CHAPTER SEVEN

Sesshomaru

"Lord Sesshomaru! The eastern lands have been attacked!" Jaken had run into the room only seconds before, and delivered this news to me. I sat there, hardly caring enough to ask.. He just kept running in circles, panicking. How bothersome.

"Why does this concern you so much, Jaken?" I grabbed his hat and pulled him back, allowing the stretchy strand to which it was attached to snap. His eyes were wide with terror as he looked up at me. His voice near a whisper, he replied,

"The eastern land is where Lady Mikage lives... And they're a group strongly against fighting..." He buried his head in his hands. "Oh, this is simply horrible! She is surely going to die!" He began to sob uncontrollably before I finally covered my hand over his mouth. The girl's lands were being attacked? Pah. Serves them right for being so pathetically weak. How could an entire land expect to survive without an ounce of fighting experience? Jaken was getting my hand all wet from all of his tears. Disgusting...

"Does Mother know?" I asked, trying to gather as much information as I could. Jaken shook his head. I thought about more questions. "What are they being attacked by? Humans or demons?" Jaken held up two fingers. Demons. "Many?" He nodded. I groaned. Of course, I knew he would harp at me until I went. Or until I killed him. I suppose the trip wouldn't be a complete waste. So many demons might supply at least a small challenge. I needn't get my hands dirty with Jaken's blood. It would take weeks to get the vile stench from my skin. I let go of Jaken's mouth, and let him fall to the ground.

Pulling on my temporary armor, I went out the door. Luckily, Mother hadn't noticed, since I knew that if Mikage's castle was destroyed, she would offer to take her in. I didn't want to go through that ever again. Just thinking of it was enough to make me frown.

"Wait for me, Milord!" Jaken cried, grabbing hold of my pant leg just as I took flight. The sky was foggy today, and it was nearly impossible to see forward, but I was sure that I would be fine. I could feel Jaken attempting to scramble up my legs, but continued to fly forward. Ahead, to the east, I thought that I could make out smoke, but I was too far away to tell. If that were true, then there must be fire-breathing demons involved in the attack. That also may assure Mikage's death, as Jaken had said. I'll be sure to destroy whatever demons did this. Perhaps if there are no remaining survivors, I could take over the eastern lands. That thought was slightly pleasing. However, I knew how father would react if I did this. Presumably, I would have to fight him over the domain, but I was just fine with that. I would get the land, and my swords. If I happened to encounter Father, I would be sure to take Tetsuaiga and Sounga. He wasn't going to keep what was rightfully mine from me any longer.

As I approached, it was evident that the kingdom was extremely damaged. The palace was in flames, villagers were screaming and running, and some horrendous reptile was fighting something Landing, the screams became even louder. Jaken clambered down, and looked around.

"Oh, is this place a mess!" he exclaimed, taking it all in. He was right. Debris lay littered upon the ground, along with blood and a few corpses. I glanced around, looking for something, although I didn't know what. Finding nothing, I went to work

Luckily, all that the smoke did to me was generate a strong tickle in my throat. However, my eyes stung just a bit.

Holding out my hand, out shot my energy whip.

The simmering strand of light curled out, feeling hot against my palm

This never got tiring. I couldn't help smirking. My blood ran hot through my veins, and my mouth watered. Drawing my hand back, I aimed the whip directly at one of the creatures' back. I heard a satisfying crack as the whip sliced clean through. The halves fell to the ground and began to soak the ground, however, I turned away before I could witness the full effects of my attack.

Close by was the reptilian animal I had seen earlier, yet... It was in pieces. It's dull scales of an olive color were now drenched in purple, which was being absorbed by ground. Its eyes were open in what appeared to be terror; though I knew it couldn't feel fear. They were glazed over with a milky substance.

This was rather puzzling, since... According to what Jaken had said, this realm was strictly against battle. I searched for the assailant, but was unable to find him. I decided upon examining further.

Walking over, I placed a hand on the scaly hide. It was still warm, suggesting that the bizarre demon was alive only moments before. Whoever could have done such a thing would require speed, and power. Perhaps they were not of this area. Yet upon even closer inspection, I realized that this deed was accomplished by talons alone. The skin was raked and utterly destroyed. It certainly wasn't an experienced fighter. My kimono was soaked with blood from the monster, yet in wasn't normally-colored. The fabric on my sleeve was drenched in a deep violet... My sleeve... The warmth. Wait... Why am I thinking of that event again? I had to remind myself that sometimes the mind wanders, and that is the only reason why.

