InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Prophecy ❯ A New Foe? ( Chapter 27 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: mshutts 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Psychological / Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 02.06.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.5K | Visits: 1.8K | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Psychological / Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 02.06.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.5K | Visits: 1.8K | Status: Work In Progress
The Prophecy
By: mshutts
WARNING: incest
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any other characters here-in except for Sturaki and Kurasko
* * * * *
Chapter 27: A New Foe?
Sesshoumaru stood in shock looking at the tree his brother had previously been backed up against for a moment. What was all that about? He had thought he was being completely reasonable in his request.
How was he supposed to know the problem with his little brother if Inuyasha would not tell him? Besides, wasn’t the fact that he showed any interest at all in the situation more than proof enough that he wanted to know the answer?
If he had not cared one way or the other, he would not have even bothered asking what was wrong. But, that look on his brother’s face had bothered him much more than he would have liked to admit. And now, he still had no idea what was wrong.
Either way, his youki was now furious at him. Not only had he not managed to determine what was wrong with his future mate, he had allowed said intended mate to go out into the forest unaccompanied, in a weakened state. As far as his youki was concerned, this behavior was completely unacceptable.
Knowing what kind of trouble his younger brother could get into on his own, Sesshoumaru began to follow his scent trail into the woods. On the off chance that he was actually supposed to mate with his baby brother, he did not want another demon coming for him first.
However, as he drew closer to where his brother was, he smelled a scent he knew quite well near his little brother. It was Lord Kurasko of the Eastern Lands. Idly wondering what business he could possibly have here, Sesshoumaru switched his approach so that he was now downwind from the two.
The presence of the other youkai lord definitely complicated things. He could not just walk in and retrieve his brother. It would give Lord Kurasko the impression that he cared about the pup. At the same time, he could not just leave Inuyasha with the youkai.
As he continued walking forward to the scene, his youki was bubbling up in the back of his mind. It was very concerned that his intended mate was in the presence of a higher level youkai other than himself who was intent on mating with him. Sesshoumaru pushed it aside, reminding himself that his younger brother seemed to be quite accomplished at holding potential mates at bay if previous mating seasons were any indication.
Besides, if Inuyasha really was his intended mate, he would not be interested in the kitsune lord. It stood to reason in Sesshoumaru’s mind that if he only felt a strong connection to his mate, his mate should only feel a strong connection to him as well.
As his mind alighted upon that idea, he began to see this encounter as more of a test of his baby brother’s intentions than an actual attack on his right to have whoever he wanted as his mate. If his little brother did not pass this test, he would know that he was in no way suitable to be his mate without even having to worry about visiting Sturaki.
With these thoughts in mind, Sesshoumaru silently took up a post near the clearing, watching and waiting.
He knew well that Lord Kurasko had been looking for a mate for years now. All the high level demonesses who were of age had already been claimed or mated with and the kitsune lord did not wish to mate with a commoner.
By the aura of his youki, it was blatantly obvious that his younger brother was a high level hanyou. Not only that, he was quite powerful as well. Sesshoumaru knew for a fact that the kitsune lord would want Inuyasha for his very own, especially since his younger brother had started emitting that feminine scent.
Over the past couple of days, the slight feminine scent had begun to overpower his masculine scent. Given that the feminine scent seemed intrinsically entwined with the scent his little brother was releasing with the approach of mating season, he knew the scent would only get stronger as time went by until mating season was over when it would gradually fade into the background once again.
However, for the moment, his little brother’s scent was projecting loud and clear that he was a fertile FEMALE hanyou and looking for a mate. You had to be almost right on top of him to notice the masculine scent that was underlying the whole mess.
As such, he was not at all surprised when he heard the argument between the hanyou and kitsune over whether or not his little brother was a female. He found himself becoming amused while listening to his brother rant. He doubted the kitsune knew what had hit him.
There Lord Kurasko was, thinking he was wooing a female hanyou, only to have a scathing remark be the response to his every word. Not only that, but his little brother had neatly delivered what was quite possibly the most unforgivable insult imaginable to the youkai lord. He had not known who Lord Kurasko was. Had he been the type, he would have been rolling on the floor laughing.
