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: Hi everyone! It's a rough time but I hope you're all safe and doing well. I'm here with this newest chapter, one that will hopefully become your source of temporary entertainment and/or relief in these circumstances.
On a happier note, I'm very pleased to see this story surpassing 150 reviews. All of the feedback has served as a great motivation for me when I plan and write. A special thank you to sastra for all of your effort and time going back to rereading and reviewing every chapter. I'm glad you're also getting a better insight into this tale during your reread.
And of course, a big thank you to bubu-chibi-chan, whose beta-reading made these chapters presentable.
Electricangel12: It's sad to hear life has been difficult due to Covid-19. My deepest condolence. I'm also thankful for this review and may my story offer you some momentary relief from reality.
One of the greatest advantages of fanfiction, especially one set in an alternative universe, is that you get to explore different character interactions and developments under a different microscope. Here, Sesshomaru has subconsciously grown to be more compassionate to others thanks to Kikyo. Neither his past self nor his canon counterpart would have spared Inuyasha the way he had in the last chapter. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed seeing how he has changed subtly.
Yes, I've heard of the sequel, and boy, was I astounded! But after the initial disbelief wore off, I became unsure. If I'm not mistaken, this is going to be an anime original sequel. In other words, non-canon. Thus, I'm just hoping they won't ruin the pre-established settings and the lore. For example, I'm waiting for a proper reason why the bone-eater well is reopened for time traveling again. But until the actual content comes out, I won't be passing a proper judgment.
8579: A little later than I expected but here is the latest chapter. I hope I didn't leave you hanging for too long and thank you for your patience.
Guest: Thank you! Encouragements are always gratefully embraced!
sastra: I know I already mentioned this in the PM and again in the above, but thank you for your reviews. As usual, I've responded to those in the PM. May this chapter provide you with greater insight as you continue reading the past chapters.
Tsuyu no Inochi: Thank you for your review and support!
Hibiki may not be a major character but it's my goal to ensure that the reoccurring OCs are given proper character-establishing moments. I'm glad to hear you liked how the Inu no Taisho's background is connected to Hibiki's character.
Haha, yeah a few people thought Kotori and/or Inuyasha will interfere with SessKik. Aside from the fact that SessKik's relationship is already a complicated one, minus all the other outside elements, I would loathe a repeat of the series' tedious love triangle. Hence, I promised myself and made a reassurance to the readers that absolutely no ridiculous love triangle or harem will be focused on in this story.
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(This chapter was betaread by bubu-chibi-chan).
Chapter 33-Kako-hen: Down the Distant Road
At the end of this distant road, you're always in my thoughts.
I'll fashion a world where we'll never be separated again.
-Tooi michi no saki de (The Final Act 3rd Ending Song)
It couldn't have been more than two days since Sesshomaru departed from the west but it felt like it had been forever before his destination came into view. His boots found the same spot where he parted with St. Hijiri a year ago. The clearing was exactly how he remembered, albeit without the woman and the fire that had been providing her warmth.
Scanning the vicinity with his watchful gaze and finding the place to be unsurprisingly empty, the demon lord began to utilize his other senses. From the soft breeze that playfully teased his long tresses, he caught a whiff of the two humans whose scents he had taken the time to memorize. If he could, he would have prioritized committing St. Hijiri's scent into his memory. Yet, her specially designed garment was made with the sole purpose of preventing that. While he couldn't deny its effectiveness, the attire was starting to get on his nerve at this point. He made a mental note of getting the woman a set of clothing she could wear on necessary occasions, like when he needed to locate her or for ceremonial celebrations in the west.
'The wind came from the north. Finding Rin and the old miko should lead me to the woman.' Sesshomaru settled into a steady pace and let the wind guide him. The warm sunlight filtered through the canopy of the trees and bounced off his armor, highlighting the almightiness of his warrior status. His silver mane flowed behind his stunning form, a surreal color amongst the green foliage.
His destination was a short walk away. The large village where the scents originated from was bustling with activity as the inhabitants hurried towards the village's center for a gathering.
As abnormal as the people were behaving, with fear and restlessness etched on their faces, they did not warrant the daiyoukai's attention. What caught his undivided focus was the kekkai which was a diameter wider than the entire village. Having encapsulated the human settlement, the blue energy field radiated with abundant potency. It was so pure that he was immediately convinced that no random youkai would be able to step a foot inside.
