InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Choices ❯ Demon Choices Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Demon Choices R Chapter 2

Under cover of darkness, the waning moon low in the sky, what a human would describe as a vision from a nightmare rose from the waters of the lake where it had been swimming and strolled onto the shore. It was as tall as a six story building and carried the symbol of the waning crescent on his forehead. It was canine, it was a dog, but a dog that had been alive for centuries, that had seen the world change from a farm based culture to the modern world of planes, rockets to the outer planets formerly the playground of demons like this itself, and seen the world, which had once been it's playground grow more secular and deny the existence of him and others like him. Some societies prided themselves on not believing beings like him existed and that helped his kind hide in plain sight. Demons in human form had always been the top of the demon food chain and in this world it was easy for him to be among humans if he so desired.

The huge canine lifted its head and scented the air, its red eyes seeming to pierce the darkness as it looked for one scent. Finding it exactly where it should be he began to languidly, almost elegantly, shake himself from head to toe, sending water flying over the low hills, water that fell on a human village that existed inside the realm of the resort. These humans served the demons in return for favors done their families in the past and had no fear of the many beings that came here from all over the world. Finished shaking excess water from it's fur the huge canine sat on his haunches and began to lick his paws, keeping his mind on the scent of his mate who was sleeping in a house not far from where he'd been swimming.

When Sesshoumaru, TaiYoukai of Japan, had first come to East Africaseveral centuries ago he'd come in his human form, Rin, his once human mate, at his side.This place had been nothing but forest land. He'd seen the Europeans take control of the economy from the people native to the area and while they pretended to have disdain for local beliefs they were afraid to visit the forest at anytime of day or night. Nominal control had been turned over to the humans who were native to the place but by then this place, even then, had become a haven for creatures such as him, demons of all shapes and sizes who took refuge from the changing world within its depths. The demons had claimed more and more land and eventually the shields against humans entering had been strengthened allowing a resort to be built, a place of refuge where no questions were asked. All that was required was peace. No demon could attack another demon here, and many peace councils had taken place within this forest.

All of this went through the demon's mind as he continued to groom himself under the star strewn sky. He would glance up from time to time making sure his shields around the house held and that Rin was safe. Many demons had human mates these days but there were certain types of demons for which a human was a human and part of the food chain. Like him, all demons with human mates were responsible for their mates security.

Sesshoumaru looked up at the sky and let out a howl that echoed through the trees. He wasn't sad, he just felt like doing it. As his cry died down he felt the presence of another canine demon like himself. Holding his spirit form he let his tongue loll out of his mouth, his acidic saliva falling to the distant ground and burning the foliage it touched to a crisp even as he began to exude a miasma from his body just in case. A dark haired canine, a shade smaller than him entered the clearing and sat down on its haunches, its silvery eyes fixed on Sesshoumaru.

"I had heard you were here Great Demon of Japan. When did you arrive?" the other demon spoke into his mind.

"A couple of weeks ago. My mate needed to rest and she loves it here."

"So do you it seems. It's been awhile."

"Yes it has."

"Your son has been back here several times."

Sesshoumaru fell silent and the other demon waited patiently for the Japanese demon to assimilate the information. When the Japanese demon spoke again it was with resignation. Some would say the Japanese demon's voice was always the same but after knowing Sesshoumaru for centuries Alem Neh knew the nuances of his fellow demon's voice.

"My son has never settled with any female. He has sired heirs for his domain but he has always been restless."

"He and ChoEtsuare together here."

"Has he mated her?"

The other demon gave what was supposed to be a chuckle. To a human it would've sounded like something a little short of a growl.

"Father's are always the last to know. I thought you had come here because you knew what was happening."

"No," Sesshoumaru said. "Her mother is a demon from Japan. Do you have a problem with them mating?"

"No. I know you have the custom of marking your mates if the union is permanent. I haven't seen any mark on my daughter."

Sesshoumaru was totally canine in his actions and he snapped his mouth shut, his long fangs hanging over the side of his bottom jaw.

"We are planning on leaving tomorrow. I haven't seen my son."

The other demon stood and then bent its front paws so that its head was on the ground while he held his tail between his legs.

"It would be an honor for us to become part of your family Great Demon of Japan."

Sesshoumaru never bowed to anything or any one but he stood and acknowledged the gesture from the Demon Lord of this area, coming to stand at his side. As one the two demons headed deeper into the forest, the strong scent of game luring them.

What appeared to be a very pretty African girl sat on a rock next to a seemingly Japanese man. His hands were buried in her thick black hair and she was holding onto him for dear life. ChoEtsuhad resisted all of Taisho's imploring but it was as if both of them knew tonight would be the night all of that stopped. She had thought of nothing but him ever since he'd left the last time and his sudden and swift reappearance had surprised her. Usually he was gone for months at a time and she had not expected to see him so soon.

"What happened?" she'd snarked with a smile. "Your women kick you out?"

"No way," Taisho had answered sitting down next to her in the clearing that was their favorite meeting place.

He turned her face to his and smiled.

"I missed you."

"Uh-huh, right," Cho said, moving her head back.

"I did. I came here because I wanted to tell you that I agree to your terms."

"What does that mean?" Cho said, suddenly nervous.

"Come back with me, live with me as my mate."

His words stunned her and she stood up.

"Leave here? Leave my home? Japanhas never been a good place for me Taisho…"

"As mate of the Demon Lord of the East your status is assured."

"And Wattan?"

"Wattan has born my heirs. I need a companion, someone who can be at my side."

"She will try and kill me."

"You can defend yourself. You know that."

"It gets cold in Japan."

"As if that matters to our kind."

"What about the Great Demon? What will he say about me?"

"The Great Demon would welcome my settling down and siring pups with you."

"You sound so sure of how he'll react."

"We've fought many battles together over the centuries Cho. In his own way he wants the best for me, for all of us."

"Sakura…"

"Sakura is still with the wolf she chose, Kouga, and my brother Yukio has a human mate he remarries every time she reincarnates. We're a diverse family."

