(A/N): Hello people that have been waiting for this update. I have a bunch of excuses as to why I haven't updated quickly but I know you don't want to hear them so I'll just post the chapter instead.

Froward March ;)

Chapter seven: And in the Case of a Demon Prince...

Sesshomaru sighed inwardly as he watched Rin bandage his previous opponent. He watched as she lightly tightened the bandage on the weaker demon's left forearm. The young girl finished her patch job on the demon and sent him off to recover for the rest of the day.

Once Rin was finished cleaning up her first aid supplies she looked forward toward Sesshomaru. He looked back, waiting for her to make a comment that he knew was inevitable. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin questioned. He looked at her and motioned for her to continue.

"Is something bothering you?"

Sesshomaru cocked an eyebrow in query.

"Elaborate," he instructed her.

Rin put a hand on her chin, figuring how to rephrase her words. After a moment of careful consideration the asked her question again.

"Is there something on your mind that is making you seem more upset than usual?"

Sesshomaru stared at Rin for a moment. "…More upset than usual," had caught him off guard, though he made no outward display of this fact. Instead he chose to answer Rin's question.

"They have receded once more…" Sesshomaru mused in answer.

Rin looked slightly confused, before deciding to voice her aforementioned confusion.

"Who are they and why have they receded, my lord?" she asked slowly, though she was four years older her vocabulary had not truly grown over that period of time.

Sesshomaru looked upon the girl, deciding to answer her question in one go. He then began.

"The lower level demons that usually roam around this area have retreated into their hiding places. A demon with influence, not unlike that of Naraku's, has surfaced once more. The weaker demons that are easily swayed to do one's biding have gone into hiding; those who stayed out will most likely be used in the sinister plans of this demon."

Sesshomaru finished his explanation with a slight huff. He watched as Rin's eyes began to glaze over. Apparently she had gotten lost somewhere in his response to her question.

"Oh…okay then, I'm going to go look for master Jaken."

With that brief dismissal, Rin skipped out of the dojo and into one the many gardens of Sesshomaru's household.

Sesshomaru shook his head in mock irritation as he rose from his seated position on the bamboo floor of the dojo. As he walked out of the dojo, the demon prince rolled his shoulder. Although he was used to having one arm, it had become rather taxing for him to duel without that other important limb. It wasn't hard for him to function efficiently; it was just…aggravating to do so. However he had only himself to blame for his situation though. Even if Inuyasha had cut off his arm; it was his own fault for letting the insolent half-demon get close enough to do so.

Sesshomaru rolled his shoulder once more as he walked out of the dojo. He left the sliding door open; a servant would be by later to remove the bloodstains from the walls and floors.

The demon prince walked the stone path that was laid down throughout the estate. He followed it to his chosen destination; a hot spring on the edge of the south quarter of his property.

Sesshomaru watched the steam that billowed up from the hot spring. As he watched Sesshomaru unhitched Tenseiga and Tokijin from his waist line. Leaving his pants on, he stepped into the water.

The demon slipped slowly into the hot water, letting the water roll over his muscles, working out the minor kinks that he had acquired over the past week. Being in his father's castle had been even more dull and mundane than he remembered.

Sesshomaru remembered roaming the halls as a child, marveling at all of the servants that it took to keep the rooms in order. He never showed it but when he was younger he thought of Inutaisho's home as a marvelous place. His father always partook in important business, with many guests filling the previously unoccupied rooms. The inner workings of Inutaisho's castle had always amazed the young demon heir…that is until he began to grow older and slightly more mature. Sesshomaru had begun to question his father's methods. This soon led to Sesshomaru's disliking of everything that that involved the house of Inutaisho. The young prince soon began to question every aspect of the way his father lived. He had always been told by his mother that his father was a questionable being. She never failed to tell him that though his father was strong physically, emotionally he was weak and pathetic. However, even though Sesshomaru questioned his father, he had refused to believe that he was weak by any standards.

This changed when Sesshomaru turned 17 in human years. One day Sesshomaru had been walking the grounds in utter boredom. He had decided to challenge his father to a sparing match in one of their many dojos; however the demon was nowhere to be found. Sesshomaru didn't worry though; his father was fond of going on random excursions. The young prince chose to just wait until his father returned home.

