Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted/licensed/trademarked materials mentioned in this fanfiction (from InuYasha to my references to Nine Inch Nails or Harry Potter). They are the properties of their respective copyright holders and I in no way am insinuating that I own them. (Consider it free advertising.) I only own the storyline and any new characters that may crop up.
Chapter Eleven: Big Nails
"Totosai?" Sesshomaru asked incredulously.
Totosai gave a great gasp and jumped behind his granddaughter. "Don't kill me!" he bellowed as he peeked out from behind Megami's shoulder. Kagome, Sango, and Shippo stood with their jaws hanging wide open. Megami was thoroughly confused.
She twisted to look at her grandfather. "What's going on? I thought you'd be happy to see that Lord Sesshomaru had lived."
"Don't get me wrong, little one. I am very happy to see that he's alive … but we didn't exactly part on the best of circumstances," Totosai wheezed.
Sesshomaru recovered from his speechlessness, "I didn't know that you had a family, Totosai."
"Why? So you could slaughter them when I refused to forge you a second sword? I don't think so. I kept them safe from my dangerous clientele."
"Fair enough. I deserved that, because back then I would have. But I did not come here to banter about the past, old man," Sesshomaru pointed to Megami, "Your granddaughter has sworn allegiance to me and vowed to help us destroy Naraku."
Totosai slowly came around to face Megami. He looked her square in the eye. "I would have expected no less from you," he sighed. "You do realize what all of this means, little one?"
Megami met his gaze without fear or hesitation. "Yes, Grandfather. I do understand what all of this means."
"Good," he nodded gently, "Well, with that settled. Come now. You are all welcome in this house. Kintotsuke almost has dinner ready. Let's eat." Totosai and Yamashita led the group out the door and into the yard. At first glance it appeared to be a patio with a large deck, a pond, and a large barbecue pit, but upon closer inspection it more resembled a courtyard than anything else. The house was built in four sections around this courtyard and the deck wrapped around to form a walkway within the inner circle of the house. Trees sprouted here and there. Many were taller than the house. Megami leaned towards Sesshomaru as he studied the large house. She whispered, "The rooms to the left belong to my family, but those ahead there," she pointed to the section that branched off to the right, "That is where your rooms will be. I'll have to show all of you around more tomorrow. I imagine Kagome and Sango will be getting pretty tired soon. The jet lag hasn't hit them yet."
"Jet lag?" he asked.
"Most people get very tired after a long flight, especially after such a change in time zones, and it's referred to as jet lag."
"I see." Sesshomaru looked towards the barbecue pit surrounded with tables and chairs to see a young man working the grill. He had a much leaner, lankier build than the others. His white hair had a single red stripe down the center. "That must be Kintotsuke."
"Yeah," Megami sighed. "Be prepared for ass-kissing at warp speed when he sees you."
"He looks nothing like the rest of you, with the exception of the hair and eyes."
"Mom always said he took after her father's family, whereas Tensuke looks just like father. Senkotsuke and I look like mother and father. In fact, Senkotsuke and I look almost like twins at times."
"I've noticed," he smirked. "And it's not just the looks. It's the attitude, too."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the brief time I spent with Tensuke, he seems more disciplined like your father. You and Senkotsuke on the other hand are more rebellious and playful."
"We have a lot of our mother in us. Tensuke can be just as rambunctious as us, but we can also be as calculating as Tensuke. We adapt to our environment when it's needed, my lord."
Kintotsuke turned from the grill with tongs in one hand and a large platter of grilled mushrooms, onions, thinly sliced marinated beef, and asparagus in the other. "You've finally arrived. I thought you would have arrived much sooner with the speed demon driving," he sneered as he set the platter on the table nearest him. Kintotsuke looked at everyone and his eyes nearly popped out. He set the tongs atop the platter of food and began to walk to Sesshomaru. Luckily Totosai intercepted him.
"They have had a long flight young man, and Lord Sesshomaru would like to enjoy his meal and rest. Go help your grandmother bring in plates and the rest of the food."
Kintotsuke looked crestfallen. "Yes, Grandfather," he whined and moped off behind his grandmother.
Totosai looked to Sesshomaru. "Don't get me wrong; I love my grandson, but what a suck up."
