InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Want To Be Your Slave ❯ The Art of Diplomacy ( Chapter 22 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lord Youko 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 05.03.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.5K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 05.03.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.5K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 22 - The Art of Diplomacy
Jaken’s words were followed by a ringing silence.
The prince of the Western Lands had not moved a muscle but the temperature in the conference room dropped sharply. Jaken glanced nervously around him, missing his four bodyguards deeply. He had arranged it so that it would be only him and Sesshoumaru in the meeting; no one else could know about the fact that he was thinking of leaving or the kingdom would fall into turmoil, not to mention the fact that his life would be in danger. His chief advisors would be the first to jump to the opportunity but now, he was beginning to regret it.
Jaken turned his eyes back on the Western Lord. He slowly risked a glance upwards at his eyes and almost back-pedaled off the couch he was sitting on. The demon Lord’s eyes were hard and piercing; Sesshoumaru was furious.
The silence stretched on, making the tension in the air taut and thick.
“Aaah… Sesshoumaru-sama?” he finally rasped, unable to take it anymore.
The demon Lord’s eyes reminded of a blade unsheathing.
“Those are your terms?” Sesshoumaru asked quietly.
Jaken frowned and nodded furiously, determined to hold his ground. “Yes! Those are my terms.”
The demon Lord’s face was unreadable but his voice was like black velvet. “Those are your final terms?”
Jaken opened his mouth to insist yes but his voice caught in his throat. Something told him that was a trick question.
“Why hesitate, Sesshoumaru-sama?” he asked instead, voice more squeaky than he could ever remember it being. “After all, he is merely a hanyou slave. My services, in exchange for him, is surely a more than fair bargain-”
“Value is in the eye of the beholder…Jaken-san.”
Jaken looked up at him, startled. His voice… it sounded so deep…and so dark…
Repressing a shiver, Jaken clenched his fists, keeping his eyes trained on the floor so he wouldn’t lose the remainder of his courage by looking onto those brilliant golden eyes.
“Please don’t take me for a fool, Prince of the Western Lands,” he said firmly. “I do not appreciate these subtle threats. You obviously do not want a war with this kingdom so as I see it, you don’t have much of a choice. My life is far more valuable than that brat’s…”
There was the soft noise of rustling silk and a shadow fell over him. Jaken raised his head slowly, really, really disliking the way the demon Lord loomed over him. Sesshoumaru-sama was really, really tall….
“Do you really think so…Jaken?”
The toad demon was too frightened for his life to even register the fact that Sesshoumaru had addressed him without a title. Hypnotic golden eyes mesmerized him in place.
“Give me one good reason,” Sesshoumaru said softly, “why I shouldn’t slice you into ribbons and take your pitiful kingdom right here.”
Jaken throat was suddenly dry. His life flashing before his eyes.
“You…you can’t do that!” he declared, leaning away from Sesshoumaru, even though the demon Lord was standing a good 5 feet away from him.
Sesshoumaru inclined his head to the side curiously. “Whyever not?”
Jaken looked away, suddenly unsure. He had always thought that the only reason Inu no Taisho had not taken over the land by force was because it would be difficult to get an army in such a remote desolate area. But right now, looking at this pissed off prince, Jaken got the feeling that wouldn’t be such an issue after all. The phrase “one man army” suddenly had whole new connotations.
Why had the Western Lord Inu no Taisho allowed them so much latitude so far?
Jaken was frightened to realize he didn’t have any answer to that question.
And there was a very annoyed demon Lord about to make him into toad kebab…
“Eh, you don’t have to give me an answer right now,” he said hastily, scuttling off the sofa and edging towards the door. “You can give me your answer by tomorrow.”
Without looking back, Jaken scurried out the door and was gone.
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Sesshoumaru glared after him, eyes threatening to bleed red. It took every bit of self-restraint to not snatch that little bastard back into the room and make him eat his words. His father had explicitly ordered that he wanted the toad demon alive and while he wasn’t averse to disobeying orders, if he failed to complete his mission, his father would have an opportunity to gloat and that just wouldn’t do.
Inuyasha…just what was it about that boy that made everyone want to see him suffer? It was almost like the hanyou was some sort of magnet for troublemakers. People just did not seem to be able to bear to see him happy.
His aristocratic features melted into a thunderous scowl.
Well, it was his happy obligation to fend of anyone who was stupid enough to lay a hand on what was his. No, simply killing him and taking the kingdom wasn’t satisfying enough. He didn’t know what reason that pathetic toad had to try and make him keep Inuyasha in this desolate kingdom but Lord Jaken would soon learn not to trifle with him.
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Inuyasha, who was in the guestroom, waiting for his master to return, looked up in surprise as the demon Lord swept in, looking pissed.
“Master?” he asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion. “Is something wrong?”
Without replying, the demon Lord pushed him back on the bed and pinned him to the mattress under him. Inuyasha squirmed as his haori was slipped off his shoulders and down to his waist.
“Master,” he breathed, eyes glazing over with arousal to have the demon prince’s touch on his body. “Y-you said…you said they might be keeping an eye on this room…”
Sesshoumaru held him immobile, glaring fiercely into shy golden eyes.
“Let them see,” he said, voice husky with anger and the sudden need to claim the puppy.
Inuyasha squirmed, body flushed from the awareness that they were in a strange place and that they could be being watched.
“Did your meeting go badly, Sesshoumaru-sama?”
“It was fine,” he murmured against Inuyasha’s skin, making the hanyou gasp at the warm breath.
“So…” he had to try very hard to concentrate enough to form coherent sentences. “J-Jaken –sama is going to be nicer to people now?”
He blushed as he felt his master chuckle darkly against his neck.
“Hmmm…he said he would relinquish the throne and accompany me to the Western Lands.”
“Oh that’s good, isn’t it?” Inuyasha asked, pleased that the demon Lord had got what he had come for.
“In exchange, he wants me to leave you here.”
Inuyasha froze, then went limp. “R-really?” he asked in a small voice. “Bu-but why? What did I-?”
Sharp fangs nipped him all over his body; Sesshoumaru felt the need to mark the fragile body under him, to let the world know just who Inuyasha belonged to.
“It doesn’t matter,” Sesshoumaru murmured, hands undoing the knot of Inuyasha’s hakama. “It seems that is the only way he will surrender the kingdom.”
Inuyasha tried to prevent his heart from beating faster, without success.
“Wh-what did you tell him, Master?”
