Remember Me

Chapter 14

Sesshomaru and Rin returned four days later from his meeting with the lord of the eastern
lands. The expression on his face was not encouraging. He sighed as he stared at
the anxious faces of the others. He sat at the table waiting as the others joined
him. In his circle of friends he could trust was Yoko, Master Rei, Shirow, Miroku,
Sango, Koga, Jaken, Rin and Shippo.

"Well Lord Sesshomaru, will the eastern lord aid us?" asked Sango.

The dog demon sighed. "No, he will not help us. He says that this is not his fight."

"That's ridiculous," said Miroku upset. "Doesn't he know that Ryuukotsusei will come
for his lands next."

"He seems to think that the dragon won't attack him since it’s been a little over
eleven years since he took the west."

"You told him about Naraku right," said Koga. "Just because Ryuukotsusei doesn't attack
doesn't mean Naraku won't."

"He's under the impression that the dragon has this Naraku on a tight leash."

“He’s afraid, my lord,” said Rin. Everyone looked at her.

“What do you mean?” asked Miroku resting his staff against his shoulder.

“He’s afraid that if he helps us. It will bring the wrath of Ryuukotsusei upon his head.”

"I've always thought Lord Mamoru was dim at times but I never would have thought
him to be a fool," said Master Rei shaking his head in disgust. “Doesn’t he see it will only
be a matter of time before he set his sights on the east.”

“That is if he hasn’t set his sight on it already,” said Sango.

"Well, there's nothing that can be done about it now," said Sesshomaru staring into
the faces of his allies. He had put each of them in charge of a different section of his
makeshift
army.
Yoko and Shirow commanded his own army. Sango along with Shippo had the humans. Master Rei
led the veterans. Koga had his army of wolves. And Miroku led the monks, spiritualists,
priestesses
and
priests. As he stared at Miroku he still could not believe how the young man had gotten so
many
religious figures to help out in their cause. He maybe a lecher but he came through for him
when
it counted. His brother certainly knew how to pick loyal courageous friends. At the
mention of his brother a crack formed in the wall around his heart. He felt a pang in his
heart. Tensing his shoulders, he began to push the pain back behind his wall of ice. Slowly
he began to patch up the crack until he felt nothing.

"My lord, is something wrong?" asked Rin frowning at him.

The dog lord stared at the concerned look on the human's face. Rin. She was so
loyal to him. She would do anything to make him happy. She was very beautiful by
human standards. "No." He spoke up turning to face the others. "There is nothing
wrong." He hesitated. "I just wish . . .I wish father was here." He clenched his hand
into a fist. "It’s sad though. I do not even know if he is alive or dead after all this
time."

"He's alive," said Master Rei sighing.

Sesshomaru turned his gaze upon the old dog demon. "How do you know?"

"I didn't know if I should tell you but you do have a right to know." He lowered
his head. "I know he is alive because Ryuukotsusei would drag him out every
month to let the people see what has happened to their great dog lord."

"Does mother know about this?"

"No, if I told her. I would have to tell her everything." Rei covered his face with
his hands and wept into them. This was very unsettling to Sesshomaru. In all the years
that he has known the elderly dog, this is the first time he has ever seen Rei weep
so helplessly in front of others. In a flash Rin was by Master Rei's side comforting
the elderly demon.

Sesshomaru could also see that this was affecting the others as well. They all had
crestfallen expressions on their faces which began to chip away at the wall that
surround his heart. He bit his bottom lip. He could not let himself feel. He didn't
want to feel the pain and hurt anymore. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath
to calm himself. Opening his eyes, he had his emotions under control.

"Master Rei, what was it you didn't want to tell mother?"

Rei was silent for a long while. Sesshomaru was beginning to think the old demon
was not going to answer him. He waited a while longer. Just when he was about to
order Rei to tell him. The elderly demon spoke.

"It was awful," he said in a hoarse whisper. "They had him chained and began to
whip him in front of everyone. He was covered in blood, scars and bruises. Some were old
but others were new. His left eye was sealed shut. His hair was tangled and
matted with dried blood. And then . .. And . . .then . .. " He choked up
not being able to go on.

"Go on and finish," urged Yoko. But the elderly demon could not speak.

