere. Her new wolf demon form meant little to Kirara, it wasn't as if her spirit had changed. Kirara would protect her. She closed her eyes and purred contentedly as she realized that her companions would not make her do it alone.
"Damn it! Where the hell is Kirara?! We'll reach Sessho Maru faster if we ride her." Inu Yasha's angry snarl reached her ears, and she jumped to the ground gracefully, prepared to make her entrance.
*****
"Thank you, Inu Yasha," Kagome's blue-gray eyes were filled with gratitude, and it was, quite frankly, making the hanyou uncomfortable in front of all these people.
"Kirara!" he called to the cat demon though the window, glad for something to take everyone's attention off of him, "Damn it, where have you been?"
Myoga hopped onto the couch, settling beside a teary-eyed Kanta, "Indeed, it is unseemly to be unavailable when we were discussing a matter of such gravity."
Inu Yasha glared at the flea, "Yeah, it's pretty crappy to just up and leave when we might have needed you!"
Myoga nodded in agreement, until he noticed that his master's gaze was still fixed intensely on the flea. "Oh," Myoga blushed.
"Anyway," the hanyou continued, "we need to get to Sessho Maru as quickly as possible, Kirara, are you up to it?"
The demon cat's head dipped once in assent, and one by one the group clambered on. Kirara lifted off, sailing smoothly through the open terrace doors and into the sky.
"Umm, Inu Yasha?" Shippo asked thoughtfully, "Don't you think we should have locked up?"
Inu Yasha shook his head, "The security system runs along the perimeter of the property, it'll stop anyone that would want to break in."
Kagome pursed her lips in thought, "Inu Yasha, there's something I've been meaning to ask you...." she paused, trying to think of how to put it properly. "I was just wondering, how is it that you and Sessho Maru afford this lifestyle? I mean, all the houses, all the luxury. I can't imagine that there are many youkai businessmen in this time."
Inu Yasha shrugged, "I don't really know how Sessho Maru did it, but as for me... Kagome, do you remember how I used to yell at you for going on about companies like Toyota and Microsoft?" Kagome nodded, "Well, I owe you an apology. I was an early share holder in several of the 'future' businesses you told me about."
Kagome was awed, "Inu Yasha, I'm impressed."
The hanyou smirked and shrugged, "Well, I had a while to come up with it."
*****
Back in at the Sunset Shrine, Sota was just finishing up a sketch under the Goshinboku Tree.
"Okay, an angry expression... two fuzzy ears...." he muttered under his breath, before something else tugged at his attention, "Huh?" he turned his head just in time to see a small clump of bushes shake slightly, probably upset by a bird or maybe a rabbit. Or, perhaps- "An evil demon, come to steal the final shard of the shikon no tama, waits unseen. Unluckily for him, he is no match for," here the boy gave a dramatic pause and stood proudly, "Sota Yasha!" he charged the bush, diving into it head first, prepared to wrangle with some huge and ferocious imaginary monster, and not at all expecting to collide with the short green demon that awaited him instead-
"AIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
*****
Sessho Maru paced in his brother's Tokyo home, his expression sullen. The Great Demon of the West Lands was not used to waiting on anyone, and the absence of Inu Yasha and Jakken was at this moment causing him to do just that. Needless to say, he was greatly annoyed.
*Jakken never goes anywhere without first informing me; I cannot imagine what could have caused him to leave his post, a post that I personally assigned to him. Now, when I have come with further instructions for him to defend against imminent attack, I find the home undefended and I am stuck here, like some common sentry.* Well, not for long, Sessho Maru had already contacted another in his legion of demon troops to come here and relieve him. Until then, he refused to leave the home unguarded.
*Goodness knows what would happen to Inu Yasha without me here to protect him.*
*****
"Hang on, Kirara, stop!" Kagome urged at they sailed toward the outer edge of the forest. The city of Tokyo was just visible now.
"What? We were making great time!" Shippo complained at the giant cat demon landed gracefully, the mystical fire she rode upon extinguishing itself.
"It's broad daylight," Inu Yasha muttered, helping Kagome down, "We can't ride Kirara any further.
"Then how are we supposed to reach Sessho Maru's home quickly without using any demon power?" Chiyo batted Kenjishi's hand away absently, awaiting the hanyou's response.
