Imprisoned

Chapter 3: Secrets Revealed
A/N: Sesshomaru finds the scroll that tells of the mythical demon miko who has the ability to give birth to full demon pups if she mates with a strong demon. How will he use this information? Please review and let me know if you like the story! I still do not own Inuyasha, unfortunately =( Enjoy!

Sesshomaru hurried back to his white stone palace nestled deep in the heart of his territory of the Western lands. He had been intrigued to say the least to learn of the origin of the priestess that Naraku had been holding captive in the talisman around his neck. The priestess was exceptionally powerful even for a priestess and it made him curious as to where she had acquired her powers. Arriving quickly at his home he retired to his private study immediately giving strict orders not to be disturbed until he came out of the study.

Sesshomaru began searching through the shelves of ancient scrolls and documents that he possessed in search of a clue that might shed some light on this mysterious priestess’s background. His amber eyes lit up when a familiar crest caught his attention. There on the old and very worn looking scroll was the symbol of the black cross entwined with the pale blue crescent moon. It was the exact same mark that had been embroidered on the woman’s clothes. He grabbed the scroll and strode over to his large dark cherry wood desk. Sitting down in the high backed dark cherry wood chair Sesshomaru untied the black ribbon that held the scroll closed. He carefully unrolled the parchment and began to read it.

His amber eyes widened when he discovered that the contents of the scroll were about a powerful priestess by the name of Sanoko and an equally powerful youkyoukai lord of the Eastern lands by the name of Atsumori. Reading further into detail he found that Sanoko and Atsumori mated. What was most interesting to him was the fact that Sanoko was the granddaughter of the legendary priestess Midoriko. Reading the last of the scroll’s contents Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows in confusion. The document made no mention of Sanoko and Atsumori ever producing an heir to their throne. “This makes absolutely no sense at all. Why would there be no record of a child? And why would this priestess bare the same crest as Sanoko and Atsumori? She has to be connected to them in some way. I shall return to the ningen village and spy on the young priestess. Then I shall have my answer.”

Rolling up the scroll Sesshomaru decided to plat int in the drawer of his desk to keep it safe from any prying eyes that may be tempted to read it while he was away. Heading down the long spiraling staircase Sesshomaru could see that his retainer Jaken was waiting for him at the bottom. “Me lord, leaving again so soon?”

“Yes Jaken, I will be returning to the ningen village where my half brother stays with his wench.”

“But why me lord?”

“Do not question my actions Jaken!”

“Oh aye me lord!” Sesshomaru smirked inwardly as the little toad cowered at his feet. He strode past the quivering toad and outside to the large open courtyard. Deciding to fly on his own rather than take Ah-Uhn he summoned hid ded demonic cloud. The cloud appeared beneath his feet and he took flight. His golden pools scanned the forest beneath him uninterested at what was going on. Soon he could see the rooftops of the huts that made up the ningen village he had been searching for. Landing gracefully in the forest just on the border of the village his keen ears picked up the faint sound of splashing water. Cocking his head to one side he realized the sound was to the right of him.

Sesshomaru de tde towards the splashing water curious as to what he might find. As he pushed through the last of the underbrush he saw a small hot spring that was partially hidden by tall smooth stones that jutted upward towards the sky. His pools of molten amber widened when he saw the priestess bathing in the hot spring. Her pale milky flesh of her back was bared to his golden eyes. He allowed his eyes to sweep down her back until they fell upon a marking that ouldould not make out clearly because it was partially submerged in the water. Creeping closer Sesshomaru tried to get a better look at the marking on her back. When she stood up and stretched her slender arms over her head the mark was revealed to him. He immediately recognized the same black cross and pale blue crescent moon that had been on the scroll in his study.

‘What in kami? The wench has the marking tattooed on her lower back! She is in some way connected to the priestess Sanoko and the inu youkai Atsumori! Could she be their daughter? I must return to my palace and summon the only person I know who would have such knowledge of this matter!’ Sesshomaru quickly summoned his cloud once more and headed back towards the Western lands. He retired to his private study that was located on the west wing of his estate and waited for his retainer Jaken to arrive. The said little toad like demon waddled into the study clutching the Staff of Heads tightly his large yellow eyes darting nervously around the dimly lit room.

“You sent for me Lord Sesshomaru?”

“Yes Jaken, I have a job for you.” The little demon scurried over to the large desk that his master was sitting behind and dropped to his knees awaiting his orders. “Jaken, I wish for you to summon the inu youkai by the name of Maresuke.”

“The two thousand year old inu youkai that is said to know the history and heritage of every inu youkai clan me lord?”

