Chapter 13

Seishi spent many months as a frequent guest at Sesshoumaru's palace, spending her time there furthering Rin's education and keeping the girl company. Seishi did leave on occasions, but when she agreed to accept Sesshoumaru's offer they had agreed that she could come and go as she pleased. Rin was rather upset at first when Seishi mentioned she was going to go for a bit the first time since that agreement was met, but as time came and went and so did Seishi, Rin grew accustomed to Seishi being gone for a few days or sometimes even weeks, but the important thing was Seishi always came back and stayed longer then she was gone for.

Over this time she and Sesshoumaru talked on occasion… though it was more like of an offhanded talk then a friendly chat or an engrossing conversation. But during those little talks, Seishi gradually did let Sesshoumaru know a little more about herself and where she came from. She opened up some and talked some of her family, her father Richard Ironfang, a powerful European Dog Demon Lord whose main estate was in the British Isles. She mentioned how she had three mothers… Charlotte, a dog demoness from a noble family in France who mated Richard in an arranged marriage; Sakura, her own mother who was Japanese born that Richard had brought back with him from a visit to Japan; and later Tahirah, a Middle Eastern human woman. Now Seishi admitted that having two wives, let alone three, was seen as strange or even unheard of where she came from, but that didn't stop her father from keeping all three. As for the rest of her family, she had an older half brother named Alexander who was Charlotte's son, and then a little hanyou half-sister named Delilah who was born to Tahirah.

She talked about her life growing up, how she was raised to be a noble, respectable lady… Her father had her highly educated in mathematics, art, music, science, and language… She had learned about six European ones alone… but she also learned Japanese from her mother and some Arabic from Tahirah. Though it wasn't a normal practice for young noble ladies, she was trained in the ways of western style fighting and warfare. Her mother also had convinced Lord Ironfang to allow Seishi trained in some eastern style martial arts and weaponry as well. Sakura did not want her daughter cut off from the ways of her home country.

When Seishi reached the demon equivalent of an adult, her father gave her a sword… He said he she wanted to be a warrior she best have a worthy weapon. It was made from one of Richard's own fangs, but it remained nameless… It was up to Seishi to name her sword and to find it's true power… So after months of training with it and finally finding out its power, and upon Seishi's mother's suggestion, Seishi named it the Kitoiga. It's main ability she named the Buryoku no Kito... the Kitoiga seemed to absorb all magic forces and energies used against it... be it demon youki, human ki, or any other magical energy, then in turn, inverts it for it's own uses... The more powerful the attack used against the Kitoiga, the more it absorbs and retains, then the more powerful the returning attack, the Buryoku no Kito, would be... She also found it could nullify some energies as well… In a pure physical fight though, it was just like any other sword, unless the attacks against it were somehow enhanced by magic.

Seishi never mentioned her reasons for leaving home. Instead she just moved on to about her travels. She talked about her way through a lot of Europe, sickened by the war torn countryside… even if the dead were usually human, it still didn't seem right… This is where she started to earn her disgust for unneeded death and destruction. From there she moved on into Asia… heading due east… toward the homeland of her mother… Japan. She spent a few years' just wandering, learning things from the world as she traveled, not exactly in a hurry to get anywhere since no one was expecting her or anything. Now that she has reached the island country of Japan, and well… Sesshoumaru knew most of the rest.

While Seishi admitted much to Sesshoumaru, it was rare for the Lord of the Western to do the same. He rarely talked about himself or his past. Seishi didn't mind… she had learned most of that stuff from Myoga and some from InuYasha's group when she ran into them on some of her outings.

During these months, Seishi had a few run-ins with InuYasha and his friends, usually when his group and Seishi were both drawn to some demon disturbance. Those encounters let Seishi learn more and feel respect for the hanyou's human companions. In the aftermaths of battle, she got her chance to talk to them… though InuYasha wanted no part of it and when he did have a question, he barked it out like a demand. In any case, despite the rude pup, Seishi learned from Kagome and the others more about their mission for the jewel and some about their travels and some on the extent of Naraku's manipulation and aggression against each of them.

Seishi had given them some information of herself, though she kept the personal details of her past to herself, she did tell them of some of her journeys that brought her to Japan. Of the group, the monk seemed the most interested in hearing of the other lands she passed though… but then again… she wasn't sure he was listing intently because of her story or because he was thinking something perverted…

After learning that the youth Kohaku, who Naraku had sent her up against, was none other then Sango's little brother… Seishi couldn't help but feel glad their fight hadn't ended up with her killing… Even if her hesitation because he was so young was one of the reasons she faulted in the fight, she preferred that outcome to having killed him… She wouldn't have had the heart to face Sango if she had killed her little brother who the girl still had hope could be saved if Naraku was defeated. The underlining thing that started it all, the whole thing about the Shikon no Tama and the Priestess Kikyou, who InuYasha had been in love with, Seishi wondered what kind of drama she had fallen into…