Tamiko answered instead, "The mag-lev." All eyes followed her gaze to the sleek and silent magnetic levitation car running on a track some hundred feet above the gound. The station was within walking distance.
Inu Yasha nodded once, as he tied a black bandana around his head, and muttered about crushing his ears. "Myoga! Where are you!?" he barked.
From somewhere in Kirara's fur, the flea demon hopped off and onto his master's nose. "Yes, my Lord?"
"You can slip into Tokyo unnoticed. I want you to hurry to my home and see if Kouga is there yet. Either way, you will then proceed to the Sunset Shrine, where I will meet you. Do you understand."
A shiver ran through the little demon, "But- master- what if I am discovered?"
"Be creative, now go!" the tone in the hanyou's voice left no room for argument.
Myoga hopped off of his perch, and members of the group caught a few stray words such as "unappreciated" and "ungrateful" as he hopped past them on his mission. The rest of the tiny muttering was lost to the wind.
*****
The reality was turning out to be somewhat different than Sota's imaginary demon encounters. For one thing, he couldn't seem to stop screaming, and for another thing-
"Oh, just shut UP!" the small green thing pointed a staff with two faces at him, and both wooden heads snapped their mouths shut, just as his mouth did likewise, rendering him mute.
-this demon was definitely not the giant lobster or spider he had expected to be dealing with. The little thing let out a long breath of frustration before regarding the boy again.
"Now, just shake your head yes or no, do you understand?" the thing asked through strangely pointed lips. Sota just looked at him blankly and the thing sighed, "I'll take that as a yes... Do you live at this shrine?" Sota nodded dumbly. "Good. Do you know a girl named Kagome?" another nod. "Excellent. Now, listen carefully, have you ever heard of something called the shikon no tama?" Sota's eyes widened.
*The jewel! He's after the sacred jewel!!* Before the little thing could react, Sota had fled, shaking himself free of the muting spell as he went, "JI-CHAN!! SEAL THE DOORS! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!!"
Out on the lawn Jakken sighed, "...And I thought I was finished dealing with these little brats.
*****
Myoga recognized the presence as soon as he entered the large home, so he was sure Kouga was nowhere in the vicinity, but that knowledge did little to ease his apprehension. After all, Kouga would almost be better than-
"Sessho Maru," the little flea breathed in disbelief, immediately angered with himself for doing so. *Still,* he hoped, *Even with his superhuman hearing, perhaps he was unable to hear-?*
"It's too much to hope, little flea," the fire and silk voice answered him. Myoga looked up to find Sessho Maru looking not at him but out the window, as if he were expecting someone.
"I most humbly beg your pardon, honored Sessho Maru, but how is it you were able to- er-?"
"Read your mind, perhaps?" He looked down at Myoga, sending a chill through the little flea, "I didn't, it was simply a matter of observation and deduction. If I were able to read your mind, Myoga, I would not now need to ask you why you had come here alone."
Myoga tried to straighten importantly, under the intimidating stare, "Lord Inu Yasha sent me ahead while he proceeded directly to your home."
Sessho Maru looked almost puzzled, "My home? What would he want there?"
"I obtained intelligence that if Kouga's wolf pack were to fail in their efforts here, they would then proceed to Kagome's family home. Lord Inu Yasha seeks your help in defending it."
"In other words, you were feasting upon one of the wolves and he happened to be talking about their plans." Myoga sputtered and Sessho Maru ignored him, "I am going to the Higurashi Shrine to inform the girl's family of the danger they are in. You will stay here and defend against the pack as best you can."
Myoga's eyes widened, "B-but Master Inu Yasha told me-!"
"I am changing your orders," Sessho Maru told him cooly, "and if you see fit to disobey me I will be most displeased. I've already had one so-called loyal servant go against my instructions today, would you like to be the second?"
"Jakken," Myoga breathed, "Oh, please, Great Sessho Maru! Do not be angered with him. It was I that gave him the information that caused him to leave his post!"
Sessho Maru arched an eyebrow, "Is that so? It seems I have much to blame on you today." Myoga swallowed hard, as Sessho Maru began to leave.
"There will be another demon along to relieve you soon enough." He was almost out the door, before he thought to add, "Try to keep away from his mouth."
