InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Poetry of Life ❯ Starting Anew ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Title: Poetry of Life
Subtitle: Starting Anew -- Chapter 1
Author(s): Ashika & Sesshoumaru_Lover

Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim Inu Yasha, the typical disclaimer. ^-~ However, the story itself is mine and a friend of mine's.

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Just soon right after breakfast, Zoë took her things into her special, memorial bag before she took a shower in a nearby small hot spring. After two long hours of relaxation, she slipped out of the hot spring and dried herself up before she put on her old attire she hadn't worn since the day of her arrival to Earth. It has been a long time, indeed. Four long months had passed by, and Zoë was already taken in by one of the loving family who instantly looked after her right from the day she arrived-unconscious and heart-broken.

For days, she had mourned for the life she had known, and most preferably, the family. With a sigh, she shook her head to relieve herself of these painful memories while she hugged each of the family members with a smile and she put on her large, brunette cloak. With a wave, she set off to start a new life, remembering that the era she was in now, a feudal time.

Now she walked down into the dense forest and she put on the hood, knowing that she looked so much different from many others. She had walked for more than three hours until she came into the clearing in the thick part of the forest, well, perhaps far end of the other forest, right into the heart of it. The question was, what forest was she in? She groaned in deep thoughts and she twirled her bag from her back to the side, and rumbled through her stuff until she found a certain item she had been looking for. "Well, let's see if-oh man! It's not working!" She stomped on the ground with a whine and shook the device that was used for reading map-and apparently, it malfunctioned.

"Just great, what else is there next?!!?" She lightly shouted and pulled her head back with an exasperated sigh, her eyes stared off into the cloud of leaves above her, since the forest was so thick and crowded. Her eyes subtly widened when a sudden crack sounded throughout the forest. Every muscle in her body tensed, her bones not moving an inch, but alas, she turned her head slowly, very slowly over her left shoulder.

She watched as silence bestowed her for a few moments. It felt forever, way to long and she recognized the feeling she felt. Whoever made the noise was up to no good-and must be the type that she would refuse to fight with.

A sight of a hairy, boney leg came up and she peered closer, not even a step backward toward it. A splat is heard and her eyes widened, even blinked and looked down at her shoulder where the splat is made and felt it. Just as she looked down, her face turned blue, and her slender lips twitched nervously.

A spider web.

Not a good sign.

She lowered her head down slightly, both of her shoulders hunched upward with her hands clenched tightly. Suddenly, she screamed with petrifaction. Swarm of birds fluttered from their place right out of the dense forest from such a scream.

She now ran through the forest, as she chanted along. "Don't come near me. Don't come near me. Don't come near meeee!!!!!" And she continued to do so, while she dashed and hopped from trees to trees, rocks to rocks, hills to hills. Everything in her sight came by and blurred out of sight while she was being pursued by five of the large spider…demons? As it seemed to be to her, from the sight of their green liquidity venom dripped from their black fangs, and some across their exoskeleton body, covered in hair with green spits.

Across from her hasty path, she caught sight of a white figure and she fastened her speed when she noticed one of the spider demon tried to grab her large cloak. "Eeeeek! Somebody kill that icky, creeping crawler thing!!!! Gah! Don't touch me you ugly beast!" She turned and tried to shoot a glare-but she couldn't and can't until she noticed the gaining spider opened its mouth and extended its long black fangs. Her eyes widened with her nose twitched slightly, "…You need a…dental PLAN!"

Just as she shouted the last word, she finally came out of the forest, now flying across and went sprawling across the ground until she slammed right onto the tree.

Sesshoumaru had been taking time out of his busy schedule. Standing in the middle of a field in his own Western Lands, planning what he had do next. Jaken was his only companion this day, with Rin back at his castle he was a little bored, although you wouldn't get him to admit that in a million years. He enjoyed the company of the human girl he had raised for the past 3 years. But now Rin had to learn to be a proper lady of court. So she could no longer go galavating with him through his Western Lands. There was simply nothing for him to do anymore. Naraku had been dealt with a year ago. He had patched things up with his little brother...At least they were not trying to kill each other any more. He considered that patching things up, thought he knew his father would prefer them to be in a better relationship, he was not lowering himself that much for the likes for a hanyou.

