InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Slayer Sango ❯ Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

Chapter 17

 

"What's the matter, Miroku? You look upset," Kagome stared at the monk, concerned. She requested a brief respite for herself and Taki from the long journey over the hills and rivers on the way to the inuyoukai palace. The group had been travelling for some three hours already, and it looked as if they would not reach the fortress before nightfall. Now everyone sat around a hastily prepared campfire, consuming an evening meal.

 

The six inu warriors sent by Sesshomaru to escort them initially grunted their disgust at the request and had stopped only when Inuyasha threatened to turn Tetsusaiga on them if they didn't grant his mate and child the time they needed to rest. Humans had weaker constitutions than demons, though the inu guards seemed hardly to care. They only wanted to get back to their barracks to prepare for the coming confrontation with the rebels. Grumbling, they took up watch positions a short distance away while the group of humans and hanyou sat, resting and eating.

 

"I'm worried about Sango. She insisted on going off by herself-- I wish she would have at least allowed me to stay with her," said Miroku. He had begged Sango to let him go back with her to the demonslayer's village instead of accompanying Inuyasha's family to the Inu fortress, but the taijiya flatly refused him. "There is no telling what kind of violence she will run into with this coming battle," he said.

 

"You need to stay and help Inuyasha guard Kagome and the baby," she had said to him before leaving. "I cannot come, and I think you understand why."

 

"Sesshomaru," he said quietly. Sango nodded, and patted his hand.

 

"Not only that. If there is indeed a fight coming, I need to make sure the villagers aren't ravaged by these inu-- they need someone to look out for them," she had further explained. Miroku couldn't argue, and had let her go.

 

"That wench is as stubborn as my brother is," said Inuyasha. He now sat under a tree, arms crossed, watching over Kagome and Takeo while the miko cradled him. The baby seemed to like travel-- he'd made hardly a noise since they began walking out of the village, and slept and nursed on the road as if he were born to it. "If she says she doesn't want company, she won't have it. You know that, Miroku."

 

"Do you still have feelings for her, houshi?" asked Kagome.

 

The monk sighed and ran a hand through his long hair. "I would be lying if I said I didn't."

 

"Aww," said Kagome.

 

"But I am not crazy-- I saw the look she gave him back at the village. She obviously has feelings for Sesshomaru. It is as if he were her boyfriend or something."

 

"A scary, jealous boyfriend at that," added Shippo. "You are smart to stay away from her, Miroku. I wouldn't want to get between Sesshomaru and his girl."

 

"What would you know about that, squirt?" asked Inuyasha.

 

"Plenty!" The kit stuck his tongue out at him, earning a growl from the hanyou. "Do you think Sango is in love with him?" continued Shippo. Everyone shrugged and wondered at the answer.

 

"For her own good I hope she isn't," said Inuyasha. "That bastard will do nothing but use her and throw her away when he is done playing around."

 

"You honestly don't think Sesshomaru is capable of caring for her, Inu?" asked Kagome. "From what I could see, he definitely feels something for her." She recalled the gentle caress the demon lord had given Sango, an act that caused Kagome to gape in amazement. Sesshomaru had been tender with nothing and no one that the miko had heard of, ever.

 

The hanyou sniffed. "I know exactly what that demon is capable of. He is a mean and heartless bastard. The only reason I am even letting us go to that fucking fortress is for the baby's sake."

 

Kagome had a difficult time convincing her mate to let them go to Sesshomaru's home in light of the brothers' ongoing personal hostility toward each other. As they sat discussing the situation at their cottage back in the village, Inuyasha had insisted over and over that he could protect his family, that he didn't need Sesshomaru's or anyone else's help when it came to his duty to stand guard over what was his. Only the fear in Kagome's eyes had finally made a dent in, and then overcome his objections. She had begged him to think first of Takeo and his pride second. It wasn't that she didn't believe he could protect them, it was that she wanted the absolute safest situation for her baby under the circumstances. He finally gave in to her wishes, albeit reluctantly, and agreed to the temporary relocation.

 

Inuyasha's resistance to leaving had basis in another reason. The hanyou simply did not trust his older brother. He had been on the receiving end too many times of Sesshomaru's cold disregard, his blistering insults and the outright hostility the demon lord demonstrated about Inuyasha himself and the memory of his mother. They had fought more times than he could count: over the Tetsusaiga, over their father's memory, over his human blood, over just about any and everything whenever the two came within shouting distance of one another. The idea that he would have to be under the same roof with is power-mad, heartless so-called brother was less than palatable to the excitable hanyou. Only for the sake of his son, only for his mate would he agree to such a distasteful situation.

 

"What do you think Sesshomaru will do once we're at the palace?" asked Shippo. His foreboding at the news they would be going to stay at the demon lord's headquarters only increased as they travelled closer and closer to their destination. "Do you think he'll lock us up? Will he hurt us?" He shot a glance at the six rough looking inu demons congregated a short distance away.

