I Do Not Own InuYasha
Ichariba Chode
行逢りば兄弟
"Though we meet but once, even by chance, we are friends for life"
IV: 13
Year 839...
Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...
Chang'e was waiting Rin when she had taken Sesshōmaru to his tutoring session, which had surprised her. The Empress was examining the leaves which were changing color now.
"Everyone loves the spring, all the new blossoms and the new life, but I prefer autumn, death is so beautiful," Chang'e said before looking at her. "Death is so beautiful."
"Death is an inevitable part of life, what do you want?" Rin said.
"You are mortal," Chang'e stated. "Prince Jūn Ān will outlive you thousands of times do you believe you mean anything to that pup?"
"Who are you go decide what the value of my time with him is?" Rin asked.
Chang'e sighed as she smiled bitterly. "Do you truly believe that you mean more to him than a mere fleeting impulse in his lifetime?"
"I do not claim to know what is and is not of value to my lord, I am here though and I am alive and for the time being my life is his in whatever capacity he desires," Rin stated. "I do not understand why it is so difficult for immortals to believe that a mortal could love one like them or stick to that love."
"Did you know my father, the Jade Emperor wanted me to marry? I was a goddess, not a mere immortal spirit," Chang'e said and gestured for Rin to walk with her. Rin was reluctant to follow but she did so anyway. They entered the gardens where Rin saw the frost lingering.
"To be completely honest, my lady, I do not know anything of you or your family, my lord never told me anything about the West beyond the existence of Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace overlooking Amanagawa, but other than that I know nothing about the West and had no intentions of learning the West," Rin admitted as they walked.
"Mmm," she hummed. "Gods undergo trials in the mortal realm, as mortals, I was not always Chang'e, but on my trial I was cornered by a mortal, Hou Yi wanted my union, knowing what I did not, he sought my hand and when I refused he made a challenge to the gods for my hand. So when he won the pills for immortality, before the end of my trial, I stole them, and as a mortal I consumed them to flee his presence, losing my godhood and becoming an immortal spirit of Chang'e, the mortal had the gall to track me down, Tiāngǒu found me and saved me," she explained. "Mortals are vain and fickle creatures who are after one thing only, so what do you want from my grandson?"
"Mmm, so many things are starting to make sense now," Rin mused humorlessly before she looked at Chang'e. "I want nothing from him," she stated. "I never did, I just wanted his friendship. Sesshōmaru was there for a human girl who had nothing and no one. I want nothing he is unwilling to give me, as he wants nothing from me I am unwilling to give. I am truly sorry that your time with mortals stole your godhood from you, but your experience does not define all mortals. I am Rin, not Hou Yi."
"You believe a mortal can tame and find a place with an immortal spirit?"
"Hai, I do," Rin said.
"Then you will have to prove yourself to me," Chang'e stated. "I have an untamable, foul tempered, vicious, ruthless beast, tame it by the end of winter and I will make you immortal to remain with Young Imperial Prince Jūn Ān."
"Nani?" Rin blinked and then there was a blast of fire and energy with a furious roar, which had her ducking as the tree behind her collapsed which had her turning to see A-Un there, furious and growling and tied down. She gaped seeing the dragon there with five struggling guards on each chain clinging to the forced harnesses around the dragon's torso.
"You want my respect mortal, tame this beast, for the past five centuries no one has been able to, and prove to me you are worthy of the affections of an immortal. A dragon is said to be of the most loyal of creatures when tamed," Chang'e mused lethally. "Prove it, mortal."
"My name is Rin, you will use it or I will hurt you," Rin warned. "And I will tame this dragon!" she spat out furiously.
"Good luck," Chang'e chuckled as she walked away from Rin.
Rin gaped at the dragon as both heads turned to glared at him. In all her time she had known A-Un she knew he was a wild beast, having been notorious about disobeying Jaken and every other stable hand that there ever was at Tsuzuki Castle. Rin turned to glare at the retreating Chang'e and then she looked back at A-Un just as A-Un smashed his tail into the chest of several guards and gnashed his teeth at another who neared him.
"Well, I see that didn't change," Shippō appeared beside her which had her grabbing the fox out of the path of the energy blast.
"What didn't change?" she growled looking at Shippō.
"Uh… nothing, I have information on Magatsuhi," he said.
"Mmm…" she hummed. "Shippō, what is A-Un doing here?"
"This is where he's from?"
"You…" she started and pointed at A-Un. "You… you knew about my dragon?" she sputtered.
"No? Sesshōmaru never told anyone about where A-Un was from," he admitted.
"Then what is my dragon doing here?" she seethed.
"Your dragon?"
"Hai, mine!" she hissed.
"When was he yours?" Shippō sputtered.
"Since I met Sesshōmaru!" she hissed. Then she turned back when she saw a guard lift a whip. She pulled her kaiken on instinct and threw it through his hand which had the guard howling and the dragon looking back at her as the guard stared dumbly at her.
