InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Slayer Sango ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Author's Note: It is a challenge to get Sesshomaru's character just right, as I am sure other Inuyasha fanfic writers (and readers) are aware. It is tempting to give him lots of human attributes, and to make him overly 'touchy-feely' which I feel is a grave error. I prefer the cold and stoic (and sexy) demon the way he is portrayed in the anime, just as you probably do. So I find myself constantly correcting any tendency to overwrite him. If Sessh does seem to go out of character (ooc) from time to time in this story do understand that I try to minimize it while attempting to effectively communicate his increasing interest in Sango.

 

 

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Chapter 7

 

"Lord Sesshomaru, I advise that we strike against the traitor Jitsuo without delay. Our sources have made it clear that he intends to move directly against this fortress. I need not indicate to my lord the gravity of such a threat," said Tamaku.

 

Sesshomaru did not respond. He quietly observed the nobles gathered around him, his private council. While ultimately always arriving at a final decision on his own the youkai lord had learned from his father the importance of inviting opinions from his most loyal vassals whether he agreed with them or not. It was part of effective governance.

 

Lord Tamaku, the highest ranking youkai at court and second in authority only to Sesshomaru himself took the liberty of speaking on behalf of the other lords who sat with grave, serious looks on their faces. The news that the clan leader Jitsuo intended to start trouble had not surprised anyone, but the fact that he apparently meant to attack Sesshomaru directly had caused a major ripple of speculation and disgust among the august youkai.

 

"He is a loathsome dog who should have been murdered at his whelping," grumbled lord Akira. "A scheming, pillaging sort who thinks nothing of ravaging his own kind. Jitsuo desires raw power and is willing to go to his death to seek it."

 

"Why now? What exactly does he expect to accomplish by moving against us at this time?" asked Ryuchi, a clan leader from the same tribe as Sesshomaru's late mother.

 

"That is what I mean to discover," intoned Sesshomaru.

 

Ryuchi leaned forward. "My lord, should I assemble our generals and instruct them to strike against the traitor immediately?"

 

Sesshomaru looked at each council member in turn. He wanted to be clear. "We will not move until I give the order. Jitsuo's legion is still far from our territory. He will clash with us, I can see that now. It will take place a few weeks hence. In the meantime we will fortify the guard surrounding the palace. See to it Ryuchi... Make no mistake my lords, Jitsuo will be dealt with at the appropriate time." With that he stood and left the room without a further word. The assembled nobles also stood, lowering their heads in respect while he retreated.

 

"What can he mean to wait? It isn't like Sesshomaru-sama to hesitate at a threat like this. The cur Jitsuo may be a risk taker, but he is no fool. He would not pursue such a deadly undertaking unless he believed it would succeed."

 

"He will not succeed Ryuchi," cautioned Tamaku. "Lord Sesshomaru is the most powerful youkai in the land, not to mention the most devious and calculating. He has his reasons. Still you are correct in your observation. Jitsuo would not move against us unless he believes he can win."

 

"So why does my lord hesitate?"

 

"Who is to say he is hesitating," suggested Akira. "Perhaps there is information he chooses not to share at this time, something that would suggest caution." The assembled lords nodded and murmured in agreement.

 

While making his way to the exercise yard near his private rooms, Sesshomaru reflected on news he'd received just prior to the meeting with his council. Jitsuo in the company of his top lieutenant had been observed near the village where the priestess Kaede and his half-brother Inuyasha lived. The youkai lord briefly wondered if the hanyou had some part in Jitsuo's treachery, perhaps plotting with him for personal gain.

 

"No, Inuyasha is too stupid to organize a plot against this authority," concluded Sesshomaru. "For all his asinine bluster and ranting, my dolt of a half-brother is no intriguer, he is no schemer. And even he knows that such an action would lead to certain death, and there is that whelp to raise...There is something else..."

 

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"Here we are huntress. You may use this area if you like," said Hisako. Sango had requested space on the grounds to practice in anticipation of her confrontation with the bear youkai the following morning. She took it in stride that part of her responsibility as a professional youkai fighter meant regular preparation for battle.

 

Sango looked around and nodded approvingly. Apparently they were in some sort of exercise yard and it seemed suitable for her purposes. Its broad, flat surface and unobstructed space would accommodate her need to practice with Hiraikotsu.

