The Sacred Trees

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Clarification Inner Youkai:

I know many fics have the inner Youkai as almost separate beings. I am avoiding that in this fic. Giving in to their inner Youkai here is more like going berserk and primeval. Following base instincts and lower emotions such as lust, rage and fear taking one over. Basically it is losing control of yourself (for Hanyou) or just becoming more animalistically powerful (For Youkai). So no inner voices talking to the characters. *grin

Clarification Sesshy's kids:

True mates are somewhat equal. When the Yokai numbers reduced Sesshy had children with other female Inus, but none of the children were Shiro (white) Inus so he would not mate with their mothers. The power differential between Sesshy and the female Inu's he mated with was too great, they could only absorb the lowest spectrum of his power, so their children all took after their mothers. Sesshy has only female children and none bare his scent or even have a small amount of his power. Most of his kids live with their mothers in villages, 2 serve in the Canines. All males here can bear children BUT only if they are mated


Please, please read review and answer questions at the end. Enjoy!

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Chapter 15 : Bakusen-oh Speaks.

It was almost dusk by the time they reached the forest of Bakusen-oh, they had used two helicopters to get to the location. Sesshoumaru led them here. He had long ago, ensured that the forest of Bakusen-oh had been designated as a natural reserve and Canine Towns were on its boarder protecting the forest. He had not been to visit the Great tree since before Naraku’s death, he could not face his father’s friend after his greatest failure. The group split, the Beige Inus, the Generals, sub-generals and 3 Lieutenants formed a parameter about 500 meters from the location of Bakusen-oh. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha made their way to the tree alone.

The brother’s walked in silence.

“Sesshoumaru, you would have let me kill you, wouldn’t you?” Inuyasha asked his voice soft in the trees.

“Yes, I will fight you for dominance Inuyasha, but if you truly sought to take my life, it is yours.” Sesshoumaru said placidly.

“What the fuck!!! You’d just role over if I really wanted to kill you? You are joking.” Inuyasha said appalled.

Sesshoumaru shrugged, “It is no joke.” Sesshoumaru stopped walking and turned his brother to face him. “I am not a good person Inuyasha, I am Shogun. The leader of armies, do you know what that means? The ground has been bathed in blood on my orders, villages down to the last male child destroyed utterly, tribes made extinct when they challenged us in war. I have turned my back on tribes that I suspected would not be loyal, had watched them be destroyed- utterly, the blood that has been spilt in my name, on my orders, Inuyasha, could drown this forest.” There was no emotions in the Dai-Youkai’s tone, just a clear statement of fact.

“I know what I am, little brother. I am Shogun, I make the hard decisions, I make no excuses, I do what I think I must to make sure we survive. And In the process, I have become more and less, than I was before.

“It is not like the Feudal times, battles then were clean and clear, generally we knew who the good guys and bad guys were. Things changed in the time of the Secret War, there was so much betrayal, so much death. We all became colder, harder and we lost, each of us lost something in ourselves.

“In the short time you were here, somehow you have returned something to us, that we desperately needed. You have returned a part of Shippo’s joy to him, you have soothed the sorrow that was choking Kouga and you healed my soul. “ Sesshoumaru said his eyes looking deep into Inuyasha’s.

“I know you, Inuyasha, if you sought my actual death, it would be because I have crossed the line, and was no longer a Youkai of honor, but a monster. A creature that has lost its soul and did not realise it. A being that is a danger to all that you hold dear. You are the only one I trust to make that call. If you condemn me as a monster and seek my death, brother, my life is yours, this Sesshoumaru swears it. Responsibility weights heavy on me, for centuries I have done what I had to do, without hope, without joy. I fear, my decisions become more about expedience then for the care and welfare of all. I warm my soul in the small fires provided by my Generals and my offspring, but inside me I am cold and dark, the bitter taste of failure never leaving me.” Sesshoumaru only touched Inuyasha’s hair as he said this, his claws combing through silver strands.

“I tried to follow your lead, to have people with me because they are loyal, not because they fear me. The coldness inside however has been spreading, growing. I have been so empty, what I fear- mayhap the only thing I used to fear - till now- is that I will become what I have fought against so long - a despotic ruler, ice cold, soulless.

“I do not have that fear anymore. That fear died the minute I held you in my arms, the second I breathed your scent into my lungs. You melted all the ice inside me in a second. No matter the challenge you have always been true to yourself, as your older brother how can I do less?” Sesshoumaru touched the mating mark gently, and Inuyasha trembled, his eyes wide as he listened to the astounding confession.

