InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Conflicts, Conceit & Compassion ❯ Prologue Part II ( Chapter 2 )

Conflicts, Conceit & Compassion
(A Sesshomaru Tale)

By: Alissa K. Hunt (a.k.a Tokia.)

Prologue Part II:

Present Japan 2003:

Anya lied still in the comforts of her bed and the solitude of her room. Her eyes focused intently on the wooden ceiling as she tried to remember the dream that caused her to wake prematurely. "I know I won't be able to get back to sleep now . . . I wonder what time it is." A.J whispered as she turned to face the digital alarm clock on the side of her bed. "Damn. Only two forty-five!" She cursed silently, and continued sarcastically, "Beautiful! This is just brilliant!" Turning her attention back to the ceiling, the young woman continued her words as thoughts. Now what? I can't go back to sleep. A.J sighed and turned to her side. Why can't I remember that stupid dream? I know it wasn't scary, just . . . weird . . . and now I have this urge to visit the Yugimoto Shrine. Rolling out of her resting place, Anya gave another moan and made her way to the back balcony.

Weary hands drew back the curtains and pulled open the glass barrier that separated the early morning air and her. Stepping out onto the chilly floorboard of the balcony, Anya found herself admiring the beauty the dark sky held. The moon shone whole and bright, while the lights of the stars seemed engaged in a never ending waltz as they flickered in and out. A.J stood there taking in the splendor and feel of it all in deep breaths. However, what the girl did not realize was that she was a welcomed addition to the early morning scenery. The delicate, knee length silk negligee she wore flowed with the wind, causing it to cling to every curve of her figure and even lift up a bit. The soft moonlight lent no assistance to the demise of the girl's beauty. Moonbeams danced on and enhanced A.J's soft features . . . she simply glowed in the beam's embrace. Her negligee was illuminated exposing her body in a shadowy figure, leaving little to the imagination. Anyone watching would quickly refer her as a fairytale siren and themselves as the ones being drawn to their doom. Exposure was the least of Anya's concerns since she was convinced no one would be around so early. "So, I guess I'll just follow my instincts." A.J said aloud, "After my morning routine I'll visit the Yugimoto Shrine . . . who knows, there just may be something there waiting for me . . . something special." She said finally retreating once again to the comforts of her room.

Again, in Sesshomaru's subconscious:

*What! What did he say? Now the punishment begins!? . . . at least he knows it'll take more than this to convince me.* thought Sesshomaru with a cocky smile on his face. "Come . . . and do . . . your worst." Those words barely managed to escape the prince's lips as he crouched in pain. Sesshomaru prepared himself for more of the same and the idea excited him.

"Foolish!" Inutaishou barked, "You prepare yourself for more pain, do you really believe pain and death are the only methods of punishment there is?" asked the guardian with a fixed gaze on his son. "Ha ha ha ha ha! HA HA HA HA HA! HA HA HA HA HA!"

A hearty laughter filled the atmosphere again mocking Sesshomaru. "Stop it!" this time the demon prince barked, "There's nothing amusing here!" he concluded in a snarl, but the laughter continued.

"Look at you, every thing you stood above, you've forfeited before me in your rage." said Inutaishou. "The Great Sesshomaru, demon prince, the one who prided himself on his power, and always the seeker of greater power. Yes, the proud, the strong, lord Sesshomaru." At this point, Inutaishou's eyes narrowed dangerously on his eldest son who would not allow himself to remain crouched over, when, in actuality, even the strongest demon should have lain down. "Well then, let us see how the great prince fears WITHOUT HIS POWER!"

What! He can . . . "AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Sesshomaru screamed as he felt himself slowly being drained.

"NOW PICTURE YOURSELF AS ONE OF THE WEAK AND HELPLESS, OH MIGHTY WARRIOR!" roared the Great Guardian mercilessly as he gathered his son's power in an enormous ball of light energy. He watched as Sesshomaru squirm and tremble in his decreasing state before drawing larger quantities of the prince's power at a time.

"DAMN YOU FATHER! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" The feeling to him was almost indescribable. He could do nothing as he felt the strength and energy leave his body from every strand of his hair and the tips of his claws. His power left him with each drop of his sweat and exhalation of air. Sesshomau's arm was soon unable to support the weight of his body and it gave way to the immense pressure.

