The Taisho fire

Naginata

Another image of the wonderful illustrator Len. There is the link: https://www.facebook.com/aquaspirits/photos/a.129403048767/10156873260498768/

Tōga and Sesshōmaru in full training was a sight to behold. The daiyōkai, not a hair out of place, wore a simple training keikogi and dark grey hakama – the colour of sensei. Even though he harassed his father with impossible moves, the cloth barely gaped over his chiselled chest. Not a bead of sweat dampened his skin.

On the other hand, Tōga had dropped his own clothing some time ago, chest heaving, bangs plastered to his beautiful cheekbones. Only the hakama remained in a display so sinful that heat pooled low in Gwen's belly. Knowing Sesshōmaru would be able to smell her ... emotions, she schooled her thoughts quickly to analyse the patterns he was teaching with the naginata.

InuYasha had warned her that Sesshōmaru wouldn't go easy on his father; he wanted him to regain mobility and reflexes before they flew back to England for Christmas. Even though a security team would follow them discreetly, both men were eager for Tōga to heal. Gwen surmised they both needed the catharsis. First, to square off against each other with the tables turned compared to Sangoku jidai. Secondly, to realise that Tōga was alive and well.

She, for one, was eager to see him circle his silver-haired son. Fading bruises marred his skin and new ones bloomed every evening. And even though he winced too often, and was too battered at night to even touch her, it was well worth it. Little by little, Tōga's confidence resurfaced.

As for her... Towa had tried to present her with different weapons. According to Sesshōmaru, she possessed a good coordination; twin blades were her first attempt. The only issue was her abysmal handling of anything remotely pointy. Blades, whether in the kitchen or in the dojo, were more dangerous to her than to any opponent. After hours and hours of disappointment, they settled for a gun with reiki infused bullets.

Gwen felt much more at ease with a distance weapon. Today, she was going to try several guns to see which of them was the most efficient in her hands.

"Haru should be waiting for you at the firing range."

The smooth baritone shook her out of her musings. Sesshōmaru stood, a few feet from her, golden eyes blank as he allowed his father to take a rest. Gwen nodded her thanks and stood on the polished wooden floor.

"Can I ask you a question ?"

The yōkai cocked his head aside in a sign that he was listening.

"Shouldn't I learn to use a hunting rifle rather than a gun ?"

"Why ?" he asked, seeming puzzled.

She almost congratulated herself for creating an emotion, but Gwen knew better than to buy the blank façade. And Sesshōmaru, it seemed, had concluded that the sight would undermine any attempt at hiding emotions from her.

"Well, are there no animal-like yōkai ? A glock 17 wouldn't stop a boar efficiently."

"No," he said, his voice deep. "Yōkai incapable of human form have long disappeared, they cannot coexist with humanity."

"Oh."

A shiver ran up Gwen's spine. She, like many young people her age, had a few notions of ecosystems. But to recycle and chose sustainable fishing practises at the supermarket had not prepared her to meet creatures spawned by the earth itself. Yōkai were attuned to nature like no other, because the planet itself sustained their energy. To think that humanity had spread so far, so wide, so harshly that none of those lesser yōkai had survived...

"That's a little sad."

Sesshōmaru cocked a challenging eyebrow, daring her to voice her concerns.

"No, that just is. In the past, they would eat the weak; animals and human alike. Ningen society dominates now, we adapt, or we die. It is the way of the earth."