After returning from these trips, the first signs of problems started to show… When this arrangement started Sesshoumaru didn't seem to care as Seishi came and went, but now if he was home when she returned, he started asking where she had been. At first she would just tell him, not really caring or thinking anything of it. Whenever she'd mention InuYasha and his friends as being part of her latest outing though, Sesshoumaru seemed to fall into a foul mood. Not that it showed on his face, but Seishi was getting to know him well enough to read him to an extent despite his emotionless mask. She figured it was just his thoughts and dislike of his brother that brought these moods about. But as it continued she started feeling like she was being interrogated, when she tried to leave and when she returned. Seishi might have agreed to tutor Rin, but she was still not one of Sesshoumaru's subjects or one of his servants, and Seishi felt he had no right to order her around. This brought about a few heated arguments. As a result, Seishi started leaving more often and staying away longer.

Seishi returned to Sesshoumaru's palace late one afternoon… she found that the lord of the keep was out, and Rin and Jaken with him. Only the lesser-dog demon palace servants went about keeping the place up for their master. Seishi was partly relieve and disappointed that they weren't there… She would be lonely without Rin to keep company with and the toad to pick on, but at least she wouldn't have to put up with Sesshoumaru's interrogation…

She got some food from the cooks in the kitchens, and then headed up to the room she used while there. She changed out of her traveling clothes, letting the servants take them to be washed and mended. By now the entire now palace staff knew her and they didn't seem to mind tending to her even when their master was away. On contrary many of the servants liked Seishi. She was a guest of their master and they served her as such, but she would sometimes engage them in conversation and seemed generally interested in what they had to say. They weren't invisible to her. She knew that one of the female cooks had mated not long ago and would be going on leave soon because she was expecting her first pup soon, and one of the maids was having a fling with the young stable boy who took care of Ah-Un when Sesshoumaru are home.

In a simple robe, she headed down to the baths to enjoy a hot soak before bed. That was one perk to staying here… besides getting to spend time with Rin of course… Seishi could get a hot bath, a decent meal, and have a warm bed to sleep in.

Sesshoumaru returned to his palace with Jaken and Rin in tow about thirty minutes after Seishi arrived. "Hmph," Jaken snorted as they settled down in the courtyard. "That bitch must be back since her scent is all over. Smells recent."

"Yes, I believe she is in the bath house." Sesshoumaru mused as he moved towards the entrance to his palace.

Rin's face brightened up, "Really? Seishi-sama is back?" she squealed as she slipped down off Ah-Un and started moving towards the entrance.

Sesshoumaru stopped and looked towards Jaken and Rin. "Jaken, take Rin to her quarters and help her review her studies. I will speak with Seishi alone..." He then made his way inside.

Seishi wasn't sure how long she soaked in the baths… but when she started to nod off she knew she best be getting out. So she dragged her damp body from the bath and toweled off most of the water before pulling on her bed robe. She was just leaving the baths when she sensed the lord of the manor had come home… How long had he been back? She hoped she could make it to her room without running into him… No doubt he would already know she was there…

Seishi headed straight toward her room, trying to move quickly, but not look like she was in a hurry. She slowed suddenly and walked normally… this was silly… she was acting like she was almost scared of running into Sesshoumaru… He didn't scare her, pissed her off to no end at times, but didn't scare. She sighed and turned a corner that would lead to the hall the door to her room was. She was glad to see no sign of the demon lord as she reached her door, reaching out and pushing the sliding door to the side to go in.

As Seishi opened the door she was greeted by the sight of the lord of the manor sitting against her wall with his eyes closed as if asleep. But he was of course, wide-awake, "You were gone for a very long time. Over a month this time."

If Seishi were in dog form, her hackles would have raised some; she had never expected him to go as far as to wait for her in her room. She tried to keep her temper down and her voice even, "Yeah, well you know… things happens… You can't always predict what you'll run into or how long things take." She moved into her room… though she was a bit uneasy about it… Sesshoumaru looked relaxed where he sat… but she knew he was anything but calm and serene.

The non-challenge in her noise infuriated him even more as he too struggled to keep his temper in check, "Where could you possibly go for a month? Rin's studies slip when you are gone for so long. She has advanced to a point where Jaken can longer be of assistance to her." Although there was truth in his words, he mostly using Rin's studies as an excuse for what was truly bothering him. Just what the hell was it this woman did on these little trips of hers? The fact that she refused to ever tell him anymore only made worse by the thought of whom she may be seeing. There had been a few times when she had returned reeking of the stench of his hanyou brother and his companions.

