Chapter 4.
Please Review.
No Flames.
A few days later.
Day Time.
Academy.
The room to see it had light green walls with some brown wood sticking halfway out of the it, some white papers that each had little information about the Academy were posted on each of the 4 walls, large triangular windows that covers most of the left side of the classroom, high ceiling. The front of the classroom had a big black board that had few chalk pieces on the holder, a brown wooden podium in front of it brown wooden flooring, from the middle to the back of the had light brown wooden lecture desks that went from the back to front it went top to bottom. They also saw dark brown medium sized compartments lined up at the back of the room that stopped at near both sides of the room. The 9 desks were arranged in a 4 by 3 rows.
Crystal, in her usual outfit, was sitting in the 1 by 2 row. Her team and others were sitting in the academy for an important announcements for their missions.
Their old teacher, Iruka, he looked to be in his early 20's and had brown skin, black eyes, dark brown hair that was in a short ponytail, a scar running across his nose, wearing the Konohagakure flak jacket uniform and blue clothed wrapped forehead protector, and dark grey sandals, was standing at the podium at the front of the class.
"As of today you have a new group of 3, please treat with respect unlike how you treat your Senseis." Iruka said.
The sarcastic remark from the teacher landed on deaf ears as the aforementioned students filed into the classroom.
Crystal, along with the rest of the class, gazed at the 3 other Chunins in awed silence. There was something odd about them that no one could quite place; other than the fact that they were triplets, there was something that amazed Crystal about them.
Crystal felt a sudden tap on her forearm and looked to her side, meeting the gaze of her friend, Shizune, 18 year old girl that has fair skin, average height and slender build, onyx eyes, straight and shoulder-length jet black hair with bangs that cover her ears and frame her face, in her usual outfit, a long bluish-black kimono with white trimmings, held closed by a white obi, and open-toed sandals with low heels.
"What?" Crystal said softly, not wanting to interrupt the atmosphere.
Shizune smiled and flicked her eyes toward the transfers and mouthed the word "hot."
Crystal smiled shyly, nodding her head in agreement. She looked back to the front of the classroom where the transfers were. As soon as she did, the one closest to the door gave a heart warming smile, that for a moment, made her think it was aimed at her, but the more she looked the more she saw that it was in no particular direction.
The boy looked to be 18 years old, long black hair that he keeps in a braided ponytail that reached his lower back and messy black bangs that covered his forehead, lean-muscles, tan skin, a purple tattoo of a four-pointed star on his forehead, dark cobalt eyes, in his usual outfit, a white pair of hakamas with a white haori that only has a blue patch on his shoulder, a type of iron armor over these clothes along with a shoulder guard attached to the rest of the armor by a strip of red cloth that is tied at the waist with a red obi or sash, his armor has a purple fern like pattern on it, he does not wear shoes, the traditional ninja footwear, and black gloves that are held in place by his middle fingers.
"My name is Bankotsu." He said, his emerald green eyes sparkling in hidden amusement.
"Bankotsu…" Crystal thought curiously.
"I am Shishinki." The one in the middle said. He looked to be 19 years old, had pale skin red eyes that had cat-like slits, elven ears, light purple hair, in his usual outfit, a black uniform and hakama with a large tuft of black fur on his right shoulder, 2 black tassels extend from his shoulder pauldrons and drape to the ground behind him, a set of red armor plating, arm bands with dark markings decorating it, and a gray sash around his waist.
Contrary to Bankotsu, he didn't have an electrified aura that made one feel excitement for no reason. He had a mellow air around him that caused anyone near him to feel at ease and comfortable.
"My name is Takemaru and as you can see." Takemaru said.
Takemaru, a male adult that looked to be 19 years old, had fair skin and black hair tied up in a short fashion, in his usual the Konoha flak jacket uniform, and the Konohagakure Forehead Protector wrapped around his forehead.
A low murmur of approval and praise arose at his comment, and a girl in the back raised her left hand.
"Where are you guys from...?" Crystal asked softly, looking over them, noting small things that differed in their looks.
Beside his dark cobalt blue eyes, Bankotsu's hair was a straight mess that stopped on his forehead. A few wispy strands fell in his face, but it caused him to achieve this other worldly gorgeousness, that she noticed all of them had.
Shishinki's light purple hair, red eyes was almost polar opposite to Bankotsu's and so was his hair. He had, almost lavender hair Crystal had ever seen. It was almost as if his hair was taken from the actual plant itself. In Shishinki's mouth, Crystal almost immediately noticed that he had fangs.
As for Takemaru, he was the most divine looking out of the three. He had mysterious, light brown eyes with hair the color of crow black. His hair was brushed back away from his face, save a few wisps that floated just above his almost see through eyebrows.
Everything else, from their pale skin, and height, to their athletic physique was exactly the same.
"How long have you guys been in Konohagakure? Your outfits are really good." An adult mail ninja on the far right of the class asked.
Crystal glanced at Shizune, who was too enthralled with the transfers to notice.
"This is actually our first time here. We learned to dress back in our home country—our sensei was really good." Bankotsu said.
Crystal frowned, wondering where their "home country" was, but she didn't want to ask because then she'd have to explain that she didn't hear it because she was too busy staring at them.
"Alright class, that's enough questions. This isn't show and tell, and besides you all have a test tomorrow, isn't it better to ask questions about that?" Iruka asked.
Crystal raised her right hand tentatively. "Um... Mr. Umino... I just have one question..." she asked shyly.
Immediately, the entire class, along with Bankotsu, Shishinki and Takemaru, turned their attention to her. Avoiding their gazes was all she could do to keep herself from blushing like mad.
Mr. Umino sighed and nodded his consent. "Go right ahead Miss Crystal." he said.
Crystal shyly turned her gaze to Bankotsu, Shishinki, and Takemaru; she felt almost as if she was under scrutiny by the three of them, but there was no way she could prove it to herself. They had the same pleasant smiles they had on earlier.
"W-why did you come here...?" Crystal asked shyly.
For a brief moment they only stared at her, as if temporarily un-armed by such a simple question. She had expected Bankotsu to answer her, but instead Takemaru beat him to the punch.
"We came here because of a distant relative." Takemaru said with a polite finality to his voice that let her know there would be no prying.
"Alright, question time over. Boys, you may sit wherever you like." Iruka said.
Crystal shyly looked away, as they approached her desk, pretending not to notice them as they walked by. It wasn't until they had passed it entirely that she noticed she was holding her breath.
They sat behind her, just a desk apart. Crystal shyly glanced at Shizune who was already staring at her in barely concealed excitement. The rest of the class period passed by with her futile attempts in trying to ignore their presence and concentrate on her school work. She was more than thankful when the bell finally rang, so she could go home and erase them from her memory.
"Hey, I'm catching a ride on the train with Genma, do you want to come?" Shizune asked as she put her last book in her brown bag. Crystal swung her bag over her right shoulder with her right hand and shook her head. Genma Shirani was Shizune's boyfriend and the last time she hitched a ride on the train with them, she had regretted it to no end. All they did was sit on the train together and make-out.
To a saintly virgin like Crystal, such things were more than awkward—and depressing. "U-um, no, thanks... I'll just walk, my house is like right down the street..."
Shizune raised her right eyebrow before she stood up and headed to the door. "You sure?" she asked.
Crystal followed her nodded her head quickly. "H-hai... don't worry about me." she said, shyly.
Once they were out in the hall, they dodged on going human traffic and stood against one of the walls.
Shizune smiled. "Alright, girlie. I'll see you tomorrow then on the training grounds." she said.
