InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Slayer Sango ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Someone asked if Sesshomaru has one arm or two in this story. He has two-- the arm cut off by Inuyasha regenerated in the years after the attack. I neglected to make this clear in the story.

 

 

Chapter 13

 

They came in procession. Vast numbers of inuyoukai, some from as far away as five days journey stood gathered in the wide open fields surrounding their ancestral palace and watched the solemn, dignified march of their most esteemed chieftains, commanders and nobility. The ceremony had begun.

 

Inuyoukai society observed a somewhat strict heirarchy in which warriors and nobles stood at the top while the vast majority of the community filled out the lower orders. The very highest representatives of the inu universe, the rich landowning nobles, maintained apartments in the palace and were required to regularly attend Sesshomaru at court. This served two functions: it allowed the Lord of the West to keep an eye on his most powerful vassals close up and it also contributed to the flourishing of inuyoukai culture by gathering the wealthiest members in society in one place, members who had the means to generously patronize the output of trade, art and agriculture produced by their brethren inu demons.

 

In the opening procession first came the generals: solemn and heavily armored, these fierce youkai embodied the fighting spirit that was the essence of inu pride. Next came the lesser nobles carrying polished and carved wooden staffs. They were all enrobed in brightly colored silks in shades ranging from deep black to vivid crimson to deep purple to snow white. These youkai served as the rank and file of court life, the officials who kept the palace running day-to-day.

 

After them came the higher ranking youkai-- the landholders and their mates. The smallest grouping, they passed by fairly quickly.

 

Necks strained and voices whispered as the next group approached. Led by the Lady Hisako, the young unmarried noblewomen of the court filed by, their somber and dignified facial expressions in stark contrast to the liveliness of their attire. Most of the young demonesses had chosen striking robes with bright colors and patterns to wear for the feast, as if to advertise themselves in an attempt gain Lord Sesshomaru's favor. Kaiya looked about, craning her neck as if seeking an escape.

 

"I hate this, I feel like a prized pig being trotted out for sale," she whispered to Midori who walked beside her.

 

"Be quiet! Lady Hisako will hear. And stop that gawking. It is low-class."

 

Kaiya frowned at the rebuke. "You're probably right about Hisako. That old bitch could hear the slithering of a snake on the other side of the moon." Amazingly, the elder demoness who had been walking several meters ahead of Kaiya now turned her head and glared.

 

"No way!"

 

After the young noblewomen members of the high council came into view. Led by Lord Tamaku, the three dignified senior inuyoukai (Ryuchi and Akira beside Tamaku) looked grave and important in their black robes and carrying tall, polished ebony staffs. They escorted the final party who walked a few paces behind.

 

In his common form the Lord of the West was just as imposing as he had been when appearing in his true canine incarnation. Looking as if sent directly from mother Moon, Sesshomaru appeared to glow with an inner starlight as he floated grandly along amongst his fellow youkai.

 

In contrast to the usual white silk haori and hakama he usually wore the Master of the Robes had dressed Sesshomaru in elaborate ceremonial robes made of the finest silver-white silk. Flashes of light emanated from the gold and silver metallic closework on the surface of the garment as twilight danced over its rich embroidery. Neither his usual blue and gold sash nor his armor were present, and his swords were secured to his side by a shimmering heavy obi that seemed woven from pure silver.

 

Sesshomaru wore an utterly indifferent expression in spite of his magnificence; he seemed barely to acknowledge the world around him while striding by with Jaken close on his heels.

 

"Lets get this over with," he muttered under his breath to his diminutive servant. Sesshomaru didn't much care for large gatherings, and did not normally attend these feasts. Basically a loner, the youkai lord had resigned himself to do his duty and be in the community for the sake of dynastic responsibility.

 

Taking in the reverent stares of his people, he reflected on his duties for the coming evening. 'Court the lady, receive the nobles, then I can retire.'

