Chapter 23:
Previously: The guards rushed forward and dragged him away, his thick blood left a trail leading out of the courtroom.
Five Lieutenants came forward to address Lord Sesshomaru and the demon court next, Rin didn't miss the fact that all five belonged to different clans. A strategic move no doubt.
One took a step forward, "My Lord, clan leader's. We are here today to ask you to acknowledge and accept a representative to the court on behalf of the half-demons."
The clan leaders all seemed to look at him in disdain. However no one spoke out just yet, it seemed they were all still reeling about the madness regarding the blue bloods being admitted to the court.
Lord Ishan spoke up first, "Who?"
"The second son of the previous General of the West, Master Inuyasha."
Inukimi's cold laugh echoed throughout the room, "Inuyasha."
Inukimi stood up and addressed her son, "Lord Sesshomaru, first your ward and now, your half-brother. I'm seeing a trend."
Sesshomaru smiled up at her, "Lady Mother, my lieutenants are the ones who came forward after witnessing the battle prowess of both General Rin and Master Inuyasha. My association is unrelated."
Rin was in awe at his actions, the fact that Sesshomaru acknowledged Inuyasha's title only to spite his mother in front of the entire demon court was bold. Inuyasha looked like he wanted to strangle Sesshomaru but also burst out laughing at his behavior. It may not be apparent to the rest of the court, but between the three of them this was comical at best.
The dragon leader stood up with a huff, "I'll acknowledge the strength of the blue bloods. However, half-demons are a sect of demons. Lieutenant, I don't understand why they need to be representative."
"Lord Inuyasha led 4,000 half demons that fought as bravely as the rest. There is no question of the bias placed on half-demons, but they are different. So, a demon cannot represent them fairly. I've never seen a half demon as strong as Master Inuyasha but I've also been under the assumption they are weak. This is not true." said the lieutenant sternly.
Another stepped forward, "If it wasn't for him, I would not be here today."
Another stepped forward, "Clan leaders, Master Inuyasha shows strength we never knew a half-demon could possess. It was not only him who fought bravely, but all of them did and in turn saved more than a few of us regardless of our unfair treatment towards them."
The last two stepped in line with the rest, "He didn't just fight, he led them. I also would be dead if he hadn't saved me."
The last spoke up, "I was surrounded and outnumbered, he fought by my side and is one of us. We are asking you to acknowledge this, not because he is the late General's son but because he has true power that isn't determined by his half-demon status."
"I don't believe you." replied the leader of the cat clan, "A half demon is a half demon. He cannot rival the power of a full demon."
Inukimi spoke next, "It's in the name. Half."
Rin watched Sesshomaru's eyes glow brightly at his mother's words. Rin felt nervous as his gaze turned to Inuyasha. Inuyasha stared back oddly and fidgeted when Sesshomaru's lips tilted up at him. Inuyasha was unnerved by this action, Sesshomaru smiling at him was never a good thing in the past.
Sesshomaru looked up to where his mother was and she stared back defiantly, as if asking him to question her.
Inukimi knew he couldn't. If he did, he'd be involving himself in clan business and showing favor towards his half-brother. By doing this he would take away the meaning of his lieutenants' words, but Rin knew this was different. Sesshomaru looks mischievous in a way few people would notice.
"Lady Mother," he addressed her, "it's believed a half-demon isn't on level with a full demon. Would you wish to test this theory by combat?"
Inukimi laughed humorously, "My Lord, you do understand I will kill him yes,"
Sesshomaru responded in kind, "Lady Mother this is a trial of strength, wouldn't you agree? My lieutenants believe he is on par with a full demon, and you do not. It would reaffirm to the court your case."
Rin whispered to Inuyasha, "Inuyasha she won't be able to refuse and neither will you."
"He is going to kill me if I kill his mother." Inuyasha said through clenched teeth.
Rin smiled and whispered, "He won't. Don't worry about that but win."
Inuyasha shook his head and muttered, "Cold blooded bastard."
"Alright," Inukimi smiled coldly towards Inuyasha, "Any objection, half breed?"
Sesshomaru had no love for his mother, which was obvious to Inuyasha. Inuyasha knew from before that he would have to fight but he just didn't know who. He also knew he wasn't allowed to use his sword and that he would end up in his full state because Sesshomaru's mother aimed to kill him.
Yet, she was a member of the court and Inuyasha didn't know the rules. The thoughts of having angry demons come for him and his family didn't sit well in his mind.
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and turned toward Sesshomaru, "What happens if I beat or accidently kill her?"
Sesshomaru didn't have a chance to answer because Inukimi's vicious voice spoke first, "Beat me and I'll let you represent the dog demon clan."
Rin was not certain if Inuyasha could beat her, but the odds were anyone's, she'd only seen Inukimi fight against Sesshomaru previously. Inukimi also didn't think Inuyasha killing her was possible to begin with, by how she said those mocking words.
Inuyasha sneered at her, "I don't care about that."
Once Inuyasha held Sesshomaru's gaze he asked again, "What happens if I accidently kill her."
