Four short years had fluttered by since the long awaited death of the insidious half-demon Naraku. Those that had bones to pick with the monster began to collect the shards of their broken lives and attempted to rebuild. The Slayer and the Monk had married and were now preoccupying themselves with producing as many children as possible. In between pregnancies, Sango and Kohaku continued their father's way of life, destroying any demons threatening the local villages. The Priestess from the future had disappeared entirely after the Shikon Jewel was vanquished, to the despair of Inuyasha, but eventually had returned to her friends through the bone eaters well. Kagome and Inuyasha had married, and the foursome settled into a life of normality and peace in feudal Japan, free from the torment of ceaselessly seeking revenge and and trying to vanquish evil.

It was no different for the wandering Lord of the western lands, Sesshomaru. With no elusive enemy to relentlessly hound, the dog-demon returned to his native territory and fixed his golden irises on those who had taken up residency there. He had reluctantly agreed for Rin to remain with Inuyasha's human friends. Without a daughter to raise, there was nothing for him to do but return and rule the western lands more carefully.

However, his return after Naraku's defeat did not go as planned.

Sesshomaru had always had a restlessly nomadic nature, arriving every few months to his home, to berate and discipline the demons running his castle and to check on the lands of his father. But when fighting Naraku, the Western Lord had disappeared entirely for over three seasons and much had changed in his absence.

After Naraku was defeated, Sesshomaru had dropped lightly from the sky to the ground just as the autumn leaves had begun to fall, covering the summer grass with a blanket of brown, crimson and bronze. To his surprise, no submissive servants had run up to greet him, making the woods seem stark and empty.

No submissive servants, except one.

"Mi' lord! Mi'lord! Welcome home!" Jaken screeched as he darted past the lonely trees, halting beside Sesshomaru's black leather boots.

"Jaken, where are my other subjects? I anticipated a warmer welcome than this," Sesshomaru said stoically as he stepped over the frog demon, like Jaken was as unnoticeable as the plainest stone on the ground.

"Well…things are…er…a bit different since we were last here," Jaken croaked nervously as he twiddled his claws, his large yellow eyes staring at Sesshomaru with impending terror. Within moments the Lord of the Western Lands had enclosed his hand around Jaken's scrawny neck, dragging him up and squeezing tightly.

"Do not test my patience by playing for time Jaken. What do you mean by 'different?'" Sesshomaru asked suspiciously. Jaken struggled as his Lord dragged him to mid-air at arm's length, until Jaken was level with Sesshomaru's armoured torso. Sesshomaru's eyes flashed dangerously.

"M-most of the servants have rebelled against you Lord Sesshomaru or have run away! I tried to stop them when I arrived but it was no use!" Jaken spluttered, his tiny legs kicking beneath him in an effort to break free.

"Run away from what? Only a fool would run from me when in my service. Speak quickly Jaken and tell me what is happening," Sesshomaru hissed at his vassal ominously. Jaken was having difficulty breathing in Sesshomaru's vice like grip, his faced steadily turned blue as he choked out-

"It…seems the Northern Lands have a new ruler! A d-demon called Tsumetai…"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, but he did not express his surprise at this new development. He had heard on the demonic grapevine of the assassination of the last Northern Lord, killed by one of his own cousins, it was a betrayal for power that was not uncommon when it came to demonic territory. He loosened his grip slightly on Jaken's throat, allowing the toad to converse easier.

"I care not who the new leader of the north is, why would that affect my lands?"

"Because…Because he is attacking us! He has been doing so for a few months now, Tsumetai wants your lands for himself! Tsumetai has laid siege to the Castle as we speak! And-"

Sesshomaru dropped Jaken unceremoniously to the forest floor before leaping in the direction of his father's castle, determined to witness this outrage for himself. His majestic castle was still standing when he burst on to the scene...Just. The scant demons that remained scurried along the high walls constructed with patterns of jade, readying fireballs or lightning bolts in their jaws and claws. Their sharp taloned feet had chipped and eroded the delicate tiling of the walls and the curved rooftops, causing turquoise chips to litter the displays of Lavender and Sunflowers in the gardens. His father's castle had been untouched for centuries, and it angered Sesshomaru to see his own demons ruining its fragile beauty. But that was the least of his problems.

Fire and smoke attracted Sesshomaru's gaze, past the white walls and to the outer grounds that were sliced in two by the river running through it. That usually tranquil stream was now bloated with bodies, diluted blood contaminating the water. The elegant Japanese gardens and wooden bridges had been despoiled and besmirched. In the distance the shadow of a great army loomed closer, the silhouette of ten thousand demons…

Sesshomaru sprang into action, wielding his new sword Bakuseiga in an instant. The sword rang with bloodlust, mirroring its master's rage.

