Inuyasha; A Feudal Fairy Tale – The Sesshoumaru Blues

Chapter Nine – Memories from Afar

Rikkimaru lay tucked in a futon. It was early morning and it was freezing cold. Snow had not yet fallen on the ground, but the blades of grass would frost over. His torso and head were bandaged up, and there was a sacred sutra of Miroku's laying on the center of the blue futon cover. The sutra was made especially for Rikkimaru to keep him from moving so the wounds would shut and the internal bleeding would heal. It was also there to keep him from going after Inuyasha if they wounds did heal.

Everyone, Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippou, Miroku, Sango, and Shuku, sat around Rikkimaru listening to him wheeze his breaths through his barely open mouth. He was sleeping, but his face was showing severe pain. Inuyasha crossed his arms under his haori sleeve.

"So let me get this straight, Inuyasha…" Miroku crossed his arms as well. "You only meant to send the Backlash Wave as a warning to Rikkimaru?"

"Yeah, but I guess I've become so powerful I didn't know. I'd never do this to him on purpose. He's all I have left of her." Kagome winced in her heart.

"You're talking about, Zayane?" Miroku questioned. Inuyasha nodded. "We still don't know that much about her. And we have time to kill, Inuyasha."

"Please don't use that figure of speech right now." Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. Miroku held up his hands.

"Sorry, Inuyasha. What I'm trying to say is, would you mind telling us about her?" A smile came to Inuyasha's face thinking about the memories he had with Zayane.

"I remember on cold days like this…"

BLUES

Inuyasha's little nose smelled something sweet in front of his face. He opened his sleeping eyes. Everything was a little dark and blurry at first, but then he looked up towards the woman hovering over him. Zayane sat in seiza, putting her hands in her lap.

"Eat up, Lord Inuyasha. Today is cold and you should start the day with warm spirits." Zayane elegantly extended her hand to show Inuyasha the buffet of food she had made for him, still steaming hot. Beautifully hand made O-nigiri (1), and lines of stewed beef fillets that looked juicy and tender with green garnishes on top. She had a bowl of rice for him stacked tall, with miso (2) soup with it. "I know your mother wouldn't approve of such a fatty breakfast, but you're a growing demon, and demons and humans require different diets."

Inuyasha grabbed his chopsticks, made to fit his tiny hands. "Who cares! This looks great!" Inuyasha dove into the miso soup first to warm his body. The futon didn't keep him as warm as he'd hope it would. Zayane smiled watching him gobble everything down like a black hole. Inuyasha fell on his back with a bloated stomach. "I'm so full, Zayane. Thank you!" He loved eating her meals that she poured her heart and soul to make just for him.

"Now it's time to work it off." Zayane smiled still. Inuyasha would have had a question mark over his head.

"Wha…" Inuyasha said, scratching his head. Zayane grabbed him by his ear.

"It's time to work it off!" She got more serious. "Now get out there and practice what I showed you!" Zayane pulled him towards the shoji, letting go of his ear. Inuyasha rubbed his ear.

"Why you gotta be so rough with me?"

"Because I'm bigger than you. Now get out there and train!" Inuyasha mumbled swear words that Zayane pretended not to hear. Inuyasha walked outside with his warm bare feet melting the frozen dew on the blades of grass. Inuyasha went towards a tree in the garden that looked pretty worn out, the bark falling off it in some places. Inuyasha stood there for a moment, contemplating if Zayane was watching him.

A pebble hit the back of his head. "Do it, boy!" Zayane called to him from the shoji doors. Inuyasha grumbled.

"Iron Reaaver, Soul Stealer!" Inuyasha's not-so-matured voice said. He was only four years old. Inuyasha swung his hand at the tree. The attack doing nothing. He looked at his knuckles, already bruising. "Zay-chan (3)! I'm hurting myself!"

"It's better now of your own will, rather than some one else wanting to beat you to death." Zayane leaned on the door frame.

"No one is going to do that!" Inuyasha said, and kept training.

BLUES

"And you like that memory?" Sango asked. "My father never made me do anything like that for my Taijiya/Taija (4) training. Never set me up that way either."

