InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Youkai and the Exterminator ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter Eight

 

 

“Kohaku! Catch me!”

 

Rin ran away from him, giggling wildly as she careened down the polished floor of the long corridor. Kohaku was only a heartbeat or two behind her, his longer legs giving him the advantage in catching up with the little girl.

 

“Rin, come back here!” he shouted. “Makiko says you have to take a bath!”

 

“Nooooo,” she squealed, eluding him and darting into a different passage. Kohaku tried to ignore the smirks and giggles of passing youkai as he tracked his prey. Bath time for Rin was an event that never failed to amuse the household staff. For the umpteenth time, Kohaku regretted that he'd ever told Makiko that he would bring in the dirty little kid.

 

Rin knew the passages much better than he did and he suspected she only let him follow her because she was enjoying the chase. He leaned against the wall, listening hard to the different sounds of the fortress. She was one, maybe two corridors away.

 

He crept up on the passage, listening for the sounds of the hiding girl. He heard movement and jumped without hesitation. “Gotcha!”

 

A sharp blow struck him across the face and sent him staggering into the nearest wall. “You do not `got' me, human whelp.” He looked up into the angry eyes of a youkai lord he'd never seen before.

 

The man's face was furious, his eyes narrowed in disgust. “How dare you lay your hands upon me? I should kill you for your insult.”

 

Kohaku immediately dropped into a submissive bow, kneeling on the floor with his face down. Makiko had already warned him that nobility considered it a grave insult to be looked in the eye, let alone grabbed by a human.

 

“Forgive me, lord. I meant no insult.”

 

The demon swore softly under his breath and Kohaku kept his body perfectly still. He didn't dare look up. “Filthy beast. I never thought I'd see the day that Sesshomaru-sama would allow such dirty animals within these walls. Your presence fouls the very air we breathe and the stench of you offends me greatly.”

 

“Forgive me, lord. I meant no insult,” Kohaku repeated. Makiko told him never to vary from that sentence. Addressing a lord to his face could be dangerous even for a demon, depending on rank. It seemed as if this particular lord was in a bad enough mood already. Kohaku waited tensely for the man to move off and leave him.

 

“I think you are not sorry enough, human,” the man said in a cold dangerous tone. “Perhaps a severe beating would improve your manners.”

 

Kohaku flinched inwardly but didn't move. “Forgive me, lord. I meant no insult.”

 

“That's enough, Hisuni-sama,” another voice said quietly. Kohaku looked up and saw Jano coming up behind the angry youkai. “Your rank does not give you leave to punish this particular human. If you dispute this fact, you are more than welcome to take it up with Sesshomaru-sama himself.”

 

Kohaku risked a glance at the youkai lord. The man was scowling, his smooth features dark with dislike. “Protecting the rabble are you, Jano? I would think you'd have more urgent duties than playing wet-nurse to a disgusting human pup.”

 

“My duties are whatever Sesshomaru-sama says they are,” Jano said evenly. “I do not answer to you or anyone else within these walls, regardless of rank or bloodline. I suggest you attend to your own business and have enough grace to accept the young man's apology.”

 

Hisuni's face flushed with anger. “You forget your place, Jano. Don't think that I will allow you to trifle with me.”

 

Kohaku swallowed hard as Jano's face darkened and his expression became very threatening. “Lord or not, I don't answer to you. If you wish to challenge me formally, I will accept and we can settle this dispute with honor.”

 

The lord's face paled noticeably, the angry flush of blood receding as he comprehended Jano's implicit threat. Jano was not just a member of the household guard; he was Sesshomaru's personal bodyguard and assassin. Hisuni was no fool and had no wish to humiliate himself by entering into a duel he wouldn't win. With an angry snarl still on his lips, he turned swiftly and stalked away, muttering about impropriety and disrespect.

 

“Ass,” Jano said pleasantly. He glanced down at the kneeling boy. “Oh, get up already, Kohaku. You don't have to be afraid of that pompous coward. Hisuni hates everything around him anyway, it's not like he couldn't have shown a little more dignity for a simple accident.”

 

Kohaku stood up and grinned shyly. “Thank you, Jano-san. For a moment I really thought he was going to hurt me.”

 

Jano snorted. “He would have, but he would have had to answer for it to Sessh. I actually did him a favor by stopping him.” The youkai looked around, his nose twitching. “Rin, get your ass out here. I knew you were involved somehow.”

 

The grubby little girl poked her head around the corner of the next passage. “I was scared for Kohaku. It was Rin's fault. I shouldn't have been running and hiding.”

