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: Hello everyone, I have returned for another installment of this tale! I pray that you are all doing well despite the current predicament. I appreciate all the support given to this fanfic and thank you to the readers who have left feedback.
8579: Thank you for your review. Slowly but surely, Sesshomaru's character is developing. I'm glad you liked the way that it is being depicted. I'm trying to make it subtle given his character since the last thing I want is for him to be OOC.
Guest: Hi again. Great to see that my fanfic is a source of enjoyment for you. Also, I'm very pleased to meet another Kikyo fan; much like our beloved SessKik pairing, our favorite miko needs and deserves more love.
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(This chapter was betaread by bubu-chibi-chan).
Chapter 32-Kako-hen: Paradise
Remember your mother's warmth now.
In this world that spreads out forever,
We'll look for an undiscovered paradise
No matter how far it takes us,
We'll keep walking forever
Don't look back, keep looking forward
Until your body rots away
Keep living, all the way into the future
-Rakuen (Movie 4 Ending Song)
It did not feel right when the sky was supposed to be their paradise.
At present, soaring through the clouds was stimulating Sesshomaru's impatience. As much as it annoyed him, he could identify the source of his irritability — or the lack of it — without any mistake. Unlike the last time he had traveled on this route, St. Hijiri wasn't here with him.
Flying was supposed to come naturally to him just as birds could flap their wings. Yet, his destination felt many miles away, even though he flitted through the skies at a velocity that made him undetectable to the naked eye.
Looking down at the blurs of green that vastly stretched out in all directions, his mind wandered to ease his inward restlessness. It searched his recent memories until it settled with a recollection that had taken place in the area about a year ago.
They were soaring above a vast land of green, with the forest extending far into the horizon until it seemed to merge with the blue sky.
St. Hijiri was a source of pleasant warmth as he held her sleeping form close to his chest, with her arms loosely draped around his neck.
There was a majestic meaning that their position held. Their bodies were kept in contact, his silver hair and mokomoko trailing behind their figures while she rested against him. The entire sky was their playground, where they were free to paint the blue canvas with a preeminent radiance that naturally overflowed from their presence.
The sky was theirs. Just the two of them. That was what made it a paradise.
At first, they weren't used to the close intimacy, despite having been in the arrangement before. Neither, particularly him, was the type comfortable with having another in their personal space. But now, he had to admit it was surprisingly enjoyable having her so close that whenever she spoke, her reposeful voice would be for his ears only.
"…Hmm? I fell asleep…?" She stirred from her siesta and he adjusted the hand holding onto her head so she could take a fleeting glance around her surroundings. Noticing that they were still in the air prompted the unconscious gesture to hold onto him tighter.
"Why are you surprised? Over-exhaustion is only natural, given you have foolishly neglected rest," he said, suppressing the smirk that attempted to make its appearance. "Hmph, it's a shame you roused prematurely. You have selfishly shattered the silence I intend on savoring."
A jeer left his lips but inwardly, he was deliberating between getting into a round of intellectual banter with her and telling her to get some more sleep. The former was a stimulus to his brain, a form of entertainment apart from the self-imposed training that he was fond of. Nevertheless, the latter was what she needed right now. Only a day had passed since they had left the west and already, they had been to two villages to assist the inhabitants. Much to his chagrin, she continued insisting on traveling than setting up camp.
'Is there no limitation to her perseverance or does she lack the instinct for self-preservation?' On the inside, a glimmer of exasperation accompanied the musing and manifested as a barely noticeable twitch of his eyebrows.
"In other words, you're telling me to go back to sleep for your convenience." She shook her head once in what he assumed was a mock shock. "And you say I'm the selfish one?"
"You are easier to supervise when asleep. I merely have to carry your body, even if it was cumbersome when you leaned against me," he deadpanned.
"You are blunt with words. Most women would have been offended." Weight was a sensitive topic for females, even his outlandish mother was no exception. Nevertheless, the saint did not feel insulted by his brusque attitude. Her tone mirrored his, but with a small fluctuation in her vocal cadence to hint at the underlying amusement.
