Feudal Japan Inuyasha's world

Sesshōmaru stepped into the clearing, and put his hand up for Rin to stop shy just behind him. Lurking somewhere was Naraku, he could smell his stench unmistakeably from anywhere. However, along with his pungent odor was that of the several lords. From the Tiger Tribe to the Dragon, they all had gathered in this seemingly harmless location. But there was a glint of methodical cruelness in Sesshōmaru's eyes as he stepped forth towards the other Lords.

"Sesshōmaru, why have you summoned us to this wretched place? Why do you bring the sinister Naraku and is that a human?!" The towering millipede demon exclaimed drawing back in disgust.

"Yes, about them--you remember when I asked for your help, what you did--to me-- a rightful heir to the Western Lands? You spat and stomped on me willingly. You laughed and cackled, you voiced your opinions of me--called me weak. But more importantly--you proclaimed my mate was nothing but a human. Well," Sesshōmaru's lips curved into a half-cocked smile as he drew the Tenseiga. "consider me offended. No one. A Nothing. Well, no demon or human calls MY pride a nothing. I'll be acquiring your armies and your lands as of henceforth. As for each of you--you'll serve you purpose in one very important way--nutrition."

Sesshōmaru lunged forwards with remarkable speed and agility, hold the Tenseiga which, now, was glowing vivid silver color. Before the Lords had much of a chance to react, Sesshōmaru leapt up, swiping the blade clean through the dragon's throat. No cut would be visibly made but the blade tore through time and space, reality itself, to harvest the soul of the demon.

Letting it fall he landed back down, then leapt back as a strike from the Tiger King came rushing forwards. Redirecting his weight, Sesshōmaru lunged forwards but then sharply pivoted, plunging the blade through the cats chest and curving it up towards the back of the head. Having turned completely around and knelt close to the ground to this--Sesshōmaru simply stood in a nonchalant manner, turned and looked at he demons eyes. This was a look of horror on the Tiger's eyes as he could feel his soul being extracted. Sesshōmaru placidly looked on before gripping the hilt of his sword twisting it deliberately thereby forcing it through him more so--before tearing it out of him viciously and leaving the creature to collapse as he made his way towards the last three Lords.

After they were slain and their souls extracted from their flesh and blood bodies, Sesshōmaru sheathed the terrifying weapon feeling it pulsate in his palm as he did. He then glanced of to his side.

"Naraku, you may gorge yourself on their bodies. I have what I need." He called out coldly. Their bodies were not actually harmed by the Tenseiga's blade. Though their souls were torn away from the attachment of life. Sesshōmaru had in a sense, reversed the role of the Tenseiga, instead of revival of the soul--it simply tore it from its fleshy confines.

Sesshōmaru stepped towards Rin, his face seeming as calm as ever. His golden eyes looking down upon her, before his hand gently touched her face. He then simply walked on by. He would have to solve the mystery of how to sow her true affection later. For now, he did what he could, to the best of his ability--which to him wasn't very much when he compared it to his hanyou brother Inuyasha. He had a human heart--even Naraku had one. But he was a daiyoukai, loving humans wasn't exactly a normal habit for him. But for Rin, he tried to change that.

Naraku had waited quietly, almost as if he were deep in brooding thoughts, until he saw through the eyes of the saimyosho several demon lords approaching. Dragons and Tigers had even come to Sesshōmaru's call. Naraku may have been impressed, if he were an aristocrat, or if he had any ambition of raising an army of his own, but he did not, and therefore was not. He watched passively as the demon lords assembled across the clearing from him, ignoring their disgusted expressions and remarks, before striding across the clearing confidently. Sesshōmaru was soon there, trailed by a human woman. A familiar one. Naraku smirked upon recognizing her, Rin, a former pawn of his. So Sesshōmaru had actually chosen a human as a mate? Naraku may have been surprised, but he showed nothing more than a lifted eyebrow.

Few words were shared between the dog demon and the other, lesser lords, before Sesshōmaru attacked with lightning-like speed. The dragon lord fell in an instant to the defiled Sword of Heaven, absent a soul, followed by all the others. Naraku walked forward, standing over the nearest corpse, and as Sesshōmaru began to speak to him, Naraku had already begun to extend his tentacles, writhing through the air with primal hunger, no; starvation, and then they hoarded themselves on the demon lords. Naraku smiled from the pleasure of absorbing the creatures, and a sigh escaped his lips. Their powers coursed through him, and then amassed in his core.