*****
It took Sessho Maru less than five minutes to get from the splendor of Inu Yasha's home to the modest Sunset Shrine. He spotted Jakken, sitting on a bench alone, swinging his legs slowly and facing away from Sessho Maru. He loved moments like this. He silently approached his most loyal servant.
"So," Jakken jumped most satisfyingly, "I see that you are now anticipating my orders, instead of following those I give you.
Jakken hopped off the bench and bent low before his master, "Sessho Maru, my Lord, forgive this Jakken, I merely wished to protect the interests of your family-"
"...And you hoped to accomplish this by sitting in the yard of my sister-in-law-to-be's family home?"
Jakken bent lower, "Please forgive me, sir! I was merely explaining the situation to a small boy, presumably some member of Lady Kagome's family, when he ran into the house, and sealed the door shut behind him."
Sessho Maru closed his eyes and took a deep breath, Jakken had probably scared the boy out of his wits. It was too much to hope that the seals that had kept Jakken out would work as well on Kouga. He would have to get inside and explain the situation to them. "Jakken," he said finally, "If you can wrap your brain around the idea, then stand guard here while I go inside and try to talk with the in-laws. If Kouga comes, then alert me to his presence immediately."
Jakken bowed once again, but it was a pointless gesture, as Sessho Maru was already at the door of the house. He paused for only a nanosecond, debating the best way to gain entry, before arriving at the most promising conclusion. He knocked.
"Mom! He's a demon! You can't just let him in!" a plaintive child's voice came from within the darkened house.
"Sota! We mustn't be rude, and he did knock." Sessho Maru tried to hide his grimace at the woman's sugary-sweet tone as the lock clicked open and the knob turned, leaving Sessho Maru facing a smiling woman with short black hair. "May I help you?"
Sessho Maru nodded shortly, "I come to you with a matter of most pressing importance. May I come inside?"
The woman never lost her cheerful demeanor, but still seemed hesitant, "I'm not quite sure, what do you want to discuss?"
"The situation surrounding your daughter and my brother, Inu Yasha."
"Oh! You're Inu Yasha's brother!"
"...A likely story," a young voice from behind her muttered.
"Sota! If you cannot be polite then you are excused from this conversation," Kagome's mother told the boy firmly. Sota made a sour face, and walked sulkily from the room. Ms. Higurashi sighed deeply. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Mr...?"
"Sessho Maru," he provided, "Just Sessho Maru."
She nodded, "Alright, Sessho Maru. Please come inside." Sessho Maru followed her into the sitting room, where an old man sat cross-legged on the floor, muttering incantations nonstop. Ms. Higurashi touched his shoulder lightly, "Father?"
The man paused, "Daughter! Do not distract me! My sealing energy may be the only thing keeping hoards of evil demons at bay," he looked up and saw Sessho Maru. All the color drained from his face, but his expression gave no indication of panic. "So," he stood calmly, "One of them got in... HYAH!" Sessho Maru side stepped, leaving the man to slap the magic scroll to the wall instead.
"Father, please! This is Sessho Maru, he is our guest!"
The keeper of the Sunset Shrine looked to his daughter, aghast. "You invited him in!!? What on earth were you thinking!? Kami knows what he may-!"
The old man's gibbering was interrupted by a cry of "Demon, begone!" followed by an eleven year old boy charging the Great Demon of the West Lands with a broomstick.
*BAM!*
Post-collision found Sessho Maru still standing, with the broom in one hand, and the scruff of Sota's shirt in the other, dangling the boy about three feet above the ground. His amber eyes were locked with the boy's brown, and both held an expression of confusion. Sota hadn't expected his charge to be rejected so easily, and Sessho Maru had no idea what to do with the boy.
In short, each had met his match.
**********
To Be Continued. **looks at angry readers** no really! I mean it!
**quick note that may be skipped: I must at this moment hearken back to something I've said in a previous post: "I do not take this fic seriously, and will be highly amused by anyone that does." Just a lil' something I wanted to remind everyone of ^_^. **
One more thing: I began this post ages ago, but certain situations (war, protests, illness, and a second part-time job) have caused me to be WAY too busy recently. So now, when I FINALLY have a moment away from all that, do I do the housework that has slowly been piling up to an alarming mess around me? Nah, I post another chapter of my fic! It'll be more productive in the long run, I'm sure. ^_^
**********
Prisoners
Brotherly Love
**********
On the roof of Inu Yasha's home in Osaka, Kirara stretched and yawned luxuriously, her long white fangs gleaming in the moonlight. Through the window just below her, she could hear her oldest and dearest friends arguing over whether or not to walk straight into the clutches of an enemy. The case seemed pretty clean-cut to the little cat demon, but it now looked as though she's have to go against her instinct for self-preservation.