"At the very least, you have the sense to not pretend otherwise. Women are petty when they beg for attention." He resisted the urge to purse his lips at the recollection of the noblewomen who would swarm him in their tedious attempts to court him. Even when he made it apparent that he wanted them gone, they would make a fuss and swoon over anything he did or said. In that sense, he was contented that St. Hijiri was the exact opposite.
"Not all will beg." Her voice, while still coarse and very unfeminine, was a welcoming tug that pulled him back to the present.
"Indeed," he agreed, his eyes drifting away from the view straight ahead to glimpse down at her. The discussion could be left concluded at this point but there was a part of him — even though he would never admit it — that desired her voice as his companion rather than the silence. Besides, it didn't look like she was going back to sleep.
"But a woman whose stubbornness knows no bounds is also tiring to deal with," he added abruptly, pushing the conversation back to the original topic for her sake. Even if there was no immediate threat, he did not want her pushing herself past her limits any more than she had already done.
"You cannot deny the results though. Besides, if someone can be saved, I'll try to save them. Losing a few hours of sleep is inconsequential in comparison." Her cheek slid down to rest on the cool surface of his breastplate instead of his shoulder, an indication she was going to stay awake. "However… I'm surprised I fell asleep like this. Never have I anticipated that I could leave myself unguarded in the arms of a demon."
"How utterly careless of you then." A touch of bitterness slipped out while he momentarily contemplated whether or not it was petty to feel a slimmer of offense.
"That's beside the point, Sesshomaru…" Her next sentence caught in her throat with a sudden realization and she gave an exasperated toss of her head. "…Ah. It happened again. To think that I would divulge this much of myself to another…"
She appeared lost in the musings of the past. He chose not to interrupt. It wasn't necessary; the woman was capable of resolving her mental conflict by herself. As he expected, she did not take long to resume their exchange as though the transitory pause had never existed. "…It feels different when we are together. Your forthright nature is admirable… inspiring even. My soul is so much freer around you. You alone know me as who I truly am underneath this veil, and not the saint who people worship in times of hardship…"
The Inu prince scoffed, "That's hypocrisy. Were you not the one who stated I have no individuality? That I imitate my father? Spare me the flattery."
"You have a good memory," she chuckled softly, amused that he was holding onto the matter like a child with a petty grudge. "Alas, our meeting prompted changes in us. You may be reluctant to admit it, but I'm certain of it."
"Tell me then: what demeanor of mine could have possibly misled you to immerse yourself in such a foolish assertion?"
"Hmm, I wonder… To begin with, I'm bewildered that you've learned to carry a person the proper way. You're still coarse around the edges but—" Stopping mid-sentence, her right arm loosened around him so she could trace a finger around the spikes of his pauldron. Her left hand followed suit and she ran her fingers through the soft fur of his mokomoko. He could almost envision the proud smile plastered on her face, like an architect who was content with the work she had done after all the resources she invested. "—if I didn't know better, I would say you're getting soft."
So she was in a playful mood after her nap, huh? She being a resolved person with a focused drive was an attribute he could relate to. He knew this was a side of her that she did not show often, even in their repartees.
"As expected, a foolish assertion." Had he been the talkative type, then he would've elaborated. Yet being Sesshomaru, there was nothing else said but a straightforward repudiation.
"Oh? You would refute me but refuse to offer a reason for your actions… That is so like you, Sesshomaru. I see… True to your words as always. You permit no one to dictate who you are but yourself."
How his attempt to convince her to get some rest had turned into a discussion like this was lost to him. But at the moment, he simply went with her flow. "Correct. For what I do is on my own accord and no one but me is entitled to be the jury."
During the three days of their journey, flying had been gratifyingly associated with interesting conversations. At times, they traded casual remarks and light mockery. On other occasions, they delved deep into philosophies and shared their views on the world. In all honesty, it was surprising how similar yet different their beliefs were.