Cho laughed and Taisho pulled her to him, kissing her deeply.

"If I choose you and mark you, no one can stand against you."

Cho was a young demoness, barely out of her demon teens which made her in human years about sixty years old and Taisho thought she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen with golden skin and jet black hair that fell down her back. He had first seen her in Japanwith her mother, another dog demon. They'd been in human form and were shopping in a demon friendly supermarket that sold specialty items needed by their kind. He'd been there with a young fox demon he'd been seeing but once he saw Cho his interest in his companion had waned and he'd acted like a love sick fool trying to find out who she was. That she was of mixed race was obvious by her skin and her round eyes and it hadn't taken long to find out her name and where she lived. By that time however she'd gone back to East Africa. Unlike his father Taisho hadn't traveled much outside of Japanso when he came to the estate and asked about the East African resort his father had been amused. Taisho had found the Great Demon, the TaiYoukai, lounging on the back porch, his head resting on what in his spirit form was his ruff. The long white hair was underneath him and as he sat up the markings on his hands and face stood out in the late afternoon light. He was still youthful looking Taisho thought as he bowed to his father. Taisho himself was a handsome man in his own right, his trim body and mane of white hair falling down his back just like that of the demon man that sat in front of him. They both had golden eyes and markings on their faces, hands and arms. Taisho's features resembled those of his human mother, the Lady Rin. His sister, Sakura, Demoness of the North, had taken her beauty from her father.

"You want to leave Japan? Is your domain finally secured Taisho?" Sesshoumaru asked with what for him was a sarcastic grin.

"My Lord, Father, I have a reason, a personal reason to go."

"Is this about the female you've been asking about?" Sesshoumaru asked, his golden pupils fixed on those of his son.

Taisho knew his father had spies everywhere and that he would've found out from someone that he was looking for the female he now knew was called MaitaChoEtsuin Japanin the modern fashion.

"Yes."

When at home Sesshoumaru still wore the robes he'd worn centuries ago preferring the freedom of movement they provided. If he had to venture out into the human world he had custom made suits and casual clothes made in the modern style. Today he was dressed in a plain white silk yukata and as he shifted his position the soft swish of silk accompanied Sesshoumaru the demon's movement.

"Her sire is an acquaintance. What are your intentions towards this female?" Sesshoumaru asked in the bored aristocratic voice he'd had for centuries. It was his formal voice and Taisho's cue that this was no longer a father to son discussion but one that impacted on the TaiYoukai's dealings around the world. Wealth was a byproduct of the TaiYoukai's main obsession which was power. It took Taisho a few seconds to shift gears.

"Father I'm an adult," Taisho had said sounding petulant and whiny even to his ears. Sesshoumaru had looked down at his hands, suddenly very interested in his claws.

"Do you know why there are disputes but no wars between demon kind around the world Taisho?" Sesshoumaru had asked him, his eyes now sharp and piercing.

"I didn't come here to discuss diplomacy…" Taisho had replied, using his own official voice. If the TaiYoukai noticed the change in tone he didn't acknowledge it.

"You are interested in the offspring of someone important to settling disputes among our kind that threaten to erupt into wars. We demons watched the humans and knew that as they took over more and more of our lands, of our territories, and even began to confine some of us in parallel dimensions we had to find a way to hold on to what we had and work together for our survival. AlemNehis an ally of our family."

As Great Demon Sesshoumaru had to mediate disputes he wasn't directly responsible for starting and some he was and over the centuries he'd learned how to say as little as possible leaving it up to the combatants to figure out what he meant. The word friend was not a part of Sesshoumaru's vocabulary in this context but his use of the words ally and acquaintance to describe someone on another continent made Taisho aware of how his father felt about any relationship that could happen between him and Cho. Sesshoumaru wouldn't stop him from pursuing the female, he knew he couldn't, but if he lost interest, if he shamed the Demon Lord Alem Neh in any way by disgracing his child Sesshoumaru wouldn't stand in the way of the African Demon's vengeance. The peace of the Demon World was more important than defending his son since their survival depended on what passed for peace among the demon races.

"I am thinking of life mating her sire," Taisho said calmly.

"And what of our alliance with the demons of the oceans Taisho? How does that fact impact on your putting aside your long term mate, the mother of your heirs, for a mate thousands of meters away?"

"You yourself talked of the importance of her father in your dealings and I'm sure the two of you have done your share of things together. Any pairing on a world wide basis can only cement your ties to such an important demon as AlemNeh."

Sesshoumaru gave a wry smile and Taisho continued.

"I know how important your world wide contacts are father. I've always done my duty to this family. This is something I want for myself."

"Are you in love Taisho?" Sesshoumaru asked, still in his formal voice.

"Yes father."

Sesshoumaru stood in one effortless motion and Taisho followed his father into the formal garden. Lady Rintook care of this place as well as the herb garden. If she knew the nature of the plants and other things her mate needed she didn't give it much thought Taisho thought to himself as he walked side by side with his sire. The underground menagerie was overseen by Sesshoumaru himself. The demons he trusted to tend the creatures there were family members. Sesshoumaru had started to speak again and this time it was father to son, a more personal tone of voice, the one that Sesshoumaru usually reserved for conversation with Rin.

"I am not one to love and I'm not loveable," Sesshoumaru said and Taisho looked over at the demon's profile.

"But my Lady mother…"

"I have never understood why she chose me to love," Sesshoumaru said coming to rest near a small stream that trilled over the rocks in its shallow bed.

"I am a demon and she's never seen me be anything but. In the beginning I was indifferent to her being with me."

Knowing he was now in territory his father had kept hidden from all of his children Taisho, his eldest with Rin, stood silently, eyes on the TaiYoukai, transfixed.

For his part Sesshoumaru was remembering a time that was just like yesterday to him.

