This is the 23rd chapter for my fanfic!
Read on to find out what happens in this new chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha, this is just my own OC.
Both Lady Tsukiyame and Jigo Kiki continued to sit silently across from each other. She gave a slight nod as a thank you to the young half hell demoness' compliment, instead of verbally thanking her, as was usual for her. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru stood by the exit door to the zaisu gallery to patrol for Naraku's arrival. There were still no signs of the half vermin showing up at the sacred demon temple to attack and commit his assault. But soon enough, he and his army would be arriving there. While the young lady half demoness was staying on alert for her arch enemy's arrival, her and her acquaintance had talked briefly.
"You mother fought Naraku earlier Jigo Kiki?" Lady Tsukiyame asked casually.
"Yes," Jigo Kiki answered, "Naraku had traveled here to the netherworld early this morning to attack our tribe, and she had gone to deal with the disturbance. He had escaped her grasp when she was about to destroy him."
"Oh, I see," she said, "I take it your mother is also having you patrol for Naraku as well?"
"Yes, she is," she said, looking at the ceiling window, "We also don't know when he will be showing up here to attack. So, mother is having me watch out for Naraku's arrival, while she continues to host the worship service. Since he had tried to attack us earlier, she has all the sentinels as well as myself, and our other warriors keeping watch."
There were a few other hell demon women and men that were now armed with their weapons as they were prepared for the arrival of the tribe's newest enemy Naraku. The young lady half demoness and the young lord demon weren't the only ones awaiting the evil venomous villain's arrival at the sacred demon temple.
More hell demons were walking pass the exit where the young half demoness' companion Sesshomaru stood and patrolled. After a brief silence between the two, Jigo Kiki then notices the tall very handsome powerful dog demon lord with his back facing them, looking away. He stood out amongst her fellow male tribe members. He was exuding such great sex appeal and charm that was irresistible. His cold, calm stoic demeanor and formidable presence was fearful yet mysterious and charming. Bringing her attention back to Lady Tsukiyame, she had changed the subject.
"So, ah, who is that handsome demon lord," Jigo Kiki lightly flirted and asked amiably, "Is he also looking for Naraku? I see you two traveled here together."
"His name is Lord Sesshomaru," Lady Tsukiyame simply said, "We are both in search for Naraku to defeat him."
"Oh, I see," she asked, "How did you and Lord Sesshomaru end up meeting?"
"We met during my travels to search for Naraku," she said, "And we had begun traveling together to find him."
The lovely duo kept singing and humming happily to the tunes that were being played by the musicians, in the background on the stage. More romantic musical tunes started to be played as the worship service performance continued. Lovely tunes that are romantic, intimate, sensual, and affectionate could be heard throughout the zaisu gallery, at the sacred demon temple. Then, the hell demon women and men started singing and humming to the tunes, showing love, honor, and praise to their tribe's beloved Devillesses.
The music had sounded familiar to the young lady half demoness as she found herself being fond of it for some unknown reason. Both the musicians and the duo were playing and singing to the song called the 'Woman of Darkness'. The musical tunes were soothing yet sounded sad. They were also romantic yet sounded dull as well as being sensual and affectionate yet sounded seductive. Why the musicians had chosen this specific song to be played at the worship service was beyond them both. It was unusual for such a song to be sung and hummed at a place of worship, even if it were a demon temple or shrine. It is also not a song that is usually intended for worshipping deities of any kind. The song was about lovers that longed for one another and have yet to be joined together as one—a couple. But then again, the tribe's beloved Devillesses were, indeed sacred demonesses of darkness. So, the song was well fitting for the hell demons to enjoy and worship them.
Lady Tsukiyame did not know why she had such fondness for the romantic song 'Woman of Darkness'. She was uncomfortable as she sat there and listen to the musical tunes, not liking the intense feelings she had felt from hearing it. Though, no one could tell due to the expressionless look in her lilac eyes and stoic demeanor as she looked at the duo on stage. That is when Jigo Kiki interrupted her musings with an unexpected question.
"Say, Lady Tsukiyame," Jigo Kiki asked curiously, "Have you ever had thoughts about what it would be like to be in a relationship with or married to a half demon man? I know you're very fond of full demon men. I also know you don't care for humans at all. But I am just curious."
"No, I have not." Lady Tsukiyame answered coolly. She could not fathom why Jigo Kiki would be asking her this.
"Well, why not?" she asked.
"Jigo Kiki," she scoffed, "There is no half demon man I would waste my time with."