"SHOULD YOU FAIL TO COMPLY, YOU FORFEIT YOUR PURPOSE AND YOUR MAGNIFICENT STRENGTH IS RENDERED BOTH MEANINGLESS AND USELESS!" Inutaishou continued to roar before softening his voice and adding a devilish tone to it. "I wonder," he again started, "how will the demon lords react when they discover the kingdom of their most vital enemy lies unprotected." While still draining his power, Inutaishou came even closer to a violently trembling Sesshomaru and coolly whispered, "When I'm through, you must tell me . . . how it feels . . . to be . . . like man." With those words, the eyes of the demon prince snapped open on a face filled with agony, still too strong to cry and too proud to beg. "You can end this," Inutaishou went on, "all you have to do, is give your word to fulfill your duty, not only to this mission, but overall. Its not that you must forfeit your kingdom, just protect these lands when necessary." The former youki lord was now draining him far below the strength of an average man, and the pain from it all became ridiculously unbearable. "What is your decision, my son?"

Deep Within Inuyasha's Forest:

"KAGOME! DIVALI . . . DIVALI! KAGOME!" Inuyasha screamed frantically as sweat drops left his body with the likeness of leaking pipes. Racing out of his bed, Inuyasha proceeded to search the house for his two reasons for living. "Their not here . . . THERE NOT HERE . . . KAGO . . ."

"Inuyasha?! Inuyasha what's wro . . ." Kagome's words were cut short when her husband embraced her as if they had been years apart and the next breath would be her last, this time separating them forever. Divali watched her farther in awe as she had never seen him this way. Now fearing something was terribly wrong, she clung to the legs of her mother and father then started crying.

Inuyasha looked down from Kagome's shoulder at his frightened daughter and slowly released his grasp to embrace his young pup. "I'm sorry princess, I didn't mean to scare you . . . it's okay now . . . everything's alright." He said softly while stroking her hair gently and gracing her forehead with soft kisses. This always comforted the young lass as she, much like her mother, felt unbelievably safe in her father's arms.

Kagome looked at her husband with worry filled eyes as she observed his soaked clothing and irregular breathing. Stretching out her hand, she proceeded in caressingly stroking his ears knowing it always calmed him. "Inuyasha, what's the matter."

In a deep purr that could never be mistaken for anything feminine, but everything that resembled a gentle sexiness, he looked at his sweetly spoken but worried mate and tenderly captured her lips in a sweet, assuring enfoldment.

Kagome never got use to Inuyasha's kiss, everything seemed to enhance with each turn instead of simmering to the familiarity of it all. Leisurely, Inuyasha pulled away from his love, his hands stroking the frame of her cheek, and again embracing her, this time, only with his eyes. "I thought I had lost both you and my princess . . . it scared the seven hells out of me."

"Oh Inuyasha!" gasped Kagome softly as she clung to her daughter and husband, basking in the love they radiated, "You're so silly . . . don't you know you would never let that happen." She continued as she looked up into the fiery eyes of her gorgeous companion.

"You're right . . . I wouldn't." Inuyasha smiled as he held his two women as close as possible, taking in the comforting scent of his family together and safe.

Morning had come and gone. Inuyasha, Kagome and Divali were now making their way to the village where Miroku and Sango stayed. Running slightly ahead, Divali had awarded her attention to a pair of fluttering butterflies. Seizing the change of events, Kagome took the opportunity to ask Inuyasha more of his father, his dream and their mission. "Okay handsome," she said playfully, "spill it."

Inuyasha was in no mood to smile but he could never hurt his Kagome. Forcing himself to calm down a bit, he answered her. "This is no light matter Kagome," he stated, the anxiety in his voice still evident. "This mission, so I've come to understand, holds the fate of the world in its grasp."

Inuyasha had come a long way from the arrogant hanyou that always pigheadedly focused on what he wanted and ignored the bigger picture. "I see. Inuyasha, what is it exactly that we are supposed to do . . . I mean, you said yourself that Deni's location is unknown. Are we just supposed to go wandering to find and defeat him in the time span your father says is short?"

"That's what's troubling me . . ." the hanyou replied this time with more frustration, "I don't know . . . he only told us who to expect to join us and that when we're all together, more will be revealed."

"Yeah . . . that's another thing." This time it was Kagome's voice that held the frustration. "Sesshomaru . . . do you think we can trust him?"

Inuyasha did not reply right away and Kagome began to feel like she was only putting more pressure on her husband's shoulders. "It's not him that I'm really worried about because we know exactly where he stands . . ." he finally replied as he put his arm around his mate to assure her. "It's the other person that we are to expect that worries me."

"That's right!" Kagome recalled, "The sleeping warrior . . . possessing the ability to deceive, the power of intelligence, the advantage of speed, the determined strength and the grace of compassion." The young miko took in a deep breath and continued, "That's a lot of credit, but your father did say the warrior would not be able to pose a threat only great help."

"How does he know that for sure . . ."

