Author's Note: A new chapter to the sister story, Waiting for You, was posted a while back. Not going to lie, the sister story is feeling so much lighter than this one at the moment. So if you need a break from the angst, I highly recommend it. Sorry for the long delay. I'm really not the best when it comes to updating; however, I will never abandon a story. Even it updates take time, they will come. Thank you all for all the wonder reviews as well as the favorites, kudos, and follows!
~*Flame
Disclaimer: InuYasha & Final Act are all owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Viz Media & Madmen Entertainment.
Chapter Sixteen
I stared at the lifeless arm attached to my body in disgust. It had taken far too much time to procure an arm similar enough to my own to avoid tipping off the Western Court that something was amiss; and all for nothing. The arm was basically dead for all the use it gave me. Blood might still flow through its veins but it would not respond to my will.
At least it would give me a bit more time in my search. Any that gazed upon me from afar would see nothing wrong and thus would have nothing to report to the Western Court. But it was only a matter of time before someone noticed the lack of use from my left arm.
It was that very reason Jaken was out searching for an arm from a lesser youkai, one less beastial than most. It was a tall order, but the arm couldn't be from one so close in power as myself. It would only end up being just as useless as the once currently hanging by my side. I should have known stumbling upon such a find was too good to be true.
The original owner was on deaths door when we came upon him, having taken on far too many enemies than he could handle. I had quickly defeated the remaining hoard of lesser youkai before turning my attention to the younger Kitsune. He was not long for this world, we both knew this to be the truth. And with his slow blink of acceptance, I hastened his departure from this world. There was no need to let him suffer, and in payment for the kindness I procured his arm before his flesh even started to grow cold.
Had I known how useless the arm would have been I would have left it there to rot with his corpse. Now, I was left waiting for Jaken to return with a new arm that would be the end of this torment.
With each passing day it became more likely for rumors of my shame to reach the ears of the Western Courtiers. As soon as that were to happen, nothing would save me from their wrath. As it was I avoided others as much as possible. I hadn't even stopped by the Western Fortress to ensure none would know what had been taken from me. But as soon as I obtained an arm that worked and could easily be mistaken as my own this self imposed isolation could end.
Leaning against a tree, I rested my only good arm on top of my knee, letting the useless one dangle, the limp hand resting upon the lush grass. It had been some time since Jaken left on his excursion so he should be back relatively soon. Which was good as there was little for me to do with all the extra time I found myself with. It hadn't taken me long to get used to the different balance of my imperfect body, and I didn't want to put in the effort to relearn with an arm that wouldn't be staying.
Nor did I dare visit the Dream Realm. Outside of the fact that someone finding me here before the perfect arm had been curated would be a disaster, the Dream Realm just didn't hold the same appeal as it once did. No longer could I visit the grotto I spent my entire life training and relaxing. Not if I wanted to avoid Kagome. The few times I had traveled there I could find nothing as good as the grotto. I still hopped that one day that would change, but I didn't have the mental wherewithal to search. Not with the waking world was so stressful.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken's voice pierced the silence of the forest allowing me to relax just a bit. He would not have returned unless he was successful. Standing, I ripped the useless arm from my stump and waited for my retainer to come crashing through the bushes.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! I have it!" He held up the arm that looked to be from a crow. There were feathers sticking out in various places and claws far longer and thinner than my own topping the four digits. It was a stark difference from the useless one I removed. Though it could be worse, I was unhappy with the arm. How could I fool the Western Court with feathers sicking out of the flesh? It wasn't like I could pluck them as they would just grow back with time. But I didn't have much of a choice at the moment.
Taking the arm from Jaken's outstretched hands I wasted no time in attaching it to the remains of my left arm. The flesh molded under my hands, sealing itself against the stump. Looking down at the four fingers I wiggled them. Thankfully, unlike the last arm they responded. Jaken's exclamation of glee was lost in the background as I kept my focus on the arm. Yes, I could move it, but what limitations did it have?
I could clearly feel my youki avoiding the arm, stopping at the edge of my bicep where the crow flesh melded into mine. I would never be able to use my whip in that arm, but I hoped to be at least able to do more than wiggle the fingers or bend the elbow. What I needed now, was a test of some sort. Lucky for me, human scouting parties were plentiful.
"Come." I tuned, inhaling deep, searching for the creatures. As expected, a group wasn't far from here, their sweat and odor heavy in the air. Moving through the trees, Jaken's ever faithful footsteps followed in my wake as we put ourselves in the path of the humans.