The young half hell demoness was somewhat surprised by Lady Tsukiyame's scornful words. But then again it was not shocking as she knew how she felt about other half demons in general and especially all humans...except for maybe her father. Still, she could not help but counter. Her mother, Empress Jigo Yuu could not help but overhear their conversation, while standing nearby the stage to host, looking over at the table where the two sat. The others had already tuned them out as all the hell demons were enjoying watching the worship service performances.
"But you are half demon, my lady." Jigo Kiki countered.
"I know that Jigo Kiki," Lady Tsukiyame said, "What is your point?"
"I guess what I am trying to say is," she explained, "Why not be open-minded. I understand that you have a preference and that's fine. I have no problem with you courting daiyoukai men or liking them in general. If that is who you want to be with, that's fine. However, just like there are wonderful demon men who will love you and will be great lovers and mates. You also have half demon men who are wonderful and will love you and be great lovers and mates, too. So, why not also give them a chance, like you do demon men? Instead of excluding them from your courting pool. I know who you court and who you will choose to marry is your decision. I understand that clearly. I am just merely suggesting that you consider maybe opening your romantic options. That's all."
She paused and said warmly, "I may not know what it feels like to be in love. Let alone with a demon. But I do know that love enriches one's life. So why not be open to experiencing love with someone special, regardless if they're demon or half demon?"
After saying what she needed to say, Miss Jigo Kiki began to have reminiscences about her past experiences. Though, she had never been in love with someone before, nor has she ever been physically close to or sexually intimate with a man. She had the pleasure of courting a few guys. All wonderful men who were humans. Not demons. It never went anywhere. So, any new man she courted would be not only interesting, but also fun as well, whether he be human, demon or half demon. The young half hell demoness hoped to find the man, who is right for her, and will love and cherish her as much as she would him.
The young lady half demoness had an unreadable expression in her eyes. She heard what Jigo Kiki had to say. She was not keen on continuing the discussion as the conversation came up unexpectedly and she had already made her decision long ago. She was also not keen on talking about her personal and private life. Period. Not to mention that just like Sesshomaru, Lady Tsukiyame also does not like being told what to do, especially when it came to her personal life and how she dealt with things accordingly. She had always and will continue to do as she pleases. She seemed to have calmed down a little internally as she finally spoke.
"Look, Jigo Kiki," Lady Tsukiyame said calmly and clearly, "I understand you mean well and that you have good intentions. But I have no desire whatsoever to have courtships with half demon men. Just because I am half demon, doesn't mean I am supposed to be with a half demon man. I do not belong with them."
"Why is that?" Jigo Kiki asked sincerely.
"Half demons largely are so damn measly, weak and insufficient," she explained clearly, "Most of them never rise to their true potential to become great and powerful. They are just pitiful. Perhaps this is why demons, especially daiyoukais in general don't like or respect half demons. Not only because we are half human, but also because most half demons are either unable or unwilling to become powerful on their own and earn the respect of demons. I am not a weak and insufficient half demon. I became very, very strong on my own. I happen to be a great and powerful formidable daihanyou in my own right. I am also the Lady of the Eastern Lands and the leader of my respective tribe via inheritance. Thus, I have earned the admiration and respect from many demons, including a lot of powerful daiyoukais. And for this reason, most other half demons if not the majority would never be on my level or the level of high-tier demons."
Lady Tsukiyame admitted and continued, "By no means am I saying all half demons are weak and insufficient. Not all half demons are. Both you and Fionn are the only two powerful half demons, besides myself that I genuinely like and have admiration and respect for. You are also well positioned to become a great and powerful daihanyou, too just like I am. But most other half demons are weak and for this reason, most of them are pathetic to me. I don't respect most of them for this reason. And I would never associate myself with other half demons in general, especially not romantically. It's not attractive or sexy to see a potential lover or mate not be respected in demon society and to stay measly and never rise to his true potential to be extremely strong, great, and powerful. Like I said, you and Fionn are awesome powerful half demons. But being with a half demon man will never compare to being with a great and powerful daiyoukai man."
"Wow, Lady Tsukiyame," Jigo Kiki said in a sad tacit tone, "I mean you did make some good points with what you said. But I still don't think that warrants all half demon men not being considered for love and relationships or even marriage just because of the actions of other half demons. That is just me."
"Do as you wish, Jigo Kiki," she simply said, "I, on the other hand, will not be conceding to a courtship or a marriage to another half demon."
They both sat in silence and watched the hell demon duo singing and humming as they continued worshipping their tribe's beloved Devillesses as the worship service went on. The young lady half demoness was also watching out for her enemy Naraku's arrival as she looked up at the ceiling window over her table and the window behind the stage and the musicians playing. Sesshomaru came to her mind for reasons she could not explain as she glanced at the young lord demon briefly, before looking away as she usually does. Perhaps the sacredness of the hell demon tribe's temple had an affect on them both as far as emotional states were concerned. The place was filled with such intense praise of intimacy, love, and sexual energy.