What was initially a means of transportation became an interval where Sesshomaru could enjoy himself. As she guaranteed, St. Hijiri had added colors to his otherwise monotonous days. Her presence had slowly and gradually slotted itself into a part of his life, to the point he came to deem her as a constant. Without her, this trip felt empty. As he unmindfully split the clouds into halves with the demonic aura encapsulating him, he became more and more aware of the atrocious poison known as boredom taking root inside his mind.
It was then that the world finally decided to respond to his wish for something eventful to occur. A faint yet unmistakable scent drifted in with the wind and tingled his sense of smell.
'Father is near!' His eyes widened and his thoughts became jumbled as a ray of light scattered his priorities. He wasn't one to remain dumbfounded in situations though and his returning rationale was quick to remind him that it could all be false hope. Considering that Touga had made several business trips to the east, it wouldn't be odd for his scent to linger in some places.
Yet, it wasn't just his father's scent that stimulated his immediate attention. There was also a weak demonic aura that held an uncanny similarity to the great Inu no Taisho.
'I must know the source of this youki. It is not Father's nor mine. There is someone else carrying his blood.' A convoluted feeling twisted inside at the manifestation of the notion. Under normal circumstances, he was not one for detours. But right now, his long-due reunion with St. Hijiri would have to be put on hold.
His new destination veered off his original course and he found himself heading for a small human settlement. From the outskirts of where he landed on top of a hill, he was in a position to see the entirety of the village. The sight that greeted him was horrendous, though not unexpected. After all, the whiffs of smoke and blood were easily noticeable on the way.
The place was on fire. Destruction was everywhere. Flames licked the crumbling huts and numerous broken bodies drew messy splatters of red on the dirt. Arrows and swords were wedged in flesh and the dead's expressions were permanently frozen in terror. Amongst all the deceased were a few villagers that were alive. They — a handful of young women — were purposefully left breathing, all for the sick entertainment of the bandit group that had raided the village.
While the area was consumed by human lust, Sesshomaru stood as an uninterested bystander. He ignored the pitiful screams, the howling waves of laughter, the sound of shredding fabric, and the horrified cries. The place was the pinnacle of mixing ecstasy with torture, the mingling of men and women. Had the saint been here, then surely she would've done something for the poor maidens. But the Inu daiyoukai did not have the heart to care for the victims as he scanned the village through all the smoke and flames.
He eventually found what he was looking for, though what he saw made the mental image of him curl his lips. A bandit, excited to have cornered his prize with his looming form, was stretching his lecherous hand towards the feeble woman who had her arms wrapped protectively around a red bundle.
Sesshomaru moved, leaving a swirl of disturbed dust from where he had stood. Just an inch before the human could touch the woman, the daiyoukai appeared in between and the bandit's hand was left suspended in midair from the surprise.
"W-what the hell? Who… No, what are you?" Startled, the bandit leaped back on instincts. His arm flew straight to the sword strapped onto his waist and he whipped it out in a flash of silver.
"Leave," the new Lord of the West uttered, his voice overflowing with a menace that caused the bandit to instinctively tremble. Usually, he would've never bothered with verbal intimidation. If not for his agreement with St. Hijiri, then he would've resorted to taking action.
Regardless, as long as the man was smart enough to take the warning, then he would get to—
The fool did not retreat. Instead of obeying as he should and backing off, the bandit stood still for a moment before the fear evaporated and a snarl twisted his features. "What did you say, you beast? Are you ordering me around?"
"Leave now and I shall pardon your transgression," the Inu daiyoukai repeated, feeling impatient. If his tone could be described as possessing the cold piercing nature of a hailstorm before, then it had now morphed into a devastating avalanche threatening to swallow the man whole.
"Piece of shit! I, the great Onigumo, take no orders from anyone! Especially not a foul demon like you!" With a battle cry filled with brimming ire, the bandit charged and swung his weapon with a burning vigor.
