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.
Inuyasha scowled as Totōsai was escorted off to the castle's forge and the taller Tsukiyo loomed over him. She held out something small clutched between her index finger and thumb. "You know what will happen if you misbehave," the dog demoness growled with such contempt that Inuyasha thought she was trying to pick a fight. Then he realized she was addressing Myōga the flea in her fingers, waiting for Inuyasha to take him.
"It's not like he's done anything wrong!" Inuyasha protested, taking the trembling Myōga in his open palm. Tsukiyo raised her glare from the flea to him.
"Is it acceptable to enter one's domain without permission in time of war?" she asked icily.
"No but it was only because I was here," Inuyasha continued, "And he wasn't spying so it's not like he's done anything bad."
"And how are you in a position to know, ignorant pup?" The condescension in her reply, the hostility from every dog demon, Tessaiga's earlier impotence all frustrated Inuyasha. It made him feel like there was a lot more to his father than he, or his mother, really knew about. If his mother had known about the Demon Dog Clan and its politics, would she have kept it from him? No, she wouldn't have hobbled him when she had taught him so much. Before he could snap any reply, a firm hand gripped his shoulders.
"Please forgive my husband. His mouth runs faster than his brain."
Tsukiyo turned her attention from Inuyasha to Kagome. "You clearly did not marry him for his intellect. Was it for his funny ears?" Again with the ears. How was it his fault that he didn't have normal ears like every other dog demon?
"No, neither of those, though the ears did help. I love him for something more important than those things," Kagome said firmly.
Tsukiyo was silent for a moment then spoke. "Sesshōmaru-dono said you were useful. He," she pointed to Inuyasha, "has Tessaiga. What can you do?"
Kagome scratched her chin. Why would Sesshōmaru call her useful? He had never said much to her. "Well, I know a lot about medicinal herbs. And I know some purification spells." The dog demoness shook her head and pointed to the bow lying next to Kirara.
"Do you know how to use it?"
Inuyasha grinned and boasted, "Kagome is one of the best archers in the world!" Tsukiyo's face remained impassive. What was it about dog demons and their lack of facial expression?
"For a human, perhaps. I remember that they're blind at night. Or have they developed keener eyesight in the past century?" Kagome sighed and walked over to her bow, patting Kirara on the head. She picked up the sacred longbow and her quiver of arrows.
"Give me a target." The dog demoness smiled and walked away towards the opposite end of the courtyard. Her bored expression challenged Kagome to nock and loose at her. So, Kagome pulled an arrow from her quiver. She gave it a brief examination and was satisfied that it was a well-made slim pointed togari-ya arrowhead. It would fly faster than a regular broadhead. Kagome placed against her bow and drew the string back steadily, taking her time to aim and infuse the arrow with her purification magic. When Kagome felt the string reach the point where she could pull no more, she released the deadly shaft and watched it fly towards Tsukiyo. After all the hostility towards Inuyasha, Kagome had little compunction about putting Tsukiyo in danger. If she got hurt as a result of her own arrogance, Sesshōmaru would say it was deserved.
The arrow's course justified Inuyasha's confidence in Kagome skill. It sped towards Tsukiyo, shining brightly from Kagome's infused magic until it stopped suddenly in front of the demoness. Its brightness died like a candle being snuffed out. She held the arrowhead between two fingers, turning it over and examining it, then twirled it between her fingers to test the weight. Still clutching it, Tsukiyo walked back to them and returned the arrow. "So, that is why Sesshōmaru-dono said you had use. That would certainly trouble many of the trolls. But I see two flaws.
"Ya sayin' that Kagome's weak, ya…" Inuyasha began when Kagome activated the Beads of Subjugation and a sword slashed right where the hanyō's head had been an instant before.
"Quick reflexes for a human," Tsukiyo commented as if nothing had happened. "Your two problems are your own archery and the magic in the arrows. Do you understand so far?" Kagome frowned slightly. She didn't know what was wrong with her archery. Kaede had taught her much and she had learnt even more on her own in battle. But Kagome knew that the light from her purification arrows gave away her position and intent. "There's nothing I can do about the magic. But there is something you can do about your poor form." Tsukiyo extended her hand for the bow and Kagome reluctantly handed it over. She expected the demoness to wince at the power of the sacred longbow but she seemed unaffected by its magic. "Watch," Tsukiyo said as Kagome made mental notes about the difference in the demoness' form and her own. Tsukiyo drew the string back slowly and when it reached her cheek, Kagome guessed Tsukiyo would stop there. But she kept going past her ears. "This is how far you should be drawing your bow. Not to your cheek. Have you ever trained under anyone?"