 

Sesshomaru tried not to but found himself roving his eyes steadily over the crowd in search of something. In search of her.

 

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Sango made it swiftly out of the rear entrance to the palace with Kirara. A row of guards stood about fifty meters away but were apparently engaged in some form of gambling-- a couple even seemed to be drunk. Taking advantage of her good luck she and the cat easily slipped past them and ducked behind a high hedgerow separating the rear courtyard from the grass that spread out behind the palace. On reaching this area the only thing between them and the forest lay a campsite of visiting inuyoukai who were most likely present for the festival. She crept past them warily.

 

"Who is that, Juku?"

 

"That? A demoness I suppose, why?"

 

"She looks odd, almost like a human. And what is that thing she is carrying?" The youkai pointed to Hiraikotsu slung broadly over Sango's back.

 

"Hmmm. I don't know. But there wouldn't be humans near here for great distances."

 

Sango tried to hide her face as she went along, Kirara tucked close to her chest. She didn't want the neko to change form until they were clear of the palace-- it would be a clear giveaway that she was leaving.

 

"Okay now Kirara!"

 

Sango jumped onto the back of the double-tailed cat after they entered the protection of the trees. Murmurs of the gathering crowd rose behind them as they rose in the evening sky. 'The festival must be starting.'

 

Finally the taijiya could breathe. "I am glad I won't know what would have happened if we'd been caught." A thought suddenly occurred to her. What would Sesshomaru do on finding out she was gone? She shuddered, hoping the activities of the evening would keep the demon lord busy enough so that she would not be missed until she had time to get far, far away.

 

"Where shall we go, Kirara?"

 

It was a good question. Sango couldn't return to her cottage outside the demon slayer's village-- if Sesshomaru sent anyone to drag her back to the palace they would surely look there first. Where indeed. The neko mewled.

 

"Yes, I suppose we should go there. Lets do it then."

 

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Something didn't seem right to Inuyasha. All afternoon and evening odd scents had been coming to him, as if strangers were close by but not showing themselves. He had performed two sweeps of the area looking for anything suspicious but had found nothing. He now sat on the porch of his cottage and fingered Tetsusaiga at his side.

 

Kagome and Takeo had gone with Shippo to pay respects at Kaede's gravesite beside the old woman's favorite stream just outside the village several minutes earlier. They had been gone only a little while but Inuyasha still felt uncomfortable. Even now, more than a month after his son's birth the hanyou didn't like to leave his family alone for any amount of time. That coupled with Kaede's warnings about someone wanting to kidnap Takeo made him doubly wary.

 

Just then another scent came to him, one that caused him to spring up and growl into the air, his demon side thoroughly awakened. It smelled like his damnable half-brother.

 

"Sesshomaru! What the hell are you--" He stopped and his eyes grew wide as he saw that it wasn't his brother at all who approached.

 

"Sango?"

 

"Inuyasha!" She jumped off Kirara's back and rushed to him, and threw her arms around her old friend. Sango felt shock when he suddenly shoved her away harshly. Distrust and confusion danced in his eyes.

 

"What is it? What's wrong?"

 

"What the fuck...why do you smell like him? Sesshomaru's scent is all over you." He stepped back to examine the taijiya and made a circuit a few feet away. Inuyasha couldn't fathom why Sango's scent was suddenly combined with that of his pain-in-the-ass brother.

 

'Oh hell. I forgot about this,' thought Sango. 'Gods I don't want to tell him.' "Inuyasha, its a long story. A lot has happened since I was here last."

 

"You'd better start explaining it then."

 

It suddenly dawned on Inuyasha the reason why Sango smelled so much like Sesshomaru, and his eyes grew wide. "You've been screwing that fucking bastard! What the hell is wrong with you??"

 

"Don't judge me, Inuyasha! You don't know what happened."

 

A pause.

 

"Wait, he didn't force you did he?" Frankly it would have surprised Inuyasha if Sesshomaru had done something like that. His brother was a lot of things, cold and stubborn and ruthless, but not a rapist.