In that fleeting second, there was a clash between a fiery spark of flame against the indomitable mountain of ice. But the fire in Onigumo was stifled out as soon as Sesshomaru seized the wrist of his dominant hand. There was great pressure, followed by a resounding crack. Onigumo's growls instantly turned into an agonizing holler as he squirmed to free himself.
Sesshomaru's battle instinct piloted his other arm and he thrust his claw forward. Mercy did not come naturally for him; he was the opposite of what one would call a saint. Now that the man had attempted to attack him, leaving the filth unharmed would not suffice. Curling his fingers to form a fist, he retrained his strength as much as he could before his fist smashed into the bandit's face.
Onigumo was sent sprawling by an impact meant to cripple rather than kill. His body rolled in the dirt until it stopped just before a burning hut.
At the display of raw power, the other bandits abandoned their unconscious leader and left behind the mentally scarred and sobbing women. Naturally, Sesshomaru left them be and rotated his body until he was facing the woman he had saved. Aside from her and the bundle she carried, he had no business with anyone or anything else in the village.
Being disheveled and with her kimono in tatters could do little to diminish the natural beauty that was the Princess of the East. Yet, Sesshomaru detected weariness that did not seem to fit her status. That being said, what was she doing here instead of being fawn over inside her castle?
More importantly, when did she and his father have a child? A quick look at the bundle that Izayoi held revealed a baby wrapped in his father's Robe of the Fire-Rat. Dissimilar to human infants who were born mostly bare, the crying child had long tresses of silver hair that was common for the Inu clan. Substituting for pointed ears like the daiyoukai's were two triangular ones situated on the top of his head. Given these two traits, one would have to be a simpleton to not have inferred that the infant was an Inu demon.
Yet, this child did not possess the full-fledged blood of Sesshomaru's kind. He was the result of a union between two species, a creation that nature itself would scorn at. With the mixture of blood from a human princess and the former Lord of the West coursing through his veins, the infant was as much of a half-breed as he was Sesshomaru's half-brother.
Despite everything, a sense of betrayal drilled into his chest and shaped the frown that marred the daiyoukai's usually emotionless countenance. 'Father, what have you done? You have truly fallen, haven't you?! Mother and I—'
The sound of the woman coughing broke apart his train of thought. Although there was a lack of wind, the smoke and flames were still spreading and the contamination in the air was beginning to have an adverse effect on the woman. While the realization did not mean much for Sesshomaru, Tenseiga responded without his permission and created a small barrier around its master and Izayoi.
'What a meddlesome tool!' The sword of healing might've dispelled the smoke and heat around them but its action also clouded the daiyoukai's mood. A hand went to crush the hilt with an iron grip and he made a mental command for it to cease its interference.
Nothing changed. The dome around them remained strong, as if highlighting the fang's firm resolve to prevent the woman from suffering. Sesshomaru's displeasure came in the form of a compression that would've shattered any ordinary sword. As he tightened his grip on the pulsing Tenseiga, his knuckles brushed against So'unga and the idea of smashing through the spiteful kekkai with the other sword crossed his mind.
Alas, he refrained from the deed that he considered a show of incompetence. Feeling annoyed, he begrudgingly conceded to the blade's desire by yanking the woman onto her feet and dragging her away from the village. Only when they were far enough did Tenseiga act on its own accord and remove the barrier.
Sesshomaru halted his steps and let go of the woman who appeared disorientated and at a loss of breath.
"You… You. You are… Sesshomaru…" Like her breathing, her brain hadn't caught up yet and she could only pant while stating the obvious.
"Correct," he responded coldly, "and you are Izayoi. I did not expect to see a person of your status here, of all places. Hmph, to think you are still carrying and protecting this seed of my father's. Is he not the reason why your people have forsaken you?"