So there he stood looking as regal, stoic and beautiful as always, while being absolutely bored on the inside, suddenly he smelled spider demons coming his way, very fast, but they where not alone, another strange smell accompanied them. Who ever it was, he did not care in the least, but he did care about the spider demons. They where not welcome in his lands. He looked over just in time to see the a demoness screaming her guts out and run into a nearby tree. He looked over at the demoness with a cold stare, although he had smelled great power from her, she was obviously not worthy of it. That much was clear to Sesshoumaru.

"Hmpht....Pathetic....Running and being afraid of such lowly creatures." He said out loud as he moved peaceful and graceful as always.

He stood in front of the spider demons, He didn't need to bother with Toukijin for this one so he pulled out his Light whip, the first three fingers in his right hand glowing yellow and suddenly the light whip appeared. He whirled on one foot as he concentrated on keeping the light whip active, and thus cut the spider demons to pieces. Spider pieces fell in front of him, but he still looked as emotionless as ever, In fact he looked even more stoic and cold now. He turned gracefully and walked over to the woman by the tree.

"Do not tell me those pitiful creatures actually hurt you. If you tell me that, I will think the power I smelled in you was a fluke." He said in a cold and emotionless voice while he stood graceful as ever next to her, his hair blowing gracefully in the wind giving him an angelic look against the mid-morning sun.

Lying on the ground, thus, leaned against the tree in the most awkward position, Zoë was at least, thankful that her cloak had remained its place on her; especially the hood she wore is still intact. She rubbed her head lightly on her head after collided with the old tree. She hasn't looked up to the one who had stood next to her, although she had begun to fume, and felt the hidden anger rising up-and thus it went right back down. "Ever heard of fear!? I freakin' don't like those spider. It gives me the creep, despite what I'm capable of."

In an instant, she jumped right on her two legs, with a scowl, only the lower half of her face is shown with the hood on. From the moment she looked at him, she was about to give some words to whoever had insulted her, had became instantly silenced. It only took her a few moments to finally get a hold of herself when she thought of one word to describe him, 'arrogant'.

"What you sensed was perfectly a no fluke, arrogant demon!" She fiercely scowled and yet, she quickly stopped when she sensed another darkness heading in. She lowered her head; she took a few steps forward, away from the arrogant demon who had insulted her.

"Who's following me…again?" She whispered so low, not realizing that the demon behind her had such a keen hearing.

Sesshoumaru stood where he was motionless, looking every bit as cold and stoic as ever, although the outburst from the woman had him laughing inside. He heard perfectly what she said, but made no move to do anything about it. He instead decided to sit by the large tree, to relax and await what ever it was that was coming. He started to smell death, its foul smell reaching his sensitive nose. He made an angry face at it, but made no other move.

"This is turning into a very interesting day it seems." He said with a cold smirk in his stoic but beautiful face.

Zoë blinked when she heard the man she had just encountered and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, that's what you think. And beside-." She turned with a disapproval look on her face, "You have no right to be so quick to judge someone like me." She crossed her arms cover her chest and jerked her head side-way, "Hmpth."

Right on cue, a large demon, completely black and covered in rotten scales hovered by and landed with a loud bang. Its complete white eyes flashed brightly as it howls in a deep, throaty tone. The demon, after its howl, finally spoke, "You…" He brought one hand out; a swarm of threads came right out at Zoë, who hasn't moved an inch. "…Lady Zoë must die."

Fortunately, the threads only posed to shake the fear in her, in which proved no prevail. The demoness curled a smirk, "I thought I was no longer the 'Lady'."

Sesshoumaru just grinned evilly at what she had said before the demon showed up.