He tried weakly to hide his arousal from view, to close his legs, but clawed hands pinned his wrists above his head and he felt Sesshoumaru’s silk clad knee pushing them open and pressing up against him roughly in a way that made Inuyasha shudder.
“What do you think?” Sesshoumaru hissed, glaring down at him.
Inuyasha blinked up at him, tearful, and now a little frightened. “Master?”
The demon Lord’s patience snapped. He leaned in and captured the hanyou’s lips in a bruising kiss. Inuyasha moaned as Sesshoumaru’s fangs sliced his lower lip, causing blood to dribble down his mouth.
Keeping his hands pinned above his head with one hand, Sesshoumaru’s other hand closed around Inuyasha’s aching prick, pumping him roughly.
Inuyasha mewled pleadingly in the kiss, arching up as much as he could even as the demon Lord held him immobile.
Sesshoumaru drew back, holding himself over the desperate hanyou. Inuyasha looked at him with wide eyes. He could feel the Lord’s aura bright with his anger, enveloping him, exciting his instincts forcing him to submit; every part of his body was buzzing with the sensation of being overpowered by his master.
“Do you think I would abandon you here?” he asked Inuyasha quietly.
Inuyasha looked down and turned his head to the side, unconsciously baring his neck, tears gathering in his eyes. “But a whole kingdom…just for me…”
Inuyasha gasped as Sesshoumaru’s grip on his wrists tightened enough to leave bruises. He scrunched his eyes closed, body tensing.
“What kind of a master would I be if I bartered my slave away on an imbecile toad’s whim?” Sesshoumaru’s voice was rich and deep and it made Inuyasha’s heart beat faster. “Have you forgotten I laid claim to your very breath?”
The demon Lord pumped the slave’s cock slowly, leisurely watching the expression on his face of pleasure that bordered on pain.
“Do not forget that I promised to protect you always.”
Inuyasha felt tears brimming in his eyes, this time at his master’s unexpectedly gentle words. Sesshoumaru’s hand speeded up and Inuyasha arched back, every muscle in his body tensed.
“Cum now!” he ordered and Inuyasha released with a cry, coating his master’s hand with his cum.
He collapsed on the sheets, panting and Sesshoumaru released his wrists. The demon Lord brought his soiled hand to the hanyou’s mouth and Inuyasha coloured darkly, understanding the implicit order. He brought his newly freed hands on the demon Lord’s and began to lick his own cum from his Master’s hand. Sesshoumaru watched him, with low lidded, dark eyes. The child-like hands on his own larger one were gentle, as if afraid to touch him. The demon Lord relished his puppy hesitancy and shyness, his fury beginning to cool.
When Inuyasha had finished cleaning his hands, he withdrew it and lay down on the bed on his back, gathering Inuyasha tightly to him.
Inuyasha sighed and melted in Sesshoumaru’s arms, seeking the comfort and safety that only the demon Lord could provide. “Won’t Taisho-sama be upset when Jaken-sama refuses?”
Sesshoumaru covered himself and the naked hanyou with a sheet and Inuyasha snuggled into his chest, hiding his face like he seemed to be fond of doing. The demon Lord looped an around his back and held him close making Inuyasha feel distinctly like the Lord’s teddybear.
It was true; if Inu no Taisho found out he had flat out refused to compromise with the toad Lord, he would consider the mission failed, even though he could easily procure the demon by force, like he had told Jaken. Because that was what diplomacy about – give and take.
His youki spiked in annoyance, causing Inuyasha to whimper and squirm in his arms.
His father would not expect him to acquiesce to the ridiculous demand of leaving Inuyasha there. By making that offer, Jaken had lost any sympathy he might have had for the toad. He would dearly like to wring the toad’s neck slowly in response to his audacity but he was here as a diplomat, not as a warrior. And diplomats did not kill their opponents if they got annoying; diplomats smiled and saw the bigger picture and acted for the good of their country – or some shit like that. His father had always told him so.
So he would have to find some other way to punish that insolent toad. After all, violence wasn’t always the most satisfying way of crushing an opponent. There were other things that could be broken, except a person’s head – like his confidence and his pride. He would just have to think of something because letting him get away with it was unacceptable.
Sesshoumaru slowly caressed his puppy’s head and ears, making him sigh at the pleasant feeling and clutch at the demon Lord’s haori.
“I don’t think Jaken-sama is going to be in any position to refuse,” he whispered to the puppy, who was by now too sleepy to remember what it was that he had asked in the first place.
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Jaken stormed into his room and shut the doors. He couldn’t get over the feeling that he had escaped narrowly with his life.
He leaned against the closed doors, catching his breath. Well, that scheme backfired spectacularly. There was no doubt from Sesshoumaru-sama’s reaction that he was going to refuse. He had just run off without giving him the opportunity to reply.
Perhaps he should not have added that last condition, Jaken reflected. But how was he to know that the mere idea of giving up that hanyou slave would incite such anger in the prince?
He still got goosebumps when he remembered the way the demon Lord’s eyes had darkened in that moment. There was violence there, as if the prince could hurt him and not think twice about it…
The toad demon let out an involuntary sigh, trudging over to the bed and flopping onto it. It was a whole new side of Sesshoumaru-sama that he had never imagined existed. If he ever worked with the demon Lord – oh who was he kidding? Worked for the demon Lord – he would have to no doubt be on the receiving end of his anger.
He shivered, drawing a pillow to his chest, staring up at the ceiling. Paradoxically, that danger made him want to be close to him even more.
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The next morning, Sesshoumaru was woken out of his rest by screams and shouts coming from outside. He opened his eyes in annoyance; Inuyasha was also awake, half sitting up in his arms, trying to peer anxiously out the window.
“Master-“
“Stay here,” Sesshoumaru ordered him, getting out of bed.
He headed out the door. There were no servants or guards to be seen anywhere. He made his way through several corridors; all of them were deserted. As he neared the doors of the entrance, he could see a few people running helter-skelter.
“What is going on out here?” Sesshoumaru asked one of them, stepping out of the palace.
The toad in front of him looked about ready to piss his pants but he stopped because this was a royal guest who was addressing him; Jaken-sama would have his head if he was rude. “Sh-she…it’s HERE!”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “What?”
“The Banshee! She’s here!!”
Sesshoumaru sighed inwardly. “A banshee?”
Banshees were common demon near deserts. They did not have youki so they could not be considered demons but demons were their prey. The demonic power of their prey sustained them. Nevertheless, they were moderately powerful so they tried to stay away from higher level demon, a task made difficult because they couldn’t sense demons’ youki and therefore couldn’t tell how powerful they were. So they generally lived in isolated places, like deserts where there would be less places for big, powerful predatory youkai to set traps. The lower level toad demons, however, were perfect prey.
