Disclaimer: All characters from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.
Author's Notes: Happy very-belated new year everyone and sorry for the big delay. However, this story is back for the year 2019 and I'm excited to get into the depths of the kako-hen. I can't believe that this story is already 4 years old. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting this story.
fabelliot: Haha, glad that you got a laugh from how Sesshomaru's POV is structured. Kikyo has left quite the first impression on Sesshomaru, but he won't be the daiyoukai we all love if he is impressed that easily — which only means that Kikyo will have to pull out a few more tricks up her sleeves.
And I never get tired of hearing that there are people out there who love the two together!
yami2703: Ah, yes. Sesshomaru is the very silent type indeed. But I know that there will be a few things that he does — and will — be paying extra attention to for the next few chapters. ;)
Littlety: Sesshomaru does take his regal bloodline very seriously, as seen in the canon, so I thought it would be best if his status is brought up a few times while telling this story from his POV. I can understand how people can sometimes forget that he is of royalty, given how little we see of him ruling in the canon. But I'm determined to fix that; he's not the wandering warrior in the Inuyasha series so he should be referred to as the prince that he is, especially while within the Western Lands.
8579: Thank you for your review and it's a pleasure to find out that you liked how the last chapter was executed. Hopefully, you'll also enjoy this one.
And yes, Sesshomaru and Kikyo are both cool! So awesome!
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(This chapter was betaread by bubu-chibi-chan).
Chapter 24-Kako-hen: Change the World
I want to change the world
If you accept my gaze as I watch over you
And don't let go of my hand
I can do anything
-Change the World (1st opening song)
By the twelfth time Sesshomaru saw the human woman, he had memorized her unchanging schedule. Around sunrise, she would always leave the guest chambers for a stroll in the gardens and he would be obliged to follow. Their walks were usually accompanied by a comfortable silence, with zero interaction. Oddly enough, she was contented with being quiet early in the day, not even making the tiniest of sounds, and would come to bother him with conversations only in the afternoon. The partial reason for the occurrence was that his father would always require her presence after her walk. It was an interval when Sesshomaru could spend it to his likening, without feeling a pair of eyes on him.
Like any other day, the Inu prince utilized the time with efficiency and purpose.
Placed on the game board were pieces of shogi locked in a convoluted stalemate. That, as well as his seated form in front of the circular table, must've been the first things to have gathered St. Hijiri's attention when she entered the arbor that Hibiki adored.
Sesshomaru's eyes left the board and flickered over to the woman. He did a rapid assessment of her appearance, as well as the peculiar sensation that his youki was being met with her spiritual powers. In spite of being opposing forces, there was not a trace of hostility from her aura as it mingled with his in what he might describe as a greeting before meekly retreating. This time, there was no effort being made to completely mask it, as she seemed to have comprehended his implication from last time and instead allowed it to surround her delicate figure.
"Hmm? I was not aware someone like you would find shogi to be fascinating." Seemingly intrigued, she took a step closer to the table and leaned forward. Sesshomaru could imagine the raise of an incredulous eyebrow as her head tilted down to look at the game he was engaged in. "I'm surprised that this is an activity of leisure for you."
"This is no leisure," he said, his gaze returning to the playing field. "Unlike you, I do not engage in meaningless activities."
"Well, I suppose that is true. I won't deny that my actions can appear unavailing in your eyes. However, the same can be said about you."
Her admittance was nothing associated with genuineness. So he chose to ignore her, seeing that he was well above her puny attempts to goad.
When silence dominated the area, she let it settle for a few minutes before banishing its reign with a small chuckle. It was a sound that was latched with provocation but was so scratchy that it lost all intended intensity. "You know, shogi is not meant for one. There are advantages to be gained from having a strong opponent."
At that moment, she aligned her language with his and successfully hooked his attention. Even while he was concentrating on the pieces, he did not fail to detect the challenging undertone, especially not after how she had purposely placed emphasis on the last two words.