Crystal smiled back and waved at Shizune with her left hand, who was engulfed in the continuous wave of human bodies. She lowered her left hand as she turned around and stopped short before she collided with Bankotsu.
"Hi." Bankotsu said, flashing his heart warming smile.
Although Crystal questioned when he got behind her and how she hadn't noticed, she returned his smile. "Hello, u-um, w-welcome—to our school—and Konoha." she said shyly, mentally berating herself for saying something so stupid. This was reason number one, why she was still a virgin at 17 years old—she did not know how to talk to boys.
Bankotsu smiled widened, whether in amusement at her fail, or in genuine appreciation to her welcome was unknown.
"Do you take the train or do you walk?" Bankotsu asked, his dark cobalt blue eyes drilling into her crimson red ones.
"J-just answer the question Crystal... Don't rush it... You can do this..." Crystal thought shyly.
"I-I rarely take the train..." Crystal said shyly, making a pained expression as she heard her own words.
Bankotsu raised his right eyebrow and nodded his understanding.
"I-I m-mean... I-I like to walk..." Crystal said shyly with a sigh.
Bankotsu nodded again. "Me too." he said.
Crystal looked around, noticing that the halls were a little more than empty. "U-um... W-where are your brothers...?" she asked, shyly.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes. "Them? They drove to some party that some girl invited them to. I'm not interested in those kinds of things." he said.
For a moment, Crystal was completely shocked.
Bankotsu seemed like the type who thrived off of parties and get-togethers.
"Honestly, I like reading, poetry, and listening to hymns." Bankotsu said.
The halls were empty now.
"Um... me too... I've never met another person who liked listening to hymns." Crystal said, shyly.
Bankotsu chuckled. "Do you ever try to sing them?" he asked.
Crystal shyly made a small smile. "Yeah. I've never told anyone that before though." she said.
Bankotsu took out his phone from his right pocket with his right hand and pressed a few buttons before handing it to her. Crystal shyly took it from him with her left hand and looked down at it.
Immediately her blood began rushing through her veins and her heart beat increased.
On the screen, in bold font, was: New Contact Information
Crystal entered her information, trying her best to control her heart. This was the first time she had given her contact information to a guy she was genuinely interested in.
Crystal handed him back his phone with her left hand and he took it with his right hand, sending it back in his right pocket.
"You should hurry home, it might rain today." Bankotsu said quietly.
Briefly, Crystal wondered how Bankotsu knew that, but he had a smart phone so it probably alerted him of the weather.
"U-um bye..." Crystal said shyly, walking towards the entrance of the Academy.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Bankotsu said.
Night Time.
Uzumaki clan Compound.
Her house.
Her Room.
That night, her guardian demon did not visit her.
Crystal, in her night clothes, found that she could barely sleep because of the deep void that formed within her chest in result of his absence. It was like a chasm within her heart of hearts, emptiness—she was missing something but she couldn't identify what it was that she was missing.
For what seemed like the millionth time since she had laid down to go to bed, she flipped over with her left hand. Crystal tapped her phone's screen, causing it to light up. The digits: 10:35 glared up at her until an envelope appeared, blotting out the digits. She looked at the digital envelope that had a number she did not recognize.
Crystal tapped it, causing it open and it read: Hey ! this is Bankotsu. I know it's late but I couldn't sleep!
For an insane moment of ultimate bliss all, Crystal could do was stare at her phone with an ever increasing shy smile. She replied: Hi, :) it's okay, same here!
She re-read it a few times agonizing over whether or not she should have sounded less excited or added another emoticon. Her agonizing ended just as quickly as it started when she received another text: Great. I was just reading a few history books. What do you think of the History of Konohagakure? The 1st Hokage was a great person, wasn't he?
Crystal smiled shyly again, biting her lip in an attempt to calm her racing heart. She couldn't believe she was so wrong about his personality.
Crystal replied: Oh, yes! I love his work. Whenever I have to train, I turn to him for inspiration.
Bankotsu replied: You do?
Crystal replied: Of course I do.
Crystal replied: But I haven't been training lately I'm not very good at it.
Bankotsu replied: Something tells me you're being modest. I'll have to see for myself.
Crystal stared at the text for a long moment, not knowing what to reply but feeling extremely flattered.
Another text from Bankotsu appeared: Well, I'll talk to you later. Good night Crystal.
For a moment Crystal was disappointed, thinking that it was because she hadn't replied fast enough but the feeling didn't last as she remembered their conversation. Crystal replied: Okay, good night!
Crystal laid on her back and put her right hand over her heart—a light fluttery feeling was swirling around in her chest. Crystal shyly smiled to herself in the darkness of her room, forgetting for the first time since the appearance of that demon, the abnormality of her recent life.
Finally, Crystal felt normal again and it was all thanks to Bankotsu.
...
Demon Realm.
"In consequence of our Lord's sudden illness, we have been delegated to undertake his duties and as such, the Elderian Council has voted to, in turn, delegate some of these duties to the sons of our Lord."
The 1st one was Jaken, a very small green skinned Imp demon, he had a big mouth for one so small, and large yellow eyes that took up almost half his face, his mouth was similar to a bird's beak, and his ears were traditionally pointy, in his usual outfit, a simple brown top and light-brown pants, no shoes, and had a small black hat upon his head that was tied in place with a white strap going under his chin.
The 2nd one was Genbu, a demon that looked to be in his 40s, bald and had green skin, pupil-less yellow eyes, slits for a nose, and elf-like ears, in his usual outfit, a purple checkered layer under his black shinobi shōzoku, and straw brown sandals.
And the 3rd one was Kaō, a man that looked to be 31, long black messy hair, tall, a fair complexion, eye shadows, his lips are painted red, red eyes, in his usual outfit, a white robe with a red kimono underneath, and a tate-eboshi.
Sesshomaru, in his usual outfit, stayed quiet as he showed no emotions—the three Elders made up the Elderian Coucil whose duties were supposed to stand in the King's stead in cases such as the current one, however, these three were incredibly lazy.
They claimed they wished to delegate the duties of The Lord so that his sons. "May have adequate experience." but Sesshomaru knew they were really troubled with the work the Lord of the Western Lands had to handle.
The Lord of the Western Lands's job has many facets to it that many don't seem to realize, but a few that Sesshomaru already knew were quite strenuous—oversee the prosperity, security, and over-all function of the Kingdom was the most important, also the head of diplomatic affairs and it's been said that he supplies the Western Lands with its internal energy.
The latter most duty however, has never been proven to be true but Sesshomaru had a feeling that it must be true—all Lords of the Western Lands are said to have had an insurmountable amount of energy.
Sesshomaru looked around at all of his half brothers—all of them, in their usual outfits, were in attendance, except for Inuyasha, who apparently believed as the youngest he had an innate right to disrespect ordinances of the Western Lands that had been established long before his half brothers birth.
Apparently Genbu noticed as well. "And where, may I ask, is Inuyasha?" he asked.
Sesshomaru shook his head dismissively, not bothering to cover for his disrespectful younger brother—it continuously shocked him that they shared the same demonic blood.
Magatsuhi, in his usual outfit, tilted his head, causing his silver hair to sway with the motion. "I don't believe I know. It must be rather important, if he has missed a meeting with the Council." he said, his voice was calm as usual.
Sesshomaru watched as the rest of his half brothers nodded in agreement, rushing to cover for him—everyone except for one.
With an uninterested sigh, Sesshomaru looked back to the Jaken of the Elderian Council.
Kaō of them in turn, met his gaze and raised his eyebrow as if to say "Is this true?" he asked.
Sesshomaru continued to stare with an emotion less face. "Believe it if you want." he said.