"I had been hurt in a fight and I was resting in the forest letting my body heal when this girl, this human girl found me. I was so weak all I could do was growl at her hoping to scare her away. Instead she brought me two small fish and some water. I told her I didn't eat human food and she just laughed and skipped away. Every day she would bring me food even though it was obvious she didn't have much herself. She was nothing but skin and bones. But she would sit with me and talk, and sing. Jaken finally found me and by that time I was strong enough to leave. The wolves came that day and attacked her village. She came running to find me but they overtook her and killed her."

"My mother…the wolves…" So many things fell into place now, Sesshoumaru's hatred for wolves despite his having mated one and his daughter had born pups for one.

"I had Tensaiga by then and I had never used it. But that day I did. It was the first self less thing I had ever done."

"You brought her back to life?" Taisho asked unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.

"Yes."

"And you became lovers?"

"No! She was a child, a human child of maybe six or seven years. She stayed with me and I never hid my actions from her. I would maim, kill, destroy, undermine, and fight with Inu Yasha and later Kagome and through it all she never looked at me with anything but total devotion. If anyone tried to hurt her they had to deal with me. It was only when she became a woman that I began to realize, to acknowledge, that I had feelings for her. Knowing she was human and that at some point she would want a human to mate with I pushed those feelings aside and took lovers more frequently. Its how I ended up with Yore."

Sesshoumaru grew silent and Taisho didn't dare to even breathe while in his minds eye Sesshoumaru saw the young child that had been Rin curling up in his lap and falling asleep against his chest. When he began to speak again Taisho leaned forward.

"Rin needed human contact and she would go to market in whatever town we were near to get food for herself. I had a place I stayed near one town and we would camp there often. She was gone a long time and I was going to go looking for her when she came back. Rin talks a lot but that night she was very quiet. Sometimes people knew who she was and would call her names thinking I had been with her since she was a child when I had never touched her like that. If I got too excited, especially when she was in heat, I would find a way to stay away until the time passed. So I asked her who had insulted her preparing to confront the bastard when she told me a boy in the village had asked her to marry him."

Sesshoumaru grew silent again and met his son's eyes.

"I had to make a choice and I did. She told me she loved me and only wanted to be with me."

"Did you know how to be with a human?" Taisho asked before he could stop himself. Sesshoumaru, back in control of himself, smiled and answered in the affirmative. He'd told Taisho enough as it was.

"We've been together ever since."

Sesshoumaru now looked directly at his son making sure the younger demon had understood what he'd told him.

"You are my pup, my son, Demon Lord of the East. When I chose your mother I was just one of many demons fighting for supremacy. With her I became the TaiYoukai. She was the best and only choice of mate for me. I caught hell for it but I think she and I have proved everyone wrong. If you put Wattan aside, make sure you've got your line of command set up. She knows things about you no one else does, things that could make life very difficult for you and for the family. I don't think now is a good time to make Kado have to choose to go against his mother."

Both demons remembered the challenge Oki, Wattan's son with her undersea lover Nami had mounted and that the young prince was now imprisoned in Sesshoumaru's menagerie. Kado, Taisho's son with Wattan now ruled under the waves in his elder brother's stead. Kado could live on land and in the sea, and because of that he was feared in the Asian oceans. He had the family trait of long white hair and the shimmery color shifting body of his mother. His eyes were golden. Kado also had a brutal, practical nature and even a whiff of disloyalty had caused many a demon to die. Kado reminded Taisho of his sister in his ability to use beings as he needed. Friend and lover were temporary titles for Kado.

"When the time comes I think he'll be up to it just like you were."

Sesshoumaru turned away from his son and sat down on a nearby rock just as Taisho caught the scent of his mother.

"Taisho! I thought I heard that you were here," she said smiling at him. In order to keep her at his side Sesshoumaru had used the sacred jewel to transfer some of his youki to Rin thus changing her nature. She was several centuries removed from her birth and looked like a woman in her late twenties. Her scent had ceased being human a long time ago. She embraced her son as best she could, she was a small woman, and then went to her lover taking a seat at his side to maintain decency in front of her son.

"Our son is in love Rin," Sesshoumaru said while his hand reached out to smooth Rin's blue black hair out of her face.

"Taisho! Who is she?"

"Her name is MaitaChoEtsu."
"Maita? Her father is a Demon Lord from East Africa?"

"Yes."

"I hope you don't mess up all your father has worked for with your usual antics Taisho."

"Mother…"

"AlemNehis a friend of ours. If this is one of your infatuations leave her alone. You'd set your father back hundreds of years."

It always amazed Taisho that Rin would jump to defend and protect a being that needed neither from her. Sesshoumaru looked at his son, his face and emotions unreadable.

"I have no intention of making trouble for our family Mother. I wanted both your blessings in pursuing ChoEtsuas my life mate."

Rin looked at Sesshoumaru and held his gaze in hers for what seemed a long time before looking back at her son. They understood each other in a way Taisho hoped to achieve with ChoEtsu.

"Don't make your father have to step in Taisho," she said sternly. She had learned to use her voice from her mate. She had a voice that could only be called girly and another one, the one she used now, when she dropped all pretense of being anything but mate of the TaiYoukai of Japan.

"Take your time Taisho. She's never been comfortable here in Japan. She may never be what with Japanese attitudes."

"Love…"

"Taisho, take your time. This is new territory for you too. Go slow."

Taisho left his parents alone and took to the sky heading back to where his estate was being built. Once there he retreated to his private suite of rooms where serving demons quickly brought nourishment and then disappeared from view.

Taisho and Sakura had seen Inu Yasha use his sword several times over the years, always in battle and never once had his father used the gift his father had given him, always using his death dealing larger sword. Now he knew why Sesshoumaru never used the Tensaiga, and why he kept it with him all the time. He and Sakura had speculated so much over the years each vowing to tell the other when and if they ever found out what the Tensaiga's power was. Now that he knew he had no desire to tell his sister. As he sat back he wondered why his father had told him now. Until he understood why he'd have to delay his return to Cho.

Wattan looked at Taisho as if he'd morphed into a two headed lower demon.

"You say that if I want to visit my relatives and friends I can do so freely?"

"I thought I spoke clearly Wattan," Taisho said, annoyed that Wattan was choosing to be a bitch.