Meanwhile, above the ocean between Japan and the mainland, a live piece of flesh from Naraku's body hovered, staring down at the water. The sea was violent, waves crashing in every conceivable direction, a whirlpool forming directly below the floating hunk of meat. And then the creature crashed through the water, moving up out of it and into the air at extreme speeds; the Leviathan. It had no other name, and desired nothing more than to devour the powerful. It's rows of gleaming red eyes locked onto the hovering bit of flesh, which was radiating the power of Naraku, as distant as he was. The power was what had brought the Leviathan to the accursed surface. A power level like that would have provided a satisfactory meal. If the Leviathan had any level of intellect, it would have been disappointed by the small power source, but it instinctively lunged up, and closed it's tooth-rowed mouth down on Naraku's flesh. Just as had been desired. The flesh melded with the roof of the Leviathan's mouth, and then what little mind that had been present in the massive creature was lost forever, replaced by Naraku's will.

Rin stood there silently as Sesshomaru greeted the demon Lords, she was amazed at the variety of how they looked but all still similar to but not as spectacular as Sesshomaru. She tried her best to ignore Naraku but his eyes upon her made her skin crawl. Well, no demon or human calls MY pride a nothing,she heard him say she got a shocked look on her face, "He considers me... his pride she thought, and then he slaughtered the other Demon lords. This was not unexpected to her they had been disrespectful, she didn't even flinch but just stood there as each of the once great demon lords fell to the ground at Sesshomaru's sword.

When he left what remained of the demons to Naraku, Rin couldn't help but feel slightly sick at her stomach. She jaunted up to catch up with Sesshomaru, "My Lord is it wise to give such power to something as evil as Naraku?", she asked it really did worry her. She had been used by the deceptive pseudo demon before she didn't like him being so close to being as he was before. She linked her arm into Sesshomaru's, "My Lord would you stay with me tonight?", she asked without a second thought to the scene that she had just witnessed. It was nothing she had not seen before in her life, she would loose no sleep over it.

"My Lord is it wise to give such power to something as evil as Naraku?", she asked it really did worry her. She had been used by the deceptive pseudo demon before she didn't like him being so close to being as he was before. She linked her arm into Sesshomaru's, "My Lord would you stay with me tonight?"

"Naraku is just a front--a ploy. He will decimate the majority of the lesser Yokai of Kooji's army. Even should he succeed in that--he will be too busy with that dead priestess Kikyo to bother with even Inuyasha--much less myself. Inuyasha and I will lead the attack on Kooji. And I will destroy him with the Tenseiga. With my own strength and not my father's.I will not be beholden to my father any more." Sesshōmaru responded without hesitation.

However, Sesshōmaru sopped abruptly. His face plain yet his thoughts befuddled and murky with questions. Why was she so adamant about being near him when he would jeopardize her safety? Didn't she know that he wanted her safe? Didn't she understand that she could not die again? That he'd lose her forever--that he'd lose all hope for humans as a whole if he lost her? He looked at Rin with questioning eyes.

Rin looked at Sesshomaru with concern he looked as though he had a question but did not ask, "Yes, my Lord is there something you wish?", she smiled gently at him. A cool breeze blew by causing Rin's hair to float like an ocean of black waves, she brushed some locks out of her face gently with her hand. "My Lord we should go back to the house, if you wish we can speak there", she took his hand in hers, the contrast in size was familiar to her. It seemed that it did not matter how old she got her hand always looked like a small child's in his, her hand had become elegant and feminine, but still small in comparison to Sesshomaru's hand.

As they walked along she started to hum the song that she made for him as a child she chuckled for a moment, "It's funny what you remember from your childhood at the oddest times", she said with a smile. She started to sing the song but now instead of the voice of a small girls it was a woman's,

In the moutains
In the breeze

In the forest
In my dreams

Lord Sesshomaru where are you?
Jaken is serving under you too!

I will wait for you
On my own

Please return to me
Waiting all alone.
((Yeah I could have put in Japanese but then i would have gotten people namely my brother saying "What the heck does that mean))

"Yes, my Lord is there something you wish?"

