InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part III): Loss of the Demon Soul ❯ The Truth about Ryuukotsusei ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter Eight

The Truth about Ryuukotsusei

Sesshoumaru's memories flew by him quickly. He watched his father with his new mate, he always treated her with love and compassion. Showing her respect that he had never shown to his own mother. One day the two came to him and informed him that he would have a sibling. His eyes narrowed instantly.

"It is disgraceful that the two of you would bear a half-breed. You're pathetic, father, for have ever taken a human as a mate." He spat at them with disgust before turning and walking away.

Years flashed by and he was now watching his younger brother play in the fields. They had named him InuYasha, and it was a name that Sesshoumaru despised already.

Sesshoumaru looked on as his father showed up and went to the young boy, who was now about five years old. He picked him up and laughed with him. Sesshoumaru felt his blood boil. Not once had his father lifted his hand to the pup, never had he been beaten the way Sesshoumaru had. The human woman held his father in a near spell. He despised them all. He watched his younger brother closely, knowing that one day he would see him dead. A smile crossed his face at the thought. Almost sensing his intentions, Lord Inutaisho turned towards Sesshoumaru. He then took InuYasha and left the field.

Soon after that day, Sesshoumaru came to hear of a demon that was very powerful, so powerful that many believed that even Inutaisho would not be able to defeat him. Sesshoumaru sought out this demon, first curious to see if he himself could defeat the demon that was rumored to be more powerful that the Great Lord of the Western Lands. He approached Ryuukotsusei prepared for battle, but instead another thought crossed his mind. He spoke with the powerful demon and then promised to return.

Hours later he returned to Ryuukotsusei with his younger brother in tow. He left the pup there and again returned home. He informed his father's mate that InuYasha had been taken by the demon and he would only spare InuYasha's life if Inutaisho would come and fight him.

Of course, the human became hysterical and went to his father. Sesshoumaru stood with a smirk on his face. Soon his father would die in battle, and Sesshoumaru would finally take his rightful place as Lord of the Western Lands and kill the half breed and his mother.

Inutaisho moved swiftly to Ryuukotsusei, finding his young son in danger. They waged a long and brutal battle. Sesshoumaru watched as his father put up a decent fight against the large demon whose very skin was like iron. Finally, his father took a blow that would soon end his life. Inutaisho left his claws embedded in Ryuukotsusei and the demon was put into a sleep. He then took InuYasha and fled back to their home.

Sesshoumaru stood watching Ryuukotsusei and was tempted to remove the claw and let the demon wake again but instead turned from him. One day the demon would wake and no doubt seek vengeance.

Sesshoumaru returned home and found the human woman nursing his father in bed. He was disgusted by the smell of blood and left the sight of them behind. Later he heard the human weeping and went to his father's room. He was still alive but just barely. Inutaisho looked to the woman and then asked her to leave. He called to Sesshoumaru and curious as to his father's last words, he entered the room.

"Sesshoumaru, I know that in the past I did terrible things to you. You need to forget that and take your place as the ruler of these lands." Sesshoumaru glared at his father while he spoke and then put as much hate as possible into his own voice when he replied.

"I will never forget, father. Today I enjoyed watching your defeat. Ryuukotsusei was quite the challenge, and I'll admit that you fought admirably. Though your weakness was your love for your human wench and the half breed child you bore with her."

Inutaisho looked up at his son, and the events leading up the battle registered with him. His son had been the one to send him to his death. His thoughts went to the sword he had forged for Sesshoumaru. It would keep the shinju from tarnishing further and hopefully one day it would make him desire to protect humans. Doing so would lead the gem closer to purification. Sesshoumaru stared down his father. Again Sakura and his mother came to his mind.

"Once you're dead, father, your wench and son will be killed so that there is no evidence left of your pathetic fall from grace." InuYasha's mother heard what was said and ran to find him. She gathered her son and fled, knowing that Inutaisho's eldest son would kill her and her child if given the chance. She looked back once, regretting not being by her mate's side when he died. Then she looked at her own son, who was crying in her arms. She had to protect him first.

Sesshoumaru stood over his father, with a satisfied smirk on his face. The Great Demon Lord was dead. Now he would rule the western lands. He turned and left the room, noting that the human and her child were no longer there. He looked at the hilt of the sword he had been given by his father recently. He could feel power in it, but wasn't sure what it was. Eventually, he would find out.

Sesshoumaru woke and looked around. He was again in the forest with InuYasha and the priestess. He turned to stare at his brother. Memories of him as a child flooded Sesshoumaru. For reasons he didn't understand he felt guilt. The human emotions were starting to annoy him, and he was growing impatient with the length of time the trip was taking him.

Finally he refocused his eyes on the girl. She was sleeping peacefully and he moved closer to her. He felt himself soften as he gazed down at her. Again he was overwhelmed by her beauty. He thought back to the time when they had traveled together. A slight smile passed over his face as he recalled the day she shoved him in the water. He was reminded of his carefree days as a child, when he and Sakura had played together. Suddenly InuYasha was awake looking at Sesshoumaru. "You killed our father." He said in a stunned voice.

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A/N: I know there is quite an age difference between the InuYasha and Sesshoumaru. That is why in an earlier chapter I talked about the way humans and demons age. Though in human years they have quite an age gap, in demon years they do not and demon's aging nearly stops once they have reached young adulthood. Just added this incase anyone was wondering why they were so far apart in my story...I kinda needed Sesshy to be an adult when his father took on the human mate.

Someone also wanted to know why Sesshoumaru didn't stop hating humans when he gave up the shinju. Well, he doesn't really "hate" them now. He is starting to care for Kagome and showed concern for Miroku's health and safety. He also allowed them to stay at his castle and has not tried to harm any of them. He just won't let go of his arrogance.

Thanks again for the reviews!