A Not So Feudal and Very Fairy Tale

Title: A Not So Feudal and Very Fairy Tale
Author: temptingping
Summary: How Sesshomaru learned to love.

Rating: NC-17, future chapters
Pairing(s): SessxKoga
Feedback: desired.
Betas: All mistakes are mine to make and yours to point out.

Author’s notes: Character death at beginning, sorry Rin fans but it’s a catalyst for the story.

Takes place years after the anime ends. All the comments on what happened to the other characters over the years are based on my imagination only. Characters are AU and take this with the humor in which it was written.

A picture of Sesshomaru in his garden can be found here http://yaoi.y-gallery.net/view/109595/

This story will be only about five chapters and I promise to never leave you hanging.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and am not making any money off of this story.

A Not So Feudal and Very Fairy Tale


He sat on the crest of a hill, the sun beating down warmly on him. It was unusual that he would tarry thus, but he didn’t mind as the years had softened him, if only slightly. Caring for another was still a foreign concept, but he acknowledged that there were certain things that one just did because one should.

Beautiful and graceful he always had an aura of deadly power held in check. Now he relaxed in the grass waiting, his long white clad legs crossed at the ankle. Lying next to him was his long time companion.

She could see very little, her eyes dim with age saw only silky white hair billowing on the wind, accented against the bright blue of the sky. She drank in the sight of him, it still made her heart beat faster and she sighed content to be by his side.

Her hand, the skin wrinkled and papery crept into his. He held it because that seemed to help her and she expected it, gripping his weakly.

The wind picked up strands of his hair and blew it gently around her face, it brushed over her body and she caught at a stray lock fingering it, remembering the years that stretched behind her.

“Please…do one thing.” Her voice was a whisper.

“What is it? You know I’ll do it if I can.” Sesshomaru answered without looking down. His gaze moved slowly over the horizon sensing something that stirred in the distance.

“Let yourself love.” She pleaded; emotion and years of regret making her voice thick.

Surprised at her request he was silent for a long moment.

“I’m not sure I can.” Golden eyes flicked down and met her dark ones, still so clear yet failing all the same. Her breath slowed and each word became an effort. Her last thoughts were of him, the center of her world.

“Just…try and when you do find someone to love, don’t…let…go.”

Her breath left her body with her life on a sigh, barely breathed but heard nonetheless. He placed her hand on her chest and remained seated next to her watching the wind chase the clouds across the sky.

“Rin.” He said softly, and looked at the frail body seeing not the old woman but the young barefoot girl who always followed him. Something stretched inside him, but years of putting everyone at an emotional distance left him with powerful barriers that wouldn’t easily break.

Time had flowed at a merciless pace. Almost all the humans he had come to know through association with his half-brother were dead now. The demons remained; a constant source of annoyance long-lived and fierce.

Rin had been a good companion, one that he had begun missing many years ago as youth, beauty and health faded from her. The aged, shrunken shell next to him was not the Rin he had allowed to follow him. But love, she had always sought it from him and he was quite incapable of returning it. The idea of love teased at his mind occasionally but was quickly dismissed as an inferior emotion suited only for inferior beings.

It was ridiculous the emphasis humans put on such trivial emotions. As far back as he could remember he had never even been tempted by passion.

“My Lord! How long are you going to sit there?” Jaken’s wail carried up the hill.

Sesshomaru gracefully rose and walked down the hill without looking back.

“But, but, you can’t just leave her there! She’ll be eaten by wild animals!” Jaken had remained at the foot of the hill while Sesshomaru carried Rin up to the top. It had been her wish, to see the whole valley spread below and feel the sun one last time.

One black clad foot paused and in a whirl of white and red silks Sesshomaru flicked out his light whip, the lash carved into the hilltop. Earth and rock flew into the air in a swirling maelstrom coming to settle back down and covering the summit in a layer of rock and rubble.

The forest had already swallowed the tall, white haired demon and Jaken left behind again; hurried to catch up.

>>>>>>>

Lord Sesshomaru’s castle fortress, floated in the sky shrouded by mist. To anyone looking at it from below it looked like a cloud formation. There were several ways demons traveled to and from the fortress, the main one used by Sesshomaru was the chariot pulled by Ah and Un. He could also form a cloud that would float him in the sky.

The castle itself was light and beautiful, it was Sesshomaru’s first acquisition on his quest for power hundreds of years ago.