"It's not like you to give up something you have Taisho," she said. "Do I displease you that much now?"

"No Wattan, it's not that. You're still very beautiful."

She smiled and crossed her legs. Wattan didn't so much move as flow and her movement still fascinated him. He tore his eyes away from her legs and back to her eyes, a much safer place.

Wattan was confused, something she hated to be. She'd put up with Taisho and all his women because as many as he had none had borne a child for him. Kado was more than the demon either of them could've asked for and his achievements had made her position secure. For Taisho to now give her her freedom no one would say she was wrong to be rattled.

Wattan never threw it up in Taisho's face that she had her own network of spies but now it was time to lay some cards on the table as the Americans would say.

"So who is she? I hear you've been chasing an African demon female."

She saw the admiration in Taisho's eyes even as he snapped a reply back.

"What I do is my business Wattan."

"Of course My Lord. I'm just asking a question. I mean this is the first time you're allowing me to go back to my home without restrictions of some kind so I'm guessing you're serious about someone."

"What's your point Wattan?"

"Where will my children stand? They're your heirs and I won't stand by and let them lose their birthright to some bitch from who knows where."

"It's no different than what Yukio is doing with Chiyo. Your children are my heirs."

"I'll hold you to that Taisho," she said as she stood up and walked back to the sea, assuming her natural form as she entered the depths of the sea before diving out of sight. Taisho knew that had been too easy. He'd expected her to ask for Oki's release. That she hadn't meant that she and Nami had plans to get him out on their own. Wattan's little network was second only to Chiyo's he thought as he took off for his father's compound, finding his sire in jeans, a black tee and sneakers, his hair pulled back into a samurai top knot in the middle of an experiment using a live subject from his menagerie. He knew his sire was aware of his presence but waited until the demon was dead and his father had a satisfied smile on his face before telling him what Wattan's reactions had been to his decision and what he thought was the reason behind them. As one they teleported down to the prison landing in front of the tank where Oki sat in the corner. Seeing the two dog demons he moved to stand in front of them speaking mind to mind.

"Is it my turn to die today O Great One?" the aquatic demon sneered.

Sesshoumaru looked at Oki like he would one of the lesser demons held elsewhere in the prison and said nothing. Taisho held his tongue having learned from his father a long time ago that talk was cheap and that one didn't waste words boasting when actions always spoke very loudly. Oki watched the two and just as he began to wonder what they were up to he felt a change in the water. Realizing what was happening he banged against the clear walls of his cell.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I think you know Oki," Sesshoumaru said calmly as Juri, long his lead inquisitor and for ages the one who ran this place came in.

"It's done," she said in her abrupt manner. She was the only one who never called Sesshoumaru by any of his titles and got away with it. Some said that they had been lovers a long time ago but if they had been it had been a very long time ago. Very few could remember the time before Rin was in the Great Demon's life.

"This will continue until the water is totally fresh. Of course, if you have anything you want to tell us your requirements will continue to be met."

Taisho turned to leave loving the brilliance of his sire's mind. As one the two canines teleported out landing in Sesshoumaru's outer apartment. Both demons were aware of the telepathic powers of the sea dwellers and Sesshoumaru summoned two of his guards into his presence.

"Bring Ami to me," he said and the two apparated away. Ami was a medium who lived under the protection of the Higa and Higurashi families. There were rumors that one of her ancestors had consorted with a minor sea deity and that the psychic ability in her family had been passed down generation to generation. Sometimes the mediums were male but this go around the power resided in this girl. She came when summoned and Sesshoumaru looked down at her where she knelt before him. He could do the work himself but he had other things to do. Before he was finished father and son saw the girl's eyes go blank and familiar with how the family's power worked, they sat down and waited until the girl snapped out of her trance and blinking, looked at them.

"Nami is upset. He wants to move a timetable up, not good for you TaiYoukai, and the woman is telling him to wait, that she doesn't want to lose her son."

Sesshoumaru wanted to know who in his household was involved and she told him no one, that they felt the demons in the house were too loyal to try and corrupt. After telling Ami to keep in touch with OkiSesshoumaruturned to Taisho.

"You know what you have to do."

With a nod, his expression grim, Taisho went to get Wattan.

Cho had been in the city all day and came back to her father's compound just before dark. Demon hunters were active after dark and she knew from experience that she had to be careful. When she got to her room she found a note from her stepmother asking to see her when she returned. Brehane was a powerful demon in her own right and very rarely involved herself in ChoEtsu's affairs since she resented her existence. Cho took her time and after bathing and changing into comfortable clothing she went in search of her stepmother, finding her in her apartment.

"ChoEtsu. I'm so glad to see you."

Cho gave the woman the greeting expected of her and sat down.

"You asked to see me."

Brehane never beat around the bush, something Cho admired in the woman, and this was no exception.

"Yes. I'm hearing rumors about you and one of the sons of the Great Demon of Japan. Are they true?"

"Yes," Cho replied knowing from bitter experience not to give Brehane more than she asked to know.

"You are aware that he has a consort of long standing, one that cements his family's hold on power in Japan?"

"I know about her, yes."

"And her son?"

"Yes."

"I've met the Great Demon and he is always thinking, always strategizing. What benefit does your mating with his son bring to them, and more importantly, to us?"

Cho had asked herself the same questions and had come up with some answers. She would rather be having this conversation with her father but he was away in Congomeeting with some of the Demon's there about the bloodshed and confusion in the area. It would be hard to rein in the now running amok demon hordes and he'd be gone awhile.

"Our family has loose ties all over our continent and abroad but none that are ties of blood."

"We have extensive ties in our area of the world. Why should we concern ourselves with demons in Japan? If we ally ourselves with the Great Demon what if he's deposed? The repercussions for us could be drastic."

"The Great Demon has held power for as long as anyone can remember My Lady."

"That is just the point. He's grown old and arrogant in his power. Your becoming his son's mate could tie us to a dying power, not an ascendant one."

