With Jaken as his guide Sesshomaru left the small domicile of Kikyo to where Ryukotsusei dwelled. From what he knew the large sea serpent had etched out territory in the south many centuries beforehand through his own brute strength.
While Ryukotsusei did not hold the claim or title of a lord in the conventional sense he was both respected and feared by many for his ability to maintain his land despite many hard won battles over the years.
Glancing down as he followed Jaken Sesshomaru felt the weight, or lack there of, that the strange sword Tensaiga had on his person. He had secured it beside his own and wondered what use it could be.
He scoffed at the idea that it was a healing tool, who had ever heard of such a thing for a sword to be, and doubted he would attempt to use it. The only thing Ryukotsusei would understand would be to engage him in a fight, something Sesshomaru was more than glad to do if it brought him back to Rin with the knowledge they needed to continue their relationship.
Being given permission by Tomoya, not that he was looking for approval in the matter, would make their lives much easier to be with one another. Drifting slightly in his thoughts he attempted to reach out to Rin but found her to be to far at the moment to adequately reach her.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken said stopping as he spoke, "Ryukotsuseis territory is ahead. Once we pass the coral field he will be alerted to our presence, no doubt."
Wordlessly Sesshomaru passed him all too eager to be done with the task. Jaken sputtered shouting after him as he followed in a flurry of bubbles. The water chilled considerably once they were in the open space and Sesshomaru admitted to himself he had never felt such great power as he did in that moment.
It brought a tension to his muscles that he disliked and he went on high alert, pushing thoughts of Rin to the back of his mind. It would be fool hardy of him to have come so far only to be ambushed and killed.
A great groan reverberated around them that caused Jaken to speed up and grip the end of Sesshomarus tail out of fear while Sesshomaru himself smirked, Ryukotsusei knew they had arrived.
A tremendous noise ripped through the water and Sesshomaru whipped his tail to knock Jaken off that sent the small creature flying downward towards the depths of the floor. Spinning out of the way Sesshomaru barely missed being caught in Ryukotsuseis powerful maw.
Just as quickly as the large serpent had appeared he vanished from sight. Setting his jaw Sesshomaru stilled himself waiting and watching for any changes in the environment around him, surely there was some sign he had missed that would indicate an attack.
With his eyes scanning the area around him he heard Jaken let out a yelp.
"Above you!" He screamed shrilly. Looking up quickly Sesshomaru saw Ryukotsusei barreling down on him with his mouth open and rows of razor sharp fangs wanting to rid the flesh from his bones.
Taking out the Tokijin he moved away once again brandishing it through the water knowing he didn't strike his opponent. He poisoned the water around them which he heard a howl of disapproval in response.
"Face me head on, coward." Sesshomaru mocked as Ryukotsusei once again disappeared.
"Coward." A deep growl rumbled and vibrated through the water. "You are no match for this ones strength."
"Prove it and show yourself." Sesshomaru countered. "Or are you so weakened by the death of your mate you have lost your gall?"
The water turned dark as it shifted and churned before him to reveal Ryukotsuseis glowing red eyes with yellow pupils slit down the middle of his orbs.
"You…know…nothing." He hissed at Sesshomaru through clenched teeth. "Wretched pup, I will show you my power."
Opening his mouth revealed a large orb of crackling blue energy. Sesshomaru backed away moving upwards quickly as it was released. Looking down he saw it speed through the water before smashing into the coral field shattering a large area.
Debris broke off and floated in all directions as Ryukotsusei rushed Sesshomaru attempting to wrap himself around him with his long body. Letting out a shout Sesshomaru threw himself downwards managing to knick a spot between Ryukotsuseis scales that adorned him for his armor.
Knowing he had not pierced him enough to poison him Sesshomaru began maneuvering away from the beast just remaining out of reach. Using his claws while Ryukotsusei made good use of his fangs soon enough there was blood in the water.
Sesshomaru had been careless and was grazed down his arm from his shoulder to his elbow forming a large gash that his arm was rendered useless.