Sesshomaru had waited for half the day thinking of random subjects, nothing in particular. Finally he smelled his father's scent coming from the distance, however, something was…off.

Sesshomaru watched as his father came into view, a scowl upon his face. It hadn't taken him long to figure out what was off. His father had done the unthinkable.

He has taken a human as a mate, Sesshomaru lamented to himself. That was when he had begun to loathe everything about his father, and his home. He had put some much faith into the demon lord of the western lands; he had done his best to convince his mother that she was wrong in assuming that the demon was weak in any capacity.

In the end his mother was right and Sesshomaru's childhood idolization of his father had come to an abrupt end. Shortly there after Sesshomaru found ways to leave his home for extended periods of time. Because of this he had come home to many surprises, the worst one being the news of his soon to be younger brother. This had pushed Sesshomaru over the edge. He lashed out at his father, demanding that he step down from his place as lord of the western lands. Inutaisho just scoffed at his son and went about his daily business.

On the day that Sesshomaru's father died, Sesshomaru left his father's castle. If he wasn't allowed to rule, then he would leave the house in the care of the many servants that he had admired as a child.

Sesshomaru had left Inutaisho's castle with no attachment, doing his best to forget the birth of his younger brother, Inuyasha.

The demon prince sighed and slipped further into the hot spring. Being back home had caused many of his forgotten memories to resurface. Many of these memories involved trials and feelings about his younger brother. Though he did not hate him, Sesshomaru did not like to be associated with the demon. In truth, he blamed him for the death of their father.

The demon prince lamented for a while longer, feeling no need to leave the hot spring at any point in the near future. He rather enjoyed the healing effects of the warm water.

Sesshomaru continued to let the water soak into his skin, until he was interrupted. He watched as Jaken came into view, stumbling as he ran. As Jaken came closer Sesshomaru saw the urgency of his pace.

I wonder what has happened now…

Sesshomaru waited for Jaken to reach his place at the hot spring. He sat up and gestured for the imp to relay the message that he had been sent to deliver. Jaken took his cue and began to speak.

"Milord, your presence has been requested in the war hall. Some urgent matters have come up and your leadership and experience in desperately needed."

Sesshomaru sighed and got up from the spring. He glared at Jaken for having the audacity to ruin his time for relaxation. The imp bowed in apology and began to run in front of his lord, showing him the fastest way to the war hall. Sesshomaru ignored his assistance and headed toward his chambers.

"But milord the war hall is this way!" Jaken protested, gesturing in the direction of the war hall.

"I am wet Jaken," was Sesshomaru's reply as he reached for the door to the south wing of Inutaisho's castle. Jaken bowed once more and scurried off in the direction that he had come from.

Sesshomaru walked through the halls of the south wing. Servants followed closely behind, mopping up the wet spots that he left on the floor. He ignored them as he surveyed the halls. He gazed up at the crown molding. Indigo half moons lined the strips of wood. Black stars had been sporadically between these moons.

Sesshomaru sighed as he pulled the door to his room aside. The demon removed his wet clothing, changing into a simple, plain white robe. He pulled the drawstring in order to close the robe around his person. He then placed his right on his hip and began to make his way to the war hall.

…

Upon his entry, Sesshomaru witnessed the gathering of his father's, now his, advisors. He hadn't taken the time to remember their names only their positions on his small council. Whatever topic they had been discussing dissolved as Sesshomaru walked in. They all bowed to him as he made his way to take a seat.

Once Sesshomaru was seated upon his cushion of choice, he motioned for the rest of the council members to do the same. When they were all seated the meeting began. A demon by the name of Daiki was the first to speak. He stood, making his billowy brown shirt shift to accommodate his new stance. Before he spoke he made sure that his black pants were correctly tucked into his equally jet black boots. Daiki soon finished his nervous preparations and began to explain the need for Sesshomaru's presence in the war hall.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I have some troubling news from a nearby village."

Sesshomaru nodded his head, signaling for Daiki to continue.