"I'll say," came a small voice as a tiny flea jumped to Sesshomaru's shoulder.
"MYOGA!" Sesshomaru, Kagome, Sango, and Shippo gasped in unison.
"Yes, the one and the same," he said with a bow. He was older, not to mention fatter.
"I should have known you'd run to the only other person as cowardly as you are," Sesshomaru uttered.
"After Lord InuYasha died and you four disappeared, I remained with Totosai. When Jinkaru had pups I watched over them. Oh, what a handful …" Myoga heaved a sigh reminiscent of the exhaustion involved when watching over four young demon pups.
Kagome giggled, "I'll bet they were." She poked Megami playfully in the side, "You and Senkotsuke are like partners in crime."
"You have no idea …" Myoga groaned.
Yamashita and Kintotsuke returned shortly with a stack of plates, fresh fruit, and drinks. Totosai turned to Kagome and asked, "How have you been, my dear?"
"Things could be much better, but I've managed."
"Good, good." He nodded then turned to Sango, "And you, Sango?"
"Like Kagome, I've managed. I'm learning more everyday."
"What happened to your hiraikotsu?"
"Gone. We had to escape in such a hurry that it was left behind. My armor and sword are intact though."
"Pity. It was beautifully crafted."
Sango perked up slightly. "Totosai, do you keep up with your blacksmithing?"
"Of course, child. Who do you think keeps this family armed to the teeth?"
"Then I have a favor to ask of you. I have no way of paying you at this time, but I need another hiraikotsu forged."
"I figured you did. Don't worry about paying me. Using it in battle against Naraku will be payment enough. Give me three days to find appropriate materials. I should be able to begin forging it on the twenty-second."
Megami's head whipped about. "It's the nineteenth?"
"Dear Kami, child! Where has your head been!" Totosai scolded her.
"With graduation and all the travel arrangements, I seem to have lost track of time." Megami withdrew into her own thoughts.
Dinner was enjoyable as everyone talked. The conversations continued until Kagome felt Shippo lean against her. The poor thing was fast asleep. "Oh, the poor dear is probably exhausted," Yamashita said as Kagome lifted the sleeping kitsune.
"We should get some rest," Kagome said.
Totosai and Kintotsuke were left to clean up as Yamashita motioned to Megami. Kagome (bearing Shippo), Sango, and Sesshomaru arose and the two demonesses escorted their guests to their rooms. They traveled up a staircase and down a hallway that lead past the family's rooms and then turned to another hallway on the right. Megami turned to Kagome soon after turning down the hall, gesturing that she would take the sleeping fox-child. "Your room is just ahead, but their rooms are further down. I'll put him to bed. You need to rest," she said softly.
"Thank you, Megami," Kagome whispered while handing Shippo over to her. Yamashita slowed to allow the girls into their rooms. Megami beckoned Sesshomaru to follow her down the hall. He trailed behind her and caught himself hypnotized by the swaying of her white and red hair; so much so that he nearly bumped into her when she turned towards Shippo's door. Megami entered a room with a twin size bed that was adorned with cartoon character sheets and a small entertainment center with a twenty-five inch television set surrounded by video games galore. She laid Shippo down on the bed and tucked him in. Megami closed the door behind her quietly and continued down the hallway. The end of the hall was almost a dead end. There was a single door there. Megami opened the door and revealed an extra-large bedroom. There was an enormous king size bed decked out in red sheets and comforters, a lavish desk complete with computer and internet connection, and an armchair with a reading lamp next to it; all for Sesshomaru's use. Megami turned to Sesshomaru and said, "This is your room, my lord." He looked around incredulously. "I told my grandmother to make sure this room was extra comfortable. Through that door is your own bathroom. The towels are all new and freshly laundered. Through the other door," she pointed at the French doors, "Is your balcony." The balcony faced inward over the courtyard and was lightly shaded by a few of the trees. Megami backed to the door and bowed, "Goodnight, my lord." She closed the door, leaving Sesshomaru to his own devices.
Sesshomaru awoke the next morning to the smell of breakfast cooking. He found his suitcase situated in the closet. He changed into a simple pair of black jeans, a gray t-shirt, and a hooded pullover (for the climate was much cooler than he was used to). He put on a pair of boots and sought the kitchen. Yamashita was hovering over a stove and turned intermittently to shovel food onto guests' plates. Kagome, Shippo, and Sango sat at the table with Totosai and Kintotsuke. Yamashita beamed at Sesshomaru as he approached the table. "Good morning, Lord Sesshomaru. Would you like some breakfast?"