Kaō gave a slight nod before clearing his throat. "Alright, moving on, we have no time to stop for an absence of one. The Kingdom is bigger than that and as a future heir nothing should be more important than the function of it." he said.
A moment of tense silence filled the room, as everyone mulled over what was said. Sesshomaru continued to stare with no emotions as Jaken of the Elder—rebuking the sons of the King was unheard of and yet this guy did so without a hint of fear.
Sesshomaru nodded his head once, folding his arms, "I agree, Elder." he said. Immediately, all the gazes of his half brothers' burned his face and he knew that they were pissed that he spoke up in affirmation but he didn't care. After all, he might be the oldest, but he certainly was not the weakest.
They knew this as well, and that is why none of them bothered him anymore; everyone that is, except for Inuyasha—his skull was far too thick.
Kaō responded with a smile that was more like a stretch of his lips that did not reach his red eyes.
"You, Sesshomaru, will be in charge of diplomatic affairs as well as overseeing basic functions of the kingdom that include, but are not limited to the capture of enemies of the Kingdom, military stats and protection of citizens."
Kyōra, the fourth born, made a sound of protestation. "Shouldn't duties such as those be left to Inuyasha?" he asked.
Kyōra, a demon of average height that looked to be 22 years old, with long, wavy red hair, 2 long curls hang in front of either of his pointed ears, and hair pins separate his mane from the rest of them, pale skin, a diamond-shaped mark on his forehead, which stretches out when his power sphere is inserted, green lips, red eyes with narrow, slit-like pupils, 2 pauldron-like structures on both his shoulders, composed of feathers as he can extend these into full wings and fly, in his usual outfit, a shirt which blooms out from his armor and comes to a point at his elbows, where it is tied, it continues from here to his wrists, where it is again tied, and then ends in frilled edges, the bottom extends further than the skirting on his armor, and again ends in frilled edges, his hakama emerge from under his shirt and armor and are tucked neatly into his boots, a long piece of fabric is tied around the waist of his armor twice, and hangs from there, his armor and boots are brown, with a red center; the cloth which makes up the rest of his outfit is white, a distinct reddish tinge; also, as previously mentioned, and his shirt has frilled edges.
Jaken tilted his head in feigned patience. "Inuyasha should have been here, Kyōra." he said.
Once again, silence enclosed the room and once again the Jaken cleared his throat.
"The rest of you, including Inuyasha, will, unless otherwise notified by the council, adhere to Sesshomaru as far as the function of the kingdom—health of citizens, sanitation of the Kingdom, and also making sure the food supply is full." Genbu said.
The air in the room had suddenly turned cold, as if an icy wind swirled through it; Sesshomaru glanced to Kyōra—he could control Elements such as fire and lightning and anything in between the two. He had his eyes downcast and his hands were balled into tight fists.
Needless to say, Kyōra was Inuyasha's number one fan—they always had a penchant for firing Sesshomaru to the point where his internal poison was practically non-existent.
"Are there any questions?" Jaken said. "Then, you all may be on your way."
Without hesitation the lot of his younger half brothers left without so much as a last glance at the Elders, Sesshomaru though, gave a slight nod before he left. He thought of the duties he now had to undertake; there was no way he would be able to visit Crystal as they had planned. Due to the meeting he was unable to visit her during the night as well.
Sesshomaru sighed for a moment, he sincerely hoped that none of his kind took the chance to occupy her. Crystal was, after all, a very naïve and shy 17 year old human girl.
Sesshomaru stiffened as a weight fell on his left shoulder not exactly rough but not gently either. He looked down at the source and instantly recognized his younger brother, Seiryū's onyx hand.
Seiryū, who looked to be in his late 20s, had scaly gray skin, medium length spiky dark green hair, light orange eyes accented with dark markings, in his usual outfit, a black shinobi shozoku with a mask, a gray headband with a crescent moon in the forehead, and a dark blue and black armor tied together with a lavender sash.
Sesshomaru turned his attention to him, wondering in the back of his mind what he wanted. Seiryūwas impatient and violent and a bit of a pervert.
For a time, a scandalous rumor floated around the Abyss that his mother was an ordinary dog demon that worked on magic.
Sesshomaru knew that those rumors could not be true the way he tore through his enemies like a savage beast, however, he was never one to fight those weaker than him unless they attacked him.
Seiryū, beside Magatsuhi, was another brother that was not completely on his bad side.
"What?" Sesshomaru questioned.
Seiryū's boiling eyes ticked to his and remained. He wore no expression, as was his character—he was practically stone.
"You should be cautious of some of our brothers. I hear them speaking against you." Seiryu said, his voice was, in contrast to his frightening power, like the ocean.
Sesshomaru didn't show any emotions. "Why are you making weak threats?" he asked.
There was no waiver in his poker face as Seiryu replied. "I have seen some things." He said simply and walked away.
Sesshomaru watched as Seiryū simply glided away with his walk of a natural born predator. He had a feeling that he would be seeing more of him—whether good or bad he did not know.
…
Human Realm.
It was the same time as before, just as they had agreed upon. Perhaps a couple minutes later than the agreed time but she was sure that she had come earlier. Crystal could barely contain the strange anxious feeling in the pit of her gut at the thought of seeing that man again.
Sesshomaru was something of a mystery, yet it was clear to her that he laid himself out before her like an open book. This book though, had words whose meanings escaped her so try as she might to read, she would never understand.
Every time she closed her eyes, his beautiful hell's gate eyes burned through the darkness behind her lids. She opened her eyes quickly, feeling the presence of another. Looking around as her anxiety built, she saw...Bankotsu.
A disappointed frown at the corner of her mouth. Crystal didn't bother wondering how Bankotsu knew she was there, instead wondering why he was there and not the other guy.
"Ouch. I thought I would get a wave, at the very least, Crystal." Bankotsu said, pressing his right fist to his heart. "That hurt."
Fumbling with the appropriate words to respond, Crystal lowered her head in an apologetic manner, hoping he understood.
"I was just...wasn't expecting to see you here." Crystal said, shyly.
Bankotsu nodded as he took a couple of steps closer to where she sat upon a bench. "May I sit?" he asked.
Crystal shyly nodded quickly and scooted over to make room.
Once Bankotsu sat down on the right side of her, there was a moment of silence as the two stared off into different directions.
"So, who were you expecting?" Bankotsu asked.
Crystal wasn't sure how to respond because she did not actually know the person. If she began to describe Sesshomaru, she could not be sure Bankotsu would even believe her, he had an almost divine air about him.
Crystal paused and slowly glanced at Bankotsu, he too, had a divine air.
"Well, he is quite tall… and has long white hair-I'm sorry… I am horrible at describing people." Crystal said, shyly.
Bankotsu chuckled and waved away her words with his right hand. "Its fine, I am too." he said.
For the longest, there was an unnatural silence between them and Crystal fought her hardest to pretend unaffected by it. She knew there was no hope though, she was more than sure she looked like a little kid who had to use the restroom and was squirming around in their seat.
"So you said that you sing hymns?" Bankotsu questioned.
Crystal nodded shyly. "Hai. Hymns and lullabies. It's weird… I know." Crystal said, shyly.
Bankotsu chuckled. "It's not. I think it's amazing. Can I hear you sing one?" he asked. "I'm sure you have a beautiful voice."
Crystal tilted her head and shyly looked away. "W-w-well… I-I have been told-" she said shyly but was cut off.
"Can I hear it?" Bankotsu asked.
Crystal shyly glanced back at Bankotsu, a strange feeling of unease rising within the pit of her stomach. Though when she looked into his eyes once again, it dissipated.
"O-okay." Crystal said shyly, her voice taut with nervousness.
