By the way, THANK YOU for the wonderful reviews. I never really thought my first story would be received that well. And I'm practically shocked that it was waited on this long. I'm really sorry . . .

Thank you . . .

TimeDameron

Cynthiacyvon

MysticMaiden18

Writer4girlz

Liz

Inulovegirl713

Happygolucky27

I'll try to make this story as worthy of all of your time as possible . . .

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way what-so-ever, own Inuyasha. If I did . . . well . . . (grins)

Chapter 2

". . . my Moon Lit Castle . . ."

". . . Oto-sama? . . ."

". . . beyond the Western Boarders . . . there, my treasure lies. Find my treasure Sesshoumaru. Bring my treasure home . . . where s-e belongs . . ."

The flames sizzle and flared, engulfing the man standing in the middle of the burning flesh and gore. The fire casting eerie shadows concealing the mangled bodies within them.

- Present -

Sesshoumaru blink through the memory as he continued to stare through the never ending horizon. It was never like him to remember things from the past, voluntary or otherwise. He never chooses to dwell in the events that has happened, nor contemplate on the things that have passed. For him, it was complete nonsense. But as he stood there; proudly atop that small hill at the middle of a vast clearing beyond the forest, he could not stop the sudden flow of memories. As if the wind, with it's every puff and gust, carries the memories of long ago and whispers it on his ears. And as unnerving as it was, it was the only attachment he has on that place. That place which held the very foundations of what he lives for as of now.

Golden orbs scanned the vast clearing, flickering with every drop of sunlight landing within its surface. Long silver locks swaying with the winds every gust, grazing softly upon a pale face, two pairs of violet slash like markings adorning either side of his cheeks, a crescent moon mark staining his forehead. His yokata, as white as the snow, with its intricate designs lay upon a strong frame, a white puffy fur resting on his right shoulder cascading down the length of his torso, three swords holstered around his hips. Sesshoumaru was a sight to behold, his lean yet muscular frame standing proudly upon that small hill; his face, betraying no emotions at all, lay impassive. He was the Dog Demon Prince; the only son of Ino no Taisho, the Demon Dog King, former Lord of the Western Lands, who died many decades ago in that very place he stood.

The cold breeze blew softly, grazing through the lush, green grass, passing through the tree branches; its leaves dancing giving the forest that rustling yet calming sound; ivory white clouds hovering slowly through the endless sky above.

It was peaceful, like the still forest surrounding him; with nothing but the sound of the wind rustling through the branches and the faint sound of birds chirping from a distance. Yet its serenity laid a mask of what had transpired there decades ago, its silence hiding the lives that were taken, its tranquillity concealing the horrifying memory of so long ago. He can still see the vivid images of events that took the innocence of that place; he can still hear the screams and cries of pain, the smell of blood and mangled flesh. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes as the memories once again began flooding in . . .

It was a cold night, the darkness consuming the last ray of light from the setting sun. He stood there, atop that very same hill, staring at the bloodshed before his very eyes. It was a war, a battle between two races, two different beings; no one backing down, no one showing neither fear nor weakness. He can hear the endless screams of pain, the deafening shouts of suffering and death. He can see the splattering of blood, bones breaking and flesh tearing to pieces. He can hear the shrilling sounds of swords clashing and armour breaking. He can see the fall of many a human, a demon. The battle has begun, yet far too early to end. The cause of so many deaths lost through the years of war; for Glory, Family, Love, or Honour? Nobody knew. Just the knowledge that it will all come to an end with the eradication of the other serving as the comforting thought for a better tomorrow.

Sesshoumaru focused his eyes, looking for a familiar figure through the battling bodies. He can't rely on smell alone due to the heavy stench of blood and flesh in the air. When he failed his search, he strained his gaze to the darkening heavens. Funny as it was clear and cloudless, the darkness like a black mantle sprinkled with sugar as stars lay abundant at its bay.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" a youkai soldier approached shouting, slashes adorning his armour, wounds staining his arms and face.

Sesshoumaru turns around, looking down on the soldier; his eyes bidding him to say what has to be said.

"We are losing many men, Sire! The humans are fighting with Miko's at their side. Many high level Taijiya has also been spotted. Fire has erupted and started to burn half the forest around. The Lord has yet to show. What should we do, Sire?"

As Sesshoumaru stilled and opened his mouth, preparing to lash out orders, an explosion burned at the far end of the clearing. The fire sizzling and flaring out as wind lashed from the direction the explosion came. A roar so familiar strained his ears.

"KAZE NO KIZU!"

A figure came running swiftly through the fires, his clawed hands gripping a huge sword, blood trekking down his scarred body. Sesshoumaru frowned as he saw his father's state. He can smell the blood from, as he suspects, large wounds on his father's body; see the numerous arrows embedded upon his back and shoulders. Why? What could have happened? Did his father engage with the humans prior to the battle taking place now?

He took a step forward, his claws emerging from calloused fingers, poison dripping a luminescent green on to the abused ground. Waving his hand, slashing his way through the battling bodies before him, hitting and scarring humans at his way; he approached his father. His father, who took out almost all the humans with his powerful blows the moment he arrived, now stood at the middle of the burning clearing, mangles bodies littering at his feet, his back turned against him.

"Oto-sama . . ." he called as he stopped a few feet away.