Over the treelines, Sesshoumaru could make out the white-haired top of the slow-moving banshee’s head. Her long sleeved hands bent down and when they came back up, she had a screaming soldier in them. The attendant Sesshoumaru was talking to shut his eyes and looked away.
“Where is your king?” he asked the terrified man.
“Oh Jaken-sama is well guarded,” he assured the demon Lord. “He is in a safe-room at the back of the castle. He is protected by 20 of our best men.”
Sesshoumaru said nothing but he was disgusted. In time of crisis, the king abandoned his subjects, hiding away like a rat.
“Even your best men cannot fight off a banshee,” he said instead. “Once the men here escape, she will advance further in in search of sustenance.”
The man bowed his head. “Yes, we know but if her hunger is satisfied, she will not attack. The main compounds of the castle are closed off and the foot soldiers locked in. She will not go further back in the castle if there is prey readily available to her. A few men must be sacrificed to her in order to protect Jaken-sama.”
The servant squared his shoulders, a determined look in his eyes. “As long as we are alive, nothing will be allowed to harm Master Jaken.”
Sesshoumaru gazed thoughtfully at the banshee.
“Yes, it would be…unfortunate if something were to happen to him”
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The foot soldiers locked in the front yard of the castle, stared desolately at their death, staring them in the face. Each did what he could to hide himself from the banshee but it seemed like the sport only made her excited for the hunt. They saw other men picked like sitting ducks; their time would come soon.
“All those years of training for war…Is this all we have worked so hard for?” one of the men, Taizo asked his friend, Satoru, sounding bitter. “Being food for a banshee…”
Satoru sighed. “Don’t say that. We’re privileged to be able to protect the king.” But he could see his beautiful wife Minako’s face before him, even as he spoke. He and Minako were supposed to be blessed with a child soon; Minako was already 7 months along. It was a pity; now he would never know if he was the father of a little girl or a little boy.
Taizo turned his head to the side and spit disdainfully. “Privileged, yeah. That’s what we are...lucky to die like dogs, without standing the slimmest chance of victory.” He stomped over to the huge double doors that had been slammed shut and barricaded. “Our Lord Jaken has made our worth clear with this padlock on the door!”
The man sighed. “Hey get away from there. It won’t do you any good. Enjoy the last moments of your life in peace.”
The man whipped his head around to glare at him in frustration. “In peace?? Is that what you think? Getting slaughtered here like worms is not peace, dammit!”
He slammed his fist against the wooden doors, quite prepared for a bloody, broken hand. After all, what good was taking care of oneself when one was Banshee-fodder anyway?
But he froze in shock as the door slowly swung open.
“Taizo…you have to see this,” he whispered, unable to believe his eyes.
Satoru looked up wearily. “Yeah? What is it?”
Taizo turned his staring eyes away from the door to him. “It’s…open. The door’s open…they must have forgotten to lock it….”
Satoru jumped to his feet. “It’s…what? What did you say?”
Taizo’s face was hysterical, eyes wide with disbelief and joy. “We’re…we’re not going to die!”
Satoru hesitated. If they escaped, then the banshee might go further inside; the Jaken-sama would be in danger. “But…the king…”
Taizo strode forward and grabbed him. “Minako-san needs you more than Jaken-sama,” he said.
Satoru’s eyes hardened with resolve and he nodded. A grin bloomed on Taizo’s face
“HEY EVERYONE!” he called. The yard fell silent as all the terrified soldiers turned to look at him. “THE DOOR IS OPEN!!!”
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The banshee watched as her prey suddenly erupted in joy and seemed to almost fly out the door. She gritted her fists and roared. This had never happened before! After the first time these pitiful toads had lost the fight against her and her sisters, they had come up with this delicious system. It was perfect; she didn’t even have to hunt; the prey was offered to her on a silver platter. And all to protect their pitiful king; how had they been allowed to escape?
“Hey.”
She looked down on hearing the calm, almost bored voice. It was a man, dressed all in white; a human by the looks of him. Was he suicidal?
“Are you offering yourself to me in place of those delicious toads?” she growled, cunning eyes roving her food. “You won’t even be a good mouthful but you’ll do for now.”
She reached out a hand to grab him. The man extended his own hand. A glowing whip extended and struck her palm. The banshee withdrew, shrieking in agony as acid began to eat through her palm. Ok, not a human then.
“I am not your prey,” the man said lazily. “Your prey is out back.”
The banshee looked at him more cautiously. She could devour him first but poison youkai were never very tasty and from that one hit, the banshee could tell that his poison was very strong. Nevertheless, she would kill him for his insolence…later, after she’d had her meal.
The banshee frowned. “Why are you telling me?”
The silk clad man smiled slightly. “Consider it your last meal.”
The banshee threw back her head and laughed. “Who’s going to kill me, boy? You?”
The youkai said nothing.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she sneered. “After I’m done with those tasty toads, you’re next.”
Sesshoumaru merely stepped out of her path.
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Jaken was waiting patiently in the luxurious safe-room, surrounded by top-calibre soldiers. He sat in a throne-like chair in the centre of the room. There were four guards posted near the door of the room, four behind him, two next to him and two in front of him. The other eight stood back, just in case any of these should be taken out.
They could hear everything that was going on outside. The chaos was still going on. When it was over, one of the middle level soldiers would come to inform him. It was a shame he would lose a whole battalion of foot soldiers but fortunately, the banshee came only once every 5 years or so.
There was a sudden frantic knock on the door.
One of the guards glanced at Jaken who nodded. The guard opened the door to see one of the middle soldiers, panting hard.
“My Lord,” he wheezed, “She’s coming here…the banshee has destroyed half the castle and she’s coming here!”
Jaken froze, as did his guards. “What?” he shouted. “How did that happen? Weren’t the foot soldiers enough for her??”
The guard paled. “Well uh.. the- the thing is that I-“
There was a sudden loud boom that shook the castle to its foundations and the guard quickly pulled the soldier inside and closed the door.
Jaken’s mind was racing. At this rate, the banshee would be here. He would not survive; he didn’t have a soldier’s resilience or training. Something would have to be done.
The only one strong enough to protect him was Sesshoumaru. He had felt the demon Lord’s power in his aura, had seen it in his eyes. Even if Sesshoumaru ended up taking a few bruises, the demon Lord could save his life. But after the incident about the slave, Sesshoumaru would be more of a threat to him than the banshee.