He landed deftly into the frontline of the fighting and released a hefty swing of his mighty sword, sending acid-green demonic energy lurching through enemy lines like unholy lightning. The dog demons own soldiers scuttled away to avoid Bakuseiga's blast as it disintegrated all in its path, destroying the palace gardens further. The screams of the opposing demons filled the air as their blackened bodies cracked and crumbled.

Sesshomaru forced his way through the fleeing crowd, attacking mercilessly with Bakuseiga as he slowly made his way north up the battle field. He could feel the heavy pulse of a great demonic aura, observing unseen behind the enemy ranks. The dog demon sought out the nebulous aura, he whipped past the army to stand before the source of such a strong demonic power.

Stood before him was a blue-haired demon whose white armour was not dissimilar to that of a samurai, although he did not wear a samurai helmet. The demons slanting silver eyes hovered over Sesshomaru appraisingly, a hint of surprise marring the demons self-assured confidence. The demon had stiff, angular features and did not look a day over twenty five.

"Are you the new lord of the Northern Lands?" Sesshomaru asked the stranger in a dangerously neutral voice, all feelings of rage had disappeared from his face despite the volatile emotions still lurking below the exterior. The blue-haired demon held a most unusual sword that looked as though it had been hewn from ice.

"Tsumetai is my preferred name among friends, though I suppose that does not apply to you. YOU must be the dog-king of these lands…I admit I did not expect to find you here. My spies told me you were busy elsewhere, squashing half-blood spiders," Tsumetai said in a high, cold voice that grated like shattered glass. Tsumetai's posture oozed of relaxation and unconcern, as if he did not deem Sesshomaru to be a threat to him at all. Sesshomaru glared at the intruder menacingly, his newly regenerated claw clenching Bakuseiga hard.

"So you have the temerity to invade my lands beneath my very nose, knowing I was occupied elsewhere?" Sesshomaru growled.

"Technically dog-king, your nose has been focused elsewhere for too long. You have left your lands wide open to attack for months on end. Perhaps you should pay more attention to your own domain if you wish to keep hold of it," Tsumetai sneered as he ran a hand through his poker straight cerulean hair. Sesshomaru fought the urge to rip the arrogant demon to shreds.

"MY focus is not your concern. You are nothing more than a usurper and your invasion ends here," A small smile graced Sesshomaru's mouth as he launched the stinging power of Bakuseiga at Tsumetai. The Northern Lord raised his icy sword and large shards of ice erupted from the ground, each the size of a tree. The ice barrier deflected the lime electricity of Sesshomaru's sword. Tsumetai's aura felt odd to Sesshomaru, like it was two forces bound together.

Sesshomaru ignored this oddity and lunged at Tsumetai with a venomous growl. He sent another blast from Bakuseiga his way, the force of the attack caused Tsumetai's ice shield to crack.

'The usurper is trying to deflect Bakuseiga with a shield made of ice, but it is not enough. One more blow will bring the barrier down,' Sesshomaru mused as he readied himself for his third blow. Suddenly the ice shield was wrenched away by Tsumetai himself. Sesshomaru managed to glimpse Tsumetai's sword pointed at his heart as the weakened shield splintered into nothing.

"You would have done better to continue to destroy the spiders of this world Sesshomaru, for I am a far greater foe," Tsumetai said as diamond hard daggers of ice slashed through Sesshomaru's flesh like deadly rain. Sesshomaru clearly perceived Tsumetai's aura as he was cut to pieces.

'It feels like Tsumetai's power is laced with something else…another force I cannot see," Sesshomaru's body was ripped with ice until he could bear it no longer.

Gutted at his swift defeat he transformed into a glowing blue ball of light.

And fled.

Sesshomaru had survived his encounter with Tsumetai and after ferociously fighting every day, they had reached an unsteady stalemate. Tsumetai has gained a third of Sesshomaru's lands with his unprovoked invasion and the Western Lord had been trying to claw it back ever since. Sesshomaru was so immersed in revenge that his visits to Kaede's village to see Rin had lessened lately. He stalked the frost demon in his usual manner, hoping for an opportunity to ambush Tsumetai.

Sesshomaru's recent hunt had been a success and he had found the frost demon skulking in a corner of the Western Lands, hoping to avoid detection and slaughter the demons of that area uninterrupted. Sesshomaru and Tsumetai had fought for hours until they were both forced to retreat before their injuries became fatal.

Later that day, Sesshomaru lay on his bedroll stiffly in his private chambers as Jaken peered at him anxiously. The Western lords exposed chest was riddled with chilblains and deep gashes that Jaken could have sworn were close to the bone. It distressed the toad to see his master in such a delicate state. Frost engulfed Sesshomaru's wounds, preventing his normal healing process.

