They say the weak
crumble under the pressures of life, and the strong stand tall
protecting as many as they can. But with so few out there that are
superior it is only logical that many of the feeble will disappear,
become nothing more than a memory and a fear. Who is it that decides
who is strong and who is weak? Where do the ties of power lie? It is
nothing more than a quest, a desire, a patronage to the glorious
tomorrow.
Then again, the truly exceptional are those out there
to protect themselves and the ones they love from anything and
anyone. Those are our heroes, our self sacrificing champions.
However, the fact remains that not all will aspire to these heights;
who can be the hero? And who will fall into despair?
The sky held an
orange glow, one that peeked through the dark grey of the clouds and
reached around to the ground below. The wind blew in the atmosphere
with fury, causing the clouds to drift through quickly, leaving the
grass to sway with the orange hue almost as if it were ablaze. And it
was in these conditions that the two youkai traveled; heading for the
castle far north, past the ends of the rolling plains that glided at
their sides. For even these lush pastures recognized the rank of its
travelers, bending along with the gusts that howled over their
shoulders. The wail of the wind however was the only sound that
echoed through out the valley; the travelers would not grant any
sound from their lips, other than the vague murmur of their breaths.
Neither was accustom to words or meaningless chatter; for any
conversation within their presence held a significance that rendered
the other spell bound. But regardless; as any other talent theirs was
one that could be switched off. And it was the smaller of the two
that held the proof of this suggestion; for at this moment his mind
was not pondering the dealings of battles, or other timely
distractions. He was thinking about of something else holding such
simplicity, and at the same time the world's conundrum. A female; and
not just any woman, for this one in particular was not even
considered a woman as of yet. She was still a child in the world of
demons, though because he had never taken a step without her he
considered her very much on his level.
Though the times of
childhood squandering were far below him, he still yearned to see his
play mate; and only in a few short hours he would be granted this
request. Her memory haunted him, and he found it difficult to simply
function without the interruption that she gave. For it was she who
taught him the joy in the over looked pleasures in life, and the
humor involved in mischief; though he could not forget the more
unimportant of matters.
"Maru! You kicked me!"
came the child like voice of Cal. The little youkai boy wriggled
within the darkened area uncomfortably as he searched for a position
of ease.
"Cal, move over," he grunted as he pushed the
shadowed figure to his left. "And don't call me that," he
quickly scolded. With the other occupant thrown off balance the boy
sat calmly waiting for his comrade to sit up as well.
"Your
so mean, why do I even play with you?" the girl grumbled as she
met her companions eyes through the dark. They were not easy to miss
after all, being they were a golden shade that glimmered no matter
the lighting.
"Because you think I am the best,"
sneered the male demon. The next sound that echoed through the small
space was the laugh of the girl; for she did not believe this
statement at all. Then again who would? "Shut up Cal, you know
you sound stupid when do that," the young Sesshomaru lashed
out.
"I.. Can't.." she continued to giggle, now going on
for the pure sport of it. Through the darkened area of their secret
location, Sesshomaru glared at his companion with complete disgust;
while on the inside he just wanted to laugh with her. "Ok, I'm
sorry," she gasped, finally taking control. "Now what was
it you wanted to ask me in the hide out?" she continued with a
small smile.
"What's kissing?" the small male youkai
asked, though not completely serious. Cal thought about this a
moment; and after careful deliberation said with a soft
confidence,
"When the mother and father touch their lips
together," she said, her head giving a small tilt.
"Well
that's stupid, what's so great about that?" was small boy's
response, which he added with to by sticking out his tongue to show
his disgust.
"It's fun," she said with a small shrug of
her shoulders.
"How do you know?" he responded in a
startled voice. Again the young female demon shrugged her shoulders.
"Wanna try?" the boy ventured, trying with much difficulty
to seem casual to the idea.
"Ok," was all the little
girl said as she turned to face her friend. They look at one another
in an awkward stance for a moment, and than simultaneously move
toward one another only to stop after a few seconds. Sesshomaru moved
a bit closer while Cal watched him, and then she moved a bit further;
and in a quick tap they let their lips touch and pull away quickly.
"That wasn't as gross as I thought it would be," Cal said
sitting back in her original spot. Sesshomaru's small face contorted
to a frown,
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked
angrily. Cal gave a giggle as she smiled,
"I don't think we
did it right, it wasn't all that much fun," she said shaking her
head side to side. Sesshomaru seemed slightly disappointed, and was
afraid it was he would did it wrong because he had enjoyed
himself.
"Let me try again," he said a bit frustrated.
Cal saw the determination in his eyes, and voice; and nodded her head
as she turned to him once more. This time, the small youkai boy moved
towards her completely, catching her off guard; where he left his
lips to sit against hers for nearly three times longer than before.
When he pulled back he watched her face closely, and at seeing her
eyes fluttering open slowly he gave a smirk as he took her hand,
"Let's go play tag now!"
He had never felt so
accomplished in all his life, a small victory the now of age youkai
used as a basis to measure all his undertakings. But that was years
ago, years before.. Well an event that Sesshomaru would rather not
speak of for it only made his blood boil. What would she be like now?