Being emotionless, stoic and cold was normal for both Lady Tsukiyame and Sesshomaru. So, what she was feeling internally is uncouth to her. Jigo Kiki had no idea what her acquaintance was in thought about as she held an expressionless look in her eyes. But she seemed to have an idea…at least that's what she thought.
'What the hell is this?' Lady Tsukiyame thought.
"Lady Tsukiyame," Jigo Kiki asked curiously, smiling, "Is Lord Sesshomaru your type?"
"You're seriously asking such a silly question?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at the half hell demoness.
"Do you like him, is what I mean?" she said.
"Don't be ridiculous, Jigo Kiki."
Silence.
"Well, I must say," Jigo Kiki added, "You do have very interesting taste in demon men for lovers, my lady."
"Hm." Lady Tsukiyame said.
It was true that the young lady half demoness had interesting taste in the kurai angel demon men and hell demon men she courts. Her preferred type of kurai angel demon lovers and hell demon lovers are the great and powerful daiyoukai types. The strong, highly respected, formidable warrior, somewhat cruel sided, sexually confident, and sensuous loving types is what she is into. The true demons she has had the pleasure of being courted by. Her experiences interacting romantically with demon men of this type had been blissful and rewarding.
Many would think that because of how coldhearted, stoic, brutal, and temperamental Lady Tsukiyame is that no man would ever want to be with her—human or demon. But that was not the case at all. She had her choices in potential eligible demon lovers and even future demon mates and husbands to choose from, who will pursue her. Still, the young lady half demoness would not discuss the subject any further. So, Miss Jigo Kiki decided to drop the topic as was her acquaintance's wish.
Sesshomaru had overheard bits and pieces of what Lady Tsukiyame and Jigo Kiki talked about. He still stood by the exit and entrance to the zaisu gallery nearby the table they shared as he was also patrolling for Naraku's arrival. The young lord demon was glancing and now looking over his shoulder at the young lady half demoness, not away as usual. Then he started looking away from the two women that were now sitting quietly, watching the duo perform on stage.
'So, Lady Tsukiyame is not interested in half demon males, I see,' Sesshomaru thought, 'She is only interested in having courtships with great and powerful daiyoukai men.'
"Hm." he said.
His golden amber eyes had slid back over to the powerful half demon lady as he was unable to keep his eyes off her. Staring at her up and down, Sesshomaru starts glancing up Lady Tsukiyame's right leg and thigh as she sat. He then slid his eyes to her long gorgeous very dark silver hair that was worn all down. The young lord demon had caught himself as he turned away and stopped staring at her. He could not fathom what had come over him and why he was looking at her the way he was.
Sesshomaru was no pervert at all. He knew how to conduct himself, when dealing with members of the opposite sex. Still, the feelings that had started arising made him feel uncomfortable as he did not like it. And that is exactly when a male voice begins to speak to the young lord demon in his mind...his inner demon.
'You know the lady half demoness is one fine woman, my lord.' Sesshomaru's inner demon suddenly stated truthfully.
"Uhm?" Sesshomaru said.
Sesshomaru stared blankly ahead after hearing the voice suddenly speak to him. He was quite stunned. This had never happened to him before. The young lord demon began wondering what the hell was going on and why this was happening as he glanced to his right and left, before eyeing the sliding door that was the main entrance and exit. His golden amber eyes had hardened and held a stony expression.
'Who are you,' Sesshomaru's voice demanded, 'What do you want? Should I know you?'
'I'm your inner demon, my lord.' Sesshomaru's inner demon answered.
'My inner demon, you say?' his voice simply said.
'Yes.' his inner demon said.
Silence.
'Why do you speak to me?' Sesshomaru's voice simply asked. The young lord demon now had an unreadable expression in his eyes.
'I am merely responding to your inner thoughts, my lord,' Sesshomaru's inner demon said and stated, 'You deny your growing attraction to and fondness for the young lady half demoness, whom had been traveling with you for a decade. Your love for her grows, yet you hide and conceal it. You want to have her as yours and be with her, but deny yourself of such desires. My dear Lord Sesshomaru, must you always be out of touch with your feelings. You are so cold, aloof and emotionless, it is dissatisfying."
'Hmph, ridiculous.' his voice scoffed.