 

Inuyoukai who looked like soldiers were also present and engaged in various training exercises of their own including swordfighting and sparring with claws and other tools of aggression. A few paused at seeing the approach of the strangely dressed human female but soon ignored her to return to their own activities.

 

'Yes, this will do,' thought Sango. She noticed a large symbol hoisted above the grounds-- a rightward facing crescent moon in a shade of deep blue. "What is that, lady Hisako?"

 

"That? It is the symbol of Sesshomaru-sama's mother's clan. This area was originally constructed for her use," explained Hisako. Sango nodded, recalling the taiyoukai's forehead mark. She vaguely wondered what Sesshomaru's mother had been like.

 

Dressed in her taijiya armor and carrying both a katana and Hiraikotsu, she readied herself for an extended practice session-- it had been a while since her last battle with a youkai. Kirara had followed her to the exercise yard and now looked on with interest.

 

"I will leave you now huntress as I have business to attend," said Hisako. The dignified youkai noblewoman had little interest in matters involving fighting and killing and was secretly appalled at the human woman's chosen work. She left quickly.

 

Sango set her weapons aside and began by performing deep breathing exercises to focus her mind and body and then stretched her cold limbs in anticipation of a period of running to get the blood in her veins pumping. Eventually beginning a moderate trot around the perimeter of the field, she ignored the condescending stares of the nearby youkai warriors. A sense of her own vitality started to take over as her mind cleared, and she relished the feeling of freedom while her strong legs carried her along swiftly.

 

"Exterminator. I doubt you will defeat the bear youkai by outrunning him," said Sesshomaru. Startled, Sango stopped mid-stride to see him suddenly appear at the edge of the field closest to her, stoic and icy as ever. The other youkai in the area promptly ceased their activities and bowed low to their lord in a gesture of respect. He waved a hand indicating they should resume their practice.

 

"Maybe I will. The point is that I destroy it-- the methods I choose for doing so are my own," she said and wondered, 'What is he doing here?'

 

"Proceed." He looked away.

 

In fact the demon lord had come to the practice yard for reasons similar to her own-- to exercise. Although much of the time he appeared sedate and uninterested in unnecessary physical activity, Sesshomaru preferred to keep his common physical form in condition through regular exertion. A common sight to the warriors who also used his mother's field for training, their lord often graced them with displays of power and sword technique. Sango watched from afar while he dropped his pelt and unfastened his armor while taking Toukijin in hand.

 

He commenced his kata. Perfect in form and technique, Sango marveled at the complexity of his movements. So smooth and sure and graceful, she imagined few could match Sesshomaru in a one-to-one battle. Finally refocusing herself on the task at hand, she completed her run and then picked up Hiraikotsu to begin a series of throws in an effort to strengthen her arm and improve accuracy.

 

The youkai lord wanted to spar. Looking about he called forward one of his more advanced fighters, a large inuyoukai named Shinichi. Bowing to his lord, the warrior stood ready. Unable to help herself Sango stopped to observe as did a number of youkai on the field who were unable to hide their curiosity.

 

"Do not hold back Shinichi," ordered the demon lord.

 

"Yes my lord." Suddenly the large youkai advanced with his katana, swinging sharply at his master's midsection. The demon lord feinted and swung in a large arc which Shinichi barely avoided. A series of strikes and counter attacks then ensued in blinding succession. Sango took a professional interest, marveling at the power and the speed of these advanced demons. It was clear that Shinichi put forth his best effort as he began to visibly pant with the exertion. For his part Sesshomaru seemed barely to break a sweat, and continued to fight with deadly intensity. Finally the demon lord caught Shinichi in a moment of inattention, slicing his arm in a broad but shallow gash. He paused.

 

"That will be all, Shinichi." The warrior bowed reverently and retreated, ignoring his wound. It was an honor to be chosen as a sparring partner for the Lord of the Western Lands, and pain was secondary.

 

Sesshomaru looked around the field apparently sizing up those present for another challenge. He removed his upper robes to reveal a finely defined chest, velvety skin and strong arms. Sango's eyes widened at the sight. 'Wow.'

 

She tried to refocus on her practice, but was taken aback when the demon lord's eyes improbably settled on her. Still cool and indifferent, he spoke directly. "Come exterminator. You have a katana. Show me your skill."

 

"What?" Sango couldn't believe her ears. The inuyoukai present also gasped in surprise. Why would lord Sesshomaru trouble himself with a human female as a sparring partner? Surely she was no challenge.

