InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 11 )

Sorry, no pics for this chapter.

 

FYI: Before you kill me, let me say this. This chapter is going to be short. I'm already working on chapter 12. I felt that, instead of writing some big long thing that I'd put this little buffer in here while I gather my wits and work on the rest of the story. I do, however, have my ending already worked out.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Inuyasha. Takeshi and Jirou, Nyuka, and the children are all my creation though.

 

Chapter 11 - The Writ of Taishou

 

“Hah, Lord? What is a Lord of your age without a mate and an heir?” A tall, stately-looking man with silver hair spoke up. His hair was cropped short and he was wearing a navy blue kimono with white sakura blossoms scattered over the left shoulder. “You may as well be the end of the line of Inu Lords. I feel it is time that you step down and allow my son to rule.”

 

“And who is your son?” Sesshomaru asked, already bored and annoyed with the interruption. This demon must be new to my lands.

 

“Your cousin, Takeshi Nishimura,” the man proclaimed, “and I am your father's brother, Jirou Nishimura. I have come to enact the Writ of Taishou.”

 

Sesshomaru's eyes widened a miniscule amount. He had forgotten about the Writ of Taishou.

 

The Writ of Taishou

 

“I can see it in your eyes, Sesshomaru. So, you have forgotten about the Writ of Taishou. Allow me to explain to everyone,” Jirou sneered, walking up a few of the stairs and turning so that he was facing both Sesshomaru and the crowd of demons and Kagome. He reached into the folds of his Kimono and pulled out a scroll. He cleared his throat as he unrolled it. “A Lord that has no heir by his 1000th year and is challenged for his throne by a blood relative, who is a full demon, has four months to conceive an heir. If the Lord has no mate he is to find and claim a mate in this time frame as well. If the Lord does not succeed, the relative automatically assumes the title of Lord.”

 

The room erupted in quiet whispers as everyone in the room frantically spoke with one another. What would happen if Lord Sesshomaru had to give up his title? What would their new lord be like?

 

“What about Inuyasha? He would be the next in line for the throne!” a demon near the back of the crowd yelled out. Jirou smirked down at everyone, his eyes flitting about until they narrowed on Inuyasha.

 

“Inuyasha is a hanyou,” he spat, “he cannot be Lord. It is written in the laws.” More murmuring and whispering rose up from the crowd at this declaration.

 

Sesshomaru had had enough. “Silence.” The room fell silent. “According to the Writ of Taishou, a document created by the ancients, this Sesshomaru must find and claim a mate within four months. With my mate I must conceive an heir. So it is written, so shall I do. Now, as I was saying, let us enjoy this celebration after a particularly cold winter.” Sesshomaru turned and walked back through the doors behind him, set on going to his study to think this new proclamation over.

 

Jirou motioned to someone in the crowd and walked up the steps to follow Sesshomaru. Kagome looked in the direction that Jirou motioned and saw the demon that she had danced with, Takeshi, follow him up the stairs.

 

Sesshomaru calmly walked to his study, slid open the door, and entered. He stood looking out the window on the garden with his facial expression one of deep thought and consideration. He left the door open, knowing Jirou and another were following him. Last he had heard, his father's family had moved to the main land and started new trade routes to the west. Go figure, as soon as I find Kagome I'm forced to find a demoness bitch to mate with.

 

Jirou entered the room with his shoulders set and his chest puffed out. Takeshi followed behind him, his stance less cocky. Sesshomaru acknowledged their presence by turning his head toward them.

 

“So all I have to do is find a mate, claim her, and conceive an heir within four months and I retain my title and lands. If I fail to do this Takeshi is to take over as Lord of the Western Lands?” Sesshomaru coldly stated.

 

“Yes,” Jirou said smugly, his hands clasped behind his back. He was rocking slightly back and forth on the balls of his feet. Oh yes, Sesshomaru. I have you now!

 

--Downstairs--

 

“Have you ever heard of this Writ of Taishou, Inuyasha?” Kagome asked, turning to look at her friends.

 

“No, I haven't. I've heard of other Lords being challenged for their title and throne but no one would ever dare something like that with Sesshomaru. Even now, when he's loosened up a little bit, he's still someone you don't mess with,” he said, his eyes glazed and looking up the stairs.

 

“Do you think we should follow him? I saw that Jirou guy and another man go up the stairs,” Kagome said, searching Inuyasha and Shippo's faces. Inuyasha's expression remained dazed but Shippo's brows were knit together in a frown.

 

“Yes, we should. I want to know what's going on here,” Shippo said. He grabbed Kagome's hand and rushed up the stairs, barely waiting for her to regain her balance when they reached the top.

 

“Where do you think they went?” she asked, stumbling a little bit in her sandals. Frowning, she stopped and kicked them off. “Ah, that's better,” she said and hiked up her furisode a little so that she could run next to Shippo.

