InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Into the Fire ❯ The Land of Their Grandfather's ( Chapter 3 )

Title: Into the Fire

Author: Chiaztolite

Rating: NC-17 for future lemon, rape, and violence.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

 

A/N: Okay… I've been waiting silently for reviews but they never came, so obviously that was not the right way to get reviews. So I'm literally begging now… Please give me reviews…! I have no idea what the readers are thinking about this story. Is it good? Is it really bad? Do I suck that much that I should stop writing? Please please please give me something… anything!

 

Into the Fire

 

Chapter 03: The Land of Their Grandfather's

 

The Eastern Palace…

 

The garden was quiet that afternoon. There was no sound except for the soft noise of pebbles hitting the surface of water. A young inuyoukai stood on a wooden bridge over the vast pond beneath, throwing pebbles one by one into the water, creating ripples on its surface. He leaned his tall, slim, but well-toned body on the railing of the bridge. Two deep violet stripes as a symbol of royalty adorned each of his cheek. Wind blew and tousled his wavy, shoulder-length hair. His hair color was silver with a slight tint of blue in it, a perfect match for his emerald eyes. Slowly he turned his head when he sensed someone approaching him. It was one of the palace's servants who came towards him. She lowered her head, not having courage to lift her eyes to meet those of a blue-blood.

“Yuusou-sama,” the servant began to speak. “Hyougo-sama requested your presence in his study right away.”

A slight frown appeared in the youkai's beautiful face, questions were in his eyes.

“Tell him I will be there in a moment.” He said, his voice sounded calm.

The servant gave him another deep bow before leaving. The youkai continued watching the rippling water for another few minutes before turning around and walked towards the palace.

 

There was no need for him to knock. As soon as he stopped before the door to the study room, a deep voice called from within.

“Come in.”

The young youkai complied. He opened the sliding screen, revealing the spacious room behind it. A male inuyoukai sat behind a large rosewood desk placed low over the tatami floor. His figure spoke of power and grace, a sign that he was a true royalty. The shoji next to him was wide open, revealing a beautifully maintained Zen garden. The Lord was observing the garden intently when the younger youkai entered his space. Yuusou kneeled before him and offered him a deep bow as a sign of his respect.

“Grandfather,” he greeted him. “I heard you asked for me.”

Lord Hyougo sighed. He put his brush down and looked at his grandson, the heir to his lands. “Yuusou,” he called him. “I have felt restless since this morning. Something is coming, I can sense it.”

Yuusou stiffened when he heard his grandfather's words, his green eyes slowly turned cold.

“It's him, is it not?” he asked. Hyougo-sama nodded, observing his grandson's grim expression. “So he finally came to claim her?” Yuusou asked. “The son of the lord you despised?”

“Do not take this as a bad news, Yuusou.” Hyougo-sama said. “As you know, we have been in a cold war with the western country for a long time. This may be a good opportunity to make peace with them.”

Yuusou made no comment to the statement. His green eyes kept watching his grandfather when the older youkai asked.

“Where is your sister?”

“I believe she is on patrol. She will return before sunset.”

Hyougo-sama slowly nodded. His voice was unemotional when he said, “We will prepare for his coming. But do not tell her about this.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As they came closer to the royal palace in the eastern lands, Sesshoumaru could feel his whole body tingling with anticipation. He was trying so hard to get rid of this peculiar feeling, but somehow it kept coming back. And now that feeling was just lurking in the deepest part of his heart, as if waiting for his mind to burst in madness. He had been quiet for their three-day journey to the eastern lands. But again, he was always the one who speaks a little. He walked at the front leading their way, but he kept his guard on Rin who was chattering with the strangely clothed girl, Kagome, the entire time. Inuyasha could sense his brother's apprehension, though he refrained from uttering any comments. He noticed Sesshoumaru's nerves were so tensed he could hear them twang. It would be best not to provoke his anger in his current state. He had not exploded in fury and tried to kill anyone…yet, but he kept his tense and cold exterior all the way through. But come to think about it, he was always like that as long as he'd known him.

Kagome moved closer to Inuyasha and whispered in his ear, low enough only for him to hear.

“Inuyasha, do you think Sesshoumaru is nervous to meet his sister?”

The fire red-clothed hanyou peered at his half-brother from the corner of his eye before nodding.

