Chronicles of the West

Chapter Sixty Two

Alastair stared at the information before him. This was it. The key he'd been seeking. He had only to open the void and find the correct soul. His demon half growled in satisfaction. That would not be hard to accomplish. There were many angry, pained souls in that dark world. Ones that sought life and would go to any lengths to get it.

Alastair checked his preparations carefully. There was no room for error in this endeavor or it would cost him his life as well. But those who never risk defeat, never gain glory. He kept that in mind as he worked. Glancing out the window, he saw the sun setting. He waited for the moon, when it reached it's zenith, the way would be made clear.

His slim fingers shifted a bit of sand into a neat line on the floor. A low moan came from the nearby cage and he looked over at the caged beings. "Soon pets, you will be whole and glorious" he whispered. They inwardly fought against the many seals covering them.

Amari knew what Alastair wanted to do. Knew that it was only by the grace of that once human that he was spared that fate. Another kitsune was there, an eagle as well, and the blood, hair and flesh of the Taisho family.

The kitsune had been selected because he was beautiful as well as strong. Though Amari knew that face would not remain in the end. Alastair was after something frightening and profane. He was about to create the perfect being and he was only capable of that because of the materials he'd been given. The strength of the Taisho blood would be their downfall in the end.

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Aislin was sick of crying. She scrubbed her face with cold water and left her room. She was going to see Victor and Satoru. They always managed to make her smile and perhaps she could help them find whatever it was they were looking for.

She turned down the hall, eyes focused on nothing and bumped into something very hard. Before she could fall, an arm settled at her waist to keep her upright. She slowly looked upwards over the silken chest. Daisuke.

"Are you alright lady Aislin?" he asked softly and she nodded, feeling like the most clumsy of creatures. "I am sorry Daisuke, I was not looking where I was going" she said. He smiled, that kind smile, "It must be something of great importance" he said, "If I may, I would offer to help you sort it out".

She blushed, "No, that is not needed, but I thank you. I was just going to the library to see Lord Satoru" she replied a little breathlessly. She seemed to remember then that she was in his arms and stepped back from him. With a warm smile, he offered his arm, "I would be happy to escort you there. I am going to the great hall" he told her. Aislin saw no harm and allowed him to take her arm, chatting softly as they moved through the halls towards her destination.

Toga watched them go, his eyed tinging pink. "That damn horse" he muttered. The scent of his father overtook him then, "Jealous Toga?" he asked. His son glared at him and walked away. Sesshoumaru's voice rang down the hall to him, "He has offered for her" he said, "They do seem to like one another". A low growl was the only answer he got.

"You are a heartless bastard you know that?" Inuyasha asked, his voice laced with amusement. Sesshoumaru looked down his nose at him, "I am only trying to teach my son a very important lesson" he sniffed. Inuyasha smirked, "Looks like you are taking a page from his mother's book on this one".
True. Ayeka did have ways of making the most painful lessons stick….forever.

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Satoru was reading his book as Ippiku fluttered near his ear, trying to read as well. The fluttering sound and unending babble finally rubbed the demon the wrong way, for he reached up and neatly palmed the little blue imp. "Cease that infernal racket" he growled and set the imp on his shoulder.

"If you think that is racket I'd hate to see you around loud noises" Ippiku muttered. Satoru calmly flipped the page, "Shall I purify you?" he asked conversationally. Ippiku made a small 'eep' sound and fell silent. In fact he was still as well, like a little winged statue perched.

From across the way, Victor smiled at the humor in Satoru's eyes. Aislin was busily reading along with them as were Ryu and Silvana. The library was now the hub for research and activity. The recent scene with Toga was set aside for the sake of the greater good. Of course Victor and Silvana would completely sympathize with her later.

Victor's brow furrowed and unease moved into his scent alerting the demons that something was wrong. "What have you found?" Satoru asked. Victor looked up and then down at the tome in his hands, "I hope that this is not the perfect being he hoped to create" he whispered.

They paled upon hearing his explanation. Alastiar was embarking on a dark journey from which he might never return. Dabbling in long forgotten arts and dark magic's. Things best left alone. "He cannot possibly know what the outcome will be" Victor breathed. Satoru sighed, "And neither can we".

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That evening, Sesshoumaru presented his ward and the elemental to the court. As he as suspected, they made quite a stir among the gathered demons. Silvana was powerful and Aislin was a beautiful curiosity.

Ryu had made it quite clear that there would be no suitors to the elemental fox. She was his and that was that. Toga wished he had the freedom to do the same, however, he could not. He could only follow tradition and hope that the damage of the afternoon might yet be repaired.

