Chapter 26: The Red Year: Amanozako

~Sesshomaru~

It was well after noon when Kohaku exited the palace with a young monk at his heels. Sesshomaru knew better than to approach them. He would let them come to him. It was the best way according to how the monk had reacted initially. That didn't mean that Sesshomaru wasn't hungry for answers. His need for them was almost palpable. The young monk wasn't Tomoko, but something had led Kohaku to question him about him. Sesshomaru kept himself beyond the palace walls. There was something perplexing, not being able to rely upon one's sense of smell. The sage's effects could not reach him from his viewpoint upon the mountainside.

He descended slowly, just outside of the palace walls, giving Kohaku the chance to spot him, and make a decision. It wasn't long until Sesshomaru heard the creaking sound of the front gate opening. Kohaku and the young monk pushed against the aged doors making an appearance on the outskirts. Sesshomaru registered Kohaku's grim expression and prepared himself for the news that would come. Kohaku was often affected by sentiments and signs of danger in such a way, but his body language differed somehow. There was an edge to him that didn't sit right with Sesshomaru. An edge that almost made Sesshomaru want to avoid the upcoming conversation. Why did he feel like he was about to be pulled into yet another extermination feat. The Great Dog Demon Sesshomaru, a demon slayer. Or at least, that's what he had been as of late. True, he would overcome whatever obstacle lay between him and the ability to remove the mark from Ameki, but his strengths were meant for more. It wasn't without gain though he realized. With each lowly demon he vanquished, it would be less for him to worry about later. This however, wasn't exactly his region to watch over. If the demon responsible for maintaining the balance here refused to do so, then what right had Sesshomaru to step in? True, in the Demon hierarchy, he held the right to step in where another was negligent, but that didn't mean there wouldn't be consequences and as of late, Sesshomaru's plate was full.

"Sesshomaru." Kohaku greeted him as he approached.

The fidgeting figure behind him was more cautious upon his approach, and his footing faltered numerous times. The clumsy man was hesitant to get close to Sesshomaru. For good reason as well. Sesshomaru knew that his aura could be overwhelming to some. Those gifted with the ability to sense such phantasmal powers were also widened to the effects such power could emit. He knew very well the thoughts and fears that were burdening the young man, and almost felt pity for him. Sesshomaru's power was not for the weak, and if their discipline was lacking, fear would overcome their hearts. Sesshomaru could sense the dread and see the fear in the man's eyes. There was nothing Sesshomaru would be able to do to quell this man's anxieties. It was something he would have to overcome himself. The only aid

Sesshomaru could give, or would be willing to give, was his silence and to refrain from moving. Kohaku glanced back at the weary man behind him, and cleared his throat.

"Taro, this is Lord Sesshomaru." Taro's eyes didn't move from Sesshomaru as Kohaku spoke.

"He may look intimidating, and don't get me wrong, he is very capable of the destruction you spoke of, but he has chosen a path much different from the carnage you suspect." Taro blinked, finally finding his focus on Kohaku.

"How do you suppose this is going to work?" Taro muttered.

"It's going to take more than a worldly demon to make sure the seal holds." He finished, his eyes regaining some semblance of courage as his voice rang free with distaste. Sesshomaru could almost flinch against the venom laced words, if he had cared. This man was right to harbor such feelings toward Sesshomaru. He, after all, was a monk and Sesshomaru a demon. He didn't understand or know him, it was just the natural way to feel when greeted with one on the opposite side of the spectrum.

"Maybe so, but it would be wise to have a contingency plan. If the seal were to be broken before Tomoko's return, Sesshomaru would be of great aid."