Kagome related her training under Kaede, who had learnt a bit from Kikyō. She could understand the point of drawing farther back to add more power. In the past, she had drawn to her cheek because that was the extent of her physical strength and over time, it had become habit. Kaede had done the same so Kagome assumed it was normal.
"I will speak to Sesshōmaru-dono about your training. If you are to be of use to him, it is best that you and … him," she glared at Inuyasha, "learn to use your weapons in war. And you should give that toy to the child while you use something… better."
Behind them, Rin and Kohaku watched and discussed what would happen, laughing at each turn of events. Some of the demon dog guards hovered nearby, keeping an eye on their master's favorite human and assessing the abilities of the human mercenary.
Dinner that night was reserved for Sesshōmaru, Tōran and the Lady Mother. Tsukiyo attended as head of the event's security but did not sit at the table, instead standing behind Tōran. A quartet of guards stood in each corner of the room as silent sentinels. Young dog demons acted as servers, walking in and out with platters of food. Tōran noted that most of the ingredients were local but much of the preparation seemed to be somewhat foreign in its preparation. She observed her new mother-in-law throwing regular glances at her, as if daring Tōran to make some comment to break the awkward silence. Tsukiyo made no effort to hide her disdain of Tōran. Sesshōmaru ate silently, not caring about the low-level hostility between the ladies in the room. If his mother, mate and captain of the guard did not get along, they would have centuries to settle things between them. No need to rush things when there were other, more pressing matters at hand. Like the war.
He spoke up, addressing Tsukiyo. "Has there been any report from our scouts and the wolves?" Sesshōmaru was curious to know if the slovenly wolves had been able to mobilize within the day.
Tsukiyo turned to reply to him. "Our hunters report the scent of trolls but no sign of their actual presence. They have begun to search farther afield. No contact has been made with the wolves." So, it was as he suspected. They took some time to prepare themselves. With luck, the wolves' own scouts would make contact in the day or so.
"Where are your two pet humans, Sesshōmaru?" his mother asked, picking up a piece of steamed demon fish and placing it on her plate.
"Rin is entertaining Kohaku with those two girls, Tsubame and Taiya. She seems to grown fond of them as companions," Sesshōmaru replied, taking a piece from the same fish with his chopsticks.
"Yes, I had noticed how they seemed to be spending more time with her. I believe they, too, are taken by her." Sesshōmaru did not say anything about the word "too" but filed it into his mind as a note of some interest. "She is an … amusing companion. For a human." There was a short pause between the two sentences as if the last one was an afterthought.
"She certainly is," Tōran agreed, following their lead and taking a piece of the fish. "I'm sure the boy will be impressed by her company as well."
Sesshōmaru ignored Tōran's attempt to make him worry about Kohaku doing anything indecent. Rin was with others. She was safe. And if she wanted to give her affection to Kohaku, that was her decision to make. Sesshōmaru had long said she was free to do as she wished.
"When do you plan to leave tomorrow?" his mother asked. Her son hid his surprise with a scowl. "Why do you make that face? It would only be proper to meet your new consort's people. Ours have seen enough of her for the past day." The Inu no Kimi shot Tōran a glare and, in turn, Tōran munched with feigned obliviousness on her fish.
"After breakfast," Sesshōmaru replied, raising an eyebrow as he took another bite of his own fish. He had assumed Tōran had stayed out of trouble last night. His mother was making a veiled reference to… something. So, what had Tōran done?
Tsukiyo spoke as if in answer to his question. "I caught her sneaking around the barracks."
"Oh, don't spare him the details," Tōran grinned mischievously, taking a drink of tea. "I was curious about your warriors. So, I went to take a peek at them. Unfortunately, the only one I managed to spy on in the baths was your captain. It was a brief show but I'll be sure to bring you along next time." The Panther spoke so casually that Tsukiyo flushed crimson.
The Inu no Kimi sighed. "Children…"
Chapter Notes:
1) Merry New Year, Happy Christmas, Joyous Hannukah, Festive Greetings to you and your long lost kinsmen recently discovered upon your couch!
2) I feel like this another "filler" chapter where I have to deal with the minutia of preparing for the next arc. Adventures in Toranland ahead!
3) I suspect the new thing will be take a month to draft the chapter, another one to type it up. Things will probably speed up during periods when I have no work.
4) I'm not currently planning anything for Rin x Kohaku so if you're a fan of the pairing, don't be holding out much hope. That said, I am open to bribery in the form of sacrificial chocolate muffins.