 

Kohaku smiled as the tall bodyguard swept the tiny girl up in a friendly, one-armed hug. “Hiding from what? The terrors of hot water and soap? Makiko is right because you really are a little barbarian.” He set the girl back on her feet and gave her a light swat on her behind. “Go find Makiko and take your bath, Rin. And don't make me come after you, no hiding this time. Understand?”

 

Rin giggled and reached for Kohaku's hand, but Jano shook his head. “Kohaku is coming with me. Sesshomaru-sama wants to see him.”

 

Kohaku looked nervous. “Why?” He hadn't seen the youkai lord since he'd woken up several days ago.

 

Jano raised an eyebrow. “I have no idea. Perhaps he's finally going to tell you why he brought you here, I've been curious about it myself.”

 

Butterflies were swarming in Kohaku's stomach as Jano led him deep into the fortress and up a long flight of stairs. He wanted answers but he was also dreading them. He could recall the look in the youkai lord's eyes when he'd held him by his throat, preparing to tear the life out of him over Naraku's treachery. He'd been very lucky to keep his skin that day and wondered what Sesshomaru's intentions really were.

 

Jano pushed open a door finally and led him inside, a breezily unconcerned expression on his face. “My lord,” he called out cheerily. “I've brought the boy as you requested.”

 

“Thank you, Jano.” Sesshomaru was standing next to wide window that opened out onto a long balcony. Kohaku realized they must be high in one of the fortress' towers. From where he stood he could see a vast expanse of open sky cut by mountains.

 

He had guessed by what he'd already seen that the sprawling building was located in a valley of some kind. The foggy mornings and crisp nights made him think they were rather high up in the Western mountains. Under Naraku's rule, he had traveled considerably, but never so far west.

 

The youkai lord fixed him with an unreadable expression and Kohaku dropped his eyes, staring instead at the finely woven and embroidered carpet. “Who struck you?” the demon asked in a disinterested tone. He had noticed the bruise forming on the boy's cheek. Kohaku didn't meet his gaze and so missed the flash of anger that glinted momentarily in Sesshomaru's eyes.

 

Jano cleared his throat. “He had a misunderstanding of sorts with Hisuni, my lord. I've taken care of the matter, it won't happen again.”

 

Sesshomaru held Jano's gaze for a moment longer before turning his attention back to the human. “You wonder why I brought you here,” he said quietly.

 

Kohaku glanced up and then back down at the carpet. “Yes, Sesshomaru-sama.” The boy flinched when he heard the unmistakable sound of a sword being drawn from a sheath. He swallowed against his dry throat.

 

“This is Tenseiga,” Sesshomaru said, noting how the boy's muscles had twitched when he'd drawn the sword. “You may look at me, boy. I'm speaking to you.”

 

Kohaku glanced up and looked at the shining blade. It looked like any other katana he'd ever seen, other than it seemed to be highly polished. Sesshomaru moved the sword in a sweeping motion and Kohaku's eyes widened, noting how the bright finish seemed to blur ever so slightly.

 

Sesshomaru smiled faintly and sheathed the sword. “Tenseiga has the power to cut death. It was by its power that I was able to restore your life. No foul trickery like the Shikon shard, its power is far more subtle and difficult to understand.”

 

The youkai turned away from him, a soft whisper of silk as Sesshomaru looked out the window with a distracted expression. “I spared your life that day to fulfill an obligation. Your sister saved Rin's life, so it seemed suitable that I should save yours in return.”

 

Kohaku had guessed as much from what his sister and her friends had told him. He knew Sango would have done such a thing instinctively. There was no way she'd not risk her life to save a helpless child, even one that belonged to a demon lord. He felt nervous and he didn't know what to say or what to ask. His father had told him that courtesy often was the best way to deal with others.

 

Kohaku bowed respectfully. “Thank you for saving my life, Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

Sesshomaru waved his hand lightly to dismiss the unnecessary gratitude. “I did so for my own reasons. I place no obligation upon you for my actions.”

 

“My lord, can I ask why you brought me here?”

 

The youkai glanced back at him. “You were ill. You would have died if I hadn't.”

 

And you didn't want to see her cry, a voice whispered in his mind. He ignored it.

 

“Then I should also thank you for healing me,” Kohaku said slowly.

 

“I did no such thing. I was certain you would die if I didn't take you, I was much less certain you would live if I did.” How to explain the subtlety of the Tenseiga to a limited human mind and that of a child? Why should he bother? He had only guessed that proximity to the sword and himself would restore the boy. Tenseiga was possessive, more so even than Toukijin. It refused to allow the boy to die, compelling even Sesshomaru himself with its demands.

