Chronicles of the West

Chapter Fifty Two

Sesshoumaru strode through the halls of his once peaceful home, heading for the library. The elemental had told him that Aislin was there with Victor. The human was most driven and he found that he admired that. Satoru was in the lists, sparring with Toga and Sesshoumaru used the opportunity to his advantage.

Entering the library, he took in the scene. Aislin was pouring over old manuscripts. He hadn't thought she could read. "Aislin" he called out, his voice cool and firm. She blinked at him and rose quickly, "My lord" she said, giving a small bow.

Sesshoumaru motioned her to follow and turned to walk down the halls to his private study. "Please. Sit" he said politely and she did so. Looking over the contents of his desk, he spoke again, "Would you like some tea?". She shook her head in the negative, but whispered her thanks all the same.

The dog demon steepled his fingers beneath his chin and studied her. Her hurt had lessened, though only slightly. "I wish to speak to you concerning my son" he said, ever to the point. Her amethyst eyes rose to his. "I don't suppose there is much to say on that matter" she offered, "At least not now".

Sesshoumaru cocked his head, "Aislin. There are countless demons that would ally themselves with my house" he began, "Power after all begets power. It is the nature of demons to seek it out in abundance". She considered his words, "Toga and Ryu do not seem to" she pointed out.

Clever girl. "No, they have no need of gathering, since they already possess it. But others do not, and there have been many schemes over the years to entrap my bloodline in marriage. As yet they have proven unsuccessful" he continued.

She remained silent, knowing that he would have his say, regardless of what she believed. "Do you believe that he will wed her?" Sesshoumaru asked. Aislin's eyes fell from his, and she was quiet. Sesshoumaru studied her, "I do expect an answer in this lifetime" he prodded, though not unkindly. "I - I do not know" she admitted, "I thought I knew but now I am not certain".

Sesshoumaru leaned back in his seat. "This female will come to my palace and Toga will return to the north..for a time" he told her, his smooth voice moving through the distance, soothing and alarming at once. His very voice held power.

"My sons are…complicated people" he began, "Perhaps more so, because they are caught between two worlds. Demon father, human mother. Toga and Taisha retain full demon blood only because of the whims of a long passed priestess. Demons and humans do not love in the same ways. Humans spout words and prattle on of care and concern. They are driven by an emotional heart. Demons are driven by instinct and action"

Aislin stared at him, assimilating the information that he was giving her. He seemed to understand that and so went on, "Demons have animalistic cores to be blunt. We follow basic principles. Protect what is ours, defend against all threat, provide for our mates and pups. Demons prefer action as it is the language we are best spoken in".

Lavender eyes locked with gold, "And yet you married a human woman" she whispered. The lightest touch of a smile ghosted over his lips, "I did. That road was not easy for either us" he admitted, "Two creatures that by nature are enemies….it took some….adjustment".

Aislin looked at him, "How did you overcome it?" she asked him. Sesshoumaru's eyes softened slightly, "I knew she was mine. I just had to let my pride go and accept that she was her own person as well and that there were things that meant enough for her to fight for…even against me".

Aislin was silent for a long while. Sesshoumaru stood, and extended a clawed hand down to her, "I want you to cease your worries over this matter…for now. No matter what happens, you must not indicate that you have made your choice. Not to anyone. Not even my son. As my ward, your only loyalty lies with me. Let them believe that." he commanded. She nodded to please him but wasn't sure she could follow such an arrogant dictate. At least she knew where Toga got it from now.

"I have matters to attend to" he said dismissively and Aislin bowed to him and moved toward the door. "My lord?" she called, but didn't turn to him. Sesshoumaru answered with a small "Hn". She smiled, unseen by him, "Thank you for your good counsel".

The door closed softly behind her and the demon lord was left alone. With a light movement, he shuffled his documents and found what he was looking for.

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Toga stalked through the halls, barking orders to prepare for his departure. His father stood in the courtyard, Aislin with him. Toga stepped into the sunlight and blinked, his mount was saddled and ready for departure. He nodded to his father, and moved to the oni horse.

"Aislin are you ready?" he asked. She remained silent. He lifted a brow at this. Sesshoumaru caught his son's gaze. "She is my ward now. She remains with me, until her match has been decided" he said in a calm voice.

He'd known that Toga would want to take her away to the north, and he couldn't afford for that to happen. There were too many loose ends that must be taken care of first. "The wolfess should arrive within the next few days. I expect that you will return by then to handle this". His voice brooked no argument. Toga gave a stiff nod, his eyes moving back to Aislin.

The vivid pools of her eyes remained fixed on the ground, and she had not abandoned her position behind his father. He leapt atop the mount, and turned. "I shall return" he said and with a bunching of scaled muscles the beast flung itself into the air.

Sesshoumaru waited until the mount was only a tiny dot in the blue expanse of sky. "You did well" he said quietly to the mortal woman behind him. "The quickest way to catch a demon is to move in the opposite direction". From the corner of his eye, he saw her nod.

