Tender Love

Disclaimer- I do not own any of the characters of Inuyasha.


A/N- I know that Tokijin was made from Goshinki but since I had him in the beginning of the story and he was very much alive (until Naraku decided to kill him). So, in this story Tokijin was created from the fangs of another demon that was just as worst as Goshinki.




Chapter 21

Sesshomaru remained for a time in his study, but his thoughts kept going back to his mate. She had seemed unduly upset and this thought kept preying on his mind. Soon he left his father, father-in-law and that dragon captain, Shilin in order to circulate among his guests, his mind ever watchful of her descent back down the stairs. A good hour had passed before Sesshomaru finally started to make his way to his chambers to find out the reason for Inuyasha's delay.

Something was definitely wrong. Why couldn't he smell his mate's scent? For that matter, why couldn't he smell Shippo or Keitano's scent as well. He could smell his eldest child's scent no problem but it was the three missing scents that had a cold hand clutching his heart in terror.

Upon opening his chamber door, he knew at first glance that the room was empty so he went to find Inuyasha in the adjoining nursery room. But as he reached for the door a sudden lump of terror settled in his stomach like a rock. "Inuyasha," he called softly entering the room. And that's when he smelt it. It was the foul stench of death, decay and the sea. "Naraku." He hissed venomously.

Within, the room was as quiet as the last; a small candle was lit, showing the room in emptiness. He rushed over to the cradles and saw Keitaro sound asleep but the cradle beside him was empty.

"Inuyasha, Shippo!" he called more loudly as he rushed out of the room. Fear, gripped his heart as he followed their scent down the servant's stairwell. "Inuyasha!" he bellowed. 'Oh God, please don't let them have been taken by that bastard.' "Inuyasha!" he shouted this time his head filled with irrational fears.

As he made it to the last step, Mina ran out of the kitchen with tears soaking her face. "They’ve taken her, Lord Sesshomaru, they have taken our Lady and our young princes right from under our noses."

"Dammit!" shouted Sesshomaru feeling his body go numb. "What happened? Who took my mate?" Although he knew already. He was hoping that he was wrong and that it was just some demon using the pirate's scent to confuse him.

Suddenly the battered form of Jaken staggered out of the kitchen with the help of one of Mina’s assistant. He held a bloody cloth against a bleeding wound in his shoulder. "My lord, I saw. . . I was checking on something in the stables before returning to the celebration when I saw that Sya girl . . . coming out along with Lady Inuyasha, the kit and the little prince. Then a demon . . . all dressed in black came out behind them. I called to them and when I saw whom the demon was, I felt this awful pain tearing through my shoulder . . . and I was lifted off my feet and slammed to the ground. But before I fell unconscious . . . I saw that foul Naraku take your mate and children away."

"Are you positive that was who it was?"

"I would stake my life on it, my lord. I am . . . sorry . . .for fail-ing . . . you." Then Jaken collapsed into the arms of the young demoness.

“I shall take him to the healer right away, my lord,” said the girl carrying the unconscious form of the imp to the healer’s chamber.

"He must have taken them when we all were serving the guests." Mina burst out into more tears. "You have to get them back, Lord Sesshomaru. You just have to get them," she wailed like a banshee.

Sesshomaru's face turned to ash as the name Naraku pounded into his brain. "Naraku," he said the name as softly as a deadly caress. "That bastard dares to lay hand upon my mate and children. I shall find him," he said with a finality, which left no question. "If it takes searching the world over, turning every loose stone upon the earth upside down, I shall find him and cut his beating heart out of his black soul." Sesshomaru spoke as though vowing these words to himself. His golden eyes flashed red as he was on the verge of transforming right there in the kitchen.

Mina felt cold chills coursing down her spine, as she looked into her lord's face. She had indeed seen her lord mad before, but never had she seen him in such a deadly temper as this. He was about to transform. Although she could tell, he was fighting the change. It seemed to Mina that he may well lose the battle as his fangs began to grow long and sharp. The demon standing before her now was like some stranger with the promise of death glaring from his eyes. Mina had a fleeting regret for Naraku, but that regret was gone in an instant. Any man who could dare such a thing as to take her lord's mate, deserved death or anything else her lord gave him.

Suddenly his father, Akemi and Captain Shilin rushed into the kitchen. "Son," said Inutaisho frowning. "We heard Mina’s wails even in your study. What has happened?"

At the sound of his father's voice, Sesshomaru was able to rein in his beast but not his rage. "Naraku." Was all he said before he burst out the back door. Quickly changing into his dog demon form. As he leaped over the gate, he could see the bodies of his guards lying in a heap by the gate. The huge white dog growled in anger as he followed the trail of his family.

xxxxx

It was almost daybreak when the carriage was brought to an abrupt halt amidst a group of trees that lay next to a strip of land, which led out to the sea.

The carriage was quickly emptied of its passengers and Inuyasha and Shippo were shoved into a small boat which had been awaiting their arrival.

Hiten and Maten silently and with sure strokes began to row the long boat out into the sea and toward the large pirate ship which had been lying in wait for its captain's return.