Brehane must be getting old Cho thought to herself. There was no way she should've said what she had. In Cho's mind she was admitting that there were plans afoot to unseat the TaiYoukai and replace him with someone whose

goals might not be those of Sesshoumaru and his family and their allies around the world.

"Their family suffered a political loss just a few days ago, one that in the past would never have occurred. I think you should wait and see what happens over there before you make a decision."

"Of course My Lady," Cho said bowing to her step mother in the Japanese fashion. After Cho left Brehane smiled. What better way to unseat Sesshoumaru and his family than to plant a false seed that there were enemies all around. By the time the TaiYoukai finished alienating all his allies those who wanted him out would have a ready and willing audience for their plans.

The Higa and Higurashi families used one firm to do all their construction for them, the same one they'd used for centuries. In the human world they were ranked as the top firm in all Japan, having built the government buildings in several cities including the Parliament buildings in Tokyo. Very few humans were aware that they were dealing with a demon family of long standing, one like the Higa's, that kept the full demon contingent out of sight and ruled through hanyou or human looking front people. When Taisho or his siblings or any of their children needed work done on a home the Naito family was contacted. The current top architect, Yachi, walked over the land Sesshoumaru had given to Taisho as his after they'd subdued the local demons. NaitoYachihad declared the parcel a beautiful piece of property and told Taisho he could build a beautiful home with several minor houses on the premises for him. With the main house was almost finished Taisho went to Hokkaidowhere Sakura and Kouga made their home. Sakura had born two pups for Kouga and they were romping in spirit form on the front lawn when Taisho appeared, also in spirit form. The three dogs greeted each other with tails wagging and licks all around. Kouga had been standing in the shadows watching Taisho's arrival and when the greetings were over he sent his children away.

"What brings you here Taisho? The Great Demon using you as his message boy again?"

Taisho shifted into human form and ignored Kouga's jibe.

"This was supposed to be a casual visit but it seems other things are afoot."

"The TaiYoukai still can't stand the sight of me can he?"

Taisho, now knowing why Sesshoumaru had a deep dislike of wolves, said nothing and followed Kouga into the main house. As long as Kouga and Sesshoumaru only saw each other on high ceremonial occasions when the script called for Kouga to be subservient to Sesshoumaru the relationship could be kept civil. Inu Yasha had never forgiven Kouga for his moves on Kagome but he had tried to mediate the dispute between his half brother and his niece's chosen only to prevent a possible opening for someone to step in and disrupt the family. Kagome took Sesshoumaru's side in the dispute which had surprised everyone but Kouga, who knew how deeply she hated him for what he'd tried to do to her. Taisho was the only one who could come to the house without inciting a war and when Sesshoumaru wanted to get information to Sakura he would often ask Taisho to deliver it.

"So what is this about?" Kouga asked, piqued despite himself.

"Where's my sister?" Taisho asked.

"The boars staged a raid again and she's mediating the dispute."

Food was brought to them and they sat in Kouga's room watching baseball. Both Demon Lords supported the same team and they were wishing curses on their team's opponent when Sakura came in.

As she'd aged she'd become a truly female version of their father, her slender frame and delicate features having grown more beautiful with time. Her facial marks, different from her sire's but in the same places as his were looked like delicate ink work on her pale skin. She was dressed in high ceremonial style and sat down next to her mate accepting food from him.

"What does our sire want now Taisho? There are no major wars or problems that I'm aware of," Sakura said in the identical bored tone Sesshoumaru used.

"Kouga said you were mediating a dispute with the boars," Taisho said in exactly the same tone. He preferred to lead up to the reason for his visit and decided to engage in casual talk for a while.

"Yeah. They raided a human village and did a lot of damage. The humans are looking to bring exterminators in to reinforce their safeguards."

"That'll make it bad for all of us," Taisho said as Kouga nodded in agreement.
"I banished a few of the hotheads and their leader is swearing that he'll keep the others in line. A small attack against one or two families is one thing. Possessing an entire village…"

"It's still pretty isolated up here and the old ways die hard. They've just never brought in exterminators."

Kouga's words reduced them all to silence and they were sitting eating quietly when Eri, Kouga's daughter with Yore, Yukio's mother, came in and sat down to join them. Yore had died soon after Eri's birth and Sakura was the only mother the young female wolf knew. Her sister, Sakue, was in the West visiting friends. Eri had shown an affinity for politics from an early age and it was accepted that she sit in on the conversations. She was too much of a demon to function in the human world and it frustrated her to no end.

"It seems that the sea dwellers are trying to mount an attack against our family."

Sakura gave a dry laugh and shook her head.

"You know they're not to be trusted. Why now?"

"Our sire is holding Oki prisoner after he discovered him plotting to kill him. Nami and Wattan had mounted a plan to break him out."

"Are they still alive?" Eri asked looking at Taisho, surprise and a little disdain registering in the burnt orange glow of her eyes.

"Barely. Father devised a way to keep them under control and has forces loyal to us ready to move."

"How? We can't breathe under water."
"Kado can."

Taisho could laugh later at the expressions on their faces but for now he kept a straight face.

"I just came to let you know shit may be starting."

"Sometimes you amaze me Taisho-sama," Eri said after a few minutes of silence among the four demons.

"That's the point my dear sister. Always keep 'em guessing."

MaitaFuyukousually knew when her daughter was coming. Like many young humans and demons she was addicted to the electronic devices that made communication so much easier. So she was more than a little surprised when her daughter appeared in her small house located in a middle class Tokyoneighborhood. Cho quickly removed her shoes and deposited them outside the door, coming back in and giving her mother a hug.

"What in the world are you doing here Cho? Your father…"

"Is in the Congo. I tried to reach him but he's trying to keep the carnage within the guidelines. Otherwise they're going to bring the attention to the Exterminators. How are you mother?"

"I'm fine Cho," Fuyuko responded.

"You have someone coming over?" Cho asked heading for the kitchen and grabbing a popular juice drink.

"I was going out to that new club."

"What new club mother?"

"Alter World."

Cho shook her head before downing the drink.

