All characters, unless stated as original creations or additions, belong to Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Media and Shogakukan. Blame them. I'm just taking their characters' concepts to a different place. Also, feedback would be appreciated.
"So what do you want?"
Sesshōmaru began to believe that the real power lay in the wife rather than the wolf chieftain. She asked the question with her arms folded, glaring at the two intruders. Her husband simply existed to back up her demands, it seemed. They were in the chieftain's house, though that was being generous. In his opinion, it would be closer to a hovel, especially when compared to the place where he had left Rin for the past few years. Beside the demoness, Ayame, sat her husband, who nursed the back of his head where Sesshōmaru struck him with Tenseiga.
"Trolls from the north will invade in the spring. They have already invaded these lands once before. I want your tribe to join the army I am forming to resist them." There. He had said it. They even had the option of declining his demand.
"And what guarantee do we have that we are not simply bodies to be sacrificed ahead of your other warriors?" Ayame demanded instantly.
"None. Your only guarantee is that whichever sides wins the conflict will also hunt your tribe down and exterminate it. These are my lands and you live here at my sufferance. Do your duty and be rewarded. Shirk from it and face the consequences." Sesshomaru tried to be polite. He tried not to make it sound like a threat. But it was reality. The wolves clearly had no scope of the wider politics.
"I only have your word that these trolls mean us harm. If you …" Ayame began but Tōran cut her off.
"Little girl, I don't know you but I am fairly certain your husband interfered in my plans four years ago. Plans to kill this dog," the Panther demoness jabbed a finger at Sesshōmaru, anger rising at the memory. "And right now, I am proposing we become mates. Certainly not husband and wife but still something I would have considered madness even three months ago. I am proposing that Dog and Panther, mortal enemies, join together to face this mutual threat. Our clans have feuded for almost three hundred years! Does the gravity of the situation become clearer now?" There was the condescending Tōran. It was somewhat refreshing for Sesshōmaru to watch someone else be the object of her verbal lacerations. A pity that he knew he would soon be receiving yet another treatment of it.
Both wolves snarled at Tōran, smiling at their helplessness. The weak bow to the strong. The strong protect the weak who come to them. That was the basis of every feudal demon realm. Except the Northern Trolls. They preferred to terrorize the humans in their lands and demons not of their clan. They were an aberration to the daiyōkai rulers, a clan which no true demon would happily work with, let alone fight alongside.
"You bastards!" Koga growled, clenching his fists.
"Actually, that's his brother. This one's the legitimate son," Tōran replied, still smiling. She spoke as if she was trying to be helpful. Now she was grandstanding. Sesshōmaru disliked the ploy but conceded that it had its merits. He picked up his cue.
"This is a war. There is glory and spoils to be gained for the victors. But only if they are fearless enough to seize the opportunity," he told them with finality.
"You calling me a coward?" Koga demanded. "I was fighting Naraku long before you!"
"What's a Naraku?" Tōran asked aloud, "It sounds edible.
"A half-demon with delusions of grandeur. He died," Sesshōmaru said coldly. Explaining anything beyond that to Tōran was unnecessary and she seemed to accept it, albeit with her characteristic poke at him.
"Obviously not by your hand since you're not boasting about how you killed him." A smirk crept across her face as Sesshōmaru said nothing, proving she was right. "Oh! That reminds me. You," Tōran pointed at Ayame, "Are there any other wind users here?" The two wolves blinked at the non-sequitor.
"No? I'm the only one in our clan," the wolf demoness replied with some confusion.
"And you're not powerful enough. There's a wind user somewhere here who is annoying me. Sesshōmaru, you know who it is and one day, you're going to tell me. Without any of your cryptic nonsense." Tōran spoke more to herself than to her companion.
"I thought you felines liked guessing games to heighten your curiosity?" Sesshōmaru shot back.
"A-Are you sure that getting married is the best idea?" Ayame asked.
"We're not getting married. We're just entering into an exclusive bonding. All he has to do is follow what I say. All I have to do is look pretty and warm his bed." Tōran waited but clearly no one got her joke. "I was making a joke..."
Sesshōmaru felt a small pang of guilt. He had understood she was attempting humor but he didn't react. He had not given life as her consort much thought. Demon to demon, he respected Tōran and her abilities. But given their history, he found the justification of political necessity hollow. It was his reason but not hers. He did not know her reasons for this.
"Don't. You suck at it," Kōga frowned. "We done?"
"Your elation at our matrimony aside, I want to know whether your tribe can prepare itself in time. How many warriors can you field and skilled are they?" Sesshōmaru asked. Tōran smiled now and Sesshōmaru was certain that she intended to kill him now. And if the Panther demoness' grudge was anything like what they had once held for his own clan, Sesshōmaru was certain that the wolves were doomed.
