InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The True Purpose ❯ Scene 49 ( Chapter 49 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Scene 49 -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Personal Councilroom

* Sesshomaru enters his smaller personal councilroom. He is pleased to see that all three of his Elders are there. Sephirai and Radiyu quickly turn to face him. Sesshomaru greets them in his usual, regal manner. He notices that Purfelikage refuses to meet his eyes. At first, as he moves to sit behind his desk, he considers the cat Elder's reaction to be one of defiance. But when he sits down and studies the cat he realizes that it is not defiance, but shame that keeps the Elder from meeting his eyes.

Sesshomaru- Elder Purfelikage. Please meet my eyes.
Purfelikage- I have no right to do so...
Sesshomaru- I am told that you withstood the ones that meant to harm my little ones.
Purfelikage- (Quietly) I.. seen them enter...
Sesshomaru- Where?
Purfelikage- From the kitchen area, M'Lord... I knew they were up to no good.. My intuition told me that they were after.. my nephews and nieces... I couldn't condone their actions on innocent lives... Even if I did.. understand the reasoning...
Sesshomaru- Reasoning?

* Sesshomaru now leans forward on his desk, continuing to study Purfelikage.

Sesshomaru- Why does your clan seek my harm? Was my Father.. Then myself, not merciful enough to allow them to live...

* The old cat demon takes a deep breath to curb the hiss that was growing in his throat.

Sesshomaru- Elders Sephirai and Radiyu, I wish you to continue to carry out your duties. I want my Kingdom returning to as normal as possible... I will not allow my Mate's condition to be the downfall of myself or my territory... I instead wish for it to show the other Lords the strength of the West in its ability to overcome this devastating event. Do you both understand?


* The two reptilian Elders nod quickly.

Sephirai- Yes.
Radiyu- Very wise decision, M'Lord!
Sesshomaru- You may go.
Sephirai- The actual squad of assaulters, with the exception of Tategami, have been executed per your orders. The remainder of the..

* He half glances toward Purfelikage.

Sephirai- Cat clan has been placed under detainment in their village.
Radiyu- What's to be done with them?
Sesshomaru- Nothing until I make my final decision. Double security around them, though.

* The two Elders bow quickly and leave. Sesshomaru then looks back up at Purfelikage.

Sesshomaru- You may answer my question now, Pur.

* Finally the old cat raises his eyes to meet Sesshomaru's.

Purfelikage- Sesshomaru, did your Father ever tell you who he won this territory from? These Western lands that you now call yours?
Sesshomaru- He never spoke of it.. But I've read his journals... The cat he defeated was your grandfather.. Correct?
Purfelikage- Hai.
Sesshomaru- But my Father allowed him to live...

* Purfelikage nods.

Purfelikage- In return, my grandfather pledged his clan's service to yours... I was my Father's youngest cub, but I wasn't stupid... I was grateful to your Father for his mercy toward my grandfather, as was my Father... Unfortunately, not all of our clan felt the same way.. The display of displeasure with your rule had been kept private within the clan... Most thought that I was unaware of it, but I didn't achieve my status by being stupid and blind... I dealt with their anger privately when I married your sister...
Sesshomaru- Why was I not told of their displeasure earlier?

* Purfelikage sighs. Sesshomaru motions toward the chair and the old cat sits down.

Purfelikage- I was torn between loyalty to my Lord and to my clan.

* Sesshomaru considers his Elder's answer several moments, then he nods.

Sesshomaru- I can understand this, Pur.

* Myoga looks up at Sesshomaru a bit surprised.


Sesshomaru- I, too, have considered the possibility of having to give up my rule for Inuyasha.
Myoga- What?!

* Sesshomaru places his hand down on the desk covering the Flea until Myoga grows quiet. Purfelikage continues.

Purfeliekage- Mostly the grumbling was done quietly, behind closed doors.. Over dinner tables... In the fields... But never discussed openly because of the hope we.. they carried...
Sesshomaru- Hope?

* Purfelikage hesitates.

Purfelikage- You were the.. last.. royal Inu...

* Now Sesshomaru snarls and the Elder lowers his eyes.

Sesshomaru- So they were all just waiting for my death so they could return these lands.. to you...? You are the last surviving son of your Father as well... The royal neko clan...

* Purfelikage's ears droop.

