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: I hope everyone is doing fantastic and can forgive me for the wait. This is the first update of 2022! I can't believe this story has passed its 7th anniversary, reaching 82 favorites, 92 follows, and an awesome count of 252 reviews. It is always my greatest joy to be sharing my love for SessKik with all of you and having you respond in kind.
On the topic of sharing, I've finally finished posting this story on AO3 under the same name. It is up to date and will continue to be in sync. So for those who prefer AO3's formatting, feel free to take a look. Let's hope this will help spread the SessKik love. ;)
Many thanks to the reviewers since the last chapter: Amina0602, Guest, RedHood001, lightpotioon, Freeh, and 8579. Moreover, a special thank you to bubu-chibi-chan, who managed to beta-read the chapter despite having PC issues.
Amina0602: Your reviews make me happy. Thank you. Yes, it's great seeing Inuyasha and Kotori again. Even if I did write them as children in the last arc, it just isn't the same as having the headstrong hanyou and loyal demoness with us. As for how Kikyo is taking her situation, well, let's just say it's going to be complicated… so much so that we'll be spending some (and maybe more) time on that. After all, in order for their relationship to progress, Sesshomaru and Kikyo would need to confront their emotions head-on and sort through them.
Guest: Thank you!
RedHood001: Thank you! I'm very happy that you enjoyed the chapter. Yes, the significance of the spar was to have Sesshomaru and Inuyasha bond. Honestly, these two would likely have gotten into a skirmish regardless of the topic. So having them spar is probably the best way. At least, that was what the chancellor, Hibiki, decided upon. And of course, Sesshomaru being Sesshomaru, refuses to make things easy for Inuyasha. The daiyoukai has always been annoyed that Inuyasha gets Tessaiga handed to him and thus will make his half-brother work for his information. Learning his past like that also simultaneously served as a way for Inuyasha to grow. So yep, Sesshomaru is being his version of an older brother.
lightpotioon: Thank you. It's a pleasure reading your reviews too. The title for this chapter should make sense now.
Freeh: I also adore hearing from you. Thank you for all of your contributions! Your review of chapter 38 is no. 250th, which completed a huge milestone for me!
Glad that you liked how they handled their emotions and memories. They're both trying their best. There's a lot to process for them but they would never permit their emotions to rule over them. Yep, Sesshomaru's teasing is also a personal favorite of mine. Thus far, it has always been Kikyo initiating their kisses. Our daiyoukai has decided he won't be falling behind, though he has some catching up to do.
Writing Inuyasha's background in this story has been fun and having everything come together is very satisfying. I'm so glad you found it exciting as I did! The next part of their journey has been planned out and Sara is much involved. Let's hope I won't disappoint and give you another arc to be pleased about.
8579: Thank you! Hope you'll enjoy this one!
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(This chapter was betaread by bubu-chibi-chan).
Chapter 40-The Angel & Her Devil, The Lord & His Devotee
"Certainly the capacity for such frivolity is not something I inherited from my great and terrible father." -Sesshomaru on love
"The love you speak of is but a shallow emotion. True love comes from the heart. It needs not to be spoken but merely be felt." -Kikyo on love
There was a time long ago when he felt as if he were looking through the eyes of someone else. It was the life of an unremarkable bandit, who gathered a group of lowlifes like him and committed atrocities one after another. He plundered, raped, killed, and destroyed for his pleasure, never once forgetting to laugh at the miseries he bred.
He violated every single human law. He possessed not a shred of ethics. Thus, he was never bound by mortal limitations. No human in this realm could stop him. He believed he was invincible… until that day.
"Leave now and I shall pardon your transgression," the terrible demon lord stated coolly, swatting him away as if he was nothing but a pesky fly.
He was heavily wounded from that single hit. The fire he had kindled to consume the village turned on him, eagerly licking every inch of his skin and letting him taste the same agony he had inflicted upon countless.
Unbearable as the physical wounds were, the mental blow was just as devastating. That insufferable haughty demon, with his unfathomable strength, had chosen not to end him. Instead, he cruelly left him to burn. In his torment, he cursed that nameless beast over and over again. Fantasies of him snuffing out the fiend's life in every way imaginable kept him sane, even as the flames shoved him closer to death's doors.