 

“The study. That's where Sesshomaru goes when he needs to think.” Come on, Sesshomaru. This is your chance to be with Kagome. Take it! Shippo thought to himself. They continued their trek down the multitude of hallways on their way to Sesshomaru's study.

 

--Study--

 

“I would like to make an addition to the terms of this agreement,” Sesshomaru stated, turning and looking straight at Jirou. Jirou hesitated then nodded curiously, suspecting that Sesshomaru wanted to add time. “If, by four months, I am unable to complete these tasks, Takeshi and I will battle for the lands of the West and title of Lord. No weapons, but hand-to-hand combat.” Sesshomaru stared blankly from Jirou to Takeshi.

 

Jirou scowled. “Absolutely not!”

 

“No, father, I think it is a good idea,” Takeshi calmly interjected. “I agree to your additional terms, cousin.” Sesshomaru nodded and Takeshi smiled back.

 

“I have but one question,” Sesshomaru added as Jirou and Takeshi made to leave.

 

“Oh, what is it now?” Jirou ground out. It was obvious to Sesshomaru that he was getting on the old demon's nerves which made him happy.

 

“I plan to court the Shikon Miko. There are ways in which a demon and a priestess can mate and produce a full blooded heir. Will this be acceptable?” Sesshomaru watched Jirou's hand twitch and the slight straightening of Takeshi's frame. He silently dared Jirou to tell him no; to tell him he could not have the woman he waited more than 500 years to be with.

 

“Very well,” Jirou said with an annoyed sigh, “but good luck convincing your subjects that it is a good idea.” He sniffed loudly and walked out of the study, Takeshi following him.

 

“Hello Priestess Kagome,” Takeshi's voice wafted into the study from the hallway. His voice was smooth and sweet toward the girl. Sesshomaru then heard Kagome's soft voice reply. No cousin, you don't want to get in the middle of this. I promise you that much. Sesshomaru held onto his composure as Shippo and Kagome rushed into the study.

 

“Sesshomaru, what the hell's going on?” Shippo cried. Kagome was bent slightly next to him, trying to catch her breathe.

 

“Nothing is going on. I am being challenged for my title and lands. I assure you there is nothing to worry about,” he said, watching Kagome huff. “Kagome, sit down before you pass out.”

 

She scowled up at him but flopped down in an oversized leather chair. He saw her tabi-covered feet and raised an eyebrow. “It would appear you are shedding,” he said, motioning to her feet. Kagome looked down and blushed.

 

“It's hard to run in geta sandals so I flipped them off in the hallway somewhere,” she said absently, wiggling her toes.

 

“Hnn,” he said, watching her toes wiggle. Toes connected to feet, connected to ankles, connected to calves, connected to knees, connected to thighs, connected to-. Stop it.

 

“Well, can you at least explain what's going on? I've never heard of the Writ of Taishou,” Shippo grumbled, obviously upset and who could blame him? His job was on the line.

 

“It is exactly as my father's brother explained. I have to find a mate, claim her, and conceive an heir within four months and I retain my title and lands. If I fail to do this Takeshi is to take over as Lord of the Western Lands,” he said dully. He leaned against his desk and crossed his arms over his chest, a slight smirk upon his face. “However, I did make an addition to the agreement. If, by four months, I am unable to complete these tasks, Takeshi and I will battle for the lands of the West and title of Lord. No weapons, just hand-to-hand combat.”

 

Kagome sat up upon hearing this, worry painted across her face. “But, Sesshomaru, what if you lose?” He gave her a flat look as if to say, do you realize who you're talking to? Kagome saw his expression and ducked her head, standing and bowing in apology.

 

“Sorry, hehe, I mean, uhm, … what I meant to ask was do you have any leads on available female demons?” she stuttered. She mentally scolded herself for being so rude. I guess there's still a little bit of old Sesshomaru still in there. Cocky bastard.

 

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, pushed away from his desk, and slowly walked toward Kagome. Her eyes widened as the tall demon Lord practically stalked toward her. She scrambled to back up but found herself to be pressed back into the chair she had been previously sitting in. As he neared, he leaned down and murmured quietly, “why yes, I do. But she's not a demoness.”

 

Shippo stood near the wall, a satisfied smirk on his face. Oh, this was going to be quite fun.

 

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If you're going to leave a review, please leave an actual review. Saying “update!” or “more!” isn't helpful. I worked for 2-3 weeks on that chapter and to have someone say “update!” is like putting several hours of work into a sandcastle only for someone to walk by, say “neat!”, then jump on it and say “do it again!” Tell me what you liked about the chapter. Tell me what you think would be interesting to happen. I was able to write the battle scene in little time because people gave feedback. Hell, I don't care if you rip me a new one - at least it's a review of my work and not a one word comment that does nothing to tell me how I'm doing and where I should go.

 

I hugely appreciate my readership but, at the same time, c'mon! Don't make me send Sesshomaru after you! No, wait, that'd be enjoyable. Uhm… I'll send Kikyo after you and she can bore you to death with her “I'm angry and vengeful” act.