InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Even more shocking events ( Chapter 47 )

Chapter Forty-Seven:

Even More Shocking Events

Kagome stared in shock as the rolled to the ground with a thud. Mouth agape Kagome looked at the still body on the ground. Horrified brown eyes looked over at Sesshomaru. Tears glittered in her eyes. She walked over to the demon as he sheathed his sword. Looking him in the eyes she asked,

"What have you done?"

Sesshomaru turned away, almost rolling his eyes at the display of emotion.

"You worry needlessly. Calm yourself, Kagome, such emotion is not healthy for the pup," he said.

Confused at his words and more than a little angry, she opened her mouth, preparing to lay into him when suddenly he turned in flash of movement, razor sharp claws slashing through a thick tree.

The tree toppled over and a dark figure leapt from its branches. The figure landed a distance away from the tree. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. Sarinji stood alive and well, aside from some wounds here and there, his head was definitely attached to his shoulders.

Kagome felt as though she'd have a heart attack. She turned, looking over at the body on the floor.

The body on the ground had turned black. As a breeze swept through the clearing, the body dispersing in a cloud of black dust.

She looked back at Sarinji.

"A substitution technique," Sesshomaru said.

"Aye, it is called; Sly Wolf," Ensei said, "It is a hard technique to master and is only passed on to those who show potential in their youth. I did not know you had knowledge of such a technique,"

Sarinji raised a brow.

"It is not something you would know," Sarinji responded.

Kagome sighed in relief. She was relieved, not only that she was pissed off. She'd had more than enough of both of them. She stepped forward, hands on hips.

"No more. I've had enough of this. You two have to stop this nonsense before someone really does end up dead," she said angrily.

Sesshomaru said nothing as he unsheathed his sword again and began walking in Sarinji's direction.

"Did you hear me?" she called after him in anger, following after him.

Sarinji pulled his own sword, his eyes locked on Sesshomaru. Kagome latched onto Sesshomaru's arm, digging her feet into the ground.

"I said stop it!" she said.

Sesshomaru stopped, amber eyes narrowing on her. Kagome glared back.

"Just stop it already! Enough is enough," she said glaring at both of them.

His eyes wandered over to the two soldiers standing near Kagura.

"Take her back inside while this Sesshomaru fights,"

The soldiers came to attention instantly.

"Yes sir," they said in unison.

Kagome turned, pinning the soldiers with a glare. Before the situation could get any worse, Ensei stepped forward.

"Please my Lord, let things be as they are. I promise that this will not happen again," he said bowing.

"I do not need you to defend me Ensei," Sarinji growled.

"Please my Lord, I give you my word it will not happen again," Ensei continued, ignoring Sarinji.

"Ensei-"Sarinji started.

"If an incident such as this occurs again, this Sesshomaru shall not be merciful. This is your final warning,"

Sarinji growled in anger. The hell it wouldn't happen again. Who the fuck did that pup think he was? Sarinji would be damned if he let that bastard dictate to him. Before he could get in a word, Sesshomaru turned, swept Kagome into his arms and leapt upward, disappearing into the darkening sky.

The soldiers retreated as well, leaving Kagura, Ensei and Sarinji alone. Ensei clenched his fists in anger as he approached Sarinji. Drawing back his fist, he lashed out. Sarinji caught his fist before it could connect.

Sarinji narrowed his eyes at him.

"Just what the hell are you trying to do Sarinji?" he hissed, "This obsession you have for Lady Kagome has gone on long enough. This foolishness has to stop now! You are not a pup anymore, nor can you ever be again. It is no longer an option,"

"You think I do not know that?" he responded, pushing his hand away.

Sarinji paced away from the man, his own fists clenched.

"Do not meddle in my affairs again, Ensei," he said.

Kagura walked over to Ensei as Sarinji walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome looked out the window with a sigh. It was such a beautiful day today. The sun was shinning, however, a few fluffy clouds dimmed it significantly, making it nice and cool outside.

Kagome hated too much heat, but with the clouds blocking most of the sun, it was surely the perfect temperature right now. She wanted to be out in that perfect weather, she wanted to start a garden. Sure there were plenty of gardens around the castle; however, she wanted to create a blue rose garden like the one back in the Northern lands. She wasn't sure how well roses grew in the Western lands, but she was itching to find out.