"It's different, Sango. First off you're human." Sango narrowed her eyes, a little offended. "Secondly, she did it so that if she wasn't there to protect myself I'd know how. Despise how she was acting in that memory I have of her, she did it because she was truly worried about me. Zayane, of all people, knew what hard life lay ahead of me." Inuyasha looked up, smiling. Kagome was becoming jealous again. This was almost as bad as Kikyou.

"Iron Reaver paid off. I didn't always have the Tetsusaiga to protect me. In the end, all one can count on is their own individual power. That's something Zayane taught me. And she taught that to Rikkimaru, too. That's why he doesn't carry a sword—or some other weapon. When Rikkimaru fought me, it was hand to hand—Zayane's specialty." Inuyasha looked to Rikkimaru, now. He looked nothing like his mother—not even a hint of black, but Rikkimaru had his mother's fighting spirit and a passive kindness.

"Did she teach Blades of Blood to you?" Kagome asked, thinking back to their battle with Yura of the Hair. Inuyasha used that technique to fend her off when she had gotten to close. Inuyasha nodded his head.

"She taught me everything invoking my hands and feet. I don't know where she picked up the techniques, but after all, she was a witch."

"Whoa, wait, a witch?" Shuku questioned, unaware of that detail.

"Yeah, she was a Mistress of Time. Which really surprised me when I found out she was dead—most likely killed." Inuyasha sighed.

"A Mistress of Time? What kind of witch is that, Inuyasha?" Shippou asked, wanting to get into the 'grown folks' conversation. Inuyasha looked down to Shippou. The others wanted to know as well, it was a good question that they were all nervous to ask, fearing that asking would insult their I.Q.

"She could control time in such a manner that it wouldn't interrupt the actual flow of time and cause things to go spiraling into a void. Apparently, it took a lot of training from Zayane's own mother. Her final task was assimilating her power into her body so she wouldn't need casting circles to delay time but rather heal." Inuyasha said.

"I guess that means she accomplished it." Miroku said.

"It cost her, her right eye. She didn't tell me what her happened to her eye until I was in my teens, old enough to understand what sacrifices for people meant. She wanted to protect people; that is why she did it to herself." Inuyasha looked away. "She probably thought she could protect me in front of that sacred tree the day she died. Protect me from… Oh my god." Inuyasha snapped out of it.

"What is it Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.

"We've gotta talk to Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha nearly demanded.

"All in due time, Inuyasha. Right now we need to tend to Rikkimaru." Miroku said.

The shoji slid open. "You wanted to talk to me, mutt?" Sesshoumaru scowled. His eyes peered to his son, lying on the floor, bundled in a futon. "I swear to you, Inuyasha if you had anything to do with this, you'll rue the day you were born!" Sesshoumaru seemed sentimental. Everyone stared with wide eyes. This wasn't like Sesshoumaru. Rin and Jaken walked into the room as well. It was getting crowded. Kagome sat Rin on her lap, playing in her hair like an older sister. It upset Sesshoumaru but he was concerned about Rikkimaru.

"I didn't know you cared, Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha smarted.

"Everyone knows you care about naught other than yourself, Inuyasha. I'd advise you shut your mutt mouth and tell me what happened to him." Sesshoumaru nearly hissed. The room became even quieter than what it already was. Inuyasha looked away.

"The Backlash Wave had a direct hit on Rikkimaru…"

"You did what to my son?" Sesshoumaru grabbed Inuyasha by the scruff of his kimono. Sesshoumaru backed Inuyasha into a corner, knocking anything out of their way with his strength. For a one armed bandit, Sesshoumaru was a force to be reckoned with. Inuyasha didn't fight back, knowing he had done wrong. "What did Rikkimaru ever do to you, other than love his mother too much?"

"Oh be quiet, you never admitted you cared for her when you did, and still do." Inuyasha started to glare.

"You don't know anything. This is a tale that is before your birth. All you have is the bias of a dead human servant." The words rang in the room.