It was a logical deduction but a guess all the same. Still, Izayoi verified his assumption when a frown marred her fair features and her hold on her baby became more protective. Sesshomaru didn't know it was possible to embrace something that closely — yet also that gently — to her breasts. Was this what his own mother did back when he was a newborn pup?
"He is my son." Those few words summarized the powerful feelings the woman had for the half-human infant. Even fatigue seemed to have left her body, replaced by the resolve to protect her child.
"And an accursed half-breed," he commented, hoping that his cold truth would string her — this woman who had seduced his father to commit the unthinkable with her — as much as it did to his clan's pride.
"Why do you speak ill of him? This is your brother whom you are insulting!" Although she looked as though she was slapped in the face, the mother of his half-brother was still quick to defend her child.
"Half-brother," he corrected, not bothering to conceal his distaste for the newest member of his family. Had the infant been a child of the Inu no Taisho and the Inukami, perhaps he would've been fine with the idea of taking on the role of the big brother. But as things were, the infant carried not only the prestige bloodline of the most powerful daiyoukai in the Inu family, but also the blood of a human that hadn't even been married into the clan. That combination was sickening, a curse to his heritage. "Tainted blood courses through his body. He is a curse to all."
As he spoke, Sesshomaru noticed the subtle way that Izayoi had angled her body so that she would be the shield for the baby. Did she notice the hostility he was emitting? How perceptive of her. A scoff left his lips and he lifted his claw to give it a flex. "So long as he exists, none will find peace. Once the word spreads, Father's reputation will be tarnished and our esteemed clan disgraced. I shall alleviate the burden by killing him here."
"How can you be so cruel to him, Sesshomaru? To judge him because of the way he is born, all because of this traditional pride you insist on upholding… This is absurd! He is an innocent child!" With an assortment of horror, disgust, and bewilderment descending on her face, Izayoi flinched and shook her head. "You may look alike, but I see now that you don't feel the same way as your father did."
"The compassion for humans is not a feeling I inherited from my great and terrible father." If he was proactive with his body language, then he would have expressed his cold dismissal with a shrug of his shoulder.
"…Y-you!" Contrary to the expected reaction of horror or fury, something seemed to click inside Izayoi's head. A light of determination lit up her dark orbs and she looked up until she was staring into his eyes. "You say you did not inherit mercy. Yet you saved us both. And you also kept that horrible man alive."
Insightful and astute, he noted. The two traits reminded him of Hijiri. So there was another human like her. He was beginning to see how someone as superior as his father could be captivated by the princess. Although somewhat impressed, the daiyoukai portrayed his typical impassiveness on the outside. "Hmph, I am bound by my honor to espouse a promise I made. That is the sole reason the worm breathes. My intent was to keep you alone alive. I will have you tell me what transpired that day."
"…Is that what you want? That's fine. I am not fond of the memory but if it appeases you… then I suppose I have no choice. Where do you wish to begin?" The woman was all too eager to divert his interest away from her child. For now, Sesshomaru played along and permitted the change of topic. He needed Izayoi's recount since Hibiki couldn't supply much. The battle had already been over when the chancellor arrived with several elite guards and all they managed to retrieve were So'unga and the princess.
"From the beginning. After my departure, albeit without the trivialities."
"Alright. Well, there were preparations to be established for the treaty so your father and I arranged for a meeting with representatives of the east. In retrospect, we should have brought along guards."
Honestly, the daiyoukai wasn't surprised that the Inu no Taisho chose to dismiss the guards. Like father, like son. Neither was fond of having other youkai constantly surrounding them and making a fuss about their safety.
"While on our way, we stumbled upon a demon shrouded in black, who claimed he had been passing by. Upon realizing who we were, he was delighted and offered us his blessings. Your father and he conversed for a while and all was fine until the sword on your father's back turned awry."
'So'unga went out of control? While in father's possession?' Sesshomaru expressed his disbelief, with confusion yanking his eyebrows down as he looked at the blade in question. It was resting inside its sheath quietly. There was no trace of any restlessness.