Bankotsu's smile brightened and he gave her a small nod.
Crystal breathed in deeply and began to utter the words to a familiar hymn when her eyes focused on a figure striding towards them. She quickly closed her mouth and focused her gaze on it.
"What?" Bankotsu asked huskily.
"Sesshomaru?" Crystal asked herself.
As if struck by an invisible arrow, Bankotsu jolted in his seat and fastened his gaze on Sesshomaru as Crystal did.
Sesshomaru, now a mere feet away, nodded to her but did not take his beautiful golden yellow eyes from Bankotsu. After a moment, Crystal remembered her manners and gestured towards Bankotsu.
"U-um… This is Bankotsu, a friend from school…. B-bankotsu, this is Sesshomaru, the person I was waiting for..." Crystal said shyly.
Although Crystal had spoken, the lack of movement between the two made it seem as though she had not at all. Strangely, it seemed as if they were having a conversation, just one that Crystal could not hear. She mentally berated herself, of course that was impossible. Telepathy was beyond human capacity.
Suddenly, a slow smirk spread across Sesshomaru's face. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Bankotsu." he said.
Suddenly, Bankotsu stood up and glared at Sesshomaru. "I don't speak to trash." he said then walked past Sesshomaru.
Bankotsu quickly walked away as he didn't say a word anymore.
Once Bankotsu left, Sesshomaru's gaze turned to Crystal and instantly she felt a flush of heat rush up the expanse of her chest and neck.
"So he is a friend at school?" Sesshomaru asked, showing no emotions.
Crystal nodded shyly.
Sesshomaru neglected to reply as he looked around at the surrounds.
"You...are late, you know." Crystal said shyly.
Sesshomaru's gaze returned to Crystal. "I know, but fortunately, just in time." he said.
"Do you and Bankotsu know each other...? It seemed that way..." Crystal asked.
Crystal studied her calmly for a moment before glancing away. "You could say that. I don't like him, you should stay away from him." he said.
For a moment, Crystal couldn't believe what had come out of his mouth. Bankotsu was no more than a nice stranger to her, yet he declared that with such authority, as if he was her boyfriend. Well, he certainly was a looker but he was still a stranger.
"B-but... Bankotsu is my friend... He didn't do anything wrong... I-If anything, he was helping me with some of my problems I have..."
A short, silence slid by as they locked gazes with the other but Crystal shyly looked away as Sesshomaru's eyes were ferocious which scared her.
"When is your birthday?" Sesshomaru asked.
Crystal still looked down. "It's in December... The 21st." she said shyly.
Sesshomaru nodded. "That's just a couple of months away, isn't it?" he questioned.
Crystal nodded.
Another silence passed.
"Well, anyway. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would be good to hang around, Crystal." Sesshomaru said.
"Th- there's nothing wrong with Bankotsu..." Crystal said before she shyly looked up at Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru stepped closer to Crystal and placed his right hand on the back of the bench that was on the left side of Crystal.
Crystal blushed furiously as Sesshomaru was close to her as she to looked up at him. She wanted to back away because he was in her personal space but somehow couldn't.
"I know that guy. He is nothing but trouble. He seems nice though, doesn't he?" Sesshomaru asked.
Crystal nodded.
"That's how he gets the girls he does. He's nice at first and then he changes. Trust me." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal looked away. "B-but... I-I can't..." she said.
With his left hand, Sesshomaru placed it on the right side of Crystal's face and made her look at him so that their eyes were locked. "You do already, don't you? If you can't stop speaking to him, then don't meet him outside of school." he questioned.
Crystal sighed sadly, wondering how Sesshomaru could make her feel even more helpless. Sesshomaru had some strange authority about him that made her and even Bankotsu want to either flee, bend, or scared. In this case, she was bending and scared.
"I have to go. I doubt I will be able to meet you for a while because I have a lot of responsibilities." Sesshomaru said.
"Do you have a phone?" Crystal asked, shyly.
Sesshomaru still didn't show any emotions. "No. I don't need one." he said.
Crystal made a sad face. "Well think you should at least have one... That way... w-we can talk." Crystal said shyly.
Sesshomaru remained silent for a moment, as if contemplating something. "Sing for me, will you?" he asked.
"W-what...?" Crystal asked, shyly.
"Sing. I overheard your conversation with Bankotsu. I want to hear it." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal sighed softly. "W-well, alright..." she said shyly.
Crystal opened her mouth and began to sing a short hymn she remembered from her childhood. A hymn that her mother and father used to sing to her when she would have nightmares.
During the climax of the song, Crystal noticed Sesshomaru's eyes take one a softer, glazed look as if he were drunk off of the sound of her voice. She softly giggled inwardly at herself at her foolish thoughts.
When it was over, the look within Sesshomaru's eyes was still there, though, a little less prominent. Before Crystal could comprehend Sesshomaru's gradual movement, he leaned in and his lips brushed her forehead with a light, feathery kiss. Crystal blushed furiously at what Sesshomaru was doing to her.
Sesshomaru pulled back and stared into Crystal's eyes. "Your voice is beautiful." he said, lowering his eyes.
Crystal could barely contain her shock. Sesshomaru felt so warm and with each second that passed, he only became warmer.
"Your voice is too beautiful for his ears." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal remained silent as a memory flirted with her brain. This moment felt almost like deja vu to her.
"Too beautiful." Sesshomaru said. "Will you ever sing for me again, Crystal?"
The drunken fever that was taking over Sesshomaru seemed to have taken over Crystal as she shyly nodded her answer.
Suddenly, Sesshomaru's eyes became sharper and the fog within his beautiful eyes dissipated. He straightened and stared up at the sky. The only think Crystal thought of at that moment was how sorrowful he seemed to be.
When Sesshomaru turned his gaze back to Crystal, the old Sesshomaru had taken the drunken one's place. "I will see you again soon." he said.
Crystal shyly nodded. "H-hai..." she said.
...
Tomorrow.
Demon Realm.
The smell of brimstone mixed with the ancient blood of Hell's enemies drifted into Sesshomaru's nose as he took a deep breath. All around him were the agonized groans of the enemies he had slain. There were bodies all around him, some were lying as still as death itself, while others twitched in their last moments.
Sesshomaru looked down at his blood splattered hands. Dried blood was caked into the crevices of his claws and the two swords, Bakusaiga and Tōkijin, and also his healing sword, Tenseiga, he fought with were completely drenched in drying blood. Under his feet, were more bodies and he noticed that there was no sign of land. Bodies of the dying covered it. He dropped his 2 fighting swords, and lifted his head to the sky.
It was the color of blood. The blood of those he had slain. He wondered then, if he was the only one still alive. For as far as he could see and sense, there was no other living creature. Had he killed everyone?
As Sesshomaru was thinking those things, it began to rain. Softly at first, but the drops of rain that fell soon became heavy and filled with acid. The drops soon turned to blood and ran down from where he was standing, at the top of the mound of bodies, to the bottom in a furious river.
Suddenly, Sesshomaru heard a sound like no other. It was both beautiful and agonizing, proving to tear him apart yet put him together. It was a sweet sound and for a moment, he tensed his body thinking that there was an angel on the way. As he continued to hear the voice though, he knew that it belonged not to angel, but to Crystal.
But what was she doing here? How did she get here?
Sesshomaru looked around for traces of Crystal but he found none. Her voice was the only thing that he could sense.
...to the depths, forever wandering. Is there no solace? No retribution? Are we to die here for naught? In this cycle of blood and chaos, to be the only one standing. A tribute to those lost. Yay, the clouds are gray, the sky as the blood of mine enemies and there is no savior in sight. I am weary yet I am granted unrest.
