Chapter 17: Impasse

Sesshoumaru stayed away from Edo village longer than normal this time, burying himself in his estate and court duties as he pondered ways to breach the impasse with his brother. Surely there was some way he could be allowed to spend more than mere moments with the miko without rousing further suspicions. What that solution was, however, continued to elude him.

He wandered unseeing and uncaring down long hallways and out into the central courtyard, his obligatory retinue of vassals and courtesans following in his wake. His steps eventually led him under the boughs of a sapling of Bokusenou, its place of honour on a grassy knoll in the exact center of the shiro.

Lifting his gaze towards the high lofty boughs, Sesshoumaru considered seeking the ancient youkai's wisdom. Surely he would know of a way that would not incite war, not that he particularly cared for his brother's feelings, but he knew that the miko would not be pleased should they resume their fighting once more.

"Jaken," Sesshoumaru called, turning to head back into the shiro proper.

"Y- yes, my lord?" the imp squawked as he scrambled after him, nearly tripping over his own robes in his haste to keep up.

"We are leaving," he supplied, knowing that his retainer would follow wherever he went without question. The gaggle of courtesans gasped in dismay, each female calling out after him to beg him to stay. Sesshoumaru chose to ignore them, as he always did, finding their company as taxing as ever. His thoughts strayed once more to the miko, comparing her virtues to them and finding them all wanting.