InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Gathering Word ❯ His Own Path ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are not mine. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Biz. I receive no compensation for fan fiction.

A/N: These stories are exercises in theme, style and structure. Please do not flame based on pairings. If you are going to roast me, I ask that you do it in a constructive manner.

Genre: Introspective

Characters: Sesshomaru, Jaken

Warning: None

Rating: PG

Summary: The end of one empire is the beginning of another...

 

His Own Path

 

There is smoke and ash and a tangible emptiness where he knows there should be loss. Sesshomaru, firstborn son of the Dog General, gazes upon the smoldering remains of his father's once-great kingdom and feels nothing for the lost courtesans or elaborate palaces, only the heady rush of his own power.

 

'I will build my own kingdom,' he thinks haughtily as he gazes into the burning sky, 'and it will be even mightier than yours, father.'

 

His sire's vassals turn to him now, but he will have none of them. "My father is dead," he says, "find your own way." Sesshomaru will not follow in the footsteps of a ghost.

 

When the imp trails after him, following for several days, he decides that he is worthy. Sesshomaru tosses the gnarled staff of skulls at the tiny yokai. "If you can use it," he says enigmatically, "it is yours." This creature has followed because he wants to follow Sesshomaru, not the son of the Inu No Taisho. Jaken is small, but with the staff he is powerful, and takes care of the lesser tasks that Sesshomaru cannot be bothered with.

 

'My empire has to start somewhere,' he thinks as Jaken's eyes shimmer with unadulterated adoration. The imp clutches the staff to his breast, and hurries after the young lord's shadow.