A/N:

This chapter has been uploaded due to some small corrections.

I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 23

Sesshoumaru had finally finished interrogating everyone involved in the attack within the mansion, the only one left was Yoko. He certainly hoped that three days in complete solitude had brought some sense to her and the answers she would provide could clarify the happening. Two of his advisors had died, seemingly committed suicide, yet Sesshoumaru was wondering if by that act someone had attempted to frame the two deceased ones, while clearing themselves from any suspicion.

Yoko did seem nervous as he entered her chambers, as always she bowed lower than expected and uttered in a weak voice:

"I have been waiting so long for you my lord. Please, sit, hear me out."

The half demon sat down, expecting him to do the same, however Sesshoumaru remained in place, enlarging her intimidation.

"I know you suspect me, but please, believe me, I was also a victim… I have been forced…" Sesshoumaru's demonic aura flared unintentionally for her blatant lie had annoyed him. She quietened, wondering how to turn the situation to her favour. She needed to make the best out of her circumstances until she would give birth to a son and wait until her position to be properly assured.

"Who was it, Yoko? In whose plan did you participate?" Her lips curved down, as if a sour taste spread within her mouth, she did sense his irony. Over the years spent with a dictatorial father, she had found ignorance to be her best weapon.

"Two advisors. Hara and Fuu."

"The ones that committed suicide?" There was no surprise in her expression, she barely commented:

"Apparently they felt guilty to have betrayed your trust."

Sesshoumaru turned around, pondering if she would say anything valuable in this matter. With her lies, she partly assured him of Kashi's theory. The true plotters were still alive and Yoko knew their identity, whereas the two suicides were a mystification to deceive him for the time being.

"Things stand differently, I presume." Sesshoumaru felt mocked by her pathetic acting. "Since the mansion does not appear to be safe, I need to send you back to the southern castle, where you are comfortable and familiar with the background."

"You are banishing your mate from the west?"Yoko got up, piercing him with teary eyes, she did not want to be sent back, not when she was carrying his child under her heart.

"Nonsense. I am merely assuring your maximum safety. Kashi will stay with you until I find the real figures behind the attack."

"My lord… I kept is as secret, but during our wedding night" Yoko hesitated. "I…am pregnant. Please do not send me back." Sesshoumaru said nothing, awaiting the names. The news came as no surprise to him; he was able to sense her abnormal state since the first day.

"Kei, Shun and Goki. All three of them worked together. I swear I did not know the details…"

Sesshoumaru's stern expression caused her heart to increase its rate. She knelt down, hoping to soothe his anger.

"This one time I will overlook your actions, solely because you are my mate. Treat it as a warning, there will be no next time. Regardless of your current state."

"Thank you for you kindness, I shall not disappoint you!"The demon's claws twitched in a sudden surge of adrenaline. Which advisor should he kill first? With that exciting thought, he left Yoko's chambers, strolling towards his first, oblivious victim.

Yuutsuki was finishing her meal when loud screams of commotion have reached her ears. She ventured outside, where a scared servant informed her of a sudden assembly in the courtyard. The girl entered the mentioned place and perceived a big crowd gathered in front of Sesshoumaru. Her short height disabled her from seeing the object of everyone's interest, which seemed to be near Sesshoumaru's feet, so she forced her way to the first row. Yuutsuki gasped silently, shocked to see three demons kneeling on the ground, Sesshoumaru's garments marked with blood. One of the demons was the fish-look-alike advisor, who had offended her previously. They were all still alive, however barely, their garments were soaked in blood due to prior wounds. The western lord was clearly holding an execution and he wished for everyone to witness it.

"Betrayal…" Sesshoumaru's voice silenced the echoes of bafflement. "Under my roof. Let it be a warning for those who live under an illusion of no consequences to their traitorous actions."

On Sesshoumaru's left side stood Yoko, her face pale in terror. Next to her Kashi made one step ahead and proclaimed loudly:

"Three advisors, Shun, Goki and Kei. Guilty of plotting against the house of the west, attempting to murder Ren Yuutsuki, forcing lady Yoko to participate in their plan and lastly, of murdering two advisors, Hara and Fuu. The punishment is…" Kashi hung his voice and looked over Sesshoumaru.