 

The boy remained silent and the demon continued his thoughts, aware that Jano was still waiting like a shadow in the room. His first indication of Tenseiga's nature had been Rin. She grew disruptive, anxious, and uncontrollable when he was away from her for too long. At first he had dismissed her behavior as that of an unruly child, one who feared losing the security his presence offered her. He gradually became more aware of the bond that had developed between them.

 

Embarrassing certainly, to admit that he, a daiyoukai, lord of his people and accustomed to violence as a way of life, had let a tiny human waif become such a vital part of him.

 

“Kohaku,” he said, using the boy's name for the first time. “I will tell you this so that you don't misunderstand my intentions. I did not save you out of kindness or compassion. Those are human emotions and I don't want you to confuse them with youkai nature. We are not the same as you.”

 

Sesshomaru paused briefly, choosing his words carefully. His voice was chill with a lack of emotion. “It is my belief that the Shikon jewel that bound you to the world in a cursed half-life has also dealt you an unseen damage. To put it in simplest terms, your soul was being torn from your body. That is the true reason for your illness.”

 

“So I will die if I leave here,” Kohaku said in a sober, quiet voice.

 

Sesshomaru nodded, it seemed the boy might not be as stupid as most humans. “If you stray too far from Tenseiga's influence, and thus my own, your body will again begin to collapse. I do not know if it is simply the misuse of the Shikon jewel or if it was Naraku himself that has done this to you. Tenseiga cuts death, but it also forges a bond between those it spares and the one who wields it. That is the reason I have taken you under my protection.”

 

Kohaku hesitated, unsure how the demon would take his next question. “Does my sister know this?”

 

Sesshomaru smiled slightly. “No, but she does now understand that your life is in my hands. She accepts the fact and does not question my actions.”

 

Kohaku found himself frowning at the demon's words. That didn't sound at all like his sister. Sango should be frantic to get to him; the thought had pained him since he'd woken up with Rin standing over him. Sango had to be worried, Sango didn't trust demons and he worried that she'd kill herself trying to find him.

 

Sesshomaru noticed Kohaku's perplexed expression and smiled inwardly to himself. “Have I answered your questions, Kohaku?”

 

“Yes, thank you, Sesshomaru-sama.” The demon turned away again and flicked his fingers at the boy in a dismissive gesture.

 

“You may leave.”

 

The boy turned obediently to leave and stopped next to the door. “Can I ask you one more question, my lord?”

 

“What is it?”

 

Kohaku took a deep breath. “When will I see my sister again?”

 

“When I so choose. Now leave.” He had heard the appeal in the young man's voice, knew how desperately Kohaku must want to see his sister. Sango shared such feelings, that much was obvious.

 

He's my brother! she had shouted, pain and need held captive in her eyes. The bond between the two siblings was strained and frayed by all that they had been through, but they still clung to each other all the same. Remembering Sango's anguish over her brother's life sent an unfamiliar pang into Sesshomaru's heart.

 

Such emotions are a sign of weakness, he told himself. Their love of each other is a vulnerability that has been exploited by Naraku and has nearly caused their destruction. Still, it nagged at the back of his mind, giving him the barest glimpse of how their human minds and hearts were tormented by their separation.

 

It occurred to him that he hadn't made it any easier on her. He'd expected her to trust him implicitly, accept his decision and his actions without so much as a word. Humans do not work like that, he thought, frowning slightly. They had no biological impulse to trust him or follow his orders. They fumbled their way to conclusions like a man fumbled his way home after too much drink.

 

Sesshomaru realized suddenly how difficult it had been for Sango to accept his actions regarding her brother. And he'd forced her to submit to him again, thinking that would reassure her. It would have reassured a youkai female, being taken by a stronger male, but Sango was human.

 

Uneasy with the direction his thoughts were taking him, he looked back at Jano. “Why are you still here?”

 

The boy had left, but his bodyguard remained standing, waiting for his lord to remember his presence. “You seem distracted, Sessh. Is there something on your mind?”

 

Sesshomaru scowled, knowing that Jano would hardly be intimidated. “It's personal,” he muttered. “When I want your opinion on something, I'll ask you for it.”

 

Jano raised an eyebrow, answering Sesshomaru's surly tone with an easy grin. “Even when I tell you that the scouts have reported back to me? If you're not interested, I can come back later.”