"Rin, you don't understand your importance to me now, but you will. In time you will learn your importance to me. As for tonight, yes I will be with you." Sesshōmaru spoke staring at Rin's eyes unswervingly. He then took the hand that she had grasped, and pulled her closing, enveloping her in his warmth and security. Yet, she would feel him emotionally pulling away as though something big were about to happen and he couldn't let himself be carried away by his feelings for her.

Sesshōmaru held her there for what seemed like an eternity even for a demon lord then released her, letting his arms unwind from around her her meek and human body. Something was sad in his golden eyes, uncertain for sure. But he slipped right past her. What lay ahead for their future, he was bound and determined to protect it. She would feel that much at least. He just had a bad feeling something was going to happen.

Rin caught up to Sesshomaru and took his hand once again, she wasn't going to let him get to far away from her she had missed him to much. As they came back to the house, Inuyasha, Kagome, Inutaisho, and Shippo were all on the front porch. Shippo was entertaining Izayoi by changing into random things. The babe had grown quickly, and was sitting up on her mother's lap laughing at the fox demon. Inuyasha was wrestling on the ground with Inutaisho, Rin smiled at the little quarter demon's yips and growls. "Oh no you got me!", yelled Inuyasha over dramatically, as Inutaisho had him "pinned" to the ground. Everyone was laughing at that point well accept for Sesshomaru, but that was to be expected from the now Lord of the Demons.

"Rin, Sesshomaru", said Kagome she was glad to see Rin so happy she had always seemed sad the whole time they had been in Kaede village. Izayoi smiled and giggled at Rin reaching out her hands to young woman, Rin smiled and picked up the baby. "Hello little one how are you today are you having fun playing with the fox", said Rin, the baby babbled and put her small little hands on Rin's face. The babe then noticed Sesshomaru standing next to Rin and smiled Izayoi reached at Sesshomaru with a little babbling. "I think she wants her uncle", said Kagome with a chuckle, she didn't expect much more than a side glance for the youkai, and then him leaving in the opposite direction as everyone else. Rin smiled up at her mate, the thought of bearing his heirs buzzing through her head, she still was unsure of how he felt about that. But she knew that they must be careful to not bring a child into this world during the middle of the terror that is Koojii.

"I think she wants her uncle"

"Fine, hand the child here." Sesshōmaru Held out his pallid hands, taking the small, frail being into his hold. He could no doubt kill the offspring of his half-blooded brother and his human mate. Most demon lords in his position would have. But he had dealt with them for their insolence. The price they had paid for making it an effort to make fun of his pride. But also to protect that pride, and in turn saving this small life in his hands. But as he stood cradling the child at arms length away, one head supporting its small, unshaped head. It was maturing before his eyes. Every passing moment. Every passing second. His other hand supporting the insignificant weight of its tiny body.

His golden, austere eyes laid themselves upon the young one's eyes. Was he this weak in his father's embrace? He can't have been. He didn't remember ever being allowed to be weak. But as he stood staring down at his brother's progeny, his face placid, calm appearing. He had fought for himself for five centuries. It was only until recently he found a reason to accept humans as something more than just things to eat. He didn't dare fraternize with them, no, that would have been repulsive. He didn't see his brother as anything but a poignant, impudent whelp until then either. Somewhere along the way though, he had come to accept all of it to a degree. Could he accept this...child, as family?

Sesshōmaru lifted his head, having been ominously silent since having taken he child from Rin. He looked around at all those that now looked at him. Some with worry, concern. Some with questioning eyes. He then looked down at the squirming child in his hands. It smiled and chortled. Kicking its legs as it stared up at him, curious and full of wonderment. Ignorant to the fact of how dangerous, let alone how stern he was. He quietly hand the child back to Rin and drifted off in a new direction, long silver strands swaying with each step. He made it a ways away, secretly holding a slight smirk on his face.

[bYamashita[/b]

through the eyes of a black crow Kooji watches sesshomaru and the others. Kikyo's now soulless body lies limp on the floor. kooji watches the images reflected in a massive red flame in the center of the chamber '' hm hmh at long last sesshomaru i have found your weakness.'' he stands up form his throne like seating and shifts his gave toward Rin holding the child. '' the children would make worthy targets for my next plan. they are both only children they can easily be
persuaded and manipulated.'' he sticks his hand in the flame and wraps his clutches around the images of Inutaishou and Izyaoi. '' I will go to them in they're sleep.''

shippo

shippo regains his normal form and sits back down on the porch '' wow these are some kids you got kagome I'm wiped out.''
he plops down on the wood porch. then he looks up at the sky and his mind drifts back to the human girl he had feelings for back in the village where he trained '' Sigh you guys are so lucky.''

