As Death Gives Life

Chapter 4 – Give and Take


Sesshomaru was preparing to take leave of the castle grounds to go on patrol. It was early morning and the fog still meandered about the grounds floating just above the surface. He wore his usual attire, depicting his station as Lord of the House of the Moon; white silk with red embroidery. His yellow and royal blue obi was cinched to his waist and in it was secured his two swords, the evil Tokijin and Tensaiga the sword of healing. He wore impressive shining armor that curved over his left shoulder adorned with thick spikes, and on his right he wore his boa pelt, which was a handy weapon in itself. It was not uncommon for a potential enemy to flee at the mere sight of him, and that was just the way he liked it. There was nothing more refreshing than an enemy’s fear.

The taiyoukai was making his way across the courtyard with purpose in his stride when he suddenly felt a foreign presence. A very powerful foreign presence. He stopped in his tracks and lifted his head slightly sniffing the air for the intruder’s scent. None came to him. He narrowed his golden eyes as he searched the perimeter for a sign of the one responsible, but came up empty. Whoever this intruder, he was stealthy, and clever.

Sesshomaru reached for the hilt of Tokijin, but just before drawing his blade, a figure began to materialize a few meters in front of him. His eyes widened slightly in wonder. Was this some sort of magic? The figure quickly became clear as that of an inu male carrying dark markings. As the figure solidified, the creatures’ true power was revealed, and it was immense. It was almost dizzying in its strength. No youkai carried this much power.

Sesshomaru removed his hand from the hilt of his sword. It would do no good to draw it against this adversary. He would be struck down before he could pull it from its sheath. Sesshomaru relaxed a bit, waiting to hear what business this being had with him.

Anubis was pleased when the taiyoukai relaxed his battle posture. At first he wondered if he was going to have to fight the demon, which would have been folly on the part of the taiyoukai. When he had fully ‘composed’ himself from his transition, Anubis nodded slightly to Sesshomaru, and began to state his purpose for coming here. “Lord Sesshomaru, allow me to introduce myself, I am Anubis, Egyptian God of the Dead. I will spare you my other various titles as I am sure that you are naught impressed with such dribble. I would like a moment of your time, as I have a proposition to lay upon your feet.”

Sesshomaru regarded the inu. A God? One that has purposely sought him out? This could not bode well for him, no matter what the fool had to say. He decided immediately not to get involved, and voiced his objection to it, “Your business is of no concern to me. Be on your way, as I have matters that require my attention.” Of course that would be entirely too easy, and as expected the God Anubis did not budge, but only smirked before continuing as if he had never spoken at all.

Anubis was amused by the demon’s haughty demeanor. One would assume that he thought himself a God. Nevertheless, Anubis would not fall prey to his commanding attitude. He simply ignored his words altogether, then made his play to win him over. “I assure you, Lord Sesshomaru, that you will find the information that I bring to you of great importance. Unless you do not care that your house will fall in but sixteen years time.”

Sesshomaru stiffened at the announcement made so casually by this Egyptian God. His house would fall? “Preposterous,” he replied.

“Oh I assure you that it will come to pass, as I have seen it firsthand in the spirit realm. In sixteen years, The House of the Moon will fall to a powerful offensive, and you as well as all those of your house, will be slain,” Anubis stated.

Sesshomaru still was not sure if he could believe this as the truth. He decided, however, that it might be prudent to hear the inu God out. “Tell me, Lord Anubis, what gain do you acquire by revealing the future downfall to this Sesshomaru?”

Anubis chuckled. The taiyoukai was very intelligent. He would certainly be worthy of his child’s presence. He sighed with a smirk, and continued, “I simply offer you the key to overcoming your future enemy, and in exchange I ask that you keep something of great importance to me safe from harm.”

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes once more. Whatever the God wished for him to protect was certain to be more trouble than it was worth, but then thoughts of his household falling to an enemy played across his mind. The words of Anubis rang in his head ‘you and everyone of your house will be slain’. Could he risk the lives of his staff? Would he dare risk the death of Rin, who he valued above all things? “Explain yourself,” Sesshomaru said, easily suppressing any emotional display from being perceived by his ‘guest’. It was best to keep his concerns to himself.

