The Fox's Son

Chapter 46 - A Conflicted Interest

The lord of the Western Lands was a patient demon lord. He was always calm and collected, and seemingly indifferent to a lot of things. Hell, he had to be, dealing with those nuisances he dealt with in court and being in the position that he is in, had a reputation to uphold. However, in some things, his patience is rather limited. One example of such was that insolent half-breed of a brother, Inuyasha. Another case, was anyone questioning his orders or doubting his strength.

There was one thing that he did have patience for, however. And that was for acquiring knowledge. In truth, whenever the demon lord was not patrolling his lands or slaughtering a troublesome faction of rampaging demons, the lord of the West would spend hours upon hours in his study.

Collected by his forefathers, the taiyokai had thousands upon thousands of scrolls and books, gathered through the ages since the time of his grandfather had founded the Western Lands to rule, the expansion brought on by his father, Inu-no-Taicho, all the way up to his relatively recent rule. Almost 4,500 years of history was in his study, however, each one of them failed to knowledge that he really needed. The knowledge of whatever power that lone human had demonstrated the day on his borders. Hell, his lands was still scorched from his consuming fire, forbidding it to ever grow vegetation again.

Frustrated by his lack of knowledge of the subject, Sesshomaru turned to the last place he was able. To gain information from a being far older than any demon currently in existence (or so he thought.....). This being was believed to be older than Totosai by a few centuries, although in reality, could be far older than that. This being was the Old Tree Hermit that swore loyalty to the infamous Inu general. The ancient tree, Bokusenō.

The demon lord highly respected this demon. Not only for its ancient knowledge and experience, but also for the simple fact that this lone being controlled far more power that that of most, for it was Bokusenō's branches that now served as sheaths of the Tetsusaiga and Tensaiga. The ancient tree's knowledge of the forest as well as its ability to listen to everything within the Western Lands and far beyond, was to be highly respected and even feared at times. Knowledge and power of the mind is far greater than any weapon or physical power. It was intelligence paired with strength that won most battles, not strength alone.

As the inu yokai approached the clearing where the ancient tree resided, the leaves, vines, and branches seemed to part for him, as if welcoming him of his visit. When he finally made it to the tree, eyes of the face of the tree open and words began to escape its mouth.

"Ahhhh, Sesshomaru....." the old tree greeted. "To what do I owe this visit?" he spoke. His voice was rough and dry, yet gentle and seemed to roll across the area.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the greeting. "You will not address me so familiarly, Bokuseno. I am not as lenient as my father in such matters." Sesshomaru said coldly. "You will address me with the proper respect."

"Of course, Lord Sesshomaru." Bokuseno corrected. "However, the question still remains. I do not believe you have come here, merely to inform me of your position as Lord of the Western Lands."

The inu yokai growled in low displeasure. He detested this ancient's lack of respect. However, the tree was useful at times. Now, being one of those times in which his knowledge and power was of use.

"Bokuseno, do you know anything of the power of the human recently demonstrated near the western lands?" the yokai asked, getting straight to the point.

"Ahhhhh, you mean the ancient one." Bokuseno spoke, making the inu yokai's eyes narrow.

"Ancient one?" the lord of the west imitated as he raised a perfect eyebrow in the tree's direction.

"Yes. I do not expect you to know anything of it. A pup such as yourself would be lucky to have heard of such ancient tales." the hermit spoke.

Sesshomaru growled at the insult. "Speak what is useful, fool. Or this Sesshomaru shall be on his way." he said angrily.

Bokuseno's branches swayed as if waving the dog demon off. "Of course, of course, Taiyokai." he said before he regained his seriousness. "I do not know what events have caused his arrival, but that humans holds ancient power that was lost during the rising of the nine."

Sesshomaru stiffened at this and glared at the tree. "Do you think this Sesshomaru a fool, Bokuseno? The Eight is nothing, but a legend of old. A fairytale to scare the younglings." he spoke heatedly. "And there aren't nine, you old fool."

"Believe it or not Sesshomaru, those beings did exist. And no, there were nine. The ninth one went missing before the eight rose to power." Bokuseno corrected. "I'm afraid I do not know much about it, for these events occurred millenniums before I was born. However, I have heard tales of times when humans were just as powerful if not more so than any Taiyokai or hanyou of these times, existed."

"With rise of the eight, including the disappearance of the ninth one, the human kingdoms fell into ruin, with their powers lost and their wills broken. Over the millenniums, the Eight faded back into the pages of history until their mere existence was minimized to a mere folktale that not many human or yokai alike tell." Bokuseno continued. "Their offspring and power diminished over the ages, leaving you and other Taiyokai as a result."

The Inu Taiyokai growled again as the edges of his eyes threatened to bleed red. "How dare you insinuate that this Sesshomaru is inferior to anyone, you halfwit cretin." he roared, momentarily losing his cool. "I will soon surpass even my father in strength."

Bokuseno chuckled in amusement. "I only speak truth, Lord Sesshomaru, as you have asked of me. Unfortunately, I am only able to give you what limited information I have. A tale such as that one is many millennium my senior. What knowledge I know of was not easy to come by. They are mere fractions of the true story." he said before becoming serious again and looking directly into Sesshomaru's eyes.

"I advise you to tread lightly with this human, Sesshomaru. I know not of what power he holds, however, I do know that whatever it is, it is dangerous." he warned with a slightly distant look. A look missed by Sesshomaru, who was too busy fuming. He didn't tell him about what he had felt the other night, fearing the young lords safety. He just continued to watch the taiyokai as he began to speak.

Sesshomaru's eyes were alight with fury as he turned and stalked away from the ancient tree. "This Sesshomaru shall destroy this human. Then, shall we see if this 'ancient power' you call it, is anything of notable worth. For you to suggest that this human is anywhere compared to this Sesshomaru, alone baffles him." he said angrily.

"Be careful, Lord Sesshomaru. You may come out of that fight loosing much more than your arm." the tree chuckled in amusement. "I bid you luck in your endeavor, Inu-no-Taicho."

While he may have given the yokai that title with mock respect, the insinuation was still there.

You are not your father......