A deep growl rumbled behind me, and as I became ready to agress, what I saw shocked me. Covered in blood from head to toe, was that innocent little princess Mother had kidnapped. Eyes glowing crimson. Her nails were increasingly long, as well as her teeth. When she closed her mouth, they still stuck out from beneath her top lip. She was hardly recognizable. Her bangs were plastered to her forehead, and her hair was weighed down by the blood that drenched it. Her scent couldn't be detected from beneath it all. But what was the most unnerving was her facial expression. It was that of a mindless yokai.

"Girl... Did you do this?" I questioned, motioning to the dead demon. She just grinned maliciously. She wasn't herself anymore. She would fight until the death. And she would strive to win. This emotion I felt in the pit of my stomach... Could it be fear...? Or admiration for this newly found demon?

She took a step forward, as I took a step back. She hadn't found her power, but any blow she made could very well be fatal. She bent her knees a bit before lunging dangerously. I would have to kill her.

As I readied my claws, her blow never came. Some man had grabbed her from behind before she had the chance. One whiff, and I realized who that man was. The spice, the heat. My father was that man.

"Sesshomaru! Leave her! Go! This girl could kill you!" I could barely hear him over the girl's shrieks and roars. Her nails scraped against his steel armor, producing a horrible squealing sound. Even so, what Father had said truly angered me.

"Kill me? She couldn't hurt a fly before!" I countered, clenching my fists. The girl snarled and attempted to bite Father. She was squirming viciously.

"She's different now! This isn't that girl! I don't know what she used to be like, but she certainly isn't anything like that anymore!" He held her tighter, still having trouble. I thought of a bargain.

"I shall leave only if you hand over Tetsuaiga and Sounga."

Father looked at me in disbelief.

"Sesshomaru! Do you not realize the severity of her state?! She is ready to kill! She will not hesitate. Do you see what she has done to that demon?!" he yelled, glaring at me. His eyes told me that I should not mess with his instruction, but I knew that I could take that girl in a fight. I did not need his help. Still, the amount of trouble he was having restricting her told me that he may not be exaggerating. She most surely would be unable to defeat either of us, yet, she did have remarkable strength at the moment. When I didn't move, he reluctantly agreed. "Fine! But if she doesn't get controlled by the Tetsuaiga, you are leaving!" he barked.

The Tetsuaiga? What could he possibly hope to do with the sword, I wonder? I watched as he drew the sword and held it near her. It did nothing at first, but to my amazement, her frantic behavior slowly ceased. Her glowing red eyes returned to their normal color, all the while her face developing a terrified expression upon itself. She first turned to Father, then me, and then to the demolished demon and area. She was back to herself.

"So I see. The Tetsuaiga repels demonic power?" I asked, returning my gaze to my father. He nodded before gently letting the girl down, and smiling sadly.

"Indeed it does, my son. Now you see its true potential. However, I'd like to ask. What do you intend to do about this girl here? I take it you know her?" I wished I hadn't met her, but I nodded. He smiled. Ugh. Don't even tell me that he thinks I care about her. His disturbing antics haven't rubbed off on me. Great. Now more irritation was heading this way.

"Lord Sesshomaru! I have succeeded in driving away the remaining demons with the staff of two heads! Did you fi-" His question was answered when he looked over at the girl. Soon, though, he had another. "What... Has happened, Milord...?" I answered him with an irritated snort, as I whirled around, prepared to head back home. So much for claiming the eastern lands.

"Sesshomaru. Can you not even try to comfort this girl? You know her, do you not? Show some morality!" Father grabbed the back of my kimono with a swinging motion, forcing me to look at her. The girl had fallen to her knees, and had begun to weep. Although there were many residents of the area still alive, the land was almost completely tarnished with ash and soot. By now, she also would of have to of realized what she had done, as well. She cared about people. That was something that was different about us. I could never relate to her. And Father knew that.

Her shoulders trembled with sobs, her bloodied hair and clothes stuck to her body. It was hard to believe that this ingenuous girl was capable of such damage on such a huge beast. Still, upon looking at her now maroon-colored fingers, I understood that she did. Father nodded at me, and motioned with his hand to the girl. Upon realizing I didn't have much of a choice, I sighed, and walked over to her, kneeling down beside her. The look that she gave me seemed to be asking if she had permission. When I didn't object, she wrapped her arms around me, crying into my chest heavily. Her land would need a lot of construction before she ever had a hope of living here again.