Chronicles of the West

Chapter Sixty Six

Tohru sat beside the bed for long hours. He was near waking she knew that. Her heart ached for him. His very existence hung in the balance. If he was a victim, then why was he being punished? She didn't understand. Her home was tense. She understood that there was great enemy out there and that somehow, he'd done this.

Was he like the fabled Naraku? Was he that powerful? She wondered. So many questions and not enough answers. Those answers begetting more questions. It made her head ache. All she could do what sit here and tend to him. Waiting for his eyes to open.

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Sesshoumaru was settled behind his desk, Inuyasha had gone to scout the area near the eastern border. The west was basically sealed off from other territories by his barriers. The situation outside of that barrier was worsening.

Sesshoumaru refused to allow himself to be backed into a corner. They had to find something soon. A light knock reached his ears as well as the pungent scent of Jaken. "What is it?" he snapped. The little toad turned an even more sickly shade of green. "Members of your league have arrived as ordered my lord" he blurted out, bowing so low his beaky nose brushed the floor.

Sesshoumaru grunted, "Go away Jaken" he commanded. The imp rushed from his sight as two figures appeared. "Ninia, Saio" he said calmly gesturing for them enter. Saio, his niece and Ninia of Sango's line. Members of his elite and secret League of Assassins. Scents covered by an odd herb.

The two women eyed him and bowed. "What is going on Uncle Sessh?" Saio asked. Sesshoumaru expected her to be to the point. "Trouble" he said simply. She arched a delicate brow, "Of course. You would not have sent for us if that weren't so" she pointed out.

He handed them the stack of reports. "Our new enemy is clever" Ninia remarked as she read through them. Sesshoumaru grunted, "He is an alchemist". Saio's eyes fixed on him, "You'd be better served by my brother" she told him. Sesshoumaru steepled his fingers before his face. "He is here" he told her.

She nodded, "What are your orders then?" she asked. Sesshoumaru unfurled a map across his desk, "I have been able to isolate incidents in these areas" he told them, indicating highlighted areas. These are not the area of the attacks but surges of power".

Ninia sighed, "I see. You can't investigate yourself because they are within other territories". He gave a single nod, "I am relying on you to find the source and report back. Strike if you can but you are far to valuable to be lost….no reckless ventures" he replied.

Saio shifted, the leather of her tight uniform creaking. Sesshoumaru looked at her, but she was already smoothing oil over the material. "No one knows for a certainty that you exist. The League must remain shrouded in darkness" he told them.

They nodded, Saio studying the map carefully, committing it carefully to memory. "Got it" she told Ninia, "Well leave now". Sesshoumaru watched them slip from his study. Silent feet betraying nothing of their presence.

He hadn't wanted to involve them. They were a political asset, and he preferred to keep them for that use alone. Saio had killed countless times in his name. She was his best. Of course she would be, she was Inuyasha's child. She'd inherited his stubborn drive and like him refused to accept defeat. Ninia, she was getting older now. In another handful of years, he'd be forced to retire her. Pity that. She'd not be happy in retirement.

He pondered briefly appointing her advisor over Inuyasha's captains, Tohma, and Souta. He knew that Tohma wouldn't mind. He practically drooled whenever she walked by. A sudden thought stuck him and he rose. He could have asked her long ago, but hadn't.

Moving to down the long corridors he came to the steps leading down to the dungeons. The passageway forked and the left was sealed to all buy he and Inuyasha. The one who lived down here disliked company and was able to give and receive things through a small window in the wall. Lifting his hand, he trailed his fingers over the stone carvings.

A soft light responded to his touch and the door was opened to him. He stepped over the threshold and the room was sealed once more. Torchlight illuminated the curved stone steps leading down to her lair. Lamps burned brightly around the large chamber.

One of immense but unstable power resided in this shadowy world. Of her own will. The oracle. He caught her scent, the scent of blood oranges and nutmeg. An exquisite scent that would have lured many to her, if only they'd the chance to sample it. "Uncle Sesshoumaru" came the soft voice from the shadows.

Sesshoumaru turned to look upon the tall female, her flesh pale, her hair white. Her eyes a strange liquid silver. Her essence exuded gentleness. "How are you Taima?" he asked. Inuyasha's youngest daughter lifted her hands, "Quiet as always" she replied.

Sesshoumaru eyed the massive stack of books on the table, "Do you require more reading materials?" he asked. She smiled, "That would be nice. I have read these many times, I do like them though" she replied.

Taima moved to the table and offered her uncle some tea. He declined. "You have come because of the darkness" she told him and he nodded. She sat beside him and took his hand, "You are thinking that it is sad that I remain here. Uncle Sesshoumaru, I dislike the light and to be around so many is painful. My life here is happy. The nature of my being cannot be helped" she said softly.

He pressed a kiss to her brow. He was one of the few that she could be around. The feelings of other crashed on her in painful, overwhelming waves. So she remained alone much of the time. Sesshoumaru had long since given up on moving her aboveground to chambers fitting her status.

She liked this place best. "Satoru is here" he told her, "And an elemental". She nodded, of course she was aware of this. "I would like to meet her" she said softly. Sesshoumaru nodded, "I believe that she would be good company for you. Your mother and Aunt asked that I bring you something".

She turned to gaze up at him. Sesshoumaru withdrew a sparkling sphere. Setting it before one of her lamps, he watched as rainbows danced over her walls. She smiled, "It is beautiful". "Tell me Taima" he said then, "Have you seen the darkness?"