"Sharks! Sharks!" He heard Jaken scream from somewhere below them. Knowing they had only come after the scent of blood and hoping for easy prey they were of little consequence. However their presence may make it more difficult to deal with Ryukotsusei who aside from a gash to his snout was no worse for wear.
As two sharks approached Sesshomaru dodged away, getting behind one he gripped it by the tail swinging it around to let go and toss at Ryukotsusei. As it flailed helplessly towards the serpent he clawed into the seconds soft underbelly disabling it as it thrashed around in its dying throes.
Smacking it away with his tail he turned in time to see Ryukotsusei snap his jaws and swallowed the shark whole. Breathing heavily Sesshomaru gripped his injured arm clenching his teeth.
It couldn't end this way, not when he was so close to having Rin for himself. Although she was far from him he felt her aura around him and the pull of their bond become taught as if she were calling him back to her. Placing his hand to his chest he bared his own fangs at Ryukotsusei and lunged at him with his sword ready to swing.
With a sharp turn from his opponent he was flung tail over head crashing into a cliff face.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken screeched as Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes past the blood that clouded his vision. He saw Ryukotsusei coming towards him at an incredible speed but his approach had slowed it felt, in fact he felt slower himself as if time had stilled.
'Rin.' He thought to himself closing his eyes. He could see her in the moonlight standing beside him up to her waist in the water. She smiled at him and laughed. As she reached her hand out to him he felt an odd pulse at his side.
Taking in a breath he cracked open a lid to see it was the Tensaiga. 'Are you, communicating with me?' Another pulse as if in answer he gripped the hilt of it. Feeling the impact of Ryukotsusei hit him full force he yelled out as the first of many teeth bit into him.
Tensaiga throbbed violently creating a force field around him that stung Ryukotsusei and blinded him sending him back reeling as he hissed. Sesshomaru felt himself falling down towards the ground fast as his mind attempted to grasp what was happening.
As he thudded on the sandy bottom Tensaiga still beckoned him. Glancing up from where his chin had hit he swiped away the dirt and blood that had shifted upwards to reveal a deep cavern, undoubtedly Ryukotsuseis lair.
'Do you wish me to enter?' Sesshomaru questioned the sword again not receiving any verbal response but understanding all the same. Righting himself up as best he could he swam towards the entrance plunging himself into darkness.
Using the pulses of the Tensaiga to guide him he went deeper down through the winding tunnel feeling the water temperature drop considerably leaving his extremities numb and near useless. The loss of blood didn't seem to help either as his tail hadn't the strength to propel him any further.
Leaning against the rock face he slumped down placing his head back and breathing heavily. The Tensaiga urged him on yet he had no initiative to do so. Closing his eyes he felt himself drifting out of consciousness.
Hearing a sound brought him back to attention and he knew he had to continue. While it had seemed far away he knew it must have been Ryukotsusei on his tail. Using the Tensaiga to right himself again by placing the blade on the ground he held the hilt tightly to heave himself up and continue on.
With how cold it was he found it hard to breathe. Sucking in cold water froze
his diaphragm as he was unaccustomed to such freezing temperatures and depth.
The darkness seemed to consume him and he wondered for a moment if he were in fact dead, being sent to the underworld with Tensaiga guiding him.
Those thoughts came to an abrupt halt as his eyes adjusted to an iridescent green glow ahead of him. Feeling renewed power he forged ahead stopping when he came to the end of the long cavern. Lying beneath a sheet of ice was another serpent, smaller than Ryukotsusei himself, Sesshomaru knew this to be his deceased mate.
Going closer he inspected the females lifeless body taking note of her extended midsection where her young still laid, as dead as she was.
Sesshomaru was practically taken aback at the sheer power Tensaiga was displaying, the pulses and throbs reverberated up his arm as he glanced down at it.
"What exactly is it you want from me?" He asked it his eyes moving back to the serpent. "It's dead, you cannot heal it according to the sea witch. Nothing can bring back what is dead."
Still Tensaiga seemed undeterred and Sesshomaru was out of patience. "Fine." He replied back knowing he was out of time as well.
