Promises Kept

1357 early-Muromachi Period, Summer

Kuroihi picked through the scorched remains of the small hut she'd been searching for.

'Looks like they got to him first.'

His scent still lingered here, under the stench of burned textiles and bamboo, and she traced it to a small patch on the floor that was clear of any fire damage where the closet used to be. Small fibers of red were ground into the floor here, fire rat hide, and she found the smudging of footprints in the ashes that lead away from here and into the forest nearby.

'Still alive, are we, Inuyasha?'

She smirked to herself.

After the general's demise and his mother's murder, Kuroihi had acquiesced to Myouga's insistence that she keep an eye on the boy as the general had requested. She was somewhat impressed by how well Inuyasha had managed on his own so far and figured a few more years of watching him would more than fulfill the general's wish.

She found Inuyasha huddled high in a tree some miles away, wrapped comfortably in his red kimono and fast asleep. There was no reason to worry about him, and she'd tell Myouga as much when she saw him again. First, though, she had to get herself out of Musashi. This was one of the areas in Sesshoumaru's realm of influence, and she had no doubt he would make good on his promise to kill her if he found her here. He wasn't actively searching her out anymore, but she was sure a good face-to-face would do the trick.

Which was why she now bolted directly for the border, headed for her own small territory. Her years of work under Sesshoumaru were paying bit by bit. The Rat tribe from years ago resided mostly in her own territory, and she traded her protection for their information on the movements of the greater demons. Also in her home were small bands of lesser demons that she sometimes utilized. They weren't exactly beholden to her but knew that she was just as happy to watch them be eaten by the larger, stronger ogres if they angered her, so they didn't argue anymore when she came calling.

To say her meager holdings and power were notable would be an overstatement, but it was something, it was hers, and it would do for now.

***

1377 early-Muromachi Period, Autumn

Sesshoumaru growled as he assessed what the wind brought to him. The half-breed had been here once again. He'd made it clear this area was his, and thus verboten to the creature. Why did it continue to test him so? Did it so long for punishment and death? He allowed himself to smile slightly. If so, that was a wish he would gladly fulfill. It knew what it needed to do if it truly desired such. Until then…

Sesshoumaru continued to scour the land for clues to his father's gravesite. Myouga and the rest had done a fair job of eluding him and avoiding answering him whenever he did manage to catch up to them. It was infuriating. He only wanted what was rightfully his, why were they so determined to keep it from him; and why had father not simply given him the swords in the first place? Instead, he had this Tenseiga. He'd have been glad to be rid of the useless thing…but…he could not deny that his father's actions were always toward a greater purpose. He had yet to discover what that purpose was, and so it remained on his hip, unheeded and unused.

He'd lost count of how many demons had come after him, thinking that with the great general gone Sesshoumaru was somehow lesser than before. It was a mistake he was happy to rectify. As such, he was quickly crafting a reputation that was his alone, separate from that of his father. No longer did demons come for the son of the great general, they came for this Sesshoumaru.

They still spoke taunting words, however, questing the strength of any demon with a half-breed in the family. He made sure it was the last question they ever asked. While Sesshoumaru was well aware of the death of his father's concubine, he felt no responsibility for the creature they'd spawned together which, as he understood it, was somehow still alive. Remarkable, really.

'Having known her, though, are you truly so surprised?' A part of him whispered in the back of his mind.

He shoved the thought away. That creature would not be allowed to permeate his mind in any way, though it did make him wonder if, perhaps, this 'Inuyasha' possessed potential similar to that one. Even if he did, it would be decades before it showed. If he bothered to remember at that time, Sesshoumaru would have to investigate.

'Assuming he survives that long.'

***

1402 early-Muromachi Period, Winter

Kuroihi was glad this job was over as she and her cohorts divvied up the spoils from the bandits they'd slaughtered. They ate their fill from the horses before splitting the ones that were left and going their separate ways. It was a dubious arrangement, but so long as everyone kept to themselves afterward, things were fine.

She delivered the items she'd claimed to each of the acquaintances she'd taken them for on her way home, only happy when she was lounging in the small house she'd built with a pot of tea over the fire pit. She could relax now. She glanced over the items she'd retained for herself approvingly; a few scrolls, various courtly human supplies and two bolts of finely dyed silk, one pink, one green. She would sell or trade what she had no use for in a few days. First, though, she examined her scrolls.

One of them held a family history for some human clan called 'Tokugawa', another was a cargo manifest, and the last seemed to be a court record of some kind. Kuroihi gave this one the most consideration, mostly because it made little sense to her. There were no actual names, and each member of the court seemed to be referenced indirectly. The writing style was also strange, old, and Kuroihi had a hard time following the flow of events. She was about to set it aside for later when a face peeked through the straw flap that was her door.

"Oh, hello Shinjirou. Come in."

She motioned to a place beside her fire and the man happily accepted her offer, shivering at the edge of the fire pit. Shinjirou was the closest thing to a friend Kuroihi had. He'd helped her built this place and acted as a sort of guardian over it when she was away. In exchange, she kept the area clear of more savage demons that would be happy to gobble up quiet and kindly Shinjirou and his family. It had worked this way for quite some time, and so far they hadn't had any issues. He always seemed to swing by as soon as she returned from any business that kept her away for more than a night or two. He had a worrying nature like that.

"So, how did it go?" he asked, eyeing her various spoils.

"Well enough, I suppose. Those humans raiders are gone now, and I managed these."

She waved a hand at her silks and scrolls.

"Common enough, but this one puzzles me…"

She picked up the one she'd been reading when he came in.

"Oh? How so?"

"It seems to be a court record of some kind, perhaps a transcript, but there are no names, and the writing is old and confusing. It's from…" she inspected the notations at the end of the scroll, "the Genji clan, I think."