Sesshomaru looked at the dishes with confusion. "I mean no offense, but what are you cooking?"
"Pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, and English muffins. It's an American breakfast."
Sesshomaru eyed the pancakes, "I'll take two of those." Kagome and Shippo scooted aside and made room for Sesshomaru to pull up a chair. Soon Yamashita slid four hot pancakes onto a plate and sat it before him. "Er, I only wanted two …"
Yamashita patted his head softly. "I know. Eat up." She returned to the stove. Kagome stifled a giggle and returned to her eggs. Sesshomaru took the fork in his hand and looked at it quizzically. He glanced about the table to see how others were faring with this strange utensil. Mimicking their motions, Sesshomaru took a bite of his pancakes. Yamashita looked at him expectantly. "What do you think, my lord?"
He nodded as he swallowed before saying, "Different. I like them." Sesshomaru made to take another bite when he noticed that a certain someone wasn't present to devour as much food as demonically possible. He set his fork down. "Where is Megami?"
Tension built in the room at a phenomenal rate. Totosai, Yamashita, and Kintotsuke glanced to each other. Yamashita took a quick breath, "She isn't feeling well this morning, my lord. She has decided to stay in her room today."
"But I smelled no illness upon her last night," Sesshomaru commented.
Totosai interjected, "Well I checked on her this morning and she wasn't well."
Sesshomaru looked to the three demons around him. "You're all lying to me."
Yamashita once again returned to face the stove. Kintotsuke picked up a newspaper and retreated behind it. Sesshomaru glared at Totosai. He spoke in a deadly tone, emphasizing every word slowly, "Where – is – Megami?"
"Believe me, Sesshomaru. It is better that you don't see her right now."
He continued, "Where – is – Megami?"
Totosai bowed his head, giving in to Sesshomaru's will. "She's in the basement," he mumbled.
Sesshomaru rose from the table and turned to leave. He began to stride down the hall until he heard footsteps behind him. Yamashita was jogging to catch up with him. "My lord, she is not herself today. Please, bear that in mind when you see her." She lowered her head and turned back to the kitchen.
What on earth is going on? Sesshomaru followed the strongest signature of Megami's scent. It first trailed to her room in the East Wing and from there down into the cellar. He reached for the doorknob and heard a raspy voice. "Away!"
"It's me, Megami. It's Sesshomaru."
"No! Go away!" came Megami's voice.
He grasped the knob and opened the door, furious with these intrigues. "Megami, what the hell is going – " The door swung open to show Megami crouched in an arm chair, hugging her knees to her chest as her disheveled, plain, jet black hair hung over herself. " … on?" Sesshomaru finished weakly. She's human.
Megami was shaking slightly and her brown eyes bulged slightly in their sockets. She looked terrified. "No, Sesshomaru. Not like this …"
"Megami, please explain. No one else will."
She shuddered violently, "So cold …" Megami grasped a blanket and wrapped it about her body. "It's the solstice."
"Indeed. The Summer Solstice. What does that have to do with anything?" Then the light bulb lit. "It's your period of vulnerability, isn't it?"
"Yes. I have only four nights a year like this; the equinoxes and the solstices. But, it goes beyond that for me." She shivered again. "I was my mother's only daughter. She inherited certain gifts; gifts that are denied to me due to my demonic blood. Only when my human blood takes over, it's almost like madness. It's like I'm a psychic amplifier! I hear every thought for a mile around. I knew you were coming before you did. I feel what everyone is feeling. And the spirits!" She cringed and moaned, "They won't leave me alone!"
Sesshomaru looked to her and Megami met his eyes. She thought Am I seeing sympathy and concern in those golden depths? Those eyes are so like my own … so hypnotic …
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked. Can't I be trusted?
"You're a full demon. You don't have to worry about others using these times against you. It's only a precaution. It's nothing personal."
"Megami," he began.
"No, don't. It's not necessary," she gasped and knotted her brow. When she spoke again, her voice was raspy and ethereal again, "Two souls bound by the crescent moon … Aaaaaaargh!" Megami screamed in pain, clutching her head.
