This is a Sesshomaru-centered fanfic, and I hope you like it.

- Synopsis:

After helping defeat Naraku and leaving Rin in the care of priestess Kaede in a human village, Sesshomaru travels back to the western lands in order to investigate the whereabouts of Meidenkai, an antique relic of his father, last seen in possession of the feudal lord of Kitami province centuries ago. However, the current feudal lord is at war against foreign demons who aim to invade and take over the land and is not willing to hand over the artifact so easily. Retrieving the relic is no simple task, and during his search, the inu daiyokai will find himself facing foul enemies intrigues of humans and feelings he is not accustomed to.

- Spoiler alert. This story is chronologically placed after the events occurred in The Final Act, and there will be mentions to past events.

- OC alert. All characters except for Sesshy and Jaken were created by me.

- I intend to include the other Inuyasha's canon characters far later in the history.

Disclaimer: Sesshomaru and Jaken, the two original characters from the series which appear in this fanfic, as well as Inuyasha series itself, are authored by lovely Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 1

Prologue

Approximately two hundred years ago...

"Toga-sama! Where are you?!"

Amidst devastated trees and roaring crackles of great flames, a blue armored samurai swiftly ran through the flaming grounds, followed by his dozen retainers. The remains of a gutted demon grabbed the human's foot as he passes by, only to have its arm immediately severed by a quick slash of his sword whose blade irradiated a strong pink light. Slashing demons and guided by the screams of battle, the samurai legion kept on its way valiantly, soon reaching the valley, just in time to witness the golden dragon falling defeated from the sky and leaving a scar on the ground where it landed.

The Great Dog Demon soon rose at the bottom of the crater, glorious in his regal human form, recovering his breath. The big gashes in his clothes and armor, the ashes tarnishing his body and his exhausted expression were the traces of the arduous duel he had just won. One less enemy for him. One less tyrant demon to threat the inhabitants of the western lands.

"Toga-sama!" The Blue Samurai immediately dove on the crater and landed next to his demon lord.

"I am fine," the lord replied bluntly, ignoring his own wounds. "Report."

"We've exterminated all Senbukotsu's minions, but the red priests managed to escape!"

"Let them go. Their powers and bodies are to wither soon. They shall have a slow, painful end of life, while rethinking their sins," the tired daiyokai answered while gazing at the sparkling crack on Tessaiga, his fang sword, before finally sheathing it. "Good work, Sojiro! Soldiers! Our enemy has been finally laid to rest. The western lands are safe once again."

"Soldiers! Victory is ours!" Sojiro, the blue armored samurai, shouted with pride while lifting his sparkling sword, followed by the group of men surrounding him. The flames grew lighter and ardently, reflecting the fierce spirits of the brave men which risked their lives and achieved victory at the side of the Great Demon Dog they so worshipped.

...

"Sojiro, come closer."

Holding his horned helmet under his left arm, the blue samurai approached his lord. Inutaicho was standing at the edge of a cliff, facing the vast image of his beautiful and once again peaceful province. The evening breeze blew as a soft caress, carrying the daiyokai's long and tied silver hair before finally bringing the scent of rain.

"Any news from my son?" The lord questioned as his golden eyes stared at the green fields spread over the horizon, as if enjoying the peace, yet hungrily searching for something.

"My liege… My informants last saw him leaving the western lands after annihilating the red priests hideout."

"Sesshomaru... Will he never learn the meaning of compassion?"

Soujiro kept his silence, knowing that no word would appease that old melancholy in his lord's heart. However, he dared lying his hand tenderly on the daiyokai's shoulder pad, conveying to him a silent message of support. Toga returned his gaze from above his shoulder before turning to face him, thrusting his hand into his own armor and taking something shiny out of it.

"My son was the one supposed to guard this artifact," the dog lord muttered sadly while gazing at the sparkling gem which he so arduously managed to take from the dragon's grasp. "He has the strength to restrain its power and purify it. But his heart knows only ambition, destruction and contempt for life. I cannot allow this power to be used for vile purposes. Thus…" Inutaicho held out the artifact to the man in front of him. Demon and human exchanged deep stares, the golden gaze of the former shining severely over the latter. "Sojiro, I entrust it to you."

"M-Meidenkai?" Sojiro gasped as he glimpsed the purple jewel shining at the palm of his lord's hand. "My lord, I couldn't-"

"Yes. Meidenkai," the deep voice interrupted the vassal. "This artifact has the power to absorb and transform the demonic energy of dead demons and channel it to its holder. Tis' a great source of power. I do not know for how long I shall dwell in this world, protecting the western lands. My enemies grow numerous and stronger every moment. I entrust Meidenkai to you, Sojiro, my oldest and most loyal human ally, so you can guard it with the same effort you have been putting up to fight for me. It shall aid you to protect the people you have under your wings. For you are the feudal lord of Kitami, and it is your duty to surround with safety the humans and good demons that live in your lands. One day, perhaps my foolish son will learn the value of this purpose. And when he does it… only when he does it, he will be worthy of inheriting Meidenkai. Until then, I trust your capable family to keep it safe."

