InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Conflicts, Conceit & Compassion ❯ Prologue Part I ( Prologue )
Conflicts, Conceit & Compassion
(A Sesshomaru Tale)
By:Tokia.)
Prologue Part I:
Beyond the region of the living, and above the dimension of the dead, there existed an assembly of beasts and legends which, in all it's time, the world had never seen such a magnificent gathering of untraditional guardians with their knowledge and wisdom. The aura in itself that oozed off them had grand power as they watched the earth with a consistent glare at the events that were soon to pass, and the results that were to be.
"The time draws neigh Inutaishou, do you feel they are ready?"
"Yes, they are ready to begin. The young one has matured greatly, whereas it is the elder of whom I am concerned . . ."
"Yes, the elder showed promise, and gave us false hope . . . tell us Inutaishou, how do you intend to overcome him?" said another, this time to his left.
"Do not worry, I shall."
"Inutaishou, I have great faith in your judgment, but where the younger is considerably weaker in strength and skill, the elder has a heart with a core of ice which, I believe, could not be melted, even if thrown into the utmost part of the sun."
"To melt a heart, one does not need the heat of the sun . . . but the fervor, from the heart of another. Do not fear. I know what it is I must do. Have faith comrades, because it all starts tonight."
Japan,2003:
"A.J. don't forget, the night of the dinner is only a few days away, you must be there for eight sharp."
"Don't worry, I'll be there!" said the athletically dressed girl as she rode off towards the city. A.J. was in the young stages of her womanhood; her beauty was natural and her attitude was often called magnetic. *I swear, with all that attention you would believe her to be my mother.* thought the girl in a jest. "Maybe I should promote her form my friend to my guardian." She then laughed aloud.
The city was conveniently close to where she stayed so she never had a problem whenever making little trips. "I wonder if I forgot anything?" she asked herself as she pulled her bike to the side "I hope I didn't forget anything." she said again as she reached into her overnight backpack and began her search. For some reason A.J. never left the house without her pack of supplies, *You never know when you'll need them* she would say to herself.
"Hum, let's see . . ." she continued "underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste . . ." she started not caring about the strange looks she was receiving from passersby.
>HONK HONK<
"Hey! Anya! Need a ride?" sung Tario from his truck.
"Damn." She whispered turning around to face the owner of the annoying voice behind her. "How many times have I told you . . . DO NOT call me by THAT name."
"Aw come on An . . ." One swift strike stopped his words dead in their tracks. Holding his throbbing jaw, he sat looking at the now annoyed Anya-Josephine and wondered why he persistently taunted her. "Your lucky I'm a good friend A.J. . . ." he stressed, "come on. Toss the bike on the back of the truck and get in."
Now, a little calmer, Anya decided to accept the ride from her enduring friend. "Thanks . . . and it wasn't that hard."
"What's the big deal with your name anyway? I've known you most of my life and I think your name is beautiful . . . the question is, why don't you like it?"
Anya looked at her friend who was driving with one hand because the other was preoccupied with babying his jaw. "I like my name, but . . . you wouldn't understand my reasons."
"Try me!" Tario chuckled as if it was impossible for him not to understand her every thought.
"Well . . ." said Anya deciding `what the hec', "I'm waiting for the one who can remind me . . . that I'm a woman." she said with a bit of hesitation. "I mean, you have to admit, I'm not exactly the little miss girlly girl that my name suggest."
Tario looked at his friend in awe for a brief moment before speaking, it was certainly the first time he realized she wanted the delicacy and softness that he thought she always shunned. "Um . . . okay!" he said knowing not what else to say at that moment. "I'm not helping am I?" Anya gave him a depressed look; he couldn't even see her with a desire like that. "Look, there's nothing wrong with what you want . . . I just thought that you hated feeling weak, helpless and stuff like that."
"I told you that you wouldn't understand." She said wearily while looking at the setting sun.
"So maybe I didn't, but you can help me understand."