"They repeatedly raped him in front of everyone," spoke up Shirow. Everyone gasped
in horror. "They forced every man woman and child, human and demon to watch. And
if they didn't watch. You would be killed on the spot." Shirow sighed. "They
would go to maybe three villages a day humiliating Lord Inutaisho and forcing everyone
to watch."

Everyone turned to their young lord and fear was etched on each of their faces. Sesshomaru
face had turned red with fury. His eyes were flashing blood red. His hand on the
table clenched tightly into a fist as his sharp claws pierced his palm. Blood seeped
through the cracks of his fingers spilling onto the table. His fist trembled with
pent up rage. His youkai flared up violently. Everyone shivered at the deep, guttural growl
coming from the dog demon
lord. It was the first sign of emotions the young lord showed since he returned to
Japan.

"Sesshomaru," said Rei drawing those burning eyes upon him. "Calm yourself young
one. We need you to have a calm, level head. Don't run off half-cocked. If you want
to free your father. You need to stay calm."

And at the mentioning of his father, his red eyes flashed several times before returning to
normal. He took a deep
cleansing breath and exhaled. "You're right. And the only way to free father is to
destroy Ryuukotsusei along with all who follow him. Not one of the dragon's
allies must survive."

"We understand, Lord Sesshomaru," said Shippo. "We will follow you anywhere."

"I'm glad to hear it," said Sesshomaru standing. "I suggest we adjourn for today. I
noticed that more and more demons and humans are still arriving. You should go and
get everyone settled in." His silence dismissing them. The others stood, bowed and left the
room.

After everyone left him alone. Sesshomaru rested his head against the table. “Please hold on
father. I shall get you away from that deranged dragon very soon.” Suddenly he felt a presence in the
room with him. It sent a shiver up his spine. He raised his head to see a figure cloaked in a white
baboon pelt sitting at the other end of table. All that could be seen was the demon’s mouth and red
eyes. The aura around the strange demon was pure evil. /A white baboon pelt. I wonder if this is the demon
called Naraku that I have been hearing so much about./ Sitting up straight and holding his head high. He
stared into the red eyes of the demon sitting across from him. “Who are you?” he demanded in a frigid tone.

“That’s right,” he said in a silky voice that made the dog demon’s skin crawl. “We have not been
formally introduced.” He smiled. “I am Naraku.”

/So, this is the infamous Naraku,/ thought Sesshomaru arching a delicate brow. /Doesn’t seem like
much of a threat but his aura is radiating the blackest of evil./

“That’s quite the army you are gathering outside.” He leaned forward resting his arms on the
table. “One might think you are gathering an army to oppose us.”

Sesshomaru said nothing.

“You know, instead of going through all this trouble. What say we make a deal,” said Naraku.

The young demon arched his brows. “A deal? Like what?”

“Well, I get Ryuukotsusei to release your father.”

“In exchange for what?”

“You.”

Sesshomaru glared at the foul demon in anger. “You must think I’m a fool,” he said baring his
fangs. “Well, here is my answer.” Quickly raising his hand, his poison whip lashed out and
cut the baboon clad villain in half. He got up and walked to the end of the table. All that was
there was the pelt and a strange wooden object. Naraku was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly the evil demon’s laugher echoed in the room. “I did try to be nice my dear
Sesshomaru but in
a way I am glad you did not accept. It will give me great pleasure to break that fiery
spirit of
yours. Until
then, I shall be watching you.” The voice and his foul presence were gone.

/A demon puppet. You truly are a coward Naraku./ Sesshomaru crushed the puppet in his
hand. Then
he turned and walked out of the room in disgust. He could still smell Naraku’s stench.

xxxxx

It took the four strangers several days to reach the palace of the western lands. It was a
moonless night as the strangers stood before huge arched oak doors that were closed. On either
side of the gates were two marble statues of a dog standing on all four legs with their heads
raised and baying at a moon that was not in the sky. Standing out front guarding the
entrance was two panther demons. "Halt!" yelled one of the demons as both pointed their
spears at the black clad strangers.

The other took a sniff. "Three of you are cats although I’ve never smelled cats like
you before and the other is human."

One of the strangers stepped forward and removed his face cloth. He bowed to the
panthers. "Greetings brother panthers, I come from a distance land. I wish to
speak with your lord."

"And what might you want to speak to Lord Ryuukotsusei about?" asked the other
panther. His tail swished back and forth behind him.

