The lord's council had come to the summit with plans to temper Sesshoumaru as much as possible. They knew there was little they could do to prevent him from imposing his will, and went in thinking they might have to fight to the death just to leave with their shirts.
None were expecting this, however, and the element of surprise gave him yet another advantage to go along with home field. The brothers were a force, and the command with which they swept the room was deeply off putting, and a bit upsetting to their peers.
Sesshoumaru had resembled his father almost identically, and to see this other son of his- this 'new' blood of the great dog general and somehow a human woman...it was remarkable. Inuyasha didn't resemble his father outwardly as Sesshoumaru did. But the way he spoke, his mannerisms, even the way he made a fist- were all clearly traits he had inherited. It was stunning to see how someone who had never even met his father and yet had been so like him... It was nature vs. nurture on full display.
Those who served Inu no Taisho were helplessly pulled back in time themselves, and could not deny the resemblance. It was terrifying.
Lucky for them, Sesshoumaru had no designs on their lands. He had briefed Inuyasha on his plans, most of which went a bit over the boy's head. That was okay. It was not why he was there. Once they got through the business of trade and development, and everyone seemed satisfied with the imposed infrastructure, Sesshoumaru proceeded with the action they were all now anticipating.
"If there is nothing further on the matter, This Sesshoumaru would like to take the floor and formally introduce Lord Inuyasha to council. You are now all aware he is the second son of Inu no Taisho, and therefore a true heir to The Western Lands. Should any ill fate befall This One, I name Inuyasha to rule in my place as Lord. I move that following council, a ceremony be held in the halls of The Western Fortress, so that he may take his oath to the guards. I trust there are none who take issue."
It was a question in the form of a statement. Now was when any present could voice their concerns over his choice, and would be the next roadblock to prevent the evening from running as smoothly as he might hope.
The wolf demon tribe ruled over The Eastern Lands, and a member was notably absent from the council.
"Haki, I trust your son's absence has nothing to do with his disapproval of This One's choice of heir?"
"Not at all, Lord Sesshoumaru. My son is simply attending to a personal matter, and will be arriving late. I expect him to be here by the night's end."
"All were given instruction to arrive at council on this day, and all had agreed. Pray tell, what personal matter is he attending that takes precedence over This Sesshoumaru's summons?" He wondered if his absence had anything to do with the little visit he had apparently paid his miko last night after he had left. He couldn't say he wasn't pleased at the whelp's well-placed fear of him; but was quite hoping he would have shown up to take his punishment like a male. His cowardice was revolting.
"Simply put, there is trouble in paradise, My Lord. He has had a spat with his mate, and working to see it resolved. Perhaps you shall understand when you, one day, take a mate of your own." He figured that would see the matter dropped. Lord Sesshoumaru did not appreciate discussions that led to the topic of him choosing a mate. Particularly with the panther demons present.
The Northern Lord was still Mioko's brother, of the panther demon pride. His son and heir had been killed in battle decades ago, and he had named Touran as heir. She was poised to be the first female lady of land to rule in council, if it came to fruition. Many did not believe a female was fit to rule, and she would have challengers upon her father's death. So far, however, she had proven herself worthy and defeated every rival in seek of her spot.
Sesshoumaru's view on the issue was black and white; the strongest demon would rule. If none could best her, he saw no reason why a female could not rule The Northern Lands, or any lands for that matter.
She also had yet to mate, and made no secret of her desire to form a personal alliance with the demon lord. He had lain with her in the past, for political reasons, but had no intention of extending himself beyond that. It had always been a possibility, however not at all a certainty. She vowed to wear him down.
"Doubtful. When This One does take a mate, there shall be no issue great enough to interfere with my duties to my lands. He would do well to hear me, Haki."
"Whatever you say, My Lord," Haki mocked. The pup would learn of it someday.
"Regardless, as he is absent, he forfeits his say on the matter."
That left the dragons. The Lord of the Southern Lands would usually go along with Sesshoumaru on most things, but participated little in the discussions. They tended to keep to themselves, and had little interest helping or receiving help.
His nephew, Tanaka, however, seemed bound and determined to break the mood. He had been seething quietly since the moment Inuyasha set foot through the door, glaring at the half demon, and then back to the table. He repeated this action until this moment; he could take no more, and bashed his fist against the table, drawing the attention his way. Sesshoumaru had expected something from him, though not such a childish display.
Lord Haki confronted the younger dragon, "Tanaka, what is the meaning of this? This is time for celebration!"
"And what exactly are we celebrating? The perversion of our illustrious council?"
His uncle jumped in next, "Tanaka, have you gone mad? I will not tolerate this!"
Touran defended Inuyasha, "You are disrespecting Lord Sesshoumaru's brother. Apologize."
"Tanaka," Sesshoumaru intervened calmly and coolly, "Of what perversion do you speak?"
As much as he wished it weren't so, this was the forum for such a discussion. He would let the dragon say his piece.
"My father, along with yours," he started at Sesshoumaru, and looked around the table, "and all of
yours, started this council. And all of you laugh like stupid donkeys while they weep in the afterlife..."
"Tanaka," his uncle warned, "Shut up!"
"...over the perversion committed today!"
"Outrageous!" Haki yelled at him, "Tanaka, it is you who insults this council! Bastard!"
"Fuckface!" he yelled back at him.
"Please." The table became silent as Sesshoumaru spoke, still calm and unaffected as ever.
"Tanaka obviously has something on his mind. By all means, allow him to express it."
Tanaka was fidgeting now, becoming antsy as he spoke, "I speak, of the perversion done to this council...which I love...more than my own children, by making a dead dog's half-human bastard an heir!" He shouted the last part at Sesshoumaru, and at the top of his lungs.
In one swift movement, Sesshoumaru leaped atop the table and with a swing of his blade, cut Tanaka's head clean off his body. It rolled around the table, causing the others to recoil as it made the rounds in front of them. His neck was spraying his blood all over the room like a guizer, and Sesshoumaru remained standing up there for all to watch.
Aside from the sounds of blood rushing to vacate the corpse, the room remained silent for a long moment. He watched as all of the blood drained out of his body, and Inuyasha gave a satisfied smirk at the action. None were spared from the backsplash, due to their vicinity, yet not one made to back away.
"So that you understand how serious I am, I am going to say this slowly." He informed them, sheathing his blade in measured movements, while taking time to make eye contact with each at the table.
"As your leader, I encourage you from time to time- and always in a respectful manner- to question my logic. If you are unconvinced a particular plan of action I have decided is the wisest, tell me so. But allow me to convince you, and I promise you right here and now, no subject will ever be taboo. Except, of course, the subject that was just under discussion.
"The price you pay, for bringing up Inuyasha's half-human heritage as a negative is...Inuyasha?"
"We collect your fucking head. Just like this fucker here," he picked up the head by the hair and held it out for them to see. Eyes bulged and mouth open; it was the last face he would ever make.
"Now if any of you sons of bitches, have got anything else to say, now's the fucking time!" The other lords had frozen stiff, none daring to make a peep. Sessshourmaru's viciousness was widely known. However, he had not seen fit to display it- in the council's presence at least- in some time. This was a hell of an entrance for the half-demon.
"I didn't think so." He then dropped the head on the table.
"Everyone, this meeting is adjourned."
A/N: So, yeah...Kill Bill, obviously.