"I won't be here except to sleep. I'm heading for Higa Associates."

"For what Cho? You can't expect busy demons like them to just see you."

"I think they will mother. Later."

Stopping just to pick up her shoes Cho apparated into the reception area of Higa Associates, the part reserved for demon concerns. There was a young fox demon working at the reception desk and Cho put on her brightest smile.

"Hi. My name is MaitaChoEtsu. I need to get in touch with Taisho…"

The young female laughed.

"You just drop in and expect to see the Demon Lord of the East? Who the hell are you?"

"I'd be careful how you talk to me. Let him know I'm here and see what happens."

Riku shrugged and picked up a phone.

"Some broad wants to see the Demon Lord of the East. Yeah. MaitaChoEtsu. Yeah. I'll wait. Uh-huh."

Kame, one of Taisho's daughters with Wattan, worked as Jiro's personal assistant. Riku put the mouthpiece of the headphone away from her mouth and looked at Cho.

"It'll be a few minutes," she snarked before going back to the call she was on. Whoever Shippo was he was a very patient man Cho thought to herself.

Cho picked up a magazine and lost herself looking at the newest fashions so when Riku shrieked her name she jumped a foot in the air.

"Someone will be here to escort…."

Two demons appeared in the office and walked over to Cho.

"Come with us please," the larger one said.

Cho waved good bye to Riku as they disappeared. For her part Riku called Shippo right back. He worked with Inu Yasha and was at his office on another floor of the glass tower.

"I think that was that demon Taisho was going on about, having you check her out and all? Yeah, the one from Ethiopia. Why do you care how hot she is Shippo????!!!!"

The compound Cho and her escort apparated into was outside of Honshu on the Eastern coast of Japan and Cho looked around wondering why there was so much construction going on.

"This way ma'am," the smaller demon said and Cho had no choice but to follow. She was wearing jeans and a tee and wondered if she should've taken the chance to dress more formally. Deciding she was fine, her news would appear that much more urgent, she shook her head and left her shoes outside before stepping into the slippers she was handed by a serving demon. For some reason she had expected Taisho to be alone and ready to rush into her arms. Instead he gave her a perfunctory nod and stepped further into the corner where he was talking to a man who looked like him, long thick white hair and golden eyes but instead of human skin looking with fine fur his skin was opalescent and appeared to be more marine than anything else. The other man had smiled at her and turned back to his conversation with Taisho. At the same time Cho felt a pressure on her mind that meant someone was reading her. She quickly put her shields up and saw the strange demon wince and spin around to look at her.

"Try that again and your brain gets fried fish boy," Cho said angry at the attempted intrusion.

"Well father at least she's competent. Don't know about that mouth though," the strange demon said and Cho wanted to melt into the furniture. If this man was Taisho's son she'd just ruined her chances of making her relationship with Taisho more permanent.

"She's also quite young. I didn't know you were into youth and inexperience."

Taisho gave Kado a sharp look and turned back to Cho.

"Cho, this is Kado, my oldest son. Kado, this is MaitaChoEtsu."

The bows on both sides were more respectful this time and Cho knew not to try and smooth this faux pas over.

"I've never seen abilities like hers," Kado said to his father.

"Were you listening young lady?"

"No. Where I come from we're taught manners."

"Are you saying My Lord father didn't raise us right?" Kado threatened, his skin tone going from pale blue to deep blue.

"There are more of you?"

"Oh yes. My other brother Kiyoshi and my sister Kame."

"I wasn't aware of that," Cho said looking at Taisho who was watching her intently.

"You're younger than Kiyoshi," Kado said cutting his eyes at his father.

"They're waiting for you Kado," Taisho said sharply and Kado bowed deeply.

"My Lord."

His body didn't so much move as it flowed Cho thought to herself watching him leave.

"His mother is a sea creature and has been my consort for quite some time."

"So why us?"Cho asked forgetting her reasons for coming.

"I think you know why Cho. But you came here with some urgency I see. What is it?"

This was not the Taisho she knew and she wondered if what he'd shown her of himself had been an elaborate lie.

"My step mother Brehane told me that there is a serious plot to unseat your Lord father, the TaiYoukai."

"There are always plots against him and he still rules here. Why should the ramblings of some bitch in Ethiopiaconcern him?"

"Because they come from some bitch in Ethiopia!!! If it was something based here she wouldn't know would she? That makes me think that it's something more world wide."

Taisho smiled and sat down. He was dressed in an emerald green yukata with paler sea green trim. His eyes were emotionless and he looked her over with a frown.

"Sit, please."

Cho did as she was told.

"You should know you don't come into the presence of a Demon Lord dressed like you're getting ready to clean house Cho. Did your mother know you were coming here?"

"No…"

"Then she gets off easy this time."

"What are you talking about?! I came to you…"

"With unfounded rumors that may or may not be true. Do you think the Demon Lords around the world have no way of tracing rumors of this sort? Do you think we're content to sit on our laurels and wait to be deposed?"

"You know what Taisho, I'm sorry I came here. You're obviously not the demon I thought you were."

"And what would that be ChoEtsu? I run a domain. If I didn't want to see you you wouldn't be here. But you are. And what do you do? You insult my son with your words and my house with your dress. If you want to be with me you have to learn how to be in my world. If you see me in consulting with someone take a minute to find out who he or she is before starting a war of words."

"He was probing my mind Tai…My Lord. I had to defend myself."

"He is a Demon Prince and if you left yourself open…"

"You know what, I'm leaving."

"No you are not," Taisho growled pulling a silken cord. A young woman who looked very much like the man who had just left came in and it didn't take rocket science to know that this was Kame, Taisho's middle child and only daughter.

Her skin was more like her father's but she moved the same way Kado did. She too had the golden hued eyes that seemed to run in the family. Her hair was not white but soft lavender and when she blinked her second eye lid was obvious. She was breathing air though and that meant she was amphibian like her brother. She nodded her head curtly at Cho before bowing deeply to her father.

"MissMaitais hearing rumors in East Africaabout a move to unseat the TaiYoukai."