"None of us expected it... It—" Hesitantly, she followed the daiyoukai's eyes and saw So'unga. Recognition came and she took rapid steps back, her eyes wide. "That sword! It radiates terrible evil! You need to get rid of it, Sesshomaru. It is dangerous!"
"A weapon is only as dangerous as the one who wields it. Even sentient swords have no reason to lash out at their owner once they taught their place," Sesshomaru retorted, placing a hand on the hilt of his blade. That said, he supposed he ought to handle Tenseiga better — No, that wasn't the primary issue right now. Making a mental note to continue with the issue at a later date, he added, "Surely that youkai influenced So'unga somehow. Father would not have lost control of it otherwise."
"Perhaps." The woman did not sound certain but did not persist either, presumably because she was averse to getting Sesshomaru irritated.
"I will ensure the sword does not cause you harm." With an inward sigh, he attempted a rare word of reassurance. In all honesty, he felt like the act was no longer foreign since meeting the St. Hijiri. That woman was right — he really was getting soft, wasn't he? Dismissing the notion before he could dwell on it, he gave another scoff. "Now discard your pointless fear and continue."
"...And my son?" For the second time, the woman turned the conversation in an unexpected direction.
Sesshomaru nearly furrowed his eyebrows. He knew where this was going. For a formally sheltered princess, Izayoi was tactful and quick on her feet. If she had been born a man, then perchance she would've already been the grand ruler of the Eastern Realm.
Alas, he found that going along with her would be the quickest solution, at least for now. "So be it. My blade shalln't touch him."
"Thank you, Sesshomaru." A smile graced her features, one radiating with so much genuine warmth that it nearly made the daiyoukai blink in surprise. At that moment, he was able to fully see what kind of person Princess Izayoi of the east was. Unlike most of her species, she was physically attractive, could hold intelligent conversations, and possessed a pure heart. So this was why his father was so fascinated by her. In a way, it was quite like the fixation he felt towards St. Hijiri.
Despite all that went inside his head, the daiyoukai was a master of having a phlegmatic attitude. "Your flattery is pointless. Carry on."
"I understand," she nodded once but was then distracted when the infant gave a small whimper. The woman rocked the bundle in her arms gently, coaxing him with gentle whispers. The child relaxed and returned to sleep, though not before momentarily revealing his pair of golden pools to the rest of the world.
'He has Father's eyes, huh?' The new Lord of the West couldn't help but make that observation.
With the child calmed, Izayoi's soothing smile slowly disappeared and her face turned pensive. She took a deep breath, holding it while in contemplation. "Like I am able to comfort Inuyasha with ease, your father did not take long to control his weapon. However, he then became agitated towards the demon in black. I was inside a barrier at the time so I did not overhear their exchange. All I know is that it ultimately resulted in a fight. I-it was so fast and terrifying… I-I shouldn't have stayed. I should have run as far away as I could. Because he had been using one of his swords to protect me, he… If he hadn't, then maybe he could have used it to save himself from being devoured."
Sesshomaru tried not to dwell too much on Izayoi's liability and instead quirked a skeptical eyebrow. "You're telling me my father was devoured by a youkai?"
Izayoi broke into a sob, her tears forming two trails down her cheeks. "I-I do not know. I do not know what it was. There was a black void… It appeared out of nowhere and swallowed your father whole… But it didn't seem to be that demon's mouth… I-I saw his face being consumed too."
Countless deliberations turned inside his head, refusing to stop amongst the disbelief that was running wild. So that was why no one had been able to detect Touga's presence since. As vague as Izayoi's explanation was, it did enlighten him on what happened to his father.
The speculation was that a third demon had taken advantage of the situation when Touga and his foe were both weakened from their fight. Had the Inu no Taisho perished in an honorable duel between daiyoukai — as unlikely as that was — then it was a result that Sesshomaru could accept. However, to think his father had been taken down by such underhanded means! It was unacceptable! Unforgivable!