"Death by my hand."Sesshoumaru unsheathed his sword, with no further warning he slashed the first advisor, a bulky ox demon. The hot blood splashed Yoko's outfit and jumped as the demon's head rolled in her direction. She cried in a shock, if not for two guards behind her, she would have fainted over the ground. The other two advisors began zealously pleading for their life, louder than one would expect injured people could.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, it is a mistake, please spare me!"

"Please, not my life… I have been a good servant!"

Disregarding their screams, Sesshoumaru moved one step to the right side and with no hesitation he swung the sword once more, causing the crowd to gasp in astonishment as the second head rolled spurting bright blood, creating a large puddle of blood. Like hypnotized, Yuutsuki was unable to look away, the aura emitting of Sesshoumaru was paralyzing. The only convicted left was the familiar fish demon. Sesshoumaru smirked and delivered the mortal slice, beheading him like the others. The demon's blood trickled towards Yuutsuki's feet, unexpectedly bringing no relief nor vengeance. Yoko bore no consequences of the act, with a scared face standing on Sesshoumaru's side like an allegedly brittle, innocent dupe. The girl took out her sword and deepened its end in the surely warm blood, oblivious of eyes observing the peculiar spectacle.

"This is it. Disperse." The majority obeyed, leaving instantly in silence, too petrified to utter a comment. Yuutsuki watched Sesshoumaru clean the blade of blood and sheathed it. Their eyes met and as the demon approached her, she quivered in an unspecified emotion, his face tensed as he sensed a faint scent of repressed anger.

"Do you have any objections, human?"

Swirls of caramel-brown hair wreathed her oval face as she shook her head, attempting to hide the dewy, dark eyes exhibiting discomposure due to his harsh tone. Yuutsuki's odd passiveness was irking his already grim mood, he had not expected her to comply with his decision without clashing their opinions. Disregarding Yoko and other remaining witnesses, the western lord slashed his sword in the air, splashing Yuutsuki's face and outfit with drops of blood, as if pugnaciously insinuating she had caused the existent situation.

The girl ogled him with the particular fiery expression that always somewhat amused him. She wiped the blood with one, decisive movement and angrily swung her sword, directing he blow straight on him, in need to release the poisonous tension within her body.

Sesshoumaru fended the attack, nothing less expected, as she put nothing but raw strength to it.

She had shunned expressing her discontent verbally, perhaps in fear of admitting the affection and fear of loosening the precious link of indescribable comfort shrouding the nature of their relationship.

"Sesshoumaru!" The girl gasped out between the simple-minded blows. He patiently waited until her muscles would not allow her to continue the burst of anger, until she dropped to one knee, barely able to catch a breath. Sesshoumaru thought that she cannot wound him, all the consequences reflected painfully on her, she was the only one to suffer. He wished to free her from that vicious cycle. The demon pushed her away, watching her fall to the ground and dipping her long hair in mud and blood left after the execution.

Yuutsuki had already swallowed the sour bile of realisation that she had become an existence without any particular place of belonging. Lost between past and future, she was unsure how and where she was supposed to live, hoping she would not need to discard the feeling that made her blood flow faster. Yet, Sesshoumaru's words, she did not want to comply to comprehend:

"There is no need to nurture a dead tree. I do not seem to remember why I brought you here." His voice seemed hollowly unconcerned, opposite to her emotional answer.

"Sesshoumaru… You… In my times we …"She whispered, but as if in opposite to her calm voice, she squeezed her fists so hard that they turned white.

"And what of it?" He approached closer and interrupted her harshly. His eyes brimmed with the specific, perilous sparkle. She speculated that he had predicted her words and prevented her from uttering them aloud.

The girl lowered her glance with a loud sigh and bit her lip, silently trying to withstand the undulant pressure of stress spreading around her chest. She was aware of curious spectators hungry to witness their lord's shameful indignity, and she wished to avoid feeding their imagination any further. She rose, bowed and attempted to walk away, but Sesshoumaru pulled her arm, perhaps unduly for she gasped sharply in pain, or maybe surprise. Even though his iron grasp weakened, Yuutsuki recognised he would not allow her to return to her chambers yet, in his eyes Yuutsuki read the need to accept his will.

Yoko stood motionless, her rapt glare hung over the human's red cheeks, then quickly moved to Sesshoumaru's stern face. The southern princess had not known him for long, nevertheless even a fool would notice the fondness he bestowed the human.