His eyes narrowed, mind working fast. Maybe there was a way to convince him to help.
He gestured to one of the guards next to him. He leaned down to Jaken’s level. Jaken whispered something in his ear. The guard nodded and withdrew, slipping inconspicuously out of the room.
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“Sesshoumaru-sama!”
Sesshoumaru, who had been heading towards his room, turned.
The servant who had called out to him bowed low. “Jaken-sama requests your presence.”
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“Sesshoumaru-sama,” Jaken said greeted as soon as he entered. Once again, the toad king was struck by the demon Lord’s dignity and grace. Even in the midst of an emergency like this, Sesshoumaru looked as imperturbable as ever. If only the demon Lord would realize just how valuable he could be, he would not make the mistake of choosing the worthless hanyou over him. “I realize that after yesterday, you are not entirely favourably inclined towards me, but forgive me. I need your assistance. I need you to protect me from the banshee.”
The demon Lord raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think I would assist?” It might have been his imagination but Jaken thought he saw a flash of something like fury in his eyes. His eyes roved the room carefully, as if searching for something. “After all, it is to my advantage if there happens to be…an untoward incident with the banshee…”
Jaken steepled his fingers. “I was afraid it would come to this.”
He gestured and the guards standing in a line stepped away, revealing Inuyasha, held captive by Jaken’s soldiers.
“Sesshoumaru-sama!” he cried, tugging fruitlessly against the strong arms of those who held him.
Jaken watched the demon Lord’s face carefully. He was ready for the demon Lord to be even angrier with him, but he was banking on the fact that, for whatever reason, the demon Lord didn’t seem inclined to kill him. He also seemed to value the slave quite a bit so it was safe to assume he would agree to his request. After this, there would be no making amends in their relationship but the toad decided to worry about that after the banshee problem was taken care of. It was most important to stay alive.
But he began to feel uneasy when Sesshoumaru merely glanced at him in amusement. Had he misjudged his regard for the slave?
“If you do not wish for your slave to live, you will need to defeat the banshee.”
Jaken knew it wasn’t an easy task but if anyone could do it, it was the demon Lord.
Sesshoumaru cocked his head slightly to the side. “You would threaten my slave in an attempt to have me save your life?”
Jaken inclined his head. “As I said, it’s unfortunate that it has come to this but it seems there is no other way. Please, rest assured that if you comply with my request, the slave will not be harmed. Otherwise, I will order my men to end his life right here.”
The gold holding the spear to Inuyasha’s throat brought it fractionally closer. Inuyasha flinched, trying to instinctively lean away from the blade at his throat but Jaken’s men held him securely.
Sesshoumaru smiled fractionally and Jaken’s heart stuttered. His gut was telling him that he had just made a very big mistake, though rationally, he could not see what options the demon Lord had. Even in he attacked one of the guards, the others would have ample time to kill the slave. Besides, the guards had orders to end the hanyou’s life is the demon Lord so much as moved from his place.
“Is that so?” Sesshoumaru asked softly, glancing at the two demons holding Inuyasha captive. The demons tensed, holding the weapon close to Inuyasha’s neck. Two other demons closed in, coming to stand in front of them.
The weapon held close to Inuyasha’s neck accidentally grazed his skin and a single drop of blood seeped out.
The next moment, the poison whip unfurled, slicing through all four demons in one strike. Many of the demons cried out. The whip had destroyed the spears as well, though Inuyasha was not touched.
Jaken was on his feet, gazing at the scene in horror. He turned terrified eyes on the demon Lord.
“S-Sesshoumaru-sama?” he whimpered.
Sesshoumaru languidly turned towards him, as Inuyasha ran up to him and came to stand behind him.
“You were saying…Jaken?”
The toad was debating making a run for it when the wall of the room collapsed, folding in like cardboard. The banshee entered, eying the many toads in the room greedily.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, please help!” Jaken squeaked, even as his guards readied themselves to step in front of their lord.
Sesshoumaru looked at him dispassionately, as if he were a particularly boring insect.
The banshee turned towards the one who had cried out and bent down slowly, reaching for the toad. The other guards in the room were shouting and gesturing but the banshee was only interested in this one. Was this the one they gave their lives to protect, time and again? Was the one they called the king?
Jaken shrieked as he was lifted up in the air, almost crushed in the banshee’s vice-like grip.
“Sesshoumaru-sama!” he screamed. “Please, please I beg you. Save me. Save me!!”
Sesshoumaru looked up at him thoughtfully. “Why?”
The toad king saw the drooling banshee’s face and his life flashed before his eyes. He saw his endless days spent in trying to gain the power he never ultimately enjoyed, he remembered the days and nights of loneliness he had to hide, he remembered everything he had given up to be what he was, everything that had once made life worth living.
Jaken stared at the calm, merciless countenance of the demon prince and knew in that moment that he would follow him all his life.
“Sesshoumaru-sama,” he said, suddenly calm. “I know I have no right to ask this of you, but if you will save my life, know that that life will belong to you.”
He bowed head towards the demon Lord as much as he could in the banshee’s grip.
“It does already.”
There was a moment of silence and then the banshee’s screech tore the silence as Sesshoumaru’s whip sliced through her, sending Jaken tumbling to the floor.
When he got his bearings, Jaken blinked rapidly and then hurried towards his saviour. He knelt down and touched his head to the ground in front of Sesshoumaru’s feet. He hadn’t yet earned the right to touch the Lord’s feet.
“Thank you,” he said, deeply moved by his generosity. It would have been no trouble at all for him to let him die or to even kill him himself. “Please allow me to accompany you to your lands as your humble servant.”
Sesshoumaru looked down at the toad. While it would be annoying to have the toad follow him around, this was the swiftest and best solution to the problem that he had come here to solve. Now, a representative of the Lord of the West could be posted here to lead and there would be no trouble from Jaken’s side.
He turned away, placing a negligent hand on Inuyasha’s head. “Do as you wish.”
Jaken looked up, ecstatic at his words. But his joy was soured when he saw the affectionate touch that the Lord bestowed upon that worthless hanyou slave. That little bastard was the cause of all this trouble. Now that he was travelling with the Lord, Jaken resolved to have his revenge on the slave. He was going to be Sesshoumaru-sama’s number one servant, not some stray hanyou.
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A/N: Tell me what you think! ^.^
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Jaken’s words were followed by a ringing silence.
