Chapter 5 - A mother's death

Chapter 5-A mother's death

By now Sesshoumaru wanted nothing more than to leave but he knew that this was not possible until the dream Inuyasha came back for him; resigned, he waited as the forest dissolved around him. When his eyes adjusted he saw that it was midmorning and he was in the meadows separating the forest from the eastern walls of the castle.

Shioma, Sesshoumaru’s mother, stormed out of the castle muttering about ungrateful step-sons. She jumped over a fallen branch and continued into the forest, filled with curiosity Sesshoumaru followed.

Shioma walked slower now she was beneath the trees and stopped every so often to pick a few herbs which she put in a basket she was carrying, the sound of a twig snapping behind her made her overturn her basket with fright and jump to her feet glancing around nervously.

A high giggling laughter sounded from the shadows, it made the hair on the back of Shioma’s neck rise and her breath catch in her throat.

Before she could investigate a hand was laid on her shoulder, letting out a short scream she whirled and raised her hand to beat off her attacker.

“Inuyasha!” Shioma was only half-relieved to see her step-son.

“Shioma I..well, I..” Inuyasha looked uncomfortable and his ears were flattened to his head. “I came to apologise.”

Shioma smiled suddenly realising how difficult it must be for Inuyasha to grow up in a castle full of pure-bred demons.

“I forgive you, little one. Now help me build a fire to prepare these herbs for tonight’s dinner.”

Glad to have something useful to do Inuyasha quickly gathered a small mountain of logs and leaves, he rubbed two of the larger sticks together vigorously until flames began to crackle.

He turned back after this task was complete to see that Shioma had fallen asleep with her back against a tall oak tree; Inuyasha smiled softly and lay down beside the fire determined to keep watch.

Sesshoumaru sat on the ground almost touching his mother, he realised now he was about to witness her death and he longed for nothing more than to hold her in his arms and protect her.

Inuyasha was awakened by a scream, he sat bolt upright; his eyes widened in shock as he saw Shioma lying in a pool of blood with a human bandit stood over her, he was stuffing his pockets with the coins and jewels she carried.

“NO!”

Inuyasha grabbed a lighted log from the fire and swung it in front of him like a sword, seeming almost possessed he quickly managed to overpower the human beating him with the flaming log.

Burnt badly the bandit was unable to get up and lay there helpless as Inuyasha continued his frenzied attack, an arrow through his shoulder stopped him short with a yell of pain. Turning, expecting to find more bandits, he saw only a human priestess cocking another arrow in her bow.

“Leave him alone, demon!”

A second arrow was loosed which knocked the already injured Inuyasha to the ground, without wasting time Kikyo ran to the badly burnt bandit and helped him to his feet; as they walked away Inuyasha strained to hear them.

“What is your name?” Kikyo’s voice was soft and gentle; the last thing Inuyasha heard before the two were out of earshot was his reply.

“Onigumo.”

Inuyasha pulled the arrows out of his body with a grunt and pulled himself over to Shioma; he pulled her into his arms and cradled her head gently, her eyes fluttered open and she coughed, blood splattered from her lips.

“Shhh, Shioma. Don’t move, I’ve got you.”

“Inuyasha?”

“Yes. It’s me; I’m sorry I slept, this is all my fault. Just hold on, please.”

“No, little one.” Shioma stopped as more coughs racked her body, her breath came in short gasps. “You fought for me, little one. Thank you.”

She coughed once more and then she was still, Inuyasha laid her body down horrified, his claws were stained with her blood; soon afterwards he was found by two guards patrolling the forest, one grabbed Inuyasha roughly and escorted him away, the other lifted the corpse of Shioma and followed.

Sesshoumaru’s mind whirled, his little brother was innocent; a great sorrow settled on his heart replacing the anger and hate he had felt for so long.

‘I will protect you, brother.” Sesshoumaru vowed to himself. ‘I won’t let anybody else hurt you’

But this still didn’t explain why his father had entrusted him with the Tetsusaiga or his tomb if nobody knew or believed he was innocent until now.