Hearing the crashing sound behind him as well as a growl that would have frozen him on the spot if he already wasn't, he brandished the sword raising it up. The green glow became brighter and his vision seemed to become keener with it.
There were creatures unlike anything he had seen in his life with small tools cutting and swiping at the females body. He saw small red cords being cut from her and pieces of her soul being collected and put into pouches carried by the odd beings.
Swiping downwards Sesshomaru deftly cut through them all as they let out startled cries before they disintegrated into nothing. The parts of the serpent's aura quickly drifted back down to be absorbed into her body.
"Get away!" Ryukotsusei bellowed at Sesshomaru his mouth open wide. Collapsing down out of his way Sesshomaru saw the female lift her head up. "Chika."
"Ryu? Was I asleep?" Chika asked confusion heavy in her softer voice.
"How is this possible?!" Ryukotsusei demanded.
"Tensaiga." Sesshomaru managed out before he fell unconscious.
Rin walked towards the cave where she had originally wanted to meet Sesshomaru. Kiyoko was despondent still and Tomoya was attending a hunting trip alongside another lord who was unwed, meaning she didn't have to entertain another lady.
Taking the opportunity to slip away Rin adorned a simple hooded cloak she had to sneak out of the estate unguarded. Taking off her shoes she skipped through the sand and dug her toes in the mud. Wading through some water to enter the cave mouth she found a dry spot on a small ledge and sighed.
Dipping her toes in the water she called out to Sesshomaru but didn't feel him respond, she felt he was very far from her making her melancholy.
"Oh Lord Sesshomaru, where have you gone?" She sang to herself, her voice echoing off the walls. "Since Rin has seen you it has been so long. How I long for your smiling face and warm embrace, oh Lord Sesshomaru where have you gone?"
Ending her tune she hummed to herself closing her eyes hoping for his safe return soon. Hearing a sound she glanced ahead only seeing the water lapping at the edges of the cave. Furrowing her brow she an uneasiness took hold of her and she stood to leave.
As she entered the deeper water she felt a hand on her ankle. Screaming out in fear she fumbled falling down l, going under for a moment adding to her panicked state.
Resurfacing she took a deep breath spitting the salty water from her mouth and coughing as some had leaked down her throat.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." She heard. Finding her footing she stood up to her waist to see a woman before her. She resembled Sesshomaru far too much not to be related to him. She adorned many embellishments in her hair, from pearls to brightly colored shells that was pulled back into two high ponytails.
Her top was covered in leather among many necklaces and her skin appeared to be covered in beautiful silver scales. The same crescent moon Sesshomaru had, so did she.
"You are the human then? Honestly, I thought you would be more…something." The woman commented smirking.
"I am Lady Rin, formerly of the northern province and now to the western coast." Rin answered respectfully.
"Yes, yes. So I have heard. That is not what
I am interested in. What I am interested in is what interest my son has in you." Nishi stated. "And do not bore me."
"Lord Sesshomaru and I are…fond of one another." Rin replied. Seeing the disinterested look on the regal face she cleared more water from her throat. "We are friends."
"Friends, hm? A friend would not risk a near
war traveling through less than hospitable territory to visit." Nishi responded.
"We are friends and it just so happened I married the lord here, in the west, after Sesshomaru and I met."
"By great fortune, it would seem."
"Well, I did accept the proposal from Lord Tomoya right before I met Lord Sesshomaru…sort of met him, at that time."
"When he saved your life, was it?"
"Yes my lady." Rin confirmed. Beginning to shiver from the cold she stifled the chill not to appear weak in front of her mates mother.
"Seeing as how you are both such great friends, surely Sesshomaru has told you where he went." Nishi narrowed her eyes slightly that made Rin even more uncomfortable.
"No my lady. He did not say where." Rin admitted.
"Then for what purpose was he going?" Nishi pressed. Shaking her head Rin was taken aback at how fast the other closed the gap between them. "Do not lie to me human."
"I am not sure." Rin stated staring into her golden orbs that mirrored her sons but held no fondness for her as Sesshomarus did. Leaning closer to her Nishi took a deep inhale of her scent.
