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Chapter 12: Growing Pains
Ororo walked briskly down the long dimly lit hallway following after Sesshomaru with a tightness in her chest. Her thin cotton white night gown dragged at her bare feet while her hair still billowed about her frame. It's volume seemingly increased from her evening bath with Rin and air dried. The lighthearted and jovial feelings from the early evening had burned over. Ororo listened felt the warnings all about her. Something was horribly wrong. The walls whispered of conspiracy within the Western castle. The burning fire from within the lanterns decorating the inner royal hallway flickered to warn them of the deceit hiding amongst Sesshomaru's own. Concerned filled her as they took steps towards a different area within the wing of the personal building belonging to the Western royals. Shadows danced along the western corridor as they approached his study silently. She halted as his aura pulsed and the doors to another room on the side opened allowing them entry.
Anxiousness thrummed in her bosom, unsure of what to expect. She believed he was going to engage in combat, but he had simply walked to another space in silent rage. Her body was tense unsure of what exactly angered the Inu King in such a way that hostility dripped like poison from his pores. But she knew without a doubt he had been made aware of something insidious. And she could see it in the way he reacted once Rin had been laid to sleep. Her khopesh weapon was at her side clutched tightly in her hand on edge. Walking further into the room, she took note of its emptiness confusing her a bit. Gone were the towering papers from and the many books stacked in compartments that was seen in the larger office he owned. The room was smaller yet still had the high formality of the other rooms. A large partition hung in the front blocking anyone's view of the other side should they enter. Some light shined in through a few windows around the area. As she walked around the partition, she saw a wooden desk and plush decorative seating to the far back braced with dark blue and red cushions. This sat on an elevated platform above the ground. The lanterns flickered onto life around the space revealing the private chamber and minimal decorative items.
Movement from behind was heard as she stepped further into the space. She turned quickly hearing the doors slide shut behind her. Sesshomaru having wasted no time, sealed the doors shut. Stretching her aura, she realized they were still alone. Two guards were posted throughout but maintained distance outside of royal home. She turned with her weapon lowered to see Sesshomaru move towards his desk. Ororo placed her weapon back into her bag and waited for him to find what he needed. Sesshomaru reached for a scroll tucked in a hidden compartment in his chamber and turned offering it to her with a sharp gaze. Ororo slowly lowered her bag to her feet before taking the letter. Her body moved under the lantern lighting of the room towards a seat for comfort. She unrolled the letter curiously while watching him stand in front of his window glaring out into the night.
Ororo knew very well Sesshomaru had his suspicions and possibly his answers, but he had not said anything since they left Rin's room in a rush. His mood was very temperamental and had her cautiously keeping distance. Her mind focused on the script in front of her as she worked to interpret the wording. Her blues eyes darkened upon each character written boldly before her gaze. She was a bit slow in translating and a few words she didn't quite understand caused a longer pause than she had liked. Sesshomaru turned around to look at her watching her intense concentration and seeing her lips move as she read. A language he didn't recognize was mumbled tartly before she folded the paper and sat a bit straighter on her hind legs upon the soft cushion. Her chin lifted daringly in his direction. The firelight from the candles danced along her bronze body and illuminated her strong collar bone and the soft swell of her breasts.
"The priests have taken on the offense and have attacked a demonic village nearby. They make claims of purification of the lands. Fallout between demons and humans have officially begun." A cuss flew from her lips as she bit them. Her eyes scanned the letter before looking to Sesshomaru in contemplation. She chewed on her lip for a bit. "But something else pains you." She questioned looking at him knowingly. His dominant energy was palpable in the atmosphere. Sesshomaru's demonic aura dragged sharp claws dangerously on the surface of her skin. Goosebumps arose on her flesh and shiver rocked her spine. Her own aura pushed back a bit weary of the threatening strength he displayed. She waved the paper he gave in her hands and placed it in her lap gently. "This does not cause you the anguish I saw earlier. Speak the truth to me." She asked.