Anubis nodded, and continued his bargaining plea, “In addition to saving your house from ruin, I will restore your arm fully. I only ask that you keep under your care a female, who will be with child. My child. I have obligations to the Underworld, and unfortunately my time is limited here. My chosen female will carry in her womb the child of a God, and this child will contain immeasurable power. The mother’s human body will change as the child grows until she ceases to be called human at all. Mother and child will be vulnerable for many years to the greed of evildoers. Your strength is imperative to their survival. Upon the child’s sixteenth year your house will be attacked by a vast army, but fear not, Lord Sesshomaru, as my child will vanquish your enemies easily.”

Sesshomaru considered his words carefully. He would have to take in and protect a pregnant woman. A human woman, no less. The thought turned his stomach, but he was not quick to dismiss the notion of acquiring a powerful weapon in the child. He could always dispatch the mother if need be, as the God ultimately sought the welfare of the child. An added bonus would be the restoration of his arm. That in itself was possibly worth the endeavor. His handicap was a daily reminder that he had let his guard down and been bested by his idiot half-brother.

“I accept your terms, Anubis,” Sesshomaru declared.

Anubis smiled broadly at the taiyoukai. Things were going perfectly. “As a show of good faith, I will restore your arm now. You can expect me to bring the female to you in one months time.”

Sesshomaru nodded his approval, and briefly wondered if the restoration process was going to be painful. No matter, it couldn’t possibly be worse than he had already experienced in his many battle hardened years. He stiffened a bit, as the God stepped forward. He was unused to anyone getting too close to his person, only Rin held that privilege, as well as the occasional female used for a quick rut. He stilled his hand that instinctively jerked with the urge to strike, and waited to see what the Egyptian God would do.

“You are a magical being, Sesshomaru, and that gives me dominion over your tissue,” Anubis said as he placed his hand over the stub on the taiyoukai’s left side.

Sesshomaru’s perfectly formed brows rose quickly at the initial contact made by the God before him. It was like nothing he had ever experienced. The power of this creature seemed to seep into his very pores, winding and twisting its way through his arteries and bone. A tingling sensation began and spread with an overwhelming warmth throughout his shoulder as if it were overtaking his very blood. A pulse. Another. Then pain. Excruciating pain. He gritted his teeth and slid his lids over his golden eyes.

When Sesshomaru opened them once more, he was greeted with his newly formed arm. A perfect replacement. He flexed his claws, and looked it over carefully, all the while the Egyptian God looked on with obvious amusement. Sesshomaru flicked two fingers and his jaki whip surged forth for his command. He could even feel the familiar pockets of poison waiting to spew forth dissolving his enemies into green mush.

Sesshomaru nodded his approval with a smirk. Yes, this would do nicely.

Anubis stepped back and nodded slightly to the youkai lord. His business here was over for now. He had another matter to attend to, and her name was Kagome.

Sesshomaru watched impassively as the figure of Anubis faded from sight. Gods were such arrogant creatures.

Anubis felt good about his progress. Now that he had commissioned the assistance of a very powerful protector for his chosen female, he could focus all his attention on her. He had no intention of simply ravishing the girl, as he was sure that would not help his plight in the end. No, he would proceed with caution, and sway her feeling toward him. Humans were creatures of emotion, and Kagome was nothing less. She would be more accepting of his advances once she became comfortable in his presence. He would win her favor and slowly gain her trust. Then he would seduce her, bringing her pleasure like she had never before imagined. The art of lovemaking was an inherent trait gifted to all Gods, and he would happily share his talent with the woman that would bare his child.

Anubis smiled and a glimmer of excitement flashed in his crystal blue gaze as he considered the possibilities of new sexual heights. Oh yes, he had waited a millennia for this opportunity, and he would damn well enjoy every minute of it.

His search for his woman soon came to an end as he found her aura flaring just inside the border of the Eastern Lands. He settled down in a nearby tree to determine the cause of Kagome’s distress.

He spotted her lovely figure pacing alongside that of her current protector, the hanyou Inuyasha, who was in the middle of a rather heated argument with Kouga, the Wolf Prince. Anubis held back the chuckle that sprang forth, and settled down to watch the show.