Chapter 20

Seishi found the next few days rather irritating… she couldn't walk on her own without running into walls or tipping fully over because of her ear injury. She had to be helped around the castle by Rin or other servants… and times even Sesshoumaru, though she protested since he was still healing himself. She was sad to hear they did loose a few servants in the blast that hit Sesshoumaru's palace, and had had someone take her to the funerals held for them.

As it was, she had to ignore the sound of hammering and building as the palace was being repaired… it didn't exactly help her aching head… but with the weather so bad it was understandable wanting to get the roofs and walls back up. Since her right shoulder was still sore and healing, she had to have Rin wash her hair for her in the bath. Having her arm confined to a sling while her should healed, Seishi started to respect Sesshoumaru's getting by while missing his left arm, more and more.

She checked in on Alexander often. He hadn't woken up for a few days after everything happened… probably from the strain of his body being forced to fight while injured, and the strain on his mind from fighting the procession. When he did finally wake, she happened to be sitting beside his bed during one of his visits. She was wearing a new blue robe since the other had been completely thrashed, and her arm was tucked in a simple cloth sling. At the moment her left ear was plugged, to keep stuff out of it while it healed. There was still no sign of her hearing returning on that side, but her balance was starting to right itself. Seishi hoped her hearing would return in time, but even if it didn't she still had her right ear, and being a dog, she could hear pretty well still… only she found herself often turning her head when people spoke to her… and she couldn't make out what they said as clearly when they were on her left… it was odd hearing things only on one side.

Of the three of them, Alex has taken the most dangerous wound through the chest. The fact Craven forced him to continue fighting even with that wound only made things worse for him. She watched her brother as he finally began to stir… she wasn't sure how much of what happen he'd remember, she hopped very little… "Hey big brother… Glad to see you've returned to us in the land of the living at last…" she allowed herself to speak English since they were alone. "I was starting to worry you'd never wake up…" She reached over with her left hand and took of his, holding it softly.

Seishi's word reached Alexander's ears as his eyes struggled to adjust the candle lit room. The weather outside had still not cleared up which made it necessary for the candles to be lit all day long. He felt Seishi touch his hand with her and he turned his face towards her. His eyes were having trouble adjusting but he made out the dim outline of Seishi's face. He then turned his head away from her. "You... you don't have to sit with me if you don't want to... What I did was unforgivable."

Seishi watched him a quiet moment, then gave his hand a squeeze, "What happened wasn't your fault… and I'm alive, Sesshoumaru is alive… you're alive. Wounds will heal, I am only happy we were able to stop Craven before he forced your body beyond a point we could save it."

Alexander shook his head, "No the blame is not entirely on Craven. I allowed myself to be taken in, to be turned against you my own flesh and blood. Ever since you were born, I swore I do my best to protect you and keep you safe. I should have died out there for this disgrace."

"… I wouldn't have forgiven you if you had died, Alexander," she replied sternly.

Alexander looked back at Seishi, "and can you forgive me for taking the hearing from one of your ears and destroying your mate-to-be's home?"

Seishi blinked, then frowned... she had hoped he would not remember or notice that... "The Palace is already being rebuilt... and it's unknown if my hearing in my left ear will restore itself or not... but even if it doesn't, I still have hearing in my right ear..."

Alexander placed his palm and turn Seishi's head so she was looking directly at him, "you didn't answer my question..."

Seishi looked at her brother, "The hearing in one ear was a small price to pay to shield Sesshoumaru from Craven's attack through you, and it is a small price to pay for the outcome of the battle where I didn't have to suffer losing either of you. I do not blame you for the loss of my hearing, Alexander, so there is nothing to forgive."

Seishi stood up, reaching over and caressing the side her brother's face, "I don't feel I have need to forgive you, but if it eases you any, you are forgiven for what ever you feel I need to forgive you for." She leaned in and kissed his forehead, giving him a little nuzzle before stepping back. "You still need more rest before the healers will let you out of bed. I'll come visit you again soon."

Alexander nodded and closed his eyes. Sleeping would not be easy but there really was nothing else to do. She moved away from the bed, a waiting servant moved forward and stood ready to take her arm should she started to loose her balance. She hadn't had too much trouble falling over lately, but they insisted better safe then falling on the floor.

Seishi dismissed the servant at the door to her own room, assuring her that she would be all right. Once she was inside and slid her door shut, she sighed. Alex had referred to Sesshoumaru, as her mate-to-be. Maybe he now accepted that she was staying here and wasn't going home with him when he left to return there.