"It is a business deal. I've heard that if I wish to do business I must first
seek permission from the lord that resides here," said the stranger.

"Wait." While one of the guards went inside the other remained outside to watch
the four strangers.

The other panther that was left began to search their wagon. He found nothing
but a couple instruments and some barrels. He tapped on the top of one of the
barrels. "What's in here?"

"Ah, this is a drink that comes from a land called distant land," said the demon. "It
is called wine." Then he walked over to one of the other strangers that was still
covered up. He sniffed them. "You're a female."

"She is also what I wish to speak to your lord about."

"Can I see her?"

"Oh, I’m afraid not. She is for your lord to see," said the stranger.

"I'm sure lord Ryuukotsusei won't mind if I take a peek at her," said the
panther. Just as he was about to remove her face cloth the other panther demon
returned with four other guards. They were dragons.

One of the dragons stepped forward to stare at the strangers. His long sea green
hair shimmered in the wavering lights of the torches. "I am Toshio general of
lord Ryuukotsusei’s army." His reptilian eyes flashed blue. "What is it you
want here?"

"I wish to speak with your lord about doing business with his land," said the
stranger bowing to
the general. "I was supposed to come with Yin but I was told that he was killed
by a white haired dog. I was hoping Lord Ryuukotsusei would see me without the
introduction of his cousin."

"Very well, follow me," said the dragon. The four followed the dragon inside
the gates with the oxen and cart.

xxxxx

As they walked through the palace, it was decorated with some very beautiful expensive
looking
furniture. There were several paintings on the wall of a huge white dog but they were
slashed. In fact, they were the only pictures that were destroyed. Other paintings of the
landscape or of other animals were left in tacked. There was a huge tapestry that hung on
the wall of a dragon ripping the head off of a huge white
dog. There were vases with dead flowers sitting unattended on tables. Dust and cobwebs
occupied every corner of the palace. At the end of the hall were large gold gilded
doors. Pushing the doors opened, they followed behind Toshio and stood in what
could only be described as a banquet hall. There were several demons sitting at the long
table eating. They stopped as soon as the general entered with the four
strangers.

"My lord, these are the strangers that wishes to speak with you," said Toshio
bowing to the dragon lord.

Ryuukotsusei’s turned his icy gray eyes upon the strangers. He noticed that three
of them were huddled together. The one in the middle was trembling. He smiled as
he could smell the anger coming off the human.

"I was told by the sentry that you knew my cousin Yin," said the dragon lord. He
tossed the icy blue hair over his shoulder and fixed those lizard eye's upon the
stranger. "State your name and business."

"I am Sethos from a country called Egypt." He bowed to the dragon and removed
his turban. His long red hair fell down his back. The other demons looked on in
lust at the attractive foreign demon. "I was hopping to get your permission to do
some trading."

"Oh, and what might you have to trade with us?" asked a dark hair demon with crimson
colored eyes.

"First, I have brought a drink called wine from the country called Greece," said
Sethos. "I would be honored if you would try a sample, my lord."

Just then a panther demon walked into the room and whispered something into the
dragon's ear. Ryuukotsusei nodded his head and the panther demon left. Only a second
after the panther
walked out several demons walked in carrying the barrels of wine on their broad
shoulders. They opened the barrels and filled the pitchers with the dark red
liquid. Then the human servants they forced to serve them, poured some in the
cups. Everyone took a sip and liked the wine immensely.

"It's a strange drink," said a red-eyed demon female. "What is it made of."

"Grapes, my lady," said Sethos bowing to her. "I am very honored that you like
it."

"So, Sethos," said Ryuukotsusei emptying his cup and holding it up for more. "What
is wrong with the human. I can smell his rage." The dragon smirked.

"Well my lord, his family was killed by dragons four years ago before he fell into
my hands." He turned to the three figures and scowled at them. "You might say he
hates dragons."

At hearing this, Ryuukotsusei burst out laughing and everyone joined in with
him. Not paying any more attention to the human, he turned back to Sethos. "You
said you had something else you wish to trade with us?"

Sethos reached over and grabbed one of the blacked robed figures. Removing the
robes and the face cloth, he revealed a young female demon with long black hair the color of
raven's feather. Her smooth creamy brown colored skin added an exotic touch to
her beauty. She was dressed in a jeweled halter-top with several veils around
her waist. She was bare feet with a ruby studded anklet on her left foot. And a gold choker with a
ruby in the center. All the
demons looked at the pretty female with lust in their eyes. Sethos had to
clenched his jaws tight as the disgusting scent of the others arousal assaulted his nose.

