DISCLAIMER: *snores* ::muse pokes side:: *grumble* I don't own it. *rolls over*
Chapter 13:
To Be a Lord
"The best of men cannot suspend their fate."
-Daniel Defoe
The white battlements of the Northern fortress rose from the surrounding trees to pierce the dawn sky. Already he could hear the shouts of the guards at the gate. Sesshomaru closed his eyes for a moment, willing forward as much clarity as possible. The last time he had set eyes upon the structure had been in his two hundred and thirteenth year when the ookami Lord's mate, the Lady Ai had been killed. The resulting rift between Inu no Tashio and the Northern Lord had not been sealed before Sesshomaru's great father had met his death. Even now, the alliance could be tenuous.
With a few more steps he found himself standing before the black lacquered wood of the gate. Several sentries gazed down at him warily from atop the walls.
He watched, in a detached sort of impatience as a broad, black haired ookami named Goro pushed through the gaping soldiers before addressing him. "Lord Sesshomaru, son of Inu no Tashio, daiyoukai of the Western Lands, state your business."
Sesshomaru sniffed, disliking having been addressed by that particular wolf. "This Sesshomaru has come for an audience with Lord Takayuki, daiyoukai of the Northern Lands."
With a swift motion of the ookami's hand one of the guards disappeared from the wall, streaking into the castle to alert his Lord. A few moments passed in tense silence before an order was shouted from the courtyard beyond. The hinges groaned and the doors were pulled back revealing the newly budding trees leading toward the castle. Sesshomaru stepped forward stiffly, his gaze settling on a familiar figure.
Lord Takayuki had passed his prime many years before. His muscles were thin and tough. Shoulders a bit too broad and hips a bit too narrow gave the wolf an appearance of top heaviness. Though still formidable, when sober, he no longer had the iron stature of his youth. Wisps of graying hair escaped the leather thong at the nape of his neck. A downward curving scar near the left corner of his mouth gave the impression of a permanent scowl.
"To what do I owe this pleasure son of Inu no Tashio?"
Sesshomaru's jaw tightened. The ookami never did show him the proper amount of respect.
Takayuki observed the stiffness of the younger Inu's stance and the twisted markings riding his cheekbones. "Hmm," he mused. "What is it that has the Western Lord in such a state?"
Ignoring the wolf's incessant prying Sesshomaru went straight to the point. "I require the services of your healer." That sentence alone cost him a small amount of pride, but in the current circumstances he refused to acknowledge the sting.
Nodding, the Northern Lord ushered the white demon into the castle. With a wave of his hand Takayuki dismissed the guards just inside the entrance. "Soldiers are banned from the castle for today. Keep yourselves to the barracks and the courtyard," he commanded. The pair of wolf youkai sentries bowed before taking their leave.
"You risk much," Sesshomaru stated. His words came out with the heavy rumble of his more primitive side.
Together the two youkai made their way through the castle. Their footsteps soft on the polished floor. The Northern Lord cast a side glance at his deceased friend's son. Whatever magic had been cast upon the inu was strong indeed to affect him so. "As if my guards could bring down a rampaging daiyoukai." He chuckled mirthlessly. "Once in the healer's chambers I will be barring all servants from the wing."
Tenseiga's pulsing seemed to echo in the empty corridor. "Your discretion is appreciated." Sesshomaru grunted, conceding to his conscience's call for politeness.
They marched through the Southern wing, stopping before a chamber that smelled heavily of herbs. The shoji screen to this room was decorated with an intricately painted mural of willow trees and water. Takayuki placed his hand upon it, but paused, leveling a heavy stare at his companion. "It will not save you rumors," he cautioned.
"Of that I am aware." Sesshomaru watched the ookami slide the door back, revealing a medium sized room with several folded futons stacked in a corner and a high shelf of herbs on his right. Startled wine colored eyes snapped up as the two Lords entered the room.
Minako moved from behind the low table and touched her forehead to the floor. Her long auburn braid coiled over her shoulder.
"Rise Minako. Lord Sesshomaru has need of your services." Takayuki brushed a speck of imaginary lint from the taut shoulder of his tan haori.
