I Do Not Own InuYash


Ichariba Chode

行逢りば兄弟

"Though we meet but once, even by chance, we are friends for life"


IV: 6


Year 1308...

Somewhere near Kyoto, Japan...

Tōga stood there in the vibrant autumn, amazed at the world around him. It was strange, at least to him, to notice the passing of the seasons, he never had before, they were unimportant. His son stood beside him, looking indifferently bored.

Carefully he examined his son from his peripheral vision and was amazed at what he saw. Sesshōmaru was going to be tall, taller than he no doubt; Tōga was relatively certain that Sesshōmaru's height was from his grandfathers, as both Tiāngǒu and Shikoku were tall. The pup's downy fur was still soft, thick, an off-white almost cream color, which was a still growing, his long silver hair was a startling. The marks on Sesshōmaru's face were smooth, displaying his perfect control of his inner yōkai, his claws and fangs were sharp and poised. The pup had grown into a handsome young inu daiyōkai, Tōga was a bit amazed. He was surprised Sesshōmaru hadn't obtained his bulky frame, remaining lean and tall, no doubt though he'd still have all the power even if he didn't have the bulk. The brilliant golden ice of his son's eyes was startling.

Tōga wondered how he could create such an amazing creature and then completely ruin it so the boy felt that displaying a thought or emotion would be weakness. How had he warped his own son to be the monster of the children's stories? Tōga wondered about this often since his and Kimi's talk in the gardens.

"Nani?" his son asked looking him in the eye which startled Tōga a little. His son had obtained Tiāngǒu's all knowing gaze which could pierce a soul and make them feel like a misbehaving pup.

"I will be gone for the winter, in that time I leave the tasks of Inu no Tashio to you," he said.

"Hai father," Sesshōmaru replied. There was no question about where Tōga would be, and he noted that his son did not look remotely interested in the matter. Sighing he reached for his son and clasped his shoulder lightly, Sesshōmaru's entire body went still and rigid, his muscles tense and ready to react. It broke Tōga; he had failed his son, his only pup, so miserably.

"Take care of your mother," he said softly.

"Of course," Sesshōmaru replied and Tōga smiled a bit. Maybe he hadn't completely failed his son.

"You know I love you, right?" he asked his pup.

The young man looked balefully at him before walking away. "I will see you when you return," Sesshōmaru said and shifted forms to disappear into the forest, leaving Tōga standing there alone.

Sighing he looked at the forest around him, how had he never noticed this? How had centuries gone by and he had never noticed the seasons, or how his pup grew from boy to man. Tōga hurried through the woods and landed at Setsuna, where he saw Izayoi-sama sitting in her garden working on a desk of some sort. Scenting the air, he did not sense any other humans near which had him bolting to stand behind her as he peered over at what she was doing. The lady was working on her calligraphy, it was lovely, though he noticed a mistake.

"Are you certain it should be that word?" he asked.

"Good Kami!" she yelped, which had the ink splattering over her poem as she twisted around to glare at him. "What do you think you're doing!?" she demanded rubbing her hand over her heart.

"I came to say goodbye," he answered honestly.

"Oh?"

"Hai," he nodded and smiled at her. "I will be busy this winter."

"And you are informing me of this why?" she sighed, as her heart finally slowed, and she slid her hands into her sleeves.

"Because I would not want you to miss me," he answered honestly as he hopped onto her engawa.

"Miss you?" she asked dryly, he could sense that she would though which was why he smiled. Oh she still didn't trust him, he knew that, but he sensed that they had forged an understanding and he didn't want her to forget it. He wanted her thoughts to be plagued by him, trying to figure him our or keep up with his motives, and eventually he would win her trust over and they would be friends, and more. He wouldn't let this go.

"Certainly, as your dearest friend, I would expect you to miss me," he mused.

"Rin would be my dearest friend, you are a nuisance to put up with," she said as she walked towards him, there was a smile on her red lips though which betrayed her.

"Ah, but you must admit, you enjoy my company, especially in this drab place," he mused.

"At times you are entertaining."

"You can just admit that we are friends."

"But then I would be lying," she said delicately as she sat, he balked.

"Very well, you win this round onna," he grumbled as he rested his chin on his fist and pouted. He had found Izayoi to be an interesting companion.

"May I ask where you are intending to go?" she asked him.

"I'm going to visit a smith, I'm in need of a couple of new fangs, it appears," he said leaning back on her engawa, putting his head on his hands as he stared at her.

"Why?" she inquired, as she found an interest in her silks then. Tōga wanted to reach up and play with her hair, but she wasn't Kimi nor was she his mate so such actions would be frowned upon. Also, she was not his concubine or courtesan, he did not think she would appreciate his attentions that way.

"I'm in need of new weaponry for the war," he answered.

"What war?"

"There's a war from the dragons coming, apparently my son insulted Ryūkotsuse's eldest daughter by turning down the petition for taking a concubine," he answered.

"Yōkai have concubines?"

"Some of us do," he admitted.

"Do you?"