 

"No! Just calm down. I'll tell you what happened. Where is Kagome?"

 

"She and the baby and Shippo are at Kaede's grave..." Sango gasped. "Yes, she died a few days ago. We tried to come get you just after but you were gone. I guess I know where you were now."

 

"Oh no! Kaede's gone?" He nodded again and noticed the taijiya seemed suddenly frail. Her hands shook and she had to reach for Kirara to steady herself.

 

"Sango are you okay?" He took a step forward.

 

She nodded and took a deep breath. "I've just been through a lot, Inuyasha. This news about Kaede, and your brother is hell to deal with..."

 

"I could have told you that before wench. If you've been hanging around him I'm surprised you're still breathing." Just as he was about to question her further about Sesshomaru, the pair whipped around at the sound of a sharp scream coming from the direction of the water.

 

"That's Kagome!"

 

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Sesshomaru sat upon a dais separated from the rest of the festival goers. He disliked being put on display like this but knew this was a special feast and was resolved to play his part. Nobles approached in orderly fashion presenting their daughters or sisters or neices for him to observe. The process of selecting a mate had begun.

 

"The lady Sakira, my lord. Daughter of lord Ebisu," explained Tamaku who sat beside him. Sesshomaru quietly if briefly looked at the girl and then nodded to her father who stood a step behind. The pair quickly withdrew.

 

"The lady Chiyo, the lady Aiko and the lady Keiko, sisters of lord Hiroshi." Another three glances and a nod from the demon ruler, and the group retreated.

 

"This is the lady Rei, daughter of lord Mimotaru of the eastern lands."

 

Sesshomaru looked down to see a lovely demoness, youthful and tall and regal. Speculation at court had been that Rei would be one of the likely candidates, but when the youkai lord merely nodded and looked away, it seemed she would also be passed over.

 

This procedure of presenting and parading young demonesses for Sesshomaru's perusal continued until nearly all of the young noblewomen assembled had come forward. So far no signal had been given that he favored one over any of the others.

 

"The lady Midori and the lady Kaiya, my lord. Daughters of Akira."

 

Kaiya's eyes were firmly on the ground so she could not see his reaction to herself or her sister. She just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible so she could return to her studio. A fresh batch of pigments had arrived that morning from the north, and she longed to open the package to examine her prize.

 

Sesshomaru settled his golden gaze on the two demonesses. He stared for a long time, saying nothing. Lord Akira ventured a glance upward at his lord.

 

'Yes, this is the demoness. She will do,' thought Sesshomaru. He suddenly stood, causing those assembled to draw in a collective breath of anticipation.

 

Kaiya wondered what was happening but could not look up until instructed.

 

"Lord Akira, I wish to confer with you in private," said the demon lord aloud.

 

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama." The excitement in Akira's voice could barely be contained. One of his girls had been chosen!

 

"You will remain here until they have returned," Tamaku instructed the demonesses as their father and the taiyoukai disappeared into a nearby tent constructed for Sesshomaru's use. The two stunned young noblewomen now looked around to see all eyes focused on them. Midori grasped her sister's hand.

 

"I don't believe it," she whispered.

 

"Looks like you hit the jackpot sister," murmured Kaiya in response.

 

 

 

Sesshomaru turned quickly to face Akira once they were inside the tent. He spoke promptly.

 

"If I may, I would ask your leave to acquire the company of your daughter, Lord Akira." He spoke evenly, without emotion. Sesshomaru as ruler could naturally court whomever he wished without permission, but he preferred to observe the traditions. The father of the demoness sought was usually approached in advance of the ritual itself.

 

"Yes of course Sesshomaru-sama. You do my family a most gracious and formidable honor, my lord." Akira touched his forehead to the ground as he knelt before the taiyoukai.

 

"She will accompany me for the duration of the festival."

 

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama." A pause. "May I ask, which of my two girls have you chosen?"

