Chapter 31
Everyone followed tensely as Sityra pressed through the small community in the direction of her nest. Glares of suspicion and secretive whispers came from the silverwings as they observed from safe distances, worsening the unease. Sesshomaru in particular stayed on high alert, never once letting his eyes trail from the blackwing leading them. Eventually Sityra stopped in front of a large, secluded cave that expanded deep into the mountainside. Twin, armored silverwings stood watch at the mouth of the cavern and their posture stiffened as Sityra drew near.
"Queen Sityra," one guard addressed "our comrades have kept the she-dog calm, as you requested." Sityra nodded approvingly in the guard's direction before motioning her and her companion aside. Not waiting for further invitation Sesshomaru pressed onward ignoring Sityra's lead. Matyeo followed cautiously on his heels, all the while keeping a cautious eye on the witch queen. Within a few moments the pair of demons came upon the far end of the cavern, a cozy space lit with a faint, pale blue cast by some unknown magic source. A heaping pile of furs rested in the furthest corner, and laying on those furs… Sesshomaru quickened his pace toward the familiar silhouette.
"Sssss…." An angry warning reached the dog lord's ears, making him freeze out of reflex. Three sets of blue, glowing eyes appeared suddenly in the darkness, as did the shrouded outlines of the silverwings they belonged to. Sitting atop his daughter's fur mattress all three witches watched Sesshomaru intently, their ice-cold stares never wavering. Shura meanwhile had started to groan softly, but a quick touch to the forehead from one of the witches promptly silenced her.
A pang of unease pushed at Sesshomaru's chest when he saw the three demon's proximity to where Shura was laying. Though consciously he realized they were just following Sityra's orders, using telepathy to keep Shura's mind at ease, but instinctively he had an unexplainable dread of seeing Shura so close to witch demons.
"Depart" The dog lord's telepathic order came almost without him realizing, and it clearly surprised the trio of witches for all three of them flinched.
"Quite an talent you got there, dog," the silverwing near Shura's head commented "learn that from the dragons did you?" Sesshomaru's stare hardened. True as the witch's observations were, such was not the time for reminiscing over training concluded when he was barely more then a juvenile.
"I won't ask again," grumbled the dog lord impatiently when the three demons failed to budge. His order was augmented suddenly when Sityra's calm instruction sounded from behind.
"Do as he says,"
"Yes queen Sityra," replied all three demons in unison. Then obediently each of the witches gathered themselves from the fur, slipped past Sesshomaru and Matyeo, and reconvened around their exulted matriarch who stood a safe distance away.
Not waiting for further invitation, Sesshomaru approached where Shura lay. Even in the dim surroundings he could see the she-demon's eyes were heavily glazed with delirium. Gently Sesshomaru reached out and lightly patted Shura's cheek in an effort to rouse her. Eventually Shura reacted to the gesture.
"pa…pappa?" Shura questioned still in a half stupor. Sesshomaru paused, a bit taken back by the reminiscent nickname. It was the first time Shura had called him that since their reunion.
"Yes, Shura," the dog lord replied quietly. Shura opened her eyes a bit wider only to wince from the effort.
"My head hurts…" Shura whimpered. It was the last thing she had strength enough to say before her mind caved to the strain of consciousness and she once again blacked out. Sesshomaru shot a nasty glare over his shoulder and locked on the still patiently waiting Sityra.
"What did you do to her?" he growled in a tone that even made Matyeo step away in alarm. Sityra however, kept a cool head.
"She did it to herself, by trying to harness a power she doesn't have control of," Sityra paused and in the next instant Sesshomaru heard the witch queen's voice echo throughout his mind. "Much like her father." The message was accompanied with a subtle, yet insistent push. The probe was not hard enough to harm, moreover it was done more out of precaution; a signal to him that although he outranked Sityra in physical power, Sesshomaru's scant telepathic cues were by no means comparable to hers.
Fury rose in Sesshomaru's chest. It was a bitter anger, one he had hoped wouldn't surface. But Sityra's mannerisms brought back to many bad memories for it to remain locked away. With an irritated wince he shook Sityra from his mind. Then with eyes still narrowed coldly Sesshomaru turned towards Matyeo. The dragon was keeping a close watch on the queen witch and her lackys but turned a keen eye when Sesshomaru addressed him.
"Matyeo, gather Shura, we're leaving," was all the dog lord said as he started in the direction of the exit. Matyeo was more then a little surprised and it showed in his reply.
"What…right now?"
Sesshomaru turned his head sharply to gleam over his shoulder with what could only be described as a "don't question me," kind of look. It was a cue he had practically engrained in the young dragon's mind. To his surprise, however, Matyeo did not follow through as he was expected. Instead the dragon hesitated and with an unsteady voice went on "I don't think… that is a wise idea."