She's follow Sango (even if her name and body have changed) anywhere. Her new wolf demon form meant little to Kirara, it wasn't as if her spirit had changed. Kirara would protect her. She closed her eyes and purred contentedly as she realized that her companions would not make her do it alone.
"Damn it! Where the hell is Kirara?! We'll reach Sessho Maru faster if we ride her." Inu Yasha's angry snarl reached her ears, and she jumped to the ground gracefully, prepared to make her entrance.
*****
"Thank you, Inu Yasha," Kagome's blue-gray eyes were filled with gratitude, and it was, quite frankly, making the hanyou uncomfortable in front of all these people.
"Kirara!" he called to the cat demon though the window, glad for something to take everyone's attention off of him, "Damn it, where have you been?"
Myoga hopped onto the couch, settling beside a teary-eyed Kanta, "Indeed, it is unseemly to be unavailable when we were discussing a matter of such gravity."
Inu Yasha glared at the flea, "Yeah, it's pretty crappy to just up and leave when we might have needed you!"
Myoga nodded in agreement, until he noticed that his master's gaze was still fixed intensely on the flea. "Oh," Myoga blushed.
"Anyway," the hanyou continued, "we need to get to Sessho Maru as quickly as possible, Kirara, are you up to it?"
The demon cat's head dipped once in assent, and one by one the group clambered on. Kirara lifted off, sailing smoothly through the open terrace doors and into the sky.
"Umm, Inu Yasha?" Shippo asked thoughtfully, "Don't you think we should have locked up?"
Inu Yasha shook his head, "The security system runs along the perimeter of the property, it'll stop anyone that would want to break in."
Kagome pursed her lips in thought, "Inu Yasha, there's something I've been meaning to ask you...." she paused, trying to think of how to put it properly. "I was just wondering, how is it that you and Sessho Maru afford this lifestyle? I mean, all the houses, all the luxury. I can't imagine that there are many youkai businessmen in this time."
Inu Yasha shrugged, "I don't really know how Sessho Maru did it, but as for me... Kagome, do you remember how I used to yell at you for going on about companies like Toyota and Microsoft?" Kagome nodded, "Well, I owe you an apology. I was an early share holder in several of the 'future' businesses you told me about."
Kagome was awed, "Inu Yasha, I'm impressed."
The hanyou smirked and shrugged, "Well, I had a while to come up with it."
*****
Back in at the Sunset Shrine, Sota was just finishing up a sketch under the Goshinboku Tree.
"Okay, an angry expression... two fuzzy ears...." he muttered under his breath, before something else tugged at his attention, "Huh?" he turned his head just in time to see a small clump of bushes shake slightly, probably upset by a bird or maybe a rabbit. Or, perhaps- "An evil demon, come to steal the final shard of the shikon no tama, waits unseen. Unluckily for him, he is no match for," here the boy gave a dramatic pause and stood proudly, "Sota Yasha!" he charged the bush, diving into it head first, prepared to wrangle with some huge and ferocious imaginary monster, and not at all expecting to collide with the short green demon that awaited him instead-
"AIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
*****
Sessho Maru paced in his brother's Tokyo home, his expression sullen. The Great Demon of the West Lands was not used to waiting on anyone, and the absence of Inu Yasha and Jakken was at this moment causing him to do just that. Needless to say, he was greatly annoyed.
*Jakken never goes anywhere without first informing me; I cannot imagine what could have caused him to leave his post, a post that I personally assigned to him. Now, when I have come with further instructions for him to defend against imminent attack, I find the home undefended and I am stuck here, like some common sentry.* Well, not for long, Sessho Maru had already contacted another in his legion of demon troops to come here and relieve him. Until then, he refused to leave the home unguarded.
