A New Leaf
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Sorry, that this one took so long. My schedule got busier and I was having (and am still having) writer's block for this one, but I do intend to finish it. Happy reading.
Chapter 11
The next day, Sesshomaru returned to them. He had been victorious, but Lady Midori was still alive. According to the Inu Lord, she had committed a tactical retreat.
"I'm glad that you've given her off for now, but that woman has more lives than a cat." Sasuke sighs.
Sesshomaru raises an eyebrow at Sasuke. "She is not the only one." Why did he suddenly feel as though cold water had been splashed on him?
Well the answer was simply. In that moment, Sasuke knew. He knew that Sesshomaru knew. The demon knew that the last Uchiha had bedded the closest thing that he had to a daughter. This could get ugly.
"Demons can tell if someone has a lover by their scent." Damn it. "Can't they?" Why did these sorts of things always happen to him?
Why couldn't things be easy for once? Oh well. There was no going back now. Not that Sasuke wanted to. He had meant what he said. He loved Rin.
Never in his life, did Sasuke actually expect to fall for someone in that way. Let alone so quickly, but he had. The least he could do to prove his love was to be honest with Rin's Guardian.
"Yes, they can." Sesshomaru shakes his head. "Normally, bathing would wash away such things, but it seems that you were rather thorough in your…affections."
This was absolutely humiliating. Sasuke couldn't believe this. The Demon Lord might one day be his Father-In-Law (kinda) and could tell how thorough Sasuke was in his affections!
His face was burning. Unbelievable. He had fought against Madara without so much as shivering and here he was, blushing like an Academy Boy asking an Academy Girl's father, if they could go to the movies or something of that nature.
"It was all consensual." Best to get that out of the way, right out of the gate.
Sesshomaru was somewhat less likely to attempt murder, if he knew that it was consensual. Sasuke wasn't entirely sure that would be enough to prevent a battle, but it might help. Well at least that's what he was hoping.
The other man shakes his head. "I am aware it was consensual." Oh. Good. "If it was not, you would already be dead." Cocky son of a bitch, wasn't he?
Of course, with Sesshomaru that wasn't just an expression. His mother fit that description in more than one way. She was a female dog (well dog demoness) and her personality matched the description. So all in all, the raven haired man felt rather justified in applying that label to her.
"I see." It was best not to argue though. "It wasn't just lust." He shakes his head quickly.
That had obviously been part of it though. Rin was a beautiful woman. There was simply no denying that, but that wasn't the only reason why Sasuke had taken her for his lover.
"I'm also aware of that." Oh. That was also good. "If you had merely been using her in such a fashion to satisfy your baser desires, I also would have killed you." Alright. That was fair. Fair, but disturbing.
"So it seems that we have nothing further to discuss on this matter and that we should turn our attentions back towards facing Lady Midori." Thank goodness.
The awkwardness was over. Rin would be so relieved that it hadn't come to blows. Sasuke knew that he was.
Not because he didn't think that he'd emerge as the winner in such a battle. No. Sasuke just didn't want to put Rin in that position. The position of having to choose between her father figure and her lover. He wouldn't do that to her.
Sesshomaru's eyebrow still hadn't lowered. "There is still plenty to discuss on both matters." Oh boy. This was definitely not his day. "You will treat her well or you will forfeit your life in the most painful fashion that I can devise at the time of your death." Naturally. "You are also going to marry her, once Lady Midori is defeated."
Sasuke blinks at that. He had expected that Sesshomaru would try to kill him. He hadn't expected that he would give his 'Blessing' in a twisted way.
"Of course." He didn't really have employment in this strange place though. "That's exactly what I intend to do." Oh well. He could probably earn some money using his strength and buy some land in Kaede's Village.
Naruto would laugh his ass off at that. Sasuke was sure of it. He was actually considering being a farmer or something of that nature.
What else could he do in this era? There were apparently Demon Slayers. Which would be one of the closest things to his skill sets, but his future 'Father-In-Law' was a demon. Sesshomaru probably wouldn't take kindly to that choice in occupation.
"Good." Sesshomaru shakes his head in amusement. "I shall give you the funds to ensure that you'll be comfortable."
Pft. Sasuke didn't need charity. He could make his own way in the world. Though that was kind of the other man to offer, it most assuredly wasn't necessary.
Sasuke shakes his head at that. "That is a very kind offer, but I couldn't possibly take advantage of your generosity in such a fashion." He was not a beggar.
"You mistake me." Sesshomaru raises an eyebrow. "I'm not in the habit of paying anyone for doing nothing." Uh huh. "By the end of this war, I'm quite certain you will have earned every bit of whatever I see fit to give you. You can also consider it Rin's dowry."
Right. Dowries. Sasuke had heard of the concept before, but the practice had fallen out of favor for the most part before he was born. Only nobles and royals tended to engage in such things these days. Well at least that was the case back in his world.
His family might have been considered a 'Noble Clan,' but that was more a title than anything else. They weren't actually of royal blood or anything of that nature. Meaning they had never required dowries.