Although he had no intention of playing against anyone but his father, he supposed a test of skills would be beneficial. In the view of logic, the woman was correct; he was limited with tactics and counters while playing by himself. It was rather boring having an imaginary opponent who knew his every move. Hence, a decent challenger would not only be refreshing but also stimulating.
It also meant he would see if she was all talk and no show. Narrowing his eyes by a margin, he gave a conceited huff and began to return all the pieces to their original position. "We'll see whether or not your claim is but a mere swagger. I shall bear witness."
"Don't be so ostentatious," St. Hijiri said with an exasperated toss of her head and took a seat on the circular chair opposite his. Her longbow was set aside against the table, still easily within reach if anything unexpected were to occur.
Sesshomaru had just finished with the setup when he noticed her weapon's placement from his peripherals. He was reminded that his Bakusaiga was also resting in the same manner. Similar to him, St. Hijiri was not one to lower her guard, even amidst somewhere where no immediate danger was in sight.
"Never abandon caution, even while sheltered by your own lair." Evoked into his memories was one of the Inu no Taisho's teachings. Despite being irrelevant to what he was currently doing, he took a small minute to engrave each word into his heart.
He made his first move and watched carefully as St. Hijiri lifted a piece before placing it down. The movement was swift, an indication that she at least had some experience in the game. Nonetheless, that was not what caught his attention. What was keeping his gaze fixed on the same spot was how she was using her non-dominant hand while the other was tucked underneath the table. Three days had passed since their little skirmish, yet she was still favoring one particular arm. The reason was apparent but if there were any signs of bruises, then he would never know for he did not possess the ability to see through the layer of fabric and gauze. Still, his attack must've caused some damage, seeing as he hadn't practically cared if she would get injured at that time. It was a reminder that humans were so flimsy compared to a youkai.
Aware that he was getting sidetracked, Sesshomaru guided his musings back to the game of shogi. He made his next move, which she promptly countered. Their movements continued, with the two playing in compatible silence.
It was during one of the back-and-forth moves that he discovered something unusual. While he could not brand her as a novice, as she was well versed in the rules and the sets of counters to use, there were certain moves that she would never resort to despite their significance.
Hence, it was no surprise that Sesshomaru emerged victorious, even if he had to adapt his style accordingly. Placing St. Hijiri in checkmate, he was more or less displeased with the results. It wasn't because she wasn't a good challenger but rather because he knew that she could've offered more in the contest of wits had she been more proactive with certain pieces. Ultimately, the issue was that he was quite disappointed with how she had limited herself to not using any sacrificial moves.
"You've won," she commented on what was obvious. A final long stare was directed at the board to confirm the undeniable result before she lifted her head to congratulate him. Contrary to her earlier behavior, she did not seem as competitive now that the game had concluded, nor did she appear upset by her loss.
"Are you mocking me? Your reason for challenging me is senseless," he uttered, his tone frostier than the freezing winters. Even if he had the tiniest sprinkle of an urge to relish in the victory, he was sure it would've been extinguished the moment she had spoken those words. His exterior revealed nothing — but it goaded him to know that her priority hadn't been set on winning, as his had been.
"I merely wish to show you my precept. Please consider this game a means of becoming acquainted rather than a battle that must be won," she paused and took a small breath, seemingly placid despite his piercing glare aimed at her. Her index finger tapped the edge of her hisha with a tenderness that was more suited for things that were brittle. "The mind is a complex thing. We all have different thoughts and views, but shogi can reveal the essence. Take for example you, Sesshomaru. It has become clear that while your moves changed accordingly to counter mine, they were direct and precise. I saw no unnecessary movements. They reflect who you are."
"Then tell me, what is it that you foolishly presume you know about me, Sesshomaru?" the daiyoukai sneered, having decided to gratify his father's guest.
She gave a soft hum instead of replying immediately, as if giving his question a serious moment of deliberation. However, Sesshomaru received a faint suspicion that she was hiding a smirk underneath the veil. Wisely ignoring the notion, he let out an impatient huff that demanded immediate attention.