Sesshomaru's inner demon then states that he needs to be in touch with his emotions more and not deny that he does, in fact have feelings, especially when it comes to love and romance. The young lord demon had become very fond of his companion the young lady half demoness during the time they've been traveling together. Of course, he would never admit to it anytime soon as he's too prideful, and sees these emotions or feelings as silly human emotions. So why the hell would he? He had no need for such things, just like he had no need to have someone to protect. The same could also be said about Lady Tsukiyame. He has had enough of the nonsense his inner demon was stating. He was very bold about it as well.
Sesshomaru's voice then stated haughtily, 'I don't have these feelings or silly emotions you speak of, especially not for that half demon.'
'Well, I know otherwise.' Sesshomaru's inner demon said.
'Denying your fondness and desire for Lady Tsukiyame is not good, my lord. You will only live to regret it in the end.' his inner demon stated.
'Your words are complete nonsense!' his voice said venomously.
The young lord demon stood in the doorway to the zaisu gallery, looking ahead as he was still wondering what was going on. Why is this voice that claims to be his 'inner demon' speaking to him? It was almost as if Sesshomaru were having an internal conversation with himself, which was not the case at all. He was conversing with his inner demon. Though, no one would know due to the expressionless look in his eyes and his stoic demeanor. The conversation between him and his 'so-called' inner demon was over. His cold and deadly expression made that very crystal clear.
'Go for the woman you desire!' Sesshomaru's inner demon said adamantly.
'Leave me be,' Sesshomaru's voice said coldly, 'Or I'll kill you.'
'You can't kill your inner demon.' his inner demon said.
'I'll find a way.' his voice said cockily.
'Sure, you will.' his inner demon doubted.
Pause.
'I said LEAVE me be.' Sesshomaru's voice warned.
'Farewell, my lord...for now.' Sesshomaru's inner demon said.
The conversation between Sesshomaru and his inner demon had finally ended. He was still somewhat stunned by what had just happened as it was unexpected. Being a bit angered and annoyed by what had happened, he was unsure about what to make of it. He hated the fact that his inner demon could pry into his thoughts at any time. What he hated most was being told he had feelings and emotions that he did not have...at least that's what he denies. This will never sit well with him. Still, having an inner demon was like having an inner voice, for a human that is. It's not something a demon could rid themselves of, even one as powerful as Sesshomaru. However, that did not mean he would not attempt to try and kill his inner demon if he bothered him again. Even though that will never be possible. The young lord demon must learn to control him. Period.
The young lady half demoness then comes to his mind. Looking over his shoulder at Lady Tsukiyame and then turning to look away from her and her acquaintance again as the two silently watched the duo performing on stage. Sesshomaru found himself being deep in thought about earlier and wondered what the hell had come over him.
'How foolish of me,' Sesshomaru thought to himself in a scowling way, 'What the hell was I thinking? And about a half demon of all people.'
"What has come over me?" he asked himself.
He was about to leave the doorway to take a walk in the sacred demon temple, until Empress Jigo Yuu walked in the hallway behind him and stopped him. She and Sesshomaru stood face to face, discussing more details regarding their undercover. His back was now turned as the two had briefly talked. Lady Tsukiyame then turns and looks behind her at Sesshomaru and Empress Jigo Yuu in the hallway. She felt him staring at her earlier and could feel, hear, and sense his feelings from earlier as well.
'That damn dog demon,' Lady Tsukiyame thought, narrowing her eyes at him, 'What was he thinking about just now? Was he just…?'
"Lady Tsukiyame?" Jigo Kiki said smiling. Her train of thought was cut off from her acquaintance speaking.
"Yes." Lady Tsukiyame said in a surprisingly amiable tone.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, noticing her narrowed glare at the dog demon lord.
"It's nothing important." she replied vaguely.
…..
In the bright and foggy netherworld nearby the Sorufuruna Kogane no Hana Demon Temple landed a shadowy figure emerging from a dark miasma cloud. He stood before the secret passageway towards the gateway to the underworld. The shadowy worldly evil being drew his sacred holy scepter and started heading inside the passageway to move forward with his wicked plan to destroy his enemies. Walking deep into the narrow way, the weapon starts glowing a bright pure blue color as he held it in his grasp.
Finally, he stood at the gateway that lit an orange fiery light from inside. It was the gateway to the fiery part of the underworld known as hell. Not the galaxy-like dark land that was also ruled by the empress demoness. His glowing bright pure blue scepter was then placed horizontally on the double doors up against the stone handles, unlocking and opening the gateway to the eternal hell fires.
"Now, open, Gateway to the Underworld," a voice commanded darkly, "I've come to banish an unworldly evil tribe to the hell fires for eternity."
