Kagome was busying herself for the coming storm that suddenly appeared, but Inuyasha was highly suspicious of the graying clouds overhead. From a pool of water in a crescent moon shaped water feature, three elders dressed in fine robes were watching the young couple engage in a normal life. One of the elders narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Instead, he waved his hand in the air to summon a light gust of wind that took smoke from the surrounding torches and moved the water to another visual. Sesshomaru and Jaken were looking out into the sea, but the young heir caught sight of something and looked to his side. Whether or not he knew the elders were watching him was unclear, but his eyes locked with theirs. The elder in white and magenta robes heard carriages arriving and perked up in alert. The Elders from the East had arrived. Some maids and manservants were hurrying to their posts. Walking over to the front of the counseling hall, the three West Elders waited for their comrades to greet them. When they did, they were joined by the heir of the East dressed in white, gray, and black. His armor was removed, and he seemed to be in a good mood. No, he was a bit too... confident more than jovial.
The elders all bowed with respect to each other before they acknowledged the young heir and old comrade of the late Inu no Taisho. As part of protocol, the West Elders took their seats facing the entryway and the East Elders took their corresponding seats on the left side of the West Elders. No one from the North was coming on this day. They hardly ever spoke to their comrades ever since the South had suddenly "disappeared", but the rumor has it that the Southern lands have reached ascension. All the elders visited them, but the lands looked uninhabited like no one was ever there. The last time an investigation was made on the situation, Toga was only able to find an odd coin in the soil that was far too large to put in a purse. It could possibly be worn as a medallion, but it was far too heavy for the neck and shoulders of a smaller person. It could only be suitable for a demon of a larger, stockier stature. A strange occurrence for their comrades and a worrying one with no clues on their whereabouts.
The young heir of the East finally spoke up and said, "Good afternoon, elders. I was quite surprised to know that my comrade's family had all gone on a family outing. They haven't had family time since his passing. How is the new general holding up?"
"Good tidings, Kirinmaru. While the general is no replacement for your comrade, he is on investigation with the recent killings that have been happening across an unusual territory," the West Elder dressed in black and purple robes informed. "Though the timing is questionable, Lord Sesshomaru and his family could use this time to properly grieve for their loss. Lord Toga's tomb is locked away by his half-breed son. The children have their closure. His late wife and father do not. It is perhaps best for young Sesshomaru to explain the details of his father's death."
"Why not the half-breed? Their entire family is mixed with something. Even I am of mixed blood. The tiangou lineage is strong within us," Kirinmaru asked. "He may as well know how unfit he really is."
"It is of no benefit to them or us whether they know the truth of Lord Toga's death or not. It is merely a mercy on our end. Toga was an exceptional soldier with heightened favor. The tiangou lineage has proven itself worthier than we expected since their arrival. Toga cursed himself and ended his own life by running into the arms of a human and abandoning his family. His sons are doomed to suffer a similar fate," the West Elder said, closing his eyes with thought.
"But, they both were surprisingly able to defeat creatures that were causing our way of life to crumble," an East Elder dressed in white, gold, and red robes mentioned. "Young Inuyasha has shown he has the potential to take up a place among the House through his demonstration of power against Ryukotsusei - a feat that proved fatal for his father. If a half-breed can finish his father's fights, it may not be that he is cursed but that Toga had fallen that far from grace."
"The gods do not disclose who they choose to spare or who they choose to forsake. It is imperative to maintain purity and power to ensure that we are never forsaken," the West Elder dressed in grey and coral pink robes explained. "The House of Inu has prided itself in being the heavenly guardians for generations. However, Young Sesshomaru has always shown the most promise. He reached a level of power beyond his father and was able to slay the Master of Hell as a guardian of a young child. This is something Toga has never done even as the protector of our lands, his family, and other royal families simply as a hired hand. More still, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha aided each other in defeating War Gods. This is a feat normally criminalized, but they both gained more power and favor."
"While I admire this attempt at acknowledgement, both of my comrade's sons are no match for this new threat plaguing our lands. In fact, the events occurring now match that of the purging ritual. The gates of hell are opening to unleash unpunished souls, the heavens have gone to war, war is breaking out among the nobles of the pitifully mortal lands - this is not the time for a vacation! Potential is not strength. It's an opportunity to show out, but the House of Inu needs more than that! Look at the Western lands! There were no capable guards here to greet us! Your general is no replacement for my old comrade, and he left you unguarded should another war god stumble upon you by happenstance! This is weakness and recklessness of the highest degree!" Kirinmaru argued. "If my old comrade's sons can't take up the mantle as the West's king, I will finish his works and join our territories."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, boy!" the black and purple West Elder barked. "The East and West are grand territories no one man can control!"