"Sesshomaru, you're someone who carries forward a strong conviction and would only resort to cunning if deemed mandatory. In a sense, why exploit when you can overwhelm with sheer power?" Fortunately for her, she had picked up the subtle traces of irritation from his youki and a millisecond longer was all it took for her to spill out the answer. Perhaps they were words prepared in advance and she was simply delaying them for her inexplicable amusement.
He figured she must be proud of her assessment. If he had less self-control, then surely he would've ripped her mask off to reveal the shimmer of mirth that must be dancing within her eyes. Nonetheless, the Inu prince considered himself to be above those who easily succumb to impulsiveness. Above and beyond, there was no point in becoming aggravated simply because she was so dense to believe she had taken the assertive. It had never been part of his agenda to conceal himself from the world like she was doing; he made it plainly obvious with his chilling presence whenever he found a lack of tolerance for someone.
"You are correct, Hijiri." The following parts of his sentences were halted transitory. Only when he was convinced that her silence was a plea for a continuation did he in turn parted his lips to speak in a tone devoid of any fluctuation. "As such, I find your measly ploys annoying. Should you have a real reason to become acquainted with me, as you've said, then you will cease the charade and confess your true intention. Bare yourself before me, and I shall make it an exception to indulge your qualms this time."
The implications behind his words might have been lost to many, though St. Hijiri had proven herself to be more perceptive than most. It should not be impossible for her to fathom what he was looking for once she placed some effort into his words.
"That, I'm afraid, I cannot do," she said with a slow shake of the head. The hand that had been playing with one of her pieces reached up to touch her hood-like veil. It was in all likelihood an intuitive action to ascertain that her mask was still on and thereby offering nothing more than the blurred outlines of her countenance. "Not all secrets are meant to be shared. My identity is one, for instance."
Clearly, the expectation wasn't met. Sesshomaru almost found himself curving his elegant brows downward. "I do not concern myself with whatever hideous sight you wish to hide."
"Hideous?" she chuckled lightly and he noted that she had a tendency to repeat his words whenever she deemed something humorous or ludicrous. In this case, he had every assumption to believe it was the latter.
Yet, he would be no wiser if he was to fall prey to her provocation. As a daiyoukai of refined self-discipline, he operated based on his rationale and desires. Utilizing the former, his mind assembled hoards of information with a speed that was impossible for those who lacked the supreme intellect that he possessed. Although he never bothered to pry, he was aware that his father was working with the saint in hopes of achieving something never preceding before — the amalgamation of demonic and spiritual powers. The ridiculously abnormal amount of energies had pronounced their presence each morning for the past four days like a colossal tsunami, sending alarming shrills to even the most unaware within the west.
In other words, he was aware of the reason why his father wanted the woman's cooperation. Nonetheless, it didn't explain what her intentions were. What was she hoping to gain by aiding the great Lord of the West in perfecting his technique? Surely, there was something she wanted; there shouldn't be any living being who didn't operate without any self-indulging purposes.
"What is your reason for staying in the land inhabited by youkai? What did my father offer for your cooperation?" Always vigilant, he didn't miss how the Inu no Taisho had gestured towards his Tenseiga when speaking about the contract they made. Was there someone she wanted to revive? As well-reasoned as they were, Sesshomaru was not satisfied with mere assumptions. He would have St. Hijiri confirm his musings with her own mouth.
"Curious, are we?" At that moment, the young Inu prince could have sworn that the saint had dared to raise a mocking eyebrow underneath her veil as the rhetorical question left her lips in an almost teasing manner.
"Answer me, woman," he demanded, his tone turning harsh as a layer of his well-honed patience was sliced off as easily as a sharpened knife would do to bread. "I shall be the one imposing questions."