I didn't give them a chance to react. Just as their eyes fell upon me, I lashed out with the crow's arm, killing them all instantly. They didn't even have the chance to scream before the life left their eyes. It was a hollow victory. With each pass of claw through flesh I felt more of the arm fading, obeying less. Though the humans were in pieces at my feet, the arm was no longer viable.
Growling, I ripped the appendage off tossing it to the side. It was too weak for what I needed. "Find me a stronger arm." I commanded of Jaken before leaving the dismembered remains for the carrion to feast upon. Jaken didn't follow, instead leaving to complete his newest task.
I was growing tied of these failures. I had thought it would be easy to find a replacement. Yet I was in this strange limbo of being too weak for the first arm to obey my comment and too strong for the one that would obey. Where was the perfect arm to fit my needs? There wasn't much time left to experiment. I could only hope that Jaken's next find would prove useful.
I couldn't tell how much time had passed before Jaken returned with yet another arm. Only this one was was far different than the others. From the three digits on the hand, and the overly large size I could only guess that it came from a blue Oni or another similar youkai. So this was how far I had fallen? There was no way this would fool anyone who saw me that nothing was amiss. What was the point in trying to hid this disability with such a blatantly obvious lie?
"This was the first one I could find, Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken bowed, presenting the arm to me. I wanted to slap it out of his hands. "I was hoping we could use it as a baseline for strength." Ah, so that was his reasoning. Rather thoughtful of him, if I were being honest. Why hunt down the perfect arm if it was not strong enough to handle what was needed of it? It would be a perfect plan had it been soon after the injury, but after so much time has passed, I had my doubts. Though, with how much I've been avoiding others, perhaps there was more time than I thought.
I took the grotesque arm and attached it to my stump, nearly shuddering as the ragged flesh melded to my own. Now it was time to find another band of humans to exterminate as a test for the arm. Lifting my head, I took a deep breath to pinpoint where the closest group of warriors were. Unlike last time, this group was a little farther out. But I could tell the direction they were traveling. It wouldn't be too hard to cut them off not too far from here.
All the better, the less time I spent out the in open the greater chances I had to keep this situation from reaching the Western Court. I didn't bother to order Jaken to follow me this time; he would regardless of my orders. As I walked through the forest and closer to the road his ever present footsteps followed.
As we came to the treeline, I gestured for Jaken to stay there. There was no telling what would happed with the arm, and he would need to be able to once more set out to find a new arm after this test. I didn't want to risk knocking him unconscious by mistake.
Leaving the trees, I walk over small grassy hills to stand in the middle of the road. The humans were traveling west, already a point against them. With the sun setting as it was, they wouldn't be able to see anything in the road until it was too late. It was clearly a kindness to end their lives this night.
These humans were far louder than other groups, carrying on over their latest victory no doubt. Victors or not, it was unwise of them to allow their voices to carry so far. There were always predators about, as they would soon realize. The hoofbeats of the group drew closer. Turning my back to them, I glanced back where I came from, ensuring Jaken was adequately hidden. I wouldn't want him harmed by the humans in their terror any more than I wanted him harmed by the very arm I was testing.
A gentle breeze toyed with my hair as the humans drew closer. It didn't take them long to notice me, and like any vermin unaware of their status they shouted war cries, signaling their attack. Their expected reaction is what made them the perfect test fodder. Flexing the large Oni arm I could already feel it trembling from my power. It was not a good sign.
Turning, I lifted the arm in front of me, eyes trained on the encroaching humans. A part of me felt a little silly at the stance, but I could already tell that there was no way the arm would survive the full force of my power. I would need to use its own weight to my advantage to give it the best possible chance. The claws spasmed, curing in on themselves.
The humans screamed in terror, finally realizing their fate. I lept in the air, slashing across them with the arm as I let gravity and momentum create most of the force behind the attack. Even still, I felt the moment the flesh started to disintegrate. The humans turned to ash as the claws ripped through them, an interesting ability from the arm; one I was disappointed I wouldn't be able to experiment with further.
Landing upon one of the many rocks along the road I looked back at where the humans once sat. Even their horses were no more. Clearly the arm was more powerful than I had originally given it credit, but still not powerful enough to last. Whatever the ability the arm used was slowly spreading in itself. Perhaps the youkai it came from had something in its blood that prevented the corrosion from spreading? Before I could think on it further, I could hear Jaken chuckle as he left his hiding spot at the edge of the forest, not too far from the road.
"Well done! You are the one and only Sesshoumaru-sama!" He stepped closer as I lifted the arm to inspect it closer. I knew there wasn't much use left in it, but I was hoping it would last at least long enough to find a new arm. Unfortunately, it was looking to be a foolhardy wish.