"Crystal?" Sesshomaru whispered.
As if in answer to his call, Crystal appeared in the near distance. She was more like a ball of light than anything and he found that the more he stared, the less he was able to see. He wondered for a moment if he was slowly going blind.
So then, have I fought for naught? Victory for a time is nothing compared to victory for eternity. Ah, but this victory is one of the former and I am yet a slave to this battle. Certainly, I will fade away as this victory. My eyes will go blind so I may not look upon another's bloodied body.
The scene before him turned black. The mounds of bodies were no longer visible to him. The bloodied sky, he could no longer see. He could still smell the stench of the bodies around him. He could no longer hear their moans though, because Crystal's voice overpowered theirs'.
As for the intoxicating smell of those fallen, I will no longer be able to comprehend. Yay, though I stand amidst this chaotic field, I will not faint. Nothing can apprehend this spirit of mine, for I must go back. I must continue living, for I cannot fall here. My glory. My might. My strength. I summon thee. Rise within me once the more and grant me the ability to leave this cursed, wretched place.
Suddenly, Sesshomaru felt a body against his's body. How he knew, he was unsure because his sight and sense of smell were gone. He lifted his arms and enclosed them around her slight frame, afraid for a moment that he would make a mistake and break her.
"How did you get here?" Sesshomaru asked, whispering into her hair.
Crystal didn't reply, or rather, he could not hear her reply. His sense of hearing had gone away too but he had not noticed.
"Crystal." Sesshomaru whispered again, pressing her closer to his body.
"Crystal. I vowed that I would protect you and I shall do that. Once your birthday comes, your life will change. But-" Sesshomaru said
He noticed then, that he was embracing the air. Her body was no longer there. Instantaneously, he began to suffocate.
He opened his eyes then, and was able to see. He was no longer on the field of blood but back in his chambers. Sesshomaru never dreamt, except for when he had that dream. It was the only dream he ever had and he had been having it since Crystal was born.
Of course, the dream changed over time. Up until now, Crystal had never sang to him and he had never lost his senses.
It was high time he found out what the dream meant.
"Send the last one in." Sesshomaru called to the servants at the doorway.
Sesshomaru sat, leaning his right shoulder on the right side of the fiery throne his father should have been occupying. The throne itself was huge and sat at the very top of a platform that was bathed in blue flames. The throne was bathed in green flames that licked at his arms and fingertips. The power that he absorbed from it was something he had never experienced and he was almost giddy as he sat there looking down at everyone Else.
The tall doors engulfed in blue flames opened, revealing an average demon who was clad in windswept garments. He knelt on the ground a few feet away from the steps that led up to the platform.
"Report." Sesshomaru said.
The demon bowed his head.
"The western territories have been stabilized and the internal heat has returned there. Many report that there are still areas that have greatly decreased in the amount of heat that has been received. This is likewise for the north and eastern territories as well. In some cases, there has even been..." the demon said.
The demon's head bowed further and his hand that was resting on his raised knee, clenched.
Sesshomaru rubbed his chin with his left hand as he stared at the demon intently. He had a feeling that he already knew what had caused him to appear angry, if not distraught.
"Speak." Sesshomaru said.
"There have been cases of death, my lord." the demon said.
Just as Sesshomaru thought. Death for demons was nearly impossible. There were only a few things that could truly kill a demon. If a demon was attacked by its antagonist, the angel assigned to destroy him, then dying would be entirely possible. A demon could also die if their internal heat fell and remained that way for a time.
Sesshomaru stood to his feet. "It will be taken care of. Continue to do what you have been doing." he said.
The demon nodded but did not rise as Sesshomaru passed him by.
Once out of the throne room, Sesshomaru had an immediate thought of his father.
"Lord Sesshomaru." a familiar male voice said.
Sesshomaru didn't have to look to his right to know who had addressed him but he did anyway. With his head bowed and a pleasant look upon his face, Ryura looked every bit as pleased about his duties as Sesshomaru thought he would.
"Why do you look far more pleased about my new duties than I do?" Sesshomaru questioned.
Ryura lifted his head and met his gaze with widened eyes full of feigned ignorance.
"I simply enjoy that you are preparing yourself." Ryura said.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "Preparing myself for what?" he asked.
Ryura glanced away, "My lord, there are pressing matters that need your attention."
Sesshomaru didn't make any expressions. "Sure, right after you tell me about the preparations I'm making." he said.
Ryura glanced back and locked eyes with Sesshomaru who still didn't make any expressions.
"My lord, I was referring to your eventual rise to the throne as Western Land's Lord." Ryura said.
Sesshomaru sighed. "I still have no attachment to the throne." he said.
It was Ryura's turn to sigh. "But my lord-" he said but was cut off.
"Have I not spoken to you about such things in the past?" Sesshomaru said, harshly.
There were a few servants were stole glances at the two but Sesshomaru barely paid any of them attention.
Ryura bowed his head again. "Forgive me, my lord." he said, meekly before insterting. "But your father's legacy will only live on through you. The Western Lands will be much greater with you to lead here. None of your younger half brothers can measure up to the greatness within you. Your father knows this. The Elders do. Everyone is secretly hoping that you take over."
The more he went on, the more Sesshomaru's annoyance grew. The hotter his blood began to run. The tenser his body became. The more his lips drew back in a scowl. Even as he felt such annoyance, even anger, at his words, Sesshomaru had no idea why. Sure, he had spoken to Ryura many times about this and always told him not to harp on it but that alone was not what made him angry.
Sesshomaru thought of the latter part of what was said. Everyone was secretly hoping for his take over? Who was everyone? How many demons were in that number? Most importantly, why would they wish for him to? He was the oldest, after all. Tradition held that the Eldest was always the inheritor of the throne.
"Forgive me, my lord." Ryura said, looking into Sesshomaru's fiery gaze.
From the determined glint in Ryura's eyes, he could see that his apology was nothing more than a formality. Or rather, an apology that meant he was sorry for not being sorry about what he had just said.
"Leave my presence." Sesshomaru said, growling a little.
Ryura's eyes shined with regret as soon as he spoke the words. He refused to take them back, even as he knew he could not be angry at Ryura. He was more angry at the words and the sense of rightness that they landed with inside of his mind. He had spent his entire life Eluding the thought of ever taking the throne. He had always just wanted to stay out of all of his brothers' way. Never to create ripples. If he took the throne, there would be more than ripples that would be created.
Sesshomaru thought of going to his father. For a brief moment, he stood in place debating on whether or not he should. Inu no Taisho was recuperating and besides he could not go to him every time he was conflicted about something. But then, who Else could he talk to? There was no one Else who could understand his thoughts.
So, he decided to visit his father but not for a long time. He stood before the entrance to his father's chambers, feeling more anxious than he did before he arrived.
"Lord Sesshomaru requests entry." one of the male servants said.
Moments later, Inu no Taisho's powerful voice reverberated throughout the entry way. The servants at the doorway, opened the curtain and Sesshomaru walked through without hesitation. He walked through an empty sitting room and into the room that held his father's bed.
As soon as he entered, the heat of the flames surrounding his bed seeped through Sesshomaru's skin. As he approached, the fire died down but just enough so that Sesshomaru was able to make out his father's form.
"What brings you here, son?" Inu no Taisho asked
The question was blunt but the amusement in his voice was evident.
"From the sound of it father, you already know." Sesshomaru said.
There was just a moment's silence before Inu no Taisho responded with a dry chuckle.
"Oh, but it would be much more fulfilling to hear you tell me yourself." Inu no Taisho said.
Sesshomaru sighed and told him everything he was feeling.
"Ryura says that by obtaining the throne, I will be carrying out your legacy." Sesshomaru said.