Seishi closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she barked back at him… If she let her temper slip then they would just end up in another huge argument… but she couldn't hold back the venom in her tone, even if she wasn't yelling, "I've been all over the place, where else? I was over here for a little bit, then over there… then back near that place, then I took a little stroll over by that tree and around that one…" motioned around with her hands, obviously being bit of a smartass, "I was occupied, leave it at that. I came back like I said I would."

Seishi's tone pushed Sesshoumaru over the edge as he stood up and was instantly standing in front of Seishi, looming over her. "I asked you a serious question and you reply with your usual nonsense. You know for a fact that Naraku has taken an interest in you and still you parade around Japan like it's your own private playground. You presence her in Japan is an upset to the balance of power and I'm certain Naraku means to exploit that. From now on I'll need to always know where you are should Naraku make a move. I will not rest until I have slain him by my own hand."

Seishi fought the urge to take a step back from Sesshoumaru… she was too stubborn to show any fear or weakness. She almost snarled as she glared up at him, her eyes icy, "Damnit Sesshoumaru… What is your problem? I can't tell you where I'm going since I don't know myself when I go, and when I get back I can't tell you where I was since I don't know how to. I don't know the names of all the areas of Japan, I don't think you'll know what I mean when I say I was on a mountain in the north… when there are hundreds of mountains up there!" she drew in a deep breath, trying to fight the urge to slap him since he was standing so close, "When I started staying here, we had a verbal agreement that I would help Rin with her studies, and play her caretaker to an extent, and in return I got room and board at your palace, and I had the freedom to come and go as I please, no questions asked. Naraku or no Naraku." She paused, glaring right at him, even leaning forward some, "I have not broken my side of the bargain… When I am here I spend all my time with Rin and you have said yourself she has advanced greatly under my tutorage. I am keeping my side of things and in interrogating me like you have been, you are not keeping up yours."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, "I will alter the deal as necessary to protect my realm, my vassals, and even you"

Seishi open opened, but she wasn't able to even make a reply to that… She was still extremely pissed, but at the some time she felt some confusion that made it hard to get out a smartass reply. Her rage fizzled some and her tone lost its edge, so she just stated one last thing calmly, "That might be your feelings on the matter, but as it stands, I am still not one of your followers, not one of your servants, not one of your subjects. I have no allegiance to you other then respect and our agreement, and you have no power to have say over what I do. If you tend to break our agreement, then I have no obligation to keep to it either. Now if you don't mind, I would like to go to bed."

"Maybe so, but as long as you reside within my realm you have an influence on what happens here which is my direct concern" Sesshoumaru replied trying desperately trying to control his anger.

Seishi sighed and turned her face away, breaking eye contact, "Then perhaps I should start thinking of retaking up my wanderers boots so I am no longer a interruption." Looked back at him, her eyes no longer icy, instead they were kind of empty, maybe even a little sad, and very weary. "Can this wait for another time? I just got back and haven't had any real rest the whole time I was away. I was looking forward to sleeping in a bed tonight."

Sesshoumaru looked at her for a moment, "This conversation is not over..." then he left the room.

Seishi watched him go, and then sighed… and here she had started to feel like she found a home again… She was to tired to continue worrying about it that night… she got ready for bed, then curled up to sleep. Outside the room hovering over a tree branch near the window, the wings of a Saimyohou buzzed as it listened in and the argument of the two inu reached its master's cunning ears...

The next morning, Seishi got dressed in her freshen clothing and armor that the Servants had left there… by her door. It wasn't even dawn yet as she slipped into Rin's room… wanting to see the girl since it had been a month… she silently apologized to the girl for not sticking around long enough to visit with her this time. She kissed Rin's forehead, then slipped back out of her room silently. With her demon aura compressed to almost null and keeping quiet about it, Seishi slipped out of the palace and once out, wasted no time to take off into the wilderness at top speed, putting as much distance as she could between herself and Sesshoumaru before he became aware she had left again, this time without even a word.
To Be Continued…

Author's Note - FanArt

Dee:

Hey everyone. First off, my counterpart Rye (NarakuEvilYoukai) and I (DeDeKitty), would like to thank you all for taking the time to read our story and thank all of you who have left reviews. I'm glad you all seem to enjoy the story and I am extra glad to hear so many people seem to like my original character Seishi. n.n

Rye:

Thanks for reading and please keep reviewing because the reviews encourage us to keep writing more!

Dee:

Anyway, this little note isn't really just to thank you all, but to let you know of a simple web page I made in light of reviewer Anaelys's saying they wished to draw Seishi. Pretty much the page will be a "The Tail of Two Inu" FanArt page. I have someone else who is also working on a FanArt picture for this story, so I decided to make a page so the pictures can be shared with everyone. If anyone else would like to submit some FanArt, you're more the welcome to send it to me in secondary e-mail that I will more or less be using only for this reason. You can find the E-Mail and the URL for the FanArt page in my profile.

DeDeKitty (UserID: 293983)

NarakuEvilYoukai (UserID: 524651