The Secret Kept

Inuyasha is sooooooooooooooooo not mine, I hell I never claimed it was. So don’t any decide to accuse me, you got it? Good.




The Vale of Saiobo

While he had never been to the Vale its location was well known throughout the west. It was said to be the garden of Saiobo and that it was of no importance how many people knew its location. Only those who are meant to set foot on the sacred land would ever find it. Many a priests and nobles had tried to enter the vale and failed. If it had been any other than his father to arrange a meeting in the vale, Sesshomaru would have found it odd. His father had been a powerful lord and well respected, he had made many allies among similarly powerful beings, this apparently included gods. ))

Sesshomaru knew he had entered the hidden vale, due to the sudden spike in magical energy. One of the reasons the people of the vale called it Saiobo’s garden was because of the high concentration of magical energy in the area. The humans thought that only a god or goddess could have created the enchanted area. Ever so occasionally the humans guess right about the reasons of unusual phenomenon.

There were some that believed that the vale picked its guest. Either his farther had made a deal with Saiobo, or he had made a deal with the Vale. Nonetheless, in either case it was simply not possible for Rin and Jaken to follow him.

It was also said that time in the vale moved differently from the outside world. There was no telling when he would be returning. Such a state of no knowing was far too risky in regards to his little ward. Instead of having Jaken wait with Rin outside the Vale’s boundaries, Sesshomaru had been forced to entrust his ward and servant into the care of on one of his father’s old generals.

Sir Haiirohone had served his father loyally for many years acting as commander of the Western Army. No man since had held the trust of the West. When his father Lord Inu No Taishou had departed from this world, it was Haiirohone that abandoned his post in order to seek out the lost Lady Izayoi and Prince Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru was left to quickly take control of the kingdom, and dispatch any would be conquerors. It was only latter when the kingdom had settled, unable to guarantee their safety, he had been forced to put Inuyasha and Izayoi permanently into Haiirohone’s protection.

As the years watched, Sesshomaru secretly visited is younger brother, making sure that no one knew of his presents in the estate. Not even Inuyasha was allowed to realize just how close an eye Sesshomaru had kept on him. Now once again Haiirohone would be asked to play guardian to those who were supposed to be in his care.

Pale Tsutsuji flowers now marked his path, flowers that Rin would have been in kind to pick and form into feminine floral jewelry. The flowers went on for miles ahead. No story that he had heard had ever told just how larger the vale was, and Sesshomaru was left without a clue as to where the gift his father had left could be found. And so with little option left to him he walk onward, knowing that eventually he would come across something that would give him some idea as to where in the Vale he was to go.

))))))

He was burning, his insides feeling as if they are on the edge of melting away. The chilling breeze his running had created had little affect in cooling him down. Soon it would be that too hard for him to run any longer. He had waited too damn long to leave, and he should never have let that stupid girl distract him.

His clawed hand wrapped around the dumb burning middle. His bear feet, that carried him deep into the Western Lands, he felt falter on the hard grass floor. His eyes slowly closed under the pressure of the pain he was feeling.

“Lord Inuyasha!” Howled Inushiro, as he watched the young hanyou begin to fall toward the forest floor.

Quickly with the telling speed of his demigod heritage, he rushed to catch the falling male.

Bracing himself he soon catches the Inuyasha on his back. Low moans reached his ears tingling down the furred points, informing him about the current state of his lord.

“It would seem that the pains of your upcoming time is taking its toll on you body. Rest my lord I will get you to your destination.”

His paws picked up speed as he rushed to the meeting ground. He had been told before leaving to find Inuyasha, that it was important for Inuyasha to be in the proper place by the third moon of the new month. Already the first moon had gone by, if he didn’t hurry the proper time would pass.

“Do not fail Inushiro. It is imperative that the child reaches his destination at the right time. Failure in you duty is unacceptable.” It was a light and yet steadfast sound, one that Inushiro was well accustomed to.

The voice twinkled along the wind, dancing with plants that flowed in the breeze his running stirred. Even though he liked to listen to the voice, it really wasn’t necessary for her to remind him of the tight time frame. He knew that he had a long way to go and little time to get there.

“It really doesn’t help having you constantly pushing me on.”

“A little encouragement, to help you on our way.” The voice was quick to reply.
“Encouragement won’t get me moving any faster than I am, especially with this weight added to me. Why did the young master have to collapse now?” he huffed out, knowing now that this journey wouldn’t be made in solitude, or silence.