He supposed the funniest part of it all was that he knew for fact that his younger brother was not lying. He had none of his little tells going off and his eyes showed only confusion and annoyance. It was just unfathomable to the kitsune lord that such a high level hanyou would not know who he was.
His youki was also quite impressed at the relative skill his younger brother was showing in fending off this demon’s advances. It was well known that Lord Kurasko, indeed, kitsunes in general, were quite bewitching. However, his baby brother was not only showing absolutely no interest in pursuing a relationship with the kitsune, he was acting as if he could not feel any of the vast amounts of appealing pheromones the youkai was emitting especially for him.
He absentmindedly wondered if there was anything about his little brother that could be perceived as unacceptable in a mate. True, he did not have the training and was rather rough around the edges, but these were things that could be worked upon. But, here he was, a day before mating season, showing no interest in one who should rightfully be considered a potential mate. It was mind boggling to Sesshoumaru. When had his baby brother gotten such strength?
Pondering all this, he turned his attention back to the conversation that was taking place. When he heard his little brother utter, “Kitsune, hungh?” he knew what was going through his mind. Especially with the once over he gave the youkai in front of him. He was wondering if that was how his son was going to turn out. Watching his eyes carefully for any reaction that might show additional interest, he saw a flash of disgust and then a flash of determination before the mask dropped back over his eyes.
Rationalizing that his little brother had most likely found something lacking in the kitsune in front of him and sought to correct it in his own kitsune, he idly wondered if he should ask his younger brother about it. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he knew his baby brother was incredibly observant. It was possible he had picked up on something that Sesshoumaru himself had missed. Not likely, but possible.
As the kitsune lord drew closer to his younger brother, however, Sesshoumaru felt his whole being go on alert. Up to this point, they had just been talking and it did not appear as if Inuyasha was having any problems dealing with Lord Kurasko. The tables had turned now, with the youkai coming in on the hanyou who was pinned with his back to a tree.
There was no where for the hanyou to escape to now without losing face and it made Sesshoumaru’s youki nervous. He knew that his intended mate would not back down from the challenge no matter what. He was preparing to intervene when the kitsune was suddenly on his little brother.
Not wasting a moment, he forcibly removed the kitsune, throwing him to the other side of the clearing. His youki was furious. Lord Kurasko had gotten entirely too close to his intended mate. ‘How dare he touch what is mine?!’
Then the lord had the gall to ask what he wanted as a price for his intended mate. As if he would give him up for anything that this pitiful excuse for a youkai in front of him could offer. ‘As if I would give him up for anything in the world,’ his youki whispered. His youki took complete control then and, after making sure his intended mate was safe, set about removing the threat to his mating.
Thankfully for political relations, he was able to stop himself short of disemboweling the kitsune. It was a very near thing though. His youki was calling for blood and death. This being had dared to touch what was his and then tried to barter as if he had made no offense in the first place. He obviously needed to be taught his place.
He watched in disinterest as the kitsune quaked in fear before him. His youki was pleased that this youkai understood just how powerful he was and would not make any more attempts on his intended. Forcibly calming his youki when he felt the kitsune had groveled sufficiently, he turned his mind off mating season and on to the business of running his lands. It was his responsibility to be on the lookout for possible invaders after all.
As such, he realized that the trip to see Sturaki would have to be postponed momentarily. He first needed to see to his lands, but his youki refused to allow him to just let Inuyasha leave. It was still ranting about what could happen to his relatively defenseless future mate while he was gone.
To that end, he reminded his brother not to leave and was rather pleased when, instead of leaving, Inuyasha jumped into a tree to take a nap. His youki approved. If he was stuck working instead of being with his intended, it was best for his intended mate to be resting and replenishing his energy. After all, it made for a healthier mate and healthier pups.
Turning his full attention to the kitsune and what he was trying to tell him, Sesshoumaru noted the smirk on Lord Kurasko’s face. Annoyed, but not showing it, he asked, “You find something amusing, Lord Kurasko?”
Still smiling, the youkai replied, “I think I’ve finally figured it out.”
“Figured what out, exactly?”
“You want your little brother for your own mate.”