After listening quietly and carefully, Sojiro picked up the item, watching its dark brilliance in the palm of his hand. Meidenkai irradiated an intense purple light from its core, greeting its new guardian. The Blue Samurai felt a new wave of energy, powerful and exotic, flowing from his arm into his entire body. Meidenkai had accepted him.

"Toga-sama…" With his other hand, Sojiro unsheathed his glowing sword and bravely plunged it on the floor beside him. Then he fell on his knees, his hands and forehead touching the ground to compose the most respectful bow. "This Sakagama Sojiro, lord of Kitami, humbly accepts the task you entrust to him. I shall guard and protect Meidenkai with my very flesh, life and soul. I swear not to use its powers except for the sake of these lands, and my people."

"Good. I believe in you." The Great Dog Demon turned his back once again and advanced a single step further toward the cliff, from where he could see, hear, and feel almost everything across the great province below, sprawled in thousands of houses, roads, and lakes in the horizon. "You have always been, above everything else, a kind and caring man..." Toga stated, a strange sadness masked in his usually severe voice. A feeling of guilt, perhaps. "Make sure to pass these good qualities on to your children. And that they pass them on to their own children, and so forth. To protect someone… is the most genuine path to the true power. Remember that, Sojiro."

"Yes, Toga-sama. I shall remember it."

...

Present days...

"Right, the abandoned shrines…" Jaken risked the small painting of a house from the map in his tiny hands, marking the checkpoint they just passed. The X mark wasn't so distant now. The imp raised his head, aiming a pleased smile at his master's back. "Lord Sesshomaru, we're close! We've already passed the farms, the burial grounds and the abandoned shrines. According to this map, we should reach Kitami's castle in an hour or two."

The daiyokai kept walking patiently with his customary elegance and stoicism, his white clothes and light armor presenting a faint blue tone as it blended with the purple and rosy sunset. His calm and golden gaze pointed forward, hiding mysterious thoughts which seemed so distant, yet absorbing each small detail in the surrounding woods and the dirty path ahead. An icy breeze embraced him, carrying his long silver hair and bringing him a confirmation.

The unmistakable mixed scent of silk, tea and steel. A large amount of it. They were close.

As the scent guided him, he glanced discreetly at one of the two swords resting at his waist. For some time now Tenseiga has been emitting strange vibrations in random situations, with no distinct pattern. As if wishing to alert him, to draw his attention to something that he was yet to uncover. During his rare rests, the energy of the sword would penetrate his dreams and show him strange visions of Meidenkai, an antique artifact stolen by his father from a treacherous demon, and a flowered province guarding the far ends of the western lands.

Tenseiga... The Heavenly Rebirth Fang.

For a long time Sesshomaru kept it untouched in its sheath, unused, carrying it out of pure respect for his Father, although the blade was more a sting to his pride than a memento itself. It was only recently that he had discovered the sword's true power, only to find himself forced to hand the blade over to the disgraceful half breed with whom he shared a father. The dog demon almost discarded the sword back then. But at the end of the day, it still had some value.

Now, what else did Tenseiga want to show him? Why was Meidenkai, that old purple gem, so important?

Naraku had finally fallen, and Sesshomaru found himself free to investigate the foggy message which Tenseiga was trying to convey to him. After leaving Rin in a safe human village to properly grow amongst her kin, the sword's signals brought the silver haired demon to the borders of the western lands in search of Meidenkai. A loyal subject informed him that the artifact was last seen in possession of Sakagama Sojiro, a human lord that lived, fought and died by his Father, Lord Toga, the Inutaicho. Sojiro's descendants still ruled the lands of Kitami, and that would be the starting point of his search.

As he crossed the last trees separating him from the core of the province, the image of the sumptuous construction greeted him. Asagao Castle was clearly the largest human building in Kitami, flamboyant and surrounded by living work as only a feudal lord's residence could be. In the petty realm of men, power was made of material possessions and name - and to what extent one could parade both. Asagao was strategically placed on top of a high ground surrounded by fortified walls and scouted forests. The only way into the yards was through the wide front doors, heavily guarded for human standards. Inside the walls, several houses, settlements and gardens formed a small village circling the core of the castle: an elegant, large and tall white building with approximately three floors, covered by red and bronze roofs.

Hidden somewhere inside the castle was the feudal lord, the Sakagama Sojiro's descendant which would point him Meidenkai's direction.

"DEMON! TO THE GATES!"

His was not a picture easy to miss and, as soon as the dog demon stepped out of the woods, commotion quickly spread across the front doors. Civilians and soldiers sprinted to the front gates, rushing inside. As he patiently walked the path towards the entrance, the last frightened soul penetrated the secured grounds and the doors were shut tightly. Archers populated the towers, ready to fire at him.

"Humans! Thinking they can detain Lord Sesshomaru with such feeble walls," Jaken spat. Sesshomaru raised his gaze, sensing a strong spiritual energy coming from inside. Apparently, demons were not novel foes for those humans. Nevertheless, he extended his right claws and painted the air with his green venomous mist. His ears could capture the sounds of the armed crowd gathering inside.

Fortunately, only one of them needed to stay alive. At least enough to be able to talk.