The younger generation of the tribe might no longer remember why they had first moved north. But for an elder like him, what the humans had done to them was something he could never forget.
The flames that filled the sky, the acrid smell of gunpowder, the deafening blasts-the weapons humans had created, called firearms and cannons, had slaughtered countless demons. Many of the tribe's children had died in that horrific attack before they could grow up.
He would never forgive those humans.
After that devastating blow, the Wolf Demon Tribe's standing in the north had plummeted. Though they remained its rulers in name, their territory had gradually shrunk, and the demons who had once served them began to harbor rebellious thoughts, leaving one after another.
It had been a tremendous blow to the Wolf Demon Tribe.
Sesshomaru watched the elderly white wolf suddenly grow agitated, and impatience rose within him.
Human or demon, those without strength would naturally be bullied.
This demon was already so old, yet he still failed to understand that simple truth.
Just as the atmosphere between the young Dog Demon and the elderly wolf demon began to stiffen, a young member of the Wolf Demon Tribe approached.
"Elder, the chief sent me to bring this demon to see him," the young wolf demon said.
"Hmph. Go on, then." The old white wolf resentfully retreated into his cave, leaving the two in the newcomer's care and watching coldly as they departed.
"Um... are you from the Western Lands?" Walking ahead of them, the young wolf demon awkwardly tried to make conversation.
"Yes." Sesshomaru nodded.
"The Western Lands are growing stronger and stronger these days." The wolf demon lowered his head, his voice downcast. "Nothing like the Wolf Demon Tribe."
The demons of the Western Lands were ruled by the dog clan, with thousands of demons under their command. Under the Dog General's leadership, demons of every other tribe had bowed in submission. Even after the Dog General later died, the heir he left behind-the demon named Sesshomaru standing before them-was powerful enough to hold that vast territory together.
Their wolf demon clan, on the other hand, still followed its ancient migratory way of life. Though they were the strongest of the northern nomadic demons and the so-called rulers of the north, they lacked any real power to intimidate the other demons. In the end, it was merely an empty title. The demons of the north still governed themselves rather than truly obeying the Wolf Demon Tribe. At that thought, the wolf demon sighed again.
Without another word along the way, the three walked silently to the Wolf Demon Tribe chief's cave.
The wolf demon led them straight inside without pausing, with Sesshomaru and Han following behind.
Though it was daytime, the cave was large and deep, and little sunlight reached inside. Torches burned on the rock walls on either side to provide light. Straw covered the depths of the cave, where wolf demons were talking. A white wolf lay quietly on what appeared to be the cleanest, thickest bed of straw. He was Lei, the current chief of the Wolf Demon Tribe. The white wolf was far larger than an ordinary wolf demon, but he did indeed seem ill. His coat, which should have been splendid, had lost its luster and lay over his gaunt back.
Apart from the white wolf lying on the straw in his true form, the others all retained their human forms, kneeling on one knee beside him. It was a silent indication that the ailing chief had lost none of his authority.
At the sight of the three arrivals, the wolf demons' conversation stopped abruptly.
"Sesshomaru, you've come." The white wolf did not rise. In his weakened state, he could only remain where he lay and nod to Sesshomaru in greeting.
"Yes." Sesshomaru, who had intended to challenge him, now realized that the chief truly was ill.
"Is your mother well?" the white wolf asked politely.
"All is well," Sesshomaru replied.
Though the two tribes were rivals, Sesshomaru's father, Toga, had enjoyed a good personal friendship with the current chief of the wolf demon clan. Or rather, Toga had maintained good relations with many demons, though he had no shortage of sworn enemies either. Several years earlier, before his death, Toga had brought Sesshomaru to visit the Wolf Demon Tribe's territory, which was how the two had met. After Toga's passing, however, the two tribes had gradually fallen out of contact.
"That's good." Something like a smile appeared on the wolf demon's face, though on a wolf's features it looked rather frightening instead of friendly. "This is my daughter, Ayame." He shifted his body slightly aside, revealing a small white wolf sleeping beneath him.
"Yes." Sesshomaru nodded, waiting for the chief to continue.
