Chapter Five
Sesshomaru was outside watching Rin as she played in one of the ponds. He remembered back when she didn't speak and now she was laughing and enjoying herself, he felt a bit of pride knowing he'd had something to do with that. A sound caught his ear; Motoko was up and probably searching for him. Kano would let her know where to find him. They'd rested long enough it was time to go put this pup in his place.
"Morning everyone, sorry to be late."
Jaken walked up to her, "It's quite alright Lady Motoko please sit and eat. My lord has said that as soon as you have eaten we will be leaving. Don't have any doubts, we will be victorious. No one can stand up to Lord Sesshomaru."
Motoko smiled down at him, "I have no doubts, Jaken." She moved to sit down beside Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru stretched out his arm, caught her behind the head and brought her lips to his. He smiled slightly when she blushed.
Motoko cleared her throat, "So we go to take back my village?"
Sesshomaru continued to stare at her drinking in the sight of her white skin anddark glossy hair. Finally he looked away; he would have to have her again soon.
"Yes, I believe I have something that will protect you and Jaken from this mist." He spoke the word with contempt. "Kano is well versed in medicinal herbs." Kano appeared silently and set two vials on the table.
"Thank you, my lord. I admit that worried me. I did not know how I could help if I once again fell under the spell of the mist." Motoko picked up the vials and gave one to Jaken. She looked at Sesshomaru and smiled. "I take it you don't need an antidote?"
"Of course not." She could see a twinkle in his eye as he spoke but she really wondered if the mist would affect him at all.
"No potion created by a human could ever harm Lord Sesshomaru." Jaken assured Motoko then promptly downed his antidote.
"No I suppose not but I do need it." She too swallowed the antidote. "Thank you Kano."
Kano nodded, took the empty vials and left. Jaken also left the two alone for a moment and went over to Rin.
"Oh, ho, ho, my lord and lady have become closer; perhaps they spent the evening together. And he looks, happy. My that's strange I don't think I've ever seen him look quite like that before." Jaken muttered to himself.
"Master Jaken, I too have noticed that Lord Sesshomaru seems happy. Do you think Lady Motoko is the reason? He kissed her and she didn't seem to mind. They act like a couple. I wonder what is going on."
"Very observant child, the lady is indeed the source of my lord's good mood. Maybe they will become mated to one another."
"You mean like married? Do you think so? Hmm, I'd hate to share him but he looks so – satisfied. We'll see." Rin nodded her head as if she had some say in the matter.
"Young fool, what happens is not up to us but between them. You and I will just have to wait and be told when Lord Sesshomaru is ready."
"Rin." The two broke apart guiltily as Sesshomaru called out to her. Quickly she ran over to him.
"Yes my lord." She smiled, always delighted to be in his presence.
"We will be leaving shortly, stay here with Ah-Un. We shouldn't be long. Take your leave of Lady Motoko." He stood and moved towards the house. "Come Jaken." Motoko would need a weapon. He believed there was something she could use from Father's collection.
"Right away." He ran as fast as his short legs could move. Jaken was ready for a fight or at least ready to back up Lord Sesshomaru.
Lady Motoko looked down at the human child but now instead of just some human, she saw someone who was important to Sesshomaru. Reaching out a hand she cupped the child's cheek.
"Don't worry; he'll be back before you know it. I don't think he likes not having you near him." Motoko laughed as the little girl's face lit up.
"Really, because I really miss him when he's not around." Rin tilted her head and thought a moment. "From the way he looked a while ago, I think he likes having you around too."
"Thank you, little one. That makes me happy. Look, they're back." Motoko stood and saw that Jaken was carrying a wrapped bundle.
At the barrier, Motoko and Jaken passed through first while Sesshomaru stood with his hand once again on Rin's head. "We won't be long; Akina is going to look after you."
"Alright, please save Lady Motoko's home. I'll be here waiting." Smiling she watched him go but she already felt lonely.
It was a short walk to Motoko's village, all was quiet and normal but she knew that just past a smallgroup of trees, were wolf and bat demons ready to attack them. Of course she had warned Sesshomaru of this and but he was unconcerned. If he was unafraid so she would be too, she just hoped everyone she had left behind was still alive.