"My lord, three days ago there was a demonic attack on the village I made mention to earlier. All of its inhabitants were abducted, possibly slaughtered. Blood was spilt, however, oddly enough; there was no sign of struggle. I couldn't find anyone left around the village and the demonic energy that was left behind was…" Daiki paused trying to find a suitable way to say what he was trying to. He cocked his head to the side while tapping his left temple with a curled middle finger; a habit of his.

Sesshomaru squinted as he watched Daiki contemplate his next sentence. The demon prince decided to finish it for him.

"The demonic energy that was left behind was overbearing and unidentifiable."

Daiki's eyes widened at his lord's words.

"Uh…yes, how did you…?"

"A demonic aura passed through earlier. It caused many of the lower level demons to seek shelter." Sesshomaru waved his hand telling Daiki that he needn't say anymore.

Daiki took his cue and sat down, his cropped teal hair shifting about his tanned face. He put a hand over his pitch black eyes, sighing.

Sesshomaru ignored Daiki and looked to the other advisors. One by the name of Rio began to speak, deciding to elaborate on the subject of the lower level demons.

"That is another matter that we should discuss," he stated blatantly looking at his lord with ice blue eyes. He ran his left hand through his flowing hair that matched his eyes in color, waiting for Sesshomaru to tell him to finish. The demon prince instructed him to do so.

"With the demons in hiding I have little means of getting information about the state of the west, unless I walk around the entire region. I find that to be something that I would rather not partake in." Rio looked pointedly at Sesshomaru. He had no qualms about irritating his demon lord; in fact, he often made a game of it. He only pushed him far enough to gain a slight tick of Sesshomaru's eyebrow, but that was enough for Rio. It was much more fun for Rio to poke fun at Sesshomaru as opposed to poking fun at his father Inutaisho. Inutaisho had a way of laughing off Rio's queen of Sheba behavior. Sesshomaru usually gave a more interesting reaction and that was why Rio continually tested his lord's patience.

Sesshomaru glared at Rio with a perturbed expression gracing his face.

Why did father appoint this demon to the council? He is the most annoying and whinny creature that I have seen in all my years. Must he insist upon wearing only his pants and a sword at his hip? He doesn't even take the time to do more with his appearance other than to put his hair in a pony tail always leaving that one strand in front of his eye…I could find some other demon to do his job, right? It wouldn't be too hard to find a nosy demon; good at invading one's privacy would it?

Sesshomaru sighed, putting his only hand to his face.

"Well what do you suppose I should do in order to spare your delicate feet," he said condescendingly toward Rio. Rio rolled his eyes and smirked at his lord.

"Well, my lord, I think that my job entails me gaining information from the roaming demons; am I correct, or have I been doing my job incorrectly for the past millennia?"

Sesshomaru's glare grew in power, Rio just chuckled and continued.

"Perhaps you should tell me what you intend to do in order to get the demons back out into the open, Lord Sesshomaru." Rio resumed his chuckles as he watched Sesshomaru begin to seethe. He knew he was pressing his luck, but it was too much fun not to try to anger Sesshomaru further.

The demon prince glowered at Rio, figuring the best way to behead the demonic advisor. Sesshomaru made a motion to stand but he was stopped when another advisor began to speak.

"Perhaps we should simply remove the cause. The symptom will be cured and life will resume its usual monotony.

Gakuto raised his purple eyebrows at the other demons around the table. He removed his purple bangs from his face in order to get a better view. He saw that that no one was paying him too much attention at that moment in time, so he took the time to adjust his kimono. It was a simple gray kimono that fit loosely around his chest, with an equally simple yellow sash around his waist. In the sash he carried his swords, which varied from day to day.

Sesshomaru looked at Gakuto, while Daiki smiled broadly at their fellow advisor.

"So you wish for me to kill this demon that has arisen?" Sesshomaru looked at Gakuto inquisitively.

"Possibly so, if that is the only way to eliminate the problem that has surfaced."

Sesshomaru sighed and put his hand to his face. He looked Daiki in order to ask him the location of the demon.

"It is believed to be outside of the village now, my lord."

Daiki shifted in his seat as his lord sat in his seat. He twiddled his thumbs as his lord sighed once more.