"When my daughter was little, she was caught in an attack by human artillery. Her mother died protecting her, and she was gravely wounded herself." The wolf demon gazed lovingly at the little white wolf beneath him. "To save her and allow her to live a healthy life, I passed my demonic power to her." Though doing so had left him with little time to live, he had insisted on it.
"Chief!" The wolf demons beside him grew even more distressed.
The white wolf shook his head and sighed. "Though I can hold on for a while longer, I don't know how much time I have left. I only hope my daughter can grow up healthy and happy, and that the Wolf Demon Tribe can grow stronger." Deep pain and reluctance to part shone in his eyes as he looked at his daughter. "But I'm already out of time..." He raised his head and looked earnestly at Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru, when Ayame grows up, would you be willing to take her as your wife?"
The Dog Demon had suspected that the chief might have a favor to ask, but he had never expected this demand.
Han, who had been standing quietly beside Sesshomaru and listening to their conversation, widened her eyes in surprise as well. She took a careful look at the chief's daughter, Ayame. She was an adorable little white wolf, with slender legs and a slim waist, fluffy, soft fur, and a damp nose through which she breathed gently. Her peaceful expression made it clear she was sleeping soundly.
Han tried hard to ignore the unease in her heart, but she still could not stop herself from stealing glances at Sesshomaru's expression. Even knowing that someone with his temperament would never agree to such a rash request, she could not help worrying.
Sesshomaru merely shook his head slightly, showing no vehement reaction, yet it was the firmest possible refusal. Han softly released the breath that had caught in her chest. The wolf demons beside the white wolf were all focused on the conversation between Sesshomaru and their chief, and none noticed her small movement. Sesshomaru, however, noticed the girl's slightly tense expression suddenly relax.
"Ah." The white wolf sighed, unable to hide his disappointment. Though he had known Sesshomaru would most likely refuse, he had still felt compelled to ask. The result was no surprise, but he would not give up easily. "Since you've already come to the Wolf Demon Tribe, why not stay here a little longer?" Unwilling to abandon hope, the white wolf at least wanted to keep the Dog Demon there for a while.
Sesshomaru frowned, somewhat impatient with the wolf demon's second request. Still, since he had already come north, there was no harm in staying with the Wolf Demon Tribe a little longer. Perhaps he would find a worthy opponent here, though the chances were slim. Sesshomaru nodded.
The white wolf smiled in relief and wearily closed his eyes.
Seeing this, the wolf demons beside him quickly and quietly withdrew from the cave.
Sesshomaru and Han followed them out.
Only after they had walked some distance from the cave, with no one else around, did Han finally break her long silence.
"Sesshomaru, will you end up with another demon like you someday?" she asked softly.
"Don't imagine things that will never happen." Sesshomaru's answer was as direct as ever.
"But..." You nearly agreed just now. She lowered her head, avoiding the expression of the man above her, because... even she did not understand her own feelings. Yet the sadness she had felt the instant the white wolf asked his question had been so real, even though she had no right to feel that way...
"No." He seemed to have seen through the words she had left unspoken and gave her the most reassuring answer.
"Okay!" Han smiled, a rare, radiant smile blooming on her still-youthful face.
The corners of Sesshomaru's lips curved slightly as well. It was his first smile since the two had begun traveling together.
The Yunai Rabbit on Han's shoulder also breathed a sigh of relief. When the two had emerged from the chief's cave with that strange atmosphere between them, it had been terribly worried that it might lose the protection of a powerful demon. Now it seemed their future travels would remain safe and pleasant. I really am a lucky rabbit! it thought smugly, unconsciously nuzzling the girl's ear and neck.
Then it felt two fingers pinch a tuft of fur at its neck and move it a little farther away from the girl's neck and ear. The rabbit widened its eyes indignantly, wanting to see who dared treat a rabbit protected by a mighty Great Monster this way—only to find Sesshomaru's expressionless face. Its body shuddered, and it obediently huddled in the spot he had chosen for it.
Han watched in surprise as Sesshomaru did all this without a change in expression, then suddenly laughed aloud.
She soothingly stroked the soft fur on Yunai's back where it sat on her shoulder. Feeling the little rabbit gradually relax, she felt reassured as well.
Simply being able to stand quietly together like this and gaze at the distant scenery was enough, wasn't it?
Before you continue