" You my dear keep the most interesting company. " he said still not moving. But he did eye the demon carefully; he had never seen one like that before, which made him wonder where it came from. He raised an eyebrow at it, but kept staid speechless the rest of the time.

Before the demon even showed up, Zoë rolled her eyes at the demon lord and didn't even respond until her enemy came by. Now standing among the wave of tall grasses, Zoë stood there, unmoving and uninjured. The threads that had threateningly came by, only went by her, as to create an illusion of thought to murder. However, she saw that coming and made no move to step out of the way.

"Is that the best you can do?" Zoë purred dangerously when the large demon snarled agitated.

"Lady Zoë…it is funny to see you all covered in a cloak. What are you afraid of?"

"Nothing, and stop calling me that, you moron…What do you want? My head?"

"No, I am here to…"

Zoë remained in her place, although she lowered her body to her fighting stance until a flower came up right at her face. She stared at it, wide-eyed and she blinked twice. "Huh..? Is this some joke!?" And she fell straight to the ground with a disbelief look on her face.

The large foul demon grinned with all of his fangs shown. "I see you do not remember me. It is I, whom you have sent me to work as a guard, two months ago. If it wasn't for you, I would've had my soul used by another, but you prevented it." He lowered the flower down to her side when she sat up, dumbfounded once again.

"You may be called a Death Bringer, but you are certainly a kind demoness." He took a few steps backward, and bowed, "With sharp words." With last of his words, he faded from sight.

Zoë sat there, immobilized in her place until she dropped her head when she remembered.

Sesshoumaru kept his growl to himself as he realized he was not going to witness a fight, which was bad to him; he wanted to see what this demoness was capable of. But now it looked like he wouldn't see it.

He stayed where he was, only an evil smile graced his beautiful features.

"So you are a Lady? Lady of what I wonder...I certainly have never seen you before...and I know all the Lords in these lands. So tell me...Where do you come from? And what kind of father would let his daughter go out dresses like that? "He asked as the evil smile stayed on his face. But he stayed sitting gracefully, his silver hair still flowing around him, as the winds picked up in speed.

The demoness stayed where she was, her head lifted and turned to face the demon lord with a curled smirk on her face, an evident that she showed no sign of fear. "Why would an arrogant demon like you, want to know of a stranger like me? Careful, don't mess with something you don't know. It might be dangerous." She purred lightly, somewhat dangerously just before she stood up and picked up the banquet of white roses.

Sesshoumaru showed her another evil and dangerous smile as he stood gracefully and walked calmly and with all his glory over to her.

"It is tradition to know who is in your lands. If you did not know that then I know you are not from around here. LADY ZOE..." He said putting emphasis on her name. " Now tell 'this Sesshoumaru' where you are from. So he may know who he has walking his Lands." He said showing a little more emotion, although it was only slight anger and boredom.

"As for you being dangerous to me. I hardly dought it. This 'Sesshoumaru can take care of any thing that is thrown at him." He said with great pride and sureness in his voice. Zoë rolled her eyes under her hood, which concealed most of her expressions, "Since you -kindly- asked, Mr. Sesshoumaru, all I can say is I'm from another world. There's your answer. If you have another, you'll have to wait for it." She tilted her chin upward, and she turned her back on him elegantly and took steps forward until she got to the large boulder nestled in the plain of tall grasses. She placed the white roses upon it and turns to face him, her lips once again, curled wickedly with a hint of laughter in her voice.

"Is that so? Have you ever taken on a demon that would be…a Makai?" She leaned against the boulder, her arms crossed over her chest with a smug attitude displayed.

Sesshoumaru growled in a low voice as she turned her back to him.

~ How dare she! Turning her back on this 'Sesshoumaru'. ~ He thought, but then grinned evilly again when she spoke.

"You will refer me by my proper title. In case your mind has not figured out my proper title is Lord... So you shall refer to me as such." He said showing her clearly that he was displeased by her lack of manners towards him.