"Where did the killer go?" he asked, his low tone was sharp enough to cut through the silence with a cold chill. A bloodcurdling paint of red coated his sclera and the magenta stripes on his cheeks grew jagged. His hand flew to the hilt of So'unga, fingers wrapping around it with enough pressure to turn his knuckles white.
Izayoi was too upset to take note of the terrifying changes in the daiyoukai. Freeing one hand, she wiped her tears with her sleeve and answered with her head low, "I… I do not know… but I think the demon in black took it out. He hurled a kind of energy from his staff at it and it disappeared before it could completely consume him… Although, the attack did strangely resemble— no, I must have mistaken it… Sesshomaru, I do not think I can tell you more. I lost consciousness shortly after from the shock. And even now, it pains me to recall. Forgive me."
His target was gone. The mental images of him acquiring his vengeance in the most painful ways imaginable vanished in a heartbeat. However, the unreleased anger found an outlet in the form of a dark thought. He wanted to let loose his demonic nature and tributed this woman's life. She, a weak and defenseless princess, was only able to return unscathed due to his father's protection. Taking that into consideration, the powerful Inu no Taisho was lost to this world because he had been protecting his concubine and unborn son.
'Hmph, the ostensible concept of protection is a double-edged sword. Unlike I, who obtained the power of Bakusaiga, Father… failed when he ought to have triumphed. It was his feeling for this mortal woman, his desire to protect her, that diverted his focus!'
Fury he hadn't felt in a long time flooded his senses. While the temptation to kill was enormous, it would be a humiliation to his pride if he lashed out. While their demonic nature meant that his species were prone to settling most things with violence, what often differentiated a daiyoukai like him from the lesser youkai was the capability for self-control. Only a weak-willed fool would succumb to the demon blood coursing through their veins and have it take over their soul.
As much as it displeased him, it was the Inu no Taisho's wish to keep the woman safe. He might not have the heart to take his stead in safeguarding her but the last thing he should do was render all his father's effort meaningless.
He exhaled a deep breath. The inward reminder to keep his composure prompted the red in his eyes to retreat, allowing the white to reemerge. His grip on So'unga's hilt slackened but remained. With another deep breath to calm himself, his frustration gradually ebbed into dissatisfaction, which he permitted to manifest in the form of a scowl.
"Hmph. Useless." Dropping an ambiguous word, he whirled around and his sleeves fluttered from the momentum like wings being spread. Despite the missing pieces, he stored her testimony inside his head for later contemplations. Oddly enough, he felt there was a critical piece of information that wasn't clicking into place. However, he noted the futility of deductions now. He needed to remove himself from his source of frustration before he did something his father would disapprove of.
He was just about to take off when a small sound re-alerted him of his half-brother's existence. Having sensed his mother's distress, the infant made the terrible mistake of letting out a cry.
Sesshomaru turned his head around, throwing the mother an unreadable look.
Instinctively, Izayoi's feet shuffled against the ground as she took two steps back. Sweat broke from her forehead. Her body was so tense that even the slightest hint of movement from Sesshomaru would send her on a mad dash, even if they both knew how nugatory it was to run.
"Woman, I have one last question for you." Standing where he was, his peremptory tone made it apparent to the former princess that she wasn't going anywhere unless he allowed it. "Are you prepared to spend the rest of your life in rags and be scorned at rather than abandon that abomination? No one will come to your aid the next time."
"It is a mother's responsibility to protect her son. I love Inuyasha as much as I love Touga-san. For them, I am willing to risk my life."
"Foolish emotions," he snorted in contempt, not in the least impressed.
Izayoi simply carried on like she hadn't heard his statement. She brushed her fingers against Inuyasha's forehead with ample affection. The effect was instantaneous; the infant ceased wiggling around and eased back into slumber. "For as long as I live, I will protect him. And when I am gone—"
She upheld her gaze with sheer determination and didn't flinch when the daiyoukai's stare shifted into an intense glare, as he had anticipated her next words.
