CHAPTER FORTY THREE

Sesshomaru

The skittish guard kneeled before me, arms shaking vigorously. He had tears streaming down his face, straining into the deep green grass. This was pathetic.

"Speak. Stop sniveling."

The man looked over at a deeply concerned Mikage, sun insignia on his armor glistening in the sun. He took a few moments to regain any composure, sweat trickling down his temples.

"The Lady has been abducted..."

"W-what?!"

I glanced back at the woman behind me, watching in confusion as she stepped forward, sharp teeth grinding. Her shoulders tensed. Her eyes lost any shy luster.

"What happened, Kujiro?" she cried, voice cracking with forced-back tears. "Who took her?! Who took Mother?!"

Her mother, mm? That vile woman that had no respect. I remembered her clearly. Her oak-brown hair, shadowed amber eyes, and pale face. I remembered her frail body. But most of all, I recalled the way in which she raked those long, sharp talons against Mikage's face. What did Mikage care if that awful demon perished?

"Some woman... Oh it was awful, Milady... She... Killed off the subjects, and used their corpses in her sick dance...! Then she took her!'

"Are there any survivors?!" she yelled, gripping his shoulders. I watched her choke back beckoning tears, nose crinkling with her terrified snarls.

"N-not many...Only me and the Lord... I...escorted the rest... She killed so many... And I don't know where Lord Shigure is..." He sniffed, blonde hair tussled and matted beneath his helmet. I snorted quietly.

"A true warrior would have killed her."

Though, something about the description of the woman was familiar. I racked my mind, searching for a facial match.

Mikage's head whipped back, eyes vicious.

"Sesshomaru shut up!" she screamed, pupils retracting to slits. Her forehead was stained with sweat, her left hand clasped tightly around the handle of her blade. I brought my head back, eyes narrowing. How dare she speak to me in such an audacious manner? I fought back a growl. "He tried his best. Don't you dare say otherwise!" Her body stiff as wood, she glared at me, baring her fangs.

"How DARE you speak to Milord like-" This time, it was Mikage who kicked Jaken to the dirt, her fangs gritted.

"Lady Mikage..." Rin murmured, brow creased with worry. She reached out a hand, only to touch thin air when Mikage got out of the way. Mikage's eyes flashed crimson for a second before she stood up again, lip curling.

"I'm going. Nobody follow," she hissed, turning her back to us. "Whoever it is, I'll kill her."

I watched in a silent fury as she drifted into the air, launching herself above the trees. She didn't even slow when a hard branch clawed her arm, gripping flesh and tore it to a bloody mess.

Without its people, the kingdom was empty, open for the taking.

A familiar wish clutched at my inside. The wish to rule over Japan as the strongest demon. The Eastern Lands were a large providence. I could easily take it. All that I would need to do is get Mikage and her twin brother to submit. They seemed to be the most formidable challenge thus far.

"Go after her, Lord Sesshomaru..." Rin whispered, tears rimming her eyes.

Oh, I would. She would be kneeling before me, defeated by my hand. Any past connection to her would be destroyed, now. Just as I had wished it long ago.

I glided into the air, eyes hardening. My empire would begin again. Not only would I be Lord of the Western Lands, but of Japan. In due time. I would truly outdo Father this time.