Now growing impatient Sesshomaru hardened his stare in a final warning. The signal did not go unnoticed, for Matyeo cowered a little. But again the dragon stood his ground. It was only after the dog lord had turned towards Matyeo in irritation that he noticed the genuine look of concern across the boy's face.
"Shura's mind is still trying to recover," Matyeo whispered in a audible tone only Sesshomaru's keen ears could pick up "The stress of transport could kill her. Please reconsider."
Sesshomaru stared at Matyeo intently. Such a suggestion was bold of him, almost to bold. And yet, there was something about his eyes. They were filled with an intense inner fear, one that stemmed beyond worrying over Shura's fate. The silverwings and their society may have made the dog lord uncomfortable and angry…but Matyeo was downright terrified of them.
"You…wish to stay?" Sesshomaru questioned skeptically, never once averting his eyes from Matyeo's face. The very idea was still difficult to grasp, considering how much interest the young witches had shown towards him. Even letting his guard down for an instant could prove disastrous for the upstanding dragon prince.
Matyeo meanwhile shot a glance momentarily over his shoulder and Sesshomaru followed it subtly. The trio of silverwings gathered by Sityra was beginning to eye him eagerly as well, visibly worsening the dragon's anxiety.
"I think…it would be best for Shura," the youth at last replied in a small voice laden with intense dread, but no hesitation. The devotion in Matyeo's tone made Sesshomaru unexpectedly falter. Somehow, even though he had raised the youth solely as his trainee, the orphaned dragon prince still managed time and time again to tug at Sesshomaru's parental heartstrings.
"Very well. This time I won't argue," the dog lord relented after a long pause. Then, turning on his heels, Sesshomaru started back to where Shura was laying. Guarding her, at least, would alleviate some of the strain. On his way he brushed past Matyeo and made it a point to add quietly "I just hope you're prepared to handle any and all consequences." The dragon gulped again.
"Me too," he muttered.
Consenting that travel was impossible until Shura's recovery, Inuyasha, his friends and Matyeo couldn't put up much of an argument when Sityra offered them shelter and food for the remainder of the evening. But when time came to eat no one really argued the choice. For being a group of conniving demons Sityra and her underlings were surprisingly well-mannered hosts. Inuyasha had his wounds painlessly tended to with sorcery and afterwards the entire group eventually settled in a circle with Sityra and her black-tabby resting among them. Food and drink arrived promptly thereafter; tailored to suit everyone's tastes. It was a bit awkward in the beginning, but Kirara eventually broke the rift by opting to curl on Sityra's lap, next to the handsome Kuromaru.
"She did the same thing when she got to know Shura," Sango noted aloud as she observed her partner. Sityra offered a small smile in return.
"The western heiress has a kind heart, I will say that. It's rather surprising, all things considered." Next it was Miroku who opted to join the conversation, but the monk's interest wasn't on Shura.
"You said a while ago that you were Mura's sister,"
"Yes, her elder," Sityra confirmed, her expression turning a bit repugnant. Miroku continued.
"If you don't mind me asking… why aren't you helping command the blackwings?" Sityra turned up her nose.
"My sister thought my tactics foolish, so she turned the clan against me and usurped my power," she answered with a distinct note of bitterness "The wench would have killed me too had she been strong enough, but being the elder gave me at least that edge. Still," Sityra's expression hardened slightly "Mura made sure I didn't get away unscathed." The witch shied a glance to her cropped wings. Had it been any other demon she would have been able to mend them with a simple spell, but with Mura's cruel hand responsible… it was a mark she could not escape. "The Silverwings took me in," Sityra continued "and after Mura slayed their queen, I was voted the best candidate to take over."
"Oh I see," Miroku interjected "Who better to lead them into battle then their rival's greatest enemy?" To that Sityra offered a little smirk.
"I suppose you could see it like that," she agreed, her casual tone restored "Not that it really matters, as things stand now we are nowhere near strong enough to face Mura and her tribe."
"That's to bad," Miroku replied quietly, his mind seeming to be half lost in thought. It would be rather foolish to simply dismiss the fact that Sityra and her silverwing followers shared one of their enemies. But suggesting they fight as allies, that was far to bold. "I wonder," Miroku mumbled, a new thought striking him suddenly "Queen Sityra, I'm guessing with your clairvoyance you knew about our plans to make protection charms, and challenge your sister's clan for the sacred jewel shards,"
"Yes," the witch confirmed, though in truth it didn't really make a difference considering the monk had just gone through the trouble of revealing their plans to her anyway "you're point?"