*Goodness knows what would happen to Inu Yasha without me here to protect him.*
*****
"Hang on, Kirara, stop!" Kagome urged at they sailed toward the outer edge of the forest. The city of Tokyo was just visible now.
"What? We were making great time!" Shippo complained at the giant cat demon landed gracefully, the mystical fire she rode upon extinguishing itself.
"It's broad daylight," Inu Yasha muttered, helping Kagome down, "We can't ride Kirara any further.
"Then how are we supposed to reach Sessho Maru's home quickly without using any demon power?" Chiyo batted Kenjishi's hand away absently, awaiting the hanyou's response.
Tamiko answered instead, "The mag-lev." All eyes followed her gaze to the sleek and silent magnetic levitation car running on a track some hundred feet above the gound. The station was within walking distance.
Inu Yasha nodded once, as he tied a black bandana around his head, and muttered about crushing his ears. "Myoga! Where are you!?" he barked.
From somewhere in Kirara's fur, the flea demon hopped off and onto his master's nose. "Yes, my Lord?"
"You can slip into Tokyo unnoticed. I want you to hurry to my home and see if Kouga is there yet. Either way, you will then proceed to the Sunset Shrine, where I will meet you. Do you understand."
A shiver ran through the little demon, "But- master- what if I am discovered?"
"Be creative, now go!" the tone in the hanyou's voice left no room for argument.
Myoga hopped off of his perch, and members of the group caught a few stray words such as "unappreciated" and "ungrateful" as he hopped past them on his mission. The rest of the tiny muttering was lost to the wind.
*****
The reality was turning out to be somewhat different than Sota's imaginary demon encounters. For one thing, he couldn't seem to stop screaming, and for another thing-
"Oh, just shut UP!" the small green thing pointed a staff with two faces at him, and both wooden heads snapped their mouths shut, just as his mouth did likewise, rendering him mute.
-this demon was definitely not the giant lobster or spider he had expected to be dealing with. The little thing let out a long breath of frustration before regarding the boy again.
"Now, just shake your head yes or no, do you understand?" the thing asked through strangely pointed lips. Sota just looked at him blankly and the thing sighed, "I'll take that as a yes... Do you live at this shrine?" Sota nodded dumbly. "Good. Do you know a girl named Kagome?" another nod. "Excellent. Now, listen carefully, have you ever heard of something called the shikon no tama?" Sota's eyes widened.
*The jewel! He's after the sacred jewel!!* Before the little thing could react, Sota had fled, shaking himself free of the muting spell as he went, "JI-CHAN!! SEAL THE DOORS! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!!"
Out on the lawn Jakken sighed, "...And I thought I was finished dealing with these little brats.
*****
Myoga recognized the presence as soon as he entered the large home, so he was sure Kouga was nowhere in the vicinity, but that knowledge did little to ease his apprehension. After all, Kouga would almost be better than-
"Sessho Maru," the little flea breathed in disbelief, immediately angered with himself for doing so. *Still,* he hoped, *Even with his superhuman hearing, perhaps he was unable to hear-?*
"It's too much to hope, little flea," the fire and silk voice answered him. Myoga looked up to find Sessho Maru looking not at him but out the window, as if he were expecting someone.
"I most humbly beg your pardon, honored Sessho Maru, but how is it you were able to- er-?"
"Read your mind, perhaps?" He looked down at Myoga, sending a chill through the little flea, "I didn't, it was simply a matter of observation and deduction. If I were able to read your mind, Myoga, I would not now need to ask you why you had come here alone."
Myoga tried to straighten importantly, under the intimidating stare, "Lord Inu Yasha sent me ahead while he proceeded directly to your home."
Sessho Maru looked almost puzzled, "My home? What would he want there?"
"I obtained intelligence that if Kouga's wolf pack were to fail in their efforts here, they would then proceed to Kagome's family home. Lord Inu Yasha seeks your help in defending it."
"In other words, you were feasting upon one of the wolves and he happened to be talking about their plans." Myoga sputtered and Sessho Maru ignored him, "I am going to the Higurashi Shrine to inform the girl's family of the danger they are in. You will stay here and defend against the pack as best you can."
Myoga's eyes widened, "B-but Master Inu Yasha told me-!"
"I am changing your orders," Sessho Maru told him cooly, "and if you see fit to disobey me I will be most displeased. I've already had one so-called loyal servant go against my instructions today, would you like to be the second?"