Purfelikage- I will not deny.. that this was my secret desire... But I would never take it at the expense of innocent lives... Yours.. theirs... nor Inuyasha's.

* When Pufelikage's words sink in past Sesshomaru's growing anger, the Dog Lord stands and moves to look out the window that overlooks the garden. He pauses as he momentarily watches his pups play in the garden below.

Sesshomaru- Your clan will probably disown you now.
Purfelikage- When you carry out your annihilation order.. it won't matter.

* Sesshomaru turns to look at the cat.

Sesshomaru- Because then you will be the last Neko...
Purfelikage- Because I will stand in line and die with my clan.

* After a moment Sesshomaru moves to lean on the desk.

Sesshomaru- Is my rule so terrible that it came to this?!

* Pur looks up at Sesshomaru, baring his fangs slightly.

Purfelikage- Are you so short-sighted??

* The cat stands and moves closer to face Sesshomaru.

Purfelikage- Try to imagine,.. if you can,... if our roles were reversed! If it was your Father who had been defeated.. If it were you who was forced into servitude because of his agreement... Forced into being a mere servant in a land that was once your own.

* Sesshomaru meets the cat's eyes for several moments, then moves to sit down behind his desk once more.

Sesshomaru- Tell me, Pur... Who did your grandfather win these lands from?

* The question causes the old cat demon to scratch his head in thought.

Purfelikage- I believe he wiped out the ruling clan of the Bat Demons...
Sesshomaru- And who ruled it before the Bats?
Purfelilkage- I.. I don't know...
Sesshomaru- Battles for these lands have always raged with them falling to this clan or that tyrant... Until my Father came to power.


* Purfelikage looks at Sesshomaru quietly.

Sesshomaru- Entire families, clans, lines were destroyed never to revive... Royal clans lost all heirs... How many of your brothers, sisters, sons, or daughters did my Father wipe out?

* Pur sighs and lowers his eyes.

Purfelikage- All my elder siblings died either in old age or in service...
Sesshomaru- Were they forced to join my Father's armies?
Purfelikage- No...
Sesshomaru- How is the health of your sons and daughters?
Purfelikage- Before this stupidity? You know that all.. your nephews and nieces were doing well...
Sesshomaru- Your oldest son refused to join my army.. Did I enforce it upon him?
Purfelikage- No...
Sesshomaru- I know for a fact that the Neko clan village is one of the wealthiest colonies in my territory... Such a tragedy that I increased their tributes to three times more than any of the other villages... That my troops stormed the village to carry away your youngsters to train for my army whether they wanted to join or not...
Purfelikage- Alright, Sesshomaru... I see your point... But you didn't answer my...
Sesshomaru- Indeed, I believe I did, Pur...If your grandfather had won... Neither I, nor Inuyasha, would be here today.


* For several moments silence reigns in the small conference room. Then Purfelikage lowers his eyes. He knows Sesshomaru's words to be true.

Purfelikage- (Quietly) You are correct.

* The cat turns to leave.

Sesshomaru- Pur, please... Tell me that there is another way to remove this curse.

* Pur pauses to shake his head.

Purfelikage- Only the cat that places a curse.. can remove it.

* The cat lowers his eyes again.

Purfelikage- (Quietly) And you are correct... Tategami will probably have.. dire conditions in order to remove it.

* Sesshomaru leans to place his head in his hands. He remembers that Kouga has gone to see what his Father could do.

Sesshomaru- Tategami will continue to sleep easily in my prison... for now... You may go, Pur... I will withhold my judgment on your clan for now, as well... But I will keep then detained for my family's continued safety.
Purfelikage- Understood.
Sesshomaru- You may join them.. or continue your duties as my Elder.
Purfelikage- (Quietly) I've already given you my answer on that, M'Lord.

* With that Purfelikage leaves. Sesshomaru lowers his hands to look down at Myoga thoughtfully.

Sesshomaru- Myoga, I need to replace two Elder positions... Will you accept one of those open positions?

* Myoga quickly turns and bows to Sesshomaru.


Myoga- Hai... I would be honored, Sire.

* Sesshomaru nods.

Sesshomaru- So be it, then. I'll have Jaken draw up the proper papers.

* With that Sesshomaru stands and moves toward the door.

Myoga- My first advice to you, M'Lord.. Eat and get some rest... Prince Kouga will return as soon as he can.

* Sesshomaru pauses, then nods stiffly, and leaves.