They had been back in the western lands for two days now. After the incident with Lord Sarinji, Sesshomaru had decided it was best to return home sooner than later, stating that the soldiers in the Northern lands did not seem capable of following his orders as his own soldiers were.

So three days later, they had all returned to the Western castle. Kagome would have preferred to have stayed in the Northern castle; however, Sesshomaru was not in a compromising mood at the moment.

Speaking of which…

She looked over at said demon. He was sitting behind a large oak desk, a rather impressive stack of scrolls sitting neatly on one end of the desk. His silver head was bent over various scrolls and documents. Dipping his feather into black ink, he began writing on the white scrolls, his movements meticulous and graceful.

Kagome sighed again and looked out the window once more.

"If you are bored, there are plenty of books in the adjacent room,"

Kagome turned back to Sesshomaru who was still bent over his documents. She didn't want to read, and he damn well knew that. She wanted to go outside, or to speak with Kagura for a while, not be confined to the room with nothing to do but stare out the window.

But every since they had arrived, Sesshomaru had kept her close to him, allowing her to be alone only when she napped, or went to relieve herself. With Sarinji underfoot, he didn't really allow her to walk freely. It was a sort of punishment for interfering in between the fight after promising not to. Kagome took it in stride, trying not to get too angry with him; so far, she had not been very successful. In the last two days, they had gotten into more arguments than they had in a week.

"I do not want to read right now," she said testily.

Sesshomaru didn't even look up at her as he closed the document he had been writing on, then pulled out another scroll and began writing.

"Then cease that noise," he said.

Kagome narrowed her eyes.

"What noise?" she asked between clenched teeth, though she already suspected the noise he was speaking of.

"Your sighs,"

Her brow twitched in anger.

"Well you won't let me go anywhere or do anything, so there's nothing to do to but sigh and stare out the window,"

"You know well why you are being restricted,"

"I broke the promise, I know that. I said I'm sorry! You don't have to keep throwing it in my face," she huffed turning back to the window.

Sesshomaru said nothing as he continued to write. Kagome sighed again. No one could ever accuse him of being too soft hearted. The two sat in silence. Minutes ticked by, hours passed. Kagome thought she would go crazy from boredom. Just as she made the decision to jump from the window and out to freedom, there was a knock at the door.

She turned to the door.

"Enter," Sesshomaru said.

The door opened and Toramaru entered.

"Excuse the interruption, Sesshomaru, Kagome,"

Sesshomaru said nothing, his eyes and attention still glued to the paper. Toramaru looked over at Kagome, offering a smile. She looked over at Sesshomaru then back at Toramaru.

'Help me' she mouthed to him.

Toramaru raised a brow, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"Might I borrow Lady Kagome for a while?" Toramaru asked.

"For what purpose?" Sesshomaru asked, grabbing another scroll from the stack.

"Shusui is here. She wishes to meet with Lady Kagome,"

Sesshomaru looked up at him.

"Shusui?"

Toramaru nodded.

"Aye, she arrived just this morning,"

"Who is Shusui?" Kagome asked from her place by the window.

"He will explain it to you," Sesshomaru still engrossed in his work.

That was permission enough for Kagome to leave. Wasting no time, she stood and walked over to Toramaru. Leaving Sesshomaru busy with his work, the two left the study. As soon as they were out of the room Kagome breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for that," she said to Toramaru as they walked down the hall.

Toramaru smiled in amusement. He was well aware of what had occurred in the Northern lands. He was quite surprised to say the least. His nephew was not one to be lenient, nor merciful. Why Sarinji still breathed was a mystery to him. Even his big brother InuTaisho would not have been that tolerant.

He'd murder the male that looked at Izaoi with want, let alone openly displayed such feelings. The only logical explanations he could come up with were:

Killing Sarinji could cause upset between the Western lands and the Eastern lands, even if the killing was justified.

Killing Sarinji would cause Kagome distress. Stress in her condition was dangerous in any shape or form.

The answer was probably both. The two walked down the stairs and out the double doors. Once out back, they headed for the garden.

"It is no problem, though, to be truthful; I had come to retrieve you before you asked for help,"

"To meet this Shusui woman right?" she asked.

"Aye,"

"Who is this Shusui?" Kagome asked as they neared the garden.

"Toramaru-sama!" a voice called out in excitement.