Tario was usually a laid back person who allowed nothing to get to him by never taking things seriously, therefore, his tone of concern convinced her to explain, even if only to ease his mind. "What I want is not to feel weak and helpless." She said with a sigh. "What I want my friend, is to feel safe." Glimpsing over to Tario, Anya noticed he was still confused, *Damn.* She thought, *I hoped he wouldn't need an explanation . . . anyhow.* Sighing she continued her words aloud, "Have you ever noticed, in a home, or anywhere, the man is usually the provider, protector and source of strength? A good man has his wife there for support and comfort. I mean, of course she could and should be strong, I've never known a man who does not have his weak points . . . nor do I want a man with no weak points, then I would be useless. I can be . . . no! I AM as submissive as (if not more than) any other woman to her husband. I am compassionate and full of life to share and to give . . ." she said with strength, but after another sigh, her tone softened and her eyelids tenderly rested upon each other. "My problem is, how can that happen for me if men find me too firm, to capable of protecting and providing for myself . . . it intimidates them. They begin to think that they will have no purpose and feel like less of what their supposed to be. I want my guy to have no doubts in his ability to protect and provide for me. I want him to know that I am well capable of supporting him and I want to be delicate and soft compared to whoever he is; that's why I will not make believe I'm something I'm not, nor will I lower my intelligence level or my physical competence to meet his requirements. Don't get me wrong, I did not push my mental and physical capabilities so they could be demeaned, I did it because I hunger for knowledge, physically however, I just never want to be useless . . . you know, the excess baggage that holds nothing valuable. I hate the helpless girl gig. I also like the feel and idea of being a strong woman; I just want a man that's stronger . . . emotionally and physically with the ability to challenge my intellect."
"Yea! You are pretty argumentative!"
During a brief pause, a thought slipped its way into Anya's mind causing her facial expression to change from the humor of her friends comment. "Tario, is my physique manly?"
The astonished Tario had been parked in the front of the comic store for some time now, not only did he know his friend would want to stop here, but he also needed to fully concentrate on the words that escaped from A.J.'s lips. Such susceptibility was certainly uncharted territory in this particular woman and it honored him to witness it. In the meantime, dread grasped Anya as she feared her appearance was much too strong. "It is, isn't it Tario?" she asked depressingly.
Snapping out of his amazement, the young man began to examine the physique of his friend. Anya was far from the form of a man and, as he examined, he took much pleasure. Her skin was a fine brown tone, *Caramel* he thought. Anya's body would easily mislead one into thinking she was not much more than helpless. Her muscles while well toned were also lean and would effortlessly compliment any female figure. The way each one was well balanced along with the soft, smooth appearance of her skin, gave the illusion of a naturally firm body. Tario, however, decided not to stop there. Tario went on to notice the delicate form of her hands and the gentle curve of her face. Her lips were full, light and soft and possessed a pinkness that she always flattered with a hint of clear lip gloss. Makeup wasn't really her strong hold. Anya's eyes were another story, beautiful crystals of golden hazel with a fiery passion and life all their own. The hair on her head was full of long, soft curls that would bounce, with the movement of her body and dance, with the change of the wind. Altogether, it seemed as if every part of her body had a life of its own. Her skin, soft, firm and radiant, her swaying tresses and dancing eyes were simply too much for Tario, who began seeing her in ways he never before had, and thinking thoughts that had never been in even the deepest parts of his mind. *How could I have missed it?* he thought, *All this time . . . my climbing and sparring partner. My best friend and accomplace in crime . . . I've always seen the buddy, but, how could I have missed . . . the woman? How could I have missed the sweetest substance that water couldn't melt . . . damn . . . I don't believe I've never seen the woman. Even her voice is mesmerizing, and I missed it.* Leaning back in his chair, Tario closed his eyes and clasped both hands over his face; "ARUGH!" was the stifled scream he gave before once again looking at her. "No. A.J., you're strong and your beautiful . . . even the blind can see that." *So, where does that leave me.*
Anya gave a sweet, relieved smile and without thinking, hugged her friend in gratitude. "Thanks Tario." She said softly and released the embrace in which she held him. "I really appreciate it."
"Yeah! Yeah!" shrugged Tario as he forced back the flushed emotions that were developing. "Now come on, the comic store is near to closing."
"Oh, right!" she said before moving out of and around the car. Everything seemed to pass in slow motion for Tario, who cursed his blindness one more time before following.
It wasn't long before A.J. found what she was looking for at the comic store and Tario had her to the place where she meant to stay. The night had not lasted long; Anya had gone to bed without supper, curled up with her latest Inuyasha manga and flipped through the pages before reading as she always did. *Strong, proud, intelligent and honorable . . . you would more than remind me of my identity wouldn't you?* she thought hidden in the darkness, while looking at an image *But you're not real . . . Sesshomaru.*
(Japan: Warring Ages)
In the mist, he sensed the presence of another. As if it wasn't bad enough that the mist was of unnatural phenomena that confused his keen senses, he also was not sure if his unseen company was friend or foe. "Who's there?" asked Sesshomaru with an unshaken voice. He was sure his strong and threatening tone would scare the fool out of hiding, *What?* he thought when the silence was broken only by a steady breathing that seemed to come from every direction. *The mist . . . is it alive?* a reality gripped him, if his suspicions were correct; he had no other method of defense besides deep meditation. *If the mist is infact alive, then it must be the aura of a physical being.* "Mist!" roared the demon prince, "Show yourself . . . GUTTLESS WHELP!"