The prince of the Western Lands had not moved a muscle but the temperature in the conference room dropped sharply. Jaken glanced nervously around him, missing his four bodyguards deeply. He had arranged it so that it would be only him and Sesshoumaru in the meeting; no one else could know about the fact that he was thinking of leaving or the kingdom would fall into turmoil, not to mention the fact that his life would be in danger. His chief advisors would be the first to jump to the opportunity but now, he was beginning to regret it.
Jaken turned his eyes back on the Western Lord. He slowly risked a glance upwards at his eyes and almost back-pedaled off the couch he was sitting on. The demon Lord’s eyes were hard and piercing; Sesshoumaru was furious.
The silence stretched on, making the tension in the air taut and thick.
“Aaah… Sesshoumaru-sama?” he finally rasped, unable to take it anymore.
The demon Lord’s eyes reminded of a blade unsheathing.
“Those are your terms?” Sesshoumaru asked quietly.
Jaken frowned and nodded furiously, determined to hold his ground. “Yes! Those are my terms.”
The demon Lord’s face was unreadable but his voice was like black velvet. “Those are your final terms?”
Jaken opened his mouth to insist yes but his voice caught in his throat. Something told him that was a trick question.
“Why hesitate, Sesshoumaru-sama?” he asked instead, voice more squeaky than he could ever remember it being. “After all, he is merely a hanyou slave. My services, in exchange for him, is surely a more than fair bargain-”
“Value is in the eye of the beholder…Jaken-san.”
Jaken looked up at him, startled. His voice… it sounded so deep…and so dark…
Repressing a shiver, Jaken clenched his fists, keeping his eyes trained on the floor so he wouldn’t lose the remainder of his courage by looking onto those brilliant golden eyes.
“Please don’t take me for a fool, Prince of the Western Lands,” he said firmly. “I do not appreciate these subtle threats. You obviously do not want a war with this kingdom so as I see it, you don’t have much of a choice. My life is far more valuable than that brat’s…”
There was the soft noise of rustling silk and a shadow fell over him. Jaken raised his head slowly, really, really disliking the way the demon Lord loomed over him. Sesshoumaru-sama was really, really tall….
“Do you really think so…Jaken?”
The toad demon was too frightened for his life to even register the fact that Sesshoumaru had addressed him without a title. Hypnotic golden eyes mesmerized him in place.
“Give me one good reason,” Sesshoumaru said softly, “why I shouldn’t slice you into ribbons and take your pitiful kingdom right here.”
Jaken throat was suddenly dry. His life flashing before his eyes.
“You…you can’t do that!” he declared, leaning away from Sesshoumaru, even though the demon Lord was standing a good 5 feet away from him.
Sesshoumaru inclined his head to the side curiously. “Whyever not?”
Jaken looked away, suddenly unsure. He had always thought that the only reason Inu no Taisho had not taken over the land by force was because it would be difficult to get an army in such a remote desolate area. But right now, looking at this pissed off prince, Jaken got the feeling that wouldn’t be such an issue after all. The phrase “one man army” suddenly had whole new connotations.
Why had the Western Lord Inu no Taisho allowed them so much latitude so far?
Jaken was frightened to realize he didn’t have any answer to that question.
And there was a very annoyed demon Lord about to make him into toad kebab…
“Eh, you don’t have to give me an answer right now,” he said hastily, scuttling off the sofa and edging towards the door. “You can give me your answer by tomorrow.”
Without looking back, Jaken scurried out the door and was gone.
_________________________________________________________________ __________
Sesshoumaru glared after him, eyes threatening to bleed red. It took every bit of self-restraint to not snatch that little bastard back into the room and make him eat his words. His father had explicitly ordered that he wanted the toad demon alive and while he wasn’t averse to disobeying orders, if he failed to complete his mission, his father would have an opportunity to gloat and that just wouldn’t do.
Inuyasha…just what was it about that boy that made everyone want to see him suffer? It was almost like the hanyou was some sort of magnet for troublemakers. People just did not seem to be able to bear to see him happy.
His aristocratic features melted into a thunderous scowl.
Well, it was his happy obligation to fend of anyone who was stupid enough to lay a hand on what was his. No, simply killing him and taking the kingdom wasn’t satisfying enough. He didn’t know what reason that pathetic toad had to try and make him keep Inuyasha in this desolate kingdom but Lord Jaken would soon learn not to trifle with him.
__________________________________________________________________ _________
Inuyasha, who was in the guestroom, waiting for his master to return, looked up in surprise as the demon Lord swept in, looking pissed.
“Master?” he asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion. “Is something wrong?”
Without replying, the demon Lord pushed him back on the bed and pinned him to the mattress under him. Inuyasha squirmed as his haori was slipped off his shoulders and down to his waist.
“Master,” he breathed, eyes glazing over with arousal to have the demon prince’s touch on his body. “Y-you said…you said they might be keeping an eye on this room…”
Sesshoumaru held him immobile, glaring fiercely into shy golden eyes.
“Let them see,” he said, voice husky with anger and the sudden need to claim the puppy.
Inuyasha squirmed, body flushed from the awareness that they were in a strange place and that they could be being watched.
“Did your meeting go badly, Sesshoumaru-sama?”
“It was fine,” he murmured against Inuyasha’s skin, making the hanyou gasp at the warm breath.
“So…” he had to try very hard to concentrate enough to form coherent sentences. “J-Jaken –sama is going to be nicer to people now?”
He blushed as he felt his master chuckle darkly against his neck.
“Hmmm…he said he would relinquish the throne and accompany me to the Western Lands.”
“Oh that’s good, isn’t it?” Inuyasha asked, pleased that the demon Lord had got what he had come for.
“In exchange, he wants me to leave you here.”
Inuyasha froze, then went limp. “R-really?” he asked in a small voice. “Bu-but why? What did I-?”
Sharp fangs nipped him all over his body; Sesshoumaru felt the need to mark the fragile body under him, to let the world know just who Inuyasha belonged to.
“It doesn’t matter,” Sesshoumaru murmured, hands undoing the knot of Inuyasha’s hakama. “It seems that is the only way he will surrender the kingdom.”
Inuyasha tried to prevent his heart from beating faster, without success.
“Wh-what did you tell him, Master?”
He tried weakly to hide his arousal from view, to close his legs, but clawed hands pinned his wrists above his head and he felt Sesshoumaru’s silk clad knee pushing them open and pressing up against him roughly in a way that made Inuyasha shudder.