"Oh? And who else will you choose to rule your land with me? Have you someone equal in power?" Kirinmaru asked calmly. "Unless Lord Sesshomaru returns a man like his father after his little trip, he's as good as dead should the forbidden happen and a purge starts. Oh, but I guess you're already in the midst of that, aren't you?"
When the elders said nothing more, Kirinmaru waited for a moment before yawning and stretching.
He then asked, "What tasks did Toga not complete before his death? I'll finish them. The ones I can't complete will be left to his sons. Will that suffice as a way to prove my capabilities to you?"
"Toga had many duties. You cannot possibly finish them all before his family returns home," the East Elder replied.
"Very well. Let's start with something basic: the borders. I'll start with a campaign and check all the main borders surrounding our lands. The points that are weakest will have protection from my men. The points that are supported will be moved around to distribute reinforcement evenly. That should damn well aid this new general's investigation. Since the southern lands haven't been investigated further, I'll dispel the myths by doing my own research into their matter. The southern lands have gone missing since Toga and I were teenagers. Something could have easily been overlooked," Kirinmaru offered. "Will that suffice for now?"
________________________________________________________________
"What're you up to, imp?" a familiar feminine voice asked.
"My name is Lord Jaken! And, I'm simply minding my own business. Hmph!" Jaken said, turning away from Yuko.
"That right?" Yuko asked, flopping down next to him. "Well, hate to tell you this, but my husband's ship and business are very sensitive things. Unless you want him to throw you overboard, I suggest not taking unnecessary notes of his workings."
"That's not about him! It's about Lord Sesshomaru! I'm his chronicler!" Jaken said, snatching his scrolls and ink away to cuddle them.
"His chronicler?" Yuko asked curiously.
"It's a new title..." Jaken grumbled, crossing his legs to brace for an insult.
"Oh, so you're just making a keepsake for him? That's sweet," Yuko complimented with a smile. She hopped up for a moment to get a leather tube and handed it over to Jaken. "Here you are then. It'll stop rain and snow from ruining the ink. Y'know, this might seem strange, but I worry about you two sometimes."
"There's nothing to worry about!" Jaken remarked, taking the leather tube gently and putting one of papers in it. "What're you talking about anyway, human?"
"Well..., it's hard to say, but I guess it's about your safety," Yuko said, sitting down into a comforting ball and looking up into the sky. "You're a bit like my sensei. You get into trouble without meaning to, but I guess that's where the line gets drawn. Your journey now isn't like hers. She's not learning anything new like you are. She's returning to who she once was. I'm... actually kinda glad you stumbled on us. I get to see who my sensei was before I became her apprentice. I wonder if you'll get to see your lord before he became the Lord of the West."
"I've been seeing it more lately. That witch is a peculiar one," Jaken said wistfully, following Yuko's gaze to the clouds and sky. "I thought only Rin was capable of changing Lord Sesshomaru for the better. Our travels were much more peaceful with her around, and things weren't as volatile and tense. Now, things are tense but in a different way. Maybe even... a better way. You know... I've never met Lord Sesshomaru's grandfather before in all of the years I've known him. I've only ever been to the citadel once for these clothes and the Nintojo. I met his mother completely by accident at the time. I couldn't even get my name out! Now, I'm going on this grand trip to a brand-new land with him and me lord's mother in tow. I've learned so much more about his family. It makes me wonder why that witch is so different."
"Hehehe, that's just how sensei is!" Yuko cheered. "I think that's how all the hell travelers are. They can show you things, people, and places far beyond what you're used to. I was just a poor farm girl as a kid. Ever since I met her, I've seen all kinds of places in our home country! I learned a lot from her as a nurse, earned enough money to buy nicer clothes, and bought an old house of my own. I stayed in that house just under a year before that pighead tore it down!"
"Prince Yamashi destroyed your home!?" Jaken questioned.
"Well, I refused to have my wife staying in a shabby-ass shack," Yamashi added, handing Jaken a small travel bag. "That's for you. It should hold your scrolls and staff there in one place. You're going to need plenty of paper."
Jaken started tearing up before he closed his eyes tightly and said, "Why is everyone being so nice to me all of a sudden? Damn it all!"
"Where we're going, you're gonna wanna durable bag," Yamashi commented, gently kissing Yuko's cheek.
"Huh? Uh, where are we headed? Another place like Goryeo?" Jaken asked.