At that, Inu no Taisho erupted into an extreme fit of laughter that didn't die down for a long while. Or at least, it seemed that way to Sesshomaru.
"Oh, my, and I wonder why you still have that armor bearer by your side. Well, I guess he is quite loyal." Inu no Taisho said as he sat up.
Inu no Taisho's eyes were alight with a bright orange flame and there was fire all around his body, engulfing him like a blanket. He was grinning, showing off his sharp white teeth. Teeth that were once known to rip through his enemies' flesh like any sharp blade.
"Sesshomaru." Inu no Taisho said, calmly. "Lords create their own legacies. The children that they create is apart of their legacy but only as a child. Once the child becomes lords, he lives out his own legacy. As Lord of the Western Lands, you will make your own legacy and the children you have will a legacy of their own when they get of age."
Sesshomaru contemplated it all in silence. Never had he thought about it in such a way.
"What will your legacy be?" His father asked.
Immediately, Sesshomaru thought to the dream he had been having and its newest developments. Crystal and the dead bodies. Could they possibly have anything to do with his legacy?
...
Human Realm.
Crystal sat at the dining room table, staring down at her food. She didn't need to look up to know that her parents were doing the same. Ever since she could remember, they had always been quiet and rather reserved.
Crystal's eyes lifted to gaze upon her mother, who, just as she imagined, was staring down at her food. Her left hand held chopsticks which was poised over her rice as if she was unsure what to do with it. She noticed that the bags under her eyes were darker than usual. In fact, within the last couple of months, her mother seemed to be a lot more out of it than usual.
She shifted her gaze to her father. His normally spiky light red hair was average, with a few strands that fell into his face. He too, had unusually dark bags under his eyes. His mouth was drawn back in a permanent frown.
Crystal sighed, something that effectively drew their attention to her.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Kimi asked in a small voice.
"Oh nothing." Crystal said with an edge to her voice.
Ryu raised a tired right eyebrow. "Are you sure? You can tell us whatever is on your mind." he asked.
Crystal stared into his tired eyes. The longer she did, the more she wondered about the reason. Why did her parents look so washed out?
"W-w-well, I want to know why you both look so tired and drained." Crystal asked.
Ryu and Kimi shared a look before they turned their guilty gazes toward Crystal. Kimi looked back at Ryu.
"We should tell her. I mean, we have been keeping it quiet for so long and she is about to be eighteen. She needs to know." Kimi said.
Kimi's voice was coated in a sorrow so deep that it cut through to her very soul.
"Okay." Ryu said, simply.
Even though Ryu said that, they were engulfed in an immediate and intense silence. It only made the atmosphere heavier and made Crystal all the more confused. Could the thing that made them look so tired and drained be so inhibiting?
Abruptly, her father stood from his seat. The sound of the chair sliding against the wooden floors made her ears hurt for a moment. Kimi stood after him.
"Follow us, sweetie." Kimi said.
Crystal followed after them.
Crystal followed them out of the dining room, leaving their untouched plates to keep each other company. The silence that lurked amongst the 3 of them was greatly worrying, but she didn't bother to strike any conversation.
They stopped in the hallway right before the stairs to the second floor. They were facing a door sealed shut by a lock pad. Crystal had always imagined that it led to some small cob webb infested closet so she never bothered to try and open it, or pester her parents about it.
Now, her mind raced to think about the possibilities that lay beyond the door. Insane things like alternate dimensions and alien labratories coursed through her mind. Then, she thought about it realistically. It could be a surprise that they hid from her until her birthday, perhaps.
Crystal shook her mind of all thoughts of the like and focused on the now open door in front of her. Her parents were already disappearing in the darkness the inside of the room held. She started to follow them but hesitated at a gust of wind that ruffled her clothing and went through her hair. She could swear she even heard whispering.
She hurried after her parents, finding them deeper inside of the room that was actually bigger than she imagined it would be. Her parents stood in the middle of the room, inside a circle of lit green candle sticks.
Kimi held out her right hand to Crystal. "Come here, sweetie." she said.
Crystal continued walking towards them and picked up her pace until she was able to place her left hand within her mother's right hand. She gave her left hand a squeeze, and smiled at her with raised eyebrows, as if to ask 'are you ready?'
Crystal nodded in response to the unanswered question, though not at all close to understanding what it was she had to be ready for.
"Alright, let's do this." Ryu said.
As soon as her father said that, her parents both shut their eyes and lifted their heads. They moved their lips but words were not coming out of them. Crystal stared at the two of them, not able to fully comprehend their actions. She wanted to laugh a little bit at them but for some reason, she couldn't find it in her to. She felt anxious for some reason. Almost scared. They were her parents, so she had the utmost faith that whatever it was wouldn't be bad.
"B-but what were they doing?" Crystal thought.
As if to answer her unspoken question, the house began to shake and tremble, but only for a moment. After that, her parents opened their eyes and stopped moving their lips. They turned their attention to a vacant area right in from of them.
Moments after that, a blazing fire erupted. With one look at the familiar green fire, she felt a sinking feeling in her chest. This was it. This was the truth.
When the fire died down, Crystal was able to see a face she never would have expected to see. Slowly, an emotionless face spread across his face, as his golden yellow eyes flicked from her parents to her and back. He lifted his head and took a deep breath before returning his gaze to her parents.
"Ah, fear. Between the two of you, the fear wafting from your bodies would be enough for all the demons in Hell to feast upon." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal tore her gaze away from Sesshomaru to regard her parents who looked shaken and pale. Her gaze returned to Sesshomaru and received a start when his intense gaze was already on her.
The amusement in his countenance was no longer there, instead, it was something she could not quite pin down. He shifted his weight onto his left leg and crossed his arms.
"So, why have I been summoned?" Sesshomaru asked, flicking his gaze to her father.
Ryu cleared his throat. "Crystal will be 18 soon." he said.
Sesshomaru only nodded.
"We want to extend-" Ryu said but was cut off.
A sigh escaped from within Sesshomaru's throat. It filled the entirety of the room and gave Crystal goosebumps.
"You want to extend the contract? I am a heir of the Western Lands, not a guardian angel. I only accepted the contract in the first place because of what you two offered me." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal glanced at her parents who looked put out by his rejection.
Suddenly, it dawned on her that he said contract. The demon who had been visiting her recently, had a contract with her parents?
"What...? A contract for what...? Since when were you guys into the dark arts...?" Crystal asked, softly.
Her parents only shook their heads sadly.
Crystal slowly looked back at Sesshomaru.
"You, my dear, were born with a curse. That curse is your beautiful voice from which the depths of your pure heart speaks. Many of my kind want you because you will make them stronger. some may devour you, others may possess you and a few may even keep you captive and suck your energy nice and slowly until you have nothing left. At least, that is what I would do." Sesshomaru said.
Sesshomaru stared emotionless at Crystal's horrified expression.
"When your parents found this out, they entered into a contract with me, because I have no problem killing any who endanger my contract.. The contract ends when you turn 18." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal faced her parents, rage making her tremble. She did not understand completely as to why she was so angry. She just was.
"H-h-how could you guys not tell me...?" Crystal asked.
Kimi reached out to place her left hand on her right shoulder but she pulled it away away.
"No... don't. I-I don't understand how you could not have told me something so important... I'm turning 18 soon and... without the contract I'll be in serious danger. When did you two expect to have the time to tell me before I died...?" Crystal asked, softly.
Ryu shook his head sadly. "You won't die, sweetie." he said.
Crystal could feel her eyes filling with the tears that would soon come bursting like a river behind a broken dam.
"However not...? The contract will end in nearly two months..." Crystal said.