While his exterior revealed nothing, he felt a gush of excitement settling inside of him. A kekkai this powerful and large would require immense energy, which only a few were capable of supplying. Hence, he was certain this was the saint's handiwork.
Like all who were spiritually aware, her powers derived from her soul — the essence of her being. That was what she told him during one of their casual exchanges, though she hadn't elaborated on the details. Thus, he never did find out whether or not something in her spiritual powers could recognize his demonic aura when she wasn't present. The current state of Bakusaiga would imply that it could, though he couldn't throw aside the assumption that it might be due to the blood seal she created.
'Would it deem me a threat?' Curiosity prompted action. Being Sesshomaru, he did not waste time on pointless contemplations when a far more straightforward method was present. He held his palm outward, pressing it against the kekkai.
Seldom would a youkai attempt something as daring as touching a spiritual barrier. After all, demonic powers were the polar opposite of spiritual powers. Whenever some form of contact was established, it would usually end in one of two ways. Either the spiritual power from the barrier would purify the youkai or the more powerful youki would shatter the energy field, subsequently wounding the caster with the backlash.
Given the consequences, Sesshomaru was subconsciously wary and eased the flow of his youki. Confidence might come naturally to him but that did not mean he was negligent. The last thing he wanted was his powers to react violently to hers.
His precaution was not necessary though, as the kekkai rippled once before a part of it dissolved to open up a gap for him. An invitation, no doubt, and one that he took without a second thought. No sooner had he entered did the circular passage close behind him.
Sliding his eyes away from the kekkai allowed him to notice the petite figure approaching. The newcomer could've easily been mistaken for Kochou and it was due to his keen observation that he identified the subtle disparities from afar. The child-like entity wore a blue kimono and had her hair tied in two ponytails secured by what appeared to be balls of wool.
The blue-clad shikigami stopped at a respectable distance away, levitating at a height where she could be at eye level with the daiyoukai. Her arms were held in front of her chest and tucked inside their sleeves, a posture that Kochou also did.
"I assume you are here in your master's stead," Sesshomaru stated, his monotonous voice obscuring what he was actually feeling inside.
"That is correct. I have been ordered to wait for you, Sesshomaru. I am Asuka, Kochou's twin and a servant of Saint Hijiri. Allow me to escort you." With that simple introduction, the shikigami rotated her body in midair and retraced her flight pattern.
He followed his guide into a more desolated part of the village. Asuka made certain to steer away from people, selecting a route where the housings' shadows could keep them concealed.
As he walked, his brain kept itself engaged with musings related to the shikigami whose back was under his fixed gaze. These spiritual beings were granted names by the one who they forged a contract with. A name gave them shape, allowing them to manifest in this world with physical properties. Asuka's current form might be for her master's convenience but it was not her true form as her name would imply. Despite possessing the appearance of little girls, Kochou and Asuka's real natures were that of a butterfly and bird.
'This better not be how the woman will name her future offspring.' Even the extremely self-disciplined Sesshomaru couldn't halt the exasperation that accompanied the thought. In that fleeting moment, an image of the saint rearing a child flashed in his mind. Considering her unconditional care for humans, she would most likely become a devoted mother. The notion somehow kept him engrossed until it also spurred the recollection of Izayoi cradling his baby half-brother. He terminated the entire concept just as the shikigami stopped in front of a small hut.
"We are here," Asuka announced, her tone unfluctuating as she stretched out a hand. Before she could knock or open the door, sounds could be heard from the other side as a pair of bare feet pounded against the dirt ground in a rush of excitement.
Asuka pulled back just in time for not a second later did the front door fly open. By some miraculous phenomenon, the hinges remained intact from the force of the enthusiastic pull.
From the inside of the hut emerged Rin's cheery form and immediately, Sesshomaru could see that one year of proper care had done a lot for the orphan girl. Once skinny and ragged looking, her health was now glowing as brightly as the smile she wore.
"Strong youkai-onii-san! You came back, just like Hijiri-onee-san said you would!" Rin exclaimed, keeping the door open by leaning her weight on it.
