Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

SURVIVE	By : ajj77sunhawk Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 26393 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
OMG- two posts a day! Thanks to all my readers and reviewers. Love you lost and I dont think it gets faster than this hehehe!

River girl : big thanks to you cause most of how this was written is to answer some of the questions you posed

Read, review and Enjoy!

Chapter 5 : Changing Ownership!

Bankotsu walked through the City of the West, his nose twitched as he felt the energies of the city pulse and ebb around him. He was glad, fiercely glad that he had spared Lord Sesshoumaru this trip, there was something corrupt about this city, something rotten, polluting. What ever it was it seemed to be slowly spreading its poison – destroying everything in the city. He wondered if the humans could see themselves – how far they had sunk. He wondered if the humans of this city would even care.

The Temple of Light and its opposing force the Temple of Dark, both were worshiped by humans. The Temple of Dark worshiped Devils. It irritated Bankotsu and every other Demon he knew, that humans equated Devils to Demons. Hmm it irritated the Seraphim that they were equated with Angels as well, the beings that powered the Temple of Light. Both Angles and Devils were not of their world they were creatures from the dimensions the soul passed through after death and before rebirth. Demons and Seraphim however were of this world, they were born and they died in this world. Sure Demonic and Seraphic lifespans were about 6,000 years and humans (Those few that managed to live that long) only about 500 years, but they were all from and of this world.

Bankotsu put his musing aside, as he approached the Lord's palace. The doors were open and a greeting party was there to meet him. The Lord, a timid man, greeted him profusely at the gate, the Lady of the Temple had yet to show herself. Bankotsu smiled tightly, just as they planned – they would not find appropriate tributes until later in the day. The Lord took him though the Castle and while it was opulent - there was nothing in the way of magic or items of power there. The Lord's eyes for all his outward timidity, had a cunning smile in their depths. His every other word was about how powerful the Temple was in comparison, to his poor holdings.

No wonder the City was so decayed – it was lead by vipers and rats.

After an acceptable period, Bankotsu demanded that they take him to the temple to see the items of tribute that the temple could offer, the demons had no need for the Gold offered by the Lord. The Lord sagged with relief, and almost cheered as Bankotsu made his way to the temple.

Led to the Temple Bankotsu smiled, his fang peeked out, as he casually rested his hand on his great sword, the real show was about to begin.

The Priests met the Demon General at the gates, and he was led into the main hall of the temple. Bankotsu's eyes swept the hall taking in everything.

High Priestess Kikyo sat on an elaborate throne, in her full Priestly garbs. Priests and Priestess of clearly high status stood on both her sides. Guards were everywhere. There was a large table to the side covered in rich cloth- hat was obviously the items for tribute Bankotsu found that he was a little curious as to what this Temple would offer. There was a lot of energy in the room, and he could not see the Hanyou as yet.

"Welcome representative of the Demon Lord." Lady Kikyo said her voice flat and controlled.

"Lay Kikyo, thank you for your most generous hospitality." Bankotsu smiled engagingly. Hell he was going to enjoy himself. "Shall we commence our business?"

"By all means, know this the item that you may not claim is the Shikon no Tama." Lady Kikyo said imperialistically, "You may not even gaze up on the gem – Demon!" the last word was had a hint of a sneer.

Bankotsu bowed elegantly as if in agreement, actually he bowed to hide his shock. The Shikon No Tama was here? The human was so stupid that she would release information like that so easily... no – not stupid – arrogant. It seemed that this city had the ability to harbor items that were much better off destroyed. Dammit, the problems of this human City was far beyond his authority, the Demon King would have to be told about this. Bankotsu sincerely hoped that the Jewel they had was a fake. Still that was not his mission at this time. He straightened and smiled, focusing on the Mission.

"Done, that will not be what we will even seek to claim." He would not say the name of the accursed thing aloud. "What do you have on offer for us, as tribute for your defeat?"

"How dare you!" A young Priestess, with flashing green eyes and cloaked in arrogance stepped forward. Her Priestly powers were strong, but to a demon of his caliber they were next to nothing.

"How dare I not what? Do you have a problem with the truth." Bankotsu deliberately taunted, these humans more than any he had met – actually turned his stomach.

"You filthy...!" Priestess Kagome actually glowed in anger.

"Kagome!" Lady Kikyo snapped, drawing her up short, "It is the nature of dogs to bark. You can hardly expect a demon to be more than he is, I do not want him in our holy temple longer than necessary, let us get this over with."

Kagome calmed down immediately, inhaled deeply and walked to the covered table. Bankotsu seemed to be watching her – in actuality his focus was on the faint sound of tinkling chains he had heard, when Lady Kagome had almost caused a scene. The priests almost unconsciously had all moved a little, clearing a path, from near a dark pillar to him. Unless he was completely mistaken his target was hidden in the darkness there. His mind shifted though the energies in the hall, he had never seen the collar before so he did not recognize the energy it emitted. But he could now sense clearly the strange malignant energy contained near the pillar.

The hanyou was rumored to protect the Priestess and her chosen heir, Lady Kikyo was too controlled, but the other one,... hmmm... yes he was going to enjoy himself.