"Is there anything else that you three wish to inform me of?"

Sesshomaru's advisors looked at each other as if to make sure that no one had anything else to say. Soon they came to a silent agreement. Gakuto and Daiki looked at Rio whom was now smirking.

"We have nothing more to say to you, you're Highness." Rio stood from his seat and bowed to the dog demon prince condescendingly. Gakuto and Daiki followed suit and bowed as well, however they bowed in order to show their utmost respect for their lord.

"We leave tomorrow morning," Sesshomaru stated as the three walked out of the doors that lead into the war hall. His statement made Rio stop and turn around to face him.

"We leave for where tomorrow morning my lord?"

Sesshomaru got up from his seat, walked over to Rio, and put his hand on the demon's shoulder.

"The village with the missing inhabitants…or did you forget Rio?"

Sesshomaru observed the fleeting color from Rio's face with a rare triumphant smirk. He removed his hand as he stepped past Gakuto and Daiki, heading to Rin's room.

"Be ready when I send for you, all of you." With that Sesshomaru left to speak with Rin.

Rio, Daiki and Gakuto gave a collective sigh of relief. Thankful glances were exchanged between the three. Daiki was the first to speak.

"Rio, you are a lucky demon. When lord Sesshomaru smiled at you I thought you were a goner."

"You're not the only one," Rio replied, gently fingering the place where Sesshomaru's hand had been.

"I suppose it would be wise for us to prepare for tomorrows excursion," Gakuto advised his two companions. Daiki and Rio agreed and followed Gakuto down the corridor to their chambers.

…

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru with worry filled eyes.

"Will you be alright Lord Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru nodded. Rin tried to protest but he put his hand on her head to calm her fears. Rin gave up and sighed.

"Just come back safe okay, lord Sesshomaru? I'd be lost without you."

Sesshomaru's eyes widened just slightly. He didn't really dabble in the world of human emotion. They had always been too involved and complex for him to understand. The demon had no idea of how to respond. Rin still looked deep into Sesshomaru's amber eyes.

During Sesshomaru's stupor, Jaken had decided to speak up.

"Rin! How dare you have such little faith in Lord Sessomaru! You should be ashamed of yourself child!"

Five seconds later found Jaken executing a magnificent face-plant into the bamboo floors of Rin's room.

"Be silent, Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded. Jaken's response could only be heard by the floor boards. Sesshomaru turned toward Rin.

"Thank you for your concern, Rin, but I will be fine."

"Do you promise lord Sessomaru?" Rin asked with small tears brimming in her eyes. Sesshomaru's eyes softened.

"I promise. Now it's time for you to get some rest Rin."

Rin yawned and nodded her head. She laid down on her futon and Sesshomaru pulled the covers over her. Before he left, Sesshomaru ran a finger over her slightly red tinged cheek.

"Sleep soundly, Rin," Sesshomaru whispered as she nodded off to sleep. A small hum was given in response. Sesshomaru got up form his place beside her. The demon made his was to the door.

"Come, Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded the imp. Jaken scurried forward in order to catch up. The demon prince made his way through the corridors to his chambers and ordered Jaken to prepare his armor.

As Jaken left to complete his task, Sesshomaru sat down and tried to relax. While he sat, his mind wandered to the task the next day would bring.

I will have to be on my guard tomorrow. I suppose it will work out the way it will. For now I shall get the rest that I require.

Sesshomaru pulled the string on his robe and traded it for his now dry pants. Next he pulled his futon out and settled down, pulling a blanket over himself. Slowly Sesshomaru drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

(A/N): Thank you for taking the time to read this fic. I really enjoy feedback. It helps me improve. If you enjoy what I write please let me know so I can continue to do so. Anyway please Review and I'll post the next chapter as soon as possible.

Thank you all for your continued support. :3

Also to Shadow Kitsune67: As to why the well is closed…all in due time my dear reader all in due time…Thank you for reviewing 8D

To all who have reviewed I thank you sincerely, once again if you have any questions I'll be glad to answer them as long as they don't include me handing out spoilers of course ;D

~shastar27