Kuiku's mother handed her a tray with tea and pastries, "Take these out to the guests", said her mother Kuiku nodded and took the tray. The old demoness smiled at the young rabbit demon that was a servant to Lord Sesshomaru, she had noticed her sadness since Junpei rejected the young girl. As much as she loved her adopted grandson she didn't understand why he chose to be so unhappy.

Kuiku stepped out on the porch, "Would anyone like some tea she" said with a smile she set the tray down on a small table and began to pour up the tea thats when she saw Shippo. "Oh I didn't know we had another guest, I'll go get another cup", she bowed in apology ans went back to the kitchen. "Mother we need another cup there's an extra person looks to be a fox demon", the older rabbit demon looked out the window. "Why yes dear i think he is, one of the tallest ones I've ever seen", she said with a chuckle, she knew fox demons were notoriously small. She grabbed another tea cup and handed it to Kuiku, "Be careful with those fox demons dear they can be tricky" she said with a wink. "Oh mother don't be so foolish", Kuiku said shaking her head she knew what her mother was implying, "I not much into looking for a mate right now after my last prospect wanted nothing to do with me", she turned on heel and went back outside. "Here young fox demon I have brought you a cup", she poured some tea in it and handed it to Shippo. She bowed once again to everyone, "I'm sorry I must return to my duties", the she went back inside. "That fox demon is quite handsome", thought Kuiku.

Shippo

shippo kinda jumped when the girl with bunny hears came outta nowhere '' uhhh thanks I guess. '' his tale swayed back and forth. '' who was that that kagome I didn't know you guys had servant's too. man what else has changed with you guys sense i haven't been around. I mean sesshomaru and inuyahsa getting along Naraku on our side. Everyone haveing kids and such. this is totally confusing.'' shippo ruffles up his hair in confusion.

the twin fox tykes that accompanied shippo glare at the strange bunny women as they over heard the conversation between her and her grandmother. '' listen to her talking about the big boss like that.'' says one. '' I don't know brother sounds like she might like to get to know the big boss.'' says the other. '' You idiot we can let her succeed in Vexing the boss as soon as that happens the pranking biz is through. remember what happened wile the boss was in that village. If we hadn't told that villiage elder that the boss was a demon. that human girl would have bore his child. we have to keep them away from each other.'' the other fox twin rolls his eyes '' ugh here we going again.''

Rin sat down with Izayoi on her lap, "That's Kuiku she is a rabbit demon and one of Lord Sesshomaru's servants. One of the few that stayed on after the destruction of the castle. Her and her mother have remained loyal to him even in the face of death. She's a kind girl and would do anything for anyone.", she said with a smile. Kagome nodded, "Yes her and her mother helped Rin deliver the baby", she said taking the baby from Rin. "Looks like someones hungry", said Rin, Kagome smiled, "Yep I'll leave you guys to enjoy the peace while it lasts. Because I'm afraid it wont last much longer", she stood and took the baby inside.

Inuyasha sighed he could smell the blood of the other demon Lords on Sesshomaru when he came up. "Dammit! he's treading on thin ice if he slips up then that could mean the end of us', he thought. He looked down at his young son that had fallen asleep in his lap, he smiled and brushed some silver locks out of the boys eyes. He wondered if his father ever looked down at him or Sesshomaru and felt the love that and pride that he felt ever time he looked at his children and his wife. Kagome had given him the most precious things in his life he could never repay her for the sacrifice she gave.

It had been several years since Kagome had gone back to her own time. She had been so busy with their son and the village's needs she had not had the chance to go and see her family. Maybe they should go back to Kagome's time a time without Koojii maybe they would be safer there. But that would mean he would be separated form them, and how would little part demon children be accepted in Kagome's time. He had always had to where a cap to cover his ears, when he would go through the bone eaters well. He knew that Kagome's family would accept the children but what about the rest of the world, at least in the futile era it was more common. But in Kagome's time it wasn't, they would probably have to stay in the house all the time, and not be able to have friends until they were old enough to conceal their differences. He couldn't do that to his children make them be confined just because they were different than others. They could tell the truth but then they would become test subjects for some crazy sigh yan tist or whatever Kagome called them.