"Slaying that blue youkai and taking his arm was a splendid idea!" For the first time in a long time I felt a flare of temper slip though as I reached up and ripped the useless arm from my stump.
"Are you blind?" I nearly bit out tossing the arm to the surprised Jaken. "This is already useless!"
"Oh… gone bad again?" The fact he was confused only angered me more. Watching the sun sink further beyond the horizon I tried to regain my composure. Thinking back to the pit I was trapped in as a youth, I tamped down on my temper that wished to flare. It was one of the hardest things I've done.
This wasn't the first time I had to think of that time to try and rein in my anger. Now wasn't the time to lose focus and forget the vital teaching's Mother taught me. I needed to stay clear headed and focused on finding the perfect arm to keep the Western Court in the dark of what has befallen me.
Coming back to myself, I could hear Jaken struggling with the arm but paid it no mind. The arm wouldn't last much longer, he was at no risk from it. No, what concerned me was the far grater risk he may not have realized yet.
"Find a youkai with a more suitable arm. Or else…" He would have no reason to follow me; would have to return to his tribe a disgrace. Not by any action of his own, but because he served me and would be punished by the Western Court by my side. I wouldn't let that happen. "I'll kill you." It was a kindness, though he may not realize it. His shocked gasp was not lost as I started walking a few paces away to get a better look at the sunset, a deep sense of foreboding running through me.
The wind continued to play with my hair and not for the first time I felt the complete futility of this situation. Looking away from the beauty of the sunset I felt forced to admit the truth. "Even if I find another arm, it'll be useless after a while."
"You seem to be troubled." The unexpected voice came from behind me. Glaring, I looked over my shoulder at the baboon pelt covered creature. Jaken ran behind me, just as surprised by the creatures appearance. Shifting just enough so the creature wasn't completely at my back, I tried to figure out what exactly it was. It had no youki to speak of, the only reason it was able to sneak up on me, but I also couldn't hear a heartbeat. A puppet perhaps? But what would such a cowardly creature want from me?
"Pardon me, but are you Inuyasha's elder brother, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Who are you?" My relation with Inuyasha was no secret, but it was rare for one to ask so openly.
"Like you, I despise Inuyasha. It was rude of me, but I overhead you talking." The puppet presented a human arm for inspection. "May I suggest that you use this arm?" The puppet's claim of overhearing me speak is clearly a ruse, one that only a fool would believe. Were it not, it wouldn't have been prepared with an offering. Whoever it's master was underestimated me. But that wasn't my main concern. No, it was the arm itself.
If this puppet's master knew I was in need of an arm than there was no doubt the Western Court knew as well. My time had run out.
"Don't jest! That's a human arm!" Jaken shouted after running toward the puppet.
"Precisely. However, it's not just a human arm. It's a human arm with a Shikon fragment imbedded in it."
"A Shikon fragment?" Jaken may be aware of the Shikon's fracture, but I doubted he knew what even one shard of the gem could do. Yes, using the Shikon, even a shard of it was ignoring everything I was taught when it came to relying on one's own strength. But it could also be the only thing that could keep the Western Court from believing any rumors that reached their ears. At least until I found the perfect youkai arm. It wasn't unheard of to use tools while training. As long as I stopped using the Shikon once the perfect arm had been found, that's all it would be. At least, that's what I tried to convince myself.
"This arm will empower you to wield the Tessaiga, Inuyasha's fabled sword." It would be nice to rub in the hanyou's face what exactly Tessaiga was capable of, especially a capability he was unlikely to unlock on his own. There was also some slim satisfaction that even Father's memory associated with Tessaiga was beginning to fade. The Inu no Taishou was no longer the one known to wield Tessaiga, it was Inuyasha. I narrowed my eyes, it was fitting.
"The Tessaiga is known as the protector of humans. Presently, a youkai like you cannot touch the Tessaiga." It didn't sit right with me that this information was known to this puppet and its master. Whoever they were, they could see more than most, that was dangerous. It would be wise to learn who it was pulling the puppet's strings and what it was they wanted.
"Hn… You mentioned that you hate Inuyasha. Do you intend to use me to kill him?"
"Exactly." The puppet confirmed at once, setting Jaken off on a tirade. Clearly the puppeteer didn't know me very well if they thought this would work. No matter how angry, I would never actually kill my brother. Only make him wish for death. Perhaps even leave him in a state where others could easily kill him should he not find shelter. But following along would help me discover who this mastermind was.
