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Hahvoc + Swirl

S

Swirl

Star
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Location
Canada!
The smoke that exited the burning buildings was torture to his sensitive nose. It floated up in large black plumes to block out the sun and cloud over the sky. Ash rained down upon the few lucky people who were able to escape the blaze as the small village began to burn to the ground.

Confusion settled in on the villagers as to what might have started the fire, but for what it was worth, they would have to start rebuilding in the morning. Grace settled in on them that night as through the thick clouds of smoke, a light rain began to settle down. Sizzling into the hot flames it soaked the rest of the homes that were untouched by the fire.

A lone figure, away from the village landed heavily onto a tree branch, high up in the bows. Covering his mouth with his fire rat shirt, he began to cough out the hard feeling of burnt wood out of his lungs. Pounding on his chest a few times with his clenched hand he shook his head and gagged a bit. He would need something to drink to get that foul taste out of his mouth.

Triangular ears on top of his head perked to attention as the sound of far away hoofs and mans voice is heard. Swiftly looking over his shoulder a curse word fell from his lips and he was once more on the move.

Tree branches shook under his weight, raining leaves upon the ground where the rain had yet to touch. He was not able to go far when his chest and throat began to bother him again. Pausing for a moment on a high branch, he quickly inhaled fresh air into his lungs and distinguished the scents that he could tell. Fire, wood, rain, his own scent and human. Turning his nose another way he took another deep breath and found what he was looking for.

Unfortunately he was not to make it to the stream.

The hunters were good at what they did, and he was not a unpredictable type of person. It took them little less than an hour to finally have their catch where they wanted him, bounded in seals and trapped on the forest floor, he could do little more than breath and shout profanities at them.

He saw not their faces as a blind was immediately applied over his yellow eyes and his senses dulled with more sutras. They were confident and determined to bring back their catch alive. Although they knew the rules well, and would deliver him to their employer how he wanted.

It was a long, sore and bumpy ride for the silenced half demon in the back of the cart. He could do no more than breath and listen to his own pounding heart. He knew not where they were going and without his senses to tell him where he was, he was like a child in the dark.

He knew that they had reached their destination when he was hauled from the back of the cart, his muscles aching from laying in one position to long. His bare feet touching cold stone and a shove to tell him to walk. They guided him down stairs and threw tunnels until he was given a hard shove. Landing on the hard ground he struggled to regain his footing, but the activated sutras on his ankles once more caused him to remain in the dirt.

They would leave him there to wait.
 
The castle has expanded in recent years. If you call expanding over the course of fifty years recent. It had always held a dungeon, but recently, over the course of the past five or so years, there had been an arena built. It wasn't a large arena, only enough to house all the captives - be they human or demon - and have space to move around. It was a punishment for anyone who entered this territory and committed a crime. One such crime may be moving into the territory without seeking permission, one may be eluding the territory patrol watch, or stealing from the controller of the territory. Stupid and unworthy demons who stirred up trouble were either killed on sight or moved to the dungeon to be placed in the arena. It wasn't much of a surprise that the dungeon wasn't normally filled to capacity, and if it was, it wasn't for very long. The guards did try to keep it devoid of such filth.

However, with some new arrivals to the dungeon, it needed to be cleaned out again, and so the guards would wait until told to start The Games. It wasn't like the Romans, no. It was simply an all out battle to the death. Usually, no one survived. However, if one did, he or she was allowed to recover and win their freedom through a game depicted by the owner of the castle. There were no set rules for the game. It always depended on what the owner decided the game would be about. Most usually didn't risk trying to defeat the Ruler. And why was that? Because the Ruler was Sesshomaru and he didn't like to lose. Ever.

The Ice Prince was walking along the corridors of his domain, listening to Rin being taught lessons by her tutor - a female demon. He didn't trust men to be around the girl. She was older than she was back when he found her, he remembered. But how old was she now? Fifteen? He couldn't quite remember. Had it really only been a few years since the last time he had seen any of those people? His brother and the others? It wasn't much of a surprise. He kept mostly to himself. Dressed formally in a white kimono with blue flowers with his hair left down as always, the demon walked out to one of the many balconies. The castle was huge, after all. Four stories high, some insane distance long, and then the dungeon underground with the arena. Was he proud of his father's legacy? Of course he was. But there were still things left to be dealt with. He just didn't know it yet.
 
Guards walked back and forth in their posts, while others ran around getting the area ready for the games that would soon begin. Seats were washed down and his spot, the best spot to watch the games was dusted off and ready for it's lord to sit on.

Men and demons alike below in the dungeons were already making up the sets on who would fight who, deciding that the weaker demons would go first and go up from there. Since preparations had already been started several days ago they were just waiting for the word of their master to announce the beginning of the fights.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Came the voice of his most trusted companion Jaken. The little green imp demon running up from another set of stairs to the left. Panting heavily he set his hands on his knees for a moment before running over to his master. "All things are set your highness." Jaken told him, looking up at him. "The last jail cell has been filled, and all the matches are set, they just wait on your command." folding his small hands into the sleeves of his brown kimono, Jaken took a step back to wait. The two headed staff, leaned up against his chest; waiting to be used. He wondered what Lord Sesshomaru was thinking about, wondering why his master seemed to be more in his head than usual. Well more usual than the dog demon could get at least.

"Shall I send word to begin master?"
 
Sesshomaru had been taking in the area that filled his view from the balcony. The world was still a big place and they were on but one small piece of it, yet it seemed so vast even from this high up. He heard the slap of feet against the floors as Jaken ran up the stairs and across the balcony. He didn't turn from his position, but he did listen, his eyes narrowