Under a Silver Moon

 

 I do not own Inuyasha, any associated Characters or rights to the material. I do own my original characters and plot lines so I'll thank you not to use them without permission. I make no profit from these writings which are purely for entertainment.

Chapter One - Preparation



The world is not the same. It never is, it is a constant living thing. Thriving on the machinations of its inhabitants to grow and change. Time raises kings only to topple them, the powerful lose power. So it was with demons, youkai.



They had held sway over humanity from the dawn of time, but that too changed. They did not vanish, did not die out. They simply stepped backwards, into the shadows of the evolving world. Charms were used to conceal who and what they were, allowing them to move within mortal ruled circles. But youkai are not human, no matter that they pretend.



Instinct, like the wayward vines of some blossoming plant, work their way to the surface. Poking through the facade of humanity. The high council decided that something must be done to alleviate the inner turmoil of the demonic masses. Hence was the birth of the great masquerade ball. One night each year, youkai flocked to an aged theater and there, without charms, moved freely among humans.



Humans. Like cattle they came, dressed to the nines, tripping over themselves to attend this great magical party. Little did they know what it was. For the most part, those people who came, left unharmed, eager to return again. The demons content to sap small amounts of energy from the thrumming crowds, perhaps a mouthful of blood here or there. Nothing too flashy.



So it was that the Alliance was founded, half youkai, half miko. The two sides kept close watch on the other, insuring that on one, ever had more leverage. It had been a hard battle to see it done, but once in place the council had ruled.



Some came to hunt, some to play, others to simply be as they were meant to. All in all, it was a social gathering and both worlds moved against the other with little friction. Of courses there were always exceptions. Lower level demons, often lost control and killed or injured an unsuspecting human. This was always dealt with promptly.



The keeper, as the youkai had dubbed him. He was a human who was no longer mortal, his acceptance of youkai allowing him the gift of eternity...at a price. Each year he arranged this extravagant affair, saw to the well-being of everyone within the walls, and cleaned up any...accidents. It was not a job to be envied, but he managed it all quite well.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Sesshoumaru peered out the tall window of his home, the rainy night was heavy and dark. Just as he liked them. His silver hair was caught in his usual tie at the base of his neck and his tailored suit, fit the perfect lines of his form. A glance at the clock on the mantle told him what he already knew. His guest was late. An unusual occurrence to be sure.



"My lord", came the gravelly voice of his retainer and cool golden eyes slid to the greenish imp in the corner. "What is it Jaken?". His smooth baritone cut through the space like a lethal blade.



The imp bowed at once, "Your guest has not yet arrived" he pointed out, "Shall I contact him?". Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he turned back to the window, there in the wetness of the air was the barest hint of a scent. "No, you may leave Jaken" he commanded, keeping his eyes on the puddles in his drive.



From the shadows, the gleam of golden eyes met his and he allowed the heavy drapes to fall into place. He turned and took his place behind the massive mahogany desk. He steepled his elegant fingers and waited.



Seconds ticked by, each tiny sound of the clock grating on the lord's nerves. Yet, he remained, stoic and still. Until the faintest sound beyond the door drew his attention. The dark panel of wood swung wide to reveal his oldest and perhaps only true friend. The only other demon powerful enough to not seek his fall. He quirked a silver brow at the other and grunted, "Youko".



The silver fox flashed a rare half smile and stepped inside the light of the room and closed the door behind him. "No fangs for my delay?" he asked, sarcasm his greatest source of amusement. Sesshoumaru growled softly, "You are late, something that has not occurred before to my extensive knowledge".



Youko nodded, moving to sit opposite the dog lord. "This is true" he admitted, "But then the theater is not a small area to search and your enemies are not above using the methods of humans to see you fall". At this Sesshoumaru lowered his hands, "And?" he prompted.



The fox shook his head, "Nothing" he reported, "Not this time. I think that your rage after the attempt in Paris has shaken the resolve of lesser beings". He chuckled then, recalling the incredible outpouring of wrath from the sedate male before him. Sesshoumaru, the great mystery.



Said male rose and went to the window, "You reviewed the lists of those slated to attend?" Again Youko nodded. Sesshoumaru didn't have to look at him, he sensed the other's agreement, "And they match mine?". Again, a nod. The barest hint of movement. "There is only one who would be fool enough to attempt an open challenge" Youko mused, "And even he, dimwitted as he is, is not suicidal".



Sesshoumaru turned to face him again, "And the mikos?". Youko grunted, "They will have a handful of agents there to make certain that we youkai abide by the rules of the council. Sesshoumaru grunted, yes, he knew that much. Shiziru, the head miko of the Wing organization had sent such tidings to his office. Between the two of them, they kept the Alliance equal.



Youko let his gaze wander over the other for several silent moments, before his nature got the better of him. “That old miko” he said then, “I think that she fancies you”. An old taunt. Sesshoumaru grunted, “Likely” he agreed, “There are those who say that I am not without my appeal”.



Youko arched a brow, “Hn. The ones that admire you from afar” he pointed out. Sesshoumaru glanced at him, “One cannot be as free as you are Youko. Is there anyone, anything that you haven’t bedded?”. The fox took some delight in that question, “There are many my lord, you must admit that my own standards while not as impossible as yours, are still quite high, and those I find worthy, I unerringly find again”.



Sesshoumaru made a sound of noncommittal and strode from the room. “I shall see you tomorrow then, at the ball” Youko called after him. The western lord nodded as he passed and continued on to his private chambers “Unfortunately”. Youko sighed softly, “She would not have wanted this” he murmured but the lord moved onward.



The ball. They were always hard for him. The press of so many, the unshackling of his beast. If he were allowed to do so, he’d not attend them, not ever. The last one he could recall not minding had been centuries ago. With her.



His golden eyes slid to the wall, where a large portrait hung. A portrait of himself and there on his arm, was the only person who had ever really mattered to him. Rin, the child he had never had. How she had loved the ball. The finery, the color, the excitement of it all. A magical world in itself and for her sake he had borne them gracefully.



But time had passed, and she had aged, slower than a normal human true. Centuries of life had swept passed her and in the end, her heart had grown tired. She was his child and no man would ever live up to her expectations of him. She had shunned the arms of men, preferring to live without that love, than live with a mockery of it.



Sesshoumaru had often urged her to let loose her silly ideals and find someone. She had refused. Saying to the very end that if no man could inspire feelings in her then she would keep her heart a haven for only him, her beloved father. But humans, even long lived ones, are not meant to live such. They cannot bear that deep loneliness as youkai did.



So she had faded, and then one day, she was gone. Leaving Sesshoumaru alone in a world that seemed darker and colder. Life went on without her, but she was mourned. Few understood how deeply. Youko did. He’d seen the great Taiyoukai slaughter his healers for failing her, watched him cradle the body of his human ward and heartfelt child for days in the somber silence of her rooms.



Only when death’s hand began to mar her lovely face, did he relent and then with his own two hands, he had washed her body, dressed her as the princess of the west and dug her grave. He had snarled viciously when Youko lifted her small form and laid it gently in the marble coffin. His eyes had bled fierce red as the heavy slab was slid into place, blocking the light from her forever.



He’d accepted no assistance when he lifted the stone and nestled it gently in the arms of the earth. He’d painstakingly covered her, each handful more difficult to place than the last. It was the only time he had ever lost his icy demeanor and all but two, who witnessed it were sent to join her in that world beyond.



Sesshoumaru looked up at her rosy cheeks, her eyes sparkling with such happiness and life. Clawed fingertips trailed over the canvas lovingly, “My Rin. If only you’d not left me here” he whispered.

 

Outside the soft patter of the rain went on.