The petite demoness stood, blinking rapidly once she took in Sesshomaru's jagged markings and red tinted eyes. It took a moment for her to connect the male before her with the image of the gangly teen she held in her mind. "Of course my Lord," her voice was low and throaty, at odds with her child-like appearance. Quickly Minako unfolded one of the futons and gestured for the inu youkai to be seated.
Sesshomaru folded his long legs beneath him, making himself comfortable. It was unusual for the daiyoukai to visit any healer's chamber. The overwhelming smell of medicinal pastes and herbs tended to give him a headache, but he found the scent of Minako's quarters to be pleasantly muted. Next to him, Takayuki leaned casually against the wall.
"If you would inform me of the circumstances of your ailment, Lord Sesshomaru," Minako requested. Takayuki's ears perked while Sesshomaru described the white powder dispersed by the lizard hanyou and the onset of symptoms. It was quite disturbing really, that a youkai of the inu's power could be brought low by a mere mysterious mixture.
Minako herself, found the information unsettling. Knowing the Western Lord's lineage, she was aware of his immunity to poisons. It was clear that whatever had affected him was a sort of controlling spell. She had heard of similar before. Potions that could induce blood lust in lower youkai, but nothing that could affect a being of the white demon's power. The healer tugged on her ear thoughtfully. "And the fang is shielding you," she surmised, her gaze drifting to the pulsating Tenseiga.
"Indeed," Sesshomaru answered curtly. The situation was more than vexing. He knew full well the extent of his pride. Seeking help had cost him greatly, but there was some solace to be found both in the healer's extensive talents and the Northern Lord's old relationship to his sire. Though how long the ookami's silence on the subject at hand would last once a jug of sake was put in front of him, Sesshomaru did not know. Regardless, he had matters to tend to and this distraction would be dealt with, preferably swiftly.
After a few moments of consideration Minako moved toward the shelves of herbs above their heads. "For now I can make a draught that will calm your youki. It will not completely eliminate the effects, but it will make it much easier for you to maintain control. I'm afraid what is affecting you can only be a powerful curse. It will take me some time to consult my library on this matter."
The Western Lord almost cringed at that. He, Sesshomaru, needed assistance to maintain control. It disgusted him. When he discovered who worked this vile magic their death would be one he would most certainly savor.
XXX
Jun paced her room frantically, the message from their scout hanging limply in her hand. She pressed her fingers against paper thin eyelids. This would not do, her mistress would undoubtedly discipline her for her ineptitude, if not outright kill her. A spell of such strength was almost guaranteed to work and yet the falcon demon had clearly seen Sesshomaru's actions. Not only had the intolerable dog killed the youkai assigned to bring him back but he had escaped into the Northern castle. Jun's face pinched in worry.
The ookami healer Minako would be more than capable of counteracting a half-formed curse given enough time. What had gone wrong?
It had to be the scroll. Who would expect a powerful Inu to keep directions to a spell that could control a powerful Inu? No matter what the Mistress thought Jun doubted they had the entire manuscript. Certainly the Mistress' aunt had known of the text, and since she chose to keep it Jun was willing to bet that some crucial step remained held tight to the old bitch's chest. Perhaps it had all been a ruse and the Lady of the Castle in the Clouds was aware of her niece's treachery. Perchance it was all a ploy to draw them out.
The human woman huffed and then sank down onto the dusty stone floor. Her punishment would be made exceptionally painful. Jun grimaced at the thought. Luckily the Mistress would not return from the Eastern castle until it was either over run or abandoned. There had to be some way to salvage the situation. Wrinkled hands threaded through Jun's mussed hair, catching on tangles and absently working them out as she thought.
Perhaps her mistress did not need to be alerted to the demon Lord's whereabouts just yet. Yes. A jagged smile cut across her features. She would keep this new information to herself, and she would use this time to prepare.
With a trained grace not lost to her years Jun gained her feet, flitting about the room gathering essentials. She stopped to consider a silver dagger resting almost innocently on the low table. Weapons would be needed and any weapon would help. Jun carefully tucked the blade into the folds of her clothing.
Half an hour later the sun began to set and the minion turned escapee checked over her preparations. Her Mistress really did have the tendency to underestimate humans. With a satisfied nod Jun began to make her way toward the dungeons. She would need assistance if she were to escape the castle holdings alive.