 

Another longer pause.

 

"The lady Kaiya."

 

Having observed the daughters of Akira closely over the last few weeks, Sesshomaru gradually was able to come to a decision. Kaiya and Midori came from an excellent bloodline, one that could be traced on both the maternal and paternal side nearly as far back as his own.

 

When it came to choosing between the sisters, Sesshomaru found that in contrast to Midori, Kaiya's reputation was one of discipline, strength of will and intelligence. Although attractive, Midori was considered less so than Kaiya. She was also regarded as more docile, less imposing than her sister. On balance it had been easy for him to choose the younger daughter based on these prevailing opinions.

 

Kaiya was beautiful, but in a way that differed from Sango. Where the taijiya exuded a fresh, bright, inviting sensuality, she appeared more subdued and refined. Rich dark brown hair contrasted with pale porcelain skin and almond eyes that threw a critical assessment on all who passed within her range. Her manner spoke of a strong sense of self and perfect breeding. Overall he recognized in her a strength of character, a certain approach to the world he believed would coincide well with his own. In comparison to the other ladies of the court, Sesshomaru found her superior, and had decided to take her as the mother of his heir.

 

 

 

"What in the seven hells--" Kaiya felt her stomach knot tightly as those assembled suddenly dropped to their knees in a reverent display. The demoness had not even remembered being led to the dais to stand beside the Lord of the West, and she trembled with the realization in the back of her mind.

 

She had been chosen!

 

Her eyes glazed over. 'This can't be happening. It can't be!'

 

"Kaiya! Show your respect!" hissed her father who stood just behind. The girl turned and looked into the face of her future mate.

 

"Lady Kaiya."

 

He offered his hand calmly and she took it, still in shock. She lowered her eyes and her head. It wouldn't do to make the family look bad now. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Midori who wore a sad but resigned expression. The younger girl wanted to run and stand in her place, but there was nothing she could do. Her older sister bowed to her as did everyone else.

 

'Gods this can't be happening!'

 

 

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She hadn't been there. Sesshomaru wondered where Sango was after making his rounds of the festival where he'd shown himself and his prospective mate to the community.

 

'I ordered her to be present,' he thought. The demon lord now sat alone recalling the evening's events while gazing into a fire that blazed brightly in his drawing room hearth.

 

The courtship ritual itself had been brief, consisting simply of the offering of a personal item of his own to his chosen lady. If she accepted it meant he could pursue her further. Another formality, but an important one all the same.

 

Sesshomaru had tucked his favorite blue and gold sash away in the folds of his sleeve before arriving at the feast. He then removed it carefully and offered it to Kaiya at the appropriate time. With trembling hands she had accepted the object.

 

'What else can I do?' she'd thought. A cheer went up among the assembled youkai. Feasting and entertainments then ensued that were to continue long into the night.

 

Lord Akira had performed his duty with gusto, calling the assembled inuyoukai together at the appointed time to pay homage to mother Moon. Shining bright and full, the warriors began a low howl at her which gradually grew and grew in intensity. Other inu joined in and eventually the entire valley shook with the sound of howling dogs.

 

For her part Rin had covered her ears at the loudness of the display. She watched in wonder at her lord's earlier actions. Not having any advance knowledge that he would be courting anyone, she stood in awe gawking at the pretty young demoness. 'But what about Sango-san? I had so hoped Sess-sama would be with her!' she thought. 'This must be why Sango-san left,' she concluded sadly. Suddenly distracted by a group of colorfully dressed performing monkeys led by their trainer in the distance, Rin promptly forgot her concerns and ran to get a closer look.

 

Remembering all this, Sesshomaru now sat in his private drawing room and waited for Sango to appear after having sent Yoshiro to retrieve her. Kaiya had been released to her father, and now the taiyoukai looked forward to spending time with she who had been on his mind all evening. He had missed not seeing her at the festival. He resolved to be gentle, he would not be hard with her any more.