"Very well then." Sasuke smirks. "I look forward to earning my pay and bringing that bitch's head to you on a silver platter."
He wasn't sure about the Hyugas though. They might or might not require something like that. They had always struck him as a bit of a cold Clan in general though. Wait. He was getting off topic here.
"Good." Sesshomaru's wary golden eyes glance around the room on high alert. "I'm glad that we've come to an understanding and I'm quite certain that Rin feels the same way." He turns his gaze towards the doorway. "After all, she has been listening to our entire conversation."
"What are you doing, you wench?!" Jaken glares at Kagura.
Kagura swiftly ignores him. She had grown tired of the imps taunts. Sesshomaru had given her permission to live in this castle and do largely as she saw fit. Why should she care, if the toad didn't like it?
Lady Inukimi whacks Jaken upside the head. "Quiet." Her voice was now nothing more than a low growl, one that chills Kagura's blood. "We've got lots of work to do."
Indeed. They did. Midori might have retreated for the time being, but she would strike again. She knew that much for a fact.
The woman had already lost an eye. This was no longer just in pursuit of some idealistic cause. No. This was now about revenge. Revenge against Rin.
"Yes, Lady Inukimi." The imp bows profusely at her. "I just thought that you might be better served without having this wench distract you!"
Honestly, did the toad demon have a death wish? There were times when it certainly seemed like it, Kagura decides. Both she and Lady Inukimi were more than capable of ending his life with ease and yet, he simply refused to leave them be. It was frankly maddening.
She smacks him again. "If I wanted her to leave, I would have told her that much." The Inu Demoness was clearly growing more and more agitated by the minute, but Kagura smirks.
There was something rather satisfying about seeing the horrified expression on Jaken's face. He had been suitably chastised for the moment. Now, it was just up to them to finish this.
Lady Midori couldn't be allowed to get away with this. Her cause may have been initially noble in spirit, but in reality it was anything but. The Wind Sorceress knew that everyone's skills would soon be put to the test. Midori had raised an army and they had to be ready for that.
"Yes, My Lady." He bows again and again.
The groveling was pathetic in the ruby eyed woman's mind. Did the man have absolutely no pride? Apparently, not. This was getting ridiculous. Kagura almost felt sorry for him at this point.
"It's hard to tell where she'll strike next." Inukimi frowns. "The woman is unpredictable to say the least. I'm not sure if she would launch an all out assault or split her forces into smaller parts and try to sack various villages."
The latter of which sounded like the smarter option. Keeping them all together would lead to one final battle. A battle that at best the woman had a fifty percent change of winning, Kagura observes.
Of course, that did seem to be Midori's style. She'd likely want to go out with a bang. Then again, it wasn't as if the demoness was incapable of being strategic.
"In that case, we need to do something she wouldn't suspect." Kagura points to the mountains. "The wolf demons generally keep to themselves, but if there is a war between Japan and China going on, they won't get the luxury of being neutral."
Inukimi smirks at that and nods. "True and they're certainly fearsome fighters in their own right." She then glares at Kagura. "Allow myself or Sesshomaru to conduct the negotiations. I understand that you have a history with them of the negative sort."
That was putting it mildly. Koga was probably just as likely to attack her as Midori. As much as the wind user hated to admit it, Lady Inukimi had a point in this particular instance. She or Sesshomaru would have a far greater chance of convincing the wolves to join their cause than Kagura ever could.
"Very well." She shakes her head and smiles. "Speaking of negotiations though, I do hope that Lord Sesshomaru won't be too hard on Sasuke."
There was no mystery what had happened the night before. Nature had taken its course. Sasuke and Rin were completely drenched in each other's scent.
It didn't surprise Kagura, really. She had seen the way that they looked at each other. Really, it was only a matter of time before they acted on the attraction. She was happy for them, really.
"I hope so as well." The Lady of the West shrugs gracefully. "I doubt there would be a better match for Rin and it would certainly make Sesshomaru happy to see her happily mattered."
There was only one problem. Sesshomaru was extremely protective of Rin and Kagura could see this coming to blows quite easily. She could only pray that wouldn't come to pass though.
The last thing that Rin needed was to see the man she loved fighting the other man she loved. One man whom she looked at as almost a father and the other who was her lover. To be caught between such a war, well that would be unpleasant to say the least.
"That's true." Kagura nods in agreement.
Jaken stands up and flails a bit. "I'm sure that Lord Sesshomaru knows what is best for that girl." The imp's loyalty was touching in a way, but also annoying.
Sesshomaru had good instincts. That was true, but Kagura knew the truth. The heart wanted what it wanted and it wouldn't be denied so easily.
Rin rubs the back of her head sheepishly. How had Lord Sesshomaru noticed her? She had been sneaking around so carefully and she knew that her stealth skills had gotten better.
"I w-wasn't spying." She blushes deeply at that.
Sesshomaru gives her a rather incredulous look. "It's obvious that you were indeed spying, but you're getting better at it." So he wasn't angry with her? "It was your scent that gave you away. Nothing more, but that wouldn't matter during the heat of battle. Not with Lady Midori."