Sesshomaru eyed her cuttingly as she lifted her head higher with her mouth in a solemn slant. The silent demand in her body language was vibrant and culturally disrespectful. He watched her palms open in silent demand of the truth. She stared up at him with expectant cool eyes reflecting his raging amber ones. He looked her over as the candlelight danced off her skin and snowy white hair. The thing that weighed heavy rested in the pocket of his hirori. Upon his arrival, he was immediately notified by his General of the delivery of a message. After seeing it for himself he wanted nothing more than to kill the ones responsible and start fresh.
His eyes continued to take her in feeling challenged that she would make demands of him in his own private rooms. Ororo did not back down and simply waited, staring him straight into his eyes, making no move to flee from his boiling rage. Slowly his clawed fingers dug into the pocket of his hirori and he pulled out another letter. He went to her and handed it over silently. Her soft hands brushed his and took it noting the folded creases and a salamander crest sealed in blue candle wax on the back that was broken. She opened it quickly looking at him analytically. He watched carefully as her eyes narrowed and her lip went into a straight line this time. More unknown words came forth before she folded the letter back up and handed it back to him. He went to his desk and placed both notes on his desk harshly. The sound echoed through the small space. Sesshomaru took the note and placed it on his desk for later review with his advisors.
"So, allies wish to consult you about the attack on the borders where you share land space. But really, they will come to tell you what they want and will do. Also, I do see war with humans mentioned but unfortunately Japanese grammar and I have yet to come to full reason." She spoke waiting for further clarification.
Ororo took note of the subtleties in his muscles and the twitch of his fingers. She forgot a small detail about massages when she shared the information with Sesshomaru nights prior. Massages were a great way to also learn of how someone dealt with anxiety and stress. It could be used for and against them especially if the muscles were to become too tense and thus increasing fatigue and stress on the body. Her fingers had prodded his hands back in the cave so she knew where some of the minor stress settled in him and thus where the muscles tensed. His hands were very telling of the rage Sesshomaru was in. Sesshomaru never revealed to her or anyone how he felt about something she noticed. However, after traveling with him and paying attention to even the tiniest of behavioral conducts, she could tell by now when something agitated him. She had learned to be very attentive to these things especially growing up in an environment where instinct ruled supreme. His aura was growing aggressively, and her eyes widened a bit from the possible danger unsure of dog demon calming techniques. Her own mind spiraled calculating and grasping for further information that she may haven't read between the lines.
"If you do not wage war with them against the humans then these kings suspect you of these crimes or for siding with the humans." She restated watching his reactions carefully. Nothing was out of the norm, but she could feel his temper stirring. "And they wish to rage war on the humans believing them to be problematic. They want to eradicate all the humans." She brushed her nightgown off leisurely. "This is genocide, you do know this." She stated looking to him intensely. "It is one thing to kill people that have caused you ill will. It is another to attack innocents and wipe an entire group of living things from an area. Are you ready for such a burden on your conscious? Are you ready for this war with humans that may have unforeseen consequences? The ramifications will affect everyone and all life going forward should you kneel to these…fake allies."
He remained silent. "I will do what is necessary."
Ororo slowly nodded not liking the answer. She thought over her own history and her ruling father before her. Her memory searched thinking of anything useful that could aid her new ally in his plight. She looked to the Inu youkai knowing how very stubborn the Lord was and she didn't doubt that he would do what he felt needed to be done without regrets. She also had learned from her own interaction with him that he was not one to be manipulated or forced to do anything he didn't want. But his callousness for human life and others was something fierce. Her heart did beat twice at the mention of a few that she knew that would suffer if such things were to happen. Her mind also thought of his extended family. The inu prince and the priestess in Edo. This would affect them too.
'This won't do.' She thought not realizing the dark scowl that formed on her face was present.
Sesshomaru saw her reaction noticing concern before concentration set in. Of course, this was not her land or her people, so her concern was unwarranted. He took in deep breaths as instinct roared in his ears to just be rid of all that stepped in his way. He certainly didn't care about the other Lords then, and he certainly didn't care for them now. But they were annoying and problem. And the humans were also overstepping their bounds using this new threat to incite violence with peaceful demons. It was slowly encroaching on his lands. He believed the only reason this was kept at bay was because of how he ruled his lands and the specific laws in place that affected everyone under his rule both demon, human, and in-between. The desire for the smell of liquid copper and death became appealing the longer he thought of this.