“At first I saw you as a disgrace to the family I thought you weak. Still you were my beautiful little brother and I could not deny the bond, it irritated me. Then I saw how you stood with pride, fought with a might that was the envy of pure Youkai. You learned the lessons of our father without even meeting him, and you did what he could not. You, not he, thought me about the strength one gains in protecting others. I was so proud of you in the fight with Magatsuhi (Manga 539), your human heart broke his control on you, and your Youkai’s power contained him.

“Your power was beautiful, you were beautiful. With my little Hanyou brother that strong, how could this Sesshoumaru do less? I had to rise to your example, wield power and protect at the same time. That is why I accepted the role of Shogun. The Sesshoumaru of old would not have cared, would only have sought the challenge of single combat, and not the endless stress of leadership. But after you showed me true power, the power that protects and grows as it moves forward, how could this Sesshoumaru be less? To protect what was dear to you, to live up to the example of my father and younger brother, I became the Shogun.” Sesshoumaru’s hand found Inuyasha’s palm to palm he clasped their hands and entangled their fingers.

“But I was cold and alone. You are my light, Inuyasha, my warmth. I will never let you go. If you condemn me as unworthy of happiness, of receiving your light, I will die willingly, but only by your hand.” Sesshoumaru kissed the hand clasped in his.

“Keh you sure are talkative all of a sudden.” Inuyasha tried to sound brash, but failed. His voice was choked.

Sesshoumaru's laugh was tired. “All of a sudden? Brother, in the past 500 years I have had dreamed and imagined this conversation with you at least 5000 times. I left so much unsaid, and when you entered my dreams that Hanyou shaped hole in my soul was soothed just a little, only to be torn open in the morning when memory of my failings returned. Having you here is my miracle, this Sesshoumaru will not repeat mistakes of the past. You are my miracle! I love you Inuyasha and you will love me as well!”

Sesshoumaru, with his free hand he slowly pulled the unresisting, wide eyed Hanyou to him, he kissed Inuyasha once gently, then he deepened the kiss, claiming his brother once again. This time, Inuyasha pressed closer to Sesshoumaru.

Seduced by the confession, the gentle touches, with the light slowly disappearing in the horizon, Inuyasha returned the kiss, his hand warm in his brother’s, his free hand rested on Sesshoumaru's waist. Inuyasha willing shared his warmth with the Shogun.

They broke the kiss, and in an unspoken truce for the moment, walked on. Sesshoumaru not releasing Inuyasha's hand, and after a couple of weak tugs, the slightly embarrassed Hanyou left the hand in his brother’s possession.

As they walked Inuyasha felt it, a tugging on his senses, the connection to an Ancient one in distress. Inuyasha did not hesitate he yanked his hand free and ran forward. He could sense it the miasa in the Ancient, almost indistinguishable from the other trees, Inuyasha did not hesitate. Growling he leapt to attack the spot, and as he pulled out another diamond shaped monstrosity he wondered absently what had occurred to the first one. Inuyasha didn’t waste words, he just tossed the thing at his brother to destroy and he slid to the base of the tree to heal.

Sesshoumaru watched his brother, and felt the rise of heat. The healing caused the Youkai’s lust to rise, but this time, Sesshoumaru was ready. He allowed the love and pride he felt for his brother to fill him, to merge with the lust. He wanted his brother, and Inuyasha was his! With that knowledge the Shogun, remained in relative control of himself. If he had anything to do with it no other creature Youkai or Hanyou or even Human would ever witness the healing again, the sight of his brother like this was one that only a mate should have the pleasure of witnessing. The sight was too intoxicating, too intimate a thing to share.

Sesshoumaru watched in fascination as the face of Bakusen-oh slowly appeared on the tree. The vines of the tree, wrapped around Inuyasha, the gentleness with which the Ancient one regarded the Hanyou, was that of a parent with a most beloved child. Inuyasha's eyes were closed as he rested for a moment against the Ancient One, preparing himself to delay the pain.

Inuyasha was so focused he did not hear it, if Sesshoumaru had been too emotionally overcome he would have missed it was well.

A low whistling in the air was the only warning, Inuyasha saw them at the corner of his eye, dozens of sharp disks flying towards him and Bakusen-oh. Inuyasha braced himself for the cut…,

It never came.

Sesshoumaru spun in front of him, energy spiraled out of the Shogun, with a speed that defied even Inuyasha's eyes, energy whips danced in the air. Knocking the disks from the air, and then catching them to stop the careening disks from destroying the forest around them. Gattler guns, modified for Youkai. sounded from 4 different directions, bullets seeking to destroy the Hanyou and the only talking Sacred tree in existence. Sesshoumaru created a barrier, his will and magic protecting them.