"Protection," she answered rather quickly, perhaps reluctant to incur his wrath. Then she shook her head once and her next sentence reverted to the usual even cadence. "Not mine… but for the people of the east. Since their inner political strive, they lack the resources and power to defend against the demons inhabiting the borderline between the east and the west. Alone, my endeavor to protect them is impotent. Lord Touga approached me with a promise to provide them with a safeguard. In return, I will assist him however he requires. That is our contract, forged on the knowledge that we share the same objective."
"You will elaborate on this objective." For as long as he had known him, his father was always placatory and valued peace greatly. In fact, it was precisely because he was so averse to war that he had not made any moves to claim the other three kokuho despite being chosen by the Three Swords of the Honorable Ruler as the True Ruler. It was hypocritical to achieve peace by unleashing war and strife — that was the great Lord of the West's belief. While Sesshomaru didn't share the same sentiment, his respect for his father meant he wouldn't question it. Because of that, along with the fact that he had been concentrating on acquiring more power, it had been a while since he was au courant with Touga's progress — not that he needed to feel any concern for how his great and supreme father was faring.
"Our objective is simple to express yet difficult to realize," St. Hijiri uttered as she rested a hand on her chest, which raised and fell at a steady rhythm. At that exact moment, the breeze whistled past and carried her rough voice toward him, blessing it with a sense of mystical ambiguity that made the Inu prince feel the true weight of her response. "What we wish for, from the bottom of our hearts, is to change the world."
"…Is that so?" Rather than receiving a detailed plan that was expected from the magnificent Inu no Taisho, the answer supplied was quite lackluster. Vagueness couldn't even begin to describe it. It took Sesshomaru a fraction of a minute to assemble his thoughts as what had slipped out from his lips lacked the contempt he would've delivered under any other circumstances. Instead, it was latched with an odd touch of genuine curiosity and a feeling that was too convoluted to fully interpret. "And what exactly does Father intend to change?"
"Lord Touga strives to create a world where youkai like you," she paused to lift a delicate finger at him before flicking her wrist to gesture at herself. For some unknown reasons, the daiyoukai's gaze felt compelled to follow her finger as she continued, "And humans such as myself — can coexist in harmony."
He said nothing, his countenance emotionless. The long history of feuds between the human and demon race had already proven that such a notion was nothing more than a deluded illusion from a fantasized tale for children. Yet he couldn't sneer at the thought either. Perchance it was because the idea was part of the Inu no Taisho's desire, for there was an ephemeral second when Sesshomaru's mind turned away from the restriction of cold logic to indulge itself in the possibility of such a peaceful world.
Then he let out a haughty huff, though whether the contempt was directed at her or himself was unknown even to him.
When Sesshomaru saw the woman again that night, it was a visit he hadn't expected. Presumably urged by their conversation earlier, she approached him after supper with a request that wasn't phrased as one.
"I was informed by Lord Touga that if I am to become cultivated with the west's politics, you are the one I must seek," she said upon finding him in one of the corridors leading to his chambers.
Obviously, it would be in Sesshomaru's nature to be dismissive given most circumstances, but the woman had the intellect to bring up his father. It meant he couldn't find someone else for the task or toss her into the archive filled with ancient scrolls. For if the heir of the west was to ignore her, then he would be indirectly disrespecting his father. That was something that must not occur so he motioned her to follow after a begrudged contemplation.
She trekked behind him at a well-matched pace, her soft footsteps sounding a few seconds behind his almost inaudible ones. They were a confirmation that the noisiness from the other day as she had entered his sensory range was most certainly deliberate.
As expected, the woman could be as obnoxious as she was anomalous.
That was the musing that lingered in his mind as his refined footfalls brought him closer to their destination. Since the Inu daiyoukai was already on his way to his chambers before she halted him, it didn't take them long to arrive. Sliding open the door, he strolled in and cast a backward glance at the woman who was a few steps behind. "Close the door behind you."
