Chapter 6:
Lord Sesshomaru
Inside his father's old study—in his study—Lord Sesshomaru sat alone, feeling nearly at peace. The rich, thick wood that covered the room—its walls and floors, the great book shelves and furniture—swelled memories—good and bad—in his chest. They were memories of studies with his beloved late father, of his maturing into a confidant ruler...of the woman he refused to think of anymore. Thinking of what never could be was no way for a ruler to spend his time. His father had told him this long ago, but he was only now starting to follow the advice. Now that there really was no future with her in it, the best thing for the West was for him to move passed his weakness.
Without happiness or love, he had decided, he would be a better, more calculating ruler. And in the years since he'd be parted from his own happiness, he had changed. He was more the man his father would have wanted to see in power. He had little patience for the unworthy. Humans, in particular, had become a scourge to him, only good for tending to his fields and livestock. She had always worked to make the humans better, more cultured and cleaner. It seemed hardly a topic to consider now that he was on his own.
It was better that she not come back now, he decided, though he would take it back in a lighting strike if it were possible. She wouldn't like the Lord he had grown into. Yes, he had power and was supremely respected, but she would find him cruel and cold. But that was how he had to be without her.
He put the thought out of his mind for the sake of his pride and walked to the bookshelf. Of the rows of red spines, he slid his hand, landing on the warn war manual. He pulled it out and walked over to the table and poured himself in.