The main part of the castle was designed in a series of concentric squares with rooms that served as servant’s quarters forming the outer ring. Then there were hallways, more rooms and finally the open center of the castle.

The center square was a large, roughly six-acre garden filled with walkways, ponds, and a teahouse. The garden was breathtakingly beautiful with waterfalls and fish that swam amid lush plants. Delicate ferns and flowers graced the edges of the pond.

All the rooms bordering the garden were for Sesshomaru’s personal use. Sliding screens separated the rooms, and allowed him to change their size and functionality as he wished.

Heavy dark wood beams arced up from the floor and extended like tree branches across the ceiling in the interior. Sconces were mounted along the interior providing light.

Sesshomaru stepped out onto the raised covered porch that ran along the entire circumference of the inner house ringing the garden area. This was his favorite part of the house and he sat, as was his custom with his back to one of the support posts, one leg swinging lazily off the edge of the porch.

He had just finished his workout so he was barefoot and clad only in loose pants. His bare chest gleamed with sweat that never dampened his hair.

Rin used to say that the hair of such a demon as he wouldn’t dare be anything other than perfect. There may have been some truth to that as it never tangled and dried in smooth waves within seconds of his leaving the bath.

His eyes closed and he leaned his head back listening to the small sounds of life with in his garden. Shades of Rin echoed throughout the house. Sometimes he felt that he saw her elfin face peering through the grasses while she chased a fat bug. It was so still and quiet now, as it had been for years and he felt hollow inside.

This day, as all the others; stretched before him ripe with possibilities. Sesshomaru settled back against the post content to do nothing.

The sun shone warmly on him; occasionally he heard the droning of a bee and the flick of water as a fish snapped at an insect. Dragonfly’s flitted about their business, butterfly’s fluttered and Sesshomaru snorted in disgust when he felt the aura of a familiar demon approaching. His interest stirred faintly.

“My lord a visitor.” Jaken’s voice accompanied the sound of the door opening and closing.

Koga entered the room silently and passed through the study. He had only been here one other time, and that was long ago. He walked slowly and took his time looking around the room. The aristocratic assassin lived in a very different style than the wolf demon tribe.

Koga silently shook his head as he tried to imagine his folk living in such splendor. Shit, they’d all probably trash the place within a day. The place would stink of wolf instead of smelling like dog as it did now. He couldn’t help but grin at the thought of what his wolves would do to this immaculate garden.

Koga padded about Sesshomaru’s study, examining the things on his desk and occasionally picking up something that struck his fancy. He fingered one bamboo brush and hastily wiped a smudge of ink from his hand. He glanced up with a startled, guilty expression but Jaken was long gone.

Besides the desk, there was a sword rack and a storage chest with many interesting, tiny, little drawers. Koga would have loved to spend the afternoon poking around such fascinating things. With regret he turned to the open door and the porch.

He had seen Sesshomaru seated at the edge of the porch with his head back and his eyes closed when he entered the room. The arrogance of the dog demon just ruffled Koga’s scruff and made him want to cause trouble in this too neat and clean house. Would it kill Sesshomaru to actually look at him, maybe say something in greeting?

The white haired demon didn’t stir or move even though he had to know Koga was present. Koga rolled his eyes and finally moved onto the porch.

He stood waiting for Sesshomaru’s notice, refusing to put up with the demon’s irritating games. Koga leaned against the wall and crossed his arms on his chest, determined to out wait the blond.

His dark eyes gleamed like a predator’s sensing prey, as he stood motionless. Actually, it gave him a chance to admire the view-one that he didn’t get to enjoy very often.

With his chest bare and head back Sesshomaru really did look delicious. All sorts of illicit thoughts ran yipping through Koga’s head as he took in the lean, powerful frame relaxing at his feet.

He watched the smooth flow of muscle contract as one long leg swung to and fro just above the ground. Koga’s tongue darted out to lick his lips; he hoped he wasn’t salivating too much.

It was a shame such an attractive package was wrapped in a deadly and icy exterior. Inuyasha’s older brother had not mellowed or softened much over the years. He kept everyone at arm’s length and as long as Koga had known him had never had anything close to a personal relationship. Gods, could there be anyone more repressed or in need of a good romp in the sack? Koga’s eyes gleamed wickedly at that thought.

“So.” Sesshomaru broke first, unable to keep his eyes closed to the silent wolf demon any longer. He could feel the younger demons aura swirling with energy and impatience.