There it was. Kohaku was volunteering him for work once more. Was it his need to be endeared and trusted? Or was it truly just his nature to take advantage of whatever he had within his arsenal to complete his job at hand? Either way, Sesshomaru would hear him out. Tomoko would return it seemed, and that is all Sesshomaru needed to go along with whatever plan Kohaku had fashioned. If he needed to get his claws a little dirty then so bet it. Drawing swords was for the big boys, and instilling anymore fear into the monk before him was not necessary as he could see the terror etched upon his soul. The man before him was fighting an inside battle. Accept the aid of a demon to keep another sealed, or refuse them. It made him wonder what terror lay beyond that seal, that this man before him, clearly stricken with contradicting thoughts, would accept Sesshomaru's aid. Sesshomaru needed to know what they would be up against.

"What would you ask of me?" Sesshomaru questioned.

His attention was not on Kohaku, however. The monk before him, Taro, would need to come to terms with accepting his aid, and would have to man up and speak to him, lest he was not worthy of Sesshomaru's help. To an outsider, his actions would seem harsh, and if Sesshomaru had been a softer soul he would have communicated through Kohaku. However, if this monk was going to carry the burden of protecting those around him, then he needed to address things head on. It was a lesson Sesshomaru often handed out. If one wished to acquire aid, he would need to be accommodated as a man. When heading into battle there was no room for childish games or spineless actions. He intended to discover this man's backbone, even if he had to coerce it by verbal means.

Taro seemed a bit taken back by Sesshomaru's words. It hadn't been the question that had caught him off guard, it had been the simple action of speaking to him directly. The fear in his eyes intensified, lending aid to the continually growing edge of venom that tinged his words.

"I ask nothing of you. It is your companion that suggested your involvement." He seethed.

"Very well." Sesshomaru stated as the pressure of his feet decreased on the ground. He would ascend to his previous spot and simply observe if he had to. There was no need for his involvement if the monk would do nothing but try and belittle him.

"Wait, Sesshomaru! This is more serious than you may realize." Kohaku's words did little to influence Sesshomaru's decision. However, the urgency in which he spoke caused Sesshomaru's resolve to waiver. The wind that had licked at his fur lingered, but his ascent was, for now, halted.

Sesshomaru's suspended state of levitation registered to the young monk's vision, causing him to involuntarily take a step back.

"Sesshomaru, this isn't an ordinary demon. It's not a demon at all. If it gets loose, who's to say what calamity will befall this land? Don't we have enough to deal with already?" Kohaku begged. Sesshomaru huffed slightly at his sentiments.

"This land has a protector other than I." Sesshomaru stated.

"That may be so, but what use is a slumbering demon?" Sesshomaru's brow reacted without effort. The perfectly groomed line above his eye rose into a peak at Kohaku's words.

"The Red year…" Sesshomaru breathed in contemplation.

How could he have forgotten? Kirinmaru, the demon that currently held the position as overseer of the North and East, would be in his final year of rest. Kirinmaru and The Great Dog General, Sesshomaru's father, had many dealings in the past, and had often crossed swords. If not in conflict than simply in sport. The two had been evenly matched in power. Toga had only surpassed Kirinimaru in patience and wit. Both however, were honorable. Kirinmaru left the supervision of the land to his most trusted advisors and generals in his absence. The four perils. Kirinmaru was an ancient demon, and his powers, though great, waned from time to time, sending him into a slumber for a century at a time, as long as it was uninterrupted. If Sesshomaru had done his math correctly, this would be the year of his reawakening, meaning any demons that had grown in power during his absence, would have but a small window of time to finish their conquests for personal gain and desire before his rule reigned once more. When Kirinmaru rouses from his prolonged slumber, his power grows exponentially. This makes him a mighty and feared demon. However, the four perils do not only exist to rule in his absence, but to relieve some of the strain on the uses of his power. With such great and terrible power comes burden as well. For if he were to exert too much of his power after waking up, he would burn out quickly. The four perils united under his rule to ensure that he, without heir, continued his reign. He was a fair and just ruler as his father was where demons were involved, but he was not to be trifled with, and his emotions toward

humans were simply to maintain balance. He cared not if a village was destroyed here and there, but he would not allow demons to overrun the mortal realm completely, and had always had a distaste for Toga's infatuation with humans. Kirinmaru simply saw humans as existential. They served a purpose, but he cared not what for.