The man turned, his face hidden by the eerie shadows from the fire around them. His expression completely masked, only his shinning, weary eyes evident within the darkness. Sesshoumaru held his gaze for a moment, 'til his father averted his eyes and looks above, staring at the shinning full moon adorning the dark night sky.

". . . my Moon Lit Castle . . ."

". . . Oto-sama? . . ."

". . . beyond the Western Boarders . . . there, my treasure lies. Find my treasure Sesshoumaru. Bring my treasure home . . . where s-e belongs . . ."

"Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes as a shrill, annoying voice called his name, cutting his train of thoughts. He turned around and saw a small imp demon approaching.

"Yes, Jaken?" he asked quietly.

"Myouga is already at the palace as you requested, mi Lord. He is expecting your highness now" Jaken quickly answered, bowing deeply.

Sesshoumaru simply lifted his eyes from looking at the cowering imp, gave the clearing one last look and turned around, stepping towards the direction of his palace.

-oOo-

A figure stood at the other side of the clearing, hidden within the shadows of the towering trees, scent masked by the wind as it blew away from the standing Dog Demon. Its wine red eyes watches as a small green imp approached and bowed before the standing Prince, a few moments more the two left disappearing at the other edge of the forest. The figure step out of the shadows, revealing its presence on the now empty clearing; black hair tied up in a bun, a few pearls and feathers tucked within its raven strands, a slim figure clad in a beautiful red Kimono.

Kagura stood there for a few more moments before reaching for a feather atop her head and throwing it a few feet above. The feather hovered in the air before slowly growing in size. Kagura jumped, landing gracefully and sitting atop the now large feather. With a wave of her hand the feather flew to the other direction, heading towards the Easter Lands.

After some time flying and passing endless expanses of forest, rivers and mountains; the Eastern Lands came into view. Kagura flicked her hand and flew faster passing gorges, cliffs, and numerous rock falls. Nearing her destination, she can now see a huge castle in the distance resting at the edge of a vast cannon. The castle stood ten stories high, wide spread veranda's framing each floor, large windows carved with intricate designs, balusters made from the finest and sturdy wood. The stone walls surrounding the majestic structure were made thick and tall, guards littering its every corner. The huge gates made of the purest iron with Dragon figures carved in its surface closed shut.

The large feather continued to fly, passing the huge gates and high walls. The guards' bows lowly as Kagura passed them by, continuing her ascend until she reached the very top floor of the castle. Jumping down, she land gracefully on the open veranda. Her wine red eyes roamed the empty room as a slender hand motioned up. The feather begun to shrink, landing on her small palms, placing and pinning it back within her raven locks. A black fan decorated with flower prints and petal designs appeared from her long white sleeves, opening and placing it before her slender carved jaw, hiding her plump red lips. She stepped forward, entering the open room and disappearing through the darkness.

The corridors was dark, dimly illuminated by torches on either side of the white paper covered walls. Soft footsteps breaking the deafening silence as Kagura walked through the wide stretched hallway, her ruby eyes fixated forward, glowing eerily as the shadows dance around her slim figure.

She stopped a moment later, now standing before a huge closed door. Lifting up one slender hand and curling it to a small fist, a soft knock echoed through the silence. After a few moments, a low growl came within the enclosed room. An audible "enter" reverberated as the doors opened wide. Kagura walked in, the doors closing tightly behind her.

The room was large, occupying half of the castles top floor. Burning torches attached to the four corners of the room the only source of light, giving the room an eerie illumination. In the centre was an elevated square flat form, four pillars hoisted on its four corners as satin silk curtains draped from the high ceiling to the wooden floor fastened around it, blood red carpet covering the steps to a large throne situated at the top. A silhouette of a large figure sitting before it, hidden within the shadows the pillars created.

"My Lord" Kagura whispered, bowing deeply before the seated figure.

Aqua blue eyes opened, shinning through the darkness, gazing boringly at the bowing woman.

"Speak, Kagura" the large figure said, boredom sipping from a deep baritone voice before giving a large fanged yawn.

Kagura rose up, straightening her stand before closing her fan and looking up towards her lord. "There is still no news of the princess, my Lord. The Lord of the Western Land seems to still be unaware".

A thoughtful look passed through those cold blue eyes before returning to its usual empty stare. "Very well, how about my brothers?" the figure asked.

"Your older brother is still in search of the princess as well, my Lord. And quite eager I may say; it seems his servants had come in some form of information about the princess. All of them are hovering at the edge of the Western Lands at the moment; we are keeping close watch of them as well"

At that the figure sat up straighter, eyes narrowing. "And how about the other, our youngest?"

"It seems that your youngest brother have not made any plans of searching the princess. No news of any of his men scouting information or travelling about has been made. He is keeping to himself, my Lord"

The figure leaned back, eyes still narrowed in thoughtful contemplation before a menacing grin spread from thin lips, fangs gleaming through the darkness. "It seems something is amiss my dearest Kagura. Go! And keep a close watch on our dear Lords" the figured ordered before a deep chuckle echoed through the otherwise relatively silent room.

Kagura bowed and turned to leave as blue eyes closed, once more hidden within the deafening darkness.

-oOo-

How about it, my lovelies?

Good? Bad?

Ta-Ta!

With Love,

Fiore