りん そして 妖怪,

Rin ken Youkai

Prologue:

A harsh wind swept through the trees, and tall, taiyoukai stopped in its tracks. Ahead of him, a brown scaled, two headed being looked back at its master spoke.

"Something's coming."

Indeed, something was. An unnatural cold and silence fell over the woods, causing the golden eyes of the taiyoukai to narrow. It was in his best interest to get to his castle, that he knew… but he was not the type to run from battle. No, the taiyoukai was a feared being in the woods, his presence everywhere, although the humans knew not where he dwelled. Many had died at his claws, and many more would, that was for sure. Yet, as he stood there, in the suddenly tense atmosphere, he found himself… uneasy.

The usually restless forest was silent, not a youkai dared to stir, as the terribly strange aura spread like a wildfire throughout the forest. A group of bandits, whom, despite their human appearances were quite far from human in their actions, ceased their chattering of killing and stealing, and even the bravest stiffened in fear.

Swiftly, the taiyoukai proceeded through the woods, instinct telling him to stop and fight, and sanity telling him to get to his palace before confronting whatever individual dared to confront him.

As soon as he reached the gates of his fortress, he whirled about, drawing his sword. It gleamed in the moonlight, and reflected his golden eyes, glaring coldly at his surroundings.

His servant, the dragon withdrew into the gardens of the castle, prepared to defend it , and knowing better than to get in its owners way.

Finally, the taiyoukai was able to smell and hear his enemy.

Loud breathes, and pounding footsteps… the scent of musty herbs and mud…if he had been a lesser youkai, he would have wrinkled his nose in distaste. But, he was not, and his expression did not change one bit, his face not clueing into his thoughts and feelings in the slightest.

Then, IT burst through the tree line. Sweating, and out of breath, it fell to its knee's before him, tears running down its wrinkled cheeks.

Insulted, the taiyoukai took a step back, head still raised high, eyes lowered to look at the human before him, a shadow of disgust hidden in them.

Pleading eyes, bored into his.

"Please!" the vile and despicable human wailed, her graying hair falling forward, "Help us!"

The taiyoukai looked away bored.

"And, why..." he drew out the why, his voice holding a ring of superiority in it, "…would I do such a thing?"

Those annoyingly emotional eyes widened.

"Our village is on fire! You must help us!" she sobbed.

Agitated the more powerful being glared down at the shaking woman, sizing her up, looking her up and down – she was wearing the garb of a Shinto priestess, a handful of beads clasped in one hand, a bow and arrow slung over her shoulder. She was old, for a human, about the age of 70…she wore an eye patch over one eye, suggesting that she had lost it long ago…her other eye, was tearful- he looked away, revolted by the mere sight of such a hideous, lowly creature.

"I will not."

His voice answered her begging evenly, calmly, noticeably lacking emotion, yet his indifference was obvious – it was well known that the great taiyoukai of the western forest had no fondness for humans, unlike his deceased father, and hanyou of a brother – he turned, and started walking slowly through the entrance to his grounds, not glancing at the ordinary and dreadful human that crouched behind him. It was no bother of his.

As soon as he got through the gates, he sensed that the priestess was gathering her spiritual power. A sound behind him also told him that the hag was aiming her bow and arrow at him. A smirk graced his face for a few moments, before he elegantly shifted sideways as the arrow, meant for him, struck a nearby tree.

Looking back disdainfully at the human, his voice was almost mocking,

"Was that meant for me? You thought you could overpower, I, Lord Sesshomaru of the western forest?"

It sounded more like a statement rather than a question coming from his mouth.

However the foolish creature merely laughed, tears dried up, and long gone.

"Oh, but I did, 'Sesshomaru-sama'." She responded, voice light, but serene, her face bore a serious look to it.

"You've frozen and hidden your heart within yourself for too long, Sesshomaru- your dislike for humans, and pride will be your downfall."

Her beady eye glinted with malice, "You will not be able to leave the castle land unless called upon, nor will ye' be allowed to kill, destroy or harm any creatures within your own territory- you will become as powerless as one of the humans you despise so much-ye will die as well, for your heart cannot sustain you forever if it is as frozen as yours- you will die by your 21st birthday, unless you are able to admit your love for a human girl, who returns the feeling."

"Ridiculous." The taiyoukai , leapt forward with his sword, but as soon as he did so, he was repelled by the barrier.

"You-"he growled, eyes glowing bright red, sharp teeth revealed, clenched together in a snarl.

How dare she, a priestess of the lesser species DARE to trap him within his own castle? She would pay, that was certain, but how – well, the means would reveal itself in time…

He had five years to plot his revenge.

Cold fury , caused him to narrow his golden eyes, as the priestess disappeared into the coming mist.