"Interesting. I'll take the arm." Jaken quieted instantly at my agreement, my name slipping past his lips a moment later, confusion coloring his tone. He didn't need to understand my motivations. If he was still so determined to be my retainer, for however long that would be, he need only obey.
"One more thing…" The puppet held out a hive from within the folds of the pelt. "This hive. I'm sure it'll come in very handy." I took the hive, looking down at it. Such a simple thing, it was clearly a trap for someone specific. Had Kagome obtained new companions? It wouldn't surprise me.
"There should be a young monk with Inuyasha. He may prove to be more troublesome than Inuyasha." I highly doubted that, but would take the warning under advisement.
"Tell me you name." Whether it would give me the name of the puppet or the master was anyone's guess. Though, with how this opportunity was presenting itself I suspected the master didn't think me able to see through the trick. There was a good chance the puppet would give me the name of its master.
"It is Naraku."
"Naraku?" I looked back to the puppet and smirked. "I shall remember it." Turning, I left Jaken to take the arm from the puppet. With the hive I had a distraction for the monk, but I still needed a distraction for Kagome. How fitting would it be to use the same Oni from our first encounter? Thankfully, the Western Fortress wasn't far from here.
Jaken's footsteps followed in my wake as I left the road and once more returned to the forest. I would need to allow him to catch up before we reached the Fortress itself, but until then I would travel at my normal pace. There was still a chance that this Naraku creature knew more than the Western Court. I would need that arm before any of the soldiers could see the hollowness of my sleeve and rumors spread.
It didn't take us long, even with Jaken's shorter stride, to reach the Western Fortress. I stopped just before the treeline to wait for Jaken to arrive with the human arm. The thought of attaching the human flesh to my own was less than appealing, but I was running out of time and options.
Turning, I reached out for the arm just as Jaken caught up. Panting, he handed it over, the hand just as limp as the first arm I had procured. The skin was pale and clammy, clearly that of a corpse. The only thing keeping it from decaying likely the Shikon shard. Even though Naraku claimed he hated Inuyasha and was only helping to use me as a way of killing him, I doubted there wasn't some kind of trap along with this gift. Few youkai would give up a Shikon shard so easily. I doubted this Naraku who sent others to do his dirty work was one to ignore the call of the Shikon that so many others fell to.
Trap it may be, but it was one I would have to deal with when the time came. I wouldn't let this opportunity pass. It was the perfect way to teach Inuyasha a lesson , with his own sword no less.
Steeling myself, I lifted the human arm to my stump. Before it even reached my flesh I felt it reach out through the power of the Shikon and attach itself. That was a bit unnerving. It was unlikely the trap was already rearing its ugly head, but I was even more certain there was something nasty waiting for me by the time I finished with this arm.
I had expected the arm to feel odd, considering it was human, but what I didn't expect was to feel a bit of my youki flow through the whole arm. Was this a side effect of the Shikon shard? Lifting the arm, I looked at it, wiggling the fingers and testing the control I had over it. I wouldn't be able to use Dokkasou of course, but I could feel my superior strength behind the movement; the weak human muscles enhanced by the Shikon shard. Dropping the arm, I looked back at the Western Fortress. As prepared as I would be to be seen by anyone in the West, I left the treeline.
The Western Fortress was no different than it had been upon my last visit. A group of soldiers were in the courtyard training, a single General watching their progress. I stood back, watching them train as I would every time upon my return. I may be in a bit of a rush, but the last thing I wanted to do was bring attention to myself and their scrutiny by acting outside the norm.
The General noticed me, leaving his post to bow in greeting. "Greetings, Sesshoumaru-sama. We were hoping you would return soon." I didn't like the sound of that. Narrowing my eyes, I glanced over to the General. He was already reaching into the folds of his haori and didn't notice my glare. Within a few moments, he produced sealed letter.
"This came for you not that long ago. We were hoping you'd visit before we sent someone to deliver it." He handed over the letter before walking away as if he hadn't just handed over the most devastating of news.
I stared down at the unopened message, knowing what it was even without opening it. The Western Court has summoned me to deal with the news of the loss of my arm. Crumbling the message in my fist, I melted it with Dokkasou.
This was all Inuyasha's fault. He had no right to take my arm especially when he was never in any actual danger. And now, I would pay even more for underestimating the loyalty he held for one of his blood. I may not know what the Western Court had planned exactly, but it would be something far from the slap on the wrist that I've received in the past. Knowing that, I would first make Inuyasha regret what he's done before reporting the the Shiro in the Sky.
"Jaken!" I called while walking to where I could see the red Oni above the tree tops. "It's time to go."