“What do you think?” Sesshoumaru hissed, glaring down at him.
Inuyasha blinked up at him, tearful, and now a little frightened. “Master?”
The demon Lord’s patience snapped. He leaned in and captured the hanyou’s lips in a bruising kiss. Inuyasha moaned as Sesshoumaru’s fangs sliced his lower lip, causing blood to dribble down his mouth.
Keeping his hands pinned above his head with one hand, Sesshoumaru’s other hand closed around Inuyasha’s aching prick, pumping him roughly.
Inuyasha mewled pleadingly in the kiss, arching up as much as he could even as the demon Lord held him immobile.
Sesshoumaru drew back, holding himself over the desperate hanyou. Inuyasha looked at him with wide eyes. He could feel the Lord’s aura bright with his anger, enveloping him, exciting his instincts forcing him to submit; every part of his body was buzzing with the sensation of being overpowered by his master.
“Do you think I would abandon you here?” he asked Inuyasha quietly.
Inuyasha looked down and turned his head to the side, unconsciously baring his neck, tears gathering in his eyes. “But a whole kingdom…just for me…”
Inuyasha gasped as Sesshoumaru’s grip on his wrists tightened enough to leave bruises. He scrunched his eyes closed, body tensing.
“What kind of a master would I be if I bartered my slave away on an imbecile toad’s whim?” Sesshoumaru’s voice was rich and deep and it made Inuyasha’s heart beat faster. “Have you forgotten I laid claim to your very breath?”
The demon Lord pumped the slave’s cock slowly, leisurely watching the expression on his face of pleasure that bordered on pain.
“Do not forget that I promised to protect you always.”
Inuyasha felt tears brimming in his eyes, this time at his master’s unexpectedly gentle words. Sesshoumaru’s hand speeded up and Inuyasha arched back, every muscle in his body tensed.
“Cum now!” he ordered and Inuyasha released with a cry, coating his master’s hand with his cum.
He collapsed on the sheets, panting and Sesshoumaru released his wrists. The demon Lord brought his soiled hand to the hanyou’s mouth and Inuyasha coloured darkly, understanding the implicit order. He brought his newly freed hands on the demon Lord’s and began to lick his own cum from his Master’s hand. Sesshoumaru watched him, with low lidded, dark eyes. The child-like hands on his own larger one were gentle, as if afraid to touch him. The demon Lord relished his puppy hesitancy and shyness, his fury beginning to cool.
When Inuyasha had finished cleaning his hands, he withdrew it and lay down on the bed on his back, gathering Inuyasha tightly to him.
Inuyasha sighed and melted in Sesshoumaru’s arms, seeking the comfort and safety that only the demon Lord could provide. “Won’t Taisho-sama be upset when Jaken-sama refuses?”
Sesshoumaru covered himself and the naked hanyou with a sheet and Inuyasha snuggled into his chest, hiding his face like he seemed to be fond of doing. The demon Lord looped an around his back and held him close making Inuyasha feel distinctly like the Lord’s teddybear.
It was true; if Inu no Taisho found out he had flat out refused to compromise with the toad Lord, he would consider the mission failed, even though he could easily procure the demon by force, like he had told Jaken. Because that was what diplomacy about – give and take.
His youki spiked in annoyance, causing Inuyasha to whimper and squirm in his arms.
His father would not expect him to acquiesce to the ridiculous demand of leaving Inuyasha there. By making that offer, Jaken had lost any sympathy he might have had for the toad. He would dearly like to wring the toad’s neck slowly in response to his audacity but he was here as a diplomat, not as a warrior. And diplomats did not kill their opponents if they got annoying; diplomats smiled and saw the bigger picture and acted for the good of their country – or some shit like that. His father had always told him so.
So he would have to find some other way to punish that insolent toad. After all, violence wasn’t always the most satisfying way of crushing an opponent. There were other things that could be broken, except a person’s head – like his confidence and his pride. He would just have to think of something because letting him get away with it was unacceptable.
Sesshoumaru slowly caressed his puppy’s head and ears, making him sigh at the pleasant feeling and clutch at the demon Lord’s haori.
“I don’t think Jaken-sama is going to be in any position to refuse,” he whispered to the puppy, who was by now too sleepy to remember what it was that he had asked in the first place.
________________________________________________________________ ___________
Jaken stormed into his room and shut the doors. He couldn’t get over the feeling that he had escaped narrowly with his life.
He leaned against the closed doors, catching his breath. Well, that scheme backfired spectacularly. There was no doubt from Sesshoumaru-sama’s reaction that he was going to refuse. He had just run off without giving him the opportunity to reply.
Perhaps he should not have added that last condition, Jaken reflected. But how was he to know that the mere idea of giving up that hanyou slave would incite such anger in the prince?
He still got goosebumps when he remembered the way the demon Lord’s eyes had darkened in that moment. There was violence there, as if the prince could hurt him and not think twice about it…
The toad demon let out an involuntary sigh, trudging over to the bed and flopping onto it. It was a whole new side of Sesshoumaru-sama that he had never imagined existed. If he ever worked with the demon Lord – oh who was he kidding? Worked for the demon Lord – he would have to no doubt be on the receiving end of his anger.
He shivered, drawing a pillow to his chest, staring up at the ceiling. Paradoxically, that danger made him want to be close to him even more.
_________________________________________________________________ __________
The next morning, Sesshoumaru was woken out of his rest by screams and shouts coming from outside. He opened his eyes in annoyance; Inuyasha was also awake, half sitting up in his arms, trying to peer anxiously out the window.
“Master-“
“Stay here,” Sesshoumaru ordered him, getting out of bed.
He headed out the door. There were no servants or guards to be seen anywhere. He made his way through several corridors; all of them were deserted. As he neared the doors of the entrance, he could see a few people running helter-skelter.
“What is going on out here?” Sesshoumaru asked one of them, stepping out of the palace.
The toad in front of him looked about ready to piss his pants but he stopped because this was a royal guest who was addressing him; Jaken-sama would have his head if he was rude. “Sh-she…it’s HERE!”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “What?”
“The Banshee! She’s here!!”
Sesshoumaru sighed inwardly. “A banshee?”
Banshees were common demon near deserts. They did not have youki so they could not be considered demons but demons were their prey. The demonic power of their prey sustained them. Nevertheless, they were moderately powerful so they tried to stay away from higher level demon, a task made difficult because they couldn’t sense demons’ youki and therefore couldn’t tell how powerful they were. So they generally lived in isolated places, like deserts where there would be less places for big, powerful predatory youkai to set traps. The lower level toad demons, however, were perfect prey.