"My lord, how do you wish to proceed?" Jaken was steadily walking behind Sesshomaru and Motoko. He'd do his part but why not let Lord Sesshomaru go first? As usual he kept waiting for and never received an answer.
There was a path to follow and bold as you please they followed it. Motoko and Jaken both thought that maybe it would have been better if they had eased into the village without being seen, but stoically followed Sesshomaru. Ahead were two large, old trees that marked the entrance to the village and standing just outside were guards. Four wolves stood and growled at the newcomers while two wolf demons got up from where they were lounging.
Sesshomaru noticed they were all wearing collars and he smiled slightly at that. The collars, as explained by Motoko earlier, held charms that allowed the wolves and demons to be able to function in the mist created by the dark priests, mist that dulled memories, zapped the dog demons' strength and kept them from fighting back.
"Halt! Who goes there? No one is allowed here. Be on your way!" Said one of the demons.
"Wait, isn't that the wench that escaped? Ha, she must have missed Yukiomaru and come back and look she brought friends. Go tell Yukiomaru, this could be amusing." The first wolf demon took off while the other stood back and gestured for Sesshomaru to enter the village. Up in the trees, several bat demons watched the little group.
"My home, look what they'd done to my home. I was in such a hurry to escape that I didn't see any of this!" Motoko got tears in her eyes as she looked around. There were bones, trash and feces everywhere. The mist was also killing the plants and flowers. There used to be an atmosphere of calm serenity but now it was desolate and forbidding. Motoko pulled her self together and focused her mind on defeating these renegades and restoring the village to what it once was. Instead of sadness she began to feel an intense rage, they would pay for this.
Around them more wolf and bat demons appeared, all grinning. Some carried weapons while others made fists, ready for a fight. Sesshomaru just stood calmly and looked for Yukiomaru to make an appearance. Finally the demon returned but alone.
"Yukiomaru says that you're not worth his time." He looked around at his comrades, "Boys, it looks like we get to take these three on. Let's have some fun." He moved forward anxious to fight until Sesshomaru looked directly at him.
"Hmph, you are not worth my time. Step aside or die where you stand." He did not move, only stared at the wolf demon.
'Shit! There's something about this guy that's scary as hell and the mist doesn't seem to affect him. Hell let the priest and Yukiomaru handle him.' The demon thought and stepped aside.
"Hey what are you doing man? I thought you were going after him?"
"Naw, I want the woman. Everyone, attack!"
They all moved forward closing in and surrounding the outsiders. Not one of them got close. Jaken used the staff of two heads and sent some wolves howling. Motoko used her claws and decapitated some wolf demons. Sesshomaru unleashed his whip and took out ten bat demons.
They backed off.
"What the hell?"
"Who is this guy?"
"We need more help!"
Sesshomaru looked to Motoko and Jaken. "They're yours. I'm going to find their so-called leader. It seems he's too afraid to come and face me."
"Of course my lord, we will take care of them." Jaken laughed then ran screaming when a wolf got too close.
Motoko looked over at Sesshomaru and felt proud that he trusted her to handle these demons on her own. She pulled out the sword that he had given her, "Go, we will be fine. Yukiomaru is in the Elder's home, the largest at the end of the street. I'll finish quickly for I want to see you destroy Yukiomaru."
Sesshomaru nodded at her andwalked away from the stunned wolves.
At first the wolves and demons let him pass then some gathered their courage only to fall to Sesshomaru's poisonous claws. He walked on and those still alive let him, deciding the woman and imp were easier prey, besides he still had to get past the priests before getting close to Yukiomaru.
In the sky, bat demons laughed to see the wolves backing off and letting the white-haired dog pass unharmed. It was decided that they would stop the dog and receive the respect and praise of Yukiomaru.
Sesshomaru walked on and noticed the bats were planning something. He waited for them to make the first move before reaching for his sword. In the blink of an eye, he was off the ground and in one swing took out two demons. Another two came at him and he jumped to a nearby tree only to leap and attack again. Four, then six fell to the ground. Sesshomaru landed softly and looked to the remaining bat demons.
"Do the rest of you wish to die for Yukiomaru, a false lord?
They exchanged glances then almost as one they flew off leaving this battle to Yukiomaru. Maybe the damned dogs would kill each other and leave the village theirs for the taking.