Legends
In her last year of school, Kagome takes a mythology class on a lark. What the heck, she thinks, it should be interesting at least.
The teacher is a pretty woman with shy smile and restless hands. "Today, students," she says, "I'm going to do a brief introduction on demons. There are a great many different legends in our culture on demons. One of my favorites, however, are the stories that originated in the Warring States era."
Kagome is sincerely regretting taking this class, and it's only five minutes into it. The teacher continues, droning on and on and rambling about things Kagome still has nightmares about. She mentions the legend of the Shikon no Tama, explaining the tragic, star-crossed romance of the priestess who guarded it and the half-demon who sought it, and Kagome clenches her fists in her lap and glares at her textbook.
Kagome manages to tune the woman out, staring at her book and doodling on notepaper until four words catch her attention – 'Lord of the West.'
"He's never mentioned by name," the teacher says, "but he has a great deal of lore surrounding him. There are even some artist interpretations of what they think he might have looked like. They are on page…fifty-two."
Kagome, overwhelmingly curious, turns to that page.
It is certainly an accurate likeness, and she can only think that whoever drew this must have at least seen Sesshomaru. They even got down the color of his eyes, and the color of the markings on his face, even his kimono and armor.
"Now, most of the rumors about the Lord of the West say that he was extremely powerful, extremely intelligent, and completely ruthless."
Well, Kagome thinks, at least history got something right.
"By the time the Warring States Era was over, they say he practically ruled all of Japan, and did it with an iron fist. Some even say he was the only noble to ever travel his lands without a single place to call home."
Kagome stares down at the picture in the textbook, thinking Well, that fits.
"They also say he was the older brother of the young half-demon who pursued the Shikon no Tama. According to the legend the two brothers didn't get along very well, since the Lord of the West was a full-blooded demon, and the younger brother only a half-demon."
Two for two, Kagome thinks. Congratulations.
"The legends of the great Lord of the West continue well into the eighteen hundreds, when the last great battle is said to have been fought. He led the demons of Japan against the humans who wanted to kill them, and while he was not necessarily victorious, he did manage to give his people enough time to retreat to safety. After that…" The teacher trails off and spreads her hands. "He simply vanished."
Now Kagome is staring with wide eyes. Sesshomaru…lead the demons against the humans? He helped them survive? But…that's not like him! He doesn't care!
The next thought on her mind is Rin. I bet it had something to do with Rin.
"It is said that he died in the battles against the humans, saving the life of his younger brother. That he regretted his ways and repented."
Kagome muffles an undignified snort. And pigs fly.
"Others say that he is still around to this day, that there are still demons living among us. That through sheer force of will, the Lord of the West has managed to keep the demon populace peaceful. Well, students? What do you have to say about that? Miss Higurashi?"
Kagome smiles. "Well…anything's possible."
End
A/N -- I just thought that they would have all made it into the legends, that's all.