Chapter 5
A pair of deep, steady, golden eyes flickered through the perpetually darkened forest. Unlike so many other creatures, the owner of this demon stare was unafraid of the lurking nocturnal hunters, for he had the stature, power and confidence to repel such threats. In truth there were only a handful of things that had the capacity to stir emotions from this great demon's heart. More often then not, such situations ignited only anger, complements of an inherited short-temper. However in some rare instances feelings of concern and devotion shone through his seemingly impenetrable defenses. Now, in the beckoning morning, such emotions were pelting hard against his mental barriers, along with a steadily growing anxiety that made the great demon quicken his pace. As hard as Sesshomaru tried to suppress it, his instincts were blazing unwelcome warnings across his psyche to a degree not even he could ignore.
As the golden-eyed monarch continued forward three other figures followed from behind. The first, a small, toadish looking creature with large, bulging round eyes made hasty steps through the dark to catch up with his master and in the process also tripped over roots or ran into hidden branches. The second beast, though nearly the size of a horse was much less clumsy, for he had two sets of eyes, one for each of his serpentine heads and both sported the excellent night vision common to dragons. It was just as well that the creature be more cautious, for he carried on his back the third party, a young human foundling. Though passing wearily in and out of sleep, the little girl was surprisingly well mannered and cooperative. She didn't argue at all when Sesshomaru her protector opted not to set camp for the night as was the routine. In fact, she even gathered food for the journey, so her distinctly human appetite wouldn't slow their progress. The little toad creature however was not nearly so adaptive.
"Lord…Sesshomaru…" Jaken huffed out as he tried in vain to keep up with his master's unusually quickened pace "sire, is there something the matter? You've seem quite agitated as of late…and never before have we owf…" An unseen rock halted the inquiry momentarily "have we…traveled for so long…ow…" this time it was a branch to the face "without rest," the little demon finally managed to blurt out the remainder of his thought. To Jaken's surprise Sesshomaru came to an abrupt halt and turned a cold eye on him.
"If you wish to rest, then do so. I will travel on alone." that said, the demon lord started off again, his gate even brisker then before. Naturally that idea didn't sit well with Jaken who immediately started into a run.
"Wait milord!" he called frantically as he dashed to catch up once again. The entire process failed to interest the twin headed dragon, whose ambling gate remained calm and steady. There was no reason for him to hurry. Even after both Sesshomaru and Jaken disappeared from his line of sight their scents still left enough of a trail to follow. As the beast continued onward, the small child atop his back stirred restlessly into consciousness. Then letting out a half dazed yawn Rin looked sleepily around her.
"Almost morning…" she mumbled after noting the just lightning sky "Ah and Un where are Lord Sesshomaru and master Jaken?" the dragon beast gurred lightly to indicate the pair were somewhere up ahead. Sighing the little girl flopped backwards across the length of the dragon's back and stared up into the thick forest canapé. She had nearly fallen asleep again, when suddenly a dark blur with golden eyes darted across her line of sight in the branches above. Bolting upright Rin watched nervously as the shadowed something continued to maneuver around them with great agility. Then in an eye blink, it was gone. But in its place came another threat, this one from underground…
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Sesshomaru froze when Rin's scream burned across his ears. He didn't need to look to know what creature had decided to attack; the burrowing movement beneath his feet offered enough of a picture. It was an incredibly large, foolish and desperate ground serpent in search of food. Sesshomaru turned on his heels and shot back through the undergrowth with temper ablaze; any other day he would be tolerable even merciful to encroaching demons but not now, when his instincts agitated him so.
With sword drawn Sesshomaru readied a strike against the massive serpent intruder currently looming above Rin and her twin headed companion. But before he could act a new golden-eyed demon appeared and sped past him in a blur of shadow. Coming to a halt, Sesshomaru watched while the golden-eyed figure rushed forward and split the snake beast down the center in a fighting style unusually similar to his. Then the human-framed demon landed and turned his gaze from the scattered serpent fragments littering the ground to the noble demon lord observing him. Standing tall and with features still masked by dim light, the mystery demon appeared just as cold and domineering as Sesshomaru himself was. The pose lasted only an instant, for in the next the newcomer was attacking again, but this time his claws were aimed for Sesshomaru!