Sesshomaru leaned back and stared at him for a moment, "You will be the dog demon clan leader. No repercussions will befall you. No swords or weapons will be used. This is a show of strength."
Sesshomaru then beckoned them both forward into the far sides of the center room, it was large enough for a battle and Sesshomaru enacted a barrier around the area to protect the viewers.
"The barrier will disappear when there is a victory." He sat up in his seat, "Begin."
Lady Inukimi wasted no time and clocked Inuyasha's face with her fist before flipping up and kicking him hard into the chest.
Inuyasha flew back and crashed into the barrier but remained on his feet, he spat out blood by his feet.
Inukimi came barreling at him, not giving him a second and he grabbed her legs, tossing her back onto the other side but she landed gracefully.
"I will kill you half breed." Inukimi said coldly.
Once again charging at him, Rin noted the shift almost instantly in Inuyasha demeanor. His aura changed the second she spoke those words. Inukimi didn't notice it until she got too close. Shocked, she halted in front of him on instinct and snarled before extending her claws out toward his exposed throat.
The lapse in judgement cost her, Inuyasha used one hand to grab her extended one and his hand shot out to get a tight hold on her throat. Inuyasha simultaneously crushed one hand and smashed her back into the tile floor, making it crack on impact.
Without delay he threw her all the way to the other side where she crashed into the barrier and blood spurted out her mouth as she fell to the floor. Rin could've sworn he broke the demoness's back. But she was quick to her feet with rage in her eyes, holding her injured right hand to her chest.
Inukimi's golden eyes flashed to red and Inuyasha growled at her. His face was hidden by his bangs, but his teeth showed menacingly.
Inuyasha grinned, "You said you'd kill me? Prove it."
The whole court stood up with the exception of Lord Sesshomaru. He watched on in amusement, highly attentive to the chaos that was wreaking havoc around him. Rin noticed something she hadn't before, and she wouldn't tell Sesshomaru of course, but in this moment he looked eerily similar to his mother. Rin turned her attention back to the fight, just in time to see the two using hand to hand combat.
Inuyasha has two hands to Inukimi's one, but he made no accommodations for her. Blooding her face and body, taking more damage than Inuyasha, her mistake was getting too close to him and underestimating him.
Once again, she was on the ground and bounded back at him aiming for his chest with her foot, but he was much quicker and grabbed her ankle, throwing her back to the ground.
Rin winced as he kicked her so hard back into the barrier it faltered with the impact, the sound of bones breaking was undeniable this time.
One clan leader yelled down to Sesshomaru, "Stop this my Lord! He has won and his point has been proven."
Sesshomaru looked up at the cat demon and back to the fight, "I cannot. You know the rules. If she doesn't yield, the fight is not over. I cannot show favoritism to my mother in court matters. It would be unjust as a ruler."
The cat demoness looked surprised at his cold reply, but he was right. The woman couldn't refute it and turned back to the fight once more with wide eyes.
Inukimi was refusing to yield, Inuyasha looked bad, but he didn't show any weakness or signs of slowing down.
For the first time, his eyes were noticeable and not obstructed by his bangs. Bright red with green irises and his purple demon marks were unmistakable. The whole court watched in awe as the half-demon's changed, some fell back in their seats. A sense of dread coming over them as the fight continued on with no sign of stopping.
Inuyasha punched her hard in the stomach and she buckled over which led him to smash his foot into her back pinning her to the ground.
"Enough of this. Yield." he growled out.
Inukimi screamed up at him in rage and Inuyasha removed his foot as she moved upward, he slammed his foot back down onto her back.
Inuyasha gritted his teeth, "Last chance. Yield."
Inukimi did not yield and this time Inuyasha let her up and kicked her far back, so hard that she broke through Sesshomaru's barrier. She slammed into the stone wall underneath where the clan members were seated. Sesshomaru's eyes widened at this, and a sickening crack echoed throughout the room. Rin held her hand over her mouth in shock of the sheer force used on Lady Inukimi.
Several servants made their way over to Lady Inukimi's still form; one held a hand to her pulse point. The servant girl's eyes were brimmed with tears as she searched for a pulse. Everyone waited in silence, the clan leader's had jumped down from their balcony after it began to shake with the impact.
The servant girl stood shakingly, "She is barely alive but alive."
Guards came and carried her out of the court, her bruised body was unintentionally displayed to the court as they did.
Sesshomaru stood and walked over to Inuyasha. Silence fell as Sesshomaru did something unprecedented. He stood by him and placed his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. Inuyasha flinched slightly at the contact, but Sesshomaru didn't pull his hand back.
"The leader of the dog demon clan is Inuyusha. There will be a feast to celebrate the new leader tomorrow night." he voiced out loudly.
Sesshomaru turned to Inuyasha and said calmly, "I expect you in my study today to discuss your role."
Inuyasha didn't argue and walked out of the room swiftly.
Sesshomaru then addressed the clan leaders who remained where Inukimi previously was.
"Clan leaders in light of current events, a court will be held tomorrow to address the blue bloods. Choose wisely." he told them.
They all left the courtroom swiftly after that, and so did the rest of the viewers. Rin and Sesshomaru were the last to remain present in the silent room.