Aislin was amazed at the sheer number of demons assembled and the awe with which they approached not only Sesshoumaru but Inuyasha as well. The wolfess was also in attendance and of course her brother. Adus made mention to several of the nobles that his sister was promised to Toga.

Ryu of course responded by stating that Toga was in no way promised to her. Adus was furious that the half demon would dare make a mockery of him. Adus's eyes roved over Silvana with disgust and barely disguised desire. "A half blood Silvana? Really, you would have been much better suited to serving me". Silvana felt Ryu bristle beside her, "I serve no one" she replied coldly. He growled at Ryu who merely smirked and cracked his knuckles, "You may be a pureblood" he said, "But I can still kick your ass".

Silvana tugged him away soon after, "Ryu, you can't just threaten him like that" she said. Ryu Keh'd. "The hell I can't" he responded, "You've been presented as my chosen, therefore insults to you are insults to me". She smiled at him, and he growled in response, wanting to throw her over his shoulder and take her elsewhere.

"None of that Ryu" she gently chided. His golden eyes widened for a moment, "You and that reading people thing. It's creepy Silvana, damn creepy". His words brought a trill of laughter bubbling up from her chest. Several demons turned to see what had made the beautiful creature so happy. More than a few smiled at the handsome hanyou and renowned thief who held the arm of the pale female.

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"I hate mingling" Inuyasha sniped. Sesshoumaru glanced at his brother from the corner of his eye. Inuyasha looked thoroughly put out with residing over the social gathering alongside him. "It is your duty" he reminded softly.

Inuyasha grumbled and Kagome smiled up at him, "It's not that bad" she told him. He grunted, "They make me itch worse than fleas" he muttered. Sesshoumaru looked out over the assemblage, "For the love of… just don't scratch" he muttered right back.

Ayeka stood beside her mate, stoic and aloof as he. Her verdant gaze moving over the smaller groups of people. Taking note of who spoke to whom. So far nothing seemed out of place. A flash of silver drew her attention then and her eyes moved while her head remained still. It was then she noticed Taisha and Kurama speaking.

The family members and friends were on the vast floor, moving among the court members, sharp eyes and ears catching details that might prove helpful. Sesshoumaru was under the impression that Alastair had allies and given his mobility Ayeka could only support that theory.

Someone familiar with the working of the youkai world, the patterns of activity. The strengths and weaknesses, the regions and strongholds. There were a great many who wished to see the west fall. But there were an equal number of those who relied on the west for the relative peace of Japan. The question remained… who?

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Kurama and Taisha moved smoothly through the throng of demons. Many was the noble eye that followed the course of the untouchable princess of the west. Her demeanor gracious and icy at the same time. Like her father, Kurama thought.

Her green eyes never lingering overlong on any individual, her hand light on his arm. "So many have come" she said softly, "Lords have brought their children". Kurama chuckled at her tone, "They seek matches within the house of the west. I believe that toad back there has his eye on you".

She stiffened, "I am not for these fools". Kurama lifted a brow at her, "And who are you for then?" he asked, "Since you seem to know for certain". Pale golden eyes encompassed the world and Taisha felt her cheeks heat slightly. "For myself" she retorted. Kurama laughed lightly. 'Not on your life' he thought to himself.

He maneuvered them into a covered alcove. She looked up at him, and he smiled down at her. The point of a fang gleaming at her. Her heart beat sped up, and he cocked his ear to listen. "What's this?" he asked charmingly. Taisha stiffened and pulled from him, "I'm not for you either you damnable fox!" she spat.

Kurama laughed, "You have no idea how very like your father you sounded just now" he murmured and before she could escape Kurama pressed his lips to hers. Only a taste he told himself, then her mystery would be solved and he could leave well enough alone. Just one.

Her eyes went wide at the soft touch, but his lips softened against her and her eyes fluttered before closing. Just a little kiss, then he wouldn't be intriguing to her. Just one. His lips moved gently over her own, and then his tongue slid along her lower lip, eliciting a small gasp from her.

Kurama growled in his throat as his arm came around her, her arousal and innocence dancing around him. His tongue swept passed her lips and teeth to slide against her own in a electrifyingly smooth friction.

Kurama broke the kiss allowing them both much needed air. Panting they stared at each other. "Just two" they said in unison and crashed together once again. Kurama felt her arms twine around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair and her body flush to his.

And then a strange thing happened. Kurama saw his bachelorhood fall away from him and he suddenly didn't mind. Taisha on the other hand saw heartache. She loved him, and she knew that it was dangerous to her peace of mind. She pulled from him, and pushed away, fleeing back into the hall.

Kurama was about to spring after her, but Satoru made his appearance then and his attentions were drawn elsewhere.