Ororo stood suddenly running her hands through her long snowy hair roughly and shaking it, feeling it fall down her back. "I will admit, this will put you and I at odds should you agree with these Lords and allies." She stated bluntly looking to him with sincerity. She locked eyes with him, watching as he stood stoic before her. "I do not wish to be at war with you nor do I wish for innocent people regardless of species to be swept in the middle of this chaos being pulled by a spineless puppeteer. So now you have four problems." She held up four fingers and began to pull on each one. "You have this conjurer we both are searching for, you have the threat in your home, these kings who wish to rage war, and the humans and demons who I imagine aren't going to take any of this sitting down. Despite your thoughts on humans, they are very crafty when pushed. And demons can be adaptable when pressed."
"You think the humans would be so intelligent. So challenging?" He stated coldly stepping towards her dangerously getting the hint that she too would be an additional challenge. "You would side with them."
She smiled perceptively and remained unbothered. "I don't think…I know. I have seen it. The humans will come. They will develop a means to deal with their threats. With time, they will be effective. Some like your brother's tribe will forge powerful bonds and plant seeds of hope. And one day you will have something far more dangerous on your hands that you cannot fight." Ororo stared into his golden eyes amongst the lanterns of the study. "And I side with whoever has Egypt's best interests." Ororo looked at him with her thoughts running and thinking of a few wars where she encountered new inventions. Even in the ranks of her army in Egypt, her warriors were a mixture of species that designed weapons for quick destruction of the enemy. If her people were doing it, then surely another was as well.
Sesshomaru' was angered to say the least. The frustration was peaking. What the woman said in front of him was true, but all of this was wasting his time. The original point and purpose remained regardless of if he chose to address the Lords of the other lands or the humans and their rulers. He needed to find who was responsible and end it.
Ororo flicked her hair behind her ear and frowned. If any of this happened, she would be forced to rage war with the people of this land. Conflict bubbled in her chest and a tightness grew from the thought of having to take lives possibly from the ones she had developed bonds with. But she would do it. For Egypt she would do anything. And that haunted her. "I must go for a walk. This predicament of yours needs much thought." She stated before turning towards the door. Her gown fluttered about her as she turned briskly.
"Not in this manner." He stated stepping forward towards her threateningly.
His guttural voice captured her attention. She turned back to him and held out her hand. "I won't change my clothing. And if you are so peeved or fearful for my protection, then walk with me and ease our minds." She countered with a solution. "But, I need to think of strategic approaches for you to manage these matters. There are many things that leave me disturbed greatly tonight that remain unsolved."
He moved in front of her scowling. "This is not of your concern."
Her eyes cut into him sharp as knives upon hearing the end of his statement. Like hard blue diamonds, her eyes shined at his audacity to say such things to her. Static arose and the hairs on her own arms began standing. Candle lights flickered along the wall catching the charge in the oxygen. She strolled closer to him picking up her dress and moving the hem out of her way with a flick of her wrist. Her eyes met his. "If I am to find this foe, I am in need of your help because these are your lands and your people. Some of these people are ones that I have begun to care about including little Rin. These spineless sheep are adding to the danger by putting more people that I care about in harm's way with their stupidity and gross negligence. These…false Kings take away your attentions from my problem which is of the highest importance. And their foolishness threatens possibly the safety of my people in the long term. Thus, this is of MY concern, and I will be equally as involved in this until the dangers are removed." She stated bluntly before turning towards the door flicking her long hair behind her.
The threat hung in the air and bounced between them in deadly waves. Her scent spiked with spicy undertones over her natural honeycomb aroma. He flashed in front of her before she could take a step forward. She gaped at his speed as he stood before her suddenly. Ororo immediately backed away with wide eyes caught off guard by his sudden appearance and swiftness that was barely seen by her eyes. However, her index finger was out ready should he take his frustration out on her. The distrust was there burning in her vision. The memory of the unforgettable vision stood between them like a giant wall of thick limestone. She stood her ground as he lowered his gaze his right hand where painful stings of her energy along his pale skin rippled warningly. Her power felt like hundreds of needles waiting to dive into his flesh and heat his body with the intensity of the sun's rays.