 

He shot his bodyguard a look that meant it was time to quit playing around. “Report, Jano. What did they find?”

 

The demon leaned easily against the wall, a knowing smirk on his face. “They think they might have tracked down Naraku. Villagers in the eastern part of the territory have been seeing strange things in the sky and anyone who gets to close to the affected area doesn't come back.”

 

Sesshomaru frowned. “Is that all?”

 

His bodyguard shrugged. “They didn't investigate further, you told them to report back if they got so much as a sniff of that foul bastard. Do you want me to send them out again and see if they can get better detailed information?”

 

“No,” Sesshomaru said quietly. “I want you to go yourself. If it is Naraku, don't even think about engaging him. I want you back here with the information so we can plan how to approach his lair. I'll have no more mistakes; I want to kill that abomination personally.”

 

oOo

 

“Goddamnit!”

 

“Inuyasha! Settle down already,” Kagome reached out to touch his arm but the half-demon shook her off angrily. He glowered at his companions.

 

“We would have been here earlier if you people weren't always slowing me down!”

 

“Excuse us for needing to sleep!” Kagome exploded. Miroku and Sango backed away from the irate girl. “You're the only one that can run for days and not get tired. Don't you dare blame us because Naraku's not here anymore!"

 

With the exception of a cranky hanyou, they were all exhausted. They'd caught wind of Naraku's whereabouts and had barely stopped to rest, let alone eat, for longer than it took to keep them alive. Again they were too late as the wily demon had once again moved his lair, leaving a defiled space in the earth where he'd been.

 

The small glade might have been beautiful once; rich with wildflowers and green grass swaying gently in the breeze. Now it was dark and dead, even the insects had retreated from Naraku's evil miasma.

 

There was also no shortage of remains laying around, no few of them human. Unwary villagers, innocent travelers that happened upon the demon's lair. It looked like Naraku had been feeding oni and monsters again, probably for building new and foul creatures to do his bidding. That explained the bits and pieces that didn't look human anymore.

 

Miroku sighed wearily and unpacked a shovel. “Grave digging again. By Buddha himself, I'm tired of burying Naraku's victims.”

 

“I'll help you, houshi-sama,” Sango said softly. She knew how much it bothered Miroku, how many innocent lives were lost to Naraku's evil purposes. It bothered her too, she still had nightmares about crawling half dead out of her own grave. As the human remains were well scattered, it was decided that a single grave would have to suffice. Naraku's miasma left no more than bones anyway, skin, hair, flesh and organs dissolved under the corrosive influence.

 

They worked to dig the hole together, moving earth in harmony and silence. Inuyasha and Kagome also worked silently to collect the sad bits and pieces that used to be human beings. Shippou had wanted to pick flowers for a grave marker, but there weren't any to be had. Kagome had given the fox a piece of paper and a crayon, asking him to draw the flowers since there weren't any for him to pick.

 

Once finished, they gathered to bow their heads respectfully while Miroku murmured a short blessing. It seemed inadequate somehow that all they were able to do for these poor people was hope that they were now at rest. Sango closed her eyes, contemplating her own graves. She hadn't been back to the site of her village in some time to pay her respects. Kohaku had expressed an interest in returning for such a reason.

 

Sango deliberately pushed the thoughts of her brother out of her mind. It was too painful to think about. She prayed he was better now and not too anxious about her absence.

 

“Now what?” Inuyasha said in a glum voice. He glanced over at Kagome and Sango, scratching his head absently. “We might as well rest, but I'm not staying here. This place gives me the creeps.”

 

“You aren't the only one,” a new voice said quietly.

 

They all started and hands went immediately to weapons. Inuyasha scowled into the gathering darkness. “Who's there? Show yourself!”

 

A man stepped out of the trees, holding out both hands to show them he hadn't drawn his blade. “Peace, friends, I mean no harm. I watched you showing respect to the dead and thought that perhaps you might have information about the monster that did this.”

 

Inuyasha kept his hand on the hilt of Tessaiga, but didn't draw the blade. “Spying on us? What makes you think we'd tell you anything?”

 

Kagome edged closer to his side. “He hasn't done anything hostile. Don't be so quick to judge him.”

 

“He could be working for Naraku!”

 

The man laughed at that and his voice had a warm, friendly ring. “The hanyou is correct, girl. You should be suspicious of strangers always. As it happens, I am not working for Naraku, but I am looking for the foul creature.”

 

“Come closer so we can see you then,” Inuyasha ordered gruffly. “If you don't mean any harm, you don't have a problem showing yourself instead of hiding in the shadows.”