"Not like we have a choice," Kōga snarled. "But my guys can handle themselves in a fight. I can bring maybe eighty of my best guys. I gotta some of 'em here to take care of everyone else.
Sesshōmaru glanced at Ayame, trying to judge how far along she was into her pregnancy. Morning sickness and the lack of a stomach bulge indicated that it was still early days for her. So she would have to be counted as one of the non-combatants once the fighting started. Her obvious abilities as a wind user would have greatly benefited his army, complimenting those of Tōran and her sister, Shunran.
"I want you to send some men out now. Find out where the trolls are crossing and report it. I will make sure that our own hunters find their quarry," Sesshōmaru told Kōga. The younger wolf just grunted in acknoledgement.
"Then we'll take our leave," the dog demon rose to leave and Tōran did likewise.
"Boy or girl?" she asked, turning to face Ayame.
"We're hoping for a girl," she replied more brightly.
"Hope for a boy. A lot of men will be dead in a year's time. Your clan will need warriors," the Panther told her coldly.
"Not the most inspiring of allies." Tōran's comment was, as usual, completely unnecessary. Did she enjoy stating the obvious or was it trait shared by all felines? No. She wanted his attention and she had gotten it.
"And your people are supposed to reassure me?" he shot back at her.
"Touche," she conceded. They were within sight of the castle now, above the clouds and the cold, snowy winds. There was some activity as guards moved around on the parapets. "Are they normally so lively?"
No. They shouldn't be so active. Sesshōmaru said as much to Tōran, who frowned. They were challenged in a timely manner and Sesshōmaru took heart that they had not forgotten their responsibilities. "What is going on?" he demanded from the nearest guard.
"Sesshōmaru-dono, a few minutes ago, the Lady Mother allowed the smith, Tōtōsai, entry into the castle and temporarly rescinded her previous orders to kill your father's retainers if they came to the castle. The two were accompanied by a human boy, an imp and a two-headed dragon, claiminng to be in your service." So Jaken and Kohaku had come with Tōtōsai. He had not anticipated it but the outcome was still useful.
"Tōran," Sesshōmaru spoke to her as they walked side by side, "We will begin negotiations once we see what the commotion is." She flashed her predatory grin.
"Just you and me, Sesshōmaru. No interference from anyone."
"Agreed."
"So, your father's former retainers? I'm curious to know what's so special that they deserve a death sentence. Is there a reason they don't serve you?"
"My father's retainers disagree with my views. They were only loyal to him." That meant they had no business here save for the impending invasion from the north. Tōtōsai's presence was unanticipated but not wholly surprising. Myōga, on the other hand, was a cowardly flea. Why would he have dared to come here at all? There was no safety to be found here. Then he understood why the flea was here as he and Tōran joined the others in the courtyard.
"Sesshōmaru-dono!" Tsukiyo called out as he entered, bending her knee to kneel before him. Kohaku and most of the other demon dogs did likewise. The imp, Jaken, bowed so low that his face hit the flooring.
"Lord Sesshōmaru. Please allow this humble Jaken to offer his congratulations upon your ascension to your lordship over the Demon Dog Clan!" the sycophantic imp cried, tears streaming down his face.
It would have been imprudent to dismiss Jaken as he normally did. "Rise, Jaken. Our work is not done. You two," he pointed to Kagome and Inuyasha. "Is your business here concluded? Have you learnt what you wanted?"
Tōran leaned beside his ear and whispered, "Your kid brother's stupid enough to jump into this fight if you goad him the right way." Exactly what he had been thinking. Jaken gaped how close she was to his lord.
"Like hell!" Inuyasha declared on cue and pointed Tessaiga at Tōran. "I know you said something about me quitting! I'll show ya!"
Sesshōmaru looked at Tōran. "As you said." She smiled as she stretched her neck from left to right, purring audibly. For the first time, Sesshōmaru found that he welcomed the sound of her approval and was reassured by it. Moreso, he was surprised by the realization. It meant that the damned feline was growing on him...
"Sesshōmaru," his mother spoke now. "I have spared the flea and the smith's lives for a reason. May I proceed?"
"It is your quarrel so I will not intervene."
"Myōga the flea will be restricted just as those three are. If he is found anywhere else, you may kill on sight. Otherwise, his only duty is to school the hanyō in our departed lord's legacy. And if you have any information which I would find useful, it would be to your benefit to tell me now. Myōga trembled in terror, shaking and nodding his head as appropriate for his survival. So he had little to contribute to this campaign.