Sesshomaru had begun his ascent into his father's footsteps before Kirinmaru had fallen into his slumber, meaning Sesshomaru would be expected to have acquired Toga's duties and leadership by now. Whereas, yes, Sesshomaru protected his land, but he still lacked the formalities that came with it. He also lacked the individuals in which he could delegate responsibilities, such as Kirinmaru's four perils. Sesshomaru had lost so much time without even realizing it. From his desire to obtain the Tessagia, his pursuit of Naraku and now Yakunan, he had very little time to distinguish himself in court. Very few meetings, if any at all, had been held in his mother's palace in his absence. He knew her too well to assume that any legality hearings had been heard. Meaning that even though he was on the front lines in his land, his rule was weakened by his absence within his court. True, it was very well within his power to appoint someone to stand in in his absence as Kirinmaru had done with the four perils. However, the one person that had been expected to do it, would not. His mother. She had always been more interested in fineries, and trysts of power, rather than maintaining her own in court. It had been one of the reason's Toga was able to gain reign of this land. In siring an heir with her, all duties would have been left to Sesshomaru eventually.

The red year not only signaled Kirinmaru's awakening, but a purge of sorts. The four perils would be too busy preparing for Kirinmaru to wake, that the demon's of this land would run rampant, and do as they wished. This is where the human's would come into play. Kirinmaru's sense of balance involving humans would come into effect. He would let the strongest warriors, monk's, priests and priestesses rise to protect their own, giving the four perils the breathing room to prepare for his return to the shores of the North. Kirinmaru slumbered on a sea vessel, lost to the tides. A 100 year voyage. Toga had said that he found concealing his slumbering body easier that way. If he were to sit in an idle location on land, someone would surely try to usurp him in his weakened state.

"What does that seal hold?" Sesshomaru's question was straightforward. If not a demon, then what?

Sesshomaru watched as Kohaku's neck muscles struggled to swallow, preparing to answer with resistance.

"Amanozako." He answered, his voice cracking as he spoke.

"A God?" Sesshomaru interjected.

He did well to hide his surprise. The mask he often set his face into held, but on the inside he was taken back. A God, and not just any God. A vengeful and deceitful one. Her very name meant "heaven opposing everything." A Tengu Kami that was said to have been created from the dark thoughts and desires of the God Susanoo. Susanoo was brother to Amaterasu, one of the first Gods of creation. Amaterasu being a goddess of creation, saw her brother's actions and the darkness in his heart and decided that in her world, there was no room for it. However to destroy it would mean to destroy her brother. Her

mercy saved him, and she had to suffice with only being able to purge the darkness from her brother's being. In doing so, created the dark Kami. One such being was Amanozako.

"Yes, a living breathing God, and Taro is right to be fearful as should we." Kohaku continued.

"Someone trapped a God with a demon seal?" Sesshomaru asked, not caring that the monk flinched at his voice.

"At the time of her binding, it was the only knowledge men had. Mortals would have been feared if they had the knowledge to seal a God away, as they often did with the pitiful likes of demons." Sesshomaru didn't care for the monk's insult. However, he was intrigued that such a thing had succeeded.

"The seal, not being meant for the likes of a God, only holds for so long before its strength wanes. It has to be reinforced every few centuries. The power it releases as the seal weakens draws all types of apparitions in." The monk sighed, wiping his brow.

"Lady Chiyoko is seeking a more permanent solution, while Tomoko has gone to gather the items needed to reinforce the seal once more, but I fear they won't return in time. The seal weakens with each passing hour, and her power is re-emerging at an alarming rate. I fear by this time tomorrow, we may be face to face with a terrible God." Taro finished, his frame looked more bewildered than before he had imparted the information. Taro was stressed, and if Sesshomaru was being honest, he had no wish to meet the terrible Goddess either.