For the first time since leaving the carriage, Naraku spoke to Inuyasha. "Aye, little one, it is the same ship that you were on before and it will be your new home for a time again. I hope, though, that you will enjoy yourself a little more this time. I’m afraid the last time I was not expecting you, but this time, my flower, I had the foresight to have your cabin done over."

Sya felt the hair on her neck rise and her temper flared at his words. "Must you talk so sweetly to this half breed bitch, my love? Is it not better now to show her that she is no more than a prisoner and will be treated as such?”

"Shut your mouth, bitch. I shall talk how I please and not have any simpering slut telling me otherwise." Naraku hissed and his eyes bore upon Sya as though she were nothing more than a common whore.

"Why do you talk to me in such a manner as this? Have I not shown you how much I love you? Why do you dishonor my love by looking so at her and talking as though she in fact were your love and not I?" Sya whimpered, her eyes filling with tears.

"I find your mouth too much to bear, woman! Shut it now, before I am moved to slap it shut for you," he shouted at her, raising his hand, as if to get the job done with.

Sya sat back, hanging her tear-stained face. ‘How could he be so cruel to me after all I had given him?’ She turned an angry hateful glare at Inuyasha. ‘It has to be that bitch Inuyasha's fault. She must have bewitched him. The sooner we are rid of her and her brats the better off we will all be,’ she thought.

xxxxx


The sun was already up by the time he arrived at the stripe of land that lead out to sea. He was angry with himself because he fell for another of Naraku's deception spells. It had taken him the remainder of the night to sniff out the right path the villian had taken. When he arrived, he saw a dark carriage nestled beneath a small group of trees.

He ran up to the carriage and tore the door off its hinges and sniffed inside. He could smell the fear of his mate and adopted son. He also smelt that traitorous bitch and the foul stench of Naraku. Then he followed their scent to the edge of the water and that's where the trail ended. He was too late. Naraku had taken his sons and his mate and disappeared into the night. Filling with rage, he raised his head and howled in fury and despair.

He was walking by the carriage when he caught sight of something from the corner of his eye. His breath caught in his throat. There, lying on the floor, was a soft, white lace handkerchief. Changing back to his humanoid form, he tenderly plucked it up into his large hands and drew it to his nose inhaling the sweet scent of his mate. It was Inuyasha's. His very soul wept in sorrow as his pain-filled amber eyes glowed with sadness and pain. His soul continued to weep sorrowful tears for a love so strong and so fulfilling that life without that love was meaningless and beyond comprehending.

At that moment, he knew that to go on without looking into Inuyasha’s lovely face with those wide, adoring eyes was impossible for him. He could not live without her warm body pressed tightly against his own, moaning in ecstasy or being protected and cherished and depending upon him with her complete trust.

As visions of Inuyasha in all her many different ways tormented his soul, he tenderly tucked the handkerchief inside the folds of his kimono next to his heart. "I shall get you back, my beloved," he whispered as though he were saying a prayer. Then he turned to face the sea.

"Death!" he shouted to the empty sea. "Hear me well, Naraku. I shall get my revenge upon you for this detestable, cowardly act and I curse you for the rest of your days upon this earth. You shall not know a moment's peace, for I shall hunt you down until I have not a breath of life left in my body and then if need be I shall follow you into the very pits of hell; but I swear to you here and now that I shall have my revenge upon you." He stood shouting at the sea, his fists raised and his amber eyes glowing red held a promise of death for the half demon pirate known as Naraku.

xxxxx

When Sesshomaru returned, the castle was empty of all the guests except for his family and friends who were waiting anxiously for him. Sesshomaru looked to his father arching a brow in silent questioning as he wondered where everyone was.

"I apologized to everyone and sent them all home," said Inutaisho. The young demon lord nodding his head in approval.

"Sesshomaru, what in the hell happened?" asked Koga. "When everyone was leaving, there was a rumor going around stating that Inuyasha and your children have been kidnaped by that vile Naraku."

"He only took Keitano and Shippo," said Sesshomaru unhappily.

"Did you find them?" asked Sango.

"No."

Upon hearing that Ayame burst into tears and buried her wet face against her mate's shoulder. Sango also started to cry as Miroku held her in his arms.

"By the time I arrived, they were long gone," he said in concealed rage. "That bastard walked right into my home and I didn't even notice his disgusting smell. He took my youngest and Shippo and my beloved Yasha and walked out without anyone noticing."

"It’s not your fault," said Inutaisho. "When we went to check on Keitaro. We picked up on a very powerful concealment spell. It not only hid his true identity. It also masked his scent as well."

"Whoever casted that spell was truly powerful," said Captain Shilin. "It was like nothing I had ever experience before."

"What about the guards?" asked Miroku.

"They were dead." The demon lord turned and punched a sizeable hole into the wall.

"Lord Akemi, I know I have failed you in protecting your precious daughter but if you wish to have our mating annulled. I will not fight it but first, I beg of you to let me find Inuyasha," said Sesshomaru as he fell to one knee before the demon lord of China and bowed his head.

Inutaisho was shocked to say the least. He never thought he would see the day, his proud, pigheaded son would humble himself before another demon.

