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Chapter 8: The Tenseiga and Father's True Intention
"So, Myoga, weren't you going to tell us something?" Inuyasha asked. "Well?"
"Yes, of course, Lord Inuyasha. There's an enemy after you two. His name is Takashi, the son of Shishinki, the demon who Lord Sesshomaru sent to the underworld with the Meido."
Sesshomaru opened his eyes. 'So, is that who I saw the on the night of the new moon?'
"Kuh! Who the hell is he? I don't know about Sesshomaru, but I'll squish him like a fly." Inuyasha closed his eyes and turned the other way.
"Lord Inuyasha, you must not underestimate your enemies. Takashi might not have the power to defeat you or Lord Sesshomaru in a one to one combat, but he has a terrible army.
"So, what kind of army?" asked Kagome.
"Shishinki was a demon who could use the Meido Staff to open the gate to the underworld. It is rumored that he could also bring back dead souls. It would be an army of dead souls, evil bandits and warriors, or people who had died in battles, men and women who long for revenge."
"Wow! So, how do you destroy an army like that?"
"Kagome, my master had Totosai forge the Tenseiga in order to destroy the dead souls because no weapons of this world could defeat such an army."
"Yeah. That makes sense," Kagome nodded.
"But what was Shishinki's intention for raising such a terrible army?" Miroku added.
"it was a time when many powerful demons existed. They fought each other to rule over the humans who they can use for food, souls, target practice, slaves, and many other purposes."
"I see. So, humans to demons is like wealth to humans."
"That is correct, Kagome."
Sesshomaru tuned their conversation out momentarily as Myoga went into different gruesome details describing to the gang how demons could use humans.
His father's words came loudly into his ears.
"Do you desire power so much? Why do you seek power, my son?"
"The path I walk is the way of supreme conquest, and it is power that will reveal the way for me."
"Supreme conquest... tell me, Sesshomaru, have you someone to protect?"
'Someone to protect? Father, during your lifetime, you also sought power and became a supreme ruler. Not only the Inu demons, but many other demon kinds bowed down, pledged their allegiance, and hailed you as their Lord. Was it just to protect someone? That human woman?'
His mother, a great demon with much less powerful than father and himself, had been floating in her castle through many territories undisturbed. If she had wished to protect a mere human such as Izayoi who had nothing the demons could benefit from or be interested in, she would have no problem protecting them without having to engage in battles terrible demons and bring herself to the brink of death.
'Father, so who was it that you wished to protect?'
Myoga's voice came back into Sesshomaru's hearing.
"The humans fought back, but even with their strongest demon slayers, monks and priestesses couldn't keep the demons at bay."
"Uh huh!"
"My master fought those ambitious demons to protect the humans."
Sesshomaru threw a contemptuous glance at Myoga.
'Father, perhaps I understand why you protected that human woman.' The image of Rin smiling flashed across his mind. 'But why sacrifice your life protecting the humans? How ridiculous!'
Myoga continued, "Shishinki was among those ambitious demons. My master defeated him, taking the Meido Stone into possession from which the Meido Zangetsuha technique was developed. Knowing Shishinki had the ability to raise a dead army, the Tenseiga was forged to prepare for Shishinki's army. Master also put the unfinished Meido Zangetsuha technique into the Tenseiga. Well, you already knew that."
"So, what happened to Shishinki's dead army?" Kagome asked.
"Well," Myoga scratched his head, "He never did such thing, so it became forgotten.
"Kuh! You're talking a whole bunch of nonsense, Myoga. If Shishinki didn't have that army, then maybe he couldn't raise it, then. Why else wouldn't he raise it when he fought Sesshomaru and me?"
"W - Well! Lord Inuyasha. I don't know why he didn't."
"Kuh!"
Miroku chimed in, "According to one of the many legends I had to study during my training, there was mention about a pair of weapons that could open the underworld and raise dead souls. I think it might have something to do with this."