“Seems like it…” he whispered back under his breath. “We're getting close, he must've been thinking of what to say to her during the entire journey.”

Kagome had her big brown eyes glued to the tall youkai's back as she tried to picture him shedding tears of joy when he finally meet his long lost sister. However, the image in her head was too frightening that she had to stop. She had to shake her head furiously to rid the weird picture in her head, as she realized she still had to think about how to talk the princess into helping them fight Naraku.

`It's not just Shouri whom we have to persuade…' she said to herself, her eyes remained on the youkai's back. `Sesshoumaru too… We have to think about how to get him joining us…' Her head ached at the thought of having to coax the cold demon to help them, as she recalled the trouble in getting the bickering brothers to work together to defeat the evil spirit of Sou'unga. And now she had to get herself in the whole shebang again…

She looked at Inuyasha who kept his gaze straight, and wondered if he had felt a little bit uneasy as well. His pointy ears twitched under her stare, and he turned to her with annoyance in his face.

“What?!” he almost barked at her.

Kagome smiled widely and replied,

“Nothing. I was just thinking that you must be excited to see your sister too, Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha's golden eyes widened at her response, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Humph!” he lifted his nose up high, his cheeks blushed a little. “I just want to see what she looks like, and if she's a bitch just like her brother!”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Eastern Palace…

 

The sun was almost set when a servant knocked on the eastern ruler's study room. Lord Hyougo's commanded the servant to enter with his heavy voice. He leaned his back against his chair as he regarded the kneeling servant.

“There is a group of…” the servant paused, not knowing how to describe the strange visitors that came before the palace's gate. ”creatures,” she finally said the word carefully. “…requesting an audience with you, my Lord…”

The specific word that she used caused a deep frown on the lord's forehead.

“Creatures?” he repeated. His eyebrows arched, demanding explanation.

“Four youkais, a hanyou, and four humans to be exact, my Lord…” the female servant slowly replied, listing all the members of the odd pack.

The Lord of the Eastern Lands let the back of his hand rested against his chin, wondering what the meaning of this is. He was just expecting one youkai, but now he was informed that a group of strangers had come knocking on his door. Youkai, hanyou, and humans altogether.

“Where is my granddaughter?” he asked.

“The princess is back from her patrol, my Lord.” she explained. “And now she is resting in her chamber.”

Hyougo-sama nodded. He was deep in his thought for a little while. The servant was still kneeling on the tatami, waiting for his next order.

“Escort them to the main court.” He commanded, his voice did not loose its cool. “And tell Master Yuusou to meet me here at once.”

“Very well, my Lord.” She offered him one last respect before leaving the study.

Hyougo-sama stared at the closed door. He could not help but feeling a little bit curious about what his servant just told him.

Four youkais, a hanyou, and four humans..., he pondered as an amused smile slowly appeared on his strong, masculine face.

By all Gods, what on earth had his grandson gotten himself into?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rin gasped in awe as they were being escorted from the gate into the palace. She looked around the beautiful castle in amazement. As soon as they enter the door to the palace, they were greeted by a spacious garden. In fact, it seemed like the whole palace is surrounded by similar landscape: vast garden, ponds, and some airy pavilions. They traveled from bridge to bridge, as if they were crossing from one island to another. There was peaceful silence. They could hear nothing but the soft sound of water pouring from bamboo stalks into the pond.

Inuyasha breathed deeply. `Even the air tasted peaceful here…' he thought.

As they descended their last bridge, the servant came to a stop in front of a wide veranda. She bowed deeply and gestured them to climb a few steps towards the sliding screen. Another servant was ready to greet them and slid the shoji opened.

“Please wait here.” The servant said after all the guests were inside the room. “My master will be with you shortly.” She bowed in respect before leaving. The shoji was left open, allowing them to appreciate the serene landscape beyond.

Miroku looked around the spacious room they were in. Although simple, it was very elegantly decorated. He observed the deep alcove on the other side of the room where a large jade sculpture adorned with tiny blue sapphires was placed. He did notice that they used a lot of blue in this palace, both in their decorations and their garments.

Sesshoumaru looked at the only chair in the room, which was placed across the sliding screen where they came in from. The black lacquered chair was heavily yet beautifully carved, indicating that it was intended for the lord of the lands. He felt his stomach upturned, his heart fluttered a little. He hated these feelings and thought of them as signs of weakness. He regained his composure, as he sensed movements from the other side of the wall. Two figures came approaching and another sliding screen on their opposite side was opened.