There was a crash in the woods, Kouga was the first to take out a gun. Dionne took out the second, Shippo the third, and Dionne and Kouga tied for turning the last Gattler to dust. The sub-generals spiritual magic whipped out, finding and destroying the numerous other traps in the area. They were all mechanical. But having identified the slight trace of Youkai on the Gattler guns, the sub-generals were able to pinpoint the location of other such traces and destroy them.

Kouga made a swift examination of the parameter, and returned to kneel before Sesshoumaru. His jaw was clenched. “My Lord, I was careless. We swept the area for Youkai, humans and magic, we did not think to sweep for pure mechanical devices. This was my oversight and I accept any punishment.” Kouga's voice was flat.

“Rise Kouga, the oversight was mine as well, Youkai rarely use such machines to do their dirty work, this was well laid plot.” Sesshoumaru said more angry at himself then his general.

Inuyasha having delayed the pain moved gingerly and picked up the plate, he wished he had a chance to see the other one. Dionne seeing the slight tinge of Miasma on the plate, immediately grabbed it out of Inuyasha's hands, beating Sesshoumaru to it by a millisecond, the two alpha's glared at each other as Inuyasha spluttered.

“My Lords,” Kouga bravely stepped between the two, “This is the plate from the other tree, it may be best if we focus on the matter at hand, Inuyasha does not have much time.” The plates had strange marking but none, including Matianna and Lady Shida recognized them.

“Sesshoumaru, it is good to see that you and Inuyasha are getting along finally. Inuyasha, child it is good for these old eyes to finally see you.” Bakusen-oh awakening fully addressed the group. “I thank all of you, please continue guarding our Hanyou.”

“Bakusen-oh, it is indeed good to see a companion of my father’s, however we need information, who did this to you?” Sesshoumaru asked, his voice was respectful. Inuyasha locked at Sesshoumaru's side had stopped struggling when Bakusen-oh had begun speaking, and he looked at the tree spirit in amazement.

“Do not look so surprised child, you know we are all different with unique abilities. Mine happens to be the ability to manifest a humanoid form, that is all. I am no stronger then my kin.” the tree addressed Sesshoumaru again. “Unfortunately I cannot help you with the plates, a blood spell was used on me first, so I was blinded and weak when they attacked. All I can say for sure is that the first attack was a foreign Youkai, the one who put the plate in me however was Japanese. It is an insidious and painful thing.” The ancient said again looking fondly at the Hanyou who had freed him.

“This I can tell you. Ancient ones are manifestations of energy and nature. We are the balance, trees give air to breathe and we provide magic to sustain the balance. We stand alone, immobile and yet we are connected to everything. Wanton destruction of trees weaken us, and thins our awareness. That is why many ancients of this period are born asleep.” Bokusen-oh continued.

“Inuyasha, know this, it was not just being pinned to Ginsenboku that caused you to be beloved among us. Even as a child, you unconsciously recognized us, you have taken shelter in our trunks, in our branches from the time you were a pup. Somehow amongst all the trees in the forest, while being chased you have always found one of the Ancients to take refuge in. You were fed by my kin when you were starving, cradled in our branches while you slept, and not knowing us, you loved us. You have a magic, a charm in you all of your own. Ginshenboku would not have shared his sap and the dreams of another. You are unique because you are you. There has never been, and mayhap there will never be another quite like you.” The tree said, its vines stopping short of touching the Hanyou, recognizing that any touch now would only cause Inuyasha more pain later.

Inuyasha blinked and flushed, with a charming innocence at the words of the great tree, Sesshoumaru’s arm tighten around him, the others formed a protective circle.

“Sesshoumaru, as Ancients we were always aware that progress would naturally reduce our numbers and reduce the magic in the land. As trees we accept our fate with no resistance, as we understand more about nature then you do. We had at the time assumed it was a natural thing, initially Inuyasha was only supposed to awaken us, without fear of attack. However slightly more then 400 years ago, one of my brethren in a foreign land went to sleep. A true ancient, we were surprised that a true ancient would choose sleep, but assumed to our detriment that it was natural.

A few more quickly followed suit, and I began to worry. This did not seem quite natural. Before I could send for you however, we were targeted. My kin was forced to sleep first and then I was attacked. Ginsenboku realized that we had to do something, and our little Hanyou is the only real force that can act for us. So despite the danger we took the risk and went ahead with his training, but always it was Inuyasha’s choice, to more forward in the war or retire.” Bakusen-oh said looking with approval at the Hanyou for the had choices he made.