When he found the strength to open his eyes, it was not a shinigami that loomed over him as predicted. Instead, a faceless angel greeted his immobile form. Even being wrapped completely in white could not obscure the otherworldly grandeur that she was.
An angel. She was his guardian angel who, despite knowing his appalling deeds, never once hesitated to tend to his needs. She fed, cleaned, and bandaged him. She treated him like a proper human instead of a hideous, mummified figure spat out by the fiery pits of hell. Incapable of doing anything else, he would remain in a supine position covered by a blanket, waiting fervently in his cave for her three visits each day.
Then one day, she did not show. Others — a shikigami clad in yellow, then an old lady, and sometimes a talkative girl — came instead.
"Where is the woman?" he would ask incessantly with his hoarse voice, only to receive similar responses each time.
"Master left as her duties bid. So I am here in her absence," the shikigami answered.
"St. Hijiri has other responsibilities that she must deal with," the old woman said.
"Hijiri-onee-san is away," the girl replied, then proceeded to babble about irrelevant things.
Dejecting as it was, it became apparent that she was not only his guardian angel. Naturally, a saint like her would have other priorities than caring for a worthless bandit. Yet, the inquiry continued to leave his tongue each time he saw the replacements. The hope of seeing the woman — his angel — lodged persistently in his rotten heart, festering into an uncontrollable desire.
His call was answered when she suddenly came back. To him! In her fully unveiled glory! The scarred human found himself staring at a goddess of beauty. Fair skin, enchanting mahogany orbs, and raven tresses that cascaded like a waterfall. He was instantly mesmerized, brimming with the zealous notion to claim her as his own.
His angel. His goddess. His woman. His. His alone.
She was his.
That was the foolish dream of a helpless man.
Engrossed in every part of her countenance as he was, he immediately noticed the changes in her demeanor. Once confident, unperturbed, and benevolent, she was now often distracted, distant, and melancholic. Bewildered, he investigated as best as a man rooted to a spot could. Little by little, he managed to coax the little girl who still occasionally visited him into revealing what he needed to know.
"Hijiri-onee-san is sad because she had a fight with Sesshomaru-sama. He said they would leave together but she came to Rin and Kakuju-obaa-san without him. She's hurt and Rin thinks she is sick. She doesn't like us talking about Sesshomaru-sama anymore. She gets bad headaches when we do."
He barely registered what she was saying as one notion circulated in his brain.
His angel. Not his. His goddess. Not his. His woman. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his. Not his.
BUT HIS! SESSHOMARU'S!
A storm of hatred and envy tore him apart. Based on the little girl's fond descriptions, the demon lord known as Sesshomaru had not only stripped away his body of regular functions but had also stolen the heart of the woman who should be his.
"I must possess my former mobility. The lovely angel will be mine. Not to mention the power to quench my envy for that demon. Hehe. My soul is wretched to the core, yet it still holds value. Feast on my flesh. Feast on me, demons! Devour me! And in exchange, bestow me your mobility and strength!" The pitiful bandit made a wish with all his covetous heart and evil soul. He wished for a powerful body so that he could enact vengeance on the demon lord. He wished for an attractive body that could move freely so that he could make the angel his. In exchange, he invited lesser demons to consume his body and permitted the curses of a dark miko to stain his soul.
Thus, Naraku rose from the ashes of a pathetic bandit. He was a dominating being, unlike the weakling Onigumo. Alas, much to his chagrin, he was tied to the roots of his birth. The bandit's disgusting desire was incredibly strong. It was so resilient that it affixed itself into their shared heart and continued to whisper fantasies that disgusted him.
'Hehe! Yes. Yes! Find her. Seek her. Take her! Make her yours! Make her want nothing and see nothing but you!'
The passionate desire fueled him and nothing he did could diminish it. Staying as far away from the woman as possible had only made him more aggravated. Yet, getting close to her was not possible either. At his early stages of 'infancy' as a demon, he would find himself cowering from the purity of her aura.
So he resorted to watching her from a safe distance with the aid of the Fuyouheki fragment he had stolen and a mirror made for reconnaissance. Shameful as it was, his first creation, Kanna, was born for the purpose of spying on a woman. Her mirror allowed him to remain hidden while gathering every little fact that he could one day exploit.
