Not usually one to lose focus, Sesshoumaru's mental absence from the council meeting was hard to ignore. Though none were willing to address it, for fear of enraging the daiyoukai further. His display in the dojo had the entire fortress on edge, and everyone was in agreement to simply leave him be.
With his land deal in place, and plans already drawn up, there was little to discuss anyhow, so none took any issue with cutting the meeting short. He remained seated as the others took their leave, and his brother opted to stay back to check up on the dog demon.
"Sesshoumaru?" His mind was clearly elsewhere. Inuyasha snapped his fingers in the demon's face.
"Hello? Hey man, you okay?" he finally regarded him then.
"What's up?"
"Inuyasha. Are you not supposed to be enjoying your honeymoon? This One informed you that your presence in council may be suspended until your celebration has concluded."
"Keh. I already told you, I needed a break. Kikyo's being a real pill lately, and I had to get out of there." Sesshoumaru snapped his head to his brother then.
"We've already been over this. Are you feeling okay bro?"
"What has your mate upset with you?"
"I dunno. One minute she was fine, and the next she was biting my head off. I thought it was the stress of the wedding and all, but I don't know."
"What has she said? Give This One specifics."
"She's just been...cold? It's like, she is frustrated with me. I thought maybe I was fucking her too much, but then she started getting more aggressive when I tried to cool things down." Sesshoumaru absorbed the information. His gears were turning, but coming up empty.
"Oh, and get this. She called me half-breed. She never said that before. Maybe this wife stuff has gone to her head. I don't know."
"Do you suppose she is with child? It has been known to make women less pleasant at times."
"I thought that too, but then she had her cycle. Feh, maybe the women are syncing up. I notice Kagome has been acting weird too."
He couldn't wait any longer for his answers. He needed to see Bokusenou now.
"I must go. I shall consult my advisor."
The trek to meet Bokusenou was a long one, and required him to venture deep within the dense forest. He wished he could say that was why he rarely made the journey, but he had never been one to lie to himself.
There were few in existence who could claim to be wiser and more knowledgeable than he; and to be in his presence meant that he would be made to endure the lack of fearful respect he preferred and was accustomed to receiving.
The tree often demanded that he humble himself. And since he usually only sought him out when he needed something from him, he had to lower his bar for deference and raise his level of tolerance for the subtle taunting the old demon was known for.
A moment after he reached the tree, the face of his advisor became present. He was incredibly ancient, so the dog demon waited patiently as he regained his sentience and garnered the strength to address him.
"Sesshoumaru. It has been some time since your last visit. How are you faring?"
"If I were well, I would not be here. This is not a social call."
"It never is with you." His lids at half mast could be construed as accusatory, but Sesshoumaru was willing to consider that his age simply made them too heavy to completely lift.
"I require information."
The tree demon blinked his eyes slowly, apparently in no rush himself.
"You know my problem with you, Sesshoumaru? You never ask what I have been up to."
"You are a stationary tree demon. I can suppose on an exciting day you may be allowed to witness a pair of squirrels fornicating; it is of no interest to This One. You will answer my questions."
"Will I, insolent pup? True, I was a trusted advisor to your father. However, you do lack his charm, and apparently the respect of your elders...Things I am afraid I require to be forthcoming with any information."
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth and pushed his rage way, way down.
"Bokusenou...what has you occupied as of late?"
"Nothing." He was ready to saw off his branches.
"If you require excitement, perhaps This One will carve his name into your back."
"I think not. It is a rather long name. Come on, Sesshoumaru. You would do well to adopt a sense of humor. Times like these are trying enough without one."
Not one to usually show emotion, the pain and exhaustion in his features seemed to be enough to temper the tree demon's taunting.
"Very well. What is it you need?"
"Have you any knowledge of matings between demon and miko?"
"I have heard rumor of a miko recently mating a dog half-demon. Though I am certain you are aware of that."
He clenched his jaw tightly and responded through his teeth.
"I require information pertaining to a full demon, not half."
"Well, seeing as you share blood, I am certain parallels could be drawn."
He didn't know how an old tree which never moved was able to obtain such intimate details about him so quickly. It was unnerving, but would hopefully prove useful.
"This One has heard tale of a rumor as well. One that involves expanding one's lifespan by way of mating. Is this accurate?"
"Oh, I am afraid that rumor is just that," he closed his eyes as he informed him. "But seeing as demons typically only mate other demons, their lifespans tend not to vary much."
The previous throbbing in his temple had escalated to a full-on pounding.
"I am inquiring in regards to a human."
If Sesshoumaru was going to refuse to be specific with him, he would purposely keep his answers vague as well.
"There is no instance in a mating itself expanding one's lifespan. However, it is known that demonic youki forced into the human body can aid longevity. The lifespan of the partner is unrelated."
"So, mating can expand the life of a human?" Is that not what he had just asked?
"The lifespan can be affected when youki is forced in by a bite, or...other appendages. The more the exposure, the longer the lifespan. The strength of the youki can also attribute to length."
He had hoped that he would be able to link Kagome's lifespan to his own, but being able to lend her his youki to at least increase it staved off his disappointment.
"Know you of any other effects? Anything specific to mikos?"
"I know of no other instance of a demon mating a miko. However, as you are aware, youki and reiki are born enemies. You may have experienced the effects of small amounts of the powers colliding."
He thought to their intimacy, when their forces would war, to a most pleasant outcome.
"I assume you have not experienced the effects of larger quantities of reiki, however, as you are still before me now. Though, one could stand to reason, that if a large amount of youki were released into one with strong reiki, there could be some troubling effects. A war could be fought within, as both battled for dominance. If controlled properly, the powers could prove formidable. I cannot be certain; I am only hypothesizing."
This would explain her unpleasant behavior. What would it mean for Kagome?
"Is it permanent?"
"I would assume so. However, as the one housing the powers gains more control and experience over them, I could see the effects evening out. If it was a woman, I could assume having a child might ease some of the tension once the child is born with some of the power."
Sesshoumaru tried to digest what the tree demon was telling him. Was that what it was? Was her constant exposure to his powerful youki causing her some undesirable effects? If so, how could he help her gain control of them?
"I heard you are making strides in involving humanity in your society." The demon lord heard his old advisor, but was no longer listening fully.
"I remember when you were a child. You housed all of the power you now employ, even then. You seem to be handling it much more gracefully now than you once did. Bear that in mind, pup."
He heard that last part loud and clear, however.
He had always been a being of immense power. It simply took time to fully gain mastery of it, instead of letting it rule over him. If he understood Bokusenou correctly, he seemed to believe that whatever was going on inside the miko, would be for her alone to tame.
A/N: Bokusenou!
When you need to tie your plot together, he's your homeboy… plus, he's like the only one who is allowed to give Sesshoumaru shit.