"Lord Sesshomaru! This ongoing battle between you and that Tsumetai is a disaster," Jaken exclaimed as he edged uncertainly onto the obsidian satin sheets that Sesshomaru had draped himself on top of, covered only by his trailing fur Moko-moko.

Sesshomaru ignored the toad, looking vexed.

Jaken pointed at a particularly nasty gash below Sesshomaru's neck that was decorated with icy particles, chilling the ruined flesh beyond regeneration.

"Look Mi'lord! He's pummelled you!" Jaken yelped unwisely. He was rewarded with a malevolent glare from Sesshomaru and began to splutter in panic.

"Forgive me Lord Sesshomaru! I just mean that your injuries are getting worse every time you fight! I'm not saying you're getting weaker but…er…-"

"Be silent Jaken," Sesshomaru snapped in a voice that stung like his poison whip. He pushed himself into a sitting position, determinedly ignoring the agony he felt in his screaming wounds. Each slash to the skin that Tsumetai had successfully landed refused to close. Sesshomaru's first encounter with the demon three years ago had taken a month to recover from. He felt as useless as a human.

'Even Inuyasha's weakling friends are not hindered by their injuries for this long.'

But that was not all that was bothering the dog-demon.

"Tsumetai is borrowing power from another demon, that's how he is so powerful. Were he to fight unaided I would crush him within minutes," Sesshomaru told his green-skinned vassal.

"What? But how could he do such a thing? No demon in his right mind would lend his strength to another in such a way…It would be safer to fight side by side," Jaken said shaking his head in confusion.

Sesshomaru gazed unfocusedly at his regal bed chamber as he ruminated on this hidden tactic of fighting. Only Naraku had used guerrilla war styles like this and he was long dead. Why would Tsumetai want to hide who he was borrowing demonic power from? Would it not be easier to attack as a couple, he had been in situations like that before.

'One thing is certain, whomever Tsumetai's benefactor of power is, he is unwilling to show himself. Whilst this demon is in the shadows however, I have no hope of defeating Tsumetai alone.'

"Lord Sesshomaru? I have just the thing to please you and take your mind off of things! A letter from Rin arrived at the castle today" Jaken said happily as he produced the crumpled parchment from his brown sleeve. The Western Lord accepted the letter, careful not to rip the delicate paper with his razor sharp nails. Sesshomaru smoothed the message fastidiously before reading:

My Lord

I hope this letter finds you well, I have missed you and Lord Jaken so much! Thank you for the latest kimono you sent me, it really is beautiful. Kaede and Kagome have been teaching me my letters so I was able to write this all by myself!

I was wondering when your next visit would be my Lord. I know you are probably very busy, but it has been a while since you last came to the village. Kaede and the others have been taking good care of me and I have been playing with Kohaku nearly every day. Kaede says one day soon Kohaku and I will be married! I've tried to ask her more about it, but she just told me to stop asking too many questions.

Please come and visit soon lord Sesshomaru!

Rin

The letter was short, crudely written in childish, mis-spelt writing and it was undoubtedly Rin's. Sesshomaru felt a small twinge of guilt pierce his mangled chest, he really had neglected to see Rin for a long time. She was thirteen now, and nearing the realm of womanhood. More than guilt however, he felt alarm at the words Rin had wrote. Marriage? To that young boy Kohaku? Even that meddling harridan Kaede would not make such a young girl get married surely, Rin was much too young for that to even be discussed. IF it ever was discussed, Sesshomaru would certainly not be shunned to the side, like his opinion did not matter.

Perhaps it was time to visit his brother's home and get some answers about this odd letter Rin had sent him.

Sesshomaru climbed to his feet gracefully, stifling a growl of pain as his injuries protested his movement. Jaken jumped up and down in panic.

"Lord Sesshomaru you should rest! What are you getting up for? "Jaken asked in surprise, tugging on Sesshomaru's baggy trousers. Sesshomaru shook him off harshly.

"I will visit Inuyasha and Rin in that impoverished little village they have settled in. YOU Jaken will hold the castle here and ensure Tsumetai does not strengthen his hold in the area. This is my father's castle remember, I will destroy you if you neglect your duty in any way," Sesshomaru commanded as he pulled his upper clothing on, the white silk feeling oddly warm against his chill ridden skin.

"But….But…." Jaken trailed off, overcome by the enormity of what his Lord was asking.

"I will return to the castle in a day's time, do not fail me Jaken. For your sake," Sesshomaru threatened before he rose into the air, slowly drifting down the polished corridors of the castle to the outer gardens and into the sky as clouds permeated around his feet. Inuyasha's village was far and it would take some hours to get there. Luckily Sesshomaru did not need to sleep as often as humans did and could travel ceaselessly.