The soft steps of a sentry passed before Jun slipped from her room. Walking nonchalantly she drew no attention to herself. Beings that frequented the castle were aware of her presence within it and did not normally spare her a passing glance. At the appropriate corridor she banked sharply left taking the stone stairway near the middle of the hall that lead to the smaller dungeon. It was here that her Mistress kept prisoners who still held some importance.
At the bottom the thick metal lock on the door gave way under her practiced motions. Jun stepped through the opening to be greeted with the sound of water dripping from somewhere overhead. She wrinkled her nose at the scent of mold and waste that permeated the air. A narrow shaft of light from the end of the hall reached through the dungeon to illuminate the grime encrusted bars of the last cell. A man, with the appearance of a twenty year old, sat slumped against a wall within.
Jun bustled over to the cell, her movements gaining the emaciated male's attention.
"What do you want?" His voice was rough with disuse and his features shadowed with facial hair which had been left to grow for years.
Jun felt her mouth grow dry. The male's eyes glittered with dislike and she knew she would have to find some way to convince him to cooperate. "Kohaku, I've come to free you."
XXX
Inuyasha glowered to himself. 'Stupid wolf. He better take care of Kagome.' Behind him he could hear Akitsuki talking animatedly with her mother about what she would eat as soon as they reached home. 'Home.' Inuyasha's expression turned slightly regretful.
Deftly catching the direction of her mate's thoughts Kikyo shifted to speak quietly into his ear. "What troubles you love?"
The furry appendage twitched, her breath tickling the fine hairs inside of it. "It's nothing," he bit out gruffly.
A sigh reached him as Kikyo tightened her hold. "Do not lie to me Inuyasha."
He snorted, knowing that after so many years he could not fool her, and then pushed off the ground again. Landing, he ran a few paces before answering in a slightly clipped tone. "Jun'Ichi."
9 Years Ago
"You're not going." Inuyasha paced the wooden floor of his hut, his arms folded into the familiar red of his fire-rat haori.
Kikyo walked forward and placed a comforting hand on her mate's arm. "Inuyasha. He is more than old enough. Jun'Ichi needs to learn how to defend himself."
Inuyasha shook his head, ears twitching in aggravation. "He's not even forty years old. If he needs to learn so bad I'll teach him."
A slender young male with unruly black hair and amber eyes dug his claws into the door frame. "Father" he ground out, "Uncle Sesshomaru-"
"Uncle Sesshomaru," Inuyasha crowed. "How can you call that bastard your uncle?"
"Inuyasha!" Kikyo scolded.
Jun'Ichi flashed small fangs in challenge, his temper getting the best of him. "Lord Sesshomaru has always been kind to me. You are the one that holds a grudge against him, Father."
A growl slipped passed the hanyou's lips at his son's mention of their family's past. He whirled to face his son, locking him with an angry glare. "Tell me. Tell me how he can accept you, a quarter demon, into his ranks to be trained but not accept his own half-blood brother?"
The young male flinched. He'd lived his whole life in this village, but that did not make him ignorant of what other, less tolerant beings, thought of him. After growing up on stories of the feud between his father and uncle he was surprised to meet the notorious demon Lord. Even more shocked was he to find that his uncle was inquiring about the woman he thought of as his aunt, the miko Kagome. After politely answering the Lord's question he'd been unable to stop from asking his own. That exchange had lead to a fairly pleasant afternoon. His uncle could be a cold male, but he was not the monster painted into the tales of his youth. He would not allow his father's prejudice to impede his own advancement in the world. Jun'Ichi knew a good opportunity when he saw one.
"I'm going father, with or without your blessing."
The scowl that crossed Inuyasha's face was close to murderous. "Well then go. Get out of here. You're sure as hell not getting a blessing from me."
Kikyo sighed heavily in remorse and watched her only child storm angrily from their home.
"You believe him to still be angry with you?" Soft brown eyes studied the side of her mate's face. The ticking of the muscles along the hanyou's jaw told her that it was exactly what he thought. "He won't be." Kikyo laid her head against his shoulder.
"How can you be so sure?" Inuyasha's voice was soft and hesitant.
She bussed his cheek with her lips. "He is our son, love. Jun'Ichi may hold your rashness, but he also holds my love for you."