"Another one of you touch A-Un and I will be severing hands," she hissed as she stalked towards her dragon snatching back the chains.
"Mort…"
"Back off!" she growled as she went nearer the dragon. A-Un's heads were watching her, his eyes were narrowed on her as she moved towards him.
Year 1581...
Somewhere in Izumo Province, Japan...
It was evening when he finally made it to the campsite where he had left the monk and his brother and saw them both looking uneasy as A-Un trailed after him.
"Where were you?" InuYasha demanded.
"We leave at first light," Sesshōmaru said as he took a perch at a tree with the best vantage point, which had him looking out at the ocean. Sesshōmaru tried not to dwell upon the fact he would have to go to the West, he hadn't seen his grandmother since they had escaped. He could remember that, and the joy of meeting Bokusenō, and his grandfather. A's head came to rest on his lap as the dragon settled, while Un's head kept watch. Absently he stroked A's mane.
"Sesshōmaru-sama, we might be more inclined to follow you if you informed us of what was going on," the monk said. Sesshōmaru looked up at his brother and the monk sitting by their fires.
"We go west," he shrugged and looked back out to the sea. He didn't desire to speak further, he had spoken a bit more than he liked these last few days. He would have to handle this though.
"How's this tied to the old man?" InuYasha barked.
Sesshōmaru sighed. "Listless yapping will teach you nothing," he snapped.
"This ain't about no stupid pack hierarchy! What the fuck is in the West and how's it tied to the old man!?" InuYasha demanded.
"Silence!" Sesshōmaru barked, which had InuYasha and Miroku blinking as they recoiled. He didn't know why he had let them come, and he didn't know why he hadn't just started going West. It wasn't like his brother or the monk would've been able to fine Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace or navigate the West, but he didn't know why he had agreed to go with them. It wasn't like he needed them.
It wasn't like they were Rin or Jaken, and he didn't know if he would be able to escape the West again. Bringing InuYasha wouldn't be wise, he knew that, but he had hopes that the distraction of father's bastard hanyō would enough of a distraction for Chang'e though while he hunted through the library for that scroll.
"We're not Rin or Jaken, we won't just shut up and take this abuse!" the monk snapped.
Sesshōmaru's eyes narrowed on the pair which had both of them sitting in silence and glaring at him. He didn't mind companions but he need to start formulating plans. The moment they reached the West there would be announcements of his return almost the moment they arrived, which would mean that there'd be no element of surprise. Sesshōmaru would have to talk to the monk and his brother so they would cooperate with him and whatever would come their way.
But for now, he wanted silence.
"We aren't your minions!" InuYasha shouted.
"Minions would be silent," he seethed.
"You know we don't have to help!" InuYasha barked.
"I did not request your help!" he snapped standing. "I am going to the West, you have elected to follow, now silence while I figure out what to do!"
"Why!?"
"Because if we go charging in, we will never leave!" Sesshōmaru spat out furiously as he looked at them.
"Why?"
"Because Imperial Empress Chang'e seeks an heir! Either you or I, and if we go there she will detain us, and upon that detainment we will never be able to leave!" he seethed. "Now be silent while I think!"
Sesshōmaru looked at A's head, the dragon rumbled mournfully and he closed his eyes as he reigned in his temper and continued to run his fingers over the mane of the dragon. Escaping the West would be difficult, probably near impossible, he and Rin had gotten lucky because of A-Un. He was well aware that the only reason they had escaped was because of A-Un, and he didn't think Chang'e would permit that to happen again. He would have to figure out another way.
And while he could take on an army, he had the power, the amount of power needed to do that was far more than he could maintain while he was fighting the curse mark on his heart. Then again, it might be the only way for him to get them out again. Perhaps a good fight would be all that was required to get out his frustrations about Rin's disappearance into that fucking well.
Chang'e wouldn't relinquish what she wanted so badly. An heir was what she needed to keep her power and her dynasty.
Year 1308...
Somewhere near Hotakayama, Japan...
Tōga was looking at the fangs, he was impressed with how the pair felt, though his fang hadn't regrown properly again. The Tenseiga was aching, there was this ache of unfamiliar power, a void in the life, and power of the fang. There was this connection, he could feel it, it felt like he was connected to life or death, he couldn't describe it.
Tetsuseiga was a different matter, as the fang yearned for battle, to protect, to be used, to keep people safe.
"I've done the best how you've described," Tōtōsai said as Tōga tested out the balance and weight of both the fangs. "They'll obtain power as needed, but I have no idea how you'll obtain those abilities."
"I won't for Tetsuseiga," he stated confidently. He knew that, he wouldn't be able to obtain those powers. "But I will be for Tenseiga," he stated.
"My lord!" Myōga bellowed and hitting Tōga's cheek then.
"Hai, Myōga?" he asked blandly.
"The news of Shishinki's movements have come to me, he's returning from the West, in the south!" Myōga said excitedly.
"Arigato, Tōtōsai!" he smiled as he ran out of the forge to head south. "Now where was Shishinki projected to be?"