 

"Don't worry, Shippo." Kagome ran a hand thru his hair to calm the little youkai. She understood how terrified he was of Sesshomaru. "We will be fine. Once this battle is fought, we can come right back home."

 

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"My lord."

 

"What is the situation, Tamaku?"

 

The nobleman greeted Sesshomaru as he approached the stairs leading to his private chambers. The demon lord recently returned from his tryst with Sango, and now resolved to get affairs in order.

 

"No change. Jitsuo has definitely rejoined the rebels, but they have yet to move northward. I suspect the failure to obtain the hanyou child has delayed him, my lord."

 

"Have they arrived yet," asked Sesshomaru.

 

"Who, my lord?"

 

"My brother and his party." Lord Tamaku's eyebrows went up. "They will be living here for the time being, at least until this business with Jitsuo is completed. I will need someone assigned to them for the duration of their stay. Get one of the young nobles-- someone in need of an assignment," he said. Tamaku nodded.

 

"Sesshomaru-sama, the hanyou has never been to the fortress. His presence is sure to cause an uproar at court."

 

"What do I care about that? Those youkai have nothing better to do than gawk at my hanyou brother? I might have to make some changes around the palace... He will be travelling with his human mate, his son and another human-- a monk. I don't want any of them harmed."

 

"Yes, my lord."

 

"We will meet with Ryuchi and the generals to go over the status of our forces."

 

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama." The demon lord prepared to turn away but Tamaku stopped him.

 

"There is something else."

 

"What is it?"

 

"The Lady Kaiya wishes an audience, my lord."

 

"For what purpose?"

 

"That I do not know. She has been talking with Hisako, but my wife won't tell me the substance their discussions." Sesshomaru sighed.

 

"Have her brought to the library after we meet with the generals. For now I have need of a bath and some meditation time. I will send for you when I am ready."

 

"Yes, my lord."

 

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After escaping the wrath of Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga and the bizarre weapon wielded by the taijiya, Noguro and his master had run long into the night. Their scent concealed by a spell potion, the pair were successful in losing the hanyou who had tracked them far into the forest.

 

Noguro and Jitsuo reconnoitered with the larger army of rebel inu warriors just outside the fort controlled by Lord Matuko. His men cheered his return, ready to continue their march north toward their ancestral homeland and victory over the tyrant Sesshomaru. Jitsuo made no mention of his failed mission to capture the infant hanyou. It made little difference, because the rank-and-file were not yet aware of his larger plan to place the child at their head.

 

"Soon we go north, to our destiny! Eat, drink, enjoy your plunder my brothers-- more is to be had!! So much more!!!" Noguro had to admit, his master was an effective speaker. The assembled warriors whooped and shouted at every exhortation made by the gruff inu commander.

 

"Bring the cur Matuko to me," growled Jitsuo after his speech. Since the plundering of his fort and surrounding lands, the inu lord had been held prisoner by the rebels. The proud Matuko was now dragged half unconscious to stand before Jitsuo, who wore a look of pure hate and glee at his foe's degraded predicament.

 

"Jitsuo. Sesshomaru will never let you get away with this," said Matuko, his speech slurred from the fractured jaw he had been given by one of his guards.

 

"Sesshomaru has no idea what is awaiting him. He has little choice. I am surprised, Matuko-- Saku tells me taking your fort was as easy as a walk in the meadow. Tsk, tsk. I knew you were a sorry dog, but I had no idea what a fucking waste of life you really were until now."

 

"Fuck you, Jitsuo. You will burn in hell."

 

"Perhaps. But you'll be going there before me...tell me, was it worth sucking up to that arrogant youkai to end up here, begging for your life at my feet Matuko?"

 

"I will never beg for anything from you, you lousy piece of shit! Sesshomaru-sama knows the meaning of honor, something you have no respect for, and never did..."

 

"So be it. Saku!!" The rebel captain stepped forward, sword in hand. "Execute this sorry piece of trash." Jitsuo walked away, and heard a loud 'thud!' as the head of the demon lord behind him rolled from his neck onto the hard ground.

 

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"Lady Kaiya, my lord." Sesshomaru looked up. After washing and dressing in a gray silk robe, the demon lord went to Ryuchi to assess their readiness for battle against the rebels. The youkai advisor assured him that the generals had been apprised of the situation and were in the process of readying their warriors for battle. Satisfied, the demon lord then retired to his library and called for his future mate. She now approached, alone. 'The girl seems troubled,' observed Sesshomaru. He stood and faced her.

 

"You wished to see me, lady Kaiya?" he asked.

 

"Yes my lord."

 

"Are you well? Is there anything you need?"