Sesshoumaru forced himself to remain completely expressionless. If Lord Kurasko, who he only had occasional contact with, could see it, who else would be able to? He could not outright deny it or confirm it as he was still not sure himself. So, deciding to take the safe route, he asked, “Why would you think such a thing?”
“Oh, come on, Lord Sesshoumaru. You came and ‘saved’ him from me. You haven’t really been paying attention to a word I have been saying and, now that you are sure that he is safe and asleep, only now are you willing to give me your attention. If that is not the actions of a youkai looking after his intended mate, I do not know what is.”
“I fail to see how this is any of your business. If you have nothing more to say to me, then I must insist you take your leave.” That was normally enough to either get the person in question to leave or switch topics. He had found it to be quite useful in the past. Thankfully it worked this time for he had no real response for the youkai’s accusations.
“Very well, Lord Sesshoumaru. I won’t make you say you weren’t paying attention, but I will start over just in case you missed something. Is that all right with you?” he asked, giving an annoying little grin that made Sesshoumaru want to claw it right off his face. He refrained, however.
With an incline of the head from the dog demon, the kitsune began his retelling. “I believe that there is a new threat in our lands. It is possibly greater than any we have ever faced previously.
“Over the past two months, there have been many mysterious deaths among higher level youkai in my territory. Their bodies are found, torn asunder, being laid out for the carrion predators. In some cases, my armies have been unable to even determine whom the body was from.
“This slaughter began in the far eastern part of my territory, but it has been moving further inland as time has gone by. There are no scent trails left by the being that is committing these atrocities and only a faint aura of darkness resides in the air over the corpses.
“As of yet, there have been no survivors from these attacks. The lower level youkai have remained unharmed as far as my men have been able to ascertain. For some reason this creature has only been attacking the higher level youkai.
“I have come to ask for your assistance in this matter.”
Sesshoumaru studied the youkai lord in front of him. He knew that the matter must be quite serious if he was coming to ask for help, something all youkai were loathe to do as a general rule. However, he had problems of his own and did not relish the idea of assisting a territory that was not his own. On the other hand, their borders were close and if what he said was true, it might not be long before he found his own lands being preyed upon by this unknown invader.
With all these thoughts in mind, he asked, “Why should I assist you?”
“If this intruder continues in this manner, it will be in your lands before you know it. It must be stopped now. It is in your best interests to impede it now before it starts reeking havoc on your lands,” the kitsune replied, lowering his gaze from the dog demon’s gaze. He was asking him for a favor of a sort, after all.
Noting the dropped gaze indicating submission, Sesshoumaru found himself feeling the slight urge to help coming from his youki. It was an instinctual desire to help those who were lower than him, putting themselves willingly under his authority and he had always loathed it. It did not do for others to see themselves as being worthy of his notice. They would use it against him, he was sure of it.
However, with the havoc Inuyasha had been playing on his youki lately, it was much more difficult for him to control and he realized that he needed to get away from this demon lord as quickly as possible before he agreed to something he would not normally agree to. Despite this, he knew that there was some merit to the lord’s words.
Keeping all this in mind, he responded, “I shall look into the situation myself. If there is nothing further, I suggest you take your leave of my lands.”
“Actually, there is one more thing you can do for me, Lord Sesshoumaru.”
“What is that?” Sesshoumaru asked expressionlessly though he was beginning to feel the tedium of still talking to this youkai.
“You can give your intended a kiss for me,” Lord Kurasko said with a wink.
Before Sesshoumaru could fully process what the kitsune had said, Lord Kurasko disappeared in poof of smoke that signified kitsune magic. Allowing him to depart without contest, he idly wondered what the fallout would be if he were to kill the eastern lord.
Thinking of the chaos that would result right on his own borders with this death, especially since there was no immediate blood heir at the moment, he came to the conclusion that it was in his best interests to allow him to continue his life. Besides, his youki was reminding him that he had more important things to take care of, like his possible intended mate.
Looking up into the tree where his little brother was sleeping, he wondered once again if it was normal for him to require so much rest. Seeing as there was nothing for him to gauge it against, he presumed that it most likely was.