"Inuyasha . . ."

"Kagome we don't even know what he . . ."

"Or she!"

"Feh! Please!"

"OR SHE!"

"HE!"

"INUYASHA!"

"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!" the hanyou playfully taunted with a voice filled with defeat, "Or she . . . looks like."

Kagome loved the way he husband played with her and she seemed to always realize it afterwards. Looking up into the hanyou's golden eyes, Kagome smiled sweetly at him and said, "That's better." Inuyasha returned her smile two fold and kissed her in a playful truce. Again they made their way to the village, this time in each others arms and a warm contented silence.

Deeper In The Woods, Not Too Far Away:

A white figure made its way quickly along and across the branches of the trees. Every nimble step felt like it was made of the purest iron as Sesshomaru grimaced at his situation.

:: Flashback ::

"GAAHH!" the prince gasped as he awoke violently clawing the air. Panting and dripping cold sweats, Sesshomaru was desperately trying to recall his surroundings. *Was it real?* he asked himself when his composure was almost regained. With his breathing slowly returning to normal, he made his way gradually to his display of swords, "No . . . it was only a dream . . . but, it felt so real." Running his fingers along the blade of his inheritance, the prince with pride again said, "Only a dream."

Just then, the Tensiaga burst into a violent glow as Inutaishou's face formed menacingly in what used to be its fanged blade. "What the . . ." said Sesshomaru in shock, but before he could finish the violent light transformed into a giant three clawed hand and forced him vehemently into the wall of his chamber.

"YOUR WORD SESSOMARU!" growled Inutaishou's voice forebodingly, his eyes blood red and his pupil a deep orange. "YOU WILL GO TO INUYASHA! YOU WILL FULFILL THIS MISSION! YOU WILL NOT DISGRACE ME! YOU WILL KEEP YOUR WORD!"

"AAH!" Sesshomaru released a quick yell of pain as his father cut him deep across his chest.

Inutaishou came nose to nose with his son and a deep, deadly growl escaped the calm cages of his torso. "Know . . . that this . . . is no . . . dream." With those words said, the Tensiaga transformed to its original form and dropped to the ground leaving a bleeding and once again gasping Sesshomaru.

:: End of Flashback ::

"Why! Why me?" Sesshomaru complained as he leapt into the air to cross the deep ravine. "I must team up with that worthless half-wit . . . him and his mixed up clique containing . . . humans." The prince ran his frustration out in opposed to flying which would leave him in an intensity that would not help in seeing his hanyou brother and his disgusting friends.

In the village of Miroku and Sango:

"Kagome!"

"Sango!"

Two friends raced towards each other across the border of a minute village. The two girls hadn't seen each other in almost a year leaving them both thirsty for their female confidence. "Oh Kagome, I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you to Sango! Every time we came to visit you guys you were always off healing, exterminating or performing some exorcism. We seem to always miss you guys by a day."

"I know, I know!" Sango replied with glassy eyes, "The villagers always let us know when you visit." Between laughter and tears, the girls spoke of their relief to again be together so quickly, that Miroku and Inuyasha became convinced it was their own coded language.

"Sango-san!" Divali shouted having lost the butterflies that entertained her.

"Divali, sweetheart!" Sango said as she scooped up the little girl. "You've grown so big now! Are you behaving yourself?"

"Yes ma'am!" The young lass sang.

"Good!" laughed Sango in return.

"Where's Mokari and Kirara Sango-san?"

"They're playing in the back by the river; I bet they'll be pleased to see you!"

"Arigato Sango-san!" said Divali as she jumped from the woman's arms and ran in the direction indicated.

"You're welcome!" Sango shouted after the shrinking image.

"She's a wild one isn't she?" said Kogame after the scene.

"Yes, just like her parents." said Miroku finally making his way to the site. "Inuyasha, it's been a long time my friend."

"Yeah, it has. So where have you two been hiding every time we came to visit?"

"Oh the usual places, you know what a bad influence you are for Mokari."

"Feh! Whatever!"

"I see we haven't grown out of that yet." Miroku taunted with half shut eyes.

"Shutup Monk!" Inuyasha growled.

"Ahh . . . just like old times." The girls sighed while looking at their husbands through goofy, glassy, googled eyes before entering a ridiculous bawling state.

Japan, 2003:

Anya's morning routine ended in no time and she soon found herself in front of the Yugimoto Shrine's steps. "Well, this is it." She said to herself. "It's time to go up and see exactly why I was drawn to come here today." With that said A.J hoisted her bike over her shoulders and began making her way up the eighty-seven steps.