Over the treelines, Sesshoumaru could make out the white-haired top of the slow-moving banshee’s head. Her long sleeved hands bent down and when they came back up, she had a screaming soldier in them. The attendant Sesshoumaru was talking to shut his eyes and looked away.
“Where is your king?” he asked the terrified man.
“Oh Jaken-sama is well guarded,” he assured the demon Lord. “He is in a safe-room at the back of the castle. He is protected by 20 of our best men.”
Sesshoumaru said nothing but he was disgusted. In time of crisis, the king abandoned his subjects, hiding away like a rat.
“Even your best men cannot fight off a banshee,” he said instead. “Once the men here escape, she will advance further in in search of sustenance.”
The man bowed his head. “Yes, we know but if her hunger is satisfied, she will not attack. The main compounds of the castle are closed off and the foot soldiers locked in. She will not go further back in the castle if there is prey readily available to her. A few men must be sacrificed to her in order to protect Jaken-sama.”
The servant squared his shoulders, a determined look in his eyes. “As long as we are alive, nothing will be allowed to harm Master Jaken.”
Sesshoumaru gazed thoughtfully at the banshee.
“Yes, it would be…unfortunate if something were to happen to him”
____________________________________________________________ _______________
The foot soldiers locked in the front yard of the castle, stared desolately at their death, staring them in the face. Each did what he could to hide himself from the banshee but it seemed like the sport only made her excited for the hunt. They saw other men picked like sitting ducks; their time would come soon.
“All those years of training for war…Is this all we have worked so hard for?” one of the men, Taizo asked his friend, Satoru, sounding bitter. “Being food for a banshee…”
Satoru sighed. “Don’t say that. We’re privileged to be able to protect the king.” But he could see his beautiful wife Minako’s face before him, even as he spoke. He and Minako were supposed to be blessed with a child soon; Minako was already 7 months along. It was a pity; now he would never know if he was the father of a little girl or a little boy.
Taizo turned his head to the side and spit disdainfully. “Privileged, yeah. That’s what we are...lucky to die like dogs, without standing the slimmest chance of victory.” He stomped over to the huge double doors that had been slammed shut and barricaded. “Our Lord Jaken has made our worth clear with this padlock on the door!”
The man sighed. “Hey get away from there. It won’t do you any good. Enjoy the last moments of your life in peace.”
The man whipped his head around to glare at him in frustration. “In peace?? Is that what you think? Getting slaughtered here like worms is not peace, dammit!”
He slammed his fist against the wooden doors, quite prepared for a bloody, broken hand. After all, what good was taking care of oneself when one was Banshee-fodder anyway?
But he froze in shock as the door slowly swung open.
“Taizo…you have to see this,” he whispered, unable to believe his eyes.
Satoru looked up wearily. “Yeah? What is it?”
Taizo turned his staring eyes away from the door to him. “It’s…open. The door’s open…they must have forgotten to lock it….”
Satoru jumped to his feet. “It’s…what? What did you say?”
Taizo’s face was hysterical, eyes wide with disbelief and joy. “We’re…we’re not going to die!”
Satoru hesitated. If they escaped, then the banshee might go further inside; the Jaken-sama would be in danger. “But…the king…”
Taizo strode forward and grabbed him. “Minako-san needs you more than Jaken-sama,” he said.
Satoru’s eyes hardened with resolve and he nodded. A grin bloomed on Taizo’s face
“HEY EVERYONE!” he called. The yard fell silent as all the terrified soldiers turned to look at him. “THE DOOR IS OPEN!!!”
________________________________________________________ ___________________
The banshee watched as her prey suddenly erupted in joy and seemed to almost fly out the door. She gritted her fists and roared. This had never happened before! After the first time these pitiful toads had lost the fight against her and her sisters, they had come up with this delicious system. It was perfect; she didn’t even have to hunt; the prey was offered to her on a silver platter. And all to protect their pitiful king; how had they been allowed to escape?
“Hey.”
She looked down on hearing the calm, almost bored voice. It was a man, dressed all in white; a human by the looks of him. Was he suicidal?
“Are you offering yourself to me in place of those delicious toads?” she growled, cunning eyes roving her food. “You won’t even be a good mouthful but you’ll do for now.”
She reached out a hand to grab him. The man extended his own hand. A glowing whip extended and struck her palm. The banshee withdrew, shrieking in agony as acid began to eat through her palm. Ok, not a human then.
“I am not your prey,” the man said lazily. “Your prey is out back.”
The banshee looked at him more cautiously. She could devour him first but poison youkai were never very tasty and from that one hit, the banshee could tell that his poison was very strong. Nevertheless, she would kill him for his insolence…later, after she’d had her meal.
The banshee frowned. “Why are you telling me?”
The silk clad man smiled slightly. “Consider it your last meal.”
The banshee threw back her head and laughed. “Who’s going to kill me, boy? You?”
The youkai said nothing.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she sneered. “After I’m done with those tasty toads, you’re next.”
Sesshoumaru merely stepped out of her path.
_________________________________________________________________ __________
Jaken was waiting patiently in the luxurious safe-room, surrounded by top-calibre soldiers. He sat in a throne-like chair in the centre of the room. There were four guards posted near the door of the room, four behind him, two next to him and two in front of him. The other eight stood back, just in case any of these should be taken out.
They could hear everything that was going on outside. The chaos was still going on. When it was over, one of the middle level soldiers would come to inform him. It was a shame he would lose a whole battalion of foot soldiers but fortunately, the banshee came only once every 5 years or so.
There was a sudden frantic knock on the door.
One of the guards glanced at Jaken who nodded. The guard opened the door to see one of the middle soldiers, panting hard.
“My Lord,” he wheezed, “She’s coming here…the banshee has destroyed half the castle and she’s coming here!”
Jaken froze, as did his guards. “What?” he shouted. “How did that happen? Weren’t the foot soldiers enough for her??”
The guard paled. “Well uh.. the- the thing is that I-“
There was a sudden loud boom that shook the castle to its foundations and the guard quickly pulled the soldier inside and closed the door.
Jaken’s mind was racing. At this rate, the banshee would be here. He would not survive; he didn’t have a soldier’s resilience or training. Something would have to be done.
The only one strong enough to protect him was Sesshoumaru. He had felt the demon Lord’s power in his aura, had seen it in his eyes. Even if Sesshoumaru ended up taking a few bruises, the demon Lord could save his life. But after the incident about the slave, Sesshoumaru would be more of a threat to him than the banshee.