The daiyoukai nodded once before looking past her to examine the abode's interior. It was a simple accommodation, with rolled-up tatami mats situated below the left window. At the center were four chairs surrounding a table occupied by writing materials, some bowls for concoctions, and a variety of talismans. To the far right stacked a pile of chopped-up wood, enough to last for a few weeks.
This was the place that St. Hijiri had been living in, along with an old woman and a little girl. This small and unappealing shack was what they were calling home for the year. Sesshomaru's lips came close to forming a frown, only being held in place by his composed nature. Certainly, this place was unbefitting for the saint; the woman did not belong here.
Upon finishing his evaluation, there was a tiny spark of disappointment that flashed in his eyes. It lasted for a millisecond before the layer of ice returned with a piercing chill that could freeze anyone.
"Where is Hijiri?" His tone was the embodiment of invariability, though it didn't come out as habitually as it normally would. For once, some effort was needed to maintain it that way.
"Oh, Hijiri-onee-san isn't in the village right now," Rin answered, her brows scrunched up in thought. "But if Rin read it correctly from the letter she wrote, she said she's coming back."
Then what was the point of bringing him here? Resisting the urge to glare at the shikigami, Sesshomaru looked at Rin and instead asked, "How long?"
"Hmm, soon I think. She never says how long exactly whenever she heads out." The liveliness continued to radiate as the girl spoke, her brown doll-like eyes sparkling like the stars. "Strong youkai-onii—"
"Sesshomaru," he cut in, deciding that the title needed revision before habit could drive it to become permanent. It was just as awkward for her to pronounce as it was for him to acknowledge it each time she said it.
"Sesshomaru-onii-san…" She tested the name as it rolled off her tongue. Her side ponytail bobbing up and down in rhythm with her head as she nodded, "Okay. Rin understands."
He responded to her with his normal nonchalance. Nonetheless, '-onii-san' didn't sound right to him either, especially since it reminded him of the newest addition to the Inu clan. Besides, hardly anyone would dare to address him with any semblance of informality, referring to him as either 'Sesshomaru-sama' or 'Sesshomaru-dono'.
Unaware of the contemplation going through her savior's head, Rin carried on and was quick to put the alteration to use. "Sesshomaru-onii-san, please come in. It's dangerous outside right now. We can wait inside and have some tea. You're the first visitor here and Rin has learned how to make tea!"
"Not now." Someone like Hibiki might have been inquisitive enough to ask what was happening in the village, but Sesshomaru did not care. Ignoring the crestfallen look on her youthful features, he rotated his head to look at Asuka. "I know you are able to locate your master. Take me to her."
His authoritative tone made it apparent that it was an order and not a request. A normal person would've been pressured to immediate compliance. Yet, shikigami didn't feel emotions, let alone be possessed by fear. Asuka merely stared at him unblinkingly before shaking her head once. "I cannot do that. By my master's authority, I am to keep a kekkai around this village and protect Rin. I won't be able to fulfill my duty if I leave."
The crease in the eyebrows was the only indication that he wasn't as stoic as he normally was. Neither a threat nor a round of argument would achieve the result he wanted so he saw no meaning in these options. Instead, he elected for a change of tactic, even if it was unconventional for him to do so.
"Where is the old miko?" As expected, he didn't make his intention obvious, lest he sounded restless to them.
It was Rin who jumped in with a response first, making a gesture in the direction that was Sesshomaru's left. "Kakuju-obaa-san went to the manor, to help the lord's daughter who has been cursed with a terrible illness. Usually, it's Hijiri-onee-san who goes and Rin would follow to help out. Rin wanted to go with Kakuju-obaa-san today but she told me to stay. She said there may be bad men coming today… And they did, on horses through the village and now everyone is worried that there will be a battle!"
Now it became clear. That was the reason why the villagers had gathered at the village square. He noted this dully as he followed Rin's index finger with his eyes. It led him to follow a road that stretched without branching. The road continued, weaving up a hill that was a few miles away and just within the circumference of the barrier. Apparently, it was built with the interest of getting to the village. It was just a short horse ride from where the daiyoukai was to the fancy three-floored castle standing on the top of the incline. Despite the tall wooden stockade fence that encircled the sturdy-looking fortress, he could perceive the little wisps of smoke that snaked upward into the sky.