"Mama was not a servant. She was a guardian of humans and demons alike…" Rikkimaru managed to say with his eyes barely open. Sesshoumaru turned.

"Did you see her?" Sesshoumaru instantly asked. Rikkimaru moved his head no. Sesshoumaru let go of Inuyasha. "Then I'll take my leave. Rin, Jaken.." He said, heading out the door.

"Wait!" Kagome said. Could she defending the woman that made Inuyasha act like a fool? A woman that it seemed Inuyasha cared for just was much, or even more than Kikyou? "Sesshoumaru, I beg of you…" Kagome leaned over, her hands on the floor and her head bowed. "Think back to when Zayane died. You showed Rikkimaru the way right?" It was clicking for Kagome, the logic was simple. Shuku made it clear that Sesshoumaru had to point Rikkimaru in the direction of Inuyasha. That would mean his sense of smell is under developed and it still would have been at the time of his mother's death. Sesshoumaru must have realized something happened to his son when he smelled the blood in the air—just like when Zayane died.

"Yes I did. What of it human?" Sesshoumaru wasn't pleased with Inuyasha's 'woman.' He was supposed to keep a lid on her.

"What did you smell?" Kagome tried to force it on him.

"Zayane's blood and airborne… Poi-son…" Sesshoumaru's words came to a slow halt.

"Naraku?" Inuyasha cried out.

"Na-mother fucking-raku." Sesshoumaru was pissed at himself. Why hadn't he realized sooner? "It would only make sense that Zayane was paying respects and Naraku was passing by and saw her paying respects to you."

"A friend of Inuyasha's, is an enemy of Naraku…" Kagome said quietly.

"He saw her as a threat of taking Inuyasha off the tree, or could stand to get in the way in the future since she knew Inuyasha." Miroku added. Rikkimaru hesitated on breathing.

"Who is Naraku…" Rikkimaru asked slowly. Sesshoumaru turned back around ready to leave with a new hatred burning in his soul.

"Don't worry, Rikkimaru. I will say this to you; your mother will be avenged. And this time, I'm going to do it right." Sesshoumaru said leaving with his human and demon servant.

BLUES

Rikkimaru was eating soup by now. Four days had pasted. Shuku stayed by his side the, holding his cold, sweaty hands. It was just them in the room. Sesshoumaru's words were burned into Rikkimaru's mind. He slowly glared, using his right hand to push the miso bowl to his thin lips. He sipped, slurping. Shuku had made if for him of course. She was gifted in cooking.

"I'm guessing your father has a strong nose."

"Much stronger than Inuyasha's or mine. I figured he'd be on his way here. It was the same when my mother died. As soon as her blood touched the air, my father came and told me that something might have happened to her." Rikkimaru looked away, hiding the sorrow on his face. I felt like such a mama's boy, but she was all he had until Shuku. It was hard to break the habit of putting her first. Shuku stroked the top of his free hand.

"Don't push yourself too hard. I'm sure Inuyasha would be willing to help you. It seems that he already has business with Naraku…" Shuku looked away wondering if she should tell Rikkimaru what happened to Inuyasha. Inuyasha had given Shuku insight about how he ended up on the sacred tree.

"Tell me." Rikkimaru demanded, distant like his father, Sesshoumaru.

"Apparently the shrine that your mother told him to stay away from, with the priestess Kikyou…" Rikkimaru scoffed.

"Yes I know he was dating her. They were ever so timid about it." Rikkimaru rolled his eyes.

"A half demon named, Naraku, tricked Inuyasha and Kikyou, putting them against each other." Shuku said. She paused just in case Rikkimaru had some more smart-ass remarks.

"A love so strong, so easily broken." Rikkimaru sighed. And at one point those words were the words of Naraku. "Do continue."

"Kikyou, personally, was a too dumb to realize that when Inuyasha—well the Naraku Inuyasha, struck her down, he took the jewel and said thanks to her. She couldn't conclude as to why Inuyasha would attack the village and steal it back if he had dealt her a fatal blow and took it. I didn't understand her side either. She should of realized that he was stealing it, but instead fueled by her undying hatred for Inuyasha, fired her last sacred arrow, pinning Inuyasha to the tree. He fell into the sleep that you know of soon afterwards." Shuku explained.