The situation was more dire than he realized. He had to wonder how bad someone's luck had to be to keep stumbling into these situations. Was Sesshomaru on the right path? By this time tomorrow he could also be face to face with Kirinmaru as well. However, Chiyoko and Tomoko were close. How close, he didn't know, but he at least had a solid lead on them now, and they would be returning. It was the best plan of action they had, to sit and wait… yet again. Sesshomaru would be playing interference with a God if they didn't hurry. He had never met a land God before, or any kind of God for that matter. God's usually didn't keep company with demons, and for good reasons.

~Ameki~

Ameki's thoughts traveled to Sesshomaru as she watched the water begin to boil in the large pot that Hotaru had instructed her to supervise. She hoped that he and Kohaku were finding the answers that they sought. Everything that Sesshomaru had planned thus far depended on finding the Priest and Priestess that Kagome had suggested. Her hand instinctively found her throat. It felt strange. She knew that if she even tried to talk, nothing would come forward. Only hissed air through silent vocal chords. No reverberations would follow. Would she ever be able to say Lord Sesshomaru's name and see his gaze find her as his name left her lips? It saddened her but in all honesty, with everything that had already happened, it could have turned out so much worse. Hotaru was right. She kept finding herself in

dangerous situations, and it was all because she didn't think before she acted. It was a dangerous world for someone who had been a pampered noble.

Her nose twitched at the thought. She had never seen herself that way, but maybe it was true. Either way, what was done was done and couldn't be changed. The bubbles the water made roiled to the surface releasing the steam into the room. Hotaru pushed the door to the front open and stepped back inside with the now frostbitten Jaken. His green wrinkled skin took on a purple tint.

"There is no way Lord Sesshomaru would ever approve of this!" He screeched as the door clattered shut.

"He doesn't have to know Jaken, that's the point in all of this. We have to get her voice back." Hotaru replied.

"Who's to say the demon will even come for her again? It already has her voice, maybe it will want something different next time." Jaken pleaded. Hotaru shook his head.

"No, she's unfinished business now. It's going to come back for her I'm sure of it. We just need to set a trap and be ready." Hotaru glanced toward Ameki momentarily before turning his attention to the boiling pot.

"Perfect. Jaken, warm up a bit by the fire and I'll fill Ameki in on the plan." Jaken looked disapprovingly at Hotaru as he spoke, but he didn't resist. He waddled over to the welcoming heat.

Hotaru ran through the makeshift plan he had. They were into the wee hours of the morning, but still had plenty of time to pull it off. However, the likelihood of it working was anyone's guess, considering Hotaru had already wounded the demon. It could have been recovering somewhere in hiding for no telling how long. Hotaru was almost sure the demon would return though. The resuming snowstorm outside gave him hope. Or maybe it was desperation, not knowing when Sesshomaru would return.

Ameki filled the numerous bamboo drinking containers that Hotaru had gathered from their belongings. Nine in total, so that would be three for them each to carry with them. The containers would be used as a defense. The warm liquid would help them fend off the icy gales in case of emergency. The rest of the water would be left in the pot, ready for them to refill their containers later if needed. Hotaru wasn't sure how long this would take, and after a while out in the cold, the liquid in the containers would lose their heat. He had planned to set a trap close to the village, but not in a position that would quarter Ameki off and separate her from the protections the village provided. Jaken would lay in concealment, ready to attack the demon with his staff of two heads. The flame attack would be plenty enough to take down the demon that was sensitive to fire, or at the least it would be enough to weaken it for Hotaru to finish it off.

A gleam was present in Hotaru's eyes as he came back in from the cold once more.

"I can hear the bells in the wind. It's definitely still out there." Hotaru grabbed a few items from the bag he had setting against the far wall. Ameki didn't see the items, but was sure he would find some way to utilize them.

"Tonight we end this. Yui and the rest of the villagers will be able to rest easy, and Ameki will get her voice back." He was determined.

