InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Perish Once More ❯ II: Chapter Six: Consideration ( Chapter 31 )

Disclaimer: Youkai and hanyous were never once my idea to begin with, and unfortunately, neither are any of the Inu-Yasha characters. Simply put, this story is my creation, of sorts, *especially* my OCs. Without the talents of Ms. Takahashi there would be no hope for us bizarre wanna-bes.

 

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To Perish Twice the Pain: Chapter Six: Consideration

-Jasmine Fields

 

 

 

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Warning: Part II Angst/Drama Alert -Jazz-

 

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Introducing the Original Characters for Part II(not necessarily in order of appearance):

 

Shiroumi - meaning: sea fort

Meishenshi - meaning: famous warrior

Shouri - meaning: victorious

Kurokeikeno - meaning: black (dark) piety

Fuefuki - meaning: piper

Hotaka - literally a mountain that dwells in Japan… but for this fic, it's a character's name

Rokugatsumi - meaning: June

 

 

Introducing Other Important Terms:

 

Kagi no Kodaitaisei - Key of the Ancient Order

*~*~*~* Kodaitaisei - Ancient Order

Shakuhachi - traditional Japanese bamboo flute

 

 

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“I'll send word with my decision in ten days time.”

 

He swore aloud for the first time that week; three more nights before he sent the messenger boy to fulfill his honor bound promise. For better or worse, he still was uncertain what course of action would be best for his clan - if there was such a thing any more. He concluded he was at an impossible impasse.

 

“Have it your way. Until then, I leave the boy with you.”

 

There was a definitive assault of pressure to keep the confidence of the demon lord's purpose implicitly between them selves regardless of whether or not an ally was necessary to impart his favor regarding Sesshoumaru's plan - or even close association, as was most conceivable with due cause upon the rise of such occasion.

 

Before turning on his heels, the demon lord interrogated him with an unusual question…

 

“Why waste your affections on the mortal woman?”

 

Prior to this particular closure, the conversation had been civil enough. It deserved a respectably honest reply. Although angered, he hadn't felt it necessary to respond with his usual forthright answer. It smelled most like poisoned bait.

 

“The matter doesn't concern you - even if you are mutt-face's brother - and soon-to-be declared king.”

 

Every word spoken tempted fate, perhaps, but the exchange was neither reckless nor impulsive. The query had been intended as a clever taunt used to measure his reliability and used to place his sense of duty, he knew.

 

“Hmmph.”

 

Arrogant asshole…

 

No way did Kagome deserve that pinpointed insult, even if it was a subtle test of strength of will. The challenge was an inquiry concerning her liability or valued status to the mission presented in order to complete the intentions set forth by Lord Dog.

 

“Why the girl?”

 

Sure his bravado often had brought him trouble. So what? In the end, he had the answers he desired and the results he wanted. True, they weren't always ideal, but still… he must know the full extent of Sesshoumaru's interest in Kagome.

 

“As if I'd tell you.”

 

It had been just as well. At least the near volatile malevolence backing that particular comment was exceptionally predictable.

 

Full demon facing full demon - royalty to royalty - both had engaged in silent confrontation assessing and analyzing motives as the matter was settled, he hoped. And then, after appreciation for such consideration of allegiance was conferred, their conversation abruptly concluded as they retreated to direct the affairs of their own followers hiding from the wind sorceress's presence.

 

Three more days…

 

Sighing, his thoughts chased circles of violent ambiguous implications of consequence through his mind. His cerebral conscious was host to only one or two known facts and more variables than not.

 

What should I do?

 

Friend, foe, or otherwise, the young wolf demon prince determined to swing circumstance to benefit his own means. Any notion worthy of reflection, all articulated by Sesshoumaru, would merit a guarantee less consistent or fitting than hostile confrontation with anonymous opponents.

 

Gods, he hated the migraine that ambushed him unawares.

 

First and foremost, finding Naraku would be delayed for an undetermined time period.

 

He fucking hated that fact… and refused to deny the prevalence thereof.

 

Even a partially formed agreement included complications avenging his comrades' deaths. Ignoring Naraku was not an option.

 

Second, Sesshoumaru wants my woman for this, but never had any purpose for a human before.

 

Wondering at that, he knelt down to quench his thirst from a small stream trickling from some well-placed stones as his two most faithful companions rested from the heat of sun beneath the shade of a maple tree.

 

It's good that Kagome has something he needs…

 

The throbbing of the psychosomatic onslaught produced by incessant stabbing subsided momentarily as he organized images of her smile and laughter. Easing him self to the ground he lay on his side, continuing his stream of consciousness.