 

"You want to fight with me?" Sango wanted to confirm what she thought she had heard.

 

"I do not have until the full moon, exterminator. Do you decline the challenge?" he asked evenly.

 

"N-no." There was no way she'd back down to him. The icy demon wanted a fight? Then he had one. Sango picked up her katana and squared off in front of him. Bowing briefly, she set her stance.

 

"Come at me," he said quietly. What followed was a somewhat brief exchange. Sango used her best technique to advance on him but soon found herself at the tip of his sword.

 

"You will need to do better than that tomorrow, human woman. Come at me again. Watch your balance," he instructed. Sango nodded and tried again, this time with slightly more success. She of course could not touch him, but did manage to avoid a counter strike that threatened to skewer her shoulder. "Better. Again." Over the next few minutes Sango and Sesshomaru exchanged moves which usually ended with the taijiya barely avoiding disaster. She chafed at the realization that he was holding back and knew he could kill her easily if he chose. The session ended with a swift swing of Toukijin close to her throat; Sango recoiled in horror when a stream of warm blood trickled down her chest.

 

"He nearly killed me," she said to no one in particular and touched the long thin gash just above her collarbone. 'A surface wound. It just broke the skin,' she realized in relief.

 

The taiyoukai calmly resheathed his sword and spoke in cool detachment. "Not unsatisfactory huntress. But you need to improve your focus." With that he walked away, picking up his armor and clothing and retreated from the practice yard.

 

Flummoxed, Sango wondered at her newest encounter with the disdainful youkai lord. She noted the vaguely impressed looks of the inu warriors now surrounding her. Sango had been quick, used fine sword technique, and she was strong. That she had suffered a wound at the hands of Sesshomaru-sama was nothing to be ashamed of.

 

'Why did he do this? He behaved like a teacher. Does he believe I could lose to the bear demon?'

 

* * * *

 

At midmorning the next day a rather large crowd gathered in the main courtyard at the rear of the palace grounds. Sango's assumption that there would be an audience for her confrontation with the bear youkai had been correct. Various nobles and their ladies now assembled a safe distance from the area that was fenced off for the battle.

 

'So I am to put on a show for these damn demons,' she realized in annoyance. 'Alright, I'll give them one.'

 

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"Sesshomaru-sama, I'd like to see Sango. She isn't in her room," said Rin.

 

"She is occupied at the moment." The demon lord strolled with his ward in the gardens at the far end of the palace. He had not disclosed the fact of the human woman's current task, finding it unnecessary.

 

"I wish that she could stay with us always, Sess-sama. She is so kind. We play and paint pictures and go fishing-- I have so much fun when she is around."

 

"She must go home soon, Rin. Her place is not with us."

 

The little girl sighed. "I know."

 

Recalling an earlier conversation the youkai lord asked, "Rin, would you prefer to live with a human family and leave this place?"

 

"What? No! NO!! I won't leave you Sess-sama! Not ever!" nearly frantic at the suggestion, she clasped the sleeve of her protector's robe.

 

"And I like Hisako-sama. She treats me well even if I'm a little scared of her...Please don't send me away Sess-sama!" she begged. The idea of being kept away from her beautiful and great lord filled Rin with terrible dread.

 

"I did not say that you would leave. I merely wished to ascertain if it was your preference." Remembering Sango's earlier suggestion that Rin be placed with a human family for her own sake, the demon lord was now satisfied that he had been right all along. Of course he was. Rin was bound to him by Tenseiga and would not be separated.

 

'Why am I even entertaining the suggestion of that human?' he wondered.

 

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Sango heard it before she could see it. A thunderous, maddening roar suddenly filled the courtyard, and she rose along with the rest of the crowd to see a sight from Hell enter the makeshift arena. Approaching with lightning speed came an enormous two headed bear youkai. Two heads? No one had mentioned this. Sango quickly calculated the creature's height at around twelve feet, and felt her stomach turn at the sight of its horrible, mangled twin faces now grimacing at her eerily on their long undulating necks.

 

It looked to her as if the wretched demon's jailers had been having some sort of twisted fun with the damnable creature-- gashes and half-healed wounds covered both hideous faces of the bear. Sango cringed at the sight of foot-long yellow fangs as the demon opened its maw and screamed at her, perhaps as much out of pain its as from a current desire to rip her to shreds. 'What have these evil youkai done to you,' thought Sango.