Ameki's hand slid into the folds of her yukata, clasping the cool stone that adorned her chest. She hoped that this would work. If not, she would be in danger once again, and she knew that if anything happened, it would cause Sesshomaru more stress. More than he already had to deal with. She would need to be strong for this. She wished the stone around her neck would thrum with energy once more. It happened a few times, but she wasn't able to awaken whatever had caused it. She couldn't prompt the situation to occur which made it react, it awoke of its own accord, usually during high duress situations. It was all that she had of Sesshomaru right now. He was her strength, but in this situation that he was unaware of, she would have to find her own strength.

Jaken lay buried in the snow, his small form frigid among the fluff. He had already complained of the cold creeping into his bones, and whined about how long this plan of Hotaru's would take. Ameki wrapped herself snuggly in the blanket that she brought with her. In her hand she clenched the packet of volcanic demon ash that Hotaru had given her. He explained that the ash was very volatile, and would cause an explosion if it came into contact with fire. Hotauru had proportioned it out, so that everyone carried a small pouch of it. He didn't put too much in the pouches. A small amount would do. He didn't want the village to catch on fire, or any of them to be wounded if they stood too close to the demon. The wind whipped and howled around her as the storm intensified. The sound of bells could be heard, but had so far stayed distant. Either the apparition knew it was a trap, or just wasn't interested in the moment. Maybe it had still been wounded.

Hotaru concealed himself among the clutter that lay around the storage shack on the edge of the village. It wasn't far from where Ameki had first encountered the apparition at the fence. He lay in waiting, for the perfect moment to strike. Jaken would need to weaken the beast with his flames. Ameki was the bait. She would wait for the Yuki-Onna to appear, and douse the apparition with the ash he had given her. Jaken would spring from hiding, spreading a bout of flames from his staff, and Hotaru would swoop in and make the final strike. He doused his blade with a purification oil that he had made from powder that his father, Miroku, had given him. It would exorcise the lingering remnants of the original soul that bore the Yuki-Onna and purify the demon energy that animated it.

It was a dangerous plan, using Ameki once again, and even a little hypocritical after chastising her for being so careless in the first place. However, it was the best idea that Hotaru could muster in such a short amount of time. Ameki knew Hotaru felt responsible for what happened, and that made her feel even more guilty, and helped strengthen her resolve. He was just trying to fix the mess she had made. She was getting used to putting on a strong face, even when she was terrified.

Her thoughts drifted for a while. Being attacked by the Yuki-Onna had been so unexpected that she had momentarily forgotten the contents of her dreams. Or rather the adrenaline had pushed them to

the back of her mind so that her focus could be on the threat at hand. It still pulled at her. All that Yun had shown her in her dreams, pulling her from vision to vision, painting Sesshomaru as the monster Yun would have her believe him to be. Claiming that it was Sesshomaru from a different timeline. Was that even possible? Even so, it had to have been out of context. If it was the truth and what Yun had shown her was real, then there were missing pieces to it as well. Yun hadn't shown her everything, only what would suit her narrative. Surely Sesshomaru wouldn't have let those events come to pass, would he? Ameki's dreams as of late had been nothing but Yun trying to turn her against Sesshomaru, and a part of Ameki had distanced herself from Sesshomaru, because being around him hurt in more ways than one. She loved him. She loved Sesshomaru. It had started as a small fascination with the beast she didn't understand. She knew now though, that he wasn't just a beast, but a man. A misunderstood man that painted a beast for people to see. She knew not of his whole backstory, but she could see in his eyes, a soul begging to be understood, but cautious as to who could see him plead.