"This 'Sesshoumaru' has been trained to fight every type of Demon. It is required." He added now sounding bored.

Still standing with the very same smug attitude, Zoë nearly laughed until she quickly calmed herself down, "I see, if you haven't noticed-I had stated I was from another world, so don't expect me to do what every other women in yours do, Lord Sesshoumaru." She leaned in forward, "You still haven't answered my question, -specifically-. Since you did not, I surmise you do not even know the breed of demon called the Maka-." She abruptly shut up when she realized something.

Perhaps he really did not know the Makai race, since she was from another world. She narrowed her eyes, her voice turning seldom, "You truly do not know it, do you? Because if you had met one, you would've have a mark on you for battling against one-to show the sign you have defeated the demon."

She pointed her finger at him, "Therefore, I see or sense nothing from you to show the evident of defeating this type of demon, which means, you did not fight every single type of demons."

Sesshoumaru looked at her, anger rising from the forwardness in the demoness. "No...I have never heard of your race before. But I would not have a problem in battling one of you." He said trying to control his anger and not knowing why this particular demoness was making him loose his tight control so easily. ~ Perhaps it is the fact that she doesn't seem to fear me. ~ He thought, then immediately wiped the thought from his mind.

He turned from her in quick action, uncharacteristic for him, but all he wanted was to lay some ground between the demoness and himself. "I will be watching you, while you are on my lands, Lady Zoë. Keep in mind that I do not allow the killing of those in my lands. That includes the few humans I have allowed. You harm anything that's mine...and we will see if I can truly defeat a Makai." He said his ego showing itself in his voice, even if she couldn't see his face.

His hair blowing in the now soft wind, as the boa that was really his very large tail, twitched slight for the first time in years. Sesshoumaru acted like nothing had happened, but he knew the movement of the tail was significant; still he did not like it.

Zoë stood up properly and folded her arms behind her back when she noticed the demon lord's secretive attempt, to get away. She smirked once more, her voice lowered to an alluring tone, "Aw…Lord Sesshoumaru is actually…-sparing- me, thus he's now trying to get away?" She chuckled lightly and shook her head.

"Beside, I don't exactly kill unless one provokes me. However, apart from it, I do bring in the killing through phases to go to another realm." She took a few steps forward, although she was instantly stopped in her track when a flash of black arrow struck the ground next to her foot. She narrowed her eyes when she recognized the symbol on the arrow.

~That crazy bastard is not leaving me alone…~ She snarled in thought, and slowly she turned her head and looked up to find a lone figure upon one of the slightly distanced cliff. "…he's going to wish he had never messed with me…" She murmured dangerously.

The lone figure, now up on the cliff, stood in his ruined ninja attire, with two pointy ears perked right out. A long fluffed tail appeared waving about behind him, twitched violently when he took the sight of the fighter he had been looking for. He reeled in another arrow and shot four straight down at her who in return simply raised her hands up, stopped the arrows in the mid-air.

She twirled her index finger; the arrows followed her movement and turned in another direction. She thrust her fingers forward, sending the arrows soaring right back at him in a flash, and yet the lone one moved out of the way with less efforts.

Sesshoumaru heard the words she said, and growled slightly. "I 'Sesshoumaru' do not run away from anyone. I am surprised an unmannered female such as you has lived this long. With reason you have demons coming to kill you." He said now showing his anger; he tried to move against her, but was stopped dead in his tracks by his own demon instincts. The shock was seen clearly in his face for a couple of seconds.

He then realized what was going on and growled loudly when he realized it. It was then that he saw the other demon throwing black arrows at Zoë.

~ Good! If this demon can kill her. Then my demon will have to get over it. This is silly....it has not reacted to a female like this before...What is so special about this one...Except for the fact that she can't hold her tongue. ~ He thought as he looked at the fight, that was currently taking place.