The silence continued.
Now agitated, Sesshomaru sent out a blast of psychic energy to scatter his now decided enemy, or at least make some space between them both.
"You have grown strong young one." Said a voice slightly amused.
"WHO ARE YOU?! SHOW YOURSELF!" roared the prince sorely in the distaste of being taken lightly. The voice immediately broke into a hearty laughter which echoed the span, ringing in Sesshomaru's ears, frolicking in his mind and taunting his authority. "I'LL HAVE NO MORE OF THIS! . . . SHOW YORSELF COWARD!" he challenged. The mist then began to take form, but remained as a bright light to be unrecognizable.
"So, it's your desire to challenge my power?" Sesshomaru said nothing, but bared his claws now oozing poison. "As you wish, pup."
Sesshomaru's face showed no expression but inside he had a problem controlling the anger broiling within him. *I'll make him pay for his disrespect . . . he WILL learn to fear and respect Sesshomaru, Prince of The Western Lands, son of the Great Dog Demon of the West.* Charging at the figure, Sesshomaru slashed viciously at his abdomen barely missing. *So, this fight may be worth something . . . most back away from my claws and end up caught in my kick . . . he saw it coming . . . and avoided it . . . I will not underestimate him again.* Reaching for the sword forged from one of Naraku's incarnates, Sesshomaru discovered it was not there. *What!* he gasped, "Arrugh!" he felt claws burrow their way deep beyond his flesh. As a counter attack, he dug his claws complete with poison, far within the shoulder blade of his opponent. Feeling for the joint that held the arm fast, Sesshomaru seized bone, cartilage, and tendon then cleaved it all out.
"AAAAAAAH!" a bloodcurdling noise now reside where the disrespectful laughter once did. Sesshomaru gave a grunt of approval and the rear slight smirk that would mockingly sing "you're going to die." He watched the figure with the dangling arm while still holding it's dripping fragments in the palm of his hand. "You have struck me. I am proud . . . my son." Inutaishou then revealed himself to a shocked and confused Sesshomaru.
"WHAT!" disbelief held the prince captive. Hiding his emotions through his facial expression was impossible for him now, along with breathing. Looking at the gory remains in his hand he thought, *I drew my father's blood.* He bowed his head, dropped the broken body parts that now seemed unbearably heavy, and fell painstakingly to his knees. "Father . . ." he started and ended, "Wait!" thought Sesshomaru as his facial expression hardened, *why do you bow to him apologetically? What good has he done you . . .* he said to himself rising slowly. *He left you with rejections. You never meant anything to him. He was the one who had no pride or honor . . . lying with that human wench . . . forgetting my mother and I while disgracing our bloodline.* Sesshomaru now stood straight, his own voice growling in his head. Fire flared dangerously in his eyes and instead of his usual expressionless face; reside an appearance of pure menace. The Great Prince was far beyond angry . . . and he was more than obliged to show it.
(Simultaneously, In Another Part Of Feudal Japan):
"Mommy mommy!" laughed a little girl as she ran trough a field of flowers. Her sky blue hair glistened in the sun, her little hands outstretched to where her golden brown eyes focused.
"Here I am honey . . . but you've gotta catch me first!" Kagome playfully cackled while dodging to the side and running away. Inuyasha watched his family from the sidelines. There was some strange barrier preventing them from seeing him, and preventing him from joining the fun, but this did not bother the hanyou.
"As long as their happy, I can watch this forever." He stated.
"Yes, it is a satisfying sight is it not?"
"Father?!" Inuyasha said in disbelief. "I thought you were dead."
"I am my son." Tacoma said patiently, "And no, you're not dead." He teased.
"Then why are you here? I thought I would not see you until my death."
"We will be together again . . . however; it will be no time soon. You still have many duties to fulfill here."
Inuyasha inhaled deeply and looked towards the family he loved so much, "I have started a family now father. I must protect and provide for them. I'm sorry, but I will not place their lives in danger."
"Your mate and pup are strong. Your woman would have to join you in this mission and your daughter can stay in the time of the future until your return."
"You may be my father, but you have no right to volunteer my family and me to anything."
"Inuyasha," Inutaishou sighed, "the Dragon lord Deni has been revived."
"The one you defeated . . . and caused your death?"
"Yes. Someone resurrected him. His intentions are to conquer Japan and the foreign lands he learned of through the demons his met in the afterlife. Throughout the years he has been recruiting followers and soldiers. Nearly two-thirds of this land is under his influence. His strength has drastically increased since our battle and his whereabouts is not confirmed. It's only a matter of time before he strikes."