Kagome looked to see a woman standing up from a white table. The table was set with various foods, all of which were raw and bloody. Kagome felt her stomach growl as the smell drifted to her nose. She turned her attention back to the woman. She was really beautiful. She was about Kagome's height; maybe a bit taller, dark brown hair pined up in a beautiful complex hair style, luminous brown eyes, light makeup enhancing her looks. She wore an extravagant kimono. It was the most beautiful clothing she had ever seen. So many bright vibrant colors. On anyone else, the outfit would look flashy, but on her, it looked natural. Kagome's impression of the woman was that she seemed to be bustling with energy.

"Shusui, you are as lovely as ever," Toramaru said with a smile.

"As do you," Shusui said.

Turning her attention to Kagome, she gasped.

"Is this her?" she asked in excitement.

Kagome took a step back in surprise as the woman glided up to her, her face nose to nose with her own. Reaching out, she took Kagome's cheeks in her hands, turning her face from side to side, looking her over.

"Ohhhh! She is as beautiful as Izaoi-sama!" she exclaimed.

"Aye, she is,"

Kagome blinked up at the woman, too shocked to say anything. Turning her attention from her face, Shusui moved her hands to her belly, feeling the slight bulging of her belly. Kagome's face turned bright red.

"Ohhh, this one's going to be something special, I can feel it," she declared smiling up at Toramaru.

"Indeed. I do not doubt you, Shusui," Toramaru said.

Finally the woman took a step back, her wandering hands enfolded into the sleeves of her kimono.

"Where are my manners?" she wondered with a giggle, "I am Shusui. I am the Hoikushi for all children born of the Western lands. I've been serving the as Hoikushi for generations. I've recently been Hoikushi for individuals of a lower class, however, with a new addition to the royal family, I've returned and am ready to serve the royal family again," she finished excitedly.

Kagome could only stare at the woman. She was really something to behold.

Though she looked no older than thirty, she was centuries old. A little younger than Toramaru though not by much. Shusui had been his Hoikushi, even though she was a bit younger than he had been at the time. She came from a long line of Hoikushi, so tradition had won out over age differences. However he thought of her more as a mother than a younger sister.

"Shusui will be assisting you throughout your pregnancy, as well as with the pup when born," Toramaru explained, "It is an age old tradition. Shusui will be a great source of information as well. She has overseen many pregnancies over the years. Any questions you have, she can answer,"

"Nice to meet you Shusui," Kagome said with a bow.

Shusui reached out for Kagome's hand, pulling her over to the white table.

"Come, my Lady. You must be quite hungry," she said.

Kagome looked back at Toramaru, who only smiled back at her, those damned amber eyes twinkling with blatant amusement.

"Ladies, if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you two to get to know each other,"

With a bow, he turned and walked away. Kagome took a seat on one of the chairs, Shusui sat across from her.

"I understand that you prefer uncooked meats and vegetables, please, have some," she said with a bright smile, gesturing to the food on the plate in front of her.

Kagome's stomach growled. She had just eaten an hour ago and already she felt as though she was starving. It seemed like she was always hungry.

"Thank you," she said, reaching over to pick up the chopsticks.

Picking up a cut of the bloody meat with her chopsticks, she popped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise. It was delicious! Chewing happily, she picked up another piece.

"Rinjiki seasoning," Shusui said.

Swallowing, Kagome wiped her mouth.

"Rinjiki seasoning?" she asked.

"The seasoning. It is a special seasoning passed down from my great, great grandmother. Raw meat is soaked in a pot of blood and Rinjiki seasoning for two hours, it enhances the natural seasoning."

"It's delicious," Kagome said picking up another piece.

"I am so glad you are enjoying the food," she said with another of those bright smiles.

Once the meat was gone, Kagome turned her hungry eyes to the vegetables. Those too had been sprinkled with Rinjiki seasoning. Kagome made short work of those. By the time she was done, she felt more stuffed than she ever had in the last couple of days. Every time she ate it seemed to go right through her. Within an hour, sometimes less, she would be hungry again.

"The Rinjiki seasoning makes foods more filling," she said.

"Thank you for the meal, I really enjoyed it,"

"I am glad. I will be sure to inform the cooks on how to prepare your meals from now own," she said.

"Thank you," Kagome said again, "How long have you been a Hoikushi?"

"Hmm," Shusui thought to herself, tapping her lips with a finger, "Almost as long as Toramaru has been alive,"

"So you were Sesshomaru's Hoikushi?"

Shusui nodded.

"Ohhh he was a lovely child,"

Kagome raised a brow. Sesshomaru? A lovely child? She couldn't even think of him as a child let alone a lovely child.