Kagome turned toward Miroku. "Do you mean to say that the Meido Staff alone might not be enough to raise the dead souls, and it needs another weapon?"
"If I remember correctly, yes, I would imagine so," returned Miroku.
"Yeah, that would make sense. Maybe Shishinki didn't have the other weapon he needed," said Kagome.
"Yes. But who is to say Takashi doesn't have it?" Myoga jumped up and down in his forever urgent manner.
"Yes. There is a strong possibility that Takashi has it and is able to raise such an army. Or else, he wouldn't even consider avenging his father." Miroku massaged his chin in a thoughtful manner.
Sesshomaru stood up and moved a little closer to the gang.
"He does not have it."
All eyes turned to Sesshomaru.
"How ya figure that, Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked.
"Because he came here on the night of the new moon. The only weapon he had was the Meido Staff."
Everyone gasped at the revelation. A worried expression covered Inuyasha's face as everyone fell silent.
"So, you've been protecting us," Kagome asked.
Sesshomaru produced no answer to Kagome.
"So, you've met Takashi, Lord Sesshomaru," asked Myoga.
"Indeed."
"Did he fight you?" asked Myoga.
"He simply ran away."
"Did you not pursue him?"
"No."
"Why not, Lord Sesshomaru?" Myoga jumped up and down on Kagome's shoulder.
"It would be unwise."
Sesshomaru answered bluntly. He turned away and narrowed his eyes. 'Another weapon? Could it be mother's Meido Stone? After all, it has the ability to bring Rin's soul back from the underworld. Father had taken possession of it, then that might explain why Shishinki never raised his army.'
He then walked toward Kaede's door, tuning everyone out.
Rin should not be given a choice any longer. It was best that Rin travel with him again. If there was a dead army, the Tenseiga would destroy them in one swing, or maybe three. If it was a live army, it wouldn't stand a chance against his Baksaiga. A simple solution.
He stopped in front of the door. What could be taking Rin so long. He raised his hand to knock but stopped and stood back. Unless it was for Rin's safety, she should not be disturbed.
Kagome approached him. "I'll go check on Rin."
A short moment later, Kagome opened the door and stepped out. "She'll be right out, Sesshomaru."
As soon as Rin stepped out the door, her face immediately hit Sesshomaru's chest.
"Oh! Sesshomaru-sama!"
"Rin."
"Yes!" Rin looked up at him with a pair of owl eyes.
"Fetch Ah-Un and come with me."
"Oh, Sesshomaru-sama, I haven't bathed or had dinner yet."
"I'll take you to this place. You shall bathe and also find food there."
"Oh! Yes!" She grinned so wide that her eyes almost closed. "Let me get a clean kimono and fetch Ah-Un."
Rin left and came back with Ah-Un and a kimono in her hand.
"I'm ready. What about Jaken-sama?"
"He stays here. We will not be long."
"Yes."
Sesshomaru slowly rose into the air. He glanced back at Rin.
Rin waved to the gang with the same eye-closing grin. She then hopped on Ah-Un and took off.
…..
Note:
Sgt Sporky, Thank you so much for your reviews and advice again. I think I won't have an asspull, that's why I spend so much time with back stories with Uekya to lay down a path. But I'm not sure about being contrived, I will try my best not to because this is my first story ever, I have no idea what I'm doing, lol. So After I read your comment, I searched for more advice on Google and got a few, but it's hard to digest all that and really apply it, you know. As for a way out for the protagonist, I think it might take a little bit of work. And The Art of War. hmm.. I did try to read that book, but I was so sad by it after the first few pages, I couldn't go on.
Guest, Thank you so much for your review even though it does not show up yet. But I got the message, and I think I understand a little bit about what SessRin fan wants from your comment. And I agree with it because it is also what I want. I am trying to work out a path for the plot, but I promise you after this chapter, I will focus more on Sess Rin moments.