She obliged without any hassle so he found his usual spot on the lone chair by the round table. The round glossy surface reflected his stoic features as he reached for the half-opened scroll resting near the perimeter. It was a nightly routine he followed so closely that no visitors — planned or otherwise — could disturb what came to him with habitual ease.
St. Hijiri seemed to comprehend that the daiyoukai was one who adhered to nothing but his own pace, for she merely stood at the corner of his bland room with the patience that one might deem suited for her title.
Despite having memorized the content of the scroll, Sesshomaru took his time in reanalyzing each character before finally allowing his golden orbs to glance at the woman. What became prominent straight away was how her straightened posture highlighted her stubborn nature.
In that split second, an unusual question flickered into existence. Just much longer would it take before she showed signs of discomfort from the intensity of his aura? Even if he wasn't actively discharging his youki, he had an ample amount that constantly surrounded him. In the limited space, his signature was permeating every section of the chamber, thus generating an oppressive atmosphere. It was the reason why most of his servants would flee from his vicinity the instant he permitted their leave.
While a part of him considered playing the waiting game, another part of him — presumably his pride — argued that he was above satisfying simple curiosity, especially one concerning a human woman. With his interest rapidly diminishing, he returned his full attention to his reading and gave an emotionless utterance. "The top shelf, on the right."
He sensed her movement soon after but didn't bother to acknowledge it. There was a rustling noise, followed closely by a barely audible low grunt. Given that the bookshelf was designed specifically for him, he needed no visual confirmation to know that she, being a head shorter than him, was struggling to reach it. Her footwear, which consisted of rice straw sandals, did not offer much height leverage either.
The fact registered, though he showed no concern. Had he been his father, he might have offered his chair as a form of assistance. But since he did not pride himself on being compassionate, he left her to manage on her own.
The solution was discovered quite shortly, with St. Hijiri resorting to summoning a shikigami for the task. He wondered if he should call her resourceful or over-reliant on her magic tricks. In a way, it didn't matter which, though he supposed he ought to cease feigning ignorance. With the scroll she sought in her bandaged hand, she stood by his table, at a proximity that was within his peripheral vision. A tactic that would've made disregarding her challenging for many, he noted.
"Why are you still here?" He wasn't like the weak-willed mind to be affected by the additional looming presence, though he had to admit that he was somewhat intrigued with the possible reasoning she would give that could justify her stay.
"You have yet to dismiss me. In addition, I sincerely doubt you told me to close the door for the mere sake of intimidation," she answered, taking a small sidestep so that he could see the door she was referring to.
The woman had hit the nail on the head. Twice, in fact. Once again, Sesshomaru half-heartedly marveled at her perceptiveness. The woman could read a cue like no other. She was insightful in a way that would make even the most intuitive of his servants ashamed. There was indeed another purpose for testing her and she had proven her astuteness once again.
"Read in a manner that is sufferable," he ordered, tossing her the scroll in his possession. Not expecting the projectile, she fumbled a bit before securing the item with her free hand awkwardly.
He could assume her expression was one of confusion before she managed to gather her wits from the unexpected turn of events. "…I was not under the impression that you, of all youkai, would require a bedtime s—"
"I do not need your opinion, woman. Read." He expected the comment so he was quicker to cut her off than usual. Although his words rolled off in a monotonous cadence, he ensured that his low voice vibrated a dangerous vibe that would permit no disobedience.
The woman compelled, even if she did not appear all that unsettled by his threatening tone. She placed the scroll she had gotten from the bookshelf inside the hidden component behind the fold of her clothing, before settling to read with both hands gripping the other reading apparatus.
"What is it that the world has? Know that it has accumulated the despair from the four kokuho. What is it that the world needs? Know that it needs the Holy Entity, the keeper of four souls."
So familiar with the content that Sesshomaru was able to recite the text from backward to forward. Nonetheless, he paid additional attention as her rough voice became the only noticed thing in the room.
"What is it that the world seeks? Know that it seeks the True Ruler, the bearer of fangs. What is it that the world wants? Know that it wants a bitter conclusion to this foolish tale."