When Shippo started asking questions about the girl, he got a smile on his face, "Damn Shippo, you just grew up and your already on the prowl", he laughed and as Kagome left he smiled. No the best place for his children was here, and with their father, he didn't want his children to grow up as he did, fatherless, confused and angry at a world that ridicules them.

shippo

'' Kuiku....?'' shippo looks at the door where she went back into the house completely ignoring Inuyahsa's comment. Meanwhile the twin boys end there eavesdropping and jump into the house through the open window.

'' hay bunny lady we need to get things strait. '' says one the other just waves slightly '' Hi ''. the other one jumps up on the table so that he's eye level with Kuiku. '' we heard what you said about the Big Boss. think he's hansom do ya well give it up lady that boss ain't gana fall for a cotton tailed servant girl.'' he say. the other on smiles with his hands behind his back yeah we've made sure to keep all the weird girls away form the big boss. because he our big boss and no one others big boss ? uhhh i think that's it goes anyway. ''

Kuiku blinked at the two fox tikes, "I didn't say your master was handsome my mother did", the other rabbit demon waived at the two young fox demons and chuckled. "And I'm sure your master would not appreciate you meddling in his personal life even if I did have feelings for him. Frankly I just met him so I can not say whether I like him or not, but in my opinion if I did it's none of your business", she turned on her heel with a basked of soiled laundry on her hip. Kuiku's mother chuckled "You are a lively pair aren't you, but you will find my daughter has a temper and you have raised her ire", she turned back to the stew she was preparing.

Kuiku walked to the small stream near by, she tied up her kimono and waded in the water. She started to wash the clothes on the rocks in the stream. She hummed a little tune to herself to try to get the rude little fox demons out of her mind. But she did have to admit that the fox demon was handsome. But she wasn't about to say that aloud for fear his little companions would pop up again.

Kuiku

((of course she isn't dressed like that but I loved her face. so imagine her in a kimono LOL))

shippo

a crying mushroom pops up on a log across form where Kuiku is washing laundry in the river shippo can see her through the teary eyes of the mushroom. shippo watches her thinking to himself. '' this is just like inuyahsa and sesshomaru letting some poor girl do all the work around. god forbid they lift a finger to do anything for them selves. I mean she's got and elderly mother she should be taking care of.''

even though shippo is seeing through the eyes of the mushroom he just appears to be napping on the fount porch. the twin fox tykes poke at shippo " ummm big boss helllooo. come on lets blow this joint and get back to planning a magor hist or something. shippo merely brushes his tail at the them. '' would guys leave me alone i'm busy alight.''

Kuiku sits up she swear she hears crying coming from somewhere, she shrugs and continues her work. Humming her little tune with now words or meaning, breeze blows by take her hair along with it. Flowing behind her like the stream she stands in, she stands and tucks a couple of strands behind her ear, sighing she takes the now clean, but wet clothing back into the wicker basket. Hefting it up she sets it on top of her head while holding one of the handles to help balance it she begins to make her way back to the house.

Inuyasha picks up his sleeping son, and steps over Shippo, the twin fox tikes sitting with a disappointed look on their faces. "You two need to find a different hobby other than watching him be lazy", he said as he went into the house. He could smell the stew cooking in the kitchen, and he could smell Kagome and the baby in their bedroom. She he decided to walk in quietly and set Inutaisho on one of the futons. Then he would have to find his brother to try to find out what their next move would be. He walked into the room to find Kagome asleep as well, the baby cuddled up next to her. He set his son next to his daughter and watched them for a short time, he then quietly slipped out of the room.

shippo

shippo gets up as kuiku is seen approaching the house leaving the twin boys to sulk. Shippo walks up to her ''mind if i help ya with one of those he hold out his hand smiling. ''I know what its like to have to carry all the dead weight around here.'' he chuckles as he takes one of the baskets without giving her a moment to refuse. " after you.''

one of the twins looks on in disgust '' awww he's totally blowing it. Come you a fox demon, a born prank master, dump the laundry on her head or something.'' he moans the other turns to his brother '' I don't know i think the bunny girls nmo was right maybe we should let leave them alone.'' the other responds outta the side of his mouth '' ahhhh shad up you don't know anything. I'm not gana let some Grown up tell me what to do.''