"I'm curious… does that mean you know how to make them too?" Sityra smiled and tucked an ebony lock of hair behind one ear.
"Well of course dear boy. I wouldn't be much of a witch otherwise." By this point Kagome and Sango were beginning to pick up on Miroku's motives and neither one really opposed the idea. It would certainly make their travels easier anyway.
"So why not side with us?" Miroku at last inquired "We could fashion the charms and go after the blackwings together," the monk's suggestion sent Inuyasha into glaring.
"Miroku! We don't need…" he started to snap, but his protest was quickly halted.
"Come now monk, and give you the tool that will inactivate my only defense against that fool hound Sesshomaru! I may be vengeful but not stupid," Sityra chuffed. Everyone except Inuyasha and Matyeo frowned in disappointment, making the witch sigh heavily with guilt. "Well I won't make you the charms, but… I suppose I see no harm in granting you the final ingredient you need." Drawing out her claws Sityra pressed one into the palm of her hand until it started to bleed. Then she held her hand aloft so the blood could flow easier. As the crimson drops fell from her skin they appeared to halt in mid air at a single, universal point. As that spot the drops converged, gradually forming a growing, liquid sphere. When the sphere reached about the size of a golf ball Sityra made a fist with her bleeding hand. The blood flow stopped and at the same time the hovering sphere crystallized into a perfectly smooth orb. "Here," she offered the sphere to Matyeo, seeing as how he would be the one making the charms. The dragon uncoiled from his hunched, defensive posture just long enough to take the item.
"Thank you. Your gesture is most appreciated," replied the dragon quietly. It was the first time Matyeo had spoken since he had left Sesshomaru and Shura, not at all his usual mannerism.
Sityra sensed this unease too and was about to offer some reassurance when a mental tremor distracted her. The pulse was from her sleeping niece. Scanning the vibrations lightly Sityra confirmed that the cause was neither pain nor discomfort. In fact it was quite the opposite.
"Hmm, how interesting," the witch queen noted slyly, her eyes flickering with momentary psychic energy as she peeked into Shura's exposed sub-conscience.
"What is it?" asked Kagome, ever curious. Sityra turned her sapphire eyes upon Matyeo.
"She's dreaming about you," the witch mused. Matyeo's ears flattened and his cheeks gained a noticeable tint of color.
"It isn't polite to read someone's thoughts without their permission…" came his slightly fumbled reply. To that Sityra snorted and turned up her nose.
"You dragons and your etiquette," she chuffed aloud, then for effect she added psychically "… better be on your guard boy…you'll find no such courtesy here. "
Matyeo, a bit taken aback by the intrusion, glared but said nothing more. With Yanta and her group of leering friends watching on the sidelines the dragon couldn't afford to get distracted any further. Especially now, knowing that witches wouldn't hesitate invading his mind if given the chance.
The witch queen turned her attention back to the observing group.
"But enough about that…you have questions, yes?" she inquired, or rather stated. This time it was Inuyasha who took the liberty to answer, for there were many things still weighing heavily on his mind.
"Earlier this evening Shura got hold of a sacred jewel shard…and something happened to her. She wasn't acting like herself at all… even her demonic aura was different…" Inuyasha trailed off his gaze growing surprisingly concerned "If you know what's going on then I want answers."
Letting out a sigh Sityra started into the long, complicated explanation of witch culture and inheritance rites, Shura's unorthodox birth and the inevitable conflict of blood that in turn split her soul. All the while Inuyasha hung on every word, his stare growing more stunned by the second. By the time Sityra's story was finished he looked about ready to keel over in shock.
"Why do you seem so surprised half demon?" Sityra inquired when she noticed, "Do you not have a similar predicament?" Snapping back to reality Inuyasha scratched behind one of his still human ears. The clashing of his mortal and demon haves didn't seem comparable at first, but now that he thought about it…
"Well… I suppose…" Inuyasha admitted a little embarrassed. Sityra went on.
"The charm on your sword has always protected you, even while it was laying dormant within your body. But Shura was not so fortunate. Had she gone much longer without my intervention… " The queen's voice trailed off, leaving an unsettling silence that spoke louder than any words could.
Miroku intervened.
"So you've cured her then?" he asked, hopeful. Sityra shook her head lightly.
"No. I merely managed to re-channel the darkened half and conceal it within young Shura's mind. I could never fully eliminate it," the witch let out a small sigh "That is a task only my sister can fulfill, because it was her seal that started the problem in the first place."
"I see," murmured the monk with a note of disappointment "well that complicates things." Inuyasha and the others lowered their eyes in agreement. Waltzing up to Mura and asking her to remove Shura's seal would no doubt be just as effective as them demanding she surrender and give up her jewel shards. Sityra sensed their distress and her response was surprisingly confident.