Upon finishing the cryptic poem that was supposed to be a prophecy, the woman then went on to narrate the tale of how the Great Continent was created and how the worlds had merged to permit the existence of youkai, mortals, and immortals on the same plane.
Sesshomaru continued to listen, his mind working hard on evaluations. Simply by letting her read, he could gauge from her tone for any implications concealed with her masked face. Sure enough, he noticed a hint of something peculiar. Despite keeping her tone flat, her pace was a drop too fast for someone who should be unfamiliar with the scripture. If his suspicion was correct, then the saint might possess more knowledge about the True Ruler than he could've imagined. Perhaps that was another reason why his father enlisted her aid.
"Hmm, this is interesting," she offhandedly commented once she got to the end, placing the scroll on the table. Her nonchalance, touched by a spice of confusion, would've tricked many. It was too bad that the Inu prince didn't allow himself to be fooled by any sort of acts, even when the trickster was a professional.
"Is this an attempt to fool this Sesshomaru? I am aware you've stumbled upon the tale of creation prior, presumably during your vain endeavor to change the world. You may be stubborn, but I will have you tell me everything you know about the True Ruler." Blunt as he was, he was neither one to mask his intentions nor one for subtlety. So he expressed his interest in the topic – due to the apparent linkage to his father – with a coldly expressed demand that bordered the line of a threat. Although he would refrain from physically harming her, both knew they were countless means for interrogation that could be just as devastating, if not more so.
"I see. So this is the reasoning behind your persistence. I might've accused you of being arrogant with your assumptions of me otherwise. However, I see no reason why my opinion would matter to the great Sesshomaru," she said evenly. If not for how the emphasis was laid then he might've believed that she wasn't in the least bitter about his earlier remark. Nonetheless, there must've been a part of her that was also drawn to the conversation he had spared some effort to invest in, for she hadn't even given the daiyoukai the time to crease his brows in irritation before she spoke in a low voice. "I do know that qualification is vital."
"One needs the Three Swords of the Honorable Ruler — So'unga, Tessaiga, and Tenseiga — to be known as the True Ruler," he said matter-of-factly, though what came next was sprinkled with a faint trace of bitterness. "Yet, the True Ruler is what the world seeks. He is not what it needs or wants."
Even well before the Inu no Taisho had gathered The Three Swords of the Honorable Ruler, Sesshomaru held a strong conviction that his father would one day be hailed as the True Ruler. After all, it was the supreme title that only the best of the best could obtain. It was supposed to be a status of the highest glory, one that was — and would be — spoken in awe and respect for countless generations. But to think that the prophecy deemed the chosen one of less importance compared to an enigma that was a mere guide was infuriating and downright insulting. The True Ruler would revolutionize the world, only to fall back on being second-rated in some ridiculous divination that only the four rulers of the domains had access to.
It was a discordant aspect that an innumerable amount of reevaluation couldn't erase.
"Is the almighty Sesshomaru offended that his father is not prioritized before the Holy Entity and its conclusion?" the saint asked, apparently able to decipher what was left unmentioned purely from his slight change in tone. She gave a small toss of her head as if that would assist in getting her points conveyed. "Fret not. If the implications are indeed authentic, then the four kokuho, the True Ruler, and the Holy Entity are all crucial to reach the conclusion. I can only pray that it would not be a bitter venture though."
At that, Sesshomaru's brows lowered to a dangerous level. "Hmph. My father will succeed."
"I know… and he will change the world," she whispered.
They were two simple words that should've settled the matter. She was praising his father and that should be the required reverence for someone like her. Nonetheless, somewhere deep within the daiyoukai's pride, a stubborn tinge of defiance was left unsatisfied.
More Author's Notes: It has been a very long time since the story first brought up the folklore and prophecy associated with the True Ruler. Thus, I would encourage those who have forgotten the details to revisit chapter 8 as a refresher.