Everyone had left the backyard, feeling the blood stains on her skin getting dry in the afternoon sun Yoko kept witnessing the bizarre conversation.

"I do recognise I once had a chance to influence this thread connecting us, but I have squandered it completely. The occurrences since then made it problematic simply to appreciate your company, as it is inappropriate for me to remain around you. I do understand it." Yuutsuki had daringly managed to exclaim the bashful words whilst steadily resisting his altered glare. She could not stay there any longer, regardless of his opinion.

"That is not appropriate, not when I am carrying his…" Yoko risked venting out her frustration, regretting it immediately as Sesshoumaru answered in cold voice, sending shivers of fear down her spine.

"Silence."

"I will leave." Using Yoko's intervention as a perfect excuse to cease further conversation Yuutsuki smiled and her head quickly lowered, her eyes unexpectedly blurring with tears. Sesshoumaru released her arm and observed her walk away in fast steps, knowing he had no right to stop her, he understood her discontent with his decisions. He could not keep his human around whilst keeping his honour and dignity in the eyes of others, at least not right now.

Yuutsuki was out of Sesshoumaru's mansion, treading through snow in the direction of Inuyasha's forest. The time had gone by fast, the piercing, cold wind and angry determination allowed her to march steadily forward. However, the nightfall had almost arrived, her fatigued body was progressively refusing to carry on and the girl was forced to pursue a relatively warm shelter in order to survive drastically dropping temperatures. There were two routes available to reach the place of her destination. One, even though much shorter it led through a dense forest filled up with unknown creatures. The other one led through villages and rural areas, completely omitting the jeopardies of the forest, however making her vulnerable for thievery.

Camping out in the wild was hazardous, there was no stable source of warmth, she would be entirely exposed in her sleep. Yuutsuki turned her eyes towards faint lights of a small village and took a very deep breaths until her lungs hurt from the moist air. She still had enough energy left to reach the village, the longer, safer way, be it.

Yuutsuki could no longer wait for Sesshoumaru to arrange a way to reach the aforementioned priestess who possessed a crystal enabling time travel. She was not able to bear the disapproving glares of his advisors and servants, there was no possibility to face Yoko without endangering herself by uttering hazardous words.

Even though she had been completely unyielding about departing from the house of the west, no reaction from Sesshoumaru's side had brought her further into realisation of her own position. It was of no happenstance that their bonds were growing frailer while in his mansion, thoroughly fenced by his cohorts. Sesshoumaru was the lord of the west, his obligations concerning his position had been permanently the highest priority for him, a presence like Yuutsuki was not desirable, nor acceptable in his life.

Primarily, the girl needed to certify the well was still not functioning. Somewhere deep within she naively yearned that it had been a vast misinterpretation or perhaps only Kagome was not able to use it. Dependable on the outcome, she was going to make a resolve regarding her subsequent actions.

She had entered the crowded inn; it reeked of old sweat and spilled sake combined with a scent of slightly burned meat. There were drunken men slumbering on the floor beneath the tables, the still conscious drunks were screaming loudly. In a darker corner of the inn, a soldier was pinching a half-naked woman's nipples, his fellow soldiers leering at the scene.

Yuutsuki turned her head away and took the only available table, from where she was not forced to watch the primitive spectacle.

The barmaid attended her instantly and with a smile took her to a separate room after receiving a golden coin from Yuutsuki. Already inside, she ensured the door was locked and allowed herself to immerse in a deep, however disturbed sleep.

/

Yet again Sesshoumaru wore the cold, absentminded glance while listening to the weekly reports from each part of his lands. He commanded the appropriate actions and people to deal with minor problems across the west, but mainly, the south was the reason of long, detailed reports. There were many demons opposing his sudden privilege to rule their nation, the marriage had not soothed their distrust.

Sesshoumaru snorted. The freshest news should reduce the disturbances in the south. Yoko would soon give him a son, who was going to grow up in the south, eventually rule it once he reaches the appropriate age.

He wondered if his father had also been in same position. In order to join two most powerful households of the west, he had married his mother and had released an offspring – him. The one intended to rule the united west.

From political point of view, the solution was very plausible, also perfectly natural. And if it was the price to pay for the stability of his regime, he was willing to concede. Sesshoumaru had decided to do everything to ensure he would safely live up to Yuutsuki's time and according to him, there was no other way than to create a stable, united kingdom.