"Be still." He growled out with eyes darkening around the rims of his pupil.
Ororo's readied retort went dry and was swallowed by the base in his command. She looked gapingly as he walked to the side towards an area where just one chest sat. Shock turned into curiosity as he bent down towards the ornate wooden chest and lifted a thick looking black fabric out of it. He straightened it pulling out what looked to be sleeves. A black hirori was shown to her big enough to cover his frame. The energy she conjured began to dissipate. She watched him walk purposely towards her body and place the top around her shoulders harshly jerking it around her to cover her body forcefully. She grinned and rolled her eyes at his abhorrence for her contempt of public display of her body. His fingers came to the front and slowly pulled the two sides together leaving the sleeves to hang down her sides. Her breath hitched a little feeling his finger lightly brush against the swell of her chest. She stared into his bright hardened eyes as he went on securing her modesty and honor. She smirked wondering if his reaction would be of pure horrification if he saw how she normally dressed back in Egypt. He would surely be gauging the eyes with his claws of all the men who dared to look. Maybe he would even cover the women completely in this thick cloth despite the harsh weather of the desert.
Slowly he came to her side, walking past her towards the closed shoji door. His clawed grip slid open the large decorative shoji doors rather forcefully and guided her out of his study. "Come." The demand there to be unchallenged.
She clutched the fabric to her body and went to get her bag. "I'm going because I want to go and not because you command." Ororo muttered. She wasn't sure if she should follow him or not until he stopped to lift his eyebrow in question at her mumbling. Ororo tucked her bag around her securely. She smiled and walked alongside of him following the path down the stairs and towards a mud room. Moonlight shined through the wooden of the door. He pointed to a pair of slippers lining the wall, and she placed them quickly on her bare feet. His boots were back on, and his gaze was forward. Moving to his side he motioned for her to step through the entry way out onto the path that would lead to his gardens.
Her feet were silent on the cobble path that spiraled down a rolling hill lined with Japnese cypress and towards a maze of floral bushes, colorful summer flowers, and twisting trees well-manicured. Statuesque dogs lined the way as they walked in silence. The night was dark with the round moon further away from the middle than she expected. The cicadas were loud and the sound of an owl hooting its observances was in the distance. Behind them were the tall buildings of the large intimidating shiro belonging to the dogs. The wind blew grabbing onto stray leaves and taking them with it for a dance. Ororo looked up noting the many stars clearly out and shining brightly through the heavens. Fall would soon be upon them by looking at the constellations. The story and truth were painted in the sky for her to read. Her eyes traveled over to Lord Sesshomaru feeling his aura had calmed a bit from his previous raging storm of ire. The peace the night and the air had given them both was very much appreciated. They walked for a while until they came to a still pond marking the start of another path. The moon had moved and reflected itself in the ponds image.
"I am uncertain if this walk will ease us the way I thought. The night in my culture means the ending of something and come first light of the morning is a sign of rebirth." Her words broke the silence. "Maybe this night your temperament will die and come morning mine will rise." She joked looking up at the stoic Lord who continued forward with his mind in the throes of a war of his own.
She slowed a little thinking of her questions hoping maybe that adding voice to them would help him sort through everything as well as understand her own part to be played. "I must ask again, are you prepared for this war? This loss of life?"
"Always." He answered without hesitation.
She sighed and looked away. "I wouldn't be so sure." A thought that had nagged her since she arrived surfaced again.
"You doubt me." He stated taking her words to offense. His feet stopped along the path to look at her. The wind caught her hair and gently lifted it because it was apparently too heavy to be taken so easily. His own blew behind him freely untethered by the weight.