"Oh, you naughty girl." She laughed out. "Greedy too." Backing away from her Nishis features did not match her mirth, unsettling Rin more.
"My lady?" Rin questioned hoarsely. Smirking at her in a devilish way Nishi clicked her tongue.
"Females keep our secrets. Now, I have deduced several things from our meeting. The first one being you are not very good at lying and the second; Sesshomaru is on an errand for you." Nishi continued. "If he completes his task than better off for us all. If he does not, you had better think of another lie to explain the half-breed you are carrying."
"What?" Rin froze feeling her surroundings become hazy. "No, I'm not! I…I have bled now twice since we were together."
"I have no idea what you mean by that but yes, you are pregnant by my son." Nishi confirmed. "Now, I will ask again; where is Sesshomaru?"
"Lord Sesshomaru has traveled to the sea witch, Kikyo, in search of answers as to what to do if I were to fall pregnant." Rin sighed out.
"See how easy it is to be truthful?" Nishi said. "What do you plan to do about this?"
"It may be Lord Sesshomarus or Lord Tomoya, I don't know." Rin answered. "If it is Tomoyas than it will be alright on land but if it is Lord Sesshomarus I am worried for it."
"Make no mistake, the child you are carrying
is of my blood. For what reason are you worried? For yourself?" Nishi wondered.
"That our child would not be able to survive." Rin replied as if the answer should be obvious.
"You are in love with my son. So much so you would be willing to keep a child born from two different species." Nishi thought out.
"Yes, I do love him and he loves me." Feeling a tug on her heart she felt Sesshomaru brush the edges of her aura with his energy. Placing her hands to her chest to cover her heart she sighed. "Despite my apprehension I am very happy to be carrying my lords child."
"I see." Nishi softened a bit at her action and inflection in her voice. "Lady Rin, I am Lady Nishi formerly of the easternmost ocean, now I am of the western one. If you are to go through with this you should hide your pregnancy for as long as you are able to. Once Sesshomaru returns with information, depending on what that may be, we will all decide what next steps must be taken."
"Yes Lady Nishi." Rin nodded her head in understanding.
"I will assist you on my end, however that may be. While I do find the relationship distasteful and the result less than desirable you are a lady of whatever standing you are that my son has had relations with producing an heir." Nishi continued. "That makes you an invaluable asset to the west."
"Oh, thank you, my lady." Rin said.
"Upon Sesshomarus return, once you have said your pleasantries, tell him I wish to speak with him." Nishi near commanded her.
"Yes of course my lady." Rin acquiesced.
"Good. Now, run along and warm up somewhere before you drop dead from the cold." Nishi smirked at her in the mischievous way she did before sinking below the water. Waiting a moment Rin made her way out to the shore standing in the sun to warm herself.
Looking out across the cerulean waters into the distance she sighed.
"Please hurry back my lord." She whispered out receiving only the lap of the waves on the shore in response.
Jolting awake from the darkness that had consumed Sesshomaru his entire body tensed painfully as his eye shot open.
"Relax Lord Sesshomaru." A firm but soft voice commanded him.
"Izayoi." He breathed out as his brain began to understand where he was.
"Yes. All is well." She assured. Settling somewhat he realized he was back at Kikyo's domicile staring up at the thatched ceiling. He was comfortably warm with a heat resonating behind him.
"Oh, he's awake." Kagome said drawing closer. "You were in rough shape my lord."
"Was I?" He questioned.
"Mhmm." Kagome gave an affirmative nod. "I patched your arm and your tail, it suffered an awful bite. You should take it easy for a few days. You were half dead when Ryukotsusei and Jaken brought you back here."
"Ryukotsusei?" Sesshomaru asked somewhat confused as to why his opponent would deliver him safely.
"Ryukotsusei is eternally grateful to you Lord Sesshomaru for reviving his mate and offspring." Izayoi said. "He wished to relay that he is in your debt."
"I see." Sesshomaru sat up slowly feeling the warmth leave his back. Glancing down he saw they had laid him down on warm stones to bring his temperature to where it should be. "And what of Kikyo?"