That causes Sasuke to flit to her side protectively and wrap his arms around her. "I won't let her get anywhere near Rin again." The young woman smiles at that and leans into her lover.
He was so sweet and protective. Well in his own way. Sasuke was hardly the type to gush praise in public, but that was fine with her. His touch when they were alone and the way he held her now, well that spoke volumes.
"Good." Sesshomaru nods at him. "Her safety is your highest priority." His eyes narrow at Sasuke. The implied threat was unmistakable. "Even above your own life. Should something happen to her, I will make sure that you will wish that you were never born."
Sasuke just nods at that. He was good at dealing with Lord Sesshomaru. Most people would have been shaking or begging for mercy by now. Not Sasuke though.
Something that only made Rin more curious. What was this Land of Fire like? Was everyone from that place so brave? Did he miss his home?
"Of course." Sasuke spoke it as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.
Well, maybe he missed it. Rin wasn't sure. She was afraid to ask him, but Sesshomaru's ward knew one thing. Sasuke did love her and maybe, that was all that really mattered.
The snowy haired demon gestures for the two of them to follow. "Good." Which they both did without question.
Keeping Lord Sesshomaru waiting was never a good idea. At best, you'd be left behind and at worst, you'd try his patience. He was a kind demon to Rin, but the young woman had no delusions. The demon was a fearsome fighter and rarely displayed mercy towards his foes.
"Where are we going?" Sasuke glances at him as the two men walk side by side.
It was so strange to compare them. It was like watching the Moon and the dark night sky work in harmony. Their steps matched each other perfectly, despite the fact that Sesshomaru was taking significantly longer strides. Sasuke was moving faster.
Perhaps, he felt that he had something to prove to the other man. The male gender was filled with so many peacocks, Rin thinks to herself once again with amusement. Few could resist strutting about and displaying their fashion in some form or another.
Sesshomaru didn't even bother to turn around to look at him as they continue their procession down the hallway. "We're going to speak with my mother and Kagura about battle plans." He didn't have to. Eye contact wasn't necessary to convey that information.
"Good." Sasuke obviously agreed with that plan as the three of them rounded the corner and headed into the same room as Lady Inukimi and Kagura.
So this was it. This was the beginning of a war. One unlike all the others that had preceded against it. One country of demons against another and one that was likely going to be far bloodier than any human war could ever hope to be.
Furious. That's what she was. Midori was furious that they had been driven back once again. How could this have happened?
"My Lady, are you alright?" Tenji looks at her with concern shining in his eyes.
He shouldn't have to be concerned about her. The battle should have easily been theirs and yet, it was not. Once again, Midori had been forced to launch a tactical retreat. A fact that was nothing short of enraging to her.
Lord Sesshomaru always got lucky or the upper hand. Well his luck was bound to run out soon enough and the same could be said of that stupid human pet of his.
That human pet who had blinded her in one eye. "Yes, I'm fine." Well that was actually a lie. Midori wasn't fine, but she would be soon enough.
She'd be fine once the dying screams of that human filled her ears and Lord Sesshomaru was brought to his knees. The dog would be brought to heel.
This hadn't been what she wanted, but Midori wouldn't shirk from doing what was necessary. The humans were growing in number every year and their weapons only grew more advanced. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the tide was turning.
"Good." He smiles at her warmly. "I don't know what any of us would do without you." Well that was obvious. They would be lost without her.
That was why, she had to lead the charge. Midori just hadn't expected that she would have to lead it against other demons. In the long run though, it was obvious what would happen.
She would emerge victorious. There was simply no other potential outcome and once she had triumphed, their people would all be safe again. Sesshomaru would thank her one day. Midori was sure of it.
Midori wouldn't allow herself to be distracted by Tenji's sweet words this time though. "That matters little." They had work to do. "What matters is that we are here and that we are going to save our kind from the humans."
Never again. She wouldn't permit it to happen again. No more demonic children would be treated by humans as she had been.
Midori wasn't completely naïve. She knew that it was only pure dumb luck that had ensured her survival for the most part. What about the other pups out there?
"That's true." He smiles at her. "What are your orders, My Lady?" The man did have a charming smile. One that hid truth rather well.
This man was even more vicious than Lord Sesshomaru. The other noble might be stronger, but Tenji was a dirty fighter. He would do whatever was necessary to win and that was why Midori had kept him around.
Seduction, killing, lying, and stealing, it mattered not to this demon. He believed in their cause and that made him a man that she needed at her side because the coming war was going to be a horrific one.
Midori could only hope that it would also be a brief one. "Keep our forces together." Her eyes narrow. "Sesshomaru is likely going to divide up his forces." It was the logical move.
He'd move to protect as much of his land as he possibly could. Midori didn't have to worry about that though. Lord Sesshomaru might know the terrain better, but Midori didn't have to worry about defending it. She'd burn it, if she had to.
It was for the Greater Good. The coming generations would thank her one day for doing what had to be done. For putting the humans firmly back where they belonged. Underneath the rule of demons.