Zoë stayed in her place, her lips curled into a disapproval frown, although it was clearly shown that she did not like to be stalked down. She kept her eyes as the gaining lone enemy came rushing toward her, double twin sword now in his grasp, and she left her spot. Her steps were slow and steady, although her movement spoke of a skilled one, very similar to that of a panther.

She continued to walk with poise with the hastily demon dashing his way toward her. The first sign of sword swinging, she easily moved out of the way and planted her long, lean leg right into the stomach of the ninja who groaned in pain and sent sprawling backward. And thus, she remained in her place, awaiting for another attack.

"You stupid fool, I told you, and it wasn't me who murdered your tribe."

The lone fighter, instantly got up and snarled, "Liar, and for that, you will die by the very hands of a samurai!"

"If you're a -demon- samurai, why aren't you dressed like one?"

A shout of battle cry came hurtling through, two fighters now fought, although it was apparent that Zoë was doing all the battle with no efforts, it seemed easy for her to battle against a demon samurai. That is until; the demon managed to swing his word straight at Zoë's cloak, where it soon fell right off of her.

Zoë stood there, her eyes widened in shock, until she snarled fiercely. "That's it, you're asking for it." After all this time, she had been holding back and now she's releasing it. Her indigo eyes flashed dangerously and she was gone from sight.

The demon samurai, shocked and confused when he took sight of the demoness before her, was distracted until he felt a light weight on his head. He looked up to find her standing on his head with her arms crossed over her head. She flipped forward, her body perfectly in a circle form until she landed-two began their fight once more, no longer holding back until to the very end…

Two swords, soared into the sky, the demoness stood right in front of the demon who stared at her shock when he felt something pressing against the very area where he considered as a 'prize'. "Looks like you'll have to say good-bye to your future, idiot. You know what will happen if you continued this and now, it's beginning."

A shot resonated with a scream of pain, the demon fell to his knees, and his hands covered his now blooded private area. Zoë stood there over him, her eyes narrowed with waves of black hair hurtled around her slim figure, and golden highlights glittered from the sunlight's ray.

Sesshoumaru watched the fight intently, noticing how skilled the demoness was. When the cloak fell and he saw her features, he cursed once more. She was gorgeous...and that was not good for him. His demon would like her even more now. He continued watching silently, her last movements made him cringe for no man should suffer that fate, no matter how evil they have been. He saw the look on Zoë's face and grinned again. At least he knew she was brave. However that did not change the fact that he still couldn't stand her attitude.

Right after she finished her last move, she turned with her hand raised and the cloak was summoned to her silent call. She quickly put the cloak on around her, with a grim look, knowing she had been seen. She spun the strange item that was used as a weapon against the rival she had just recently fought and watched it fade from sight.

She turned her face to glance at the demon lord; her lips once again, smirked slightly. "Well, at least, now you know how dangerous I can get. But that's not all I'm capable of, perhaps it's about time you start your will, hun." She purred as she sarcastically spoke.

Sesshoumaru saw the evil grin on her face and cursed himself silently, if his demon saw her as a potential mate, he would not allow him to hurt her, even she wanted to hurt him, all he would be able to do would be run...and that was unacceptable.

"I do not need to make my will, Lady Zoë. Because a Lady such as you will never kill me." He spoke with fake bravery and ego. He knew just where he stood right now, He growled to himself and his demon for being so stupid as to fall for a demoness like her. He watched the woman as an idea hit him; he gave her a ghost of a smile.

"Why do you hide your face? Do you think yourself so hideous, that you need to hide it?" He asked with mock bravery again. Never showing her any feelings as his voice sounded as cold and uncaring as ever, only his eyes showed the real turmoil, if someone was skilled enough to see it.

Deep, well hidden in her concealed hood, her slightly smirked lips only turned to pure wicked grin when she listened to him. It was apparent, she showed no sign of being infatuated by the demon lord, although deep down inside, she knew she was-and considered it as a crush, nothing more.