He would show Rin's letter to Inuyasha and Kaede and interrogate them on its meaning, and he was most certainly not feeling in an understanding mood.

Kumonosu and Hokai: The Wicker clan

In the bowels of the earth a variety of demons made their home, deep in the cavernous depths of Japan. These demons consisted of burrowing demons or snake-like demons that were able to slither unseen in the darkness. Stalactites and stalagmites were the furniture of the underground caves, jutting wetly from the ceiling and ground. It was a complex labyrinth of tunnels and mines that humans did not dare enter.

One of these complex structures belonged to the Wicker clan, a large group of spider demons that guarded their abode jealously from other demons. They called this place Wicker Hollow.

One Wicker spider was next to useless in battle, but if they attacked simultaneously they were a force to be reckoned with. They were a closely knit group of demons with their own ethos on honour and duty. One duty of the Wicker spiders was to always stay with the clan, to leave was to be ostracised for eternity. The spider with the title of The Weaver was the leader of the clan, the spider with the title of The Spinner was the General. These titles of privilege were won by scheming, ambushing and outwitting all other opponents.

The Wicker Clan had a new Spinner named Hokai, who had manipulated his way to the top ruthlessly, causing the deaths of five other Wicker spiders in order to get there. Hokai's achievements had not been without there faults and four of his eight legs were scarred. Those scars would remain indefinitely, preventing the usual thick black hairs from growing. Despite the odd hurts he had received, Hokai was confident that his title was secure. Hokai scuttled to the onyx chamber where there chief, Weaver Kumonosu, resided. Hokai needed his permission for an expedition that had been troubling him for years, but with no status he had had no chance of being listened to.

But now he was a spider to be feared and wary of, Hokai clicked his pincers proudly.

Hokai entered the onyx chamber through one of the upper tunnels, using cushioning cobwebs to climb down into the depths of the chamber, where Weaver Kumonosu waited for him. Surrounded by masses of spider silk. Every so often a webbed bundle would twitch or groan, revealing the presence of live humans waiting to be devoured at Kumonosu's leisure.

Kumonosu's countless black eyes glittered in the shadows as he watched Hokai approach him.

"Congratulations Hokai, may you spin the fate of this clan with poise, deliberation and determination," Kumonosu clicked in greeting. Hokai stopped a respectful distance away, using his back legs to secure himself to the nearby webbing.

"My thanks Weaver Kumonosu, I intend to use my newfound title to bring this clan great power. I have a…proposal to put before you. A proposal that has been my desire for years," Hokai said to his leader. Kumonosu was three times his size with a carapace that was harder than iron and poison glands that could kill in seconds. Hokai himself was the size of a large horse, about average for a Wicker Spider.

"And what desire is this Hokai? Most Spinners do not lead their new prerogative on the first day of their new duties…Is this about your brother Naraku?" Kumonosu asked curiously, his spinners fidgeting in anticipation. Hokai was silent for a time, wondering how he could pitch his idea to The Weaver. Naraku had left the clan years before in a bid to make himself more powerful and was exiled from the clan as a result. Kumonosu himself had banished him to the life of a rogue demon.

Hokai's fangs gnashed together nervously, spittle dripping onto the pristine white webs below him.

"I want to know what became of my brother Naraku, how he became so powerful all those years ago, only to die by the hands of some unknown humans. I would lead the investigation Weaver Kumonosu and then return once I have my answers," Hokai admitted truthfully. This was not all Hokai wanted, not at all, but he was not prepared to divulge that to the Weaver.

"Are you motivated by revenge? We live in the shadows of the world Hokai, we do not chase demons above the ground. Naraku made his choice a long time ago to abandon the clan. What do we care about the cause of his death?" Kumonosu clacked at the Spinner impatiently.

"I intend to kill any of Naraku's murderers that I come across, I would need only four or five spiders to assist me. Naraku's murderers will be complacent after all these years, I doubt they would expect an attack now," Hokai reasoned quickly, his intelligent and fluid mind manipulating the situation subtly.

Kumonosu sighed heavily as he made his way to one of his cocooned prey, his pincers became wet with saliva at the prospect of a good meal.

"Very well Hokai, investigate Naraku's death and find those responsible. But you must make haste, I will give you only ten days. Then you must return to your other duties," Kumonosu said before sinking his fangs into his victim. Half congealed blood trickled from the crystal white webbing. If Hokai had the ability to smile, a devious grin would have settled on his face. His plan was in motion, all he had to do was keep it running order to get what he wanted.

Writers note: Thank you for reading! I've always been a fan of Inuyasha and have enjoyed planning/writing this fanfiction. There may be some story mistakes with this fanfiction that I am not aware of. I have seen the series of Inuyasha but unfortunately I have not seen the movies, so have had to research the ending in order to write this fanfiction.