Ameki had let herself slip into the brooding nature that she often saw Lord Sesshomaru drift into, and had lost focus on what was transpiring around her. The snow flakes didn't fall any longer, they whipped through the vicinity in gusts, crystallized and slicing at her skin, bringing her back to the world at hand. The sound of the bells registered in her hearing once more, closer. Much closer. She had to focus, the Yuki-Onna was near. It was no time for her emotions to get in the way. She inhaled, her breath hitched at how cold the air was. The temperature around her had dropped without her noticing. She had ingested a small bit of the Genji root that Hotaru gave her. Not even a full dosage, just enough to keep her cheeks from becoming frost bitten like the miserable Jaken. Her cheeks were still warm, she could feel the snow melt hastily as it clung to her bangs and landed on her skin. She was at the edges of the Icy gale that Hotaru had spoken of, and knew that any moment the Yuki-Onna would spring forward from the wall of snowy gusts that had built on the edge of the field. The apparition was shielded from her sight, but she had no doubt that it watched her, observed her. Waited for her.

Ameki didn't dare close her eyes. Her hand slid down the length of her body under the blanket, planting firmly on the lukewarm container that clung to her side. She inwardly sighed. Too much longer and the water would turn cold, and her backup plan would be useless. They had to get this right and do it soon. It all depended on the Yuki- Onna though. In that instant she knew what to do. She needed to appear weak. She flung the blanket off, letting the gusting gales rake across her skin. The Genji root would keep her body's core temperature warm, but Ameki instantly felt the ice cling to her skin. It lashed at her like tiny blades. A shiver ran down her spine as she clutched the small packet of ash in her hands even tighter. She closed her eyes, listening to the wind around her. Come for me! She inwardly thought. She didn't know how much of this exposure she could take waiting for the demon to make its move. Her fingers were the first to go numb. The sickening cold had almost been too painful for her to bear when she realized the pain was subsiding. Numbness was setting in. Her cheeks were now cold as well, her nose was as numb as her fingers. Her body begged to move, to do anything to create the heat needed to sustain her limbs. Too much longer and she would collapse. The Shivers that had turned into full on convulsions were subsiding as well. The numbness was taking over her body quickly.

Ameki almost felt as if she would collapse when the Yuki-Onna burst from the gale winds with a shattering howl. Ameki's eyes burst open, her limbs instantly finding new vigor as the beast came into sight.

"Jaken Now!" Hotaru's voice called from behind her. Jaken's form burst from the snow, planting the stave firmly in front of Ameki. The Imps call rang

forth and the stave came to life spewing flame in a cone direction in front of them. Though she couldn't feel her hands, the muscle memory in her arms worked tirelessly to move her frozen digits. The muscles and joints hesitantly complied, but did nonetheless. Ameki clumsily threw the pouch of ash toward the Yuki-Onna that was now caught in the line of fire. The flames caused it to howl, but the small explosion as the ash connected with the fire caused the beast to scream. Ameki and Jaken both found themselves on the ground, a reaction the both of them had succumbed to after the small explosion. Hotaru snaked around them. Ameki's vision cleared and she watched as the flaming apparition tried to retreat, Hotaru hastily chased after. It didn't take him long to catch up to the retreating apparition. In its weakened state the winds around it had died down causing less resistance.

Hotaru pounced as if he had been a cat on a mouse, plunging his blade deep into the core of the being. A unison of screams escaped the creature, and a large orb of light encompassed it. Ameki found herself fighting the urge to shield her eyes from the bright display. Hotaru's silhouette was all that was visible against the bright light. It faded, the body of the apparition seemed to disintegrate around the area where Hotaru's blade occupied. Ameki watched as the remnants of the apparition caught on the wind and was carried away toward the sky. Jaken had regained his footing and watched as well. Hotaru sheathed his blade. Jaken whirled on Ameki, causing her to slightly jump.

"Well?" Ameki was taken back by his sudden demeanor.

"What's wrong Master Jaken?" She inquired after shaking off the surprise.

"Oh thank goodness!" He squealed.

"Her voice is back and we don't have to suffer my lord's wrath!" Jaken rejoiced.