He had also noticed, having been around his baby brother the past couple of days, that the power of his youki had been fluctuating slightly. It seemed to slowly become weaker as the time he was awake went by. It was now a little weaker than it normally was; however, as he slept it was gaining more of its power back.
In the back of his mind, he wondered at that. Perhaps his brother’s body was drawing on his youki for the transformation to being able to bear pups. If that was the case, he wasn’t sure about the wisdom of waking his brother from sleep.
His body most likely needed the rest to complete the transformation. Without it, there was an increased possibility he would die. ‘And I have been forcing him to follow me from one place to another since this change started,’ his youki berated him.
However, he could also not just stay here and let him rest. They still needed to get to Sturaki as well as the fact that there were other demons in the forest who would love to attack or claim this defenseless creature. They were no longer in the safety of Inuyasha’s forest where his baby brother was well-known and feared. Out here, they would not care who he was, they would attack anyway.
Making a decision, he jumped onto the tree limb his little brother was resting on. Landing lightly, it did not wake the hanyou. He had considered awakening the pup, but his youki had rebelled against the idea. His intended mate was obviously in need of the rest and him disturbing it for no good reason was unforgivable.
As such, he picked up the sleeping boy with his fur accompaniment and settled the sleeping body close to his own. He then leapt off the branch and gracefully continued his trek to see Sturaki, unconsciously being careful not to wake his baby brother in the process.
He was incredibly grateful that Lord Kurasko was not there to see this scene. He could almost hear him laughing now. Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, he walked as regally as he was able to while carrying a sleeping half-demon. After all, as his teachers had always said, “Appearing to be dignified is over halfway to being there.”
* * * * *
So, now we have a new enemy? Possibly.
I have only a vague idea of what the ‘fur accompaniment’ of Sesshoumaru’s is called so it will most likely remain just as stated. At least that way, no one can tell me I am incorrect. Oh, and it can move. He has used it as a type of second arm when battling Inuyasha before.
By the way, I know some of you really wanted a fight. However, for the reasons I gave in the chapter, I do not think Sesshoumaru would kill Lord Kurasko and, with his current temperament, that is how the fight would end. I might put in an actual fight in a future chapter.
Thanks always for reading and/or reviewing.
By: mshutts
WARNING: incest
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any other characters here-in except for Sturaki and Kurasko
* * * * *
Chapter 27: A New Foe?
Sesshoumaru stood in shock looking at the tree his brother had previously been backed up against for a moment. What was all that about? He had thought he was being completely reasonable in his request.
How was he supposed to know the problem with his little brother if Inuyasha would not tell him? Besides, wasn’t the fact that he showed any interest at all in the situation more than proof enough that he wanted to know the answer?
If he had not cared one way or the other, he would not have even bothered asking what was wrong. But, that look on his brother’s face had bothered him much more than he would have liked to admit. And now, he still had no idea what was wrong.
Either way, his youki was now furious at him. Not only had he not managed to determine what was wrong with his future mate, he had allowed said intended mate to go out into the forest unaccompanied, in a weakened state. As far as his youki was concerned, this behavior was completely unacceptable.
Knowing what kind of trouble his younger brother could get into on his own, Sesshoumaru began to follow his scent trail into the woods. On the off chance that he was actually supposed to mate with his baby brother, he did not want another demon coming for him first.
However, as he drew closer to where his brother was, he smelled a scent he knew quite well near his little brother. It was Lord Kurasko of the Eastern Lands. Idly wondering what business he could possibly have here, Sesshoumaru switched his approach so that he was now downwind from the two.
The presence of the other youkai lord definitely complicated things. He could not just walk in and retrieve his brother. It would give Lord Kurasko the impression that he cared about the pup. At the same time, he could not just leave Inuyasha with the youkai.
As he continued walking forward to the scene, his youki was bubbling up in the back of his mind. It was very concerned that his intended mate was in the presence of a higher level youkai other than himself who was intent on mating with him. Sesshoumaru pushed it aside, reminding himself that his younger brother seemed to be quite accomplished at holding potential mates at bay if previous mating seasons were any indication.