She shivered slightly, "Oh yes. It is great and brilliantly bright". His brow furrowed. She closed her eyes and leaned against him, "I have seen the fields red with blood, terror from the skies. Wings, wings that bring death. Our blood is the key, they have used it and created a body" she told him.

Wings. A body. The wounded creature upstairs. He stiffened and she ran her cool palms over his cheeks, "Not the kitsune. Another" she insisted, "The one who lies sleeping is not the foe. The other, he, houses a soul… a soul corrupted by the icy darkness".

Sesshoumaru listened carefully. "Can we defeat it?" he asked. Taima lifted quicksilver eyes to him, "Not us" she whispered. Pure begets pure begets power. Half power to end half life". Sesshoumaru disliked her cryptic way of speaking but that was no fault of her own. Her visions came to her that way, twisted and distorted.

Taima, oracle of the west. "Send me the elemental?" she asked him. He nodded and rose to see her wish carried out. She clutched her head and fell to her knees. "Uncle Sessh!" she cried out. The demon lord was beside her in an instant, gathering her shaking form to his chest. Her eyes rolled back and she stiffened.

Her visions overtaking her. "Shhh, I'm here" he crooned to her, "easy now, easy". Long minutes later he found himself staring into bright silver eyes, her powers of purification rising around them. "You must calm Taima" he ordered her softly, her powers stinging against his flesh. Still, he held her.

She bit her lip, ivory fangs puncturing ivory lip. She fought hard for control, and finally pushed her powers down. Unlike her brother Satoru, she was more miko than demon and her powers raged against her blood. Satoru was able to control himself, she was not. It was yet another reason for her self imposed exile. Sesshoumaru held her hands at the wrists, not allowing her to touch him or herself, lest her powers be focused.

He kept his youki tightly reined it, it wanting to rise against the threat of her powers. Having his settle caused her own to die down. She panted in his arms, her fragile wrists locked in the powerful grip of a single hand, his other stroking her face gently.

"Ninia" she whispered sadly, tears spilling over her lashes. Sesshoumaru locked eyes with her, "What of her?" he asked, forcing his voice to remain calm. Taima rolled in his arms to bury her face against his chest, her little hands tangling in his hair. "She will………fall".

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly, "How?" he demanded. Taima was panting, her exertions too much for her. "He will see her. His eyes roam the sky, he sees everything but what is hidden behind the barrier" her voice a tired sound. Sesshoumaru lifted her, feeling the lingering burn of her purification.

He settled her on her soft bed and smoothed her brow. She turned weary eyes to him. "Forgive me" she said, seeing the marks of her power on him. He shook his head, "It will take more than you to hurt this Sesshoumaru" he assured her, "I shall send the elemental to you in the morning when you are rested". She nodded, eyes sliding closed.

Sesshoumaru made his way up the stone stair way that led to the dungeon floor and then upward to the main hall. Seeing a maid he snapped orders for soothing tea to be taken to his niece along with more books. Taima was to have everything and anything she wanted.

Inuyasha separated himself from the wall to his right. "How is she?" he asked. Sesshoumaru kept walking, his gaze fixed directly ahead. Inuyasha noted the fading red marks on his pale flesh. "Purification huh?" he asked. Sesshoumaru nodded. "Sorry" his younger sibling said.

Sesshoumaru held his hand out, "It was not her fault, her visions came on her while I was there" he told Inuyasha. "She's seen it then. The one we face?" he asked. Sesshoumaru nodded, "Wings. I know that much for certain, and that it isn't the one Tohru is watching over".

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Alastair leaned against the doorframe, staring at his newest achievement. Said achievement was currently sitting at a vanity table, reading. "He is dead?" he asked. The golden brow lifted, "The fox? Yes" came the reply. Alastair nodded, "What name shall we give you then?" he mused. The winged being shifted, "I have a name" he said.

The once human stared at him, "Well then, what is it?" he asked. The golden gaze met his through the mirror. The human desired him, how interesting. A slight smirk played upon the finely shaped lips. "I have many names but I shall tell you my true name when the time comes" he said, "Until then you may call me Josin".

Alastair rolled the name over his tongue, "Josin". Josin nodded, catching Alastair's eyes in the mirror. He would have the utter submission of this male before him. He was the one who would deliver unto Josin that which he most desired.

"I can give you everything you wish" he said, his voice smooth, melodious. He rose and approached Alastair. He circled him slowly, "Everything you desire…of the world……of power" his voice dropped to a hushed whisper near Alastair's ear, "Of pleasure".

Alastair's body responded to that voice, "What is it you want?" he asked softly. Josin smiled as he moved to tower over Alastair, "I want you Alastair" he said simply, leaning close he brushed his lips against the trembling man, "Body and….soul".

Alastair stared wide eyed at him, "My soul?" he asked. Josin nodded, "It's a simple matter really. A promise if you will. I require your unfailing obedience. Drastic change calls for drastic measures and if you want this new world, you will bleed for it".

Alastair stared at the haunting golden eyes, "Who are you really?" he asked. Josin smiled indulgently, "I am the sword of your dreams" he replied, "You have dabbled in the arts of darkness to bring me here. Such unholy actions, command an unholy price. Is there anything you wouldn't give for the realization of your dreams?".

Alastair drew in a shaky breath as Josin moved behind him, his answer was a whisper and quickly given, "No".