“I smelled something very interesting today.” Koga squatted on the porch and looked out over the garden. It really was quiet beautiful.

The white haired demon inclined his head silently and arched a brow as if to say so what. He caught the excitement in Koga’s telling dark glance that waited for him to figure out what was going on.

“Naraku!” Sesshomaru hissed, that was one of the few things that would bring Koga to his castle.

It had taken all of them working together to finally defeat him many years ago. It had been quite a battle; one that ended with Naraku defeated and a pure, whole Shikon jewel in Kagome’s possession.

Sesshomaru had saved Kohaku with Tenseiga when Sango pulled the shard from his back

Koga had lost the shards in his legs, but didn’t seem to miss them much. He still retained much of the additional speed and strength that the shards had given him.

He was a powerful demon, one of the few that Sesshomaru could tolerate for any length of time and not one he wished as an adversary. Sesshomaru turned his attention back to the lean, dark haired figure.

“Not him, but an incarnation maybe. One that we missed, there was something odd about it. Very powerful, it made the hair on my neck stand up.” Koga gave a mock shiver, “Ugh!”

“So you came to me for help.”

“Uh…well, yeah. I’m no fool.” Koga agreed swiftly, perhaps a little too fast.

“You went to Inuyasha first.” Sesshomaru stated flatly. His eyes narrowed as he contemplated his half-brother. Although he no longer wanted to kill him or take his sword nothing could irritate him quicker than thoughts of the half-breed.

“So, ready to go out and finish it off?” Koga continued brightly, refusing to confirm Sesshomaru’s suspicions, he was not about to feed the taller demon’s competitive nature.

“Hn.” Sesshomaru stood and ran a hand across his chest, the sweat had dried but there was no point in bathing. Still he didn’t like dressing while he felt dirty.

Koga’s dark eyes couldn’t help but follow the other demon’s pale hand as it traveled over his broad chest. Lust flared and flooded through him in an uncomfortable wave. Koga snorted with disgust and turned away. He wasn’t about to stand here and watch the man flaunt his body. Gods! What arrogance!

“I’ll wait at the main door.” Koga snapped and whirled off to the outer courtyard.

Sesshomaru nodded, used to the wolf’s abrupt ways and went in to change.

Finally dressed in his usual white and red silks, long white fur trailing behind; he strode through the halls and out to where Koga waited.

With a wave of his hand a mist formed and coalesced around his feet raising him into the air. Sesshomaru stood at the front, not bothering to see if the wolf demon jumped on or not.

Koga rolled his eyes at the theatrics but climbed on the now solid looking cloud.

“Isn’t the imp coming?” Koga asked, only slightly curious.

“No, Jaken is my major domo and in charge of this castle now.” Sesshomaru replied as they rose in the air.

“That’s no great loss.” Koga flopped down gracelessly behind Sesshomaru. “Wake me when we get there.” He yawned and folded his arms behind his head.

Sesshomaru turned back to look at his passenger, his hair fluttering in the wind. Sharp gold eyes pinned the wolf with a narrow gaze, “Exactly where is there?”

Koga rose up on one elbow and waved a hand westward, “Head towards the mountains and then follow your nose. You do remember his scent don’t you? You just take a deep breath and inhale. When you smell something foul that would be it.”

“Further comments from you are unnecessary.” Sesshomaru deadpanned, suddenly reminded why he lived alone and allowed no other demons in his castle except for the servants.

“Just trying to do my job.” Koga leaned back and closed his eyes; he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Baiting the dog demon was just too much fun. Now, if tall and gorgeous wasn’t such a prick he might be inclined to visit him more often.

It had been years since he last saw Sesshomaru and then they had been fighting some demon horde or another. He really couldn’t remember, only that all the gang had been there and that it had been Kagome’s last battle.

She had aged well, but still she was clearly past the days of her youth. If he remembered rightly there were children or something like that.

Koga must have dozed off; he woke with a start Naraku’s scent thick in his nostrils. Then he dropped to the ground with a hard thump as the cloud suddenly dissipated.

“Hey! Some warning next time!” He yelled.

“Oh didn’t I tell you? We’ve arrived.” Sesshomaru answered dryly as he looked through the forest clearing.

Koga growled and rubbed his backside, he could swear Sesshomaru was taking an odd delight in irritating him. There might even have been a trace of laughter shimmering somewhere in those golden depths. But he knew the blond wasn’t capable of laughter and certainly did not possess a sense of humor.