"I don't doubt you. You have proven an effective leader. But, I fear you have been gone for far too long from this place prior. I doubt the people you placed in charge during your absence." She stated catching his attention as he turned fully to her with a deadly gleam in his eye. She stopped walking among a small patch of lilacs near a white lily pond refusing to show fear over something that needed to be said. "Tales of your wonderings and battles far precedes you. Some of the locals whisper things but they are all similar. Whoever you left in charge during your previous great battle with the miasma conjurer did you no favors. People took advantage of this lapse. Your advisors have been brought up more than once and upon seeing how they reacted that day when I spoke, I can't help too but look at them with caution and distrust."
"You doubt my own advisors?" He asked curiously having never questioned them before. Their fear perfumed the air every time his boots hit the stone floors of his palace. Their desire to seek out his mother polluted his ears. Their pockets were fat and egos had enlarged during his battle with Naraku. At times his mother and the General would step in but he left specific instructions to be followed. And to his knowledge, it was done. His General checked. Besides, they wouldn't dare defy him. They knew their lives meant little to him. They had respect from his father and his mother but that didn't extend to him. They were all comfortable, they wouldn't want to mess that up and be at the mercy of his wrath. Maybe except, for one of his advisors who he had known since he was a pup. His eyes searched hers seeing truth and knowledge reflect in deep oceans.
"I speak from experience. I have been betrayed by my own advisors because they thought me weak because of my gender. Behind my back they issued commands that I didn't give. And so, when I caught them in the act, I showed them what they wanted so desperately to prove wrong and weak about me. I severed all their heads in front of the entire city of Cairo and had their bodies dragged up by the Nile River from the bottom of my lands to the tip and around as a warning to all that defy me. Then I had what was left of their bodies impaled along the desert for them to rot and for nature to handle." She stated coldly lost in the memory of the act. Her fist tightened at the harsh time in her life. She lived beautifully with very little dark moments. But she had learned young that ruling wasn't something to be taken lightly especially, for a woman surrounded by powerful arrogant men. She blinked out of her lessons and looked into Sesshomaru's golden orbs. "What I'm saying is…it doesn't hurt to check thoroughly. But I am biased of course. They did insult me when I arrived." She spoke softly before moving again leaving him standing behind her.
Ororo's mind wondered as she looked to the sky and marveled at the clear sky. "Think about it. When I get a sense of betrayal rather than start top to bottom, I start bottom to top. I follow the trail. Reactions always have a source so whoever is at the bottom is reacting to someone in power of above them. In your case you have a foe bewitching from the outside and we both sense a sinister presence inside these walls. So, let's look at who was appointed to watch specifically the relationships of your lands?" She asked an open-ended question. Her own mind sorting through the information. "Shouldn't someone on your counsel have told you of such occurrences prior to this climax? I have no doubt you would have ended it and I wouldn't be here now if you had known sooner how bad this was." She rationalized walking casually now in deep thought. "Maybe two of your problems can be found in your household?" She asked looking to him as he contemplated these things.
Sesshomaru did think about it before. In fact, his instincts were adamant about protecting Rin which is why he sent her to Kaede's under the ruse of him wishing for her to spend time with the humans. He most certainly did not enjoy the stench of humans that barely bathed except for his extended pack mates who managed to practice excellent hygiene. If his palace was safe for his Rin, he would have Rin stay in the shiro and focus on her studies as she should have been doing from the beginning. He felt in his bones his palace wasn't safe. These sorts of things did not sit well with his instinct especially for a foe to be so close to one's den. So, he sent Rin to the only place he knew without a doubt she would be nurtured like a proper pack pup and that was within the pack itself.
Somehow, he and his brother came to a silent agreement and a truce was founded. Then a foundation of trust and respect had grown. He wouldn't tell the ingrate out loud, but he did hold Inuyasha of higher regard than any other especially after the Halfling proved his worth of their father's blood by not just defeating a formidable foe but fighting for and protecting what he had earned and created. That above all proved real strength and honor to Sesshomaru. Even his annoying mate managed to glue herself in the foundation of his extended pack. Every time he came to visit Rin, he found she was fed, happy, and laughed often alongside of the woman. And who better than to leave Rin in the hands of? He had killed a few people suspected of betrayal, but he had yet to quiet the warning in his sensitive ears that his enemy was lurking still in his halls.