A tall, well-built inuyoukai walked into the room, followed by a younger one who is slightly shorter than the first. The first one walking in was no doubt the Lord of the Eastern Lands, judging from his attire and his regal demeanor as he took his place on the chair. Age and wisdom were in his eyes and façade, but he was still handsome and stunning nonetheless. His long, bluish silver hair was tied in a loose knot on his back. His sharp emerald eyes gazed upon them, taking his time in observing them one by one.

When Sesshoumaru watched his grandfather walked into the room, he knew his heart still filled with anger and hatred towards him as his old wound would not heal. He felt his claws grew longer and red shadows crept in his golden orbs as he sensed his strong desire to strike him right at that moment and shred his flesh to pieces. He tried to calm himself, to suppress his hatred towards the elder lord.

`No need to start this fight right now…' he thought. His desire to see Shouri burned stronger than his desire to kill the Eastern Lord. With her on his mind, he managed to tame the bloodlust beast inside him, at least for a few more moments.

The younger one took his place on his left side. He stood with his left arm resting on the sheath of his sword which was tied around his waist. He had the same bluish silver hair, only shorter. He also had the same emerald eyes, only his gaze was softer. They both had two deep purple streaks on each of their cheek, and an upside down crescent moon tattoo on their forehead. Their similar features in bone structure and figures were undeniable, proving that somehow they were related to each other. They both wore royal blue haori embroidered with silver threads, and black hakama. Blue is the official color of their country, indeed. The guests were all allured by these two creatures they did not even realized that a servant had closed both of the screens, encasing them inside the spacious box.

The Lord of the Eastern Lands really took his time to observe his guests. No one could see amusement flickered in his wise eyes when he thought,

`What a strange pack, indeed…'

When he finally spoke, his deep voice filled with nobility.

“It is not everyday that I receive hanyou and humans in my home.”

No one dared to utter a word. Despite his vengeance and loathing, Sesshoumaru felt strangely enticed by this taiyoukai. For just a moment he forgot about his hatred towards his grandfather.

`He is obviously old…' he pondered. `Very old… even though he does not look so…'

He opened his mouth to say something, but the taiyoukai raised his right hand and stopped him. Sesshoumaru felt himself shocked at his own reaction. How could he easily obey another youkai's command? That was not him. At least not the usual him. However, he sensed something very beguiling about this Lord of the East, something that he could not pinpoint as to what it is. As if there was an aura of dignity surrounding him like a thick blanket, and he found himself strangely charmed by it.

“Be silent.” The taiyoukai commanded. “I know who you are and why you are here.” He looked at Sesshoumaru with a strange expression in his face. “I am Hyougo, Lord of the Eastern Land. And this…” he turned his head to his left and put his hand on the younger youkai's arm. “He is my grandson, the son of my first born, the heir to my lands, Yuusou. And therefore…” his eyes were back on Sesshoumaru. “…your cousin.”

Yuusou regarded his newly found cousin with a thin smile on his lips while Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows in astonishment. This time, Hyougo-sama beckoned his fingers for Sesshoumaru to approach.

“Come, grandson.” He said in his regal tone. “Let me take a closer look at you.”

Sesshoumaru did not move. His usual self told him to stay still as he obeyed no one. However, he was stunned to find that there was a little bit of him that wanted to comply with the elder's command. He tried to fight that small part of him, and managed to remain seated.

The Lord of the Eastern Lands arched one eyebrow at his action. Once again he gestured and this time, his voice sounded more demanding.

“Come.”

With his one simple word, under his emerald gaze, Sesshoumaru felt himself slowly raised on his feet and as if he was pulled by an invincible string, he took a few steps towards him. Like a moth to a flame, as if he was under a spell, he went to him.

“You may be the Lord of the West, grandson.” He heard him spoke. “But to me, you are still a child.”

The Eastern Lord looked at him intently, as his lips slowly curled, forming a frosty smile.

The same silver hair, the same magenta strips on his cheeks, the same crescent moon tattoo on his forehead, the same chiseled features…

“It is true. You do resemble your father a lot.” He said after what seemed like forever.

Sesshoumaru felt like the tight knot in his stomach had been released and he staggered backwards, his heart pounding so hard.