Being the vain scum he was, Onigumo could only notice her physical worth. But Naraku saw more. There was so much to learn about this enigma. Even if he was averse to admitting it, he could not deny that she was an interesting specimen. This woman, clothed in white and radiated with the light of divinity, remained untouched by the corruptions of the mortal world. No matter the hardships, she continued to repel all evil with her altruistic yet willful nature. She was the light. She was good. She was pure. Thus, she was untouched by him, the quintessence of darkness.
He vaguely recalled being told, in another lifetime, that there was an unparalleled beauty to things that were unobtainable. Perhaps that was why he found himself obsessed, even long after he had found a means of suppressing the heart of the vile bandit. There was not a day he went without imagining how lovely she would look, finally tainted in darkness and maybe even dyed red in blood. It would make her, a being born from the heavens, tangible to a spawn born in hell.
There were three irregular beats to his heart as Naraku stirred from his siesta. His eyes glowed with an eerie crimson as he opened them, creating a petrifying beacon of light in the blackness of his surroundings.
His throne room was spacious, dark, and devoid of people. Once, back when the foolish naïve Kagewaki had sat on the spot he occupied, the place had been lively and prosperous. But everything changed when Naraku devoured the Lord of the South and usurped his identity. Now, the place was abandoned by its staff, who had grown fearful of their lord's drastic changes and left. Only a few lingered, and they were either corrupted or possessed by the lesser youkai he had roaming around.
The solitude would have driven Onigumo crazy, especially after experiencing the extensive period of helplessness in the cave. But Naraku was not the deplorable bandit. He was fond of the quiet that allowed him to ponder on his next moves.
Reports from his mercenary group alerted him that Sesshomaru had survived his setup with The Ogre, Shishinki. It had been his aim to use So'unga to terminate Sesshomaru and weaken Kikyo. Getting rid of the Lord of the West would subsequently leave the west in chaos, thus providing Hakudoshi the chance to take the miko away without much hindrance.
In the end, nothing turned out as planned. Not only had he failed in getting rid of the damnable daiyoukai but he had simultaneously lost So'unga and Hakudoshi. While insubordinate, the latter had his uses and it was far too early for such a valuable piece to go. As for the former, all that effort he made to persuade the evil dragon spirit that Sesshomaru was weak and therefore had no right to access its formidable powers had been for naught, since the dog demon had managed to enslave it once again.
His hands, placed on the armrests of his throne, curled into fists as his irritation swelled. Despite everything, the one he had wanted to erase was still healthy and powerful. In fact, the mole he had planted even claimed that the Lord of the West had become stronger, having miraculously added another deadly sword to his collection. All things considered, all his plan had accomplished was physically confine Kikyo to bed rest… which was not the result he wanted.
Vexation stirred his youki restless and the energy manifested as a daunting purplish glow that outlined his form. There was a loud crack as the chair's arm trembled from the pressure he exuded. Had he continued to let it rampant, the damage would have most likely extended to the entire room. Fortunately, that was prevented when he heard a familiar buzzing sound.
His destructive energy receded like tidal waves. This particular frequency being emitted belonged to the wasps that he had sent to Gorou. For one of them to have returned to him meant that his spy had urgent news.
"Now that you've disturbed me, bring me the knowledge you carry," he commanded.
Listening to his wasp's distinctive hums encouraged a sinister smirk to appear on his lips. As if wanting to pacify him, good fortune had arrived in the form of Sesshomaru taking action. The overbearing daiyoukai planned to transfer Kikyo from the heavily guarded Western Palace to one of his smaller castles for healing.
'Peerless as Sesshomaru's recovery powers may be, it is far from instantaneous. To relinquish the safety of his sanctuary imminently after the battle… The wounds inflicted on Kikyo must be grievous.' Having survived by relying on his wit rather than brawn as most demons did, Naraku recognized an opportunity when he saw one. If he utilized the chance with caution and precision, then it was very possible to obtain what he had been seeking.
His smirk grew with the promise of malevolence.
It was time for the Shichinintai and his little collaborator from the east to act.