Every evening, after finishing his lord responsibilities, he was fending off urges to follow the human girl, check on her, aid if needed. Sesshoumaru did not want her to discover Yoko was carrying his child, Yuutsuki's decision to leave came perfectly in time. The human had already suffered enough due to his thoughtlessness of her feelings.

He had tried exhausting his body physically by intensively training or sparring with others. During such times he genuinely wished Tadao to be around, as he was one of few Sesshoumaru did not have to hold back while fighting.

Sesshoumaru's line of thoughts changed roughly, as his attention was captured by the next report.

"Repeat." His coarse voice commanded unexpectedly.

"We have received reports stating that the northern demons are attacking human villages near the northern border. They steal food, alcohol and capture women. Gossips say they sell them beyond the sea, probably as servants and courtesans."

"Which villages have been attacked? How do we know they are northern demons?" Sesshoumaru did not entirely believe it. Tadao was ruling the north now, he would not permit such indecent acts.

"They are wolfs my lord. All the villages near the northern border have been attacked."

Sesshoumaru's body tensed. It was not necessarily the fault of northern wolfs, it could be Kouga's mutts as well. According to his assumptions, Yuutsuki should have passed those villages around two days ago and should have reached Inuyasha's forest by now. Sesshoumaru's claws twitched, he was fighting the urge to ensure her safety.

"Take appropriate measures."

"Yes, lord Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru left the gathering, declining to participate in the scheduled meeting with southern advisors, not willing to spare a minute more when his human's life could be in jeopardy.

The more vulnerable the girl was, the more he craved to use it to his advantage, but currently he could not give in to that unhealthy obsession. He needed to fulfil his duties as the lord of the west, later on he could focus on selfish actions. He had promised himself that once they meet in the future, he would face her fully sincere about his feelings, not as a lord anymore. However, even his previous resolution could not keep him from assuring Yuutsuki was safe.

As he was about to put on his armour, Yoko walked in to his room, her hand embracing her not yet curved belly.

"Lord Sesshoumaru…" He looked at her emotionlessly, she looked ill, her skin was paler than usual. Could it be her body was too fragile to carry his seed?

"Go back to your chambers, I am leaving."

Yoko attempted to touch his broad shoulders, however he avoided her touch, sending her a meaningful glare. She lowered her head and bowed respectfully.

"I will await your return."

/

Yuutsuki sighted deeply, all the tension and exhaust from the long travel was gradually spreading around her body. Seven days filled up with hope and expectation had vanished as she landed on the bottom of the old well. She was too tired to climb up, the darkness of the night did not serve as an advantage to her situation.

She looked up, observing bright starts on the black sky. Before she managed to rest her heavy eyelids, she noticed a figure emerging from the darkness. A pair of golden eyes met her glance and her heart skipped a bit.

"Watcha doing? Didn't he tell you it doesn't work?"

Inuyasha reached his hand towards her surprised face. In a second she was on the surface of snow covered ground, following the half demon towards Kaede's village.

"I sensed your scent, I thought you came with Sesshoumaru. I guess he's too busy now, creating new family and all." Yuutsuki did not like Inuyasha's mocking tone of voice; most likely, he was trying to remind her of his previous warnings. She kept silent, deeming verbal skirmishes pointless, she was too tired to inquiry about Kagome. Unexpectedly, Inuyasha drew Tessaiga, growling in tension.

"We are surrounded, better draw your sword."Yuutsuki's weariness disappeared in a second as the adrenaline has entered her veins, she whispered almost inaudibly.

"How many?"

Inuyasha sniffed deeply, his posture stiffened.

"Five, but there is around twenty more in the village."Feet quietly crushing frozen snow could be heard around them, Yuutsuki's breathing quickened.

"Leave, we want nothing with you half breed." A low voice uttered behind her. She jumped away, turning her back towards Inuyasha. The girl could not see anything, her hands were tightly squeezing the cold hilt of her sword. During her travels, she had heard about a horde of demons robbing villages, raping and kidnapping women.

"Keh, as if I am going to listen to a stinky, hungry wolf! Kaze no KIZU!" Inuyasha swung the sword forward, illuminating the area with its energy. The unexpected attack had cut one of the wolves; he fell on the ground lifeless, his eyes wide opened in surprise.

