InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten ❯ Beyond Reason ( Chapter 33 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Sesshomaru, Inuyasha or anyone else from the hit anime/manga series. Rumiko Takahashi does. I do own all OC's and plot in this story.

 

Chapter 25: Beyond Reason

 

149 years before the search of the jewel shards.

 

When did Himawari become precious to me? I don't know. I only know that at that moment I could not lose her.

-Sesshomaru

 

Sesshomaru glanced back at the girl that was to be his wife. He and Himawari were both sitting formally on the cave floor; one Sesshomaru even thought he recognized as a previous hideout but which one he wasn't sure. Himawari was combing his silver tresses without a word, just one of many little chores she was supposed to complete for him. It was something the demon lord had gotten used to over the decade even if he hadn't accepted it completely.

 

As if being landed with a betrothed wasn't infuriating enough, Naomi had then informed him that Himawari would be spending time with him each day by tending him. This resulted in a heated argument between the two which ended with Naomi saying:

 

“These little chores are to acquaint her with your personality and get her accustomed to your demeanor so she doesn't run screaming on your wedding night. If you weren't such an icicle this wouldn't be necessary!”

 

Sesshomaru had had nothing to say to that and now Himawari was part of his daily routine. The fact he even had one was wonder enough. Noriko was keeping quiet for the moment. She only moved on them now when they attempted to return to Tenji. It couldn't last and Sesshomaru was at a loss as to how to escape the situation they were in.

 

It wasn't strange that he was beginning to hear the mutterings of discontent from his surviving followers. It wasn't treasonous, not yet anyway, but they did not regret refusing Noriko. It was all nostalgic talk of when his father was still alive. The whispers were filled with how the Lord Kenhoshi would have handled things if he were still alive. There were also comments about how terrible it was that he had allowed himself to be distracted by a human woman. How it had led to premature demise and ultimately the circumstances they were now in.

 

Sesshomaru ignored them as best he could. He alone knew who that “human woman” was. He was also the only one who knew he had a younger brother. Myoga and Totosai had gone to ground almost as soon as his father ended up within it, taking the Tetsusaiga and Sounga with them. He glanced down at the Tenseiga lying next to him. He had used the sword only a hand full of times since acquiring it and all of them after Noriko's brazen attack. When battle didn't drive his group into full retreat he had managed to save some of the lives of his fallen comrades, but Tenseiga, as he discovered, could only save a person once. When a person died again Tenseiga was unable to retrieve their souls.

 

Sesshomaru sighed and thought, If I had had the Tetsusaiga or the Sounga I wouldn't be struggling like this. His own sword, Bakusaiga, was dazzlingly powerful, obliterating anything its energy touched except Noriko. Which made Noriko even more bothersome. Her sword was able to draw in and swallow Bakusaiga's attacks. When the blades clashed, Bakusaiga couldn't even throw any.

 

Noriko had created a counter for his sword; a sealing blade aimed specifically at Bakusaiga. The sword couldn't do anything else, at least as far as she had revealed in their battles. Noriko was a talented warrior and a celestial demon, a sword that silenced her enemy's blade was all she needed. Tetsusaiga and Sounga might have been able to overwhelm the counter sword for no other reason than because it wasn't designed to suppress them. But the two great swords were missing and Sesshomaru didn't have time to search for either of them.

 

Sesshomaru thought back to that period following his battle with the devil tenko. Frustrated by being denied Sounga and Tetsusaiga, he had commissioned one be made from his own fang. The court had still been unstable from his father's death. Unable to leave, he had asked Naomi for her assistance. He never did figure out why she had been so excited about the errand. He had only asked her because his pride would not suffer him humbling himself to anyone else. There was nothing humbling about asking Naomi; she could humble him on a whim. “Humiliate” being the more accurate term. She had returned three days later with Bakusaiga.

 

Once everything seemed to have settled down at court, he had left Tenji for the first time in his life with several of his subordinates. He hadn't asked anyone to come with him they just came, some to protect their new lord the rest to see what his sword could do. Noriko had been among the later. He had tested his blade on several low-life demons that wrecked havoc whenever they weren't sleeping. The kind of demons no one would miss. He had been immensely pleased with the results.

 

He gazed down at his hands then concentrated on the pale scar on his left palm while clenching the hand as if he were gripping something within. At first he felt nothing then a cool smooth sensation of wrapped leather kissed the inside of his hand. The sensation increased and the muscles in his forearm flexed as they adjusted for the new weight. Bakusaiga now lay in his lap, its pale blade gleaming.