'The time has come. I'm coming for you, Kikyo. Soon,' he promised. He would be the devil to clip the angel's wings and plunge her into the never-ending darkness.
As the white snake slithered into the cot she occupied, she felt the darkness caress her. Unlike the last time, the creature was moving with prudence, not wary of her but of the jewelry around her neck. Even if its primary function was that of a progressively healing charm, the spiritual power embedded inside it was an efficient repellent of evil.
But the darkness was persistent as it was enticing. Cautiously, the serpent coiled itself around her arm, which she permitted out of morbid fascination. She recognized it as an envoy of the evil that had cursed her with an illness — one that took weeks for a renowned saint to cleanse. Others would call it insanity but deep within her was the desire to know why it was here. Was it going to fix its mistake and claim her life? A likely possibility, though she sensed that there was another purpose for this unwelcomed visit.
The snake's tongue tasted the air, the forked tip brushing against her skin. It spoke in a voice that was sweetly feminine. "Lady Sara… I can grant your wish. You will be able to tell Sesshomaru how you feel. I shall give you the courage and power to do so. In exchange, you will surrender the powers St. Hijiri left for you and allow the curse to take root in your soul."
She knew that making a pact with the devil was a terrible idea. Moreover, it was ostensibly noticeable from a glimpse that Sesshomaru had no need for anyone other than Saint Hijiri.
"Sesshomaru-sama has no interest in me. I know," she said ruefully, "No room exists in his heart for anyone but Saint Hijiri… I cannot deny that they are a perfect match." Even as she voiced the salient fact, the idea that she could acquire the slightest chance to be by the demon lord's side was far too tempting to simply dismiss.
"Are they? Is their relationship perfect when his love is obvious to all but the recipient?" the snake hissed, mockery dripping from its amused tone. "Once you are reborn, you will obtain the power to eradicate those who stand in your way, including that pesky, arrogant saint."
She shook her head. Passionate as she was, she was averse to eliminating St. Hijiri and usurping her spot in his heart. Disregarding the reality that she was guaranteed a painful demise by the daiyoukai if she harmed a hair on the saint, she was still a woman with principles. Debts must be returned, that was the Asano's creed. She was not his father; she would not be ungrateful to the one who had saved their clan members. In particular, St. Hijiri saved her life while asking for nothing. The least she could do was not turn around and stab her savior in the back.
Comprehending that its coax was ineffective, the serpent attempted another approach from a different angle. "Fine. Let the saint have her time with the demon lord if you must. But do not forget that you still have a chance. You can be reborn as part-human, part-demon. Think about it, a being that cannot be wilted by time, like any powerful youkai."
"I… I…" Her mouth went dry. Her human morals quivered, desperate to find another argument. Yet, little by little, her conscience was being trampled over by her desire.
The snake was correct. Despite being worshipped by many villagers as a goddess, St. Hijiri was a mortal with a human body, mind, and heart. Eventually, she would succumb to old age and the associated complications. If she could become immortal, then she would have until the end of the world to win over Sesshomaru's heart.
"I… Fine! Take it and fulfill your end of the bargain." She pulled the accessory she had promised to keep on her neck off and tossed it aside. It rammed into the wall with a tortuously loud sound before clattering onto the ground. The snake pounced and eagerly swallowed it whole, along with every drop of holy power that resided within.
"How luscious. This power! With this… I can feel it. Almost. Almost!" Delighted, the snake slinked away into a dark corner of the room, its presence vanishing as it left behind its parting words. "I have summoned the demons. Without the ward she gave you, these ravenous creatures shall liberate you from your mortal shell! Rejoice, Lady Sara! Today you are born anew!"
Left unprotected, jaki exploded around her and she found herself swarmed by numerous demons. They dived in, forcing heart-wrenching screams out of her lips as they devoured her flesh little by little.
From the mind-splitting agony and the demonic flames that annihilated her home and family emerged the reborn Sara. The last heir to the esteemed Asano clan was gone, replaced by a woman whose entire existence was dedicated to the young Lord of the West.
As the last of her reverie dispersed, Sara took the time to examine her outfit in front of the giant mirror in her bedroom. Although not a woman who fancied beautifying herself with cosmetics for her visitors, she did want to appear attractive to the one coming over to her place, which was a relatively lonesome small castle situated near the outskirts of the west.
