6

The day of the Demon Lords' meeting had arrived. The halls were spotless and floors sparkling as the servants made sure that their master's demands were met and exceeded. Everyone was where they needed to be and kept busy in the chaos. Sesshomaru was in his own quarters making sure his mind and body were ready for the coming hours. While he was the youngest demon, he was known as the most ruthless. Gaining their trust was the problem because they feared to go against him. Koga of the East was never one to back down from a fight. An older demon of the sea named Kaito was the demon lord of the South. Both would be due any minute, and he had to make sure the alliance was strong. Damn the politics, he missed the days he could just go somewhere to fight his own battles.

Leaving his room, he could hear the laughter from the other wing as the two humans in his care entertained each other. Rin was like a daughter to him, growing up before him was such an oddity as demons aged much slower. Satomi, Rin's older sister, was much more complex. There was no actual emotional attachment other than curiosity, he thought. However, that wasn't quite right either. He was jealous of her in ways he couldn't understand. To protect someone and the ability to do so at any given notice was being taken away, and she was the only one who fully could. However, she was mostly human, the damage she could do to a demon was actually rather severe and yet seemed unpredictable. If he were to rely on her for Rin's full care, then she would have to be trained and fast. This war could happen today or months from now and he would have to know that he could fight without being distracted.

Walking through the hall to the area they would meet, outside on the mountain side in isolation at a long, low set table, a servant came to approach him. His guest had arrived, he could smell the salt of the sea and the wolf scent from the mountains. He nodded, waving the servant off. It was now or never, he walked slowly in his own terms to think instead of act as he was so used to doing. He considered himself an intelligent demon, and yet this was new to him. Taking in a deep breath, he could show no weakness. He was the Lord of the West and this was his domain, with that thought, he pushed open the doors that lead to the outside meeting area.

Koga and Kaito both stood and bowed respectively and Sesshomaru bowed in return. They were equals here in his home and in rank, he had to remember that. "Greetings to my home," he said coolly. "Shall we begin?"

Koga looked around and back to Sesshomaru. "I see Dog demons like the quiet, would never have guessed considering your younger, half-wit, brother."

"We have different tastes."

Kaito was a tanned skin demon with dark brown eyes and small gills behind his ears. He looked like a middle-aged human with slight wrinkling, but Sesshomaru knew he was much older than even his own father would have been. He smiled slightly and looked to the two young lords. "Well, I for one enjoy the peace, defending the south has been exhausting from the storms. The North has been slowly descending upon us, releasing demons we had never seen before for centuries. A dragon, for instance, a dragon that favors the sea has been most troublesome. Before I killed him, he told me a fearsome story of the Lord of the North making strong demons cower before giving a choice. Follow or die. Tortures that would make any demon break. Mates butchered, families slaughtered, he cares not how it happens, only that death and fear remain. Truly a horrible event."

Sesshomaru thought on that. A demon that tortured for pleasure was hardly rare, but to do it so brutally and as dishonorably made a nerve tick. Koga must have thought so too, as he drew in his brow and tightened his fist. This Koga was a hot-headed demon, but they all seemed aligned with the same goal. This Lord of the North had to be destroyed. Reason didn't seem possible.

"A young demon woman came to seek my submission, although she was not as prepared as she thought. She didn't die, although I would have rather been done with it then. She projects a barrier on a human life and if you destroy the barrier, you destroy the life."

"That is an ancient dark power," Kaito said closing his eyes as he remembered. "A power sealed away in Mount Asahi for centuries. A demon and a priestess once made a pact. Their dark pact made the hillsides crumble and the area into a wasteland of destruction. Then your father, Sesshomaru, destroyed them using his three swords of Heaven, Earth, and Hell. It took all three to subside the two. He also had someone on his side, a Deity of sorts. He allied herself with his cause and sacrificed her life. Sora I do believe was her name and she was the deity of the skies. A child of the goddess Marici, she gave up her longevity for the good of human kind. Your father took to her kindness to humans, and perhaps cared for her and would have been more infatuated if not for her death. Truly a unique story and one of the few times, maybe even the only time, a deity showed herself to assist a demon."

"A deity? I mean I suppose so, but you never see them anymore," Koga said with a little disbelief. He was hardly aware that half mutt and Sesshomaru's father was so respected. Former Lord of the West made sense though considering how Sesshomaru handled himself. Koga had to learn the hard way. His tribe with Ayame's made sure to secure his claim on the East, but it was no easy task. The politics were lost to him, but all he could do was what was best for his people. That was as far as he could get for the most part, this being the first major meeting of the Lords of current times.

"That's because, young wolf demon, they remain hidden among humans. Gifting them when fate demands or their will says. They could purify us with a single touch and yet usually will leave that to the mikos that they bless with their abilities of purity. Their off spring do their duty and even more rare are those in a generation that are unknown to their fate. Every eighth generation, there is a deity born into each family of power, even if they no longer have that power. The beginning of the generations varies, but I can usually tell what they feel like. The fight in the North made that obvious years ago. However, the scents have become less common now and I could very well miss them. Slippery fish, as one can say." Chuckling at his own joke, he sighed heavily. "If we had one, that would tip the scales in our favor. However, it seems he may too have something up his sleeve, this Lord of the North."