"Crystal." Ryu said.
Crystal's entire body tensed as the vibrations of his voice resonated through her body like a chime. She turned her head to the right side, knowing her eyes gave away the extent of her vulnerability.
"The contract with your parents will end, yes, but nothing is stopping you from entering into a covenant with me." Sesshomaru said.
Before Crystal could answer, her father stepped forward and yelled. "No! Absolutely not, demon. Don't you dare try to beguile my daughter with your deceit." he said.
Sesshomaru didn't make any expressions.
Crystal turned to her father, feeling the anger bubbling back up.
"W-who are you to say this...?" Crystal asked.
Her father frowned at her. "Your father and watch your tone, young lady." he said.
"I-I can't be around you 2 right now..." Crystal said softly as she turned around began to walk away.
"Wait." Kimi said, grabbing her right hand with her left hand. "We have no other choice." she said, regarding her father.
"Yes, we do... We can enter into another contract with another demon..." Crystal said, looking at her mother.
"Not so. You two offered me your souls once the covenant was over. Don't think I will pass that up." Sesshomaru said.
Both her parents visibly tensed. Crystal stared into the depths of her mother's sad, sky blue eyes and she knew it was the truth. Suddenly, the air in her lungs didn't seem like enough. She had to take short gasps to keep herself from suffocating in the air that was quickly becoming thicker and thicker as time wore on. The room even seemed to be much smaller. She felt closed in.
Crystal removed herself mother and ran from the room, bursting through the door, not really noticing the dull ache on her arm because of the collision. She ran up to her room and locked the door and soon fell onto her bed in a heap. The first sob that erupted from her chest was shocking and seemed even out of place but the second and third were normal. The sobs kept coming like annoying little hiccups and were just as uncontrollable. For 17 years, her entire life had been a lie.
A soft sigh came through her lips as the last of the sobs stopped racketing her body. The fury of the sobs left her feeling weak and limp, with her chest feeling achy. She stretched her legs and yawned, feeling suddenly sleepy.
Crystal rolled over onto her back and stared up at her ceiling; the ceiling she'd looked at for the better part of 17 years. It too, seemed like a lie, as if the ceiling she was staring at wasn't really hers, but someone else's.
The small hairs on her arms and her neck began to rise as she felt a chill run through her body. Her heart even picked up its pace and she knew she was not alone.
"Y-you're here... a-aren't you?" Crystal asked shyly, not bothering to turn her gaze away from the ceiling.
A long silence came.
"W-why are you here...?" Crystal asked softly, still not looking.
Crystal was amazed that she was feeling the least bit scared with the intruder.
Crystal sat up and turned to the left side at Sesshomaru with a thoughtful frown as she stared at him. He was leaning against her window, with his arms cross. His beige Mokomoko-sama were spread across the expanse of her room and curled. She stared at them in awe with a sudden urge to touch the fluffiness of it. She'd never seen such fluff before. It captured her and made her heart beat a little faster.
Crystal's eyes slowly trailed from the end of it and rested on his face. He had a strong jaw and she could see his lips that tilted downward at her attention on them. She looked into his eyes, as if wanting to find out why he frowned. His eyes burned into hers with an unwavering intensity that she would probably never get used to. It was almost as if he could see everything in her. All of her insecurities and all her desires. She felt like an open book and she hated it.
She lowered her gaze to his collar bone that was peeking out behind the armor that he wore. Or at least, she assumed it was armor. It put her in the mind of spartan battle armor, although he was wearing white sashinuki hakama and boots.
"W-what is it...?" Crystal asked shyly.
Sesshomaru smirked. "To offer my services, without interruptions. If you enter into a covenant with me, you will not be harmed." he said.
Crystal's eyes found their way to his at the latter part of what was said. She was unsure and from the intense, almost hungry way he gazed at her, she was almost certain that it would not be smart. As if sensing her uncertainty, he made an emotionless face again.
"You can set the conditions for the covenant. A covenant is different from a contract, in that I am not the one who sets the conditions." Sesshomaru said.
It was Crystal's turn to frown. "T-then why didn't my parents... enter into a covenant with you...?" she asked, shyly.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "Because I am picky about who I enter into covenant with. Only the worthy are allowed to." he said.
Crystal was taken aback. What made her so worthy?
"A-and I am worthy...?" Crystal asked, shyly.
"Yes." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. He would be able to protect her from his kind and unlike her parents, she would not have to give her soul.
Crystal lifted her gaze to meet Sesshomaru's. "A-as a condition of this covenant... I-I want you to not take my parents' souls..." she said, softly.
There was long, drawn out silence that passed immediately after what she said. Crystal kept her gaze on Sesshomaru's eyes, not wanting to lose her nerve but was slowly but surely losing it. His gaze had hardened the moment she had completed her sentence.
Sesshomaru lowered his arms as the left ran through his long hair. Never once, did his gaze leave hers.
"It's not that simple, Crystal." Sesshomaru said. "Just as I cannot take back what I do because of the contract, they cannot take back what they have said. It is binding. It is forever. That is the way of my kind."
Crystal made a sad face. She didn't understand. Couldn't understand.
"B-but you can... They still have their souls... A-all you have to do is not take them..." Crystal said, shyly.
"It doesn't work that way. The only way I can do that is if something else is offered." Sesshomaru said, then with a strange glint in his eyes added. "Something more valuable."
Crystal frowned again, thinking long and hard about what it is a demon would find more valuable than the soul of a human. She could think of nothing.
Her gaze flicked back up to his eyes. "I-I don't suppose you'd accept money, would you...?" she asked, softly.
Sesshomaru didn't make any expressions on his face. "What do you think?" he asked.
Crystal sighed softly and placed her hands together as fiddled her fingers. Never in her life did she ever imagine that she would be bargaining with a demon for the souls of her parents.
"W-why can't you just let it go...?" Crystal said whispering, fighting back tears of frustration.
Sesshomaru's eyes hardened again but there was a strange glint beneath the emotionless exterior. Crystal wished she knew what it meant, but knew there would be no luck in trying to find out.
"I am a demon. It is what I am. Souls give me more power." Sesshomaru said.
His voice was matter of fact and gave her no room to argue against his words. Sesshomaru said it with such finality that she believed all was hopeless but she couldn't allow her parents to lose their souls. Not because of her.
"W-what do you want...?" Crystal asked shyly but the words were more of a soft whisper like the sound of wind rustling through tree leaves.
Sesshomaru's golden yellow eyes seemed to flare, which reminded her of what a flame does when it comes in contact with a little wind. Neglecting to answer her, he pushed himself off of her wall and advanced toward her.
The sudden movement startled Crystal and gripping the bed with both hands was all she could do to keep herself grounded where she was. She remembered the last time she saw him and the heat that coursed through her blood from his body. It was intoxicating, his heat was.
Crystal drew in a shaky breath before she tilted her head back to meet his eyes that were bright with a feverish hunger. The sight made her heart skip a few beats and if her body hadn't turned to stone, she probably would have fleed from the room.
Though, as she continued to peer into his intense eyes, she found that she was not actually afraid. She felt something close to anxiety or nervousness, maybe even caution but it was not fear. She looked over to his Mokomoko-sama was laying on the right side of Sesshomaru's shoulder. All she could see was him and his beautiful fluffy Mokomoko-sama.
Again, the urge to touch them registered in her mind but Crystal couldn't bring herself to do it. Perhaps, it was because if she felt his Mokomoko-sama this whole thing would become far more real to her than it had been. But the sight of them intrigued her and it wasn't everyday you could get the chance to touch the Mokomoko-sama of a dog demon.