Since Sesshomaru valued the strength showcased in warriors more than the daintiness that was often stereotypically associated with women, she forwent her traditional green and pink silk kimono for a green sleeveless kosode and matching hakama. An expensive-looking and durable cuirass sat on her torso as her top layer, secured by a blue obi. Accompanying the portrayal of a powerful soldier were the twin-black shoulder guards that held the end of the cape dangling behind her. Once the final article of clothing, a pair of blue and black armguards, were strapped in their proper place, she organized her brown tresses so that the bulk was pulled into a high ponytail by a red ribbon.
Her sharp blue eyes scanned the image reflected in the mirror. What she saw brought a swell of prideful satisfaction to her face.
The soft knock on the rice-paper door ended her self-appraisal. It was followed by the meek voice of one of her maids. "Sara-sama, our sentry reports that our guests are approaching the front gates. They will be told to enter the halls very shortly."
"Alright. Are the final preparations for their rooms completed? I want our guests to receive our best hospitality." Small as the castle was compared to the other grandiose infrastructures in the west, it was still far too spacious for herself and twenty or so other youkai. The majority of the upper levels were vacant, with the soldiers having claimed the barracks and the maids occupying the lower parts. Thus, she had issued the floor where her chamber was situated — on the top floor that she had all to herself — to be cleaned. Those empty rooms would be made for guests, allowing her easy access.
"Yes, they have been tailored as requested."
"Excellent. Remember to assist the patient directly into one of the rooms and have the rest of the entourage wait in the main hall. I shall be there to greet them."
"Yes, Milady." The maid left to carry the duty she was given, without the promptness typical of those that served directly under Sesshomaru. The servants assigned to her were mostly approaching retirement, having been deemed unfit to thrive in an environment as bustling as the Western Palace. Nonetheless, Sara found value in having their service. Aside from their experience and lax attitudes, the fact that they used to work for the Lord of the West meant they often had tales to share.
She headed to the nearest table to pick up her priced flute using two hands. Keeping it in place with her obi, she exited the room with her combative boots tapping softly against the tatami mats.
'The time has come. I cannot wait to see you again, Sesshomaru-sama.' The long-awaited reunion was finally here. Every cell inside her body screamed longingly for the handsome daiyoukai. Soon, she promised, she would be able to gaze upon her lord's striking features and tend to his every whim as the loyal devotee she was.
"Defying me till the very end, huh? But I'll forgive you. Some things are beautiful exactly because they are unobtainable." -Gilgamesh from Fate/Stay Night Episode 24
More Author's Notes: Apologies if you guys were hoping for Sesshomaru or/and Kikyo to appear in this chapter but the spotlight needs to shine on Naraku and Sara. Hopefully, you will have a better idea of how Naraku and the current Sara are born now. For this chapter, I used the original stories of Kikyo & Naraku and Sesshomaru & Sara, integrating them into this tale. Hence, you get the title, The Angel & His Devil and The Lord & His Devotee. Personally, I always liked what the anime did with Sara and Sesshomaru (though I'm aware that it's an anime filler), being parallel to what happened with Naraku and Kikyo. It highlights some of the similarities between Sesshomaru and Kikyo, as well as their differences, which made me see even more potential in SessKik back when I was watching the show.
Also, you may have noticed that while the basis of Naraku's birth is the same, I did make some noticeable changes. In this story, Naraku not only covets Sesshomaru's power but he also holds a personal grudge towards him that has been transferred over from Onigumo's memories. Naraku may not know it, but he is in fact super jealous that not only does Sesshomaru have the looks and power, but he also has Kikyo's heart. The last part will eventually become a central conflict between the three of them… which totally should have happened in the canon by the way.
On a side note, I've included one of my favorite quotes in all anime above because I felt that the line from Gilgamesh can resonate with Naraku and Sara. Both desire Kikyo and Sesshomaru respectively and they are, in a sense, completely captivated because they instinctively know that they can never have their heart.
Anyways, enough of me rambling on. Hope you all had a pleasant read. Stay safe. Until next time!