"Little girl, I guess being a human hampers you in many ways, but do hurry and show what you are offering in Tribute to the Great Demons." Bankotsu said pleasantly, the human's whole body twitched. She glared daggers at the Demon but managed to hold her temper. With a toss of her rich black hair she grabbed the silk and exposed the artifacts beneath. The City of the West were out to impress with their offerings.

Bankotsu came forwards and examined the offerings. The first was a short tree, with strange glowing fruit, the Demon recognized the tree.. it would do nicely. "A tree, is that your first offering? Hardly worth my time." He said with a slight sneer.

"How dare you?" Kagome gasped rising to the bait, "You arrogant Youkai that is the rare tree of Never ending.. "

"Rare?" Bankotsu cut her off with a bark of laughter, "You must be joking? Rare in improvised human lands perhaps. The trees of Never Ending Honey Fruit, is common in almost all garden in the Demon Kingdom. Are humans really so pathetic you find something like this unique?" The human priestess breathing was heaving and erratic, her eyes glazing with anger.. one more push was all he needed. Bankotsu grin was pure evil, "But I do understand how you find it valuable, it must be dear to you," He dropped his voice in a pseudo whisper of understanding, "After all, you do indulge in the fruit often don't you? It is good, Demon males prefer women who are well rounded and stout, your thighs are really deliciously fat."

Red, is too mild a term to describe the color that Kagome saw.

Forgetting everything she grabbed the tree in question and hurled it at the face of the Demon, breaking all protocol. If the tree had hit the Demon the Demons could easily claim that the humans broke the treaty and level the City. Lady Kikyo understanding the danger shouted an order before the tree even left Kagome's hands.

Bankotsu could easily have phased out of the way, instead he smiled mockingly. The tree flying before her, Kagome followed, her hands glowing she lunged towards the smirking Demon. Her Miko energy charged nails dug into unprotected flesh. The scent of rich blood filled the air. Everyone froze.

Half his chains dangling from his limbs, the half breed stood between the Demon and the Miko, her claws dug deep into his unprotected back. The tree held secure in his hand caught a few inches away from the Demon's face. The diplomatic disaster had been averted.

The smirk left Bankotsu's lips, the first thing that hit him was the power of the collar. A Brown Inu himself, the collar was an abomination. He could not hide his shudder of disgust as he stared at the collared form in front of him.

The second thing that hit him, was that strangely empty golden – not brown – not yellow – but golden eyes, acknowledged the shudder of disgust. No emotion registered in his face, the Hanyou dropped his head in a low bow. Keeping his head low, without a word he stepped back and with extraordinarily gentle hands placed the Tree carefully back on the table. He glanced at Lady Kikyo, who gestured with her fingers, he sank to his knees, head lifted slightly, keeping track of what was going on in the room. A dog on guard. The blood running down his back, and the acid pain of the Miko's nails were ignored by the half breed and everyone else.

The half breed had not been the only one to see the shudder of disgust. "Lady Kagome – your behavior is regrettable, apologize to the representative of the Demon Lord and step back."

Kagome looked at her blood covered hands and went red, She hid her hands behind her back, and bowed as well. "My Lord Demon, forgive me, my actions were childish. But thank the light no harm was done and I pray sincerely you forgive my small loss of senses."

Childish? Small loss? The human called drawing blood from a Hanyou a childish act? Bankotsu was amazed, but he had a goal and for now – it was not to level this stinking city. The female human was glaring at the Hanyou as if the whole thing was somehow his fault. Bankotsu's eyes narrowed, there was a strange look of lust in the humans eyes as she glared at the bowed and cloaked figure. She would not surrender her pet easily. Well – too bad for her – she had just provided him the ammunition he needed to silence her.

He ignored the younger Priestess and looked at Lady Kikyo, "It seems that the Temple allows children to take part in negotiations. Very well I will overlook this insult once – on the condition that the out of control and plump Priestess be not allowed to address me. Her voice is rather grating." Bankutso kept an eye on the Hanyou as he said those words – there was absolutely no reaction from him – not a twitch, nothing. Just blank.

"Forgive us if the half breed insults your senses, it is a barely competent guard dog. It is rare that he has the chance to be in such illustrious company, so I hope you will indulge our little pet his treat." Lady Kikyo said easily.

Bankotsu had to force himself not to react, how the hell was this a 'treat', even if he had not come for the collar – there was no way in hell he was going to allow the half breed to stay in the clutches of these creatures. He wondered what the half breed hid beneath the hood. "It is fine, shall we continue?"

Kikyo nodded as she herself came to show the items, Kagome backed away her face red with anger and embarrassment.

The second item on offer, was a harp, with both demonic and seraphic qualities. It was exquisitely carved and the music it created would have magical properties. If not for already having his prize in sight, Bankotsu would have taken the harp as a worthy tribute. The third item made Bankotsu really, really want to tear the city apart. The humans dared call them monsters? On the table was a cloak made of Serpahim feathers, given willingly these cloaks allowed their true owners to soar, these feathers were not given willingly. The humans may not know it, but some day soon when in use, the cloak will stop working and the wearer will come crashing to the earth. Mayhap when they attacked this city, certain Princes should be invited to the party.

