Sesshoumaru Wept

:::The Art Of War Pt. 2:::

The battle raged for hours. With Sesshoumaru and Fukinmaru aiding, it took a minimal amount of time to flush Naraku out of his hiding place. However, every time one of the group contacted the slimy purple and black flesh of the hanyou with a weapon, the wound closed quickly, and they were back to square one. As he sliced through a tentacle
with Bakusaiga, Sesshoumaru noticed the humans moving more slowly. They were growing tired, and InuYasha was very, very angry. Fukinmaru closed in on the shapeshifter numerous times with his huge double-headed axe and sliced through his body only to have it regenerate repeatedly. They exchanged a confused look, but the large
dog continued attacking.

Sesshoumaru was becoming frustrated as well. A hanyou-of all things-would not defeat the Lord of the West! He removed himself and floated quietly above the fight, observing Naraku's patterns. A familiar pull on his spirit had Sesshoumaru narrowing his eyes dangerously at the evil half-demon, and he paid even closer attention to his attacks. A tentacle flew at Miroku. He ducked, and it hit Kagome's face, knocking her back several feet. Kirara spit a long stream of living fire at him, consuming half of his body, but it grew back within moments of being burned. The Wind Scar slipped in behind the fire and tore Naraku's body apart; the small pieces of purple goo began congealing back into his familiar form. A flicker in the aura of the dark hanyou caught Sesshoumaru's
attention, and he knew with certainty what they needed to do.

InuYasha started when Sesshoumaru landed abruptly next to him, sheathing Bakusaiga. InuYasha's first thought revolved around the possibility Sesshoumaru was really working with Naraku, but dismissed it when the full demon drew Tenseiga.

"Attack me with the Wind Scar," came the imperial order.

"What?" InuYasha whispered, confused. Sesshoumaru grabbed the lapel of the fire rat robe, pulled him face to face. Obviously his little brother needed encouragement.

"I didn't stutter, hanyou," he hissed. "Attack me!"

"With pleasure, asshole!" he replied and swung. His mind was in a battle frenzy and couldn't discern anything save the insult.

When the brothers began trading blows, Kagome and Miroku were shocked to find them fighting again and failed to pay attention to the immediate threat. A thick tentacle swept over the field, catching the miko and monk at their midsection and casually knocked them out of the way. Sango flung Hiraikotsu toward Naraku, then yelled over her shoulder: "InuYasha, I don't think we have time to fight amongst ourselves!"

InuYasha didn't hear her plea as he and Sesshoumaru battled violently, the lord maneuvering them a distance from Naraku. When it appeared InuYasha was holding back, Sesshoumaru began physically taunting him by getting just within striking range and leaping out at the last moment, Tessaiga slicing harmlessly through air. The rage in
InuYasha built until his eyes started flashing red, and finally (much to Sesshoumaru's relief) released an anger-induced Wind Scar directly at him. Sesshoumaru ceased his movement and stood perfectly still as the chaotic attack clawed its way to him over the barren field. InuYasha stopped his attack, staring in confusion at the elder dog, a creepy sense of deja vu washing over him, and the fine hairs on his nape rose in response. Sesshoumaru's heart was pounding in his ears, and the only thought in his head as the Wind Scar converged on him was oh please let this work...

Sesshoumaru held Tenseiga up before him and was engulfed in the roar and chaos of the Wind Scar. The hurricane force winds threatened to sweep him away but he stood firm, toes digging into the ground. It seemed like it seethed around him for an eternity, burning his sensitive nose and throat, cutting through nerve-laden skin, and all at once, it was over. He cracked his eyelids slowly, and before him, Tenseiga glowed a deep blue. With a feral smile, he faced Naraku and swung Tenseiga downward twice: the first cut seemed to leave a gaping hole in midair, and the second released the blue charge at their nemesis. The solid line of energy racing toward Naraku shattered to innumerable bolts of lightning as it entered through the hole and picked up speed. It connected with the evil
hanyou, and he screamed as the illusion he held dissipated, leaving him curled in on himself on the ground. Sesshoumaru stepped through the hole Tenseiga created and grabbed Naraku by his hair, and dragged the limp body back through.

"How did you know to do that?" InuYasha asked, no small amount of awe in his voice.

"It was a hunch," he said, shrugging. "We couldn't touch him. Fukinmaru's attacks are much stronger than Naraku's defenses could ever hope to be but they weren't affecting him at all."

"So, what are we going to do with him?" Fukinmaru asked, folding his arms across his chest.

Sesshoumaru grinned ferally.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX


The three dog demons surveyed the bloody battlefield. Sayoko sighed. Humans could be so stubborn (surely it was one of the reasons her late mate was so fascinated with them) but this was fanatical. Sometimes they didn't know when to gracefully surrender to fight again another day. Soft conversation met her pointed ears, and she turned to look at her two middle children.

"Kon," she said with a smirk on her face, "since when do you eat pups?"

The regal alpha male drew himself up to his full height with a disgusted look on his face. "I would never eat a pup. You know this, mother. Human whelps, however, are another matter entirely."

Sayoko burst out laughing, knowing very well the eldest twin was disgusted by eating any meat whatsoever. As a pup, he survived on her blood, and as he grew, the aversion only became stronger. But there were advantages to consuming only blood even the West's very talented healer hadn't anticipated. Kon was one of the fastest dog
demons to ever live, and his reflexes were swift and deadly.