"South was all I was told!" Myōga informed him as they ran through the first snow.
Setsuna Castle...
Izayoi looked at the light snow that was blanketing her gardens, she was shivering slightly as stood on the engawa watching the snow. She was surprised at the early snow, the leaves had barely changed colors, she would've expected the rains to happen now, but the early snow was new.
It had been almost a moon cycle since she had noticed the change, and the massive change to her life had started. When she had figured out her pregnancy last moon it had been a relief, and Takemaru had ceased visiting her chambers. Izayoi was relieved, a babe would mean an heir, or a reprieve until it's birth, but it would also give her something she had yearned for and ached missing, a family.
"Anata," a soft voice had her looking up as arms wrapped around her.
"Hai?" she whispered. She tried not to dwell upon how wrong it felt to be in these arms. It wasn't him. It was hard to believe that it had been a little less than a moon cycle he had left, along with Rin, it was hard to think that they were gone. She had a strange craving for his company, which irked her, even in the arms of her husband.
"The troops will be leaving at dawn," he murmured.
"Is it wise? A war in winter?" she asked as his hands trailed down to where their heir was. Though she had not enjoyed the consummation she did like knowing there was a life within her, it was an unusual sensation, though she merely felt exhausted and this constant need to go to the bathroom.
"They started it by attacking us in the harvest," he said.
"But do you have to go?" she whispered.
"Hai," he kissed her temple and held her close. Izayoi sighed as she leaned on him and rested her hands on his where their child was growing. Soon, soon her life would have a purpose, she smiled, regardless of the chore of conceiving the child within her.
"I will trust you then," she mused softly.
"Very good, anata," he smiled against her temple. "You will take good care of my son."
"Hai," she nodded.
"When I return it will be victorious," he promised.
"When you return, I will have our son," she mused. Izayoi looked forward to being a mother, to having a family again. This would be a family the yōkai couldn't take from her, though she regretted that her own father would never see her child, and her own family would never meet her growing family. Izayoi also wanted Rin to be here, there was something unnervingly calm about Rin's presence, like no one could harm her and nothing could threaten her.
"I will be most anxious to return to you, anata," Takemaru promised and she smiled at his kind words.
"Rest up tonight," she smiled as he released her and walked away from her. She smiled as she looked at the fresh snow, then she looked up at the new moon, she winced as she felt a pain ripple through abdomen.
Year 839...
Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...
Rin barely survived against A-Un's temper today, which had her groaning as she collapsed face first onto her bed, Bakusaiga was resting on the futon too. She could've sworn she felt a tiny hand patting her cheek which had her groaning as she lifted her head a little, there was a phantom pup sitting there which had her frowning and blinking.
The pup had amber eyes, silver hair, a waning crescent moon on his brow with a two jagged strips on each cheek. There was also a mokomoko on his shoulder and elven ears, she pushed herself upwards onto her elbows. The pup blinked when she did that, and she tilted her head a bit. The pup copied the motion.
Suddenly her door opened and she looked away just as there was a flash of light which had her yelping when a pup leapt onto her and peered over her shoulder with huge curious eyes.
"Rin," Sesshōmaru greeted.
"Sesshōmaru-sama," she acknowledged. 'Let me guess, you don't care, you're just curious?"
The pup gave her an incredulous look but she felt his annoyance of his confirmation in what he would've said.
"I thought so," she sighed as she collapsed face first onto the bed.
"Rin?"
"My lord, how do you tame a dragon?"
"I don't know," he answered. She groaned as she lay there, this was going to be an endless winter if she didn't figure out how to get on A-Un's good side again. Rin had never actually been on A-Un's bad side, even when she must've been annoying as a child.
"Why?" Sesshōmaru asked, eagerly clambering off her back to sit with Bakusaiga.
"No reason, I'm just going to lay here and die."
"NANI!" the pup shouted.
"It's dramatics, my lord," she said rolling over. "Baka human dramatics," she yawned.
"I do not understand," Sesshōmaru admitted.
"Human dramatics, my lord, nothing more, I'm not dying," she promised. "Your grandmother is a witch, my lord, and has ordered me to tame a dragon that she's had abused."
"Rin?"
"Hai, my lord?"
"Why must you tame a dragon?"
"Because according to your grandmother mortals are vain and fickle creatures and only by winning the eternal loyalty of a dragon will prove me worthy of bearing your mark," she explained.
"You're mine!" he huffed as he shifted forms unintentionally as he curled up on her chest and stomach growling lowly.
"Hai, I am," she promised as she ran her fingers through his fur. She stared at the ceiling. There was still much she would have to find and learn, but taming A-Un would give her a ride home. That would be useful, A-Un was an endurance flier which was why her lord had kept him in his centuries of traveling everywhere. A-Un was an unwitting gift, now she just had to win over her old friend.
Somehow, she didn't think that was going to be as easy as befriending Jaken-dono or Sesshōmaru-sama.