She glanced over and noticed her sheathed sword where Sesshoumaru had left it, against the wall near the door. She hadn't had much reason to carry it since she wasn't in any condition to go traveling around or picking fights, so he hadn't been moved since that day. She sighed as she reached for it, she should have taken the time to clean and polish it, and she hoped that it wasn't too tarnished…

As her hand closed around the hilt, she felt a jolt, which made her drop it instantly and blink. Hackles raised she stared down at her own sword… never had it done such a thing to her… She shook off the feeling of wary caution, this was Kitoiga, and she had nothing to fear from it. She leaned over and picked it up, this time without the jolt of energy… It was probably just because Sesshoumaru was the last one to use it or something…

She gripped her sword and moved over to the futon, sitting down and drawing Kitoiga from it's sheath… she looked at the blade, but it seemed for the most part fine, but she should still clean it… As she reached for her polish she noticed the change in color of the pummel jewel… The blood red of the gem darkened and had a swirl of black in its center.

This concerned her… but she figured it might have something to do with either Sesshoumaru now being able to use it, or maybe the intense battle with Alexander's Semperforte. She took out a rag and started to clean her weapon.

Things were quiet the next few days, the three greater dog demons recovered from their wounds, though Seishi's hearing on her left side never recovered. Alex was able to get out of bed and recovered his strength… he and Sesshoumaru were rather indifferent to each other, but they didn't break out in any more stupid arguments or fights. Things seemed to be going well… except for Seishi…

Day after day, she seemed to get moodier and moodier… She was getting short tempered and impatient with everyone, Sesshoumaru, Alexander, Rin, and servants alike. Her comments and insults were becoming hurtful in ways she would never sunk so low in before. She seemed to become rather broody and started to keep to herself.

Her regard for other's safety also seemed to deteriorate… this became apparent when Sesshoumaru come across the dog demoness in the dinning room, seeming to be idly throwing kitchen knives at one of his walls… Before he could speak up on this, he noticed that it wasn't just the wall she was throwing them at…

Jaken was pinned to a wooden support in the wall by a few knives through his robes, looking absolutely terrified, whimpering as Seishi threw another knife his way, just missing his head; a small line of blood appeared on his cheek.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at his servant being pinned to the wall being used as target practice. "What did Jaken do to deserve your ire?"

Seishi didn't even bother looking at the dog demon lord, "He was breathing to loudly in my presence." She threw another knife.

Sesshoumaru used his demonic speed to snatch the knife from the air before it could hit Jaken in the head. Snapping the blade in his palm he locked his gaze on the dog demoness. "Jaken's life is in my hands and I will not tolerate this nonsense in my house."

Seishi narrowed her eyes at Sesshoumaru interfering with her game… "Hmph…" She stabbed the blade still in her hand into a table top nearby. "I'll just go elsewhere then…" she headed toward the exit.

Sesshoumaru grabbed the knife up out of the table and threw pass Seishi's head and into the wooden frame of the door she was planning to open, "I did not dismiss you yet."

Seishi stood there, her back to him… then she started to shake… but soon her shaking revealed to be laughter, as turned back and laughed, her violet eyes, yes violet, full of amusement looking back at Sesshoumaru. "I don't remember asking for permission…"

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. Seishi had been acting very unlike herself lately. They had all been under a lot of stress, but he was not willing to let this one slide. "I've had enough of whatever has been bothering you lately. Either get over it or I will give you a new lesson in respect..."

Seishi actually smirked; "I'm shaking in my boots…" turned and pulled the knife out of the doorframe, sliding the door open.

Sesshoumaru was instantly behind her was holding her up off the ground by her neck, "As you wish, I prefer doing things by force..."

Seishi was still grinning even now, "What are you going to do Sesshoumaru? Slap me on the wrist? Bat me around until I'm bloody and bruised? Kill me? Go on ahead…" Closed her eyes. "Of all the times you've seen me injured, do you really think pain bothers me?"

Sesshoumaru walked Seishi over to the window, opened it and threw her outside, "Come back when you're the Seishi I invited into my house."

Seishi easily twisted in the air and landed outside, turning and smirking back up at the window, "Then farewell Sesshoumaru-sama… The Seishi you speak of was weak, and now that things are as they should be, she won't be coming back." She stood and started toward the wall to leave, but paused as she noticed the little human girl looking at her.

Rin blinked as saw Seishi started to walk away. She had heard what had transpired between Sesshoumaru and Seishi and now hearing Seishi say goodbye like that, she was certain that this time Seishi meant to leave for good. She ran over to Seishi and hugged her leg, "Seishi-sama! Please don't go!"

Seishi narrowed her violet eyes at Rin, "Let go of me, human brat." She took hold of Rin's arm and pried it off not so gently, sending the girl falling to the ground. "Heh… stay down there… the ground is where filth belongs…" without a second glance, she moved to the wall, jumping and easily clearing it and disappeared from sight.