And would he even still find an interest in her; he was almost
positive he would find her annoying now. After all, she was still a
child and he was now an adult.
"Sesshomaru, my son your going
to run into that tree," echoed the voice of his father. But he
did not hear the words, he was still too caught up in his thoughts.
And for his negligence he was rewarded with a meeting of the bark of
the only tree within miles of the prairie. Upon collision his nose
brushed against the coarse covering of the wood, leaving a small
scratch mark, which at that moment he did notice. He was far too
ashamed because he knew that his father had seen, and quickly rose to
his feet brushing himself off; and trying to look fierce. His father
gave off a chuckle as he helped straighten Sesshomaru's garments, and
rety his armor. "Your still new to this, don't get too worked up
over it," he added in a loving tone. "Because I have done
far worse," he said hitting his son on the back. The younger
youkai tried his best to take this embarrassment with dignity; and he
was simply happy that Calpurnia hadn't seen.
Once they started
walking again, his mind once more found refuge in his memories of the
past; leaving him distracted once more.
"I am pleased
that you could make it again Lord InuTaisho, Lady Michelia you are
looking in good health as well. And your boy, well if he isn't a good
half hand taller," Lord Fado beamed as he stared down at
Sesshomaru, which he returned with a half recognizing yawn. But he
was snapped out of his bored behavior with a single wave of a hand,
and he waved back with a hidden enthusiasm to the little silver eyed
girl before himself. "Kestrel, Calpurnia, greet our guests,"
the Northern Lord continued on. Kestrel was the first to get to him,
who gave him a small bow and retook the position next to her father.
But when Calpurnia got to him she gave the same bow, but with a grin
that scrunched her nose. He returned the little bob, but to his
surprise when he rose, Cal threw her arms around his shoulders and
gave him squeeze; something she did at every meeting for years to
come. And seeing this as an suitable time, when his companion pulled
back he pulled out a small bag and handed it to her. She looked at it
confused before she met his eyes.
"It's a present for you,"
the young Sesshomaru said. And as he did, behind him his mother took
the Great Dog Lord's arm and rested her head upon his shoulder while
she smiled.
"Really for me?" Cal smiled as she opened
the little bag, where she pulled out a small bracelet made with small
carved stones upon a band. "Thank you," she smiled even
bigger. Her reaction gave Sesshomaru a little burst of excitement,
and he held his head high as she slipped it over her small hand
admiring it. Michelia met Touga's eyes once more, and beamed with
complete satisfaction; and he returned her proud expression with his
own fatherly boast.
Excitedly Cal turns to her father,
"May
Maru and I go play now?" Sesshomaru's proud expression melts, as
his parents chuckle softy at his nickname; while tries his best to
avoid their eyes.
"Go ahead," he said watching his
fellow Lord's expression, a bit of bitterness behind it.
It
seemed to him that his mother had a very big roll in the meetings
with the Northern Lord; because even though he was young at the time
he knew his father did not like the Lord. In fact the first meeting
was for nothing more than to discuss the bandits rampaging their
borders.
Sesshomaru let a low growl escape his throat as he
thought back to those times.
"I am the Lord, and you
are my woman, you are not allowed to second guess me!" his
father roared from the floor below the one Sesshomaru was currently
on; they seemed to fight a lot recently.
"You'll wake
Sesshomaru, please tone it down," his mother hushed loudly in
return.
"These are my damn Lands, I can talk as loud as I
want!" Sesshomaru pulled his covers up a bit higher as he
covered his nose, and restlessly he rolled.
"I'm not saying
you have to ally yourself with Fado, I just want you to bring your
son back". The small youkai boy flinched as he heard something
crash below his room, probably a table.
"I know he likes that
little girl, but I refuse to go back there! That demon is sick, and
he doesn't treat his own pups with any respect; you know how hard he
was trying to push his eldest off on us". He was beginning to
feel almost guilty for having so much fun with Cal, because now his
father was yelling.
"Please Touga, do this for your son. I
have never seen him act like that before, that is how a pup should
act". Again Sesshomaru was left to wince as his mother said how
he should act, he didn't know there was something wrong with
him.
"Damn it oona, it will be better if he doesn't become
fond of her. If our son wants her you know we have to bargain with
that filth to get her!"
"If it comes to that we will
deal with it then, we have to look out for his best interests and I
want him to see her again; even if I have to take him there myself".
Another loud crash sounded, in response Sesshomaru placed his hands
over his ears in an attempt to stop the noise.
His father eventually caved in, and brought him back not once; but five times now. Which was truly a shock to him, considering it was just after the third time they went that his mother.. Was no longer around to ensure the trip. But when the spring rolled around his father told him to get ready to go; not sure whether he was simply honoring the demoness's wish or if he was doing it for him. But either way, he got ready because it was Calpurina that told him what he never heard at home; and it was her to whom he had put his faith. But now, he was the experienced one, she should look up to him. What would become of this friendship now?