"Hai, I have a few, Kimi is not fond of them," he chuckled. Kimi was not above attempting to kill a few of the more bold ones who attempted to threaten her position, Kimi might not be his True Mate, but she was alpha bitch and the mother of his only pup, she would not let anyone forget that she was the Empress at the end of the day.

"I did not know," Izayoi whispered.

"They have uses," he admitted.

"How many do you have?"

"Not as many as my father," he assured her. "Kimi would have my balls on a platter if I thought to get that many."

"Kimi?"

"Hai, Sesshōmaru's mother," he said.

"Is she your mate?"

"In a way, she's more like a mate than any of the others," he admitted. "Kimi is my dearest friend, and my partner, she's a brilliant general when she decides to join a war."

"General?"

"Hai, she was the only pup of Shikoku, the greatest Inu no Tashio ever," he admitted. "Shikoku doted on her, and raised her as his heir, she's the most proficient warrior and general I've ever encountered, other than her father and myself," he chuckled.

"Interesting," she mused softly. "What's your son, Sesshōmaru-sama, like?" she asked.

"Why?" he asked carefully.

"He mated one of my dearest friends, and I want to make sure he treats her well," Izayoi answered.

"Ah, in that case, rest easy, Sesshōmaru, despite his reputation, loves Rin more than life itself, he treats her like the Empress she will be," he replied.

"That's a relief," Izayoi whispered.

"I will be back soon," he smiled at her as he sat up, and she rolled her eyes.

"You haven't said why you need new fangs, are yours old and falling out?" she asked.

"I'm not that old!" he balked.

"And how old are you?" she asked dryly.

"Merely five thousand years, give or take a few centuries," he answered. "Right in my youth!"

Her mouth was hanging open as she stared at him with huge eyes which had him chuckling. "And a fang, the one I'm getting, is a weapon forged of my own fang," he said, touching his snaggled tooth canine fang. "I feel it is time I prepare," he admitted.

"Any word from Rin?" she asked suddenly.

"No, she's not back yet, when she is I'll bring her here for you," he informed her softly.

"Should that not be her and her mate's decision?" she asked.

"No," he murmured. "I think you will find her mate has no say in what she does and does not do, which is fair because she has no say in what her own mate does and does not do."

"That's awful!" Izayoi gasped.

"That's trust from my understanding," he answered. "I'll see you in spring," he smiled and indulged himself as he leaned forward to scent her carefully. The human was completely still as his nose traced her jawline before he smiled and looked up at her confused expression.

She was beautiful, he thought before he leapt away and darted into the forest.


Year 839...

Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...

Rin walked with Sesshōmaru, the fox was with her and the monk a step behind as they were lead through this palace.

"Gomen, Rin-sama," the fox said softly in her native language which had her glaring at him.

"What did you get us into?" she demanded.

"I'll explain it tonight," he answered.

"And why would I ever want to speak to you, ever again?" she hissed.

The fox looked momentarily startled, and hurt, before he smiled a bit. "Because, Rin-sama, I'm here to help you collect Sesshōmaru-sama's four souls," he said softly.

Now she stopped and turned to stare at the fox. Yes, the first time she had met the fox she felt she knew him, but she hadn't had time to dwell upon it, instead she had blindly trusted the kitsune and ended up in China of all the places to be! She was not happy about this turn of events because from what little she knew of her lord's personal history China had never been a place he was fond of. Now she was here with her lord as a pup, and she was on a dangerous mission.

"Trust me," the fox pleaded softly. "I mean you and Sesshōmaru-sama no harm, I'm only here to help," he promised.

"If you're lying to me," she started.

"I would never," he promised.

"We'll speak tonight then," she decided.

"Arigato," the fox said with a small bow.

"Do I know you?" she finally asked as she continued to assess him.

"I'll explain tonight," he promised as he left her to follow their escort.

"Rin?" she looked down at Sesshōmaru as he tugged her hand.

"Hai, my lord?" she replied.

"I don't want to leave you," he whispered.

"I'm going nowhere," she promised. "We're in this together, when I go home you're coming with me, and I'll return you to your mother and father."

"And stay with me?" he asked, his gold eyes were wide and wistful.

"I'm always with you, Sesshōmaru, always," she promised with a smile. She didn't think she would find everything here, and there were bound to be more trials to save her lord, and she couldn't fail Sesshōmaru. This pup grew up to be her lord, and she would see to it that he grew up.

"I'm sorry, but you will have to have separate quarters," the leading woman said, and Rin didn't even get a chance to react before Sesshōmaru's fur was up and his fangs were bared.

"I think it'd be best for us to stay together, is this us?" Rin asked looking at the room.

"Yes?" the woman seemed baffled.

"Arigato, come along Sesshōmaru," Rin mused picking up the pup and slamming the doors shut behind her.

"Rin?"

"Hm?"

"Don't leave me," he whispered.

"We're in this together, my lord," she promised. "Besides, who else am I going to play hide and hunt with?"

"What's hide and hunt?" the pup asked curiously.

