A/N Yo!
We've entered a slight time skip!
Don't worry, it's only a month. During this time, Yohime became a welcome addition in her new family's life. She's now settled into Edo practicing her archery and telling stories of her past to those who ask her. Nurarihyon has been gone quite often, establishing himself, training and fighting those who challenged him. However, he still finds the time to spend with his wife.
"My Lord!"
At the sound of his retainer's voice, Sesshomaru looked up from the document on his desk.
"Hagoromo Gitsune was killed. There is a new Lord of Pandemonium."
"Hn. I assume you came here with information pertaining to the new Lord?"
"Yes, my Lord," he said, approaching the inuyoukai laying a stack of papers in front of him.
Sesshomaru quickly rifled through them.
"There is not much information for an event that happened this long ago," he remarked, clearly suggesting there should be more.
The servant bow instantly.
"Unfortunately so, my Lord. We have already informed our sources to gather information."
He scoffed, waving his hand dismissing him.
Rising to his feet, he walked to the nearby window that overlooked the gardens. Casting an indifferent eye to the papers, he ran the information over in his head.
Nurarihyon, an ayakashi with a Night Parade of a Hundred Demon, leading the Nura Clan. After defeating Hagoromo Gitsune two months ago,, he departed for Edo where he owns a mansion on the outskirts on the city. According to an unreputable source, he had the assistance of Keikain Hidemoto, the 13th head of the Omyoji in defeating Hagoromo Gitsune, and was supposedly invited to their house for celebration. The Nura Clan is comprised of Gyuki of Mt. Nejireme, Karasu-Tengu, Setsura the Yuki-Onna….
He returned his attention to the garden and it's new occupant, loosely discarding the report.
"At least, I did not waste my time dispatching the one so easily defeated by a mere ayakashi."
He smirked to himself before exiting the room to talk to one of his scribes.
Down in the garden, a young girl was carefully fashioning a flower crown. Once she had finished it, she gently set it down on her head, mindful of her ears. She smiled happily to herself, before leaping to her feet gracefully, a serene expression on her face. Facing an imaginary court, she extended an imaginary scepter.
"I order you to speak, traitor."
In her court, a tall powerfully built Elder groveled at her feet, pleading for mercy.
"I shall grant you none, you pathetic excuse for a youkai," she said in a cold voice much like Sesshomaru's.
"Please grant me mercy, my Lady!"
"Can you not do anything else than snivel like a pup?"
"I am deeply sorry of my actions, I was wrong, please forgive me!"
"Forgive you?" Her tone and look would have killed a lesser youkai, but nonetheless they struck fear in the heart of the imaginary youkai.
"For the death of my pack? For disobeying the orders of your Lord? Forgive you of leaving my mother at the gates of her home, screaming for help, until the Lord returned and tore them from their hinges?"
Her laugh rang clear and loud through the empty garden, but those before her in her courts flinched and trembled.
"Crush his throat, tear out his tongue. Break his fingers and toes, let him suffer before you kill him," she ordered before she turned her back to the panicked cries on the once proud inuyoukai.
Opening her eyes, she was once more in the beautiful gardens' of her home. Running to a nearby bench, she was again an innocent child.
Sprawling herself on the cold stone, she looked to the sky to watch the cloud's passage. As she relaxed, she couldn't help but wonder at the stories the servants told her. About that woman they wished she would grow up to be like.
Her named was spoken with awe, respect and a tinge of sadness. Many times had she asked her nanny, a wolf youkai by the name of Chiyo, to tell her a story of the Lady of the West. And she had. She had once been her waiting woman so she was personally acquainted with her.
The Lady was kind, brave and was well educated. During the war, she implemented several strategies they had never expected to work, yet they always managed to pull it off. Her training of the troops were strange, setting men into groups that ate, slept and fought together. Yet, the efficiency of the scouts and foot soldiers increased dramatically.
Though she was all these things, Chiyo spoke of a clumsy, spitfire who was different from everyone around her. She was kind to the servants and disliked the nobles of the court she ruled over. Those that insulted her and her pack were calmly ignore, yet when one of the females attempted to strike her son, she was purified into ashes.
She especially loved that story because Chiyo said the woman didn't even acknowledge her, didn't even move. The instant the youkai had raised her claws aiming for her son's head, a burst of light and ashes scattered the floor. She then continued her conversation with a friend and walked out of the room.
The sound of the grass shifting jarred her out of her dreams. Sitting up, she didn't have time to dodge the hard blow to her head and darkness claimed her.
Sesshomaru stiffened. Without a word to the Elder who was speaking to him, he vanished in a ball of light.
The child who had been playing in the garden was gone. Her aura, her scent, her presence disappearing in an instant.
He pulsed his youkai sending a message to his general, a kitsune by the name of Masaru, to follow. He arrived at the garden in seconds, his general shortly after.
He lifted his lips in a snarl as he realized who took what was his.
"The prisoner escaped half an hour ago. I've punished the fool responsible."
Sesshomaru didn't spare him a glance, his eyes roaming the spot where the girl's scent lingered.
"Edo. A mansion on the outskirts of the city."
He stilled, cutting a glance to Masaru.
"Apparently, the prisoner was a member of the Hyakki Yokou of the new Lord of Pandemonium," he said, his tone hinting at disbelief.
"Masaru."
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Inform the Elder this Sesshomaru has other matters to attend to."
"Understood," the kitsune bowed and turned to leave.
"Masaru."
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Send a messenger to Totosai. This Sesshomaru will have need of his sword sharpening skills."
A feral grin spread across Masaru's face.
"It shall be done, my Lord."
A/N Oooo, someone's gonna get it... Sesshomaru does not share what he claims as his. I wonder who the poor sod will be on the edge of Sesshomaru's blade will be?
Thank you for reading!
Reviews are wanted: reward, acknowledgement in the next chapter(s).