InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 49 ( Chapter 49 )

December
1536

Walking through the empty halls of the Western Fortress, for fortress is exactly what Sesshomaru's home was, the current Western Lord was moving silently toward his study. It had been silent in the time that Rin had been with the Miko. Or at least with that woman. He couldn't define her as a simple Miko anymore. He didn't know what she was and that burned like a flame flickering in the wind. He needed to know what she was. She did not seem inclined to inform him of that answer in the first place.

Arriving at his study, he slid the door open, moving inside to settle himself at the low table. A fire flickered nearby even though it was not truly needed. The trappings of a Lord could be a nuisance at times but even still it was necessary. Some of his advisors were not as tolerant of the cold as others. Even he needed the warmth on occasion.

Focusing on the papers on the table, he placed himself in seiza and began to meticulously sort through the paperwork. Most were requests for aid against the unnaturally cold winter they were having. Even though he despised humans, he did work with Daimyo's in the Western Territory whenever a human village had need of something. He refused to fail in his father's shadow.

The silence seemed stifling as he worked throughout the day. He could hear the almost nonexistent sounds of his servants moving about their business and working. Ironically, he found himself soon distracted by this stifling silence. Usually Rin would come to the study after a time to read or to simply pester him. He had thought he would enjoy this peace and quiet so that he could finally put a dent in one of the piles of paper on his desk.

As supper time arrived, a servant appeared to alert his lord. To his surprise, he found his Lord staring off into the fire with a very strange look upon his face. It almost looked… contemplative. It was within seconds that he witnessed the ice draw a veil over his Lord's eyes. “Speak.”

The servant hastily bowed, lowering his forehead to the ground and tilting his head in submission in the Inu way. “Supper is prepared my Lord.” The servant witnessed the flick of his Lord's fingers to depart and did so with haste. He did not want to know what made his Lord this way. It was in its own way frightening. He really hoped that the young Lady Rin would return soon so that things would return to normal.

Sesshomaru didn't bother staying in the study long after that. He moved silently out of the study and went to the dining room. Viewing the court members that were awaiting his arrival silently, he mentally sneered in disgust. They were weaklings and yet he found himself unable to break from this tradition of keeping court members within his home.

Settling himself at the head, the only seat empty lying to his left and right, he proceeded to take the first bite. Once he did so, the rest of the court members began to eat as well. His mind drifted off back to his contemplation. The woman. She cursed his thoughts. He could dimly hear the conversations around him, light and shallow. That woman would probably find this humorous.

“The insect persists to taint our thoughts…”

His beast once more needing to speak its mind caused a flash of irritation to shoot through him. His beast had never expressed such an intense and deep irritation of a creature before now. Even before these new occurrences with the woman his beast had distinctly disliked the woman.

`Silence yourself. The woman matters not.'

Turning his attention to his plate, he proceeded to eat, relishing in the taste of the fresh kill. Once he was finished with his meal, he rose, dismissing those that had long finished their meal. Moving through the halls, he found himself moving through the gardens silently. The snow sparkled in the dying sunlight.

Outside the fortress, a group appeared on a feather. They descended at the edge of the village. Once they were settled, they checked their appearance. After all, they were visiting the Western Fortress. Once they were content, the small group moved into the village. Youkai paused in their return to their huts to watch this regal looking group move through their village. None missed the obvious crescent moon on the forehead of one of the girls.

“Kanna, they are staring…”

Kanna glanced down at Hakudoshi with a small smile. “It is because we have Mother's markings. No one else but Sesshomaru-Nissan has her mark.”

Hakudoshi gave a small nod, moving slightly closer to Kagura as she held Akago in her arms. Kagura gave Kanna a small smile in return.

“You will be okay Kagura?”

Kagura gave a small nod and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. “Perhaps once I could have thought of him as a possibility for my future, but Kagome showed me there is much more to this world than what lies here in Nippon.”

It was indeed true. Since their freedom, Kagura had taken to traveling across all of Nippon and exploring places that had once been forbidden to her. She never strayed too far but now her sight was set on seeing the world. Before she could begin her travels, they had to come to Sesshomaru to request his approval of the journey as well as making sure that her small family would be watched over.

As they reached the walls of the fortress, a single guard moved to halt their progress. Kanna moved forward, her chin lifted in defiance and regality. “You shall let us pass.”

The guard eyed all of them with distrust and suspicion. Finally, he spoke softly. “I would have your names and association.”

Kagura released Hakudoshi's hand and reached for her fan but Kanna merely raised a hand to stop her. “You speak with the Lady of the Castle in the Sky, Lady Kanna and her family. You will stand aside lest judgment be swift and true.”

The guard could scent no deceit. Motioning with a hand, he brought over another guard. This was a kitsune specifically trained to inspect guests. A wave of power washed over the small group, revealing nothing out of the ordinary. The guard immediately bowed in response. “Forgive me My Lady. I was just fulfilling my job.”

Kanna narrowed her eyes as she looked at the guard in disdain. “See that you remember our faces and scent because the next time I will not be lenient.” Moving past him gracefully, Kanna couldn't help the small smile of triumph that graced her lips. Her mother would be proud of her.

They soon made it past the village within the fortress walls and entered the courtyard which was housed within a mountain. This is when things began to get extremely difficult of course. Guards moved before the door, refusing them access whatsoever. Kagura began to play with her fan idly in irritation. Hakudoshi was quivering next to her in anger and frustration. His hand kept clenching around the small whistle that would summon Entei to him. Kanna refused to allow her own emotions free access, her eyes only narrowing. Only Akago seemed oblivious to the tension in the courtyard. He was still giggling happily, reaching up to bat at Kagura's hair.

“Lord Sesshomaru, your attention is required in the courtyard!”

Sesshomaru turned, his eyes taking in the quivering servant. Deciding that it wasn't worth it, he moved past the servant and headed out front. He could clearly hear the soft sigh of relief that escaped the servant's lips.

As he reached the courtyard, for once shock was reflected in his actions. He froze on the steps, staring down at the group before him. They had lived…. Raising a hand, he summoned his whip to take care of them. He watched the wind witch move a little, bringing her fan up defensively. Before anything could be done, the mirror child spoke.

“Sesshomaru-Nissan. We have come for your inspection.”

Kanna moved forward, lifting her chin so that he could clearly see the crescent mark on her forehead. He studied it for a few moments before turning stiffly away. “Come.”

The guards moved back; tension still visible. At the very least, they would get to speak their piece. Moving swiftly after Sesshomaru, Kanna ensured that Hakudoshi was able to keep up. After moving through many twists and turns, they finally arrived outside a room. They moved inside to view the study.

Sesshomaru almost slammed the door to his study open. Moving to his table, he settled himself in seiza and watched as the attachments did the same. Obviously, the mirror child was their leader now. How she had received the mark on her forehead, he intended to discover. “Explain.”

Kanna bowed her head in submission. In her time spent at their mother's castle, she had been taught the ways of the Inu Youkai. Speaking softly, she began to tell her story about how they had come to be.