Ororo continued walking enjoying the silence. It meant he was thinking of her words, and it must have led him somewhere. She frowned knowing this was not something to take lightly. To question your own would mean the breaking of trust on both sides should he be wrong and accuse falsely.
"You don't trust me, but you trust me to settle these troubles." He stated blandly looking at the sky in contemplation. They had an odd truce between them. It was even too strange to be considered an allyship. His allies didn't speak with him like this nor did his foes.
She looked up at him continuing the pathway. "I trust your instincts and your lethality. I have no doubt that you will face your foes on the battlefield and try to put an end to this mess. However, time is a trouble of mine. And the betrayer in your home is part of this trouble." Her eyes darted to a few trees enjoying the twisted century old barks. "I have been a part of many battles. Usually, an enemy in hiding is searching for something, waiting for the moment to strike, or building their power. I can easily find whoever it is in your house that is deceitful, but I need you to find whoever it is out there that is as well." She motioned to the countryside beyond his walls in the very far distance.
"And you would trust me to find the foe that threatens your lands?" Sesshomaru looked to her as she turned to face him.
"In the same manner that you trust me to help find the betrayer in your home." She countered staring at him.
Something left unspoken beat at the wall between them. The cracks they saw within the wall were there crumbling. Neither one of them desiring to give life and words to it. Uncertain of the meaning. Somehow trust was established to a certain extent.
"Unless you need an army to help with your problems?" Ororo chided. "I suppose I can offer help. Maybe it is time to call forth my own army."
He stopped at this making her stop as well. "You bring an army?" He hadn't sensed nor seen anyone accompany her throughout their travels. Clearly this must be false.
She looked at him with a readiness about her. "Of course! I didn't come here empty handed. What kind of ruler would I be?" She scoffed. "I have an army ready at any moment's notice to start war on these lands. I do not like being tested or having my time wasted. And if I must cut through and conquer these foolish kings' lands under the name of Egypt, then so be it. I suppose there will be two great lands of the Pharaohs." She spoke walking forward again.
"Hn." He grinned at her confidence. "You speak so highly of your skills."
"I know what I am capable of, and I know I am dealing with people who are so afraid they must write you letters seeking your help while using loose language to threaten you if you don't give it. Like children." She nearly growled. "So pathetic really. Had they have done such a thing during my father's reign. They would all be beheaded on sight and his army would have taken everything for Egypt. Or maybe he would have found them to be so weak as a people that he would barter them off to Sparta for olives just to get rid of the burden of feeble minds." Her eyes caught sight of a bench and she moved to sit down on it. Another water pond with koi swam around in circles happily. Ororo slipped off her shoes and dipped her feet into the cool water enjoying the sensation.
Sesshomaru thought on this slightly amazed at the workings of her mind and strength. He didn't quite know what country Sparta was known for but clearly the land proved to be a better choice than the Japanese Lords he was to meet with. He felt nothing boastful about her statement. She spoke purely as if she was stating facts. He did agree with her regarding the Lords, and he had no intention at all to join them in their little rabbit hunt. Their act of war meant little to him. But the others were weak and would prey on the innocent just to fulfill their own fears or pockets.
A shrieking scream from a distance caught his attention. Ororo looked from the cool waters to see Sesshomaru's attention to the far east. Her head tilted in confusion until she heard something in the same far direction. Their heads whipped towards the side. It was faint and could not be heard by any other that wasn't either nearby or with sensible hearing. Even Ororo admittedly struggled with hearing the source of the sound as she lacked this specific ability. But by the way Sesshomaru's fingers twitched towards the hilt of his sword, she knew it was serious. His eyes looked to the glowing moon in need to slaughter and take care of his home the way he wanted to in the Inu way.
That scream was not trivial. Sesshomaru sensed something else in the same direction. A knowing in his gut told him it tied to their current topic of the hour. He needed to go but…the current problem in his castle. He could investigate and find clues outside of his Shiro but that would take him away from the problem in his home. He couldn't leave again with things the way they were. But he knew where he wanted to start based on the other Lord's cries and the information they spilled. And then there was this event that required attention. He could send guards to investigate it, but he needed to know for himself what was going on. He could get rid of the minor problems too by time to find the bigger foe. Set the traps for his foes to reveal themselves. But he needed to leave. His mind ran through options, and everything fell in agreement. His mind was clear now. But he needed to know.