"What does Naraku have to do with this?" Rikkimaru couldn't see why Naraku would want to put Inuyasha and Kikyou against one another.

"He was jealous of Inuyasha for dating Kikyou, and also to have the Shikon jewel to make himself a full demon. Naraku was once a human named Onigumo, but Onigumo offered himself to the demons and they consumed the human formed of pure malice. And thus, Naraku was born." Shuku felt like a story teller. It took her nearly two days to get the whole story straight, annoying the hell out of Inuyasha to make sure she understood. He threatened to hit her at one point, but she laughed him off.

Rikkimaru rubbed his hands on his bandages. "Once these are off, I will join Inuyasha in tracking down Naraku. They are close to finding him, right?"

"Of course, sweetie." Shuku smiled. "Do you think I should tag along?"

"Yes. We need your boar-strength. You seem to be stronger than that demon slayer." Rikkimaru smiled. "You chucked her own weapon at her."

"It was an accident. Sango is really nice, you know. But my eyes burn because of the perverted monk. His hand is always on her ass."

"How lucky he is…" Rikkimaru sighed. Shuku turned red in the face, her eyes becoming triangular with rage.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Shuku balled her fist, shooting steam out of her ears. Rikkimaru stared wide eyed.

"R-remember Shuku, I'm injured. You don't wanna hit a cripple!... Do you?" Rikkimaru wanted to move but his abdomen was still killing him. Shuku grabbed the nearest thing in the room, which was a shiny new table to replace the one that Rikkimaru broke before the battle. "Inuyasha! INUYASHA!" Rikkimaru cried for assistance like Inuyasha was his orderly.

"You looking at other chick's asses?" Shuku screamed. BAM! There was a clatter of wood dropping on the floor. Inuyasha stormed in afraid something terrible was happening to Rikkimaru.

"Rikkimaru!" Inuyasha cried, to try and get him to say something. Shuku shoved Inuyasha out of the way, dusting off her hands. She did so in such a manner, Inuyasha hit the frame of the door with his back. Kagome was behind Inuyasha, also worried about Rikkimaru. She side stepped for the angry Shuku as she stormed out of the room.

Inuyasha and Kagome looked at Rikkimaru with blank faces. Rikkimaru was on his back with one of his arms in the air, the air that failed to block the table against his noggin. His eyes were swirling. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. Kagome covered her mouth.

"It's gonna be another week before he's better, now. Thanks a lot Shuku! What the hell could he have said?" Inuyasha scratched his head. Kagome turned burning red with embarrassment.

She pointed at the blankets, her finger pointed at Rikkimaru's crotch. "I can guess…" Inuyasha's eyes followed seeing a bulge. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome, flipping her around.

"Don't look! Your eyes will be tainted!" Inuyasha said, ready to carry her out.

"Too… Late…" Kagome had swirling eyes as well, wishing she hadn't seen that. "So… Big…" Inuyasha turned red. He didn't want to hear that from Kagome about another half demon—or anyone rather.

"Oh yeah?" Inuyasha boasted still beet red. "Mines still bigger, I can show you!" Kagome looked at him for a moment. There was an awkward silence. Inuyasha couldn't believe he just said that to some one as prude at Kagome. She always wanted his attention but was never willing to keep it if you know what I mean.

"O-SUWARI!"

つづく(Tsuzuku)

Author's notes/Translation notes:

(1) O-nigiri is Japanese for rice balls. Yummy.

(2)Miso soup is a soybean based soup, it comes in different colors, Aka(red), Shiro(white), and Kuro(black). Also yummy

(3)Zay-chan is a nick name for Zayane. Zayane is actually a katakana name. So when written in Romaji, Zayane looks like it should be pronounced "Zaeh-aneh./Zay-ane" It is pronounced "Zah-yah-neh." Another nick name is just that, Zay-Ane which means, "Big sister Zay."

Zomg, teh last part—uncalled for xX Please endure!