 

The man drew closer, throwing off the hood of his cloak and exposing his face. Inuyasha stared hard at him. He was plainly dressed in dark clothes with a long cloak trimmed in jet-black fur.

 

The man smiled then and showed pointed fangs. “Satisfied?”

 

“You're inuyoukai,” Inuyasha growled, his hands tensing again. “I thought I smelled it, how did you mask your scent?”

 

The demon chuckled. “Trick of the trade. I might be inclined to teach it to you someday. You have a problem with inuyoukai? You're half dog-demon yourself or I don't recognize those ears.”

 

Sango stared at the newcomer who smiled so confidently at them. “Are you from this area?”

 

“No, but this is close enough to my home territory that my people were concerned by Naraku hiding here. You are a...demon exterminator, are you not?” His eyes held a flicker of recognition as he took in the details of her uniform. She nodded, easing her hold on Hiraikotsu slightly.

 

“What are you doing here?” Miroku asked, his voice mild. “If you were looking for Naraku, I'm afraid you're too late. As were we.”

 

The youkai nodded. “I can see that, monk. I've been sent by my people to track the monster, make sure he stays away from our territory. I was going to report back with his precise location, but it seems he's given us all the slip. Too bad, I hate to miss out on a fight.”

 

“You've been tracking him?” Kagome said, looking at him with curiosity. “Were you going to attack him?”

 

He shrugged. “Those were not my instructions, I was only to report back with a confirmation of Naraku's location. I was not to engage him in combat without provocation.” He sighed and looked up at the darkening sky. “It seems I've wasted my time, but I also have no desire to camp here. I'd much rather return home and sleep in safety.”

 

“Is your village far from here?” Miroku asked interestedly. He was tired of sleeping on the cold ground. Youkai or not, he seemed friendly enough and anyone who had it in for Naraku couldn't be all bad.

 

With a faint smile, the demon met the monk's eyes. “As it happens, my…uh…village isn't far from here. I can offer you its hospitality. You have my word no harm will come to you.”

 

“A demon's word,” Inuyasha said darkly. “No thanks, I'd rather trust the woods.”

 

“You're very suspicious, aren't you? If you used your nose, you'd know I'm not lying. Even a hanyou should be able to scent deception in another inuyoukai.”

 

Inuyasha grinned. “You were able to cover your scent before, what makes you think I don't know you're covering something now?”

 

Sighing, the dog demon reached for his sword. Inuyasha immediately tensed, but the youkai didn't draw his blade. Instead he pulled the katana with its sheath from his waist and tossed it over to the hanyou. “If I'm lying, you can kill me with my own blade. How's that for an indication of my intentions?”

 

Inuyasha gripped the sheath in his hand for a moment before tossing it back. “If you're lying, I won't need your puny sword to kill you. My own will do the job just fine.”

 

Kagome finally nudged him in the ribs. “Oh, come on, he's trying to be fair and we all need a rest. I know you won't admit it, but I bet you're curious about a village of dog-demons.”

 

“Why should I be?” he said, glaring at her. “I don't give a damn about it.”

 

“Are you scared?” she asked in a challenging voice. He refused to dignify that with a response, instead turning his fierce yellow gaze on the patiently waiting demon.

 

“How far is your village anyway?”

 

“Not far,” the stranger answered. “If you can keep up with me running, we can be there by morning. If you're up for such a long run that is, your friends will definitely need to ride that cat-youkai.”

 

Kirara mewed lightly, twitching her tails as she knew she was being spoken of. She picked her way delicately over to the demon, her expression wary even in her adorable kitten form. He bowed and Sango again heard an unusual hissing-purring form of language, this time from the strange dog-demon. Kirara's response was to curl up on his toe and purr contentedly.

 

Sango was amused. “Well, she seems to like you and she doesn't like everyone. I'm curious myself and the idea of a real bed seems too good to be true.”

 

“Very well,” the demon said with a smile. “You will be honored guests in my home for as long as you wish to stay. I'm sure that my people will do everything they can to make you feel welcome.”

 

“I ain't holding my breath,” Inuyasha said grimly. “You haven't even told us your name and you expect us to follow you home like little stray puppies.”

 

“My name is Jano. The demon gave him an arch glance. “And I don't usually bring home strays. However, you do look weary and this is far too depressing a place to rest for any amount of time. If you don't trust me, that's only to be expected. You don't know me. If you can't think of me as a friend, you can at least think of me as Naraku's enemy and I'm sure we'll get along fine.”