The flames began emerging as the double doors opened wide. Black hot smoke could be smelt and seen, leaving the passageway as it was blowing everywhere with the netherworld suddenly becoming darker. A half spider demon in a white baboon pelt with the scepter sheathed away at his left hip, in his white rope belt, was now inside a huge dark miasma cloud. Now, it was almost pitch black everywhere, in the unworldly realm.
"Empress Jigo Yuu, you shall perish, wench," Naraku states darkly and wickedly, "Along with your wretched unworldly tribe of hell demons and the beloved Devillesses shall serve under me!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" he laughed evilly. He was now headed towards the sacred demon temple with a ton of dark fiery flames continuing to emerge from behind him.
Meanwhile, Lady Tsukiyame and Jigo Kiki were both on alert about Naraku's arrival as they sat and watched the ceiling window and window behind the stage where more hell demons stood. Empress Jigo Yuu had just got done speaking with Sesshomaru, before coming back to the stage to host the worship service. After announcing the hell demon singing and dancing duo got on stage to perform, the musicians in the background started playing more music.
As the new duo was performing and worshipping their Devillesses, the four immediately noticed danger approaching the sacred demon temple. Lady Tsukiyame sensed, felt and heard the presence of her arch enemy from afar as he was approaching. Dark and hot fiery flames could be seen coming outside the window behind the stage. They were coming from the gateway to the hell fires that had been opened. A glimpse of a dark miasma cloud could also be seen coming towards the ceiling window. It was already pitch-black outside, in the unworldly realm, the netherworld. The three women stood beside each other and were ready to take him out and stop his wicked plan. Sesshomaru was also ready to deal with the half vermin and his army accordingly to stop him.
"Naraku is headed towards the temple." Jigo Kiki said coldly.
"And he had already opened the gateway to the hell fires." Lady Tsukiyame said coldly.
"Men, women," Empress Jigo Yuu alerted, standing to face her fellow tribe members, "Stay on guard! Our newest enemy Naraku and his army have arrived and are about to attack."
She then turns to face the duo and musicians and ordered them all to get off the stage for their own safety. The worship service had now come to a halt as the beloved tribe's new enemy will need to be defeated. Naraku had finally arrived at the Sorufuruna Kogane no Hana Temple of the hell demon tribe. A huge boom sound was heard with the ceiling window shattering to pieces with the glass hitting the floor and tables hard, as Naraku made his way inside the zaisu gallery, landing gracefully before his current and newest enemies. His scepter was now drawn and glowing a bright pure blue. Lady Tsukiyame, Jigo Kiki, and her mother Empress Jigo Yuu all had their weapons drawn and were prepared to destroy him. The smell of the toxic miasma started filling up the room and was everywhere.
Naraku was, indeed surprised when he noticed his enemy Lady Tsukiyame standing beside Miss Jigo Kiki and Empress Jigo Yuu. He had planned to use her ally, the hell demon tribe as bait to dethrone both her and Sesshomaru and wreack havoc on their people, along with the empress demoness' people. Now, the half vermin's wicked plan will not only be successful; they would see to it that he is stopped and defeated.
"Lady Tsukiyame," Naraku acknowledged and sneered wickedly, "So, you have decided to bring yourself to your own demise?!"
"Naraku," Lady Tsukiyame stated coldly and clearly, "You are the one who is going to die. And I will see to it that you and your army NEVER wreack havoc on my people or set foot in my lands."
"Hn," Empress Jigo Yuu states coldly, "You have chosen the wrong people to bait and use as your little pawns! Your evil plan stops right now. I will also see to it that your lowly despicable ass sees your demise."
"You all will serve under me, whether you like it or not," he said darkly, "Any refusal to do so will lead to your damnation to hell for eternity."
"I don't think so," Jigo Kiki said angrily, "You are going down! We will never relinquish our power and give away our lands to you."
Meanwhile, in the hallway nearby the entrance and exit of the temple, more toxic fumes from the deadly miasma and burning flames from outside began to fill up the hallway. Naraku's entire army had barged inside to attack at his command. The sliding door was now broken with one of the statues outside getting knock down and breaking on the stairs. The demon samurai warriors started heading towards the zaisu gallery. All one hundred of them had shown up. Sesshomaru already had his Tenseiga drawn and was ready to take his enemy's resurrected Axe Tiger army out.
This was the twenty-third chapter!
So, Lady Tsukiyame and Miss Jigo Kiki have conversed about romantic interests. But now, Naraku and his army have finally showed up at the Sorufuruna Kogane no Hana Temple and began attacking. Look forward to the next chapter to see what happens.
Until then, bye for now!