“Yes, that Maresuke Jaken. Extend an invitation for Maresuke to come to the Western lands.”

“Might I ask why you request his presence Lord Sesshomaru?”

“You may, however the matter is none of your business. Just do as I tell you Jaken, that is the reason you’re still living after all.” The little imp shivered at Sesshomaru’s cold words and then bowed respectfully. Sesshomaru watched as his annoying retainer scurried quickly out of the room to carry out his request. Soon Sesshomaru would have the answers that he so desired to know and then everything that was a mystery about that priestess Nayoko would be brought to light.

Jaken saddled up Ah-Uhn and headed towards the Northern lands where the elderly inu yokai Maresuke was said to reside. He grumbled to himself about how his master made him do such menial things and most of his assignments were actually beneath him. “I swear Lord Sesshomaru takes my loyalty for granted making me run and fetch some two thousand year old dog just so he can ask him some question. And I’ll just bet that question isn’t even all that important! Humph the nerve of that cold hearted dog! If I weren’t so loyal to Lord Sesshomaru I would just pack up and leave!” Jaken climbed up into the large black leather saddle and guided the beast into the sky.

He held onto the reigns tightly and stayed close to the large pack animal so that he would not be pushed back by the strong winds that were sweeping past him quickly. Jaken stared down and his yellow eyes bugged out when he noticed the black stone and wood cottage that was said to be the inu youkai’s home. It was not large but it was not small by any means, instead it was quite modest but very nice. Jaken guided Ah-Uhn so that the dragon beast landed in the open field to the right of the modest but nicely crafted cottage. He then scrambled off the large pack animal and waddled up to the cobblestone lined walkway that led up to the front entrance of the cottage. Jaken his his Staff of Heads to bang loudly on the large wooden door. Moments later the door was pulled open and Jaken tumbled back in surprise. There standing in the doorway was an inu youkai with pure long white hair that fell down to his calves. His eyes were an eerie pale washed out blue color and two thin silver stripes decorated his pale cheeks. On his forehead there was a silver cross that made him look almost regal in a sense.

The elderly dog demon was dressed in deep sage green robes that were trimmed in a pewter color and there was as word at his right side in a matching pewter scabbard. Jaken dropped to his knees after realizing that he had been gawking stupidly at the inu youkai. “Who knocks on my door?”

“A-are you Mareusuke?”

“I am, who wants to know?”

“Lord Sesshomaru wishes your presence at his estate in the Western lands.” Maresuke grinned down at the little toad making him quiver a bit.

“Lord Sesshomaru, he is the late Lord Inutaisho’s son is he not?”

“Aye that is Lord Sesshomaru’s father. So will you come to the Western lands?”

“I will.” Jaken stood and then dusted off his brown robes hastily before gesturing for the dog demon to follow him. Maresuke shut the door to his cottage and strode quickly after the chubby little imp. Jaken and Maresuke climbed onto Ah-Uhn and the pack animal immediately took to the skies to head back home to the Western lands. “Tell me, why does Lord Sesshomaru wish to speak with me?”

“My apologies Maresuke, but the lord did not inform me his reason for your summons.” Maresuke nodded silently and then watched the clouds as they rolled by. They made it back to the Western lands rather quickly and Jaken easily maneuvered Ah-Uhn to land just outside the stable in the large open courtyard. Maresuke climbed down and waited for Jaken to lead the way into the palace. Jaken quickly waddled towards the enormous white stone palace with the elderly inu youkai following closely behind him. Once inside the palace Jaken led Maresuke through what seemed like a maze of twists and turns untiey fey finally reached a large wooden door with a beautifully polished pewter handle.

Opening the door Jaken ushered Maresuke inside the dimly lit room which the dog demon quickly realized was the demon lord’s private study. “Lord Sesshomaru?”

“Jaken, you have returned, I trust that Maresuke is with you?”

“Yes me lord, Maresuke is here.”

“Excellent, now leave us.” Jaken frowned in disappoint bnt but then turned and left Sesshomaru to speak with Maresuke in private. Once the toad had left the two inu youkai in private Sesshomaru stood to acknowledge Maresuke. “Maresuke, welcome to my home.”

“To what honor do I owe this summons Lord Sesshomaru?”

“Please have a seat Maresuke and then we shall get right to the point of why I summoned you y hoy home.” Maresuke sank down into one of the high backed chairs that were in front of Sesshomaru’s desk. “So Maresuke, you knew my father Lord Inutaisho, correct?”

“Yes I knew your father very well. We were comrades you might say. What does that have to do with anything my lord?”

“Please, call me Sesshomaru.” Maresuke nodded and then cleared his throat to continue speaking.