Kuiku smiled, "Oh thank you your so kind", she gladly took the assistance cause the clothes got so heavy when they were wet. "Just set them over here next to the drying line", she set her basket down and started putting clothes on. "So how are you connected to Kagome and Inuyasha. That you would come here to them when they are in such a state", she said.

shippo

shippo also starts to help put clothing on the line '' Well I met Inuyahsa back when I was just a kid. I thought I could steal they're shards of the sacred jewel to avenge my family who i lost to the once legendary Thunder Brother's. But as it turned out Inuyahsa took out both Hiten and Monten. and after that i Just sorta stayed with them. I mean I was orphaned and kagome was just so nice to me and all and I....'' he looks at Kuiku for a moment she even more beautiful up close. he swallowed hard then went back to what he was doing. '' Sorry Im setting Jabbering away heh, Inuyahsa always said i get annoying.''

"Oh your not annoying me I was born as a servant in lord Sesshomaru's castle so needless to say I haven't been out much. But I have never been mistreated by Lord Sesshomaru or my mother so I can't complain to much. Their are man who are servants to great Lords that are not so lucky to have a kind master", she said with a smile. "This war has been the most exciting thing to ever happen in my life so I don't mind hearing stories from others. But it's obvious you haven't been with them in some time so what have you been up to since now", she said encouraging him to continue with his story. She really didn't mind the company, it was nice to have someone to talk to and pass the time while she was working.

shippo

he smiles at her '' well after the deffeat of Naraku. I separated form Inuyahsa and the others. I was alone for a while. almost thought I was gana give up and go back. but then this human girl about my age at the time rescued me one day wile I was caught in a storm. she took me into her village where i started training my body. the only problem was I had to go under cover as a human. so I became quite the illusionist.'' shippo looks down at the ground. '' We.....we started to become close her and I......so much she offered her self to bare my child someday......'' he kinda sniffles a bit. '' but then her father some how found out i was a fox demon and I was forced to leave.'' he sighs and regains his composer. '' But then i met the twins and so we kinda did a prank or to.....just to keep my mind sharp and well. I realized that if war was on the rise then i should return to the only place left where I was needed. helping Inuyahsa and kagome in any way possible.''

"Are you sure it wasn't your two little friends, that told her father they've already spoke to me and they made it very clear that you were their boss and shouldn't think of taking you away", she said with a smile. "I just kidding I'm sure it wasn't them their just young and protective that all", she said as she picked up the empty baskets. "Thank you for the help and company", she waved as she went back into the house.

shippo

" yeah uh no problem chehe '' he watched her leave back into the house. and there he was alone again. '' Pshh nice going shippo.'' and so he went back and sat on the porch. while everyone else seemed worried about sesshomaru. the snotty brother of the twins gloats as the twin's watch form a shrub '' hehehe that's right little miss bun bun get lost. scratch one up for the boys back home heheh'' the other one shakes his head and disided not to say anything for fear of make an already bad situation worse.

Sesshōmaru had wandered quite a distance away from the others. He never cared for groupings all that much. The idea that numbers mattered was absurd. If you were weak, you were weak. That was all there was to it. No amount of ants could topple an elephant. He stood atop a precipice looking down over the vista of the small village that they had inhabited. The day was dying, calming down ad cooling off from a grueling summers eve. The wind was seeping through his luxurious and fine white hair, causing it sway.

But it was more than the view of the town that sent him up there. From this place, he could see far out across the lands. Not as far as his castle, but far enough to know if something on the horizon was aimed towards them. With nothing overt or overly concerning, he decided to make good o his word. He would stay with Rin this night. She seemed anxiously awaiting his presence though he had gone from her side many times in her life. Now she seemed like she could be away from him for any great length of time. Perhaps it had been the cataclysmic events that had unfolded and left them stranded in this village.

Whatever it was, he would stifle it this night. He began to make his way back to the village. It was actually fairly good distance away. While all you had to do was look over the edge and see the town, it was farther away than it seemed. It was perhaps thirteen miles down a wooded path he had climbed to look out.