Foolish Humans and a Mother's Love

Izayoi:

The second we got in, he changed from the sweet, kind lovesick puppy, into a general heading into battle. Though he never let go of my hand, his shoulders stiffened, his goofy smile turned into a stern expression, and his eyes hardened several fold. I pondered at what could have possibly brought about this sudden transformation.

This new form scared me more than any other form he could possibly take. He called out one word as clear as a bell, in a sterner voice than I had ever heard him use.

The word he said was, "Sesshomaru."

I was left in wondering at who or what Sesshomaru was. My question was soon answered. A mysterious figure entered the room. He was but a young boy, but he held himself with the pride of a lord's son. He had beautiful hair, much like his fathers, where a tangle could never be found, and it gleamed brilliant silver which I had always loved about his fathers. He wore the fine threads that not only proved he was a lord's son, but a warrior willing to go into battle upon his father's command. He walked with the confidence of a warrior. I couldn't figure him out, as he was surrounded by mystery.

The only thing I was certain of was the fact that he was indeed the son of the demon I loved. This boy, by the name of Sesshomaru, let out a yell loud enough to shake the palace when his eyes fell upon me.

"Father! What is the meaning of this? Why have you brought this… this… human to our home?"

Then it hit him like a bomb. His eyes went wide with shock and he whispered the word, "no," over and over again. Then he started yelling, "No! No! That woman is just human scum! How could you defile my mother's memory by even thinking of bedding with this human! Have you no pride! Have you no respect for my mother! I'd hoped you'd never care for another other than Mother, especially not some damn human woman who'll just betray you! All humans are the same!"

The demon lord knelt down beside his son and spoke in a calm, gentle voice, "Listen to me son, I loved your mother and I always will, but before she died, she told me that she wished for our happiness always. I love Izayoi here every bit as much as I do your mother, but your mother will never be forgotten. She will have a place inside our hearts that could never be replaced by anyone, and you have to understand that not all humans are that way."

His words warmed my heart, and I felt as if I was going to cry. Sesshomaru's eyes didn't soften one little bit. He looked at his father with those same cold as ice eyes that made my blood run cold.

He turned and quietly said, "All humans are the same." Then he left without a backwards glace.

I put my hand on my love's shoulder, as he had not moved and was still knelt in the same position in which he had been speaking with Sesshomaru in. "Why does he hate humans so? I can understand how hard it must be for him to except me. He really cares for his mother doesn't he?" I spoke softly.

He sighed and began to explain Sesshomaru's hatred. "Sesshomaru's mother was a kind, caring, brave woman. She deeply cared for Sesshomaru and would've given anything to assure his happiness and safety. She was a true beauty, a siren to any man with eyes, but beauty was not the sole quality she possessed. She had the heart of a warrior, and like any true warrior, she died in the heat of battle. There had been an attack on this land, and she demanded to head into battle with us, despite my wishes. To give credit where credit is due, the reason I didn't want her on the battlefield wasn't because she couldn't handle it, far from it. I just didn't want her to get hurt. She did a great job and was the deciding factor in the battle. She saw an opening and took it. She easily took out their leader, but the second she did, she was mercilessly attacked by hundreds of demons. She fended off many, but up against such great numbers and such strong soldiers, it was to no avail. Without their leader they were forced to retreat back into the shadows, but the damage was done. I was able to catch her before she hit the ground. As she lay in my arms, covered in her own blood, her last words were 'I wish for your happiness always. Both yours and Sesshomaru's. Live your lives as best you can, and I will watch over you from heaven.' I could not save her then, but I am now planning to have a sword created that can revive the dead. It will one day belong to Sesshomaru. He really does have a soft heart, but I fear that one day there will be no one left to keep his heart pure, and then all the hatred and pain inside of him will boil to the surface, but wielding this sword will be a way to make sure he can never forget his mother's love, as well as mine. The sword will be forged with my own fang. I will also have a sword forged for our son, one with great killing power. He will need all the help he can get."

At that time I did not understand his words, but now I know all too well. However, at that moment I was too considered with Sesshomaru. His story was so sad. "But I still don't understand his hatred of humans." I said quietly.

"Sesshomaru did not always bear such a grudge against humans. He is a quiet boy, who often keeps to himself, but he has fallen in love, but it was only once, and the scar of it still weighs heavily on his heart. Many years ago he fell in love with a young human girl. The girl soon fell in love with him as well, and they were inseparable for many a month, but alas, love is painful. The girl never realized he was a demon, but when she took him to her village, the villagers did. The whole village started screaming and there was a lot of pandemonium the second they saw him. Many of the villagers kept screaming, 'Demon!' When the girl found out that she had fallen for a demon she screamed and ran into the nearest village hut. Even though she had loved him, her trust was not enough for her to believe that he wouldn't have harmed her. Now he thinks that all humans are as foolish and traitorous as her."

The story made me think. Ever since I was young I had heard stories of the cruel things demons did to unsuspecting humans, but never did tell of the cruel things humans did to demons. I felt my heart go out to the poor boy. At first I had been confused at how a boy so young could have had such a heart-breaking relationship of such magnitude, but then I remembered that a demon's life span far surpassed that of a human. Though he seemed to be just a boy, I suspected that Sesshomaru far surpassed me in years. I now understood why he harbored such a grudge against me, yet I decided to treat him as if he were my own son, in hope that if I treated him with love and compassion, maybe someday he could actually grow fond of me. Maybe, just maybe.