Besides, if Inuyasha really was his intended mate, he would not be interested in the kitsune lord. It stood to reason in Sesshoumaru’s mind that if he only felt a strong connection to his mate, his mate should only feel a strong connection to him as well.
As his mind alighted upon that idea, he began to see this encounter as more of a test of his baby brother’s intentions than an actual attack on his right to have whoever he wanted as his mate. If his little brother did not pass this test, he would know that he was in no way suitable to be his mate without even having to worry about visiting Sturaki.
With these thoughts in mind, Sesshoumaru silently took up a post near the clearing, watching and waiting.
He knew well that Lord Kurasko had been looking for a mate for years now. All the high level demonesses who were of age had already been claimed or mated with and the kitsune lord did not wish to mate with a commoner.
By the aura of his youki, it was blatantly obvious that his younger brother was a high level hanyou. Not only that, he was quite powerful as well. Sesshoumaru knew for a fact that the kitsune lord would want Inuyasha for his very own, especially since his younger brother had started emitting that feminine scent.
Over the past couple of days, the slight feminine scent had begun to overpower his masculine scent. Given that the feminine scent seemed intrinsically entwined with the scent his little brother was releasing with the approach of mating season, he knew the scent would only get stronger as time went by until mating season was over when it would gradually fade into the background once again.
However, for the moment, his little brother’s scent was projecting loud and clear that he was a fertile FEMALE hanyou and looking for a mate. You had to be almost right on top of him to notice the masculine scent that was underlying the whole mess.
As such, he was not at all surprised when he heard the argument between the hanyou and kitsune over whether or not his little brother was a female. He found himself becoming amused while listening to his brother rant. He doubted the kitsune knew what had hit him.
There Lord Kurasko was, thinking he was wooing a female hanyou, only to have a scathing remark be the response to his every word. Not only that, but his little brother had neatly delivered what was quite possibly the most unforgivable insult imaginable to the youkai lord. He had not known who Lord Kurasko was. Had he been the type, he would have been rolling on the floor laughing.
He supposed the funniest part of it all was that he knew for fact that his younger brother was not lying. He had none of his little tells going off and his eyes showed only confusion and annoyance. It was just unfathomable to the kitsune lord that such a high level hanyou would not know who he was.
His youki was also quite impressed at the relative skill his younger brother was showing in fending off this demon’s advances. It was well known that Lord Kurasko, indeed, kitsunes in general, were quite bewitching. However, his baby brother was not only showing absolutely no interest in pursuing a relationship with the kitsune, he was acting as if he could not feel any of the vast amounts of appealing pheromones the youkai was emitting especially for him.
He absentmindedly wondered if there was anything about his little brother that could be perceived as unacceptable in a mate. True, he did not have the training and was rather rough around the edges, but these were things that could be worked upon. But, here he was, a day before mating season, showing no interest in one who should rightfully be considered a potential mate. It was mind boggling to Sesshoumaru. When had his baby brother gotten such strength?
Pondering all this, he turned his attention back to the conversation that was taking place. When he heard his little brother utter, “Kitsune, hungh?” he knew what was going through his mind. Especially with the once over he gave the youkai in front of him. He was wondering if that was how his son was going to turn out. Watching his eyes carefully for any reaction that might show additional interest, he saw a flash of disgust and then a flash of determination before the mask dropped back over his eyes.
Rationalizing that his little brother had most likely found something lacking in the kitsune in front of him and sought to correct it in his own kitsune, he idly wondered if he should ask his younger brother about it. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he knew his baby brother was incredibly observant. It was possible he had picked up on something that Sesshoumaru himself had missed. Not likely, but possible.
As the kitsune lord drew closer to his younger brother, however, Sesshoumaru felt his whole being go on alert. Up to this point, they had just been talking and it did not appear as if Inuyasha was having any problems dealing with Lord Kurasko. The tables had turned now, with the youkai coming in on the hanyou who was pinned with his back to a tree.
There was no where for the hanyou to escape to now without losing face and it made Sesshoumaru’s youki nervous. He knew that his intended mate would not back down from the challenge no matter what. He was preparing to intervene when the kitsune was suddenly on his little brother.