 

No time for further reflection, a giant clawed paw swiped at her head, requiring the taijiya to roll to the side to avoid being crushed outright. She heard the gasps of the assembled onlookers as the demon deftly pursued her, quickly cornering her against one end of the fence. Now Sango thought she understood why the inu warriors had been unable to subdue this creature by the usual means themselves. It was incredibly fast, and seemed to possess keen vision, something bear youkai were not usually known for. It easily flew across the arena from one end to the other, pursuing her with a dogged determination.

 

At one point she was able to get far enough from the creature to swing Hirakotsu. With a loud yell she let fly the awesome weapon and it hit its mark, whipping at one of the awful heads of the youkai. Disgusting blood gushed liberally from a new open wound, and Sango shook Hiraikotsu to clear it of excess fluid as it returned to her. But it did not stop the demon who merely shrieked and renewed its onslaught. It meant to kill her. Not just kill her, but rip her into tiny unrecognizable shreds.

 

In the background Sango could hear the onlookers shout and react to each of her strikes and to the movement of the youkai. However she did not notice when the arena became suddenly quiet as the tall, elegantly attired Sesshomaru made his way to the edge of the fighting area to observe the proceedings. Leaving Rin with Hisako, the demon lord had found himself vaguely curious as to the huntress' progress with the youkai, and now looked on calmly as she worked tirelessly to stay alive.

 

'Okay, what now Sango," she asked herself. The bear did not slow down in the least as it rushed her again, bellowing and slobbering. She turned and flipped, landing behind it and got her katana in hand. As it turned she ran straight for its chest and plunged her sword deep into its heart. The creature yowled and staggered as she fell back.

 

Sesshomaru remained still and maintained a neutral expression as the nobles behind him stood and cheered the demon fighter's damaging blow. None had expected her to last this long. This was a fierce and horrible bear youkai, incredibly fast and powerful and probably insane, and yet this inferior human creature held her own. She was clearly talented and determined, a true warrior in the tradition of the inuyoukai and a credit to her species. Nobles whispered back and forth, asking one another from whence she came. It quickly went around that she had arrived at the palace as an attendant for the human child Rin. The more hentai minded also whispered that she perhaps served as a bedmate for their lord, but made sure to do so far out of Sesshomaru's hearing.

 

Sango collected herself and saw an opening. Lifting her centipede demon bone weapon once more she yelled "Hiraikotsu!" and flung it at the youkai. In an incredible blow, the giant boomerang cleaved both necks into stumps and the now disembodied heads crashed to the ground in a gory mass of blood and flesh. The body itself crumbled and stilled. The taijiya examined her work after reclaiming Hiraikotsu and finally turned to look at the inu demons assembled. She caught sight of the silent demon lord and bowed to him respectfully. An ovation then began, and she looked about to see masses of inu courtiers applauding her performance. She lowered her head slightly to them and prepared to leave the arena.

 

Sango had not a single scratch on her person as a result of the battle.

 

"Have her brought to the library after she is attended," said Sesshomaru to Tamaku.

 

"Yes my lord."

 

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"Your obligation to Rin is complete. You are free to leave," said Sesshomaru. He stood with his back to the taijiya as he stared out over the near forest from the library window.

 

"Is that all, lord Sesshomaru?" she asked. Young demonesses had taken care of the taijiya in the aftermath of her battle with the youkai. They bathed her, getting rid of the slime and blood that covered her armor and then dressed her in fine robes while praising the performance. Sango even took her midday meal with them, amused that these young females thought her something special at the same time that they disparaged humans in general.

 

"No. There is still the matter of your compensation for attending Rin. You will be free to go once it is settled. Yoshiro will escort you and the neko." He spoke over his shoulder while looking out of the window. "Perhaps you want some of that yellow metal humans are so fond of."

 

'He must mean gold.' Sango cleared her throat. "I don't mind spending time with Rin, she is delightful. I don't need money for enjoying her company."

 

She took a cautious step forward. "Now I can see that I was mistaken before about her needing a family-- this is her home and she is happy. She praises you constantly."

 

Not responding to the observation, Sesshomaru turned to face her. "Nevertheless you will be compensated. What is it you wish?"

 

Sango folded her arms and shifted her weight. Something had come over her. Fresh from a decisive victory over a strong foe, the taijiya allowed her impulses to take over. Resolved, she spoke clearly. "You, my lord... It is you I want."

 

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