"—Sesshomaru, please take him in. Having a human and a demon lineage will open him the gates to both worlds. I can teach him how to be human. Yet, he will need a teacher who can tell him what it means to be a demon. I wish for him to embrace everything that he is and live the life that he desires. With you, I know that can become a reality."
"Hmph." Whereas another demon would've laughed at her stupidity, the Inu daiyoukai gave his customary scoff of contempt. The boldness of this woman! At this point, it might be more fitting to call her intrepid. "I thought my intent is obvious. I do not require a sword to kill him."
"I'm aware. But I know you will not kill him—" she paused and Sesshomaru waited for the cliché line of "because you would've done so otherwise" just so he could act in that exact moment and prove her wrong.
"—because you are a demon with honor, are you not?" Izayoi's voice was suddenly fierce and stern, a flip to the imploring tone that she had just been using. It almost sounded like she was reprimanding Sesshomaru. "Are you going to kill Inuyasha without letting him defend himself? Will you go so low that you would attack a defenseless child?"
Since that wasn't what he had expected, he was momentarily caught off guard. It took a millisecond longer than he would've liked for his brain to register what she said and for the anger to rise again. How dare she use his principles against him?! The Sesshomaru a year ago would've gladly wrapped a hand around her throat and constricted so that she would choke miserably but not die immediately. But at present, no action was made even while his fingers twitched in suspense. Once again, the promise to St. Hijiri was evoked into his mind and this time, it was accompanied by an image of his father passing him a look of disappointment.
The new Lord of the West dug the fingers of his left hand into his palm. Despite the ravaging wind of emotions coursing inside him, his mind worked fast to find a middle ground that would appease his pride and conscience.
"No… I'll kill him eventually... but at the moment, for someone who doesn't realize anything at all, killing him has no value. A half-breed he may be, but he does have my father's blood running inside his veins. If he is to die by my hand, it will not be without a proper duel. Tainted as he is, he will die with honor, like the warrior that is engraved in his blood." Refusing to admit that he sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else, he instead put some thoughts into his phrasing, considering the commitment he would be making. Voluntarily.
"I will come to collect him once you expired. He will be taught the way of swords and be given the chance to prove his worth. Only when he is prepared will he and I duel, and only then will I kill him," he announced.
With the hanyou's fate decided, he left no room for debate and found refuge in the skies. As he flew away, the wind carried Izayoi's relieved gratitude to his ears.
"…Thank you, Sesshomaru. In a way, you truly are your father's son."
Fighting the sudden urge to turn back and correct her, the depth of his throat resonated with a derisive huff as he headed to the forest where he had last seen St. Hijiri.
More Author's Notes: After 9 chapters, Inuyasha has made his appearance once again, though as an infant this time. Hopefully, this chapter will give you a better idea of the relationship between Sesshomaru and Inuyasha from the former's perspective. Poor Sesshy. His feelings for his half-brother are complicated. Unlike in the series, he harbors less of a personal grudge towards Inuyasha because he isn't directly involved in their father's demise here and he is at a point where he has grown to be more tolerant toward humans in general because of Kikyo. But still, the stigma lingers because of how prideful he is toward his pure lineage. Additionally, there is also the sense of betrayal he feels towards the Inu no Taisho's deed. So yeah, there is still disdain but it's more aimed at the circumstances surrounding Inuyasha's birth rather than at Inuyasha himself.
With any luck (or should I say, if I actually managed to convey what I wanted across via writing), then perhaps Sesshomaru's attitude towards Inuyasha in the past chapters will make more sense. This chapter should also answer the inquiry that has bothered Inuyasha in chapter 18, as in why Sesshomaru allowed him to stay in the west.
Thank you all for reading and remember: feedback and reviews are very welcome. They are a great source of motivation as well as a guide to what I am doing right and wrong.
Next time is Kako-hen: Down the Distant Road. I'll see you all!