"I don't see why it should. I made sure to bury the essence in a place Shura wouldn't readily go looking. As long as it remains intact and secure, the girl should recover well." That seemed to cheer everyone slightly. But Miroku was still curious.
"What would cause it to break loose exactly?" it was a personal question but important nonetheless. The more they knew about what would make Shura go ballistic, the easier it would be to keep her from doing so. Sityra only shook her head.
"That I couldn't tell you. I didn't remain past her barriers long enough to see."
The conversation was ended suddenly when a strange noise sounded in the air. A quiet rumble at first the note eventually escalated into an audible growl. The sound, everyone eventually observed, was coming from Matyeo. Sitting poised in a crouch with back arched the dragon was rumbling a warning in the direction of the silverwing Yanta. All during the conversation she, along with two companions, had gradually snuck closer to where the dragon was seated. Now only six feet away, their crossing of invisible personal space boundaries had not gone unnoticed. Despite the warning however, the dragon's disapproval was deliberately ignored.
Coiling even tighter and on the verge of transforming Matyeo's protest was brought to an abrupt halt when a stern, clawed hand clasped down on his shoulder from behind. In that instant the dragon's face drained of color and in a reflexive panic he shot a fanged grimace over his shoulder.
"Matyeo," Sesshomaru's familiar command reached the dragon before he snapped the dog demon's hand off at the wrist "go guard Shura for me." Sagging his body in relief the dragon did not hesitate in obeying.
"Yes… master," he replied shakily as got to his feet and promptly departed. Sesshomaru watched him leave through the corner of his eye and only after the dragon was safely out of range did he turn his golden stare upon the three witches.
"The boy is under my guard, lay one paw on him…" the monarch raised his wrist and cracked his knuckles sharply for emphasis. The warning sent all three demonesses into mumbling.
"Spoilsport…"
"Killjoy…"
"Nosy old hound…"
The trio of witches snubbed as they departed in a huff. Sesshomaru shifted his gaze to the blackwing queen who was observing silently.
"Is it really wise to let your underlings disobey the only rule that is keeping you alive?" he inquired with a note of irritation. Sityra chuckled aloud.
"It wasn't there intention to harm the young dragon," she noted before adding mischievously "You of all demons should know that…"
Sesshomaru's eyes squinted shut and his left eyebrow twitched sporadically for a moment. Then, despite what was obviously a great temptation to do otherwise, the dog lord re-composed himself.
"Is it true what you said?" he asked sternly "Did you really seal away Shura's witches soul?" Sityra nodded calmly in return. Inuyasha's reaction however, was anything but.
"Wait a minute," he snapped accusingly in the direction of his white haired sibling "you mean you knew about this!" Half expecting some shrewd remark, Inuyasha was rather surprised when Sesshomaru averted his eyes and only offered the slightest of nods. "Does Shura know?" the half demon's question was noticeably more soft-spoken. Sesshomaru snorted.
"Fool, of course not," he grumbled "And you'll speak nothing of this to her, understand." That sent Inuyasha into scowling.
"She deserves to know!" he started to argue, but a nasty glare from Sesshomaru cut him off.
"Mind your place half breed!" the monarch snapped, his frustration growing "This matter does not concern you!" That did it. Swiftly Inuyasha stood, his brown, mortal eyes glinting with fury.
"Like hell it doesn't!" he roared back "If you're not man enough to tell your own daughter the truth that's you're problem… but I'm not just going to sit here and let you keep lieing to Shura!"
Almost on cue a bright ray of dawn poked over the horizon. As the sky lightened so did Inuyasha's hair. Pointed dog-ears and claws replaced their flimsily mortal counterparts, as did a golden stare that carried the same rage that presently flickered in Sesshomaru's.
"I've had just about enough of your interference Inuyasha!" growled the elder dog as he pulled Tokijin from his belt with ease and held it poised for striking. Inuyasha scoffed and drew his own sword.
"Is that so! Well I could say the same for you!" he snapped.
On the ground the three observing mortals groaned in annoyance.
"Oh no…" muttered Kagome with an exasperated voice.
"We all knew this would happen sometime…" added Sango with a similar tone. Almost instinctively the sitting group of friends rose and scattered off to one direction. Sityra and the two cat demons joined them soon after. Far from being alarmed or stunned as most others were when the two dogs started up their little family feud, Sityra seemed rather amused by the situation.
"Now this brings back memories… " She laughed more to herself than anyone else "just like the good old days with dear Mura,"
Kagome wasn't nearly so entertained.
"Inuyasha! Stop!" she called. But it was no use. With a flash of blades the dog brothers charged each other…