"Her name is Ashanta. She is or was a princess of the lion Pride in Africa,"
said Sethos. "They were rather easy to defeat since one third of the young
males died from a disease that swept through the country leaving only the
elderly, women and children."

"What a very exotic creature you have," said the crimson eyed demon male sitting on the
right side of Ryuukotsusei.

"Yes and there are many more beautiful women such as this one where I
come from." Sethos pushed her forward. "Would you like for her to entertain
you with her dance, my lord?"

"Yes yes," said Ryuukotsusei enthusiastic.

Sethos clapped his hand and the other two removed their hakis and face cloth. As he thought, one was
a human with long black hair and lavender colored eyes. The other was like the
girl except his hair was very short and he had large brown eyes. Both young men
sat on the floors and placed their drums between their legs. The beat was slow as
Ashanta began to move her hips in slow sensuous movements. Every demon watched as the
woman's hips enticed and beckoned them. Sethos was disgusted but he hid it from the
throng of lust induced demons. He swears that if one lays a hand on his mate. He
would slit their throat. He watched as they asked for more and more of the wine. The demons
eyes were glued in a hypnotic trance at her swaying and gyrating hips.

Once the tempo picked up the arousal of the demons was becoming unbearable. More and
more, they asked for the wine until one by one they began to fall to the floor
unconscious. Sethos could hear the rapid heart beat of each demon in the room as all eyes
remained glued to his mate. He watched as the dance became more frantic and more sexual. He
definitely had to get her to dance for him like that when they return home. He
smiled. He let his smile drop as he stared at the remaining demons that was still
awake. They must be the strongest out of the lot since the drug hasn't effected
them yet.

And as the last beat of the drums sounded, Ryuukotsusei was the last to fall.

"About time," said Ashanta wiping sweat from her forehead. "I thought that bastard
would never fall out."

"You're not the only one," said Sethos kissing her on the cheek. "You really must
dance for me like that when we return home."

"All right you two," said Zaine rolling his eyes. "That drug won't last long. We
have only ten minutes to find Kumo's father and get the hell out."

"Right," said Inuyasha glaring at the dragon. He longed to sink his claws into the
bastard’s throat. But Zaine was right. They didn’t have much time. "Follow me." He
led them through the palace. Coming to some stairs that went beneath the castle,
they ran down the stairs. "This
is the dungeon." They began to look in all the cells.

"How many cells does this place have?" asked Zaine. He looked into one of the cells
but saw nothing.

"Over here," yelled Ashanta. They ran to her and helped her to pull open the heavy
door. They stepped inside and what they saw made each of them cringe in horror. Inutaisho
hung from the ceiling in chains. His body was almost nothing but bones as it was
covered in deep cuts. Some of the wounds were infected. They stared nauseously at the
swollen flesh as a
putrid green puce oozed from the wounds. He sat in a pool of his own blood. His
long white hair was matted with dirt, blood and lord alone knew what else.

Inuyasha slowly approached his father and raised the dog lord's face. He nearly
cried when he saw the horrible scar that sealed his left eye.

"Brother," said Ashanta drawing him out of his grief. "We have to get him out of here
before the others awaken."

He nodded his head and reached for the chain. Just then, the bull demon walked in. "What do
you four think you are doing in here?"

"Shit!" Sethos lunged at the bull and raked his claws across the demon's chest.

Minataru roared in pain and lashed out with one of his large fists knocking Sethos into the
wall. But the Abyssinian demon sprung back upon his feet. He ejected his claws and
they burst into flames. This time when he struck the bull demon. Minataru howled as
he felt his insides burn as though they were on fire. He stared down at the wound and sure
enough flames were erupted from his insides. He fell to floor dead and the flames
consumed his body.

