Chapter Six

"Would you look at that? He's scared off those wolf and bat demons, of course that's easy to do." Yukiomaru was sitting on a throne he'd had built. One fist supported his head as he watched the enchanted mirror, Sesshomaru walked unmolested towards the mansion. This was exciting and he grinned. "Let's see if he can get past your priests. I hope he does, I need to test out my new found strength." Yukiomaru's hand came up and patted his chest where the jewel shard was embedded.

"Is he formidable? What do you know of this demon?" The head priest asked. Eito was worried, this demon was unaffected by his mist and that was their advantage. The mist was the whole reason they'd been able to take over without bloodshed and to maintain the status quo. Now it seemed to him that this man, this demon could change all that.

"Oh, him? That's Sesshomaru, the great dog general's first son. There is another son but he's a half-demon, really not worth mentioning. I wouldn't worry Eito, Sesshomaru is not his father and look, he's missing an arm, that's cut down on his power considerably. If it looks like you can't handle him, I'll step in and take him out."

Eito wasn't as sure as Yukiomaru, that Sesshomaru was no threat. He would send out his fellow priests but even now he was thinking how he could save his own ass. He'd let the two dogs fight it out and get the hell away from here. Now that the mist was perfected he could try it somewhere else, far away from these demons.

Motoko worked swiftly and with precision. The sword Sesshomaru gave her was able to cut anything and she was able to fight with no problems especially since the mist didn't affect her now. Already she'd taken out half of the attacking enemies and seen quite a few take off running. Rogue wolf demons had no loyalty and it showed in the way they left their wounded comrades. The bat demons were all but gone or were watching from a distance. Since they were staying out of her way, she spared them little thought.

During the battle she even found moments of humor as Jaken would successfully fight off some wolves then go running when a demon attacked, but he never gave up or left her side. Jaken knew what loyalty was, plus Sesshomaru would kill him if he ran and hid. From behind her came a wolf demon and without thought, sent the sword behind her and ended his life. Motoko looked up the street for Sesshomaru and could no longer see him; maybe he'd confronted Yukiomaru by now.

As he walked Sesshomaru saw dog demons standing in the doorways of their homes. They looked ill, only half aware of what was going on. Some appeared as if they'd been beaten and others as if they hadn't eaten in a long while. Sesshomaru felt a deep anger begin down in the pit of his stomach. It was inconceivable that any dog demon would do this to another. Death would have better than to live as a drugged slave. Yes, dog demons fought and killed each other but that was always in battle, not this. Yukiomaru had even used lowly humans, wolf and bat demons to control his own people. If for no other reason, this called for his death.

As Sesshomaru drew closer to the Elder's home, he saw about twenty human men, all dressed in priest's robes standing in a line blocking his path. His ears picked up the sounds of chanting and he stopped – they were planning something.

"It would be best for you if you got out of my way. I have business with Yukiomaru and your lives mean nothing to me."

For a moment they were silent but again started chanting. One stood before a cauldron and out of it came more of the mist but this time it was denser, a more concentrated form. Sesshomaru smiled slightly, they thought this would stop him. "Futile." He turned around slowly then with each revolution faster and faster. Soon he was white blur, the mist was drawn into the funnel he was making and soon all of it was circling above him - he stopped suddenly. The fur pelt snapped in the air and the mist - all the mist in the village disappeared.

Shocked faces stared at Sesshomaru and the men began to back away from him. Their strongest mist was gone and it had no effect on the demon before them. Another chant began and one priest drew out some prayer beads. When the others saw him they followed his lead. The priests hoped to bind Sesshomaru's power with enchanted beads.

He sighed, the humans were annoying him. There was no way their paltry magic could stop or hurt him. It was time to eliminate them. Sesshomaru walked forward, amazed at their stupidity, for all had kept their positions instead of running for their lives. Suddenly they threw the prayer beads at him and like snakes they wound around his body. A moment, only for a moment did he pause. Taking another step he shrugged them off and moving too fast for the human eye, starting at one end, moving down the line, one neck at a time, his claws found their mark.

Sesshomaru didn't bother to look back, dead bodies didn't interest him. Once again he began walking to the mansion where Yukiomaru was. He wondered if he would come out and fight or send more people to die for him; it mattered not. This siege would end with Yukimaru's death.

Motoko and Jaken were surrounded by bodies. All those who had stayed to fight, stayed to be killed. The air was full of the smell of blood. It was then that Motoko noticed that the mist was gone. She looked around and yes some of her kin were stepping out of their homes or rousing themselves from where they had fallen. Soon they would be back to normal. Motoko was torn, she wanted to go to them and comfort them but she also wanted to see Yukiomaru taken out.

"Lady Motoko, we did it! Ha, they were no match for the likes of us. Wait till I tell Rin of how I helped Lord Sesshomaru beat these puny wolves!" High on winning, Jaken laughed until it hurt.

Motoko smiled down at the imp. "Yes I'm sure she'll be impressed. Shall we go watch Lord Sesshomaru and Yukiomaru fight? I'd like to see him try and beat Sesshomaru."

"Oh yes, let's! In no way is he a match for my lord. Come on!" Jaken led the way down the street strutting.

"Hmph, it didn't work. Looks like it's your turn Eito. Seems he's stronger than he looks so I don't expect you to kill him, just slow him down and weaken him. That way he'll be no problem for me. Once I finish him and his friends then I can lead the life I was always meant to. Leader of the clan." Yukiomaru smiled, he loved the sound of that and the idea of everyone obeying his commands.

Eito merely looked at Yukiomaru then nodded to him and headed out. He had no intention of engaging that powerful demon. He'd go outside then create some kind of smoke screen and get the hell out of this demon village. It had been fun at first but this shit was too much. Eito walked outside, if you could call it walking. His entire body was shaking; he had to put on a good show if he wanted to escape alive. Soon he was in the street and the figure in white was approaching.

"Get out of my way. The other priests are dead; would you care to join them?" Sesshomaru held up his hand and presented his claws.

Eito pretended not to hear Sesshomaru and began chanting. His plan was to create multiple false demons and have them attack Sesshomaru while he made his getaway. In no time there were fifty demons, he stopped chanting and looked at Sesshomaru. "These puppets will stop you and protect Master Yukiomaru.

Sesshomaru smiled slightly, he knew the puppets were no threat to him. The human was trying to save his life, he suspected it was a cover so he could escape and could care less. He held up his claws and moved forward.

"Stop or I'll have them attack!" Eito tried to show some bravado but it sounded weak and the dog demon did not stop. He began a new chant in the hopes of creating some confusion and put the puppets into motion. As the puppets came to life, he moved back and performed a vanishing spell. Eito looked back only to see Sesshomaru staring at him, not fooled at all. Fear gave his feet speed and he headed for the forest.

The puppets surrounded and jumped on Sesshomaru. Motoko and Jaken arrived to see Sesshomaru completely covered but that soon changed. One by one they disappeared into a green miasma and Sesshomaru was once again visible.

"What the hell was that?" Motoko then answered her own question. "The priest must have made his escape using that little trick. Look, my lord is unharmed."

"Yes, of course. It was the only choice for the cowardly human, he knew if he attacked, he would only die." Jaken saw the remains of the other priests, shuddered and looked away. "Look Lord Sesshomaru now stands in front of the mansion waiting on the false lord. Ha, that Yukio- whatever his name is, will learn his place soon enough."