Not wasting a moment, he forcibly removed the kitsune, throwing him to the other side of the clearing. His youki was furious. Lord Kurasko had gotten entirely too close to his intended mate. ‘How dare he touch what is mine?!’
Then the lord had the gall to ask what he wanted as a price for his intended mate. As if he would give him up for anything that this pitiful excuse for a youkai in front of him could offer. ‘As if I would give him up for anything in the world,’ his youki whispered. His youki took complete control then and, after making sure his intended mate was safe, set about removing the threat to his mating.
Thankfully for political relations, he was able to stop himself short of disemboweling the kitsune. It was a very near thing though. His youki was calling for blood and death. This being had dared to touch what was his and then tried to barter as if he had made no offense in the first place. He obviously needed to be taught his place.
He watched in disinterest as the kitsune quaked in fear before him. His youki was pleased that this youkai understood just how powerful he was and would not make any more attempts on his intended. Forcibly calming his youki when he felt the kitsune had groveled sufficiently, he turned his mind off mating season and on to the business of running his lands. It was his responsibility to be on the lookout for possible invaders after all.
As such, he realized that the trip to see Sturaki would have to be postponed momentarily. He first needed to see to his lands, but his youki refused to allow him to just let Inuyasha leave. It was still ranting about what could happen to his relatively defenseless future mate while he was gone.
To that end, he reminded his brother not to leave and was rather pleased when, instead of leaving, Inuyasha jumped into a tree to take a nap. His youki approved. If he was stuck working instead of being with his intended, it was best for his intended mate to be resting and replenishing his energy. After all, it made for a healthier mate and healthier pups.
Turning his full attention to the kitsune and what he was trying to tell him, Sesshoumaru noted the smirk on Lord Kurasko’s face. Annoyed, but not showing it, he asked, “You find something amusing, Lord Kurasko?”
Still smiling, the youkai replied, “I think I’ve finally figured it out.”
“Figured what out, exactly?”
“You want your little brother for your own mate.”
Sesshoumaru forced himself to remain completely expressionless. If Lord Kurasko, who he only had occasional contact with, could see it, who else would be able to? He could not outright deny it or confirm it as he was still not sure himself. So, deciding to take the safe route, he asked, “Why would you think such a thing?”
“Oh, come on, Lord Sesshoumaru. You came and ‘saved’ him from me. You haven’t really been paying attention to a word I have been saying and, now that you are sure that he is safe and asleep, only now are you willing to give me your attention. If that is not the actions of a youkai looking after his intended mate, I do not know what is.”
“I fail to see how this is any of your business. If you have nothing more to say to me, then I must insist you take your leave.” That was normally enough to either get the person in question to leave or switch topics. He had found it to be quite useful in the past. Thankfully it worked this time for he had no real response for the youkai’s accusations.
“Very well, Lord Sesshoumaru. I won’t make you say you weren’t paying attention, but I will start over just in case you missed something. Is that all right with you?” he asked, giving an annoying little grin that made Sesshoumaru want to claw it right off his face. He refrained, however.
With an incline of the head from the dog demon, the kitsune began his retelling. “I believe that there is a new threat in our lands. It is possibly greater than any we have ever faced previously.
“Over the past two months, there have been many mysterious deaths among higher level youkai in my territory. Their bodies are found, torn asunder, being laid out for the carrion predators. In some cases, my armies have been unable to even determine whom the body was from.
“This slaughter began in the far eastern part of my territory, but it has been moving further inland as time has gone by. There are no scent trails left by the being that is committing these atrocities and only a faint aura of darkness resides in the air over the corpses.
“As of yet, there have been no survivors from these attacks. The lower level youkai have remained unharmed as far as my men have been able to ascertain. For some reason this creature has only been attacking the higher level youkai.
“I have come to ask for your assistance in this matter.”
Sesshoumaru studied the youkai lord in front of him. He knew that the matter must be quite serious if he was coming to ask for help, something all youkai were loathe to do as a general rule. However, he had problems of his own and did not relish the idea of assisting a territory that was not his own. On the other hand, their borders were close and if what he said was true, it might not be long before he found his own lands being preyed upon by this unknown invader.