Japan, warring ages at Miroku and Sango's village:

An hour had passed and the gang had played catch-up for long enough. Unfortunately, the cause of their trip wasn't on terms as friendly as their relationship. "Yes . . . Sango and I also had dreams with a message similar to your own Inuyasha." Miroku said as he continued with some concern. "I'm not too pleased with this Sesshomaru and sleeping warrior idea though." He admitted.

"Yes." Sango added, "How are we to know if we could trust any of them . . . I mean, your father said himself that this warrior was smart and could deceive; yet he wants us to team up with them."

"You know, he did also say that this warrior could not pose a threat." Kagome reminded and left everyone in a silent puzzlement.

Finally, Inuyasha spoke up, "Look, maybe we don't know if we can trust them . . . we don't know what this warrior guy . . ."

"Eh-hem!"

"Or girl . . ." he added looking at Kagome, "looks like, and we definitely don't know if Sesshomaru will even show up." Inuyasha paused to take a breath before continuing, "But what we do know, is that we can trust each other . . . it's four against two, all we need to do, is watch each other's backs like we always do and we'll be okay."

At this everyone gave a nod of approval just before Miroku's face became very devious. "Why Inuyasha," he started with exaggerated glassy eyes, "you trust us . . . you actually trust us."

"Yes." Sango started following her husband's lead. "Why, I do believe he cares also." She said while leaning over to pinch his cheek.

"Isn't he just the most adorable puppy-wuppy you've ever seen?" Kagome added as she nuzzled her face playfully against his.

With Miroku using one had to pat his back while the other was rubbing his imaginary tear filled eyes, Sango pinching his cheek and Kagome rubbing her cheek up against his, Inuyasha's face became as red as his kimono, his eyes squinted shut and his hands clung tensely to his biceps underneath his sleeves. "QUIT IT!" roared the hanyou which made everyone fall back in a hysteric laughter.

The mood, however, did not remain that way. Inuyasha's eyes snapped open the same time everyone else had stopped their squawking. They all stood up in defensive mode as Inuyasha sniffed the air and in a low, unpleasant growl said, "Sesshomaru . . ."

Japan, 2003:

"This is such a drag." Anya grew weary of being around the shrine where nothing seemed out of the ordinary and nothing seemed to draw her in. "What a waste of time and energy." She said as she turned to leave.

"Really child? A waste is it? That's just too bad." Anya had turned only to be greeted by a short elderly lady who appeared to be blind because of her closed eyes.

"Gomen nasai . . . I meant no disrespect." She said while bowing gracefully.

"Tell me . . . what it is about the shrine that bores you?" asked the elder as she motioned for Anya to walk with her.

"It's not that the shrine itself was unentertaining, I was just disappointed."

"If it was not the shrine child, then what was it? What did you expect to find here?"

"In all honesty . . . I don't know. What I do know, is that I woke up very early this morning with an urge to visit here today, but nothing seemed . . . um . . . unusually different." She quietly replied.

"I see." Said the elderly lady before her thin lips formed a smile and she continued. "Well, maybe you were sent here to keep my company. Please, join me in some tea."

"I'll be delighted to." Anya replied with a sweet smile directed towards the elder although she knew it could not be seen.

Japan, warring ages - the village of Miroku and Sango:

Sesshomaru leapt above the trees and below, he could see the clearing with Inuyasha and company ready to greet him in full defense mode. The monk had his staff ready along with a strong magical aura. The demon exterminator had her boomerang ready as she stood beside Inuyasha's wench that had her miko bow and arrow aimed directly at him. Of course, Inuyasha stood in the front with their father's fang bared in its truest form. Sesshomaru found his urge to tear them apart stronger than ever as he landed a few feet away from the others. "Now now Inuyasha, is this any way to greet your brother?"

"If this brother is anything like you Sesshomaru . . . I say . . . hell yeah." Inuyasha replied while deepening his battle stance.

"Very well then." Sesshomaru said coolly before racing up to his half brother and seizing the blade of his sword the movement too quick for Inuyasha to respond. "Are you really that foolish half-wit?" asked the prince, "I have every desire to kill you and no desire to be here, but in both cases the outcome is against me. So stop being a childish barbarian you half-ling brat!" With that said, he threw his brother to the ground with the sword soon after him ignoring the longing to keep the weapon for himself and the urge to at least throw it so that it may hurt him when it landed. "Now get up mutt . . . I need my arm."

Japan, 2003:

The elder's company was pleasant but Anya had a good ways to travel and errands to run before she returned home. "The tea was nice Lady Kumara, but I really must get going now." said the young girl with a genuine resentment in her voice.