Sesshomaru grabbed her hands. How did she know that? That's feudal lore!
"I don't know how I know it, my lord. The spirits tell me every equinox and every solstice. I don't know what it means!"
"It's all right. We can find out. Relax, Megami, and rest for the time being. I will leave you in peace," Sesshomaru smoothed her hair back from her face.
"Thank you, my lord."
"You can show me around tomorrow."
"Tomorrow it is then."
Sesshomaru, freshly showered and dressed in blue jeans and his hooded sweatshirt, walked through the halls seeking Megami. She should be back to her normal state, and I intend for her to fulfill her promise of showing me these lands. Cymbals and bass beats soon reached his ears, leading him to Megami's room. This rhythm is familiar. I have heard it before … He continued towards her room when synthesizers and guitars joined the mix. It became more and more recognizable. What is this? Lyrics soon accompanied the music and Sesshomaru's ears perked up.
I'm
becoming less defined, as days go by, fading away and well, you might
say I'm losing focus.
Kind
of drifting in the abstract in terms of how I see myself.
Sometimes I think I can see right
through myself …
Sesshomaru inwardly growled. Where have I heard this before! It grated his nerves even more as he entered the East Wing, coming ever closer to Megami's room.
Yes
I'm alone, then again I always was, far back as I can tell
I
think maybe it's because, 'cause you were never really real, to
begin with.
I just made you up, to hurt myself …
Sesshomaru ascended the staircase to Megami's second floor room and continued to wrack his brain for the origins of this song that plagued him as it pulsed through the walls of this compound. I know this song. Megami translated it for me during the ride here. I recognize that line "I just made you up to hurt myself." I just can't remember who sings it … He approached Megami's door and knocked, "Megami?"
No answer; just loud music.
He tried the handle and the door snapped open. Sesshomaru entered the empty bedroom slowly and the music grew even louder. The room was dark. Only a single shaft of light pierced the dim dwelling. "Megami?" he inquired again. He heard Megami's voice accompany the music rather than answer him. He followed the light to the source and found a door left about six inches ajar. He saw movement within and heard Megami's voice join the music. He looked through the crack in the door and his eyes widened as he gasped. Megami was singing and dancing to the provocative beat, gyrating her hips, and swishing her tail, all the while only clad in red thong panties. She turned and swayed while singing with her wild, still wet hair following her movements.
Now
I'm somewhere I'm not supposed to be
And
I can see things I know I really shouldn't see
And
now I know why, yea, now I know why
Things aren't as pretty, on the
inside …
Sesshomaru felt a blush creep up his cheeks. Oh, Kami … But he couldn't pull his eyes from her; her hair, her neck, her bare breasts, her waist, the movements of her hips … And that's when the cylinders fell into place within his mind. He spoke without another thought.
"Isn't this that 'Big Nails' band you like?"
Megami jumped (nearly hitting her head on the ceiling) and let loose a blood-curdling scream. She flung the door open to see Sesshomaru standing before her bold as brass, and his eyes seemed fixated on her exposed breasts. Her brows knitted in anger, not to mention absolute mortification, and she reached for the nearest object: A foot-tall glass vase. Cocking her arm back, she readied the vase for launch. Megami screamed a blurb of mixed languages, "You hentai-no chingon!" (Roughly translated, "You perverted fucker!") Megami chucked the vase square at Sesshomaru's forehead. Due to the fact that she was ninety-five percent nude and he was distracted, Megami hit her mark.
Sesshomaru stared at the ceiling as he was sprawled on the carpet surrounded by broken glass. Megami quickly threw on her robe, and moments later Totosai and Kintotsuke came running into the room. "What's going on?" Totosai croaked.
Sesshomaru shook his head and sat up. "I don't really know." He slowly came to his feet, only to see Megami's hand flying at light speed for his cheek.
SMACK! (Insert echo sound effect here.)
"Hentai!" she howled then stormed across the room.
"Did we miss something?" Kintotsuke asked.
"I'll explain later," Sesshomaru mumbled as Megami opened her walk-in closet.
Megami turned to face him, radiating her red-hot fury, "By the way, it's Nine Inch Nails!" and she slammed the door behind her.