It was very quiet for a moment before Sesshomaru perked up his ears. Not even looking behind him, he could smell Rin close by. The other two read up on that as well and tensed.

"Humans here?" Koga said curiously raising an eyebrow as Kaito simply looked amused.

"Oh, she's a lovely one and very charming," Kaito said although there was not any human in sight, either Satomi or Rin. Suddenly, both girls came bursting through the door in a laughing heap followed by a mortified Maori.

"I'm so sorry, my Lord. I told them to stay in their room, but I could not keep them from exploring," Maori explained with a deep bow. The day had been too boring, and Satomi was not about to sit this out while the fate of Japan was being decided. Rin and she made a pact to break out and run to the meeting, although the plan beyond that was rather hazy.

"I will take full responsibility," Satomi said as Kaito smiled and stood up. Koga remained seated, eyeing the elder demon with careful eyes. "I just… uh…." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as Kaito approached Satomi who was now standing with Rin behind her.

"Well… you are a strange human, aren't you?" Kaito said eyeing her curiously. Her aura was different from a human and yet she smelled just like one. "Tell me, child, what would you like to say?"

"I wish to help, even if I can't do much right now. My life had been turned into shambles from the demon Naraku and I was powerless no matter how I tried. I wish to become stronger to be useful in the coming fight and to know that the demoness, Kinoko is brought to justice. I refuse to let other families be torn apart from a demon's rampage or will," she said straightening up and becoming confident the more she declared her intentions.

"Well, my girl, I do believe you have a use yet," Kaito said as he reached into his haori and pulled out a small blue gem on a necklace. "May this serve you well, as I do not know what powers it holds, but know it will keep you safe within its power." The necklace was long enough to just slide over her head and hide just barely in her yukata.

Not sure of what to do, Satomi and Rin both bowed and left curiously with Maori who ushered them out quickly. Sesshomaru could hear Maori chastise them down the hall and he had to hold back a smirk. They would hear about this later. "May I ask what you gave my guest?"

"A gift I was told to give from your father if I ever met a human with her aura. If you presumed it lethal, I presume I would be dead."

Sesshomaru did allow a smirk then as they continued to talk options, he would have to talk to Kaito about that later. The hardest part was done, the alliance forged with their union against the North. However, Sesshomaru was now curious on his father's role in this. Even in death, he seemed to know just what would happen hundreds of years later. A gift that was truly to be admired and annoying.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I told you not to go! I will be punished, not you, you silly foolish humans," Maori said over and over as they walked back to the room. "The only saving grace is that the demon lord Kaito gave you favor. He has an admiration for humans, but still he doesn't just gift any item to a human. This will surely be my end."

Satomi and Rin could only be sympathetic for so long as they comforted the demon as best they could. Food was served in their room as they remained there until Maori said the demon lords were on the move. It was almost dusk by then, and Satomi was needing another adventure by then. Suddenly Sesshomaru opened the doors. "Satomi, come with me," he said without any indication of the emotion behind the invitation.

Nodding, she left a bewildered Maori and Rin behind as they walked in silence back to the outdoor meeting place where only Kaito remained. Had Maori sensed correctly, or just perhaps the other demon had left. Bowing low, she stayed until hearing him stand. He approached her, and she raised up completely. Holding her jaw lightly, she fought the urge to twist it out of his grasp as he tilted her eyes to his. He was taller than her by a good few inches and although he looked a little older, he was still rather handsome with only wisps of grey in his black sleek hair that was tied back at the base of his neck.

"I never thought I'd see the day," he said quietly as he released her and went to the ground to a deep bow. "A deity in human form of the eighth generation. I am honored to see your presence."

Sesshomaru looked at the demon and then back to Satomi with readable shock on his face. He didn't understand, but it made sense with the story of his father. That orb was like the one Inu-Yasha had in his eye, the black pearl that held his father's tomb. Perhaps his father had a secret there as well, but the idea would have to be asked later.

"I'm… confused," she said backing up a step shocked from what was said. "What do you mean a deity?"

"Yes, Satomi, a deity of the moon. The god Tsukuyomi had blessed your family with the eighth generation of his likeness to be born if no other off spring had been made by this point. You are the walking deity of earth gifted by the moon. Your eyes cannot hide it and the pendant that was given also shows your heritage as it has turned into white." Nodding to the necklace, it was now glowing white with a faint image of the moon. She held it in her hand and stared at it for a moment before shaking her head.

"I must be dreaming, I could not be a deity."

"Naraku could not kill you, the demoness could not kill you, and even if we wished to… we could not kill you. You are first and foremost human, but if you accept your heritage you will surpass us all. You did say you wished to help, did you not?"