 

It had been quite a trick to master making his sword appear and disappear on command. Sesshomaru had synchronized his aura with that of his sword allowing it to appear and disappear at his command. Like his garments and Tenseiga did when he transformed into his dog form. He didn't want anyone stealing his sword and he knew that if he didn't wear it constantly there was always a chance for a theft. He had been rather paranoid in his first years as demon lord. The only problem was if anything caused his aura to change he would neither be able to send nor summon his sword. A dangerous problem if his sword was merged with him at the time of disruption. The pale scar on his hand symbolized his ability to call his sword. The few times his aura had lost its synchronization with Bakusaiga the mark had disappeared until he had regained it.

 

“My lord? Is something wrong?” asked Himawari, pausing in her combing.

 

Sesshomaru sent the sword away. “It's nothing.”

 

****

 

Temari glared at the pair as the young golden female ran her comb through Lord Sesshomaru's hair. How could they allow the tramp's daughter to become his wife? The elders have gone senile. I should be his wife! I deserve to be his wife! The little harlot, acting so sweet and innocent. She has everyone wrapped around her little finger.

 

Temari retreated back into the main entrance of the cave. Various inuyokai parted before her as she stormed by and all conversations ceased. She didn't notice, too occupied with her own thoughts. She stepped out into the sunlight and paused.

 

I can't lose to that trollop. I must stop her! She chewed on her lip, recalling the humiliating night ten years ago when the elders had told her about the dragoness's decision. Then it had sounded as if the elders themselves had felt she would never gain the position of Sesshomaru wife. That she was somehow unacceptable.

 

A dark thought entered her mind and she began walking toward the trees. If I can't have him then no one shall!

 

****

 

Noriko glanced back at her vassal. “You captured a female from Sesshomaru's band. Why did you not simply kill her? I have no use for scouts.”

 

“Your pardon, Milady, but she did not appear to be a scout,” replied the man from where he knelt before her. Noriko raised an eyebrow in question and the man continued, “She is dressed well for a people running wild in the bush. She also wasn't afraid of us. She even demanded to speak with you, claiming she had something to tell you that you would find interesting.”

 

“Hmmm, show her to me,” said Noriko. The man left then returned with the woman.

 

Noriko blinked in surprised and said, “Temari, how good it is to see you after all these years.”

 

Temari nodded and said, “It is good to see you as well Noriko.”

 

Noriko smirked. She knew Kou Temari. They were rivals for the position of Sesshomaru's wife. Temari had naturally chosen to remain at Sesshomaru's side rather than be ordered around by Noriko. That decision also kept her in the running for the desired post. Noriko wondered what had brought the proud demon to her.

 

“My men said you have something interesting to tell me,” said Noriko her blue eyes met Temari's. “Know that if it fails that early promise I will send you home to your father minus your tongue.” To her credit, Temari didn't flinch at the threat.

 

“Do you still desire Sesshomaru as your mate?” asked Temari. Noriko's smile faded and she glared hard at her rival. Now it was Temari's turn to smirk.

 

****

 

Noriko attacked shortly before dawn. The two guards were cut down before they even realized what was happening; their death cries the only warning those within the cavern had. Naomi charged forward driving back the first invaders trying to breach the cave. As soon as they were out the ground shook as if struck like a drum and pebbles and dust fell from the ceiling. The ground shook again from a second blow and cracks appeared above them.

 

“They are trying to bring the cave down on us!” shouted a woman.

 

Sesshomaru glanced around then at the entrance. Noriko had changed tactics. Before she was still trying to take him alive and these types of attacks would risk killing him, but now it seemed she didn't care. Did her surviving brother overthrow her?

 

There was no time for such thoughts. Going out the entrance was impossible. No doubt, Noriko had it well guarded. It would be instant death for anyone trying to leave that way. Sesshomaru turned toward the back of the cavern and began chanting. This was one of the few times the dog demon wished the irksome wolf, Kenji, was here. He could have opened a new passage way with a simple punch. The earth pulled away as Sesshomaru's chant came to an end creating a tunnel as far as his power could reach. He would have to repeat the process at the other end until they surfaced somewhere safer.

 

“Everyone!” he called to the group. “Follow me, hurry!” Sesshomaru turned and headed down the tunnel. The others followed behind and Naomi collapsed the cavern to cover their retreat. He could only hope that wherever they surfaced it really would be safe.

 

****

 

Noriko glared at the hill as it fell in on itself. She was certain she hadn't hit it enough times to cause it to collapse so soon. She snarled then took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was certain Sesshomaru's group had created an exit. If she searched for the tell-tale celestial energy signature in the ground she would know where they were. She smirked when she sensed it moving like a snake through the earth.

 

“Think you're so smart,” she whispered. She turned to her men and called, “Follow me, they are trying to escape by moving underground but they'll have to surface at some point.” She leapt forward and her men followed.