 

"My lord. The woman cannot be found."

 

"What?" He turned to look at Yoshiro.

 

"The palace has been searched. Huntress-sama is missing it seems, my lord. Some inu camping in the fields reported seeing a strange looking female carrying an odd large object walking away from the grounds."

 

Sango. "She has left the palace without my permission," he stated in a monotone voice.

 

"Shall I ask lord Ryuchi to send a search patrol for her my lord?"

 

"No." He spoke emphatically. "Let her go. That will be all, Yoshiro."

 

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama."

 

He would not drag her back. 'She is gone, she has left me.' The reality slowly sank in. 'I have driven her away.'

 

Sesshomaru stood up and began to pace. Of course he could easily locate her and bring her back if he chose. But to go after Sango and force her back to the palace would only cause further displays of anger and defiance which he wanted to avoid.

 

She still belonged to him. He would not, could not simply let her go. 'Let her leave for now. We will meet again,' he sighed.

 

He still wanted her, and some part of him ached realizing she might no longer want to be with him. He missed her. These were unfamiliar feelings, and Sesshomaru wondered at the changes within himself lately. If only the business of mating had not interfered with what was becoming the first significant personal relationship he'd ever had with a female.

 

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"Quiet you human bitch!" Jitsuo struck Kagome across the face. Shippo now lay unconscious after Noguro hit him with a hammer-like object. Takeo began to cry loudly.

 

"We must get them out of here quickly!" Jitsuo shouted to his henchman.

 

Kagome struggled against the gag and ropes that now bound her. She watched as her baby cried and wailed in the rough arms of the inu leader who clutched him just out of her reach. It tore her heart out.

 

"My lord-- he is coming!"

 

From above a shot like lightning blasted the atmosphere surrounding them. Jitsuo suddenly felt a sharp blade thrust at him but it missed his throat and cut his ear, leaving a gash.

 

"Get your hands off of her!!" shouted Inuyasha.

 

Fire blazed in his eyes. He would die before he let this scum kidnap his mate and child. Jitsuo could suddenly see that he had miscalculated, thinking the hanyou was gone far away.

 

"Hiraikotsu!" The giant boomerang shot forward and struck Noguro, delivering a glancing blow to his back. The inu warrior slumped over unconscious.

 

"Put my son down," commanded Inuyasha, his voice deadly. Sango stood beside him, Hiraikotsu at the ready for another strike. Kagome continued to struggle against her bindings, wild fear playing in her eyes. Inuyasha wanted to run to her but stood firm until he could be sure Takeo was no longer in danger.

 

An ugly sneer crossed Jitsuo's face. "I have need of your little pup, hanyou. He is important to our cause." He clutched the baby even closer to his rough chest.

 

"What cause? He is just a little baby!"

 

"He will be our leader. A new government will take control of the West, and the blood of Inutaisho will reign over this land!"

 

"It already does. Sesshomaru is the Lord of the West," said Sango firmly.

 

"That cur won't survive. I will kill him personally."

 

"Sesshomaru is a tough demon to kill," she replied.

 

Inuyasha glanced briefly at his taijiya friend. 'What exactly has been going on between those two?' he wondered.

 

"We will see," said Jitsuo.

 

Just then a loud "crack!" sound came out of the forest. Jitsuo had been struck in the head by a long, metal staff-- Miroku suddenly came bounding out toward them. The gruff inu demon staggered, and it gave Inuyasha just enough time to rescue Takeo from the arms of the evil youkai. By now Noguro had awoken from his Hiraikotsu-induced stupor and ran off into the forest. Seeing he was outnumbered and without his prize, Jitsuo cursed and ran after his minion.

 

"Kagome! Are you alright?" Inuyasha untied his mate and hugged her close.

 

"My baby! Oh Takeo!" she cried and reached for her little son, cradling him tight to her breast. "You got here just in time, Miroku! And Sango! Thank heaven for our friends!"

 

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