Kame looked over at Cho with what seemed to be renewed respect before speaking.

"I have heard such rumblings but they've been unfounded rumors so far, not enough to bring to My Lord's attention."

"I think we should contact Lord Inu Yasha."

"Should I bring her with me?"

"I'm sure he'll want to talk to her."

"Where is he?"

"He went into the office today."

"Ah yes, the vote. We lost."

"There's a bigger one coming."

Kame nodded in understanding and stood up.

"She's not dressed to meet Lord Inu Yasha."

"I'll take care of that. MissMaita, come with me."

Kame left Cho alone with a young demoness who shook her head.

"You came to see the Lord dressed like that?"

"I made a mistake."

"You did. He is a stickler for protocol, even from his women."

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"My name is Sen. Itake care of the wardrobe in this house. Come with me please."

Cho followed the demon to a large room which was only partially completed. The sleeping area was finished and Cho wondered whose room this was supposed to be.

"Do you like?" Sen asked her.

"It's beautiful. It reminds me of home with all the foliage just outside."

"My Lord will be pleased."
"What?" Cho said.

"This is your suite. It's not finished because he wasn't expecting you so soon. Come, let's choose an outfit for you to wear to meet Lord Inu Yasha."

Cho ended up choosing a simple black skirt, a white tailored blouse with a wide collar, and simple black pumps with black stockings. Over it all she put a black wool swing coat. Sen decided she should pull her hair up in a twist and wear light make-up.

"You can't make the same mistake twice in one day," Sen chided as Cho looked at herself in the mirror. Deciding not to respond to Sen's words she picked up a black Gucci purse and headed out the door. The last person she expected to see waiting was Taisho, and she had to force herself not to melt into a heap of quivering jelly. Taisho was leaning against the sedan, Mercedes of course, wearing black head to toe. The color suited him Cho thought even as she reminded herself that to walk you had to put one foot in front of the other. The suit clung to his long thin body like he'd been born wearing it. Instead of a tie he wore the black silk shirt with the collar open. His mane was pulled back in a long queue which trailed down his back and the look emphasized his large golden eyes. You couldn't see his fangs when he smiled like he was now.

"My uncle hates being kept waiting. Let's go."

Cho walked past him and slipped into the back seat of the car keeping her eyes straight ahead while Taisho walked around to take his seat next to her. The chauffeur had been trained by Juri and Sesshoumaru's staff and his loyalty to the family was unquestioned. Cho found him fairly creepy but knew that she was in no position to make a comment so she contented herself with ignoring Taisho and looking at the scenery.

Demons had cars, estates, and did most things modern humans did except that when they chose to they could use alternate dimensions to get where they wanted to go. Many, like Inu Yasha, traveled human highways for the hell of it. Taisho only did it when he had to and now was not one of those times. The road they traveled appeared on no map of Japanbut it was experiencing a traffic jam just like a human road would at this time of day.

"I guess Lord Inu Yasha is going to have to wait," Cho sat crossing her legs. Taisho meant to shoot her a dirty look but his eyes went straight to the expanse of thigh that was now visible and the look was lost. If Cho noticed she didn't let on that she did and she shifted her position so that her skirt slipped up even higher and Taisho bit down on his lower lip to remind himself that he was supposed to be pissed with the beauty sitting next to him.

"I thought it meant something to be a Demon Lord."

Taisho had been ready to order the driver to use the signal and clear a path for them but now he sat back and mimicked Cho by crossing his legs and looking out of the window. If the driver thought that was odd he knew better than to let on.

Still, less than an hour had passed when they turned onto a paved road that seemed to end at the horizon. Cho could see hints of the spell and marveled at how well it had been done. Taisho was watching her now and she turned to look at him with innocent eyes.

"Are we almost there?"

"We are there," he said as the car eased to a stop. Cho didn't wait for Taisho to help her out of the car, getting out on her own and walking to the front of the car where Taisho was waiting. Without touching they fell into step with each other and walked through the cloaking spell and into what seemed to be a fairy land. No one was visible from the front but when they turned the corner they found the master of this compound, the Demon Lord Inu Yasha himself, sitting in a tree watching their approach. He was dressed casually in baggy khaki colored cargo pants and a red tee. His feet were bare and he didn't move to get down to the ground until they were practically under the tree. Cho noticed that he didn't have the markings Taisho had but he did have clawed hands and feet. The last place she'd expected to see one of the ruling demons of Japanwas up a tree but she had decided that whatever she found on this trip she'd act as if it was all normal.

"My Lord," Taisho said formally to Inu Yasha who barely looked at his nephew he was so busy looking at Cho. When he spoke Cho began to wonder if contempt was the official name of this family.

"What brings you here Taisho? It seems you interrupted a date to come and see me."

"Date? With her?"

"Don't bullshit me Taisho. This is the demon you've been turning the world upside down over isn't it so why are you acting like you don't know her?"

"Since she showed up unannounced with some intel she figured was important."

"All intel is important Taisho. It's why you pay me so well. Maita-san, come and tell me what you know."

Cho was shocked that Lord Inu Yasha knew her name and made a point to turn her nose up as she strolled past Taisho and walked with Lord Inu Yasha to the veranda where they made themselves comfortable.

"So tell me what brought you so far from home?" Inu Yasha said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Cho realized he was being nice just to fuck with Taisho. The fact that he let her know that he knew her name and who she was told her she wasn't dealing with someone who didn't take his job seriously.

"My stepmother wants me to wait to accept Lord Taisho's offer because of some plot against the TaiYoukai and the rest of the family. She feels a more beneficial alliance can be made."

"No names of course."

"So you think like I do she was full of it."

"You can't ever tell with Brehane."

Cho lost it at that point.

"Look, I'm impressed okay? I know you know all about me now so you don't have to rub it in my face."

Taisho stifled a grin and Inu Yasha smiled showing his fangs.

"Brehane is actually in contact with a dissident group of demons who do feel the current demon world order is too conservative. They feel the world is ripe for a more active demon presence."