"A moment, Sesshōmaru," interrupted the smith, Tōtōsai. Both mother and son turned to face him. As neither said anything, the demon swordsmith continued, "From what I gather, there is much political intrigue going around. Myōga is only attempting to fulfill his own instructions from your father. Inuyasha has nothing to do with the Demon Dog Clan. We never imagined that he would ever have a reason to visit this castle. Now, as you can see, there is much hostility towards him. Just as you condescend upon your brother, your vassals do likewise."
"Your point, old man?" the Inu no Kimi asked.
"Pray do not be so harsh on them. The boy's ignorance is our fault, not his. Myōga was only trying to get Inuyasha to leave before he became caught up in business unrelated to him."
"That may be. But you forget the reasons why you were both banned from this castle and why I have a particular reason to kill the flea. If he loves his master's second son so much that he would risk death at my hands, he can endure whatever alternative which does not result in his execution." His mother spoke coldly towards the smith. It was a battle of wills and Sesshōmaru recognized that there could only be one will in this castle. His.
"I am lord of this castle. The business of Myōga the flea is concluded. Tōtōsai, what are you here for?" He glanced at Tōran, who showed no reaction. If she was content to be an observer for now, just as well. Everyone's attention would be on them soon enough.
"I came to offer my services to your clan for the duration of this conflict. More lives will be saved if my swords are used. And it would please me to boast that I helped to repel the trolls twice."
"Accepted. The only thing left is the mating agreement between myself and the leader of the Panther Demon tribe. Jaken, you will act as scribe." The little imp bowed and ran off to get paper, ink and brush, sputtering incoherently all the while. Now Tōran preened.
"Before that, does anyone know what happened to that bird, Abi? I recall she had some skill as a daiyōkai." His mother's question took Sesshōmaru by surprise. He did not know of any female daiyōkai by that name. "Her mother was an old hag but the daughter was tolerable."
"Um... do you mean the princess of the Birds of Paradise? She was killed by Naraku. The whole tribe was," Kagome said, raising her hand to get everyone's attention.
The Inu no Kimi sighed in defeat. Sesshōmaru saw that she had played her last card to prevent any union between him and Tōran. "What is a Naraku? It sounds edible." she asked finally. Tōran's ears perked up and she waited to see if there was going to be a more detailed explanation.
Sesshōmaru judged that it would take too long to explain. It was a tale which would take a damnably long time. So he shortened it the same way he had done so for Tōran. "A hanyō with delusions of grandeur. He is dead now."
"Obviously not by your hand. So tell me, were his delusions of grandeur different from those of a full demon's?" his mother asked.
"He desired to become a full demon. Not a wish that a full demon would have," her son replied.
"This was around the time you were playing with the Meido Zangetsuha, wasn't it?" Sesshōmaru nodded silently.
"Only one thing remained. The boy, Kohaku. "Kohaku," Sesshōmaru spoke his name and the boy stiffened as every demon present turned their attention to him. "Your task will be to identify the critical leaders in the trolls' clan and identify who must be killed, who can be bought, and who we should capture. Tsukiyo can provide you with information and supplies."
"I can do that, Sesshōmaru-sama, but my fee…" Kohaku began when Tsukiyo suddenly stepped in front of him, drawn sword under his neck. The demonic energy vibrating within it made his hair stand on edge. A blackness seemed to surround the blade.
"You dare to demand payment from your lord before you do your duty?" she hissed, baring her teeth.
"Stand down, Tsukiyo," Sesshōmaru glared at the demoness, who reluctantly sheathed her sword and stepped back. "Your payment will be discussed when you produce results. For now, you have nothing to offer which I would purchase."
Kohaku laughed nervously. "Yes, that is true, Sesshōmaru-sama. Forgive me for saying so but humans normally pay something up front and the rest upon completion of a service."
"I am not a human employer," the other replied, his voice showed some confusion as to why he should need to state the obvious.
Realizing that he was going to get nowhere, Kohaku said instead, "If I might be permitted to spend some time here to prepare for the journey and leave tomorrow or the day after, that would aid me greatly."
"See me before you depart," was all Sesshōmaru said in reply, ending the discussion.
"Is that everything then?" the Inu no Kimi asked with an exaggerated yawn.
"Now that all other affairs are concluded, yes. I would prefer to hold our discussions with Tōran in a more… private setting however."
"Then follow me. And bargain well."
Author's Notes:
1)_ I felt I needed to use this chapter to clear away all of the outstanding issues. Only one left is just what Kagome and Inuyasha are going to do. That is deliberately so.
2) One important thing happens in this chapter which I'm pretty happy I managed to work in. To me, that justifies this chapter's otherwise helter-skelter nature.
3) Chapter 10 will entirely be the negotiating process and its outcome.