With all these thoughts in mind, he asked, “Why should I assist you?”
“If this intruder continues in this manner, it will be in your lands before you know it. It must be stopped now. It is in your best interests to impede it now before it starts reeking havoc on your lands,” the kitsune replied, lowering his gaze from the dog demon’s gaze. He was asking him for a favor of a sort, after all.
Noting the dropped gaze indicating submission, Sesshoumaru found himself feeling the slight urge to help coming from his youki. It was an instinctual desire to help those who were lower than him, putting themselves willingly under his authority and he had always loathed it. It did not do for others to see themselves as being worthy of his notice. They would use it against him, he was sure of it.
However, with the havoc Inuyasha had been playing on his youki lately, it was much more difficult for him to control and he realized that he needed to get away from this demon lord as quickly as possible before he agreed to something he would not normally agree to. Despite this, he knew that there was some merit to the lord’s words.
Keeping all this in mind, he responded, “I shall look into the situation myself. If there is nothing further, I suggest you take your leave of my lands.”
“Actually, there is one more thing you can do for me, Lord Sesshoumaru.”
“What is that?” Sesshoumaru asked expressionlessly though he was beginning to feel the tedium of still talking to this youkai.
“You can give your intended a kiss for me,” Lord Kurasko said with a wink.
Before Sesshoumaru could fully process what the kitsune had said, Lord Kurasko disappeared in poof of smoke that signified kitsune magic. Allowing him to depart without contest, he idly wondered what the fallout would be if he were to kill the eastern lord.
Thinking of the chaos that would result right on his own borders with this death, especially since there was no immediate blood heir at the moment, he came to the conclusion that it was in his best interests to allow him to continue his life. Besides, his youki was reminding him that he had more important things to take care of, like his possible intended mate.
Looking up into the tree where his little brother was sleeping, he wondered once again if it was normal for him to require so much rest. Seeing as there was nothing for him to gauge it against, he presumed that it most likely was.
He had also noticed, having been around his baby brother the past couple of days, that the power of his youki had been fluctuating slightly. It seemed to slowly become weaker as the time he was awake went by. It was now a little weaker than it normally was; however, as he slept it was gaining more of its power back.
In the back of his mind, he wondered at that. Perhaps his brother’s body was drawing on his youki for the transformation to being able to bear pups. If that was the case, he wasn’t sure about the wisdom of waking his brother from sleep.
His body most likely needed the rest to complete the transformation. Without it, there was an increased possibility he would die. ‘And I have been forcing him to follow me from one place to another since this change started,’ his youki berated him.
However, he could also not just stay here and let him rest. They still needed to get to Sturaki as well as the fact that there were other demons in the forest who would love to attack or claim this defenseless creature. They were no longer in the safety of Inuyasha’s forest where his baby brother was well-known and feared. Out here, they would not care who he was, they would attack anyway.
Making a decision, he jumped onto the tree limb his little brother was resting on. Landing lightly, it did not wake the hanyou. He had considered awakening the pup, but his youki had rebelled against the idea. His intended mate was obviously in need of the rest and him disturbing it for no good reason was unforgivable.
As such, he picked up the sleeping boy with his fur accompaniment and settled the sleeping body close to his own. He then leapt off the branch and gracefully continued his trek to see Sturaki, unconsciously being careful not to wake his baby brother in the process.
He was incredibly grateful that Lord Kurasko was not there to see this scene. He could almost hear him laughing now. Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, he walked as regally as he was able to while carrying a sleeping half-demon. After all, as his teachers had always said, “Appearing to be dignified is over halfway to being there.”
* * * * *
So, now we have a new enemy? Possibly.
I have only a vague idea of what the ‘fur accompaniment’ of Sesshoumaru’s is called so it will most likely remain just as stated. At least that way, no one can tell me I am incorrect. Oh, and it can move. He has used it as a type of second arm when battling Inuyasha before.
By the way, I know some of you really wanted a fight. However, for the reasons I gave in the chapter, I do not think Sesshoumaru would kill Lord Kurasko and, with his current temperament, that is how the fight would end. I might put in an actual fight in a future chapter.
Thanks always for reading and/or reviewing.