So that would be where he was heading next. Briefly, it crossed him that his goal should've been straightforward. This was a simple task of finding a woman; he was not going on a quest to gather precious jewel fragments scattered across the land. Though in his opinion, neither of these things should take so long. Or with so many complications. Beginning from the detour with Izayoi to Rin's directions, the next part of his journey was going to take him to a castle that was the center of a battlefield.
Whereas most would feel reluctant to enter a warzone, Sesshomaru could only feel impatience spurring him forward.
"The old miko will substitute for you once I bring her back." As displeasure molded, he left no room for an argument. Before anyone could say anything, he encased himself in a brilliant white orb of light.
From a bystander's perspective, it would appear that he was swallowed by a white sphere that then took off into the air with a short burst of phenomenal speed. For him though, the experience did not feel like flying, nor was it like being transported by a carriage. It somewhat resembled teleportation but not quite at that level.
In a blink of an eye, his surroundings changed. No longer was he in the village with Rin and Asuka but instead standing a few feet before a large gate. Annoyingly, that wasn't his only obstacle to the castle's interior. Between the entrance and him was a mob of aggressive men equipped with weapons.
"What is that?"
"What manner of beast is that?"
"It's a demon!"
Startled by the demon lord's sudden appearance, the men muttered amongst themselves. They were all dressed in an identical fashion, wearing hardened leather and iron for chest armor as well as protection on their appendages. On top of their head was the traditional kasa that all foot soldiers wore.
"Out of my way," Sesshomaru commanded coldly, a sense of déjà vu creeping in. He was quite certain he had used the same line very recently.
It was obvious the men were intending to invade the castle. But that was of no concern to the daiyoukai. So long as they could interpret the hostility in his aura and comply with his wishes, he had no business with them.
"What did you say? I am steps away from claiming that foolish head of my former lord and out of nowhere, this hellspawn interferes. Do you want to play the hero that badly? Fine! Before we take over Asano castle, let's tear this idiot to shreds." Hoisting his sword upward and standing in the front was the commander, with his intrinsically designed armor and well-polished kabuto.
Responding to their leader's command, the men pointed their weapons at the new Lord of the West.
'I see. It is a foolhardy rebellion led by a greedy man out of spite for their current lord.' The mind had an intricate way of operating, for Sesshomaru found it wandering to a trivial observation as the soldiers attacked in unison.
His opponents charged at him with the ferocity of rhinoceroses, only to realize that the demon donned in white was not an obstacle they could smash through.
It was over within minutes.
Outnumbered as he was, Sesshomaru overcame the dozens of men with skill and power that were magnitudes beyond theirs combined. In that instance, he engraved pain into their memories, forcing them to acknowledge that the gap between a human and a demon lord was as great as the distance between the sky and the ground.
The new Lord of the West came out unscathed, the fight doing nothing but amplifying his irritation. Looking down on his fallen opponents with a dangerous glint, he uttered dogmatically, "Hmph, pathetic humans."
Was there no one in the east who possessed the common sense to understand that his power was way out of their league? If only they had listened to their instincts and left him be. They then wouldn't be sprawled on the ground, groaning and barely conscious like the pathetic pests that they were. All things considered, they were rather fortunate to be alive. Had he been a less honorable youkai, then his vexation might've overruled his promise to St. Hijiri.
Flexing his claw, he was about to reduce the gate to ruins when a screeching creak came from the other side. The wooden gears turned and the gate lowered to become a platform for the soldiers inside. They rushed out, working quickly to bind the aggressors tightly with ropes before dragging them into the castle, where punishment would be dealt out.
There had been a few wary looks thrown at Sesshomaru but none dared to approach him. At least, it wasn't until the daiyoukai took his first two steps into the interior of the manor did the ones by the gate become defensive, their hands gripping onto their weapons firmly.
"Halt." Came the deep voice of a middle-aged male. The figure of a black-haired man followed the sound. He was dressed in a fancy kimono crafted with rich silk, with the top layer being a sturdy-looking armor that shimmered in the sunlight.
By his side was the old miko. Astonishment covered her entire countenance as she stared wide-eyed at the daiyoukai before letting out a gasp. "Sesshomaru! What are you doing here?"