His eyes narrowed, mind working fast. Maybe there was a way to convince him to help.
He gestured to one of the guards next to him. He leaned down to Jaken’s level. Jaken whispered something in his ear. The guard nodded and withdrew, slipping inconspicuously out of the room.
_________________________________________________________________ __________
“Sesshoumaru-sama!”
Sesshoumaru, who had been heading towards his room, turned.
The servant who had called out to him bowed low. “Jaken-sama requests your presence.”
______________________________________________________ _____________________
“Sesshoumaru-sama,” Jaken said greeted as soon as he entered. Once again, the toad king was struck by the demon Lord’s dignity and grace. Even in the midst of an emergency like this, Sesshoumaru looked as imperturbable as ever. If only the demon Lord would realize just how valuable he could be, he would not make the mistake of choosing the worthless hanyou over him. “I realize that after yesterday, you are not entirely favourably inclined towards me, but forgive me. I need your assistance. I need you to protect me from the banshee.”
The demon Lord raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think I would assist?” It might have been his imagination but Jaken thought he saw a flash of something like fury in his eyes. His eyes roved the room carefully, as if searching for something. “After all, it is to my advantage if there happens to be…an untoward incident with the banshee…”
Jaken steepled his fingers. “I was afraid it would come to this.”
He gestured and the guards standing in a line stepped away, revealing Inuyasha, held captive by Jaken’s soldiers.
“Sesshoumaru-sama!” he cried, tugging fruitlessly against the strong arms of those who held him.
Jaken watched the demon Lord’s face carefully. He was ready for the demon Lord to be even angrier with him, but he was banking on the fact that, for whatever reason, the demon Lord didn’t seem inclined to kill him. He also seemed to value the slave quite a bit so it was safe to assume he would agree to his request. After this, there would be no making amends in their relationship but the toad decided to worry about that after the banshee problem was taken care of. It was most important to stay alive.
But he began to feel uneasy when Sesshoumaru merely glanced at him in amusement. Had he misjudged his regard for the slave?
“If you do not wish for your slave to live, you will need to defeat the banshee.”
Jaken knew it wasn’t an easy task but if anyone could do it, it was the demon Lord.
Sesshoumaru cocked his head slightly to the side. “You would threaten my slave in an attempt to have me save your life?”
Jaken inclined his head. “As I said, it’s unfortunate that it has come to this but it seems there is no other way. Please, rest assured that if you comply with my request, the slave will not be harmed. Otherwise, I will order my men to end his life right here.”
The gold holding the spear to Inuyasha’s throat brought it fractionally closer. Inuyasha flinched, trying to instinctively lean away from the blade at his throat but Jaken’s men held him securely.
Sesshoumaru smiled fractionally and Jaken’s heart stuttered. His gut was telling him that he had just made a very big mistake, though rationally, he could not see what options the demon Lord had. Even in he attacked one of the guards, the others would have ample time to kill the slave. Besides, the guards had orders to end the hanyou’s life is the demon Lord so much as moved from his place.
“Is that so?” Sesshoumaru asked softly, glancing at the two demons holding Inuyasha captive. The demons tensed, holding the weapon close to Inuyasha’s neck. Two other demons closed in, coming to stand in front of them.
The weapon held close to Inuyasha’s neck accidentally grazed his skin and a single drop of blood seeped out.
The next moment, the poison whip unfurled, slicing through all four demons in one strike. Many of the demons cried out. The whip had destroyed the spears as well, though Inuyasha was not touched.
Jaken was on his feet, gazing at the scene in horror. He turned terrified eyes on the demon Lord.
“S-Sesshoumaru-sama?” he whimpered.
Sesshoumaru languidly turned towards him, as Inuyasha ran up to him and came to stand behind him.
“You were saying…Jaken?”
The toad was debating making a run for it when the wall of the room collapsed, folding in like cardboard. The banshee entered, eying the many toads in the room greedily.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, please help!” Jaken squeaked, even as his guards readied themselves to step in front of their lord.
Sesshoumaru looked at him dispassionately, as if he were a particularly boring insect.
The banshee turned towards the one who had cried out and bent down slowly, reaching for the toad. The other guards in the room were shouting and gesturing but the banshee was only interested in this one. Was this the one they gave their lives to protect, time and again? Was the one they called the king?
Jaken shrieked as he was lifted up in the air, almost crushed in the banshee’s vice-like grip.
“Sesshoumaru-sama!” he screamed. “Please, please I beg you. Save me. Save me!!”
Sesshoumaru looked up at him thoughtfully. “Why?”
The toad king saw the drooling banshee’s face and his life flashed before his eyes. He saw his endless days spent in trying to gain the power he never ultimately enjoyed, he remembered the days and nights of loneliness he had to hide, he remembered everything he had given up to be what he was, everything that had once made life worth living.
Jaken stared at the calm, merciless countenance of the demon prince and knew in that moment that he would follow him all his life.
“Sesshoumaru-sama,” he said, suddenly calm. “I know I have no right to ask this of you, but if you will save my life, know that that life will belong to you.”
He bowed head towards the demon Lord as much as he could in the banshee’s grip.
“It does already.”
There was a moment of silence and then the banshee’s screech tore the silence as Sesshoumaru’s whip sliced through her, sending Jaken tumbling to the floor.
When he got his bearings, Jaken blinked rapidly and then hurried towards his saviour. He knelt down and touched his head to the ground in front of Sesshoumaru’s feet. He hadn’t yet earned the right to touch the Lord’s feet.
“Thank you,” he said, deeply moved by his generosity. It would have been no trouble at all for him to let him die or to even kill him himself. “Please allow me to accompany you to your lands as your humble servant.”
Sesshoumaru looked down at the toad. While it would be annoying to have the toad follow him around, this was the swiftest and best solution to the problem that he had come here to solve. Now, a representative of the Lord of the West could be posted here to lead and there would be no trouble from Jaken’s side.
He turned away, placing a negligent hand on Inuyasha’s head. “Do as you wish.”
Jaken looked up, ecstatic at his words. But his joy was soured when he saw the affectionate touch that the Lord bestowed upon that worthless hanyou slave. That little bastard was the cause of all this trouble. Now that he was travelling with the Lord, Jaken resolved to have his revenge on the slave. He was going to be Sesshoumaru-sama’s number one servant, not some stray hanyou.
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A/N: Tell me what you think! ^.^
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