"Really?" she asked.

"Oh indeed. He was a quiet one, but he was well behaved and sweet,"

"Well behaved and sweet…" she repeated doubtfully.

Shusui nodded.

"Never gave me any trouble until his mother died and Izaoi-sama moved in," she sighed, "Though I cannot blame him."

She shook her head sadly.

"I have no idea what InuTaisho was thinking bringing Izaoi into the castle so soon after his mother died. He loved Izaoi, we all knew that, but Sesshomaru didn't. He hadn't understood the relationship his mother and father had. Even now that he does understand, he will never forgive his father for that,"

She hadn't known his father had done such a thing.

"How terrible," Kagome said.

"Aye, Sesshomaru-sama was never the same after that,"

"What about InuYasha,"

Shusui huffed.

"I've never met such a child that got into so much mischief!" she said with a laugh.

Kagome smiled, she figured as much.

"He was such a curious child, getting into the most ridiculous situations. He drove InuTaisho-sama up the wall,"

Kagome could believe that. InuYasha seemed to be the type even now.

"What sort of ridiculous situations?" Kagome asked.

"Well when he was six years old…."

Hours passed as Shusui told her tale after tale of InuYasha's many misfortunes and slip ups. Kagome didn't think she had ever laughed so hard in her life. Some of the stories she told her were just plain shocking. Kagome stored them away for future reference. When InuYasha got out of line, she'd blast him with an embarrassing tale from his wayward childhood.

"InuTaisho-sama was not pleased to say the least," Shusui finished.

Kagome giggled.

"I can understand why," she said.

The two quieted as Sesshomaru walked in. Shusui stood, a smile on her face.

"Sesshomaru-sama, it is so wonderful to see you," she said.

Sesshomaru bowed slightly.

"Shusui," he acknowledged briefly before turning to Kagome, "It is time for dinner,"

Kagome stood up and turned to Shusui, a smile in place.

"I had a wonderful time, Shusui. I hope to see you again,"

"Aye, you will, Kagome-sama. There are many things that need to be done before the birth of the child, so you will be seeing much of me,"

Kagome smiled.

"I look forward to it,"

Kagome knelt in the dirt, pulling weeds near her roses.

She smiled.

They would bloom this year. They were still little sprouts in the ground, but with the fertilizer she'd spread on the ground, the growing process would progress faster. Standing, she picked up her tools and headed inside to wash up. She giggled to herself. If Shusui knew she was out here getting her hands dirty, and lifting things, she'd be in big trouble.

Shusui was wonderful, and a great source of information on not only pregnancies, but Inu youkai's in general. However, Shusui was into proper protocol. Proper protocol this, proper protocol that.

The pregnant female remaining rested, pampered and well fed was proper protocol.

Avoiding any type of physical labor and staying off your feet was tradition.

Staying indoors was proper protocol.

Kagome rolled her eyes.

She didn't think proper protocol was exactly a bad thing, but here was no way in hell she could stay inside all day and not be able to do anything but sit on her bum. Shusui had gone down stairs to make sure her meals were being prepared correctly as she had been for the past two weeks, and seeing an opening, Kagome had slipped from the bedroom, found a servant for gardening material. Once the materials had been obtained, she had come out to the garden to weed and water the blue roses she had been able to plant a week before.

As she walked into the castle to return the tools to the servant who retrieved them for her, Kagome's mind could not help but wonder when and if she would have her vision. She'd been waiting for almost three weeks. Next week was the last week, after that she could no longer search for the last amulet, and she was more than a little worried. If only she knew how to trigger a vision, but they seemed to come at random.

She sighed.

There was nothing more she hated than feeling helpless and powerless. But what could she do? She didn't know how to trigger a vision on command. She found the servant near the kitchens, and returned the materials with a thanks. As she turned, an ominous feeling crawled over her. A tingle went up her spine.

'Someone is watching me,' she though to herself.

This feeling, she knew feeling. She had felt it before. Sighing in defeat she turned to face the executioner. Shusui stood a few feet away, arms crossed, foot tapping. Her brown eyes said it all.

She was not pleased.

Turning, she headed upstairs without saying a word. Head hanging, Kagome followed. No wonder Sesshomaru had decided to cut her punishment short. Shusui was sweet, but just as strict as Sesshomaru.