"Now we must prepare you for court, remember Aislin you must engage other suitors, favor none, and keep your feelings under control" he cautioned. She nodded again. Sesshoumaru led her back inside and turned over to Kagome and Ayeka's capable hands.


He had doubled the patrol and his guard. His assassins were warned of the threat and sent out to seek it. He expected that Alastair would lay low for a while, plan his next move carefully. He was tangling with powerful demons now and one misstep could well be his last.

Sesshoumaru had no doubt that he would eventually show himself and he'd given specific instructions to his men, not to engage the vaporous creatures he'd created if it could be avoided. The less information the enemy had, the better.

Inuyasha's scent met his nose, moving towards him. Sesshoumaru turned as he stepped into the courtyard. "Ready?" he asked. Sesshoumaru nodded, "Lets go". Together they headed out of the palace compound and into the surrounding forest.

They were checking the barrier of the west for any weakness. On the southern side, there was a slight weakening. Not enough to allow a threat to pass but it was noticeable. Sesshoumaru wasted no time in repairing it. "I don't expect any direct attacks for some time" he said to his sibling. Inuyasha nodded, "Me neither. I don't like this Sesshoumaru".

His brother met his gaze, "What is on your mind Inuyasha?" he asked. Inuyasha stared out past the barrier. "It's been a long while since we had nearly everyone home" he pointed out, "I wonder if maybe he hadn't intended it to be that way".

Sesshoumaru grunted, "I have considered that possibility as well, however I believe that if he had intentionally routed us, his efforts might be more aggressive. It's dangerous to back your prey into a corner after all".

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"She is very upset" Silvana told Ryu as they sat in the garden. Ryu's ears flickered, "What did anyone expect? I mean I have no doubts that Aislin knows the nature of Elda's relationship to Toga. She'd probably pretty confused at the moment" he offered. Silvana nodded, "I know. I just don't like to see her this way". Ryu brushed his fingertips along her arm, "It will be fine Silvana".

The pale kitsune seemed very uneasy and he growled softly to her, "What is it? I can tell something is bothering you" he asked. She stared out over the gardens, "What…what was the name of the demoness' brother?" she asked in a hoarse whisper.

Ryu pondered that for a moment, "Adus, I am sure that was it. He'll be showing up soon. A day ahead of his sister at any rate" he replied calmly. Beside him, Silvana stiffened abruptly. Ryu's ears perked at the action. "Hey, what's up?" he asked her, concerned now.

She didn't want to meet his eyes. Gods how could this be happening? Not Adus! "Ryu, do you remember when I told you that your brother freed me from an unwanted match?" she asked in a tremulous voice. Ryu nodded, suddenly not sure he liked where this was going. "Tell me….Adus… isn't the one". She nodded slowly, her eyes looking rather moist now.

Ryu growled at the sky, "Ah damn it".

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Aislin groaned as the seamstress poked and prodded, pushed and pinned. "We have more important things to worry about" she reminded Ayeka. The red haired woman merely smiled, "You don't" she pointed out, "Your concerns are the court and getting a satisfactory match".

The seamstress continued her motions, her bright yellow hair caught up in large spheres on either side of her head. Her purple demonic marking swept over her lids to the corners of her lashes to vanish into her hair. She was as lovely as delicate as the thing she was named for.

Aislin looked down at the butterfly youkai who was currently holding swaths of silk against her, babbling about getting the best colors. Aislin could have cared less to be honest. Kimonos and yukata were lovely yes, but she found them a bit restrictive. Too many layers she'd complained, much to Ayeka's amusement.

Ayeka had asked that Aislin's kimonos be made to resemble hers. They had false layers and were a little more forgiving. She also insisted that Aislin have sets of hakamas and haoris. She preferred to wear them on most days anyway.

Hours passed slowly and finally Aislin wanted to scream. Her head ached and the idea of learning so much in so short a period made it worse. Ayeka finally took mercy on her, "I think that's enough for one day. Aislin, why don't you go rest in the hot springs?"

The girl all but ran from the room. The butterfly chuckled, her magenta eyes warm "You weren't much better" she told Ayeka. The green eyed woman laughed, "Don’t I know it". The butterfly stiffened, "Someone is coming" she told Ayeka and the door was flung open.

Ryu stood staring at his mother. One look at his face told her something was very wrong. "Ryu, What is it?" she asked. He glanced at the seamstress, and she, being more than used to the abrupt nature of this family, rose. "I will be in the main hall my lady" she said.

Ayeka watched her son's ears flicker in irritation, his jaw ticking. "Ryu?" she asked again. He stared at her, "I am going to kill them mother" he said in a dangerous tone. She blinked, "What? Who?" she demanded. Ryu growled low in his throat, "That damn wolf Adus" he told her, "And Toga too".