"Hoh? So you know this demon who defeated the accursed rebels single-handedly? Well, well, Kakuju-dono, I had no idea. Not only did you and Saint Hijiri-dono cure my daughter but you also had a powerful tool at your disposal! You must tell me how you tamed a demon like this to do your bidding. I will make it worthwhile for you." With heartfelt laughter, the man suddenly gained a burst of imprudent confidence and reached out to touch Sesshomaru as if he was some animal to be petted.
One withering glare from the daiyoukai exterminated that desire. Immediately, the nobleman leaped back like he had touched fire. His chuckles died out, replaced by horrified splatters. "Y-you demon! Show s-some respect. You are under the presence of the great Shogun of the Asano Castle!"
"Ah! Please wait, Lord—"
"I must say I am disappointed, Kakuju-dono." Having regained some of his composure, the owner of the manor turned to look at the miko, cutting her off. "I thought you would have trained him thoroughly."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed but refrained from doing anything else.
"Wait. This is a terrible misunderstanding." Terrified that things would escalate, Kakuju stepped in with an arm in between the two. Had the daiyoukai been more attuned to humor, then he might have been amused that the old lady had deemed that forming a physical boundary with her body would be adequate to stop him.
"What do you mean? Explain yourself."
"Lord Asano, I'm afraid I do not have the capability to control a demon of Sesshomaru's caliber. He is here of his own free will. I cannot govern his actions. It is he who chose to fend off the rebels. He is the savior of Asano castle." During her explanation, the old miko would occasionally turn her head towards Sesshomaru with a sense of urgency. From the daiyoukai's perspective, her fear was unnecessary. While he wasn't satisfied with the human's terrible attitude, he had no desire to kill.
The human leader let out a bitter chuckle, "Ha! Savior? A demon? We owe our lives to a beast whose kind tormented my daughter!? No, I will not let that happen. Troops, we're going to slay this fiend. Before we shame the Asano clan for all eternity, we will eliminate him. No one in this castle will hail a demon as our savior!"
Wearing an indifferent expression, Sesshomaru watched as several soldiers stood between him and their lord, positioning themselves in a formation that was the shape of a crescent moon. Having learned from the rebels that getting close was a fatal mistake, the soldiers that the shogun utilized were all armed with a matchlock.
'Fools.' Their precaution seemed like child's play to the daiyoukai who inwardly sneered, intending to deflect all the iron bullets with his energy whip.
"Fir—"
A sudden streak of purple brought Asano's command to a halt as easily as it cut through the air. Sesshomaru identified it as a thin projectile, giving off a radiance akin to a miniature sun. Climbing altitudes rapidly, it slipped through the confines of the barrier as though the dome wasn't even there.
With his attention taken by the light, Sesshomaru did not hear the sound of horse hooves until the source was near. Later, he would come to realize that the origin of the sound was the same as where the projectile was fired. But at present, anticipation briefly lit up his eyes as he lowered his gaze and rotated his head.
Three newcomers came into his visage. There was Asuka, flying beside a white stallion while gripping the end of the reins. Rin sat at the back of the horse, her head poking out from behind the person who she was grabbing onto—
—There she was, the woman who he hadn't seen in a year.
She was still clad from head to toe in white, leaving no skin showing. There was nothing to indicate what her appearance was like; one could say that it was no different than looking at a silhouette that was white instead of black. Despite the lack of distinctive features, her entire presence portrayed seraphic properties. The afternoon sunlight and the remnant light of her display hit her figure at the perfect angles, generating grandeur that separated her from the rest of this ordinary world.
Sesshomaru found his vision becoming tunnel-like as everything else faded into the background. Only she remained… and he inwardly embraced that sight. Until his gaze rested on her, he hadn't wanted to admit how much he missed her. For him, to actively seek out the presence of another was unprecedented.
The moments they spent together, despite being nothing that needed to be recorded in history books, had made him take her for granted. Her unique companionship with him developed in such a natural manner that he had never recognized its significance until now.
She was the unpredictable variable in his life, a challenge he never knew he was subconsciously seeking. Initially, her absence had been a small crack compared to the abyss that his father had left him. Nonetheless, that tiny gap soon enlarged with time until it was large enough to engulf his heart. It was uncertain when and how it had begun; all he could summarize was that seeing her had finally delivered this realization:
He missed her.