A faint "keh," reached her, but the muscles beneath her hands relaxed. Inuyasha lapsed back into his thoughts. It had been nine years since he'd spoken with his son and each time he looked back over the argument that ended their relationship he couldn't help but feel guilty. He wasn't ignorant to the changes in his half-brother, but the pronouncement that Sesshomaru would take Jun'Ichi into his household after all the years spent trying to kill Inuyasha for being a half-breed had hurt.
Shippo had once made the mistake of informing Inuyasha that he had a communication problem. It was obviously some idea the kit had picked up from Kagome. At the time it had gotten him a few swift knocks to the head, but as the years progressed Inuyasha had grudgingly agreed. But just how did one go about fixing a relationship with a sibling who for years had despised you simply for being born the way you were? Then to try and accept that said sibling had pulled what Kagome would call a 'one-eighty' in his views... It was too hard to believe.
From above them Sango gave a shout of surprise breaking Inuyasha from his musings. Both hanyou and priestess looked up to see the demon slayer pointing some ways ahead of them. Instantly on alert for danger Inuyasha scented the air only to become confused. "Humans?"
"Villagers," Sango called down to the couple.
Sayuri let out a cheer. "It's the people we left the village with," her jubilant voice drifted down to the hanyou.
"Villagers from Edo," Inuyasha cast a confused glance towards Kikyo. "I thought they headed North?"
"Let us stop and ask them," Kikyo intoned calmly. "Perhaps they have new information. At the least we can lead them to safety."
Inuyasha took one look into her concerned brown eyes and agreed. These people had accepted him, for the most part, for one hundred years. They had shared their food, shelter, and company with him; allowed his child to play with their children without bias. Now he had the chance to help them beyond clearing out low level youkai.
Despite being shunned by his brother Inuyasha was a Lord. It was time he started to act like one.
XXX
"I believe it would be prudent if only Kagome and I approached." Miroku peered through the trees warily. Ahead of them the forest was blanketed in a soft white powder and the stench of burned flesh filled his nostrils.
"I'm not leaving Kagome," Koga protested.
The miko smiled at her friend, still devoted after so many years. "I think it would be best Koga-kun." Seeing that her opinion did nothing to dissuade the stubborn wolf she decided to hit him where it hurt. Large cobalt puppy eyes fixed on Koga in a disturbingly predatory manor. "Please," Kagome clasped her hands together for good measure. "This stuff probably made Sesshomaru attack me. What would happen if it made you attack me too?"
Koga took her hands in his, pouring all the sincerity he could into his gaze. His icy-blue eyes verily shimmered with feeling. "I would never attack you Kagome." When his proclamation produced no change in her expression he shifted uncomfortably under her pleading stare. A few more seconds passed, during which Kagome added a quivering lower lip. Koga gave in with a grunt.
A brilliant smile and the brief soft crush of a fragrant body was his reward. Kagome wrapped her arms around his waist. "Oh, thank you."
Before the wolf Prince had recovered the monk and miko were gone. He huffed and turned his attention to the flee inching closed to his jugular. "Bite me flee and I'll make sure you never bite anything again."
Sufficiently cowed, Myoga sat down a safe distance from the violent wolf's collar.
Kagome's senses hummed dangerously when she and Miroku stepped into the circular patch of dusted forest. Her nose wrinkled at the sight of the leopard carcass.
"These are purity burns," the monk observed, bending over the mutilated cat.
"Hmm," she bit her lip at the way the powder coated the grass beneath her feet. It was unnatural. "The girl's necklace," Kagome explained absently. She crouched down, her fingers brushing against the mysterious substance coating the field and dampening the sound of her footsteps. "What I want to know is what this is."
Miroku turned away from the dead demon and approached the bent miko. "Sorcery." He plucked the splintered remnants of a bamboo container from the forest floor. Swirling a finger around the undamaged bottom he announced, "it came from in here."
Kagome took the proffered container, noticing its proximity to a dead hanyou lizard. "Do you think this stuff killed him?" She gestured toward the grim spectacle of the body.
"Most probably." Miroku cracked his neck and rubbed a hand over his forehead. He wasn't feeling to well, almost dizzy. Violet eyes blinked rapidly and he sucked in air roughly.
