Red. That was all Sesshoumaru could see after reading Lieutenant Masaru's report. The half-breed dared to touch what belonged to him. The world around him remained in a crimson haze for weeks until the arrival of General Katsu with a regiment of Western soldiers. The general knew something dreadful must have happened for the demon lord to allow his beast to hover just under the surface of his consciousness.
Katsu felt Sesshoumaru's oppressive aura before he entered the military encampment. The proud dog general walked with purpose towards his lord's covered pavilion noting the absence of eastern soldiers and generals in the area. The ominous air that permeated the surroundings kept others away, fearing the beast pacing in its den.
Stopping outside of the hanging door flap, Katsu waited patiently for his lordship to grant him entry.
"Enter" Sesshoumaru's strained voice called out.
General Katsu stepped inside and took a knee before his lord as his black fur-lined traveling cloak fanned out around him. The general's golden blonde hair was pulled back into a high bun while a few loose strands framed his beautiful angular face; hazel eyes remained cast down waiting for his lord's permission to speak. A burst of demonic energy rushed past him as a barrier was erected around the tent.
"Rise Katsu. I require your help." The demon lord turned away from his newly constructed desk to face the general. Clad only in a dark gray kimono he towered over his advisor. The top hung open allowing his pale moonlight chest to glow under the candlelight in the tent. Blood-red eyes began to fade back to gold for the first time in over a moon cycle as they watched Katsu rise to his feet.
Sesshoumaru could count on his hand the number of individuals he trusted with his life, and General Katsu was one of them. After the Great Lord Toga's death, Katsu remained by his side while many others in his court abandoned the House of the Moon. The demon lord's mother remained in her mansion in the sky leaving him and the general to rebuild the West's reputation as the most powerful land in the realm. It had not been easy, enemies and allies alike perceived him as weak just like his father.
With Sesshoumaru's demonic barrier shielding them from eavesdroppers, both males could speak freely.
"I need two of your best scouts to track down the bastard half-breed and bring him to me." Sesshoumaru handed Katsu the briefing Masaru had sent. The general read over the message in silence before handing it back to his lord.
"So, that's where you took my son." Both dog demons took a seat at a low table where a bottle of sake and cups were waiting. "I accepted your reasoning for taking in the human child, but is it wise to do the same for a priestess? Showing the same level of possession for her could prove lethal if anyone found out."
Sesshoumaru replied by shattering the ceramic cup in his hand. Looking down at the shards embedded in his palm he was overcome by a sense of déjà vu. "The Shikon Priestess is an ally and tutor to my ward. She is more than deserving of my protection and place in my pack." Katsu slid his cup over to the demon lord who was plucking out the debris with his fangs. The general grabbed a discarded bowl for himself and filled it with sake.
"The Shikon Priestess who destroyed the spider Naraku?" Sesshoumaru nodded and took a sip. "Certainly, a step up from the sickly Princess Izayoi your father favored. But human none the less"
The demon lord's eyes flashed crimson again, "Are you trying to bait me Katsu?"
"Yes and no." The general's eyes held a mischievous twinkle. "You have your reasons, I'm sure, but it is my job to remain neutral and see different perspectives. Does the dimwitted bear know about her?"
"Hm. He assumes the letters the priestess writes are from a demoness in my court."
"Good. We will keep it that way for now."
The two males sat in a comfortable silence drinking until the sake bottle drained. Sesshoumaru was the first to break the quiet.
"Once found, you will have Inuyasha brought straight to me. I trust that your scouts will be discrete?" Katsu nodded.
Katsu was intrigued by how Sesshoumaru was behaving, he was acting like one would while guarding their intended. Dog demons were known to be overprotective of their pack and even more with their mate. From the report his son had written it was clear the half-brother was going to face the full wrath of the demon lord's beast. This Shikon Priestess must be extraordinary to catch Lord Sesshoumaru's attention.
General Katsu stood and bowed to his lord, "I will send my scouts out at once." He shot the demon one last cheeky look. "I do look forward to hearing more about this female your beast desires, perhaps I will pay my son a visit on my journey back to the shiro for more troops." His exit was accompanied by Sesshoumaru's growl.