"Can she threaten us?" Taisho asked no longer thinking Cho was an idiot for coming so far and making a mess of the plans he'd been making.

"She alone no. She had one of her minions here talking to Fitai two weeks ago. And he also spoke with Isas."

"And these are?"

"Old enemies that were never dealt with," Taisho said bitterly. "Has my father gotten involved?"

"No," Inu Yasha said tersely and Cho realized that neither demon knew where the TaiYoukai was. Inu Yasha stood up and looked at Taisho.

"We'll talk later. Get in touch with your sister and have her come here tomorrow."

"And Yukio?"

"I think he's coming up this way anyway."

Cho knew she wasn't invited to the family conference but she couldn't hide her smile as she and Taisho walked back to the limo. Not only was her Intel important, Inu Yasha himself had been tracking Brehane's actions. He may not have been ready to tell anyone else before but the fact that Brehane was openly talking about change meant the conspirators may be farther along than he'd thought. Once in the car Taisho sat quietly until they were near his compound.

"Want to go out for a drink?"

"I don't think so," Cho said meeting Taisho's eyes for the first time.

"I'm tired."

Taisho sat back thinking this was a game he could win. Once back at the house he walked Cho to her rooms and when she went to step inside he walked in with her.

"My Lord, I've traveled a long way and I must replenish my energy so that I can leave tomorrow for home."

"Why so soon?" Taisho asked reaching up and taking the barrette out of her hair and running his fingers through its silkiness. Cho reached up and removed his hands from her hair. Moderating her voice to hide her anger Cho held the Demon Lord's wrists in her hands.

"I said I'm tired My Lord. I'm sure you have lots of things to do that don't involve a rumor monger from Ethiopia. If you'll excuse me?"

Taisho stared at Cho in disbelief as she gently shoved him out of the door and dropped the screen. Angry he stormed out of the compound and told the driver to take him to the Shinjuku. How dare some little bitch treat him like a new born pup he fumed to himself? But three clubs later he had yet to calm down and the amount of sake he was drinking was approaching levels that would not make him drunk but would make him dangerous. It had been centuries since he'd had to force himself on anyone but now was as good a time as any to reacquaint himself with the practice.

He noted the deep silence of the compound and extended his hearing to try and listen to Cho sleep but instead of hearing the regular rhythms of sleep he heard silence. He screamed for Sen even as he threw his jacket down inside his own house before pouring himself another drink. Sen, wiping sleep from her eyes, came in and bowed her long dark hair forming a shimmering black curtain across her face.

"Where is MaitaChoEtsu?"

"My Lord, she left."

Sen avoided the Demon Lord's eyes which had turned crimson in anger.

"When?"

"Right after you left. The airspace was clear for her trip back home and she decided to take advantage of it."

Taisho didn't answer and instead gulped down his drink. When he looked up again his eyes were back to their golden hue.

"Come closer Sen," Taisho said softly and Sen stepped quickly so that she stood in front of her Lord.

"You're trembling Sen," Taisho said softly using one clawed finger to lift her chin so that their eyes met. "Do I frighten you?"

"No My Lord," she said keeping her eyes fixed on his.

"Cho decided on her own to leave Sen?" Taisho asked, his claw tracing a thin line of blood down Sen's cheek.

"Yes my Lord," Sen said, her voice steady and strong. Taisho smelled the lie on her and he shifted his gaze to look deeper into the demoness' eyes. With a smile he put his arm around Sen's waist and pulled her to him, his mouth greedily covering Sen's. For her part Sen put her arms around his neck allowing her yukata to fall open so that her nakedness pressed against his body. Breaking the kiss Sen smiled up into her Lord's eyes.

"Sen is here to serve you any way she can My Lord."

Taisho lifted her into his arms and carried her to his room where he lay her down on his bed. Sen's eyes were glazed and slit open in lust as she watched Taisho undress. In one motion she was on him, her tongue lapping like a kitten's at his flesh while her teeth nibbled on his hard nipples. The youkai marks covered his torso as well and she used her tongue to trace the pattern they made before continuing down his torso to where his erection waited. His penis throbbed in time with his heart and the heat he was generating would incinerate a lesser being she thought to herself as she licked the hard veiny flesh from stem to tip, the end of her tongue scooping the pearl of precum into her mouth closing her eyes to savor its taste. Taisho reached out to take her breasts in his hands, lifting her as he did so that she was straddling him. His fangs nicked her nipples and he used his tongue to soothe their passing making Sen cry out in pleasure.

"My Lord…"

"Shhh…." He said covering her mouth with his once again. Sen had played this scene out in her head so many times that now, in real life, she hardly knew how to react except to be what she was, a bitch in heat. Every part of her was on fire, every touch of his lips stoked that fire higher and she began to pump her hips in anticipation of his body joining with hers.

"My Lord I need you…"

"Do you Sen?"

"Yes…."

He abruptly lifted her in the air and in one motion impaled her on his erection. He was truly Sesshoumaru's son and Sen gasped in pain as he penetrated her. He gave her body no time to adjust to his size and he began his rhythm, his eyes fixed on hers watching her as she gave up any pretense of a fight and held onto him even as her rhythm began to match his. "Fuck me….oh yessss………Taisho…..My Lord……….OHHHHHHHHHHH…."

She screamed as her first orgasm shot through her and Taisho smiled feeling her fluids coat him. He was deep inside of her, so deep he knew he was inside her womb. He felt the first inkling of his own orgasm and he closed his eyes losing himself in the demoness' body, in her soft cries, her hard orgasms, in her nails raking his back. But in his mind, as his seed erupted into his body he saw green eyes and red curls, light brown thighs and chocolate tipped breasts and he cried out in anger and determination. He may fuck Sen, the next night she moved into his room, but he had no intention of giving up his fight to make ChoEtsuhis. He'd made a mistake and pissed her off but even as he held Sen's trembling body to his, the last of his seed slipping into her body, he vowed that one year from tonight's moon Maita Cho Etsu would be his mate.