Without a further thought on the matter, Crystal reached out her right hand to touch them, but was stopped by an iron grip of Sesshomaru's left hand that stilled her movement. Gasping, she looked back up into his eyes that were narrowed in what looked to be suspicion, or digust. She couldn't tell.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sesshomaru asked.
Crystal made a sad face. "W-well, I was going to touch it..." she said, shyly.
"That's rude." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal tilted her head. "S-so, I-I can't touch your Mokomoko-sama...?" she asked, shyly.
Sesshomaru released Crystal as he crossed his arms. "No. You can't. It's rude." he said.
Crystal made a serious face again. "B-but y-you've touched me before..." she said, shyly.
"Because I own you, basically." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal sighed softly, choosing to ignore Sesshomaru's words. "W-well anyway... I-If I choose to get into covenant with you... W-what condition can I meet in order for you to not take my parents' souls...?" she asked, shyly.
"You." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "M-me...? W-what do you mean...?" she asked softly, but from the way his eyes bored into hers, she was certain she knew what he meant.
Sesshomaru uncrossed his arms and reached his right hand out to touch the left side of Crystal's face. With his right index finger, he slowly carressed the area from her temple down to her lips.
"Give yourself to me and your parents' souls will not be taken." Sesshomaru said, his voice oddly gentle.
The same, intoxicating heat that Crystal remembered flowed easily through his finger and into the parts of her face that he touched. She took a shaky breath, in order to reign in her senses that were going haywire.
"Y-you will really do this...? Y-you're not lying? H-how can I trust that you will do this?" Crystal asked in a breathy whisper.
Sesshomaru retracted his right hand and immediately the pleasurable warmth that was slowly making it way throughout the rest of her body receded.
"The convenant that we will enter is one sealed by blood. A covenant sealed by blood is unlike a contract that is only made of will and intent. A blood covenant prevents me from ever harming you, going against your conditions and allows you to summon me wherever you are without any hassle. Once completed, you, the summoner, are able to give me commands that I will have to follow but be mindful that if your will is not strong enough when you give said commands, I will not have to obey them. You are allowed three conditions, be sure to choose them wisely." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal looked up at Sesshomaru, uncertainties filling her head. They mainly drew on the fact that he was a demon and demons were known for being liars and masters of deception. But then again, no one ever said that a demon could have such beautiful Mokomoko-sama, nor did they say that demons could protect you all your life. Trusting his word was a risk she would have to take.
"O-okay. Is that all...?" Crystal asked, shyly.
Sesshomaru nodded. "All that you need to know now. As we go on, I'll explain it you." he said.
It was Crystal's turn to nod.
"Are you ready?" Sesshomaru asked.
Cry felt her heart beating faster. "H-hai..." she said softly, nodding.
Sesshomaru held out his right hand to her and before Crystal slowly took it with her left hand, she stared at it for a moment. He had long fingers, with sharp nails that curved like claws. She placed her left hand in his with her palm facing up, immediately feeling his warmth engulf her left hand and flow through her left arm. She bit down on her lip to keep from moaning from the pleasure of it wafting throughout her body in waves.
"This may or may not hurt." Sesshomaru said.
Crystal made a sad face again and looked into Sesshomaru's eyes just as she felt a sharp pain on her left wrist. It didn't last long enough for her to react though. She stared down at the blood that was slowing welling up on her left wrist. She hadn't noticed until she saw droplets of blood falling onto her left wrist that he had done the same to himself.
Sesshomaru's blood was darker, almost black, but seemed to be the same texture as hers. It swirled around with her blood until she saw bits of it flow into the open wound. Immediately, it began to burn. It was a terrible pain and Crystal whimpered as she felt tears welling up in her eyes, trying not to be loud so that her parents wouldn't be suspicious.
"Lift your wrist." Sesshomaru said calmly.
Gritting her teeth, Crystal lifted it as he said. Droplets of blood ran in rivulets down her left arm. She didn't expect for him to catch each one with his tongue. She watched in a mixture of horror and fascination as he licked the blood from her left arm and ran his tongue over her wound repeatedly. He did this with his eyes open, never leaving hers and for reasons unknown, hers never left his.
When the last of the blood was stopped, Sesshomaru released Crystal's left arm and stared at her calmly, waiting for her to regain her composure.
"What are your conditions?" Sesshomaru asked.
Taking a deep breath to dispel the strange fuzziness that was wafting around her brain, she thought of her first condition.
"M-my parents' souls will not be taken by you..." Crystal said, softly.
Sesshomaru just nodded.
"Uh... I-I may give myself to you... b-but my soul will remain intact..." Crystal said softly as she looked at Sesshomaru to see that he wasn't making any expressions.
Crystal thought for a moment and smiled softly. Sesshomaru was going to hate her for this one, but he did say he would be held to the conditions.
"A-and lastly, y-you will let me touch your Mokomoko-sama whenever I so feel like it..." Crystal said, shyly.
Sesshomaru's eyes immediately narrowed and his lips dipped into a displeased frown. "That's your last condition?" he asked.
Crystal nodded. "Y-yes and there's nothing you can do about it..." she said, shyly.
"Then, I will adhere to these conditions of yours." Sesshomaru said, then deepened his frown. "Why do you want to touch it?"
"B-because it's beautiful and fluffy..." Crystal said, shyly.
At that, Sesshomaru only stared at Crystal with no expressions again.
"C-can I...?" Crystal asked shyly, gesturing to his Mokomoko-sama.
Sesshomaru only nodded, continued to watch Crystal.
Thrilled and not bothering to understand why, Crystal stretched her right hand out to the Mokomoko-sama she had been reaching for earlier. First, the tips of her fingers touched them and everything that she thought about them before disappeared completely. They were so soft, like nothing she had ever felt before. Possibly how she imagined clouds felt when she was a little girl. She pressed her fingers into it more, feeling the structure beneath the fluffiness. It felt so much stronger than she would have thought, like tensed muscles in an arm.
Crystal stepped closer and pressed her left hand against it, running her fingers along the individual fluff that made it up. She found herself smiling to herself and forgetting all about who they belonged to, or rather, what. She jumped a little, when the Mokomoko-sama grew slightly bigger to her and giggled softly when she realized that she had jumped for nothing.
"I-It's so beautiful..." Crystal said whispering and glanced up at Sesshomaru.
Crystal's heart did a little leap in her chest when she noticed Sesshomaru's intense gaze was already on her. He made no move to frown, nor did he make any move to loosen up his hard expression. He was staring at her as if he was trying to figure her out but there was something close to mirth within the depths of his fiery eyes and she could of sworn his lips curled into a smile but when she looked harder, she knew she was only imagining things. He was not smiling at her, nor was he amused by her interest in his Mokomoko-sama. He was probably annoyed.
With those thoughts, Crystal dropped her hands and stepped away.
"Glad to know you're done." Sesshomaru said.
"F-for now..." Crystal said, shyly.
At that, Sesshomaru smirked. "Ah, where is this boldness coming from? What happened to the little girl who still fears me?" he asked.
"T-technically... I-I'm your master now, it should be you who fears me..." Crystal said, shyly.
Crystal instantly regretted the words as soon as they were said, but Sesshomaru made an emotionless stare as he hadn't taken her seriously.
"I am leaving, but whenever you need me, just think of my name or call my name and I will be there, even if you can't see me. If your reason for calling is not deemed good enough by me, I will not manifest myself fully in this realm but I will still be here, so you can speak and I will reply in your mind. Do you understand?" Sesshomaru asked.
Crystal shyly nodded, but not entirely sure she did understand.
Without another word, Sesshomaru was gone in a gust of wind.
End of Chapter 4.
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