"What shall we do with the human leader?" Haku asked, nodding at the severed head of Hideyoshi. Kon knelt beside it, staring at the horrified expression frozen forever on the greying flesh. He lifted it by the long black braid.

"Hn. I believe it will be a homecoming gift for our new lord."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

The cherry tree forest housing Sakuraji rose eerily through the early morning mist. The sun's rays pierced through the less dense patches, sending sentinel-like shadows ahead of the mismatched group of travelers approaching from the east. Sesshoumaru led the group across the sky with Naraku firmly wrapped in both mokomoko. He could feel
the guards at the castle expand their auras tentatively at the sheer concentrate of dog demon youkai approaching, pulling back when they recognized the Western Lord's return. They landed some distance away from Mokurenou. While nothing surprised the old tree demon, Sesshoumaru was polite to the temple's guardian and made it a habit to not
suddenly appear without warning. The motley troupe followed behind him in single file, and he covertly observed InuYasha's reactions to the grove.

InuYasha couldn't stop staring around at the beautiful asymmetry the gardeners had captured. He knew his mouth was gaping, but he didn't care. The trees were ancient, far more ancient than any others he'd seen in his travels. They must have been planted thousands of years before. His brow furrowed in consideration. Just how long had his family held these lands? Kagome's light touch brought him out of his wonder slightly.

"InuYasha," she whispered (for it must certainly be sacrilege to speak above a whisper), "this is incredible."

"It is," he agreed, nodding.

He stopped beside one of the gnarled trunks, wrapping his arm around Kagome's waist, and grabbed a low-lying branch. With great care to not break it, he shook the thick branch and petals filled the air. The two of them laughed, childlike, amid the swirling petals, and their laughter spiraled through Sesshoumaru's spirit, seeming to lighten his burden just by its very existence. The vision of InuYasha and Kagome standing under the tree brought a hard lump to his throat as he recalled Izayoi and Touga standing under them and doing the same thing, simply to see the pleasure on their young children's faces. Memories of uncomplicated times with his family cluttered his head, and Sesshoumaru couldn't help but stare at the youngest of the inu clan with a genuine half-smile on his face. The pup sensed he was being watched, and their eyes met, the smile not wavering. Tentatively, InuYasha gave a half-smile of his own to his older brother.

"We are at once too old and much, much too young," Fukinmaru said softly to Sesshoumaru, watching the antics of the pups. They grabbed handfuls of the fallen petals and began throwing them at each other, running in and out between the trunks.

"He loves her," Sesshoumaru stated. Fukinmaru nodded in agreement.

"He does indeed," he said, then gave Sesshoumaru a sly look. "Will you mate her as well?"

Sesshoumaru snorted. "I would mate this abomination," he indicated Naraku,"if it would make him happy."

Fukinmaru smirked, then leapt forward, shape shifting into a smaller version of his true form. He ran under the tree with InuYasha and Kagome and sent a hard blast of air up the trunk. Petals exploded in the air and it snowed pink all around them. After being invited into their play and politely, but firmly, refusing ("under no circumstances whatsoever does this Sesshoumaru frolic"... said with his golden eyes glittering with mirth), he continued on to greet Mokurenou.

"Hello, youngling," the tree demon said.

"Mokurenou, godfather," Sesshoumaru replied, nodding his head at the elder demon.

"Do I hear InuYasha's voice? Did you bring my other god nephew home?"

"I did, indeed," the Lord said softly. "I managed to capture his spirit back from Anubis. But I have yet to figure out how to reunite him with it."

The elder looked thoughtful, and Sesshoumaru got the impression of him nodding.

"You will find the answer in time. Of that I have no doubt."

"Thank you, godfather," he said, bowing at his waist, the gesture of great respect not lost on the tree. As Sesshoumaru straightened, the others came down the path toward Sakuraji, and InuYasha halted in his tracks when he saw Mokurenou.

"Godfather," Fukinmaru said, his voice holding much affection for the tree. "It is good to see you once more."

"Fukinmaru! You have returned," Mokurenou exclaimed. "Do you plan on finally settling down in Japan?"

"I will stay this time," he said, nodding. "I grow weary of walking the world without my pack. I have missed our talks, and I hope to make up for lost time."

Fukinmaru stepped aside as InuYasha approached.

"InuYasha," Sesshoumaru said, "this is Mokurenou. You have met Bokusenou. They are distantly related. Our family has protected theirs for thousands of years, and in return, they are valuable allies. As with Bokusenou, Mokurenou is also your godfather."

InuYasha mouthed the word "godfather", no sound emerging as he approached the demon tree. The golden eyes were wide and bright with emotion.

"G-Godfather," InuYasha said when his voice returned.

"InuYasha," the gentle voice came, "it is good to see you once more. The last time these eyes saw you, you were but a pup still in Izayoi's arms. When you get settled, please come and speak with me. I have much to share with you."

He nodded vigorously. "I will godfather. And thank you."

"Thank you, pup, for bringing happiness back to the West," Mokurenou replied. "Too long have we been without."

The blue barricade faded and disappeared, allowing the group to enter the zendou.