"You bastard!" Three of them jumped at Inuyasha, whilst one hurled himself at the girl.

"Damn it!" Inuyasha jumped high, hoping to help his companion on time by releasing a wind attack.

Yuutsuki shut her eyes for a moment, allowing the sword's energy enter her body.

"BAKURYUUHA!"

She lunged forward, clashing her sword against the wolf's long claws. He jumped back with a smirk on his face and Yuutsuki's eyes widened. Focusing so much power disabled her from sensing any. Inuyasha's wind swirl hit her, capturing her body along.

"That idiot!" Inuyasha barked, estimating his opponents. There was no possibility to reach her in time before she would hit the ground. "Shit!" Meanwhile fending off the wolves' attacks, Inuyasha observed Yuutsuki's limp body dragged by his bakuryuuha collide with hard ground. Her outfit stained and slightly ripped as it crashed against the surface.

The fourth demon, which had originally attacked Yuutsuki approached her and took her sword, glaring at it with visible curiosity. His leg kicked the girl's body turning her to face the ground.

"You bastard, let her be!" Inuyasha lost his posture, his claws ripped through one of the attacker's stomach. Nevertheless, he left himself completely unguarded, two other demons managed to immobilise him, punching his face until it became swollen and covered with blood dropping from his nose and mouth.

Yuutsuki was conscious and quite terrified. Her hands were tied on her back, she was lying down with her face smashed against the cold ground, barely able to breathe.

The girl bit her lip, silently trying to withstand the pain spreading around her back, where the demon was keeping his leg on. None of her limbs seemed to be broken, but she was indeed battered all around.

"Kill the half demon and take the wo…" Her oppressor's words stopped sharply. Yuutsuki lifted her eyes up and noticed a claw pierced through his neck. She hurled her body to the side, disgusted at blood dripping next to her face. The wolf's demon dropped to the ground and everyone could see Tadao's wide smile and his altered, red eyes with clear intention to murder.

"I will borrow your sword, pretty."

He had vanished and appeared behind one of the demon's holding Inuyasha. He sliced the wolf's throat in an instant and the last wolf alive jumped away, attempting to escape.

"This one is mine!" Inuyasha grabbed Tessaiga and projected Kaze no Kizu, ripping his body in two, meanwhile Tadao knelt next to Yuutsuki, freed her hands and helped her to get up.

"I wish I could see you in better circumstances." Instinctively, Tadao embraced her shoulders, and pressed her gently, but strong enough to thwart her feeble attempts to free herself. He wiped a trace of blood starting just under her left eye almost reaching her jaw and smiled seeing her bashful face.

Yuutsuki had missed that smug face of his.

"We don't have time for love stories!" Inuyasha shouted out with a lot of tension is his voice. "The others are coming."

"Fear not." Tadao spoke mostly to Yuutsuki. "I did not come alone."

About twenty new enemies loomed out from the darkness, noticing their dead comrades, they threw themselves at Tadao, immediately recognising him as their mortal enemy.

"My comrades are here as well." As he finished the sentence with a smile on his face, a large group of demons changed into their wolf form entered the battlefield. In no time, they crushed the enemy, leaving not even one alive.

"Who the heck was this?! Can't you settle your smelly wolf business in your lands?" Inuyasha spat on the ground, visibly aggravated with so many wolves around him.

"Those were rebels from my lands. It was my responsibility to cease their thievery. There are still some left. Nabu!"

"Yes!" A black haired wolf demon bowed his head low. Yuutsuki exhaled in shock. It was her kendo teacher from the future, his hair was longer, eyes were shining grey, not the deep brown as she remembered, however it was doubtlessly him.

"Take the command for time being and check the premises for any remaining ones. I am going to join you shortly, do not hide your scent."

"Yes."

"Nabu? Nabu-sensei?"

Nabu stopped, looked at Tadao with puzzlement in his eyes. Yuutsuki directed herself to Tadao, who seemed equally baffled.

"In the future, he was the one to teach me how to use the sword. I am shocked to see a familiar face."

"It only means that somewhere there lord Tadao is present and I was commanded to assist the human he cherishes."

Nabu bowed once more and disappeared, leading the rest of the companion to help the villagers, Inuyasha also followed Tadao's soldiers, leaving Yuutsuki and the blond haired demon alone.