"Sounds serious . . . now tell me father, how do you expect Kagome and I to stand before him and his armies? I know I don't have your strength."
"With you will be Miroku, Sango . . . and Sesshomaru."
"WHAT!" Inuyasha shouted "NEVER IN THE SEVEN HELLS WILL I SIDE WITH SESSHOMARU! I'LL PROTECT THEM MYSELF!"
"Inuyasha . . ."
"THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL! JUST NO WAY!"
"INUYASHA . . ."
"NO! ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?"
"INUYASHA!!! LOOK!"
Beyond the barrier the scenery had changed for the worst. Kagome and Divali were now running for their lives in a field of fire and ashes. "What the hell! KAGOME! DIVALI!" They were being chased by an army of sharp obstacles and evil. "NO WAY!" screamed Inuyasha as he drew his Tetsuaiga, "NO FUCKING WAY!" he roared as he leapt in the air and charged the barrier before him only to be thrown yards away by the force of the field. On all fours, Inuyasha glanced up to find that Kagome had fallen and was on the verge of being struck down.
Meanwhile, in the subconscious of Sesshomaru:
"YEAAAAAHH!" two voices roared in the darkness.
A fierce battle raged on deep within the subconscious of The Demon Prince; and the two demon lords seemed far from equally matched. *He mocks me . . . * "You have grown stronger my lord." Sesshomaru growled, "But I will NOT fall to YOU." A foreign sword swung dangerously close to the demon guardian's head as the prince had every intention on defeating his father with his own weapon, *I know that I have never seen this sword, but I feel I know it . . . and I know it came from HIM . . . but it doesn't matter, as long as it gets the job done!*
Tacoma watched his son with a painful eye, *So cold, so spiteful . . . My son did not always have such harshness . . . this, I know.* "Sesshomaru!" Tacoma called out, "Why are you so bitter?"
The demon prince cared not to answer and continued his attacks that were religiously dodged.
It was then Tacoma decided to discontinue allowing his son to relieve himself of his many frustrations since there was simply too much inside the pup and he no longer had time to waste. With one quick swoop, the powerful guardian seized the prince's sword and knocked him to the ground. With another skilled movement, Tacoma clawed at his son's face and pinned him against a wall. *Sesshomaru!* he growled "you WILL go to Inuyasha and you two WILL complete this quest TOGETHER!"
"You can not make me." For that coolly made statement, the prince received another strike, this time on the right side of his face. This left an extremely displeased Sesshomaru vengefully growling.
Tacoma's eyes narrowed on his son's bleeding and spite filled features. "You believe that I am unable to punish you any longer . . ." Tacoma said with a threatening grin, but Sesshomaru remained unaffected. "Well, I'll have you know that I am not dead . . . nor am I alive. When I fell, my warrior essence was taken to a place where legendary demons who had fallen before me reside. These demons were warriors who had honor, righteousness and strength. We are `The Great Assembly' who watches over the earth and it's events under the command of `Greater Beings'." The guardian sighed, softened his expression and continued, "Sesshomaru, even before I knew it, you and your brother were chosen to be one of the protectors for this world. There are others in foreign lands doing what they must . . . but, it is now you and Inuyasha's time to rise up and defend."
The Great Prince of the Western Lands remained unstirred, his expression was frightful and unforgiving. "Do you honestly believe that I will submit to your wishes because I was expected to protect a land filled with Useless, DISGUSTING, HUMANS!" Sesshomaru's roar was strong and fierce and Tacoma knew he still had no intention to fulfill his wishes.
Once again, the face of the guardian hardened, and in a growl he said, "Very well then. You shall be FORCED to submit." With those words, Tacoma leapt into the air and before his son was able to react, sent out a blast of inconceivable power.
"YEEAAAAAHHHH!" the prince's scream was proud and pain filled.
"If you do not comply," Tacoma roared superiorly "Then you shall be punished." The Great Guardian made his wave of energy even more powerful as Sesshomaru remained strong but could not stifle his screams. "Of course," Tacoma began again, "you are The Great Sesshomaru, Demon Prince. Even now, where others have cried, you scream, where others have begged, still you scream, and where the strongest have fainted, your scream remains." Another, even stronger, wave of energy was sent in the prince's direction and his yell grew even louder but still remained. Tacoma knew pain would not cause his son to give in; it was only there to remind him of his rightful place. *Now the real punishment begins.* He thought sadly, and with tears in his eyes, he shouted, "SESSHOMARU! NOW THE REAL PUNISHMENT BEGINS!"