"We're headed to the blacksmith at the grottoes just before we hit Loulan," Yamashi explained with an excited grin. "That's the hub city before the trek up the Silk Road. We'll be there for a couple of days, depending on business, and decide how far down the road we need to go. If business is a little slow, we'll cross the desert over to Qiemo. The ambassadors will meet us in Loulan. I get information on market trends from them. It'd do you some good to learn how to gather intel from there. The Silk Road holds the largest wealth of knowledge from different languages to cultures to changes in politics or religion. You can purchase more paper and ink in the city."
"You don't sell paper then?" Jaken asked, a bit deflated that he had to speak to people who didn't know his language.
"I'm mainly invested in fine artillery. My Yuko will be with Doc," Yamashi replied.
"Artillery? You're a weapons dealer?" Jaken asked.
"Of course," Yamashi replied confidently. "Every kind of material that can be gathered for use gets collected and brought to the blacksmith. I evaluate their rarity and structure before I even give him a piece of an ore. His brothers judge the price of each material and the time it will take to break down and synthesize new weapons or enhancements. By the time I return from my travels on the road, I'll have weapons and armor our home country couldn't possibly fathom. Only creatures of god-like strength ever purchase the blacksmith's creations. They are highly valued, but that's how I earn the money."
"Who has bought these creations from you so far?" Jaken asked, thoroughly impressed.
"A mountain god, river guardian, and one half-demon soldier in a king's army. I mostly sell these weapons on the trade route, not Nihon," Yamashi informed. "Doc told me to teach your lord how to do trade while she's away on her tasks. I'm interested in what his eye can catch. King Weevil was fanatic over his culinary talents. I wonder what else he can do."
"I've never seen me lord cook or eat until recently. I, too, am quite curious," Jaken said, taking a mental note of Yamashi's words. Why did Lady Meioshi want Sesshomaru to expand his horizons to this degree?
"Captain! The Wind Barrier!"
Yamashi grinned excitedly from the news. They were reaching land at last! This was his favorite part of his job, and, for whatever reason, he felt he had to tell Sesshomaru more of the details. Meioshi entrusted him with teaching the inu prince about his lifestyle. There had to be a grander reason for it. Maybe he was right and Sesshomaru was more than curious about his work. Maybe he was thinking of leaving the House of Inu. Homugi left and she's said multiple times that she was happier in Heiwa. She was even raising the money to live between Mizu Hoseki near the ryokans and the border where the farmlands and Meioshi's territory meet. She'd be right across the road from the clinic! Loud grinding was heard in the distance, Yamashi ran up to the ship's wheel and saw the spinning wheel tower get closer and closer in view. He understood why Meioshi loved sailing so much when he had a destination to look forward to. The best part about learning from his old enemy was easily this part.
"Moromao's Grottoes!" Yamashi said to himself. "Hey, Lord Sesshomaru! Get your ass up here!"
"We are not familiar enough for you to call me that," Sesshomaru griped.
"You wanna learn how to be a real man or not? Leave your old man's blacksmith behind and get your own! He had his day!" Yamashi exclaimed.
"Did he just insult Old Totosai?" Milady questioned, blinking quickly for a second.
Sesshomaru quickly walked up to the ship's wheel to see what the commotion was about but was not prepared for Yamashi to pull him over to the ship's side. He pointed at three menacing towers overlooking the sea and a tornado barrier forming a maelstrom in the water. You could see the sea floor!
"That's Moromao the Kamaitachi Blacksmith! He's just like me. A rogue demon who used to leave behind a path of destruction and bloodshed but left his home for a better life. He's one of the best blacksmiths around. Knows over 100 different ways to craft 50 types of weapons from axes to war shields! All based on what he learned on the Silk Road. Sorry about you and your old man's past, but you won't get anywhere in life if you keep hanging onto remnants of him. It's good to honor the dead but don't make that your way of living. I think this is a good first step to getting the kingdom you always wanted if that's the route you wanna go down," Yamashi said over the loud winds reaching out to him. "If not, this gives you an idea of what you really want. Is fighting all you're good for?"
"Moromao was a criminal even to other youkai like us. How is he like you? You're a prince," Sesshomaru replied, trying to ignore the sentiment of Yamashi's words. Did he really see another potential in Sesshomaru? Could he be more than a war machine?
"If he was just a criminal, Meioshi wouldn't have brought him overseas. She saw something more in him the same way she saw something in me... and you. Still think you're too good for us rogues?" Yamashi asked with a proud smirk.
Sesshomaru didn't say anything more. He just looked out to Moromao's dock quietly. Yamashi saw this hopeful look in his eyes, though. He finally got to be a mentor to someone who was exactly like him once.
Yamashi then commanded, "Lower the sails! Fire the left cannon to shift the barrier! We're docking!"