Alone again, Sesshoumaru reached under the table and pulled out a new bottle of sake. Grabbing the decanter and cup, he relocated to lounge back against the raised platform his bed sat on. His mind began to conjure up new ideas on how to torture the half-breed once he was in his grasp. The bastard's hands would have to go, obviously, for daring to lay them on one of his females. Next, he'd silence the welp by cutting out his filthy tongue. He no longer needed his pathetic manhood once-
The sound of Jaken running face first into his barrier brought the demon lord out of his sadistic planning.
"My lord! Your dragon returns with correspondents!" The imp's shrill voice assaulted Sesshoumaru's sensitive ears. Dropping his invisible shield, he called for Jaken to enter.
The demon toad scurried in placing his lord's mail at his tabi covered feet and then bowed low to the ground. "Is there anything else this lowly servant can do for Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Leave."
Jaken didn't need to be told twice and quickly vacated the tent.
Taking one last mouthful of the fermented drink, he reached out greedily and grabbed the small paper-wrapped parcel with a letter tied to the top. Sesshoumaru's beast let out a deep croon in anticipation as he eagerly ripped open the package. Inside was a short red fabric he vaguely recognized but could not place. Any other thoughts he might have had were washed from his mind as he inhaled lilies and sandalwood with hints of reiki just under the surface. Her scent was strong like she was in the room with him, it was intoxicating.
A calm he hadn't felt since her last letter swept over Sesshoumaru as his beast purred. If Lord Raika sent the full force of his army to attack their encampment at that moment, he would let the dragon have it all. The demon lord found pleasure in very few things, but when he did, he was like a dog with a bone. Memories from the night he told the priestess he was to leave for the east drifted to the forefront of his mind. He remembered how she looked standing in front of the hearth, her body surrounded by firelight. The flames made her white robe appear almost translucent revealing the contours of her shapely body. How demon wished the woman still wore that indecent little kimono she used to scamper around in, just imagining how her large breasts and round rump might look in it now had his beast drooling.
Shaking his head to rid the lewd picture from his thoughts and letting the red cloth fall to his chest, he reached for the letter that had been sitting on top.
Dear Sesshoumaru,
Another summer has gone by, and winter is fast approaching. This year feels like it's flying by so fast! I'm sorry our letters took so long: Masaru was kind enough to let us take Ah-Un and visit Sango and Miroku. We got there just in time for her baby boy to be born! The delivery had some complications, so we stayed longer than we planned.
Masaru has taken a liking to gardening, and I plan to use him as much as I can. We don't have any sheep for him to sheer but the chickens will be laying eggs soon! Rin is so excited and has given them all names, the pink one she named Momo is her favorite.
I thought about the request in your last letter. I wasn't sure if you were being serious or joking, but I don't think I've ever heard you tell a joke before. Masaru told me dog demons rely heavily on scents and it can affect them in a lot of different ways. So, I am going to assume you like mine for some reason. With a little help from my reiki, I was able to seal my natural scent in the scarf I'm sending you. You probably won't remember but it was part of my school uniform from when I was younger.
Oh, I'm sure by now Masaru has informed you about Inuyasha's visit. Your lieutenant kept Rin safe and hidden away until he had left. Sango had sent Inuyasha to deliver a message about her upcoming birth that we attended. I'm not sure to what extent Masaru told you, but he was acting strange. Since that day I've been learning more about dog demon behavior and instincts to better understand his actions.
Stay safe and warm Sesshoumaru.
P.S.
What do I smell like?
Sesshoumaru was conflicted. He wanted to return to his fantasy of the priestess wearing her obscenely short garment, but the mention of the half-breed had him seeing red again.
Yes, his lieutenant detailed everything he heard come out of the bastard's mouth. Insinuating the priestess was a whore and then admitting his nefarious desires for her. Masaru had not noted seeing any bruising on her arms, but Sesshoumaru knew they had been there. The mutt never knew how to restrain himself.
The demon lord was able to calm his beast once more by bringing the scarlet 'scarf' back to his face. He would no longer be left wanting now that he was able to enjoy the priestess's fragrance any time he desired.
Finishing the second bottle of sake Sesshoumaru was lulled to a deep sleep still leaning against his bed. He was unaware that his primitive side stayed awake and alert, contemplating all the ways it wished to torment and terrorize the half-breed.