Ameki's brow subtly rose as she watched the cheerful imp. He was right. Her voice was back and it had worked. She hadn't doubted Hotaru's theory that it would return if they defeated the Yuki-Onna, but she hadn't felt anything to signal that the use of her voice had returned. It was rather odd. Though she hadn't felt the apparition steal her voice either. These trivial things irked her mind. Would she ever understand how the demon world worked? Maybe she wasn't meant to. The thought edged its way into her mind as an answer, dampening her mood once more. Yun, she thought sourly. Her ideals still reeled in the back of Ameki's mind.

"Now, to put you under lock and key so we can avoid these situations!" Hotaru stated jokingly as he approached. Ameki knew him to be jesting, but she was beginning to wonder if maybe she should have been under lock and key.

~Sesshomaru~

"I have read much in the scrolls on Amanozako." Taro spoke in a low but rushed tone to Kohaku. Sesshomaru watched as Kohaku's attention was pulled back from the Seal to the monk that spoke.

Sesshomaru had hesitantly decided to accompany them once more into the castle, and to the underground chambers where the seal held the angry goddess.

"Stories were told of her long before recorded history as well, so there is no way to discern truth from myth. Some think her expulsion from Susanoo birthed the existence of demons in this realm. That would have made her the deity of the original demons. Taro's eyes darted toward Sesshomaru as he spoke, still not comfortable with his presence anywhere near him. If he had been in the company of the monk, Tomoko, then Sesshomaru feared that maybe Tomoko's views might not have been as tame toward demons as Kohaku had formerly thought. Sesshomaru could only hope that he was wrong.

Sesshomuru let the monk's ramblings about the recorded scrolls settle into the background of his focus. In just the small amount of time from his first look at the seal, until now the comparison was made. The seal around the door was losing power fast, and the presence behind it was quickly growing. This in fact made Sesshomaru uncomfortable. Not only was his senses dulled in this place, but also his power seemed to slowly seep from him, as if his energy was being dampened. No doubt by the seals and talismans that the siblings had placed in and around the castle to further deter any outside demonic attention. Sesshomaru was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute. Even a demon as strong as he couldn't stave off the machinations the siblings had put into place.

He inwardly shivered at the thought of trying to fight a God in this state, but he didn't want to admit the weakness he felt. He dared not give the young monk Taro the satisfaction. Though, Sesshomaru did take pleasure in knowing that the talisman's that had been placed by the young monk had already faded in his presence. Taro was no doubt a student. His spiritual powers were very weak, not disciplined at all. He had a long road ahead of him, so Sesshomaru couldn't figure out why Taro had the audacity to speak to him as if he wanted to wipe him off the plane of existence. Taro's very talisman had shriveled away in his presence. Taro did have guts, Sesshomaru surmised. He was awfully mouthy for something so weak.

"Amanozako roamed the land for centuries since the expulsion, and it wasn't until she came here that she was sealed." Taro stated matter of factly with almost a sneer.

"Because in the end it's always good that triumphs." He added.

"That may be so, but with the twins currently absent, and the seal weakening by the hour, I doubt any of us here, including Sesshomaru, could fully subdue her again." Kohaku looked at Sesshomaru with an apologetic stare.

"No offense, but this is a God we are dealing with." Kohaku stated. He sighed.

"The spiritual energy around here isn't helping matters either. Though I bet the twins weren't planning on fighting this entity with a demon either." Kohaku shrugged.

"What is your grand plan anyways?" Taro asked, trying to hold onto his sarcastic demeanor, but Sesshomaru could see the fear he hid.

"Well, as with most things we don't understand we are going to just have to deal with this act by act. We just have to wing it." He stated.

"Wing it? What does that mean?" Taro questioned.

"It means just how it sounds. Like wings pushing downward against the wind we just have to push back and face each problem we are dealt with the best we can." Taro's face paled at Kohaku's explanation.