Sethos turned to the others and swiped his flaming claws across the chain breaking
them. Inuyasha
and Zaine struggled to lift the dead weight of his father and dragged the tall demon
lord out. Sethos was in front while Ashanta brought up the rear. As they stood at the
front doors to the palace, Sethos peeped outside. He could see the sentry on top of the
wall keeping watch. Their wagon was still sitting in the front. Quietly, they
slipped out of the palace and place Inutaisho in the cart. Inuyasha quickly covered
his father with several heavy blankets. Then he laid down on top of his father while
Ashanta sat in the back with him. Zaine took the rope to the oxen and followed Sethos
to the front gate.

xxxxx

Inside the palace, Ryuukotsusei and the other demons were waking up. Everyone groaned
as it felt as though someone was pounding a mallet against their heads. Suddenly a demon
burst into the room. "My lord, the prisoner is gone!"

"What?" the dragon roared jumping to his feet forgetting his headache.

"I was making my rounds when the dog's cell was empty and the burnt remains of
Minataru was on the floor," said the guard frightened.

"Son of a .. . " He looked around for Sethos and the others. "BITCH! It was a
trick! Sound the Alarm! I want Inutaisho and those little fucks back! Now Go!" He
grabbed Kagura and thrust her towards the door. He slammed his fist against the table
breaking it in half and roared in rage.

xxxxx

Outside the guards opened the gates to let the foreign demons out when Sethos and the
others was stopped by Toshio. "Well, how did it go?" He looked at the three strangers.

"I think it went well," said Sethos, "but the human has collapsed from exhaustion. He
is asleep in the back. Your lord has asked us to return in the morning so we might
discuss our business more."

Just as Toshio was about to let them pass they heard Ryuukotsusei roaring in
rage. Then Kagura rushed out of the front door. "Stop them!" she yelled.

"Not today," said Sethos. Before Toshio could react to Kagura's command. Sethos raked his
flaming claws across the general’s throat. The dragon screamed in agonizing pain, burst
into flames and fell to the ground. "GO!"

Zaine jumped on the back of the ox and slapped it across the rear. The beast broke
out into a run and sped away with the others. The sentries shot arrows and threw spears
at the fleeing strangers but it was too late. They had made their escape. Sethos ran out
after the others but was stopped by Kagura's voice.

"You're not going anywhere, pretty boy," said Kagura opening her fan. "Dance of
Blades!"

Sethos turned to stare in horror as the blades of wind bear down on him. "I
don't think so bitch!" yelled Ashanta. Raising her index and middle finger she made a
slashing motion in front of her. "Changing Winds!" Suddenly the winds from the four
corners of the earth surrounded the wind blades and turned them back upon her. Kagura
screamed as her own attack tore through her flesh.

"You tell that filthy dragon that his end is near!" yelled Inuyasha. Summoning
the Earth magic the dragons taught him, the ground rose up to bury Kagura, some of the
guards and half of the wall beneath it. "Let's go."

xxxxx

The next morning word spread throughout the west about the daring rescue of Lord
Inutaisho.

"What!" said Sesshomaru jumping to his feet. The others got up as well.

"It's true, Lord Sesshomaru," said Master Rei. "I heard it from some of the servants
that was able to escape during the commotion. They said some strange demons along
with a human had snatched Inutaisho right out from under Ryuukotsusei’s nose."

"Do they know where they went with him?" asked the young lord.

"I'm afraid not." Rei smirked. "But they said a demon female had turned Kagura's
attack back on her and the human had buried the witch beneath the earth."

"Truly, they would make excellent allies," said Miroku feeling hopeful.

"That is if they are on our side," said Sango. "For all we know, they could be
worse than Ryuukotsusei and Naraku combined."

"Someone worse than those two," scoffed Koga. "I doubt it."

"No, they are allies," said Rei. "One of the servants heard the human say 'Tell that
filthy dragon that his end is near.' I believe they are ones we can trust."

"What do the rest of you say?"

"Anyone who wants that dragon dead can't be all that bad," said Shippo smiling. "I say
we try to find them and see if they will join us."

Sesshomaru nodded his head in agreement. "I want all of you to send out some scouts and try
to find them."

"If I know Ryuukotsusei. I'm sure he has sent his minions out to bring them all
back to be tortured," said Rei.

"Even more of a reason why we have to be the ones to find them first." The young
lord nodded his head and everyone left to carry out their orders.

/I can’t believe it. Someone rescued my father right out from under the nose of the
great Ryuukotsusei./ Sesshomaru smirked. /At least you’re safe for now father. Soon,
Ryuukotsusei and everyone that follows him will perish. And the land of the west shall
once again be in the hands of its rightful ruler./