“He is preparing himself. I fear, he had lost track of days, and didn’t realize that the time had come for him.”

“But that does not explain why he collapsed.”

“It is too much of a strain for him to prepare, and run at such increased speed. He will not be waking any time soon I fear. You will have to carry him the rest of the way.”

“And how am I going to get him ready if he’s a sleep?”

“Just get him there, Inushiro, the servants will do the rest.”

“Alright then.” Inushiro began to pickup even greater speed. Even if his body gave out underneath him he would get his charge to the proper destination.

)))))

At the end of the pathway was a bed of flowers on which lay an ethereal being.
Sesshomaru couldn’t see anything of the being, only that it looked to be sleeping. Lights of blue, green and red shrouded the body leaving little for him to see of he person’s face. It did appear that the body had a human like figure, though rather it was human he doubt greatly.

Slowly he made his way to the sleeping figure. More carefully than he ever felt he needed to, he walked trying not to trample any of the plumage that decorated the area. It would be unwise to mar Saiobo’s plants in anyway, and risk the goddess’s displeasure. More powerful enemies were something he did not need.

As he came close to the flowerbed, deep golden eyes soon blocked his passage. The eyes hadn’t been there before, he was certain. “What do you want here?” The voice soon growled at him.

“I am Lord Sesshomaru and I have come to accept the last of my inheritance.”

“Did you really think it so simple? Do you even know what it is your father would entrust to you?” It asked, eyes now narrowing to peer closer at the demon lord.

“I have not been informed as to what the inheritance is, only that know is the time for me to receive it.” He was quick to reply. He didn’t care for the creatures, haughty tone. He was a lord, master of the entire western lands. He would not be talk down upon by a stranger.

“Hum, the inheritance is a great one giving the holder the greatest of all power any individual could obtain.” The eyes never blinked at the creature began his explanation.

“It also holds great importance to the world and the people in it. Tell me Sesshomaru, do you think yourself worth of such of gift?”

“Obviously, my father thought me worth or he would not have left it to me.” Thought he had never heard of his father possessing any object holding the kind of power and importance that the creature was describing.

“This may be true, but the question Sesshomaru was whether you thought yourself worth of the inheritance?” The creature asked again not allowing itself to be sidetracked by the mention of the previous Lord.

To be truthful to himself he didn’t think that he was in anyway worth of the kind for gift that was being described to him. Over the years of his reign he had done much that he was a shamed of, had not wanted to do in the first place. Yet the things he did, he did so that the people that looked to him for protection could remain safe and well in their homes. Many a times he had thought to leave his position and find himself a different life, perhaps one where he could have his brother by his side.

His brother, Inuyasha was another reason that he did not leave his post. As long as he reigned he could insure that none of the greedy, covetous nobles sought out his younger brother. There was no telling what some of the nobles would do to twist Inuyasha to their control. As much as he loved and wanted his brother, it was safer for the young inu if he stayed well away from him.

Still even knowing and doing what was best for all, his heart wept, and lusted for the decisions he couldn’t make. “No I do not think my self worth.”

“And yet, often how we see our selves and who we truly our never coincide.” The eyes that had been practically glaring at him now open wide, as if the creature were smiling.

“You are worth, Lord Sesshomaru. For even as you thought on the question I have seen the reasons for your answer. You are a true lord, doing all that you must to complete your duty.” The golden eyes began to fade.

“Though I think you seek to deny your self too much. Have more faith in yourself and you need not make so great a sacrifice.” All he could see now were the bare black pupils of the eyes.

“You are worth Lord Sesshomaru, come and accept your inheritance. Treasure it; you will never know it’s like again.” Now the voice came from nothing, and began to fade from the area.

Finding his way cleared of any further obstacles, he once again headed towards the bed.
What he saw there was both confusing, and heart lifting. Was this truly to be his gift, or was it another test of his worthiness.



AN:
Haiirohone: if I wrote it right should mean gray bone. I thought that Graybone would be a grate name for a demon warrior. If i made a mistake on the order the name should be written in can you tell me, I'm kind of guessing my way hear.

Tsutsuji: is a Japanese flower, its other name is Azalia. I picked this flower cause it comes in more than one color, so don't be surprised if you see it come up again.

Hope you liked this chapter.