Rin picked herself up out of the dirt stunned and hurt. The hurt came more from Seishi's words rather then being shoved down to the ground. Was that truly how Seishi felt? Had she done something to drive Seishi to this point? She couldn't take the pain she felt from being left alone again. She knew she had Sesshoumaru and always would, but with Seishi she had found something she had only felt before around her mother. She broke down and wept.

Inside the palace Sesshoumaru ate the rest of his meal in silence. He had seen Seishi cold treatment of Rin and was now seriously revaluating his opinion of Seishi. She could at times be the most infuriating woman on the planet but he had never known her to be cruel like that. His silent meal continued until Alexander came through the door.

"Sesshoumaru, where has Seishi gone? I just sensed her leaving the castle grounds." Alexander demanded of Sesshoumaru his tone serious.

"Seishi left of her on will and will not be returning unless she returns to the person she was before." Sesshoumaru replied in his monotone voice.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, "You just let her leave? Can't you tell it's not her fault? I've known her all her life and I've never ever seen her act that way before. Something is making her act that way."

Sesshoumaru looked up at Alexander, "Whether controlled or not I will not tolerate such behavior in my house."

Alexander shook his head in frustration at Sesshoumaru, "So that's it? I thought you two had decided to mate. Are you just going to give up on her just like that?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened, "That was not the demoness I want to mate with..."

Alexander's eyes burned, "Fine then stay here in your comfy little palace! I'm going out to look for her!" He turned on his heels and was quickly gone.

Seishi narrowed her violet eyes at the humans in the fields before her… they were mostly men, tending to their crops, but there were a few women out there with baskets helping gather some food from their fields while they had a pleasant enough day to do so.

Seishi growled at a voice that was encouraging her to act… to kill… She tired to ignore it… As she had the last week… but it kept gnawing at the back of her mind… egging her on… She found herself moving… with an easy leap; she landed down in the center of the small dirt road that ran down between some of the fields. The humans were now aware of her presence and looked up, there were some shouting, and some of the humans started to high tail it back to the village. Seishi smirked at them… they were afraid… as they should be…

One of the men approached her cautiously, asking what she wanted and how they could be of service; nervously a few others followed the first. They were after all, humans living in Sesshoumaru's territory… they might have thought her a servant of the demon lord that ruled here. Seishi listened to this man a moment… Then with the littlest of effort, she hand shot out and backhanded the man hard enough across the face that the force snapped his neck, his body flying to the side until it crashed to the ground thirty feet away where it stayed, unmoving.

Seeing this, the other men shouted, some held up their tools as weapons, others started to flee back toward the village. Seishi merely smirked at the smells of fear she picked up coming from the humans. Seishi drew her sword… Kitoiga's pummel stone was now pure black and the blade hummed with dark energy. She darted forward, sword and claws lashing out, sending blood flying and the bodies of the human villagers to the ground to grow cold.

Seishi looked out over the now silent village as she licked blood off her claws… No man, woman, or child had been left breathing… Her violet eyes were now set off by red, which had replaced the whites of her eyes. The sleek rosy markings on her cheeks were now larger and jagged in shape. Kitoiga, dripping in blood, pulsed with dark energy; having fed off the life forces of those Seishi had killed.

With a cruel smirk, she lifted her weapon and slashed it through the air, not even bothering with saying the attack aloud as a dark crescent of energy cut through the air. It ripped through the huts of the silent, death filled village. The buildings collapsed in on themselves as they were sliced in two, any animals that got in the way of the blast went to join their owners in the after life. The blast continued until it buried itself into the distance hillside where it finally dissolved.

She chuckled, sheathing the still glowing Kitoiga, and turned to be on her way, but stopped, catching a familiar scent… She narrowed her red and violet eyes, and then turned and looked toward a nearby hill, seeing the muscular figure of her elder brother.

Alexander stood transfixed to the spot stunned by what he had seen, "Seishi... what have you done…?"

Seishi merely smirked, no sign of remorse, "Come to join my fun, brother?"

Alexander shook his head, "Seishi, have you lost your mind? What would possess you to do something like this?"

Seishi chuckled, turning her back to him, "I'll take that as a no…" she started walking, "Go home Alexander… you're not needed or wanted here…"

Alexander stepped forward to close the distance between them, "I can't do that. I don't know what's come over you, but if you think I'll just let and allow you to harm more innocents you are sadly mistaken..."

Seishi turned, the bloodied Kitoiga back from its sheath and now pointed at Alexander's throat, "Do you really intend to try and stop me, brother dear?"

Alexander's eyes studied Seishi's carefully and then his hand went to his Semperforte, "If I must..."

Seishi smiled rather cruelly, "Going to take the hearing from my other ear now? What a mighty protector you turned out to be for your little sister…" She didn't bother waiting, in a flash she was in Alexander's face, her blade clashing viciously with the Semperforte.

(To Be Continued)