"Yes of course child, I understand. All I ask is that you please take this." Said the old lady as she reached behind an antique chest and pulled out a beautiful sword.

"What!"

"It's alright child. I give this to you because I am old and have no children, if I do not find one to pass it on to it will buried with me and forgotten."

"Lady Kumara, I couldn't possibly take this from you."

"Yes child, don't be foolish . . . won't you do this for an old lady . . . there are not to many youths like you nowadays, and who knows, this might be what you came here for."

With those words said, A.J accepted the gift with no further argument. "Arigato Kumara-san, I will take good care of it for you."

"I know you will Anya-Josephine." The elderly lady smiled as they both rose to leave.

When the two reached outside, the sun beamed down mercilessly on their heads. "Wow, nothing in the forecast mentioned this heat today." Anya said while looking up.

"That's why I don't trust the weatherman." The old lady replied. "I know child . . ." she then continued, "take the other way, it's always shaded and comes around to meet the road in a single path." Anya looked in the direction pointed and wondered why she hadn't noticed it before.

"Is it safe Lady Kumara?"

"Of course child, do you think I would send you to your doom?" replied the lady in an amused tone.

"I don't think you would Lady." Anya laughed back as she hopped onto her bike. "Good-bye Lady Kumara, and thanks again." Anya shouted with a half glance back. Unfortunately for her, if she had turned around completely she would have noticed Kumara had opened her eyes and was widely smiling after her. This picture would have been pleasant if it hadn't been for her dark red pupil-less eyes and fang filled mouth.

"Of course you don't think it is your doom, but that's how much you know . . . gullible slut." Kumara said before she disappeared completely with an unnatural gust of leaves.

Japan, warring ages - Miroku and Sango's village:

"Hold still you gutless whelp." commanded an irritated Sesshomaru as he tried to retrieve the black pearl from his brother's eye.

"Their called reflexes asshole, not even the unconscious parts of me trust you." snapped the hanyou.

"Hold your tongue before you venture beyond my patience." growled Sesshomaru. "Wench!" he then called, "Come here and restrain your mate."

"The name's Kagome, KA-GO-ME!" the miko shouted quite displeased.

"Do it Kagome . . . he's been too close for too long." Inuyasha said when he realized her hesitation.

The pearl was out and the portal was opened not long after Kagome intervened. Once inside it was easy to find the arm since Sesshomaru remembered the incident as if it was playing before him. "Ahhh . . ." sighed the prince when he flexed the reattached arm, "with a few weeks of training, it'll be back up to speed." Sesshomaru then walked over to his half-wit brother and struck him as hard as the reattached arm would allow.

"Damn you Sesshomaru!"

"That was for severing my arm you walking mange." Sesshomaru called out as he calmly made his way to the exit leaving behind the angered hanyou who did nothing because of their father's commands.

Japan, 2003:

Anya was now halfway down the nature filled path. Beauty surrounded her and the fresh cool breeze was more than welcomed, but A.J could not shake the feeling that she was being either watched, followed or both. Ahead, she could see nothing but the path before her and behind only revealed more of the same. Something's wrong . . . but what? Anya couldn't put her finger on it and soon felt the desire to look back once more.

"AHH!"

No sooner had A.J. looked back, she was stopped abruptly and knocked from her bike by some obstacle. What the . . . I know that nothing was before me . . . so what did I run into? she thought as she began to pick herself up. "What the hell?" were the only words that could escape her lips when she came in full vision of the thing before her. Although it had a human form, it was obvious to Anya that this thing was not like her. As a result of being clothe-less, his mushy blackish brown skin was revealed to her. His muscles were well defined while on the tip of his fingers and toes, there were long, pointed curving nails. Claws? Anya thought to herself. The beast's upper appearance was another story altogether. The thing's cranium was an unusually perfect and hairless oval with a pair of elf like ears. The creatures face held two extraordinarily large eyes that possessed no pupils and were deeper than blood red. His face also possessed an amazingly wide mouth filled with fangs and a long tongue which was snake like in both movement and appearance. Now up straight with the shock of the moment passed, Anya's eyes narrowed and her face formed a sly half smile, "So big guy . . . where's your nose?" A.J's face returned to seriousness as muffled laughter came from . . . different directions? . . . In . . . different voices? Anya knew she shouldn't turn her back on the opponent before her, but she had to just how deep the ditch was which she stepped into. Taking a cautious step back, A.J slowly turned around never unaware of the foe behind her. Coming again in full circle, Anya unfortunately became aware of five more just like the creature. Taking a deep breath, she lifted one eyebrow and said in the privacy of her mind, What type of shit have you gotten yourself into now genius?