The two headed up to Kagome's bedroom. Once inside, Kagome took a seat on the window seat and waited. She didn't have to wait long.

"Gardening?" Shusui started, "Such things are not done Kagome-sama. Not for a pregnant female of your station. Look at your kimono,"

Kagome looked down at the blue silk kimono. Grass and dirt stains were smeared into the delicate materials. Shusui took one of her hands, a funny look on her face.

"And your hands," she said.

Kagome looked at her hands as well. They were dirty, the nails caked with dirt. Kagome giggled at her face.

"One's hands have to get dirty when gardening, Shusui,"

"Really, Kagome-sama, you take this so lightly. A female pregnant with a royal pup should not be outside, dirtying herself with such a back breaking task such as gardening. It is not proper protocol,"

"I know-"

"Why I remember the days when a female knew the proper protocol for carrying a pup of such a high station. What has this world come to that proper protocol is no longer valued?"

Kagome giggled. Shusui was always bemoaning the lack of respect for proper protocol in this day and age, though she was never serious.

Shusui smiled, tugging on her hand.

"Come, my Lady. Let's get you all cleaned up," she said leading her to the bathroom.

Once inside, Kagome undressed and stepped into the hot water. At first, Kagome had been a bit uncomfortable being watched while bathing, but after a few days, she had eventually gotten over it. Shusui made her feel comfortable, although, she never got to the point of letting her bathe her body, she allowed her to wash her hair or clean her nails, anything else Kagome cleaned herself.

Shusui took a seat behind Kagome. Picking up a wooden bucket, she dipped it into the water and poured it over her hair, careful not to let the water wet her face. Once done, she picked up a container of liquid soap and poured a healthy does into her hand. Rubbing her hands together, she made her hands soapy before applying the soap to her thick dark hair, massaging gently. Kagome purred in contentment. She loved when Shusui washed her hair. She was very gentle and soothing.

"Such pretty hair, did you inherit it from your mother?" Shusui asked.

"I”m not sure, mother had dark hair and so did my father," Kagome said.

“Ah,”

"What was Sesshomaru's mother like?" Kagome asked.

"Lady Kaori? Oh she was a wonderful lady. She loved Sesshomaru to death and he her,"

"I understand there were some mysterious circumstances surrounding her death," Kagome said.

"Aye," she said rinsing her hair with the bucket of water, "As you know, InuTaisho-sama and Kaori-sama's relationship was not a love match. They were fond of each other, but not in that way. They had decided to live their love life separate, something unheard of between Inu Youkai, but some how, they made it work. InuTaisho fell in love with Izaoi, and Kaori fell in love with a gentleman by the name of Yushun."

"Yushun."

"Aye, he was a handsome one and the most mysterious male I've ever met. Nothing is known about him, where he came from, who he is, nothing. At the time of his arrival, no one questioned him, no one really paid attention to him. I mean they paid attention, but not on a deeper level. No one investigated his life,"

"Not even Sesshomaru's father?"

"Nay, InuTaisho was too busy with Izaoi to really notice. At first, everything was wonderful. Kaori was happy with Yushun. Then something happened. Kaori seemed to become fearful of him, of everything and everyone. She had frequent nightmares, she stopped eating, she stopped sleeping, and day after day she seemed to get sicker and sicker. She was wasting away before our very eyes," she said sadly, tears glistening in her eyes, "Weeks passed, and nothing seemed to help. She isolated herself from everyone and every thing, even Sesshomaru,"

Shusui rung out Kagome's dripping wet hair, combing her fingers through her hair.

"Yushun visited her everyday. He was the only one she allowed near her bedside. Then one day, she closed her eyes and never opened them again,"

"How horrible,"

"Aye," she said as she began to clean Kagome's finger nails, "After she died and her body was laid to rest in the royal mausoleum, Yushun disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Some people suspect Yushun was involved, but they were never able to obtain proof. Yushun was gone,"

"That is very suspicious," Kagome agreed.

The two finished up and left the bathing facility. Kagome put on a new kimono and sat down at her vanity while Shusui began to brush her hair. Kagome sat quietly as her hair was brushed and styled. Shusui was good with hair.

Kagome closed her eyes as the soft bristles of the brush ran through her hair. Her mind began to drift.

She suddenly felt very weightless.