"Oh kami, we're going to rectify this," she chuckled. She wouldn't burden the pup, but she wouldn't let him feel alone and lost as she felt. Her lord had saved her from being alone and lost when she was a child, she wouldn't let him feel those things now.

Good Kami she was terrified right now, why the hell were they here and how did they get here!?


Year 1581...

Tsuzuki Castle...

Shippō found a garden island in the Shikoku territory, which had him sitting beneath a tree, his hands fisted in his hair as he stared at the ground dumbly. What the hell had happened!? How the hell had this happened!? He didn't understand what Kohaku was thinking, he didn't know what had lead Rin to falling down the well, and worse, he had no idea how they could combat Magatsuhi! Good kami he was terrified of this mess.

Then to make matters stranger, the female he had been dreaming about since his kithood was there, and she had looked like her dead brother! Which was terrifying to him, but he hadn't been afraid of her, he had wanted to kiss her which was the worse possible timing, and terrifying in and of itself. Shippō had had dreams of Sōten since his kithood, since she had issued her challenge, he had never thought about them, at least he hadn't until he had met Rin and Rin explained she had dreamt of Sesshōmaru-sama before meeting him.

Good kami, what would he give to be able to consult Rin about this mess he found himself in!

A sound had him looking up when she walked into the gardens. Sōten stood there looking at him, her red eyes were brilliant as rubies, and her black hair was braided over her shoulder. He noted immediately she wasn't as cruel looking as her brother had been, and she seemed to be as pale as the reptilian brother of hers. He was shocked though to see her, she was slender, tall, and poised, unlike when they had first met.

"It's been a while," she said softly.

"Hai, it has," he admitted. He wondered if she dreamt of him as he had her for all these years. Sōten had changed, she was wearing a pale violet kimono with an orange and red obi, she looked very much like spring.

"I see you've found Rin's garden," she chuckled.

"This is Rin's?" he looked around, and noted all the summer flowers.

"Hai, Sesshōmaru-sama was said to have commissioned it after he returned from China, he was a pup then," she said walking to sit on a bench beside him. "She and I would play here with Shiori and Ai for hours."

"It's beautiful here, peaceful," he admitted looking up at the summer clinging to the gardens. This was a sanctuary, a place to feel safe and alone, and alive.

"Hai, think that's Sesshōmaru-sama's touch and not Rin's, she's not very good at peaceful," she chuckled.

"No," he snorted. "My sister is not good at peaceful," he mused. "I see you've gotten Manten's marks," he said touching the black marks which were below her eyes.

"Hai," she nodded. "What brings you here Shippō?"

"I just needed to breath," he admitted. "Rin's my skulk, and I failed her."

"Rin is Sesshōmaru-sama's mate," Sōten pointed out.

"Hai, I know," he said carefully. "I always knew he had lain a powerful claim on her, I just never thought about what sort of claim was on her," he admitted.

"Rin doesn't know, I don't think," she admitted.

"Why are you here Sōten?" he asked.

Her red lips curved a bit. "Would you believe that I'm here because I thought you could use a friend?" she asked.

"We're friends?"

"I would like to think we buried the feud when you gave me those pretty colors, and we had that epic battle of mushrooms or acorns!" she giggled.

"That was pretty epic," he chuckled.

"I also know what it's like to be worried for a friend after they did something unforgivably stupid and I know that it must have hurt you when we brought the yōkai taijiya here to be imprisoned," she murmured. "I just didn't think you should be alone or feel bad about the taijiya's crime."

"I don't," Shippō informed her. "Kohaku made his choice, I don't understand it, but I know that he'd probably make it again. Kohaku's always been susceptible to the will of others, I think Naraku broke him permanently that way. I am worried about Rin though, she's my skulk, my littermate, and she's missing, and I'm worried about the release of Magatsuhi in this world, and what this means for Sesshōmaru-sama and Rin."

"Mmm," Sōten hummed as they both sat there staring at sky.

"How'd you get here?" he asked.

"Sesshōmaru accidentally found me, when his mother investigated my lineage she offered me a master and instructor and in return for the opportunity to learn here I would serve Rin-sama," she explained. "I think I got the better end of the deal though, Rin-sama is an… she's an amazing friend, and one of the dearest people I've ever had the privilege of meeting. It's an honor to be her attendant and friend."

"I'm glad things worked out for you," he smiled. He truly was, he had always felt bad for leaving her in the ruins of her ancestral home. Though he was surprised that Sesshōmaru-sama had given her a home, but then again, he didn't think anyone other than Rin really knew Sesshōmaru.

"I'm glad we've met again, Shippō," she said. "And I'm certain that my lord and my lady will find a way to defeat Magatsuhi, they are unstoppable when they work together," she chuckled.

"Really?" he asked skeptically.

"You would not believe some of the stories even if I told you them, but I assure you, they could defeat Magatsuhi."

"I hope to kami you're right, I can't lose my littermate," he admitted.

"Rin will return, Shippō, she always does return," Sōten murmured. She said it more to herself than him as they both stared at the skies then.

He wondered how Rin was right now.