Koga took the lead as they circled around through the forest. He looked back several times catching the odd glimpse of white often enough to assure him that Sesshomaru was still with him. The trees thinned out before the base of a mountain.

In front of him was a wide opening, a fissure that ran vertically up through sheer rock face. It was screened by moss and thick vines, which hung down hiding the interior from view. The demon’s stench was strongest at this point.

Koga paused at the edge of the forest. He waited for Sesshomaru to join him, thinking that a quick conference on how to best tackle the problem was a good idea.

The hair on his neck stood up and all his senses prickled. The inner wolf was screaming at him to run, that this was no demon that he should be messing with.

All insect and bird sounds went suddenly quiet and the moss draping the entrance fluttered even though there was no wind. Every muscle in Koga’s body tightened in preparation for battle. He heard a faint whisper in the leaves and sensed Sesshomaru’s approach.

Sesshomaru moved silently up past Koga and strode arrogantly toward the fissure. Thus missing the stunned and then annoyed expressions that flitted across Koga’s face.

Sesshomaru paused at the entrance, his hand on Tenseiga’s hilt. A faint frown marred perfectly arched brows and the dog demon hesitated thoughtfully. He could feel the demon inside and for once the wimpy wolf was right it felt…oddly familiar.

There was a high-pitched whistling sound and a large tentacle snapped out. It grabbed Sesshomaru around the waist and pulled him into the fissure.

Koga lunged forward with a yell that turned into a yelp as another tentacle curled around his waist. He was pulled forward in a dizzy green rush that changed rapidly to black. He saw the walls of the cavern as dark flashes, barely visible as the tentacle waved him wildly about.

Sesshomaru tore through the thick tentacle circling his waist with his poison claws and hopped back out of the way. They were in a large cavern filled with many waving tentacle arms. The demon was huge, as only its arms writhed through passages, tunnels and cracks to fill the cave. The main body was back in the deeper reaches of the cave system.

The tentacles snapped and probed searching for prey. Sesshomaru lunged forward slashing through several of the arms. They dripped and spurted a noxious miasma and soon the cavern was filled with poison gas.

Koga tore into the arm holding him while it smashed him up against the wall. The breath left his body and he fell to the ground. Koga jumped up and whirled around. He launched into a flying kick aimed at one of the larger arms.

“Prepare yourself!” He yelled as he sped towards the tentacle.

Across the cavern Sesshomaru snorted and slashed down with powerful claws. The sweeping blow sent large chunks of demon flesh and slime to rain down on the two fighters. Their clothes sizzled as the acidic flesh spattered them.

Koga snarled and whirled toward another tentacle. He slipped in the mess and skidded right into it. The arm bit into him as it wrapped around his waist and began beating him against the floor.

Sesshomaru’s quick glance over at the wolf was enough to tell him that Koga was more than a little busy.

“Playtime is over! Now die!” Sesshomaru hissed moving even faster than before.

He slashed through more of the creature; both of them had inflicted considerable damage on the arms. The creature had enough and pulled its remaining arms back down the tunnels dragging Koga with it.

Sesshomaru darted after him, racing down the tunnel that opened into a huge cavern. He skidded to a stop at the edge of a precipice. The cavern ceiling soared above him, the interior much larger than he thought it could be.

Paused on the edge, Sesshomaru looked down into the far darkness below. A howling wind whipped up from the thrashing tentacles causing his hair to whirl around his face. He stood immobile as the tentacles waved madly, swishing through the air around him.

Below the toes of his black boots, Sesshomaru caught sight of Koga clinging to the edge to the precipice. He looked down and spoke quickly to the wolf demon.

“Pitiful! Go ahead and rest, I’ll handle this myself!” Sesshomaru turned and attacked the waving arms.

Koga hauled himself up onto the ledge and rolled shakily to his knees. Breathing heavily he panted trying to catch his breath. A large tentacle hovered briefly over him and then lunged forward, knifing towards him with amazing speed.

Koga surged to his feet.

Sesshomaru also moved forward and grabbed the wolf demon slinging him over his shoulder. The tentacle whistled past missing both of them. Sesshomaru hopped back, landing at the edge of the precipice.

The tentacles converged, swinging at his head and darting in from the side. He raised his arm to block them and felt something impact against his back. The blast tore across his arm and lower body, it spun him off balance. Sesshomaru fought for purchase and lost, his foot slipped off the edge.

Black hair mingled with white as the two demons fell off the ledge and into the darkness below.