"I am here." Kikyo responded to his right. Turning his head she sat on a stone carved to make a chair with her hands folded neatly on her lap. "Lord Sesshomaru, I must also extend my thanks. The Tensaiga heeded what was in your heart, your desire to save the life of another. A task I myself have never been able to accomplish."
"I had no such desire." He retorted cooly.
"Then tell me where your thoughts were when Tensaiga reached out to you to lend aid." Kikyo wondered. "For the sake of my own curiosity."
"My thoughts were with my mate, the desire to see her again." Sesshomaru replied.
"Oh, that would make sense then." Kagome chimed.
"Yes, indeed it does." Kikyo agreed. "The Tensaiga is an empathetic being. It can detect the distress of not only the wielder but also those around it. When you were thinking of your mate it found Ryokotseis and wanted to revive her."
"Then why has the Tensaiga not worked for you? Why did you have so much difficulty in accomplishing the task in the first place?" Sesshomaru queried.
"My heart has long turned cold and while I help others in exchange for other means of compensation I do not do it for sympathy or empathy. It is a means to an end." Kikyo explained. "If it weren't for being found by the soul reapers after my own soul had all but left my body I would have died a pathetic, sad death long ago."
"Aw, that is not true Lady Kikyo." Kagome consoled. "You are the most caring person I have ever met. Why, you took Sango and I in when we had nowhere else to go."
"To assist me in my work, yes Kagome, nothing more than that." Kikyo said sternly. Sighing out the younger mermaid seemed undeterred.
"You can say those things all you want but I know them to be untrue." Kagome quipped.
"Assist Sango and Jaken with procuring a few more soul reapers for my use." Kikyo retorted.
"Yes my lady." Kagome said dutifully exiting the hut with a bit more flourish from her tail than need be.
"You'll have to forgive Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru. Both she and Sango speak their minds, liberally." Izayoi smirked to herself as she spoke.
"It would seem it is a common trait among those who associate themselves with you, Kikyo." Sesshomaru replied.
"Not completely unlike your own mother, Nishi. You must be accustomed to strong women barking in your ear." Kikyo smiled as she spoke. "Izayoi has informed me of what it is you seek. Information on the possibility of a child between one of our kind and a human."
"Correct." Sesshomaru confirmed.
"It is not entirely unheard of throughout history, between many different species to produce progeny with a human. More often than not it is between a human female and a male that is not of their own kind. In recent years however it has become quite uncommon as humans have chalked those like us up to myths and fairytales." Kikyo said. "At one time however there were those who sought my guidance on such matters."
"What was the outcome?" Sesshomaru asked wanting a straightforward answer and not a history lesson.
"That depends on the nature of beast that impregnated the woman. In such a case as yours, Lord Sesshomaru, it is entirely plausible that a child born of both worlds could survive in both or neither. The chances are split, halfway." Kikyo replied.
"This Sesshomaru does not play games of chance." He answered back not appreciative of her response. "If you can transform humans and merfolk to one another then surely there is someway to ensure a child would be one or the other."
"Yes." Kikyo replied softly. "The question is which one?"
"Our kind." Sesshomaru immediately replied without hesitation.
"Is that what the mother wants? To relinquish her child once it's born?" Kikyo questioned.
"Lady Rin will be transformed as well." Sesshomaru said.
"Is that what Lady Rin wants?" Kikyo queried back. Sesshomaru was at a loss for words, truthfully he did not know. "For your efforts and assistance I will give you the means for both options. Transforming Rin is an easy task for Jaken to accomplish however it would not take hold on the child while it is forming."
"Very well." Sesshomaru complied.
"Two days time to complete the elixers, I suggest you use that time to recover from your wounds Lord Sesshomaru." Kikyo stated. "Izayoi, I will require your assistance."
"Yes Lady Kikyo." Izayoi nodded her head in respect. Watching as the two began to grab different things from shelves and stone jars Sesshomaru felt a great relief wash over him, he was that much closer to being back by Rins side. Wherever she chose to be he would be.
