The Secret Kept

Sorry for making you wait.


“What is it that you speak of Bokusenou? I have accepted all that my farther has left-me even that weak fang of his, the Tenseiga.” This tree may be old and is probably one of the wisest beings in the world, but he Sesshumaru was still a noble demon and would not be chastised.

The mighty tree frowned, looking down on the young demon lord. What Sesshomaru had said was true but he new that the young nobleman had also neglected the last of his father’s wishes.

“I would think that you had learned by now that the Tenseiga was not a weak sword. Either way, what you say is true, but why have you not seen to the last of your father’s gifts?” The demon tree continued to question. “Do not behave as if you don’t know what it is I speak of.”

Though he would have liked to do just that, it would have accomplished nothing. “I cannot very well accept the gift if it remains hidden from my sight.”

“Can’t find it. Sesshomaru, did you even look?” he asked, choosing not to wait for a response “or are you telling me that the great…lord…of the west is incapable of finding his own mate?”

When spoken out loud, it did sound somewhat pathetic of him. In truth, he hadn’t even searched for his mate, and had really found no reason to do so. He commanded an entire army of demons, watched over a large body of land, and still with all this at his hand he had to stand being told what who to mate with. He was a great damio and was not someone to be dictated to.

He was perfectly aware that his father had had an intended picked out for him to take, and that as lord was duty-bound to provide an heir to the western lands. It was a duty that he was constantly aware of, and one that he had been avoiding for some time. It would seem that his time was well up.

“Tell me, why is it important whether I mate now or later? Surely, a lord need not rush into such a commitment?”

“It would not matter, Sesshomaru, if you showed any interest at all in mating.” The tree’s eyes began to squint with its annoyance “As it is great…lord…you have shown no willingness to couple with any woman that has come your way.” The demon’s wooden eyes narrowed even more on him, in deep thought, “I know women of both the demon and human variety that have offered you their bodies freely, and you denied them all.” Sesshomaru held his place as the tree demon continued in its chastisement, accusation dawning in its steady gaze. “I had begun to think that you preferred your own gender’s touch to that of a woman’s.”

It was a twitch, a barely noticeable twitch. So slight, so minuscule, that not even the most trained eye could have seen it. Bokusenou didn’t really see the movement; it was more like he felt it. It shimmered on the wind, and it danced through the earth that made up his home. For any other, the action would have gone unnoticed. He was a demon, attuned to every touch nature bestowed and every secret it whispered. With all his other sense he saw it. He saw the unemotional Sesshomaru twitch.

“But even if that where true, I know that you have also had many men throw themselves at you. Some among them were both beautiful and knowledgeable.” How the gods it was that the old tree was aware of what went on in his life when it couldn’t even move from the spot it had been planted was a mystery, but there was no way he was going to dignify Bokusenou’s slight curiosity with a response.

“You’re a demon lord and you haven’t taken any type of lover in years. A person who didn’t understand the impossibility of it, and did not know better, would think that you were in love.” The tree raised its wooden brow in question to Sesshomaru.

Had it been any other being, they would have broken out in sweat by know. He was not any other being, he was Sesshomaru, and had already been shaken once already, it would not happen again. Standing there with statue stillness gold eyes met Bokusenou with the same steady indifference that had become expected long been an expected trait when it came to the demon lord. The desires of his heart were not for public viewing. What Bokusenou had said was true, as a lord he had a duty to secure an heir for his lands, dieing without one would most likely lead to the other lords warring for control of his lands. He had put it off mating as long as possible. “Very well, Bokusenou you need not lecture me any longer, since you seem so intent on me accepting my father’s choice. You must know her location.”

“ Hmm. You may find your prospective mate in the vale of Seiobo.”

“That vale is but a days walk from hear.” Sesshomaru only needed to look piercingly into Bokusenou eyes to explain to the tree demon that the coincidence between the vales location, and the summons did not go unnoticed by him.

If ever a tree or demon tree were going to blush, now would have been the time. Never had a tree looked more trapped, than this one did.

“ Your arrogance is becoming tiresome, I suggest that you behave better for your mate.” Bokusenou stuttered out attempting to regain his composure.

Sesshomaru turned to leave, knowing he had gotten all that he was going to from the old tree. “My behavior is none of your concern.”


AN:
· I had a hard time writing Bokusenou since he is a tree an they don’t show him much in the anime.
· Seiobo is not my creation she’s from Japanese mythology and is the Queen mother of the west. To learn more about her go to http://www.artelino.com/articles/japanese_gods_and_goddesses.asp