Not being one to faint, she felt overwhelmed suddenly. The spot where the orb rested on her neck was warm, too warm. Warmth enveloped her as she could feel herself falling. Sesshomaru caught her and he looked up to Kaito suspiciously. "My father knew this day would come, didn't he?"

"He always had a knack for it. The orb helps to release the latent power apparently, if she chooses to accept, she would be the most powerful force this world has ever seen. Deities can absorb demon powers, but if they do not show their true form, it can poison them. This woman is our ace in this war that we now face. You have intentions to have her protect the girl, but she may very well be more advantageous on the front line. It is up to you Lord of the West." Kaito said as he summoned water at his feet and it floated him up into the sky, forming like waves in the direction of his flight.

Sesshomaru sighed annoyed at his father's ingenuity with the future plans of this world. So, was his intent to have Sesshomaru follow a different path, or the same? To make the land of the North safe once more on his own or to seek the help of a deity once more. There was no denying that he needed the help of Satomi for Rin, but could the war be done sooner if the Deity within her came to the surface? Instead of taking her to her room, he escorted her to the Moonlit Gardens. Laying her down on a long bench, he thought and waited until she awoke not too long after arriving.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked as she brought her hand to her head. Her body hurt, but it wasn't feverish. Just strange, like waves of pressure were crashing into her.

"Are you well?"

"I've had worse," she said trying to laugh it off but miserably failing. He could sense her lie, but he knew better than anyone that pride often would get in the way of what was going on. He could smell her pain and anguish.

"You could be of use. I have thought of it and I have decided. Rin is your main and only concern. Protect her with any powers you can use. Accept your heritage and protect Rin. That is my request of you," he said as he stood facing away from her.

She baffled at the thought, but then a form of tranquility formed around her. If she could stay to protect Rin, she could stay here with them. If she didn't accept and couldn't protect Rin, she would have to go because there would be no use for her. There was no choice.

"A deity, huh?" she asked quietly to herself before standing wobbly and bowing down deeply. "I accept your request."

He walked away before looking back with an unyielding gaze. "I will bring Hana back to reevaluate where we stand. I will settle for nothing else than exceptional power from you. If I cannot protect Rin myself, I will have to trust you can without fail. Then and only then will I allow you to be accepted to help as you wish. Understood?"

All she could do was nod as they walked out of the gardens. Escorting her back to the room, Maori could sense the power shift and marveled as Rin went to Sesshomaru and apologized for earlier. Satomi blanked out the noise as her head was spinning yet. She felt overwhelmed but not as before. Now it was more mental than physical. Looking to the sky, she was grateful Maori opened the windows. The moon was beautiful and full as it seemed to call to her. Beckoning her to accept it.

For a moment, Sesshomaru swore he saw a golden-haired woman with long white robes where Satomi stood. Her Deity form? He stared a moment longer than he would dare, but he could tell this would either be the riskiest idea or the safest idea his father had in mind. A deity in his home? Time seemed to stand still as she slowly turned around, bright blue eyes meeting his in a moment before he saw Satomi in her human appearance looking at him confused. The breath was taken away from him as he excused himself from the room.

Dangerous, the riskiest idea his father ever had. Toga had a way of having things his way, but a moon deity in the house of dog demon lord was something even he had a hard time wrapping his head around. Taking to the baths, he stayed until he could scarcely think anymore. However, a song caught his attention when he left the bath. Satomi was singing, probably unable to sleep, looking up to the lanterns. She stood without looking at him and Sesshomaru could tell something was off. Wandering off with a light step he had never seen before from her, he followed cautiously.

When they stopped, they were in the meeting place where the moon was full and showed brightly. Under the moonlight, the long blonde hair appeared like a shadow where the light hit. Her eyes a bright blue where the light hit and long white robes in the same way. Half human, half deity. The song resembling a lullaby stopped and he could tell she was in a trance.

"Lord Sesshomaru, we meet at last," she said with an angelic tone as the deity form completely took over. "Satomi sleeps now, but I wished to meet you alone."

"You are the deity?"

"Of course, I am Satomi as my father gave me no name. The humans named this body and so I shall keep the name for myself as well. I share the girl's memories and what kept her alive from the despicable Naraku years ago. You are in need of my abilities to protect the human girl, yes?"

"That was my request," he answered short, he knew she meant no harm but for the abilities to wake and now she led Satomi's body as if a puppet. The deity was a dangerous one to make an enemy and this was only just the beginning.

"Then I have a request as well, Lord of the West," she said walking to him and placing a hand on his cheek. He stood still and only allowed it out of curiosity. "However, you will not like it." She paused and sighed. "I wish for your demonic energy, not much to absorb."

He narrowed his gaze and grabbed her wrist. "I do not wish for a battle; a simple touch will suffice."

Looking to his hand grasping her wrist she smiled and shook her head. "No, the little I require must be done differently. A small kiss is all I need, demon lord."