"Who said anything about me being hideous?" She chuckled once more, "I didn't hide myself just because I think myself lowly; if I did, I wouldn't be out here confronting you, hun. Ever thought of that?" She shook her hand with one finger, looked as if she was admonishing him. "Beside, I may be a lady, but trust me, if I say I am fighter, then I am a fighter."

She tilted her head with poise, "And also, never say never, because you cannot always predict the outcome." She made her way toward the boulder and picked up the bag she had been carrying and moved away until she stopped in her tracks.

"Aren't you going to come to this…event going on for all demons? Hmm?" She spoke with curiosity when she looked over her shoulder, her face now half concealed by the shadow in her hood, only her lips are seen.

Sesshoumaru growled even more at her response.

~ This is intolerable....She is a disrespectful, ungrateful, impudent bitch that has to be taught her place. How in all hells did this happen to me. ~ He thought as he growled again and realized he was doing it out loud.

~ Stupid mating instincts...Nooo, I will not let this control me... I am 'Sesshoumaru' Lord of the Western Lands. This bitch will not control me in any way. ~ He thought as he silently listened to her ramblings.

"What ever event you are talking off, it is a waste of my time." He said turning, so she would not see his expression anymore.

"You are welcome to stay in my lands as long as you need. As long as you kill all the demons that comes after you." He said grinning as he walked away from her trying to control his demon, but it proved a fruitless effort as his tail started twitching signaling to him that his demon wanted to get to know her better. How ever he just kept walking away from her, even after all his instincts told him otherwise.

"I do not protect damsels in distress." He said as he kept moving.

Zoë stood there half-way, her head tilted slightly while she remained silent for a few moments until she spoke up with a raspberry tongue, "Party pooper." She placed one hand on her hip with a slight hint of attitude, despite the fact that her cloak had clearly covered all of her body, prevented any hint of her sensuous body.

"Beside, I did not ask to be protected, you have been sadly misinformed, hun." She wiggled her nose lightly, "This event I'm going to, and I consider it special, because it only happens twice every ten years." She narrowed her eyes, and decided to say something to see if it would tick him off even more, "Perhaps I can find someone far better than you. Someone who would be…all princely-like, strong and handsome. Now that is a woman's dream guy." She dreamily spoke with a snap of her finger and walked off, waiting to see what happens next.

The event she had heard of only happened twice every ten years-an event that gathers all demons around to keep every demon intact-although it was not working most of the time. Most of the demons at the event were there to make acquaintance, and other ideas. It was a traditional time for many of the demons to come by-since the day represented the time when all demons had once, just once horded together to fight against the humans. But now, humans are battling against the demons and slowly winning-a no man's land at the time.

Sesshoumaru looked at the figure of the retreating demoness. He had stayed quiet through out her speech, knowing if he said anything, she would probably keep on going. When she departed, he turned and started to walk gracefully to his castle, thinking of everything that had occurred that day. He got to the spot where he had left Jaken and saw him waiting by Aun.

" Jaken...Come! " He called not bothering to stop and wait for the toad youkai.

Jaken in turn stood up, quickly grabbing his Staff of Heads and running towards the fading figure of his Lord, who he noticed to be quite mad. After he had been serving Sesshoumaru for so long, he knew when his master was mad or happy, thought he did not know which one was scarier.

"Wait for your humble servant Sesshoumaru-Sama." He screamed, after a while he finally was behind Sesshoumaru. "Did somthing happen, My lord?"

Sesshoumaru did not acknowledge the presence of Jaken, but spoke none the less. "Nothing...We are just heading home." He said; with tone that stated do not keep asking.

And with Jaken shut up, knowing if he kept talking it would mean immediate pain. They kept walking, Sesshoumaru as always deep in thought. Taking his time to reach his castle.

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~::~ Writer's Place ~::~

Dang, we kinda got lost along the way. ^-^;; That what happens when someone get lots of ideas. *purrs* Tell us what you think!