“Keh!! Me retire?! Ya, I’ll do that 10 minutes or maybe 10 hours AFTER I am dead!” Inuyasha growled.

“Yes Inuyasha, you would indeed.” The great tree chuckled and then continued. “The trees in the Groove had enough power to understand the dangers to Inuyasha and we did all we could to protect him. There was one event we could not avoid, the healing of my Kin in the Council Room. That event had to happen, for all purposes, that is the point of beginning for this war. And the way it ended is encouraging.

“Sesshoumaru if you had allowed Inuyasha to be hurt then, my kin, all the Ancients in Japan would have thrown our power to the Canadian Inus. They WOULD have taken Inuyasha from this land, and the Ancients here would have perished as one from shame of fostering such ravaging Youkai. Revenge is not taken by trees, but sorrow and shame would kill us, poisoning the area as we die. If all the Ancients of a land die instead of just going to sleep, the land is doomed. The balance would be destroyed, no magic would work and the Youkai would have gone mad, destroying themselves and all around them.”

Wide eyes met this statement, as they all were relieved that it had not come to pass.

After a small pause to see their reaction, Bokusen-oh continued, “If that had happened, the war would start in the enemies benefit, as Youkai would have proved themselves to mayhap be not fit to survive. But it did not, and the Youkai have proved themselves, so the battle starts in our favor, with strong alliances made.

“Young ones it seems that the enemy is aware that actually killing Ancients, would mean destroying the land. So they are sending us to sleep instead. That was there is still magic around, and probably magic that is manipulated and controlled. That plate, not only sent me to sleep, it drained my magic in small amounts. The amount had to be small, for it to go unnoticed for so long. However if it has been draining more then one ancient the collective amount taken is probably great. I cannot tell you much more, except that while there is a active agent of our enemy in Japan, but the source of this plot is foreign. You have to deal with the threat on our home-grounds before seeking the ones not of this land.” Bokusen-oh finished tiredly.

“Why did you never tell us that you were the source of magic?” Sesshoumaru asked the tree.

“Because Sesshoumaru, none ever asked. Trees do a great deal, and for all our contributions to humans and Youkai, we are ignored, used and abused, cut, burned and destroyed. Youkai and humans have to come to the realization themselves that in order to survive and thrive, they need to care for and nurture nature, else it is themselves that they destroy!

“Now child, I require time to heal, my wounds are still great and I tire. Return in a month for more questions, but bring Inuyasha or I will not be in a mood to talk to you.” Bakusen-oh said and the face slowly receded back into the tree.

“Dammit.” Dionne growled, “There are a lot more questions we need to ask, we don’t know much else more then we did. What are we supposed to do now?”

“Hmm!” Sesshoumaru said almost smugly, he enjoyed knowing more then the other alpha. “Bakusen-oh told us more then you think. 350 years ago, the Council area was already sacred, and guarded. Not many would have had access to the tree, to desecrate it in such a manner. I need just a little more proof…” Sesshoumaru said staring at the plates. The designs meant nothing to him, but there was something about the style of the designs that tugged at his memory illusively.

“My Shogun, father,” Kouga’s oldest son called out, “Over here there is something you need to see.”

The group went over to where the Lieutenants had gathered parts of the traps and bits and pieces to look for clues. Shippo immediately picked up a very intricate piece of machinery, it looked complex and familiar, he showed it to Sesshoumaru. The Lieutenants showed them another piece, the outer casing of a container, the faint mark of a Serow was carved like a seal in the metal.

“We have been betrayed.” Ayoga said flatly.

“Lady Shida, call for a Council meet on the day after the new moon. Inuyasha would have recovered by then. Kouga this will give you and Shippo time to look for clues. We must proceed with caution, it seems our enemy sits on the council.”

“Yes,” Lady Shiba said, her eyes narrowed on the Serow mark, “The question is which one?”

--tbc—

Gonna stop here.. and throw Layd Shiba’s question to all of you. Which council member do you think is the Japanese enemy? Please guess and give a reason, that one should be the betrayer.

Another question, I am pretty focused on Inuyasha aand Sesshoumaru, with smattering of others, do you want to see any other pairings?

Review please and suggest! Thanks. Remember reviews motivate me to write faster!!!

FYI

In case you are wondering if I intend to end, this story ends as a set with the identification and battle with the Japanese enemy, few more chapters for that. Then I will probably take a break from this story, before continuing the story with the foreign Youkai.