Bankotsu's stomach was churning – he wanted out of this cursed city - now.

He glanced around again and straightened, time to bring this little drama to a close. "Your protector seems to be hurt, should you not have something essential for your defense better cared for?" Bankotsu said casually, as he pointed to the small pool of blood that had formed beneath the Hanyou.

Lady Kikyo's eyes widened, she glanced at the others in the room, and as one all the Priests began to laugh. "Our protector? Our Protector... surely you jest, as if the Temple of Light would require an abomination of dirty blood as a protector. There is nothing essential about the Mongrel, it is a reflection of the kindness and generously of the temple of Light that we have given succor and reason for living to such a vile beast."

Bankotsu watched them laugh, and watched the Hanyou sit alert and unmoving, a doll would have had more reaction than the Hanyou. Not possessing the ability to read minds – Bankotsu could not help but wonder if the Hanyou even had a mind. Perhaps it would be best if the hanyou did die from the backlash of the removal of the collar. That would be Lord Sesshoumaru's problem, he needed to focus on matters at hand. His lips twisted in a smug smile, check!

Lady Kikyo stopped laughing at the smile, she crocked her hear at the Demon, "You have decided on the Tribute?"

"Yes Indeed." Bankotsu took out a small mirror. Placed in to the ground and quickly drew rings spiraling out of the mirror – till the circle was about 3 feet in diameter. Mirror at its heart, the circle would be the actual portal to teleport through. The Demon Lord's face appeared in the mirror and he nodded sharply all was ready for the destruction of the collar.

Bankotsu looked at the Priests and smiled fakely, "We will claim an item that is not fully of human blood, has demonic elements, is unique and is not essential to the safety and welfare of your City. I know what we claim, in the name of Lord Sesshoumaru – Demon Lord of the West, we claim the hanyou as our Tribute."

"WHAT!" Shocked gasps came from all over the room.

"I will NOT allow that!" a screech was heard in the hall.

Bankotsu dropped his fake smile, and allowed Kikyo to see his contempt, "That child is NOT to speak! The Hanyou is controlled, you will surrender that control to the Demon King NOW! Or your city will Not be standing tomorrow." With a open portal to the Demon Lord pulsing in the ground – and the Demon's the mirror's owner – it was not an empty threat. Lady Kikyo's eyes widened as she realized it. Bankotsu's smile was barbed. "Check mate!"

She ground her teeth but had to save face, she silenced Kagome with a look. "Demon's are true fools," She said with a false smirk of her own. "There is no need for stupid threat – to take the mongrel when there are true treasures on offer. Fools. Very well take your prize." She chanted slowly, her hands stretched out towards the half breed, who was finally reacting. A look of shock and then horror on his face. "Mongrel, you are gifted as tribute to the Demons, Lord Sesshoumaru of the West will now command the collar."

As she said that she barged into his mind one last time and whispered directly into his mind, "Do not think this is freedom. You saw the look of disgust on the Demon's face when he saw you? I wonder what the demons are truly after? Your half breed dirty blood is so much weaker than theirs, maybe you will be their body toy – or maybe they wish to free the world of an abomination and insult to their blood, what ever your fate, it will be far worse than anything we did to you. Foolish Mongrel, you are now property of a true Demon."

The half breed flinched, the collar sent fire throughout his body as the transfer took place. His head was pounding, but he heard the Demon acting as the voice of his new controller say one word "come!" and ignoring the writing pain and confusion in his mind, his body stood, and jerkily followed the Demon into the glowing portal on the floor. The two vanished in a flash of light.

'Why did you let him go!" Kagome snapped in irritation – "He was mine."

"Fear not child, as long as they do not kill him he will be yours again. We are close are we not? Now that we will no longer be distracted by meaningless plots and assassinations, we can focus on mastering the Shikon No Tama, and then it will all belong to us." She reached out and fondly stroked Kagome's hair. Her successor immediately understood, and the smiles on both their faces, was the smile of someone who orders the death of innocents because they KNOW they are just and right.

** In the Court Yard of the Demon Palace, for the first time in his memory, the Half Breed inhaled air that was not from the City of the West. He stumbled and feel to his knees, in the middle of the Glyph... He heard a foot step, and his head snapped to the side, the Demon Lord of the West took a step towards him, powerful demonic energy rolled around him, and the collar began to glow. The collar recognizing the energy around it awakened. The half breed screamed as the dark energy of the collar once again invaded him.

-tbc-

Ok really boring weekend so writing a lot. Teaching too many night classes this week so don't expect this spurt to continue. *sigh – trying to make the most of the muse while I have the time. :)

I hope you like how I portrayed Inu, he is in this chapter – and yet Not in it. Hmm 'like' s probably the wrong word. Well, Inuyasha is away from the stupid City – that does not mean things are going to get better fast... I hope you were paying attention to who will be and wont be at the palace... cause things get worse – a lot worse before they get better.

RedOnxyMoon had a good suggestion, to have all 4 aspects take physical form when things improve, once in a while. Hmm will that make things more interesting I wonder?
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SURVIVE