"Miroku?" Kagome questioned, noticing the sweat forming on her friends skin. Looking down at her hands she saw her body glowing a soft pink color. Whatever the white dust was she had been unconsciously purifying it. Realization hit her. "Its some kind of poison," she gasped.
Thinking quickly Kagome retrieved a small pouch from her belt she scooped a bit of the white powder into it and pulled the string closed. With a quick flare of power she placed a barrier around the parcel. Her task complete she reached out a hand and grasped the unsteady monk's shoulder. Instantly her powers blazed to life, riding his body of the toxin.
"Stay still," she commanded. Getting to her knees in the dirt Kagome dug her fingers into the grass. A wrinkle of concentration perched on her brow. With a bright flash the clearing was clean, the bodies and powder gone replaced by glittering pink ashes that melted into the ground like late spring snow. "Are you alright?"
The monk ranked his hand through his hair shakily. "Yes, thank you Lady Kagome. It has been some time since I last felt the affects of poison."
"You're sure?"
He nodded again. "I still sense the evil of this place. It was a poison and a curse."
Dusting of her knees off she stood. Kagome checked herself for any remaining white dust. "Well, I can't do much about curses." She nervously palmed the animal skin bag containing the white powder.
Miroku's gaze followed her movements. "What is that?"
Kagome grinned a bit before tying the cords of the skin around her belt. "Something to study should we ever catch up to Sesshomaru."
"A wise idea." He jabbed his staff into the ground with a jingle. "Allow me to ward this area from evil." Miroku reached into the folds of his robes withdrawing a single sacred sutra. A flick of his wrist and the charm attached itself to a nearby tree. The ominous feeling surrounding the spot lessened somewhat but did not dissipate completely.
"Hmm," Kagome approached the talisman and placed her bare palm against it. Concentrating she allowed some of her power to flow into the ward. It flared brightly and both monk and miko let out a relieved sigh as the air lightened.
Miroku cast a wary look at the pouch strapped to Kagome's waist. "That was powerful indeed to require our combined efforts."
Kagome nodded. "Let's get back. The sooner we catch up to Sesshomaru the sooner we can figure out who did this."
Together they left the area and rejoined their comrades. Koga fidgeted expectantly. "So, what was it?"
"Poison," Miroku answered.
"Yeah Koga-kun be glad you didn't go into it. I couldn't have purified it out of you." Kagome prodded lightly. The un-natural feeling of the now dispelled curse still lingered in the form of goose bumps.
The wolf crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head to look out into the woods. "Like some stupid poison would ever affect me."
Kagome cast the monk a knowing look before the two demons and two humans set back out on their path. The ominous feeling still hovering over her Kagome found her body moving with greater haste.
XXX
A groan escaped Haruki's lips as he plopped onto his futon. All day conferences with fat, sweaty Lords and their generals had a way of tiring one out. He closed his eyes and wished he had the energy to take a bath. 'This is ridiculous,' he thought rolling onto his side. With great effort he removed his haori and then reached down to his sash. His hand brushed the scroll and he paused, looking down.
It seemed his day wasn't quite over yet. A clawed finger traced the crescent indent in the wax seal. No doubt Lord Sesshomaru had been informed of Haruki's decision to stay in the East. The inu was probably displeased despite the fact that Rin traveled in the company of their son and several soldiers. He was oddly paranoid that way when it came to Rin, not that Haruki could blame him.
The panther stretched and pulled free the message, unrolling it to read by the light of his candle. Instead of the elegantly formed chiding words and strict instructions from his Lord he was greeted with a very unwelcome sight. Upon it was written a bare four words in Jaken's large block looking kanji.
~Do not advance uphill.~
Rubbing his eyes a bit Haruki read it again, but the script remained unchanging. He felt his breath freeze and his heart plummet into his stomach. "Shit!" He cursed. Leaping up to his feet and not bothering to pull his haori back on Haruki slid back the shoji screen and bolted toward the Lord's study.
The text of the message was taken from a document that originated on the continent called The Art of War. Haruki's mind buzzed sorting through all the information those sparse words provided. First, and most important, was a command for all absent army to return to the West immediately. Second, they were preparing for open war. Thirdly, and most puzzling, the missive was written by Jaken instead of his Lord.
Orders for war were always written by Lord Sesshomaru. This alerted the panther to two possibilities. Either the situation was so dire that his Lord could not spare the time to personally write out the dispatch or his Lord was not present at the palace.