"Can you find this foe in my home quickly?" He looked to her with a sharp gaze.
Ororo felt his aura spike and swiftly turned to him. She knew the feeling well having felt it from her father a few times during his bouts of anguish and murder. She tugged at the hirori he had given around her closely enjoying the scent of autumn that was embedded in the threads. "I sense you will be leaving me shortly. Do not fret. I will find the loose ends in your home come first light. You have my word. If you promise to focus on finding us a new heading and confronting this conjurer in the meantime. I admit, I don't know your lands the way that you do. But I can sniff out the betrayer in your house. And…" She paused looking back to his home before looking to him. "-deal with them however you see fit." She spoke removing her feet from the pond. She arose from the small bench and took steps back to the entrance from which they had come. "Do what you need to do this night." She encouraged with a knowing gaze.
"You would advise me to leave you here to possibly cause more harm in my home?" He asked mockingly with a crooked smile filled with mirth and deadly intent. Power surged around him, and she turned to face him with a small smile of her own. A few low barely audible grunts were released, and a servant had appeared not too far outside the garden to the far left and bowed lowly before exiting.
Ororo was slightly taken aback by his show of power. She felt his aura spike, sending messages to his nearby soldiers. Movement was heard behind them from inside the Shiro. Already his men and women were mobilizing. In the same pulse of energy, he commanded a room be given to her nearby. How he was able to communicate and gutturally through his aura and low growls went beyond Ororo's knowledge but a part of her had grown intrigued and dare she say excited from the display. She couldn't deny his raw demonic power was enticing as it thickened the air around her. Ororo sauntered up to him breathing in his scent and feeling the danger there before her. She felt a bit daring that night and attracted to his ways. Her fingers arose upwards and danced a hair shy away from his face neither touching but giving the imprint. She watched amused as he did not try to stop her. She traced the crescent moon on his forehead and hummed wishing to touch his skin but knowing that such a thing even among her people, was a given privilege and she would respect that. So instead, she settled for brushing the edges of his hair and hovering along the jaws of his face.
"Admittedly, it would be foolish to leave another ruler in place of your absence. But I am not just anybody that you would leave in such a position in your home, young King. For I am your best option that cannot be swayed by the offerings of your lands." She whispered haughtily. "And you should be honored for the privilege of my offer. Because you and I both know, I am more than capable." Ororo moved away from him slowly but allowed her finger to linger, brushing gently under his strong chin. She bit her lip watching his eyes change and heat. Her finger pulled back as she turned to walk away from him back towards his castle. "I'll be in your study reading and preparing as much as I can tonight. Take care of what's in divine right yours and I'll see to it that your betrayer is snuffed out. Good night, my Lord."
Sesshomaru stood in silence watching her walk up the path back to the entrance. She looked back to him before brushing all of her hair to one side of her face and pulling it over her shoulder. Despite his hirori draping her shoulders, he could still see her curvy silhouette as she walked and disappeared. He looked up to the stars before he quickly made his way to his quarters. Sesshomaru walked inside to his armory and began putting on his battle breastplate and preparing his swords for battle. Afterwards, he walked to the front entrance of his palace passing by many curious and fearful expressions. Once he was outside and at a good distance away, he raced off to kill but for an entirely different reason.
Trees whistled calling him. His body shifted and transformed wrapped in powerful winds and blinding light. His fur glowed under the moon light and his eyes bled red for all to see. Heavy white paws pounded the skies while he hunted for his victims and began the first phase of cleanup. Already the fear of his own soldiers and shoguns floated on the wind and his aura crashed stifling among everyone in his immediate territory. He stood on a hill and roared his creed and let it be known that tonight traitors will cease to exist on his lands. His nose caught the stench of trouble and with a smile his claws flexed in the soil of the earth. Canines lengthened from the pink gums of his jaws in anticipation of the flesh he was about to rip from the bones of those that he would condemn.