"Foolish dragon." Sesshomaru grumbled to himself as he avoided the attack and struck out with Tokijin's energy. The blast devastated the surrounding forest, but its target remained untouched. Sesshomaru lashed again, this time taking out the boulder his quarry had landed on. For a second time his energy strike missed, though only by inches. This game continued for three more strikes, and each time Sesshomaru came closer and closer to making contact. His opponent's movements may have been swift, but they were also amateur and predictable. With a final well-executed energy jolt from Tokijin, Sesshomaru destroyed the intruder's intended landing ground an instant before said move was executed, sending the surprised demon toppling off balance into the mud. A second later Sesshomaru was standing above his fallen opponent, the knife tip of Tokijin held precariously close to the fighter's throat.
Though sprawled on his back and staring up the wrong end of Sesshomaru's sword the intruding demon did not seem overly worried. He merely gazed with intelligent eyes at the weapons handler and gave a little smirk.
"I see you haven't changed," the gilded eyed warrior commented in a calm almost playful manner that made the western demon lord twitch an eyebrow. He recognized such an attitude, and the dragon youth it belonged to.
"Why have you come here Matyeo?" Sesshomaru growled, ignoring the inner urge to scold his former pupil for his loss of skill and style during battle. From the ground, the emerald haired dragon flashed a mischievous half grin before answering in the all to familiar composed yet incredibly sarcastic tone Sesshomaru had instilled on him.
"Only, to see your pleasant face milord." The western ruler narrowed his eyes and edged the tip of his sword closer to the dragon's throat. He was in no mood for such games. Matyeo meanwhile let out a little breath of surprise as the razor end of his mentor's sword brushed against his flesh. "In a bad mood I see…" he managed to remark with a final thread of amusement as the demon lord pulled the sword away and set it on his belt.
"You waste my time hatchling," Sesshomaru mumbled angrily while promptly turning away and starting back in the direction he had come "do it again and I will not be so forgiving." Behind him Sesshomaru could hear the footsteps of his double-headed dragon servant as well as Matyeo's uncoordinated efforts to rise and shake the clinging forest mud from his clothes.
"Master Sesshomaru," the voice of the young dragon lord rang out yet again, this time however it carried the respectable air of a monarch. "I apologize for my intrusion, but I must speak with you." Sesshomaru continued to walk, ignoring the request for an audience. Matyeo may have taken on the professional tone of a king, but that didn't make his concerns any more important. "Its about Lady Shura…" Now the lord of the west found cause to stop, and he did so immediately, though he kept his head turned away.
"What about her?" he asked with a sternness that made the dragon shift uncomfortably.
"I fear she may be in danger. Her mount Ukuri was found alone and wounded very badly…"
"Where?" the interruption came before Matyeo could finish.
"Downstream, east of here."
"Shura's left her village?" the western lord inquired having heard nothing of his child's habits since his leaving her home a month ago.
"Aye, that's right, but for what reason I couldn't tell you." Sesshomaru gritted his teeth. It was no wonder his instincts were raging. Far from being secure in one location, his only child was instead gallivanting around by herself in the wild! At least when she had been with the humans, repulsive as they were, he knew there was little chance she'd come to any harm. But now… The western lord gave an exasperated sigh. Out of all the parenting duties…worrying was not one he wanted to experience again.
"You will lead me to where you found the beast. I shall use his scent as a guide." Matyeo nodded obediently and readied his wings for flight. Then with the demon lord and his servant in toe took off into the pale morning.
"Milord!" a tiny voice called from the earth below. "Wait milord!" It was Jaken. Just now finding his way through the woods the little demon had arrived in instant to late and missed the ride. In a fit of frustrated tears Jaken sank to the ground only to be lifted by a sporadic gust of wind. The rush of air was well controlled, and carried just enough strength to send Jaken hovering until he reached the haunches of Ah and Un. Gasping in relief and exhaustion, the little demon glanced over at the favored wind's director. "Lord Matyeo?" Jaken questioned when he too recognized the face of his master's former apprentice. Flying parallel to the duel headed beast, the dragon monarch didn't answer, only gave a slight nod. He himself was to busy to enlighten Jaken on current events, for it was taking all his concentration to insure that those same winds which he had used to guide and lift the little demon now remained blowing in their favor. He had, after all, promised Inuyasha that he'd return by dawn's light.