Being a willfully stubborn woman who expressed her ideas boldly, the saint was the opposite of traditional women. She wasn't the type to be submissive and did housekeeping while her mate was out. Although she possessed the power to trample over many, she instead chose to lower herself before the feeble to assist them. Powerful yet simultaneously benevolent — these were two traits she had in common with his father. How these elements could coexist in an individual was lost to Sesshomaru. Why would someone with power feel the need to protect strangers? Despite the irrationality, he was inwardly fascinated. These traits served as an additional piece to the puzzle that made her the enigma that she was.
It was then that a stronger comprehension arrived:
He wanted her by his side. She was someone who could match him in strength and temperament, fulfilling the roles of his rival and supporter.
Countless thoughts flew past but in reality, it had been no more than a few seconds. The woman jerked on the reins, stopping the horse by the gate. Sesshomaru took in her every movement without a word, his impassive features doing well to mask the emotions he was experiencing from his musings. Still, if one were to examine closely, they would've noticed the barely perceivable light that had flashed in his golden orbs, melting away the frosty layer that was the heart of winter.
"That's enough," Hijiri called out, her voice authoritative despite being in the presence of two commanding figures.
"Hijiri, and… Rin!" Kakuju murmured, sounding more stunned than anything else.
"Saint Hijiri-dono, you're here! Perfect timing. Hurry! Purify this vile beast this instant." The shogun was like a child throwing a temper as he jabbed a finger at the daiyoukai, who ignored him.
Rather than compel and load the bow in her hand, the saint carefully removed herself from the horse, landing on the ground with her sandaled feet. As she did, Rin shuffled forward so she could loop her arms around the animal's neck.
"Lord Asano, a confrontation here will only lead to complications. This before you is the new Lord of the West, Sesshomaru. The west does not take kindly to offenses towards their ruler. Please refrain from reckless decisions. We are in no position to engage in war with any realms, let alone the west."
"What?! Are you trying to save his hide? By indirectly threatening me?" Lord Asano sneered, "Hijiri, you're making a grave mistake. Though I am grateful you saved my daughter's life, I cannot ignore what you're doing. The rumor is that you once voluntarily collaborated with demons. Now I see it is no exaggeration to call you a traitor to mankind."
"Betrayal is not a word to be used lightly. Lord Asano, I do not wish for unnecessary blood to be shed. Can you not comprehend the danger—"
"No, it is you who does not comprehend! My ancestor's pride, the pride of being born into the Asano family, is at risk! All because this demon cannot mind his own business. We did not ask for help, nor do we need the help of a vile beast!"
While Sesshomaru could understand why the saint would attempt reasoning with the shogun, that didn't mean he was content with standing here while the fool continued to insult both him and her. Thus, he decided to get involved, in a manner he saw fit.
He moved, faster than lightning, knocking down all of the foot soldiers that had their guns aimed at him. None of them had been able to react in time and collapsed with an agonizing gasp as if some deadly plague had swept through.
Without a pause in his movements, he flew over to the saint and took her by the hand. Surprise prompted her to withdraw but he held on, firm but graced of caution.
"Sesshomaru?" A sprinkle of uncertainty latched onto her tone but there was also a tinge of contentment that made him realize that his joy towards their reunion was mutual. His belief was amplified when she didn't attempt freeing her hand again, nor was there any indication that she was uncomfortable by his directness.
"Come," he uttered, taking a step in the direction of the village. "There is no need to waste words. This simpleton has neither the strength nor the intellect to impede—"
"Lord Asano, what are— Wait! Don't!"
Kakuju's abrupt shout prompted the daiyoukai to rotate on his heels without relinquishing his hold. Just in time, he saw Asano shoving aside the old miko and diving for one of the matchlocks. Snatching it off one of his unconscious men, the shogun positioned his body.
He fired.
There was a loud clamor as the projectile left the barrel. The aim was true but nothing that Sesshomaru couldn't evade by crocking his head to the side. However, he did not dodge. Flicking his wrist, he drew a horizontal line of green by materializing his whip. With calculated power and angle, he deflected the bullet to smash into the shogun's weapon, denting it and sending it flying out of its wielder's hands.