Soft leather soles slapped soundlessly against the polished stone of the hallway. Haruki slid around a corner his mind running over the seemingly innocent phrase. A lump formed in his throat and he prayed that his mate had a swift and secure journey. Expertly catching his balance against the tiles outside of Lord Ryota's study he breathed a sigh of relief at the thin ribbon of light that seeped from beneath the carved wooden door. Haruki nodded to the guards, two deceptively spindly crane youkai, and knocked twice. A moment later he was rewarded with the command to enter.
Sliding back the door and crossing the threshold his gaze alighted upon the settled bulk of the Eastern Lord. Ryota sat hunched over his low desk worrying the end of his ink brush between his fangs while he glared down dispassionately at a battered piece of parchment.
"Lord Ryota," Haruki bowed.
Onyx eyes raised in surprise taking in the half dressed state of the one who addressed him. "My, my Haruki. Why are you so flustered?" A clawed hand reached down to scratch the red fabric stretched across the Lord's bulging midline.
Haruki rose, his attention flickering briefly to the pile of unopened scrolls stacked along the left hand side of the desk. "I'm afraid I've just received disturbing news from the Palace Moon and must take my leave of you at once. My presence is required."
Ryota scowled, the hand at his belly rising to rake through his hair. "And of what nature are these unwelcome tidings?"
"Matters of the Western state," the panther answered evasively. He watched the falcon youkai shift under his stare.
"Hmm," Ryota rumbled then shook his head. "I'm afraid we have made an agreement young Captain. It would not be in good faith for you to leave us now, especially with Naboru's army bearing down upon us. Could it be that you seek escape?"
White hot temper flared through Haruki's veins. 'How dare this...this...coward question my resolve?' With much effort he reigned in his snapping youki. "No my Lord," he spat. "My presence is required at the Palace Moon immediately. As for our agreement," he gritted through clenched fangs, "there was no stipulation that I stay should I be needed in my home territory."
"Exactly," Ryota boomed, his bulk quivering indignantly. "There was no such stipulation and as such you shall remain here. You will not shirk your duties." With battle looming it would not do for a fine strategist like Haruki to leave.
"Shirk my duties!?" Haruki burst out, no longer able to maintain his calm. "My mate, children, and home may be in danger and you accuse me of cowardly acts?" Haruki's lips twisted into a disgusted snarl. So Ryota would attempt to use his honor against him.
A heavy fist slammed against the wooden desk drawing the panther back from his rage. "I am Lord here Haruki. It would do you well to remember that." The youkai Captain glared vehemently at the wall just over the falcon's shoulder. Lord Ryota sighed. "However, I will give you leave." Haruki's gaze snapped to him as Ryota raised his hands in a gesture of supplication. "But not for two days. In two days you may return to you homeland, but" he interjected, "I expect your full attention and participation until that day."
Barely leashing his anger and frustration Haruki nodded, not bothering to cast a glance back to the Lord when he bowed. Though the summons he'd received demanded immediate action the thin alliance between the Eastern and Western lands required he upheld his end of the bargain. Haruki had agreed to enter into war counsel with Lord Ryota for a week, that week would expire in two days. "Two days it is," he muttered, his tail whipping behind him as he quit the room.
XXX
AN:
Indigo: Doesn't Lord Ryota remind you just a bit of Santa? Maybe it's because the holidays just passed or maybe it's because I keep imagining this beer bellied flacon demon dressed in red velour. Where they would get velour in the feudal era of Japan I have no idea. It just pops to mind.
PREVIEW:
Chapter 14:
Six Degrees of Separation
"My Lady, though I am flattered to know you hold me in such high regard I must decline your request. Suffice it to say that what troubles me is of a personal nature. I shall be taking my leave of this place on the night after next." Haruki bowed respectfully. "For now I must seek my rest. It has been a trying day."
Izanami bid her farewells and watched the panther disappear into the shadows of the hallway. 'So the feline will indeed leave before Naboru arrives.' A lacquered claw tapped against the fold of her obi. Resuming the walk to her room she wondered idly if her assassins had already arrived at the Palace in the Clouds.
Her smile returned at the thought of the old bitch's death. Everything was going perfectly. Just perfectly.