Chronicles of the West

Chapter Eighty Two

Ayeka looked out over her men. They stood silent, waiting for her words to them. She'd briefed them on the danger, the opponent they faced. Most recalled Naraku and when she compared them, dread swept over the ranks.

"This battle is unlike any before. For while he is clever as Naraku was. He is a heart a different creature. He has become something less than a demon and more than a man. He has the power to call souls from the void to serve him.

We must remain unflinching, our watch most strict. No longer do we fight to preserve the sanctity of the west, or of Japan……but the whole world. For his vision goes far and deep and tarnishes all it touches. Soldiers of the west, do not bend beneath the weight of your burdens but stand tall in your might. For you have seen victory many times before, and together.. We shall see victory again"

The demons roared their approval at her words. Ayeka, stood in her armor, her weapons honed and gleaming. The fabled general of the west, hero of the people had returned. Her stance proud and true and Satoshi wished his lord could see her, so proud did she make him.

Taisha and Kurama stood nearby. They were the contingency plan. If the barrier of the west was broken, Taisha was to erect another. Kurama would use the recently pilfered item as a last resort. Golden eyes fell to the odd blossom in his palm. More hearty than any flower, nearly as powerful as the shikon jewel. In a different way. He hoped they would have no need of it.

Within hours of the departure of Sesshoumaru, the barrier was up once more. His strength great enough to accomplish it. It would wear on him, and she knew that. Patrols were stacked, and overlapped so that no unit was out of sight from another for more than an hour.

Guards were doubled, curfews established. The visiting lords and ladies were confined to the palace proper unless they had accepted duties. Most had, and were shuffled through the patrols and watches. None wanted to stand idle in the face of danger.

Ayeka paced the battlements, eyes scanning the sky for returning patrols. For wounded. For attacks. Satoshi watched her for long hours. She was tireless in her efforts, but all too soon, exhaustion began to creep across her lovely features.

"My lady you must rest" he told her firmly on the third day. She didn't bother to look up from her reports. "Is there a problem Captain Satoshi?" she asked. He watched her sharp green eyes scan the contents of the latest missives.

"Lady Ayeka" he said, "You are driving yourself into the ground. You must seek some rest". Still she went on. Satoshi knew of her stubborn nature, having encountered it often enough. She rose to see to other duties, walking past him.

"Stop" he barked sharply. The tone making her turn. She wanted to reprimand him for his actions, yet when she looked at him, all she saw was deep concern. "I know that you are worried my lady. If we must fight, they we must have you. If you are exhausted like this… what use will you be to your men?".

She blinked, looking away. How could she tell him that she never slept well when Sesshoumaru was gone? Bright eyes burned into her scalp making her lift her head. "There is much to do" she said. Satoshi reached over and snapped the reports neatly from her grasp. "I have therefore been delegated to see to it, while you rest. I insist my lady, the full night"

She began to argue but he shook his head, "You have my word that I will wake you should any issue arise that I cannot handle fully". With a sigh of defeat, she nodded, "Very well. Any issue Satoshi". He agreed, "I shall have a small meal sent up for you as well". She smiled wanly at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you Satoshi".

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Sesshoumaru stood, poised at the edge of the party. They were letting the oni horses water and graze before continuing. His senses scanning, all seemed quiet. Too quiet. "Inuyasha" he called softly. His dog eared brother rose and stalked to his position.

Sesshoumaru did not bother to turn, "Do you hear it?" he asked. Inuyasha's ears flickered back and forth. "I don't hear anything". Sesshoumaru lifted his eyes to the branches above. "Exactly". Inuyasha followed his gaze. No birds, no rustling in the low brush to indicate small animals.

"The animals have gone silent" Sesshoumaru said, his hand moving to Tokijin, "Therefore we are not alone". Inuyasha growled, "Ready yourselves" he snapped at the group, but they were already on their feet. Along the ground came a strange rolling mist that seeped ever closer to them.

It was black and they noticed the odd twinkling within it. It hissed and moved, circling them. Like a vaporous serpent, it came at them. The circle it had made growing smaller, drawing tighter. Sesshoumaru stared at it, a bored expression on his face.

"Do not touch it" he warned the other, "It is venomous". The dark priestess shied away from it, Madu pulling her closer to him and pushing her behind. Sesshoumaru lifted a brow, the silence was deafening now. The soft, silken swish of him withdrawing the bloodthirsty blade at his hip, seeming overloud.

He extended his arm, the long blade reflecting it's victim. With the smallest amount of thought, the power of Tokijin flared and snapped at the vapor. There was a high pitched hiss and keening sound, grating on the sensitive ears of the demons, and then it exploded in a glittering black mist.

Sesshoumaru's sword creating a bubble of impenetrable light around his group. Poison spattered against it, hissing as it evaporated into nothingness. Without looking back, he sheathed the weapon in his obi and called out the order that one of his soldiers fall back to the main body….. They would relay news of this creature.

The group continued on, taking to the air once more. Time was of the essence and Ryu was struggling against his beast. Amari led them unerringly. While few trusted him not to betray them, they did trust the wrath of the Taisho. That was enough to follow.

He knew what they thought of him, felt their eyes on his back as he darted through the air. The air currents pressing and caressing against his leathery wings. He was not like them. He had been made, and they would not forget that, would not overlook his existence.

They would strike at him, given the chance. He was certain he could handle more than a few of them, but that would be to go against his vow. He was dependent on Lord Sesshoumaru's word. The Taiyoukai was above reproach, beyond question. His minions were another matter. He had no doubts that should they attack him, the inu lord would end their lives….. But would that be in time to save him?

Turning his eyes forward again, he shifted his left wing slightly, rising a little higher. He had to concentrate on the task at hand. Golden eyes swam before his mind's eye. Golden eyes and bright hair. Tohru had not been pleased to learn he was leaving. She said his wounds were not healed, that was laughable, but she'd remained firm.

He supposed that she, like himself, grew lonely. His siblings had all grown and married and left the den. He'd had precious few youngsters to talk to. It was likely the same with Tohru. He envied her, she was a hanyou, true, but she was surrounded by a large family. Her pack was full and warm.

He wished he could say the same. His family, if any of them had survived, were beyond his reach now. They would no longer accept him. His scent, his make-up had been altered and the life he'd once had, once lived…was now lost to him.

Silvery eyes narrowed on the forest below. They would pay. Pay for robbing him of his rightful place, for threatening the world he held so dear. All of them. The makers would fall and so then must their creations. He wondered, almost idly, if he should count himself among that number.

Could he find a place? Could he go on? There were so many unknowns. Could he survive a full lifespan in this odd body? Could he sire kits? If so, what would they be? A perfected blend of the things he was made of, or some misshapen beast bound for culling?

He didn't like to think about the future, well, not his anyway. It only seemed to stare bleakly back at him. Like a silent reminder that he was not meant to be. Was it perhaps better then, to erase the sins of the makers in one sweep? To rid the world of an otherwise indelible stain? If that were so, was he brave enough to face it?