"You are free to leave Taro. There shouldn't be anything keeping you here. I'm sure Sesshomaru and I can handle this." Taro scoffed at Kohaku's suggestion.

"Oh yeah, and what? Let that demon join Amanozako and reign terror on the land? How do you know that demon won't turn on you? Didn't you say you were a demon slayer?"

Sesshomaru physically had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. It took more effort than normal as he listened to the stereotypical and prejudiced ramblings coming from the young monk. Demons are evil, they will join together to kill all mortals, demons this, demons that. He didn't roll his eyes but he did let out a heave of air in the form of a sigh. He turned his attention back on the door. A part of him hoped the monk was standing close to the seal when it did break. How petty this little man made him feel.

Hours passed. Sesshomaru didn't take his attention off the door. He was either babysitting it and waiting for the return of the twins, or he was going to be the one tasked with facing the great and terrible Goddess that was about to be let loose back into this realm. He let the idle conversation that Kohaku and Taro had been having evade his hearing. He intentionally blocked it out. His mind did wander though as his eyes took in every detail of the oversized sealed double door. He bet the castle had been built around the structure holding the Entity. Probably a powerful statement of a warlord who decided he would sit atop a great and terrible God. How humans flaunted such feats, feats that probably weren't even their doing. Sesshomaru would wager that it may have even been a demon that helped seal Amanozako. True there were spiritual powers present that sealed the door, but the wood in which the door was made from, he recognized it.

Sesshomaru looked down to the sheath that held Tenseiga. He let his eyes unfocus not so much paying attention to the wooden grain, but rather the wisp of power that lapped at the surface. It was almost identical. The Door frame was made of ancient Magnolia wood, and he had already guessed where it had come from.

Bokuseno. If only Taro had realized, it would probably make him faint. A human seal, upon a demon seal, that held a great and terrible God. That is how they had done it. Demons and humans had worked together. Interesting. A part of Sesshomaru wanted to point out his discovery to the monk, just to see his reaction. Petty indeed was this Sesshomaru. He could think of very few demons that had dealings

with Bokuseno other than his father, and even fewer that had been permitted to take Bokuseno's Boughs. Bokuseno was the demon tree that his father had fashioned the sheathes of Tessaiga and Tenseiga from. Later he dispatched the Tessaiga to Sesshomaru after Toga's death. He also held volumes of knowledge in his 2000 year old roots, in which he only parted with those he trusted or those he thought would act accordingly with the knowledge he had.

Sesshomaru had to wonder if Kirinmaru had been a part of this, if he hadn't then it could have been one of his four perils. He was almost certain of it. If that was the case, then Sesshomaru was sure that one of his generals would be in the area, surely they would keep tabs on such an important prison. Or maybe they had depended on the humans to keep the seal. Sesshomaru sighed once more, causing Kohaku and Taro to look at him. The Red Year. The four perils would likely be preparing for Kirinmaru to awaken. Would they really shirk a duty such as this?

The air around Sesshomaru began to crackle. His senses hadn't picked up on any changes, but the hair on the back of his neck instantly stood at attention. Sesshomaru's brow journeyed into a downcast setting. He dodged quickly, narrowly missing an attack. A stave protruded from the area where he had been standing. A bright light spread out from it, emitting an immense amount of Spiritual power. Sesshomaru was sure that if he had been hit, even he would have suffered injury from that. He caught sight of a young mortal man standing at the entrance, a woman beside him.

"Tomoko!" Taro exclaimed as the man stepped out of the shadows. Tomoko's eyes were on Sesshomaru however, and Sesshomaru's were on him. His senses hadn't picked up on anyone or anything approaching. This place was weakening him immensely. Sesshomaru waited for the female to step out of the shadows. It was probably Chiyoko, Tomoko's twin sister and priestess. She had been presumed missing. However, it was not she that stepped out of the Shadows.

"Lord Sesshomaru, how unexpected…" An eerily familiar voice came from the woman who slowly moved into the torch's light.

Lady Zero.