"Genji…Hm…No clan I know of, human or otherwise."

Shinjirou shrugged, and began eyeing the bolt of pink silk.

"Anything you might..you know..not need?"

She chuckled and reached back to the bolt, handing it over to him.

"I'm not a fan of the color anyway."

"But pink is a perfectly fine color! Everyone likes pink."

"If you like it so much, then you wear it, 'Jirou."

"I fully intend to. It'll be perfect for my son's first haori. I thank you."

Kuroihi waved it off.

"Unfortunately, I don't have anything of the like to offer you in return. I've been watching the demons across the other range of hills to the south of here. They're becoming restless."

"Restless? How so?"

"They've become more active, more violent. They've started squabbling and several have already been killed; a few humans as well."

Kuroihi frowned.

"Any clue as to why?"

"I suspect… Well, it's just a rumor…"

He cleared his throat as she raised a brow at him.

"I think it might be that four-souls jewel that's supposed to give demons unimaginable power and grant wishes."

"I see. Are you concerned the violence will spill into this area?"

"I am. Were it just myself, I would not be so concerned, I can easily relocate, but my family... I can't afford this area being overrun with such wanton conflict."

Kuroihi nodded.

"It's still a small group, I'll see what I can do."

He bowed in gratitude.

"I will help where I can."

As he left, Kuroihi pondered, and smacked at the sharp pinching sensation on the back of her hand.

She cursed.

"My most humble apologies, Lord Myouga.."

The tiny flea just waved.

***

"You know, Myouga, I only just returned home not a few hours ago."

She grumped as she bolted her way to Shinjirou's home. She had to let him know she was leaving again.

"I know, I know, but please!"

"Why not ask Sesshoumaru where he is? It's his brother."

"Sesshoumaru is just as likely to kill him as he is to find him, you should know that!"

"I know what he's like with me, but I figured he might have some restraint when it came to family."

"Lord Sesshoumaru no more considers Inuyasha his brother than he would a human."

Kuroihi sighed again.

"Fair enough. You know, he could have just gone into hiding. Sometimes that's all you can do, especially with it as cold as this. You said it's only been a week."

"I know, but, I'd rather be sure, and he might be hurt! I really don't want to bury another master."

Kuroihi bade farewell to her friend and headed out, making a quick pass by the southern hills where Shinjirou had seen the squabbling demons. They were there, alright, about a half-dozen of them, a couple already dead with their eyes missing.

Kuroihi was taking no chances, she didn't know how long she'd be gone or how volatile these demons were. A quick spark of power sent her black flames dancing around them, burning them all into nothing. There was no sign of the jewel of power, though, and Kuroihi shrugged, continuing on her way.

***

It took her nearly a week, but eventually, she located her fellow half-breed, huddled in a cavern around a fire.

She went to point out that he was, in fact, just fine as she had said he'd be, but Myouga was gone. For a moment, she panicked, but then she heard Inuyasha.

"Myouga! W-what are y-you doing h-h-here?"

The poor thing was freezing.

He'll be okay, she thought as she turned and headed home. He was, after all, the general's son, and now he had Myouga again to fuss over him. Spoiled pup.

She'd been running around for two solid weeks now, and there was no reason to rush home that she could think of, so she took the time to try and enjoy the beauty of the snow-covered landscape. It was nice here, quiet, serene. She passed miles of bare cherry trees and evergreens, frozen river beds, and gliding crystalline spirits that danced like a spring mist. The chilly wind brought her the scent of crisp snow and the damp earth beneath it, tiny creatures tucked away behind bark and under root to keep warm; and the tangy smell of poison.

'…Poison?'

Then it hit her.

'Oh. Shit.'

Her instincts screamed even as searched for him and she listened, folding her body into the snow just in time to miss the arch of his razor-sharp claws. She didn't even turn to look, sprinting for the forest where she hoped the density would offer her cover.

Trees crashed behind her as Sesshoumaru struck out just a moment too late.

He was in front of her now, claws glowing their noxious green, a disturbing homicidal calm written on his face and in his eyes.

She used the branches to vault over him, feeling the tug of his claws slashing through her sleeve. It didn't matter. She hit the ground running, pushing herself until her muscles burned and then more.

The edge of the forest was just yards away now, a steep cliff on the other side. She knew he could fly, but it was worth a try to jump.

She broke the line of trees; she was so close!

In the open, he caught her by the hair, throwing her roughly aside and into the snow.

She flipped on her back and crossed her arms to guard her neck as he stalked in like a ravenous wolf.

"Foolish hanyou…" he almost coo'd. "Did you think I would forget?"

His gentle voice was laced with malice, just like she remembered, and it shook her to the core.

She took a gamble.

"I had hoped…you would not be so petty as to continue this charade."

His eyes flashed with rage.

"Charade?"

"Come now, Lord Sesshoumaru, we both know if you truly wanted me dead, I'd have been so decades ago. You are not the type to be so negligent or incompetent as to let a true target survive this long."

He was quiet for a long, tense moment, the poison fading from his claws. She dared to move, just a little at first, and then finally to her feet, their eyes never leaving each other. Something touched in those pools of honey that she couldn't place.

He chuckled.

"Such audacity... Once again you presume to know, to understand…"

His claws crackled, glowing again as he drew back for a strike.

"The will of this Sesshoumaru is incomprehensible to the likes of you, filthy half-breed!"

Her powers flared in an instant, and she smeared her thick black and purple flames across his face as she twisted to dodge, the acrid heat from his claws just kissing her cheek as they missed her. She followed the momentum, letting it carry her over the edge of the cliff to the frozen riverbank below. A bed of purple flames softened her fall just enough, and she quickly scrambled to bury herself in the snow until she was certain he had left.

'You and your fucking mouth,' she chided herself.