She opened her eyes, expecting to see her face reflected back from her vanity mirror. It was not so. What greeted her was a hall. A hall with walls painted with crimson dark blood. She looked down the dark hall. Bodies littered the floor, their face twisted into anguished expressions. Without a moment's hesitation, she began to walk down the hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagura lay on Ensei's lap, eyes closed, enjoying the peace and quiet. Ensei gently stroked her hair back, his thoughts far away. Kagura opened her eyes, watching his solemn face. His eyes were serious, which was not like him. Around her, he was always carefree and warm, but after the incident with Lord Sarinji he often stared into space, his mind preoccupied. Reaching up, she touched a finger to the wrinkle in his forehead. He looked down at her, the seriousness clearing from his eyes, replaced by a warmer look.

"Do not frown so, wrinkles do not suit you," Kagura said.

Ensei smiled.

"Aye, they do not," he said leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Kagura sighed. They had gotten so close in the past month. He understood her in ways no one ever had. He made her laugh, he made her smile, he made her stomach turn over and knot with just a simple gesture. It was amazing. This whole experience was amazing.

He was amazing.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Ensei sighed.

"I know not what drives that male to do what he does. I don't understand it," he said heatedly, "He risks all for a dream, for something that could never be. Why? Why put his life in jeopardy? The well being of his people,"

Kagura sat up, scooting next to him. She looked up at the bright sky, leaning against his shoulder.

"For a dream," she said.

Ensei looked over at her.

"A dream?"

"Yes," she said smiling softly, "A dream, something that may never come true and yet it gives you hope inside. At times, it is the only thing that keeps you going, the only thing that gives your life meaning,"

"But if that is so, then a dream should not add more danger to a person's life. Why chase a dream that could potentially get you killed?"

"Sometimes in life there are risks that a person has to take,"

"But why? It is only a dream,"

Kagura closed her eyes, wrapping her arm around his, she leaned into his chest. His heart beat strong and steady against her ear.

"To be closer to that dream. It is okay if you can never obtained that dream, but to be close to it, to reach for it, that is the purpose of risking all, and though you may not understand, it is worth it,"

They sat in silence for long moments, a gentle breeze ruffling their hair and clothing. Reaching over, he caressed her cheek.

"And what about you Kagura?" he asked softly.

She turned to him in confusion.

"What about me?" she asked.

"What is your dream?"

Kagura reached up, stroking back his hair. She loved when he left it loose around his shoulders. It made him look so wild, so free. Softly she ran her fingers through the fine strands of his hair. Sitting here with him, being with him, this was her dream. She was living her dream. But she couldn't tell him that. Knowing him, he would ask what risks she was taking to live that dream. She just could not tell him the truth. She had to keep taking risks; she had to keep her dream alive as long as possible.

Leaning up, she touched her lips to his and within seconds, his question no longer mattered.

Not to her or to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshomaru stood from his desk, closing the last scroll and setting it down. Finally his desk was clear, paper work requiring his permission and signature had been piling up, and he had been working none stop to complete the work for the last two weeks. Finally finished with paper work for today, he headed down to the Great Hall. The rest of his afternoon would be spent listening to disputes, marriage proposals between the towns' people and other such things.

He had not been able to settle disputes since he had left.

Before he could even enter the room, raised voice met his ears. He raised a brow. Raised voices in his castle? Had he really been gone that long that his people had forgotten how to show him proper respect?

"Them fucking crops belong me and well ye know it!" a voice shouted.

Apparently he had been gone too long if a peasant was shouting such language in his castle. As he approached the double doors leading into the Hall, the two soldiers stationed at the doors bowed before opening the doors. Peasants crowded the room, arguing amongst each other, seemingly unaware of his presence or they didn't care. He preferred to think it was the former rather than the latter; he damn sure didn't want to have to slaughter them all.

His soldiers were among the yelling individuals. With so many peasants in the Hall at one time, it was hard to gain control. Walking past the chaos, he went to take a seat in his chair. He sat watching, eyes narrowed, an emotionless expression gracing his face. It was not long before one of the arguing soldiers noticed him.

"L-Lord Sesshomaru," he said in surprise.

The crowd instantly quieted, turning their attention to Lord Sesshomaru. The room was as silent as tomb. Seeing the disapproval in his eyes, everyone bowed, offering apologies.

"You will present yourselves in an orderly manner or no disputes will be heard this day," Sesshomaru informed the crowd.

"Yes sir," they said in unison.

The peasants and soldiers moved to obey, none wanting to piss off their Lord even worse than they already had.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for the reviews:

Laters

~Sessakag