 

****

 

Sesshomaru broke the surface after an hour of traversing underground. He stepped out into the morning sunlight and looked around. The breeze contained no enemy scents, he then turned to gesture his people forward. They came out looking more demoralized than ever. They were forced to retreat again but this time they hadn't even been able to return any blows before running. Sesshomaru looked down and sighed. They couldn't have fought back but he still felt the sting of another defeat. He stood away from the others panting from exertion; it took all of his will power just to remain standing. He was close to spiritual exhaustion.

 

Everyone stood around as the generals tried to orient themselves. Himawari approached Sesshomaru and offered him a gourd with water. He reached for it then heard a sound that turned his blood to ice. The high pitched wail of a celestial. Without thinking, he spun and, by shear willpower alone, created a barrier with his failing strength. A spell blast impacted the shield and Sesshomaru howled as the barrier drained him to nothing. The spell faded and so did the barrier. Sesshomaru collapsed to his knees, gasping, his arms trembling.

 

The woman and children bunched together into a tight group while the men and warrior women surrounded them. Naomi began chanting, creating a new barrier to protect them from further long range celestial attacks. The guardians positioned themselves within the circle to defend the vulnerable children from the enemy warriors. Himawari pulled at Sesshomaru's arm urging him to regain his feet and move within the protective circle. It was only then the generals realized their lord's predicament, but there was no time to help him, Noriko and her followers were already upon them.

 

Sesshomaru knew he needed to get up but his body refused to obey. Himawari still tugged at his arm trying to get him to his feet instead of rushing to the safety of the circle. He looked at her and opened his mouth to tell her to leave him and go then his heart skipped a beat. Noriko was there standing behind the girl, her eyes demon red with rage, her sword raised to strike down Himawari.

 

The next minute was a blur to Sesshomaru. New found strength flooded him and he lunged forward knocking Himawari to the side. At the same time he summoned Bakusaiga and swung it to intercept Noriko's sword. Noriko snarled and twisted her blade, yanking Bakusaiga from Sesshomaru grasp and sending it flying. She then turned and swung her blade toward the prone girl, still dazed from Sesshomaru's hard blow. Sesshomaru dived between the two and drew Tenseiga. Noriko's blade glowed with a dark purple light as it came down in its fatal arch. Tenseiga rose to meet it. The two swords collided and stuck together for the briefest of moments then Tenseiga shattered into dozens of tiny pieces.

 

Sesshomaru stared in dumbfounded disbelief. Noriko snarled and shouted, “Out of the way!” She swung her sword, hilt leading, and drove it into the side of the Sesshomaru's head. He fell to the side, blood flying from the wound. She drew back her sword and lunged forward toward Himawari in a driving trust; the sword still glowing. Himawari stared wide-eyed, frozen in terror, as the blade plunged toward her heart. Then she was looking at the back of armor and long silver hair swung across her view.

 

For a moment time stopped. Sesshomaru, half kneeling before Noriko, held her wrists in a death grip, his eyes demon red as he stared in the bitch's own manic gaze. Blood dripped onto the ground between them; her sword of the purple aura buried halfway into his stomach.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru!”

 

****

 

The great panther demon stirred in his slumber and looked to the north and east where a stiff breeze was blowing from. He took a deep breath and snarled. All the panthers around him stopped what they were doing and gazed at their leader.

 

His four most powerful warriors, siblings all, approached him and the female with pale blue hair and lavender kimono asked, “What is it, Master?”

 

His eyes glittered as he replied, “Dogs.”

 

_________________________________________________________________ _____________

 

Sorry that it got off to a slow start. I was having trouble writing this one. I knew what I wanted out of the action sequence; it was getting there that was the problem. The slow beginning allowed me to explain Bakusaiga's presence. For those who have read the manga, Bakusaiga appears suddenly, after Sesshomaru has passed on Meido Zangetsuha to Inuyasha, in the palm of Sesshomaru left arm that bursts from the stump. Totosai explains that he has had the sword Bakusaiga the whole time and that it was his fang. However, Sesshomaru had no idea Bakusaiga existed before that moment. Since Sesshomaru ends up with amnesia at the end of the story I had him commissioning the sword, unknown to him Naomi found Totosai and asked him to make it, and then gave my own reason why it appears from within his body during the manga.

 

To those who are screaming “But the Inu no Taisho killed the great panther demon!” This will make sense at the end of chapter 27 and I will say no more on the subject until then.

 

As for the next chapter…

 

School is back in session and there is a familiar new student on campus. ;-)

 

Chapter 26: The Second Semester.

 

Inuyasha has separated from Kirara. However, he needs to learn more about his power and decides to travel outside Tenji and visit the various shrines and temples for training. There he picks up the most unusual monk.