 

Bad that another demon wants to involve her - and take her away from her other purpose around here.

 

It's good that I can try to court her better, if she's willing…

 

He was damned well pleased with this possibility, but nevertheless, frowned.

 

Really, he couldn't afford the allure of pursuing such luxury - even though she was the pining object of his longing. If walking to the moon and back earned the right to gratify his fervently devoted inflammation of hunger - if the ache in his soul would be complete and satisfied - he would have long ago tried indulging her with more than the mere haste he always greeted and left her with. His soul would never rest with out the northern brothers' lives avenged.

 

I'll be lucky to be alive in the end, any way…

 

His focus would be utterly distracted.

 

Blood sizzling pissed as he was to admit that he wanted relief from his loathed internal suffering, even if temporary, he would be damned if he didn't do what was right for the wolf demon tribe.

 

Her pack-mule will get involved.

 

Groaning, he was positive thinking wasn't getting him any where. He preferred relying on instinct, but survivability improved radically when ever judgment overruled a moment he sought to fall back on that base impulse alone. He hadn't survived as pack leader against many enemies with out such balance.

 

“Hey kid, what's your take on this?”

 

There was no true reason for asking the exterminator's brother, except procrastination of the inevitable responsibility that would eventually ride his shoulders and break his fortitude if he didn't at least make some effort to appease the demon lord's request.

 

“Lord Kouga, I am not qualified to give you such council.”

 

Damn brat…

 

Maybe Kurokeikeno wanted his shards. But, he didn't know and he didn't care.

 

He was certain it would be a waste of time, but hadn't been so thankfully propitious to know Kurokeikeno's schemes him self in order to explore the legitimacy of a claim against such an adversary.

 

Scoffing, he realized his own sadistic sarcasm. Hell yeah, he was in a foul mood.

 

His parents had told him horror stories of this particular demon and rumors were heard from lesser species - whispered in hushed tones amongst the fox and rabbit demons, before his tribe pushed them lower into the forests - concerning his perfected taste and mastery in blood bathing techniques wherein he worshiped macabre wickedness of every indiscriminate sort throughout the centuries. He heard this enemy developed an extreme fondness for using children he personally murdered as fodder for his shadow gardens, and thrived on using the ashes of old demons and their mates to evolve his bedeviled spiritual energy.

 

In truth, Kurokeikeno didn't concern him - at the moment. But if what the demon lord's vassal said was accurate - and he suspected to a large degree that it was - then they could already be playing right into his very hands to what ever means in spite of any action taken to rise against him.

 

It was annoying, in no certain terms, that this dark abomination of a creature seemed as deceitful and power mongering as one other that he hunted… and that annoyed him even more somehow.

 

….As for a demon lord of Sesshoumaru's stature? Apparently, it was beneath his existence to seek out said priestess him self.

 

No matter how he perceived this circumstance, involvement wouldn't benefit either him self or Kagome - even the mutt.

 

Not that he was concerned.

 

Except for Kagome...

 

What really were his choices?

 

“You know how to reach him?”

 

“Yes, Lord Kouga.”

 

An immediate response - so the kid was paying attention; it was only half-expected.

 

Damnit.

 

He would sacrifice his pride and some liberty to take care of this bastard, he decided.

 

…Because Kagome will be mixed up in this shit somehow, one way or another.

 

Snorting in half-disgust and half-angered stubbornness, he called the boy over.

 

“Kohaku.”

 

“You've made your choice, Lord Kouga?”

 

Nodding, he staked his life on his word and crossed his fingers praying he was right. He was exhausted - frustrated and sick of every plan getting fucked. It was selfish, but he didn't want any additional deviations more than he had to. Somehow, he just knew there would be more trouble than he wanted, but relented.

 

The dogs be damned…

 

Two conditions in exchange for his supposed aide.

 

No reprisal.

 

No coercion.

 

No matter the result.

 

When the boy departed to deliver his words, he barked out a command to Ginta and Hakkaku advising them to prepare for a detour involving a hunt apart from Naraku.

 

….And it was a gamble losing his hated nemesis's trail - even temporarily; however, it was a greater threat to allow Kagome and those she traveled with to remain ignorant of such an enemy. It went with out mentioning that she needed to be informed of Sesshoumaru's intent with her.

 

Provoking her wrath - or Inuyasha's for that - would not be pleasurable - another fact he hated.

 

Picking up one of Kagome's group members scents - a day or two away, even with his speed - he started racing toward his goal. Brow furrowed, jaw clenched, he ran. There was no real time for errands, but then again…

 

At least I'll get to see her.

 

 

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