 

"No, no I am fine."

 

"I apologize for not spending more time in your company. Events have gotten in the way...Would you care to sit down?"

 

"Yes please."

 

"It pleases me that you feel comfortable enough to seek my counsel. Know that it is always acceptable to me for you to do so." She nodded.

 

He led her to a comfortable sitting area and situated himself opposite once she lowered herself and crossed her hands over her lap. He then subjected her to the cool, unreadable scrutiny of his golden gaze. It didn't help the young demoness, who felt knots building in her stomach at the thought of what she was about to say. 'He is quite handsome,' thought Kaiya. 'Do I really want to say this? Yes, of course I do.'

 

"What is on your mind, girl?"

 

"Lord Sesshomaru, I am very honored that I have been chosen as consort to the Lord of the West..." she coughed. "It is a great privilege to know that you think so highly of my family to bestow such an honor on us..."

 

"I have no need of thanks. I found you the most suitable of the demonesses at court...You will of course want for nothing. You may choose your servants and a wing of the palace will be set aside for your use...I ask nothing from you but loyalty, lady Kaiya." Sesshomaru had hoped to wait until later to have this discussion, but here she was.

 

"And you have it, my lord." She lowered her eyes in respect. She began to tremble. "I must ask...when do you anticipate the ceremony will be complete?"

 

"You want to know when we will mate?"

 

"Yes, my lord." Sesshomaru noticed her body go rigid. 'Something is amiss,' he thought.

 

"That is difficult to predict at this time. The courtship has only just been started. I wanted to give you time to acclimatize yourself to the notion of being mated to me. Also as I am sure your father has told you there is a war coming." She nodded. "Until that is resolved I do not think it wise to complete the match."

 

"I see...Lord Sesshomaru, I must confess to some hesitation..."

 

"Hesitation? What hesitation?"

 

"I mean my Lord, surely I am not qualified for such an exalted honor as to become your wife." Kaiya tried to put it as diplomatically as she could.

 

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. He stood and began to pace. "You doubt my ability to choose correctly, demoness?" he asked.

 

"No my lord! No!"

 

"Then what is the truth, Kaiya?" He stopped and looked her in the eye. She trembled, not used to having his full attention directed at her alone.

 

"I...I...don't want to marry you, my lord Sesshomaru."

 

Sesshomaru made no expression. He walked around her, as if studying the young demoness. Instead of asking why, he came back and sat in front of her.

 

"I know you are intelligent, I know Akira taught his daughters the proper role for an inuyoukai noblewoman. To be chosen as consort to the Lord of the West is the highest goal a female at this court can aspire to."

 

Kaiya tried to overlook the distinctly condescending tone of his statement. 'He doesn't love me.' "I-- I suppose so, Lord Sesshomaru. But-- please forgive me sire, it is not for me."

 

Still he was not interested in her reasons. "Kaiya, you and I have interesting fates. We were both born here, in this old palace, surrounded by the ghosts of our forebears. We are prisoners of this place in a sense. Our wills are prescribed by the needs of those around us. It has been so from birth. We are here to serve our people, I know this and you must as well. To mate the Lord of the West is to have a direct role in shaping the future of our race. You will bear the future leader of this territory, not something to take lightly. I chose you for a reason. It is not for you or anyone to reject such a calling out of hand, on a whim."

 

"Please, sir, it is not on a whim. Please Lord Sesshomaru...this is very difficult..." the young demoness began to tremble. She had told herself before coming to see Sesshomaru that she would remain firm, would make her case at all costs. It was all starting to come apart now. His strong youki was forcing her to submit, she could feel it. Her shoulders began to shake.

 

"Do you need a moment, lady Kaiya," asked Sesshomaru. He felt little, if anything for the young woman before him. How dare she come to him and say such things? The silly creature, surely all she needed was time to get used to the idea of mating him.

 

"No my lord." She stood and balled her fists. "I do not wish to mate you Lord Sesshomaru. I never did. My sister Midori was the one who wanted to, not me."

 

"But I have chosen you."

 

"Yes, my lord." She couldn't hold it together anymore, and began to cry. Sesshomaru moved away and called for Yoshiro. He was in no way equipped to deal with this.

 

"Yes my lord?"

 

"Take Lady Kaiya back to her apartments. She needs time to collect herself." He turned to her. "When you are in a better state of mind, we will talk again." He lifted her chin to look into her face. "You will do your duty, my lady. You must." Tears filled her eyes, and she turned away feeling utterly defeated.

 

Alone, Sesshomaru continued to pace. 'Every female in my life is a problem. Am I cursed? Gods!'

 

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I am having a ball writing this story. Updates may come less frequently...I have to find a new place to live, and other things are going on that will interfere with my writing time. I do appreciate your interest, however. Please review!