"And we shall go with him," said Miroku as he and Sango went to stand behind Sesshomaru and knelt before the elder demon lord.

"As will I," said Koga taking his place beside his friends.

"Inuyasha is my mate," said Sesshomaru looking at them. "You do not have to come with me."

"We know," said Sango smiling. "But we want to come. She is our friend and we swore that we would always come to her aid if she needs us."

"Besides, we have a score to settle with Naraku and his band of cutthroats also," said Miroku sadly. "It's been four years since that bastard took Sango's younger brother and murdered her entire family. As for me . . ." He held up his right hand that had a pair of beads around it and stared at it. "Well, the bastard cursed me and placed this terrible void in my hand."

"A void?" asked Ayame.

"Yeah, it can suck everything into a hole that is in the palm of his hand," said Sango. "The void can be healed only when Naraku is dead. That is why we want to go with you not only to save Inuyasha and the kids but also to avenge my family and save Miroku before he is swallowed up by the void."

"And as for me, Ayame and the elders can take care of the pack until my return," said Koga smiling at his friend. He slapped Sesshomaru across the back. "You really didn't think we would let you go off on your own, did you?"


“Thank you all.”

"Sesshomaru, you know as well as I that Inuyasha would yell the walls down if I even mentioned taking her away from you," said Akemi smiling at the young demon lord kneeling before him. "Go find my daughter, your mate, and your children and bring them home. As long as you continue to make her happy, there is no need of me to take her away." He stroked Sesshomaru long silver hair. "I want you to take Captain Shilin with you. He could help you in your search."

"You needn't worry, my lord," said Shilin. "We shall bring your daughter and her children back safely."

"The rest of you prepare yourselves. We leave as soon as I get my armor and weapons," said Sesshomaru. Then he looked at his father. "Father. I leave the western lands in your capable hands until my return. And Mina, I leave Keitaro in your hands."

"I shall guard the little prince with my life," said Mina weeping. "Please, just bring home the Lady and the others."

"I promise you all. I will not return until I have my mate and sons with me." Then he turned and went upstairs to get his armor and swords.

Removing his mokomoko-sama, he put on the spike armor and walked over to the left side of the wall and pushed in a secret panel that opened a small section of the wall. Inside was the sword that was created from the fang of his father, Tenseiga. And the other was created from the bones of a powerful rogue demon that Sesshomaru had slain when the beast dared to attack the people under his protection. The sword he named, Tokijin.

Once he had his weapons at his side, he took out the handkerchief and held it against his lips as he inhaled Inuyasha’s scent once again. 'I will find you, beloved. No matter how long it takes and how far I have to search, I will find you.' Placing the handkerchief back in his kimono, he picked up his mokomoko-sama and placed the fur over his left shoulder and went downstairs to join the others.

"Take my ship," said Akemi as Sesshomaru stood on the last step of the stairs. "I have already sent word to the captain to have the ship ready to sail as soon as you get there."

"And you needn't worry about your duties here," said Inutaisho sadly. "I shall see to everything. Just bring your family home."

"Thank you father and I shall. Lord Akemi." Then Sesshomaru turned his gaze upon the others. The monk was in black robs with a purple sash that slashed across his chest and in his hand he held his staff. The demon slayer was dressed in a black body suit with pink knee, elbow and stomach pads. On her back was a huge bone boomerang. With Kilala's help, she had quickly flown home to change into her demon slaying clothings and to get her weapon, and standing at her feet was a tiny two-tail demon cat. Koga was Koga. He was already prepared to go. Dressed in the fur kilt he always wears, with the headband and the brown wristbands. Since the wolf demon was going to stay at the palace, he had decided to bring his armor and kitana with him. He was going to challenge his friend to a fight but now, his weapon and armor will be put to better use, like taking the heads of several pirates. Last but not least was the dragon. It looked quite fierce as he had two large blades cris-crossed behind his back and one at his side. Wearing the armor of his lord, Shilin waited patiently for Sesshomaru to come so they could leave. "It’s time. Let’s be on our way." They followed Sesshomaru as he walked out of the palace and went as fast as they could to the docks. Once there, they boarded Akemi's ship and they set sail for where they thought that vile Naraku might be hiding.

xxxxx

As Sesshomaru stood at the bow of the ship, never before in his years had he felt this cold deathly presence inside himself and he knew with a certainty that no matter how long and how far his search would go, in the end he would draw the very soul from the bastard that he now pursued.

He had no idea how much of a head start Naraku had over him, but he knew that he had to find him. He felt despair as he imagined his precious Yasha, defenseless against a band of cutthroat pirates, aboard that ship again. Deep down, he knew she could take care of herself but it was the children. He knew she would do nothing that would harm them.

The day grew long and endless for Sesshomaru, his amber, cold eyes scanned the horizon and his hand lay ever ready on the hilt of his sword; his body and mind were ready and eager to face his adversary. Sesshomaru's mind was in a rage. He cursed and condemned Naraku to every kind of torture that hell had to offer.

‘Hold firm, my beloved. I am coming for you.’