“I know why you are here.” Hyougo-sama said. “However…” he spread his glance around the room, at the other awaiting creatures. “I do not know what the rest of you want from me.”

“Hyougo-sama,” Miroku said after offering his respect to the great lord. “My name is Miroku and this…” he gestured towards Inuyasha and the rest of their pack. “are my companions.” He introduced them one by one, but when he got to Inuyasha he noticed the lord's eyes darkened.

“You are the child from his relationship with the human woman.” Hyougo-sama suddenly said.

Inuyasha turned his head away and grunted. Heavy silence filled the air before Hyougo-sama asked,

“And who is the little girl and the toad youkai?”

Sesshoumaru, who had somehow managed to regain his usual self, answered in his austere voice.

“The little girl is Rin, my young ward. And the other is Jyaken, my servant.”

Again, Hyougo-sama arched his eyebrow while regarding the human girl. A smile even colder than before graced his face.

“A human?” his tone sounded somewhat judgmental. “Like father like son.”

Sesshoumaru could not help but to emit a low growl, but the older lord chose to ignore him. He aimed his gaze back to Miroku and commanded him to continue.

“We are on our way to defeat Naraku, an evil demon whom we have fought for a long time now. We were informed that in order to defeat him we need the power of Katsujinken, your granddaughter's sword, combined with Inuyasha's and Sesshoumaru-sama's swords. We would like to ask your granddaughter to join us to fight Naraku.”

Lord Hyougo frowned when he heard the monk's explanation.

“I have not expected this.” He exclaimed. “And where is this demon Naraku now?”

“We heard he joined his forces with the Great Dragon who dwells on the Mountain of Gods as his next step to conquer the world. We anticipated Naraku has fled to the mountain.”

Lord Hyougo's eyes widened when he heard Miroku's words. Yuusou, who also seemed taken aback, peered at him from the corner of his eyes.

“The Mountain of Gods, you said…?” The great lord could not hide the slight hint of shock in his voice and expression.

“Yes, my Lord.”

The lord had his hand supporting his chin. He looked as if he was lost in thought. Everyone wondered why both he and Yuusou seemed stunned by the mention of “Mountain of Gods”.

Sesshoumaru also noticed the change in the lord's tone and expression when he heard the mountain being mentioned. However, he had not the chance to think about it as he had a more urgent matter that occupies his mind.

“Lord Hyougo,” he said in his usual formal voice, causing the lord to shift his gaze to him. “You mentioned you know why I am here. I wish to see my sister.” This time, his tone sounded more demanding.

Somehow, the lord seemed reluctant to act. He stared at Sesshoumaru for the longest time before he sighed and flicked his fingers. Suddenly a servant appeared on his side as if out of nowhere.

“Bring my granddaughter here.” He ordered. The servant nodded before she disappeared to carry out her task.

Sesshoumaru waited impatiently with his fist clenched on his lap. He could feel his heart fluttered and the knot in his stomach grew tighter and tighter as minutes passed. Many years ago, he had stopped dreaming, he had stopped wishing that he would ever see Shouri or his mother again. Love and emotions had long dried, leaving only sad memories in his wounded heart. Old memories took shape in nightmares haunted his dreams for years. Shame for being weak, for not being able to save his loved ones trailed his path as he strived to gain power for revenge. But now…

He lifted his head and watched the sliding screen in anticipation.

But now…

He was waiting for her like this, expecting to see her smile, to hear her laughter once more. Somehow it felt so unreal, yet he did not want to wake up to realize that what he had lost was indeed lost forever.

A pair of emerald eyes watched him closely. Yuusou did not even realize as a sad smile appeared on his lips. He could not help but feeling a little bit lonely.

`Stop it…' he whispered inwardly. He knew this day would come, he always had.

`So why grieve?'

He had lost both of his parents in a war and he was taken under his grandfather's wings. He met her as an orphan, they were no more than strangers to each other. That day, she had given her hand for him to hold, and he had cared for her as his own sister ever since.

But now…

He lifted his gaze to watch the sliding screen as he sensed her approaching. The shadow of her figure printed clearly on the thin paper that separated them.

Is it time to let go?

Sesshoumaru noticed the sweet scent of apple blossom as he watched the shadow on the screen intently. He felt his heart skipped a beat as he waited for the screen to slide open.

It's her…