"A-Ah… Ah!" Terror instantly crushed the man, forcing him to crumble onto his knees. Cowering, the Lord of Asano castle shuffled back, trying to get as far away from the daiyoukai as he could.
"Hmph. Do you understand now, human? Your power is meager compared to mine. You and your men shall never appear before us again. Your lives will be forfeited should there be a next time." Intending the warning to be the last, he turned around to expose his back.
None of the soldiers dared to stop him, nor have a reason to do so. Their leader was paralyzed with fear, unable to issue a command. From his peripheral vision, Sesshomaru saw Kakuju passing a concerned look at the shogun before approaching Asuka. Contrary to the impression she gave with her age, she was able to deftly maneuver her legs to get herself onto the stallion behind Rin.
Since his group was ready, he took his exit while keeping Hijiri's hand in his grip. He had gotten no more than a step through the gate when he felt someone's scrutiny towards him. His boot was suspended in the air, in mid-step. The stalking gaze came from an odd angle, hitting the back of his neck as if it was coming from above him. Loathing the idea that he was being observed by someone who was at a higher altitude, he rotated his head to look over his shoulder. Tracking down the gaze, he found a half-opened window on one of the top floors of the castle. There was where a woman with a pale complexion and long flowing brown hair was peeping from. In that second, their eyes met and the new Lord of the West got a good look at the dark orbs that stared back at him unblinkingly. Apprehension did not exist in those calm pools, only deep enthrallment as they focused solely on him.
'A human woman. I can sense a high concentration of spiritual aura cleansing her form… I see. So, this fragile woman is the cause of alarm, the reason why Hijiri has put up the barrier around the village.'
His inner thought was immediately confirmed when the saint noticed the reason for his pause and said, "That's Lady Sara, a patient of mine and an unfortunate woman whose soul was blighted. I had Kakuju treat her in my stead while I sought for the one responsible."
"Did you find her?" Kakuju asked, having heard from where she was sitting.
"I have a lead thus far," the saint replied, her tone austere. While the woman was normally serious, this was the first time Sesshomaru heard her speak with such a degree of severity. But just as he was about to question her, she reversed their position, took the lead, and began to walk off. "The details can wait. For now, we should make ourselves scarce."
With their hands still intertwined, Sesshomaru followed. Although she maintained a moderate pace, there was a sense of urgency in her movement, which was made all the more apparent when he read the flow of her aura. The usual subtlety was gone, replaced by a condensing mass surrounding her form.
"I know you did not value my conduct," he stated suddenly. Perhaps that was far from her current concern but since it was a topic that would most likely be brought up, he thought it was best to get it out of the way. After all, there were more prioritizing matters to talk about.
Her eyes did not stray from what was in front of her. There was a brief pause before she responded, "It's inevitable. The man harbors much prejudice against your kind. I doubt he would have heeded my words. However, I only wished you had been a little more patient."
"I have waited long enough, as have you." That seemed to have quelled the turmoil inside her mind for the time being. Immediately, Sesshomaru sensed the change in her aura, from the indomitable howls of a storm to the tranquil breezes that drifted through in spring.
"Indeed. It has been a while, Sesshomaru. You're finally here." Despite the mask that concealed her face, the daiyoukai was certain that a gentle smile had graced her features. His eyebrows unconsciously eased; unbeknownst to him, his typically stoic features had softened considerably to give the faintest impression of a smile.
There was no further exchange between them but in that instance, they concurrently decided they were not fond of their current arrangement. St. Hijiri moved a little more to the side of the road to make room for the daiyoukai.
Swiftly, he took the position adjacent to her as satisfaction swelled inside. It pleased him that she was now by his side. This time, he would not take her presence for granted since he knew that as naturally as she had entered his life, she could just as easily leave.
This time, a silent vow took form. 'I shall forge a path where our separation will not occur again.'
More Author's Notes: Alright! Sesshomaru has reunited with Kikyo, though it seems the latter is currently in the middle of something. I'm sure some more perceptive readers would have already picked up on who she is trying to find.
We are getting to the end of this arc and soon, the biggest question of their past will be revealed: what caused their long separation of 500 years, especially after Sesshomaru's declaration that he will have her by his side?
Next time, Chapter 34-Kako-hen: With You!
Until then! Stay safe and well!
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