The Herald of Heaven and Earth

Chapter 12: Respect

*Continued OFB (Original Flashback)*

Sesshoumaru had just returned from a great war against the ruthless panther tribe. Though they had been victorious, many fine warriors had been slain and he had felt the loss. He sat in the huge study of his castle and ran the events of the battle through his head once more. “If only Inuyasha had not been so foolish, letting himself succumb to the curse of a priestess, he could have aided in the battle. More lives would have been spared if not for his weakness for love,” he thought angrily. Just then a knock at the door jarred him from his mental diatribe.

“Enter,” he growled, letting some poison drip from his claws.

The huge door which would have taken six servants to push, swung forcefully open. In strode a handsome, extremely tall, regal demon. His eyes were a piercing ice blue. On his cheeks were two black stripes that stood out starkly against his skin, a pale color, which was almost a pearly luminescent. His pale blue hair hung long past his knees except for the black bow that was tied a third of the way down and secured the luxuriant tresses. He was adorned in a black Kimono that had his family’s crest and sakura blossoms woven into the decadent fabric, which were colored blue to match his eyes. Around his waist was tied a silky silver obi that glimmered with his breastplate and silver hilts of the two heavy battle axes that hung at his waist. The only thing that marred his beauty was a vertical line of a healed scar that ran down over his right eye and cheek. He seemed to fill the doorway with a commanding presence and he exuded power.

“What do you want Northern Lord,” Sesshoumaru asked him condescendingly.

Growling at the insolence of the younger demon, the elder Taiyoukai stalked toward him. Sesshoumaru rose to his feet and gazed up into cold blue eyes. The irritated demon stood a full foot over Sesshoumaru and he was a huge muscular build compared to the lithe muscular form of the young demon Lord.

“You will show me respect pup,” he rumbled in a smooth baritone timbre. No one could infuriate him more than this little arrogant whelp who constantly felt the need to challenge him.

“This Sesshoumaru is not a pup. And I show respect to those who have earned it, not because of a long decayed friendship with my father.” Sesshoumaru answered quietly.

Kubaksuru pulled his outrage back into the confines of his being. He was the one who had trained Sesshoumaru to control his emotions and he knew that the young demon was trying to bait him.

“Fine then, you say you are not a pup, and that one must earn respect from you?” He said softly with a smirk as he lowered his eyes. “What say I earn it then?”

Sesshoumaru barely had time to withdraw Tenseiga when Kubaksuru flew toward him. A melody of metallic rings shook the study. The two battle axes which the tiger wielded seemed to enlarge and two dark blue streamers trailed out of the bindings around the hilts. Sesshoumaru found himself being pushed back as Kubaksuru held the axes crossed in front of him, shielding his godson’s blows.

“I’ve always tried to get through to you when your father died, and perhaps I was too lenient. Letting you wallow in your hate and bitterness,” He said as he lunged forward throwing Sesshoumaru back. “I do this for your own good Godson.”

Furious at Kubaksuru’s use of his informal title towards him, Sesshoumaru arose from the floor and sped toward the source of his rage. Scrolls and books that were laid around on tables began to create a whirlwind of paper around the two fighting figures as Sesshoumaru slashed at Kubaksuru. He was becoming more infuriated by the minute because the thrice damned demon would block, parry, and evade every stroke that came from him.

Kubaksuru was filled with alarm at how careless Sesshoumaru was being. In all the years that he had watched over the pup he had never seen him become so blinded by rage that it affected his fighting. Ever since Sesshoumaru had been born he had been trained to reflect the meaning of his name “The Killing Perfection” but now, with the serious flaws and loss of control, Kubaksuru knew that if he had really intended to kill Sesshoumaru he could have, easily.

“Why are you doing this, Sesshoumaru,” he growled. “Do you hate me so much that you would fight so carelessly?”

This statement seemed to draw Sesshoumaru to a new form of his anger and Kubaksuru watched as his eyes began to turn red and his silver hair began to swirl around his body.

“No you don’t,” Kubaksuru hissed as he charged him, pushing him backwards and through the huge glass window behind them so that they both toppled to the ground into the courtyard below.

When they hit the ground, the elder being a feline, landed on his feet. Sesshoumaru had fallen to his hands and knees but his hair continued to rise eerily around his prostrate form. Kubaksuru could feel the rise in power and knew that there was no stopping now. Sesshoumaru had raised his head and his eyes no longer held a trace of gold, they were a murderous red. With a howl he exploded into his beast form.

Kubaksuru stared at the familiar looking beast, and shook his head. “You look so much like my old friend, but you could never understand the power and love your father held.”

Sesshoumaru began to growl as he watched the smaller figure burst into silver flames and there stood towering over him slightly was a sleek white tiger. The tiger’s several thick tails lashed angrily as it awaited its opponent’s attack. The dog demon let loose a feral bark as he eyed the feline and he lunged at its throat.