"Jakken," Myoga breathed, "Oh, please, Great Sessho Maru! Do not be angered with him. It was I that gave him the information that caused him to leave his post!"
Sessho Maru arched an eyebrow, "Is that so? It seems I have much to blame on you today." Myoga swallowed hard, as Sessho Maru began to leave.
"There will be another demon along to relieve you soon enough." He was almost out the door, before he thought to add, "Try to keep away from his mouth."
*****
It took Sessho Maru less than five minutes to get from the splendor of Inu Yasha's home to the modest Sunset Shrine. He spotted Jakken, sitting on a bench alone, swinging his legs slowly and facing away from Sessho Maru. He loved moments like this. He silently approached his most loyal servant.
"So," Jakken jumped most satisfyingly, "I see that you are now anticipating my orders, instead of following those I give you.
Jakken hopped off the bench and bent low before his master, "Sessho Maru, my Lord, forgive this Jakken, I merely wished to protect the interests of your family-"
"...And you hoped to accomplish this by sitting in the yard of my sister-in-law-to-be's family home?"
Jakken bent lower, "Please forgive me, sir! I was merely explaining the situation to a small boy, presumably some member of Lady Kagome's family, when he ran into the house, and sealed the door shut behind him."
Sessho Maru closed his eyes and took a deep breath, Jakken had probably scared the boy out of his wits. It was too much to hope that the seals that had kept Jakken out would work as well on Kouga. He would have to get inside and explain the situation to them. "Jakken," he said finally, "If you can wrap your brain around the idea, then stand guard here while I go inside and try to talk with the in-laws. If Kouga comes, then alert me to his presence immediately."
Jakken bowed once again, but it was a pointless gesture, as Sessho Maru was already at the door of the house. He paused for only a nanosecond, debating the best way to gain entry, before arriving at the most promising conclusion. He knocked.
"Mom! He's a demon! You can't just let him in!" a plaintive child's voice came from within the darkened house.
"Sota! We mustn't be rude, and he did knock." Sessho Maru tried to hide his grimace at the woman's sugary-sweet tone as the lock clicked open and the knob turned, leaving Sessho Maru facing a smiling woman with short black hair. "May I help you?"
Sessho Maru nodded shortly, "I come to you with a matter of most pressing importance. May I come inside?"
The woman never lost her cheerful demeanor, but still seemed hesitant, "I'm not quite sure, what do you want to discuss?"
"The situation surrounding your daughter and my brother, Inu Yasha."
"Oh! You're Inu Yasha's brother!"
"...A likely story," a young voice from behind her muttered.
"Sota! If you cannot be polite then you are excused from this conversation," Kagome's mother told the boy firmly. Sota made a sour face, and walked sulkily from the room. Ms. Higurashi sighed deeply. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Mr...?"
"Sessho Maru," he provided, "Just Sessho Maru."
She nodded, "Alright, Sessho Maru. Please come inside." Sessho Maru followed her into the sitting room, where an old man sat cross-legged on the floor, muttering incantations nonstop. Ms. Higurashi touched his shoulder lightly, "Father?"
The man paused, "Daughter! Do not distract me! My sealing energy may be the only thing keeping hoards of evil demons at bay," he looked up and saw Sessho Maru. All the color drained from his face, but his expression gave no indication of panic. "So," he stood calmly, "One of them got in... HYAH!" Sessho Maru side stepped, leaving the man to slap the magic scroll to the wall instead.
"Father, please! This is Sessho Maru, he is our guest!"
The keeper of the Sunset Shrine looked to his daughter, aghast. "You invited him in!!? What on earth were you thinking!? Kami knows what he may-!"
The old man's gibbering was interrupted by a cry of "Demon, begone!" followed by an eleven year old boy charging the Great Demon of the West Lands with a broomstick.
*BAM!*
Post-collision found Sessho Maru still standing, with the broom in one hand, and the scruff of Sota's shirt in the other, dangling the boy about three feet above the ground. His amber eyes were locked with the boy's brown, and both held an expression of confusion. Sota hadn't expected his charge to be rejected so easily, and Sessho Maru had no idea what to do with the boy.
In short, each had met his match.
**********
To Be Continued. **looks at angry readers** no really! I mean it!