“So Sesshomaru, what can I help you with?”

“ tru true that you have vast knowledge of all the history and heritage of every prominent inu youkai family that has ever reigned over any lands. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct. What information do you seek Sesshomaru?”

“I need information concerning the inu youkai bea the the mark of a pale blue crescent moon on his forehead.” Maresuke cocked his head to one side as he seemed to ponder Sesshomaru’s inquiry. Then a smile spread across his still agelessly flawless face as he prepared to answer.

“Ah yes, the mof tof the great Atsumori, lord of the Eastern lands. Tell me Sesshomaru, what do you want to know of Lord Atsumori?”

“Atsumori he was mated to a priestess isn’t that correct?”

“Yes, if I recall correctly her name was Sanoko and she was the legendary Midoriko’s granddaughter. You do know of the priestess Midoriko don’t you Sesshomaru?”

“Of course I know who Midoriko is. Tell me Maresuke, did Atsumori and Sanoko have any children?”

“The record does not mention chilchildren between the two, but that is common knowledge Sesshomaru.”

“Yes I have read the record, but it has to be a mistake.” Maresuke smiled broadly before he held up his hand to silence the young lord.

“That record is false Atsumori and Sanoko did indeed have a child.”

“Then why hide that? It makes no sense Maresuke.”

“Ah but it will once you learn the reason behind their secrecy.”

“And what reason might that be?”

“To keep their child safe from anyone that might harm them.”

“And this child that you speak of, they are still living today?”

“Oh yes. Sesshomaru I am willing to tell you Atsumori and Sanoko’s secret but you have to use this knowledge wisely.” Sesshomaru nodded and then gestured for the elderly inu youkai to continue. “Atsumori and Sanoko had a daughter and they realizeat sat she would be in constant danger of always being desired by evil youkai that would use her gift to their advantage.”

“What kind of gift Maresuke?”

“You see Atsumori allowed his wife to place a sealing spell on their hanyou daughter to make her appear completely human. Even the girl herself still does not know that she has the blood of a dog demon coursing through her veins.”

“Tell me Maresuke, what is this gift that you spoke of?”

“The girl has the ability to give birth to a full blooded youkai offspring if she mates with a very powerful demon.”

“Such as myself?”

“Precisely.”

“Do you know her name?”

“Yes, do you wish to know the mn’s n’s name Sesshomaru?”

“I do.”

“Her name is Nayoko and she also has the blood of very powerful priestesses running through her veins as well.”

“A half dog demon priestess that has the ability to give birth to full blooded youkai pups. Incredible.”

“Why were you so interested in Atsumori and Sanoko’s daughter Sesshomaru?”

“I think I may have found her.”

“How are you certain that you have found Nayoko?”

“There is a young woman staying in the ningen village not far from my lands. She was bathing in the hot springs and I saw a marking on her lower back.”

“What kind of marking?”

“The marking was of a pale blue crescent moon entwined with a black cross.”

“Yes, that mark is the combining of Atsumori’s blood and Sanoko’s blood. Then that woman you saw bathing is indeed Nayoko the princess of the Eastern lands. What are you planning on doing with this knowledge Sesshomaru?”

“Oh I intend on bringing Nayoko here to my palace in the Western lands.”

“For what?”

“I intend to mate with her so that she can give me a pure blooded inu pup that will have the powerful blood of an inu running through their veins combined with the incredible power of a priestess.” Maresuke nodded silently as he watched Sesshomaru’s amber eyes begin to flicker with excitement. The lord certainly had thought things through and it seemed that his decision would not be swayed easily if at all. “Thank you for all of your information Maresuke, I shall have my retainer Jaken escort you back to your home.”

“Oh no Sesshomaru, that won’t be necessary. I will manage just fine on my own. Besides it will allow me to hunt and alleviate some of my predatory impulses for the time being. I’m glad that I was able to be of such help to you.” Sesshomaru nodded and watched as the elderly looking inu stood to leave the study. Turning around in his chair he stood and strode over to the large window to gaze out over the expanse of his territory. Soon his plan would be set in motion and he would have Nayoko in his grasp. Once he had successfully captured her he would return to the Western lands with her. Then he would immediately force her into a union with him and mark her as his mate. A sneer formed on the handsome taiyoukai’s face as he imagined forcing himself inside the woman. She was indeed lovely so he would greatly enjoy thrt ort of claiming her as his own and depositing his seed within her womb. It was only a matter of time until everything fell into place and then Nayoko would become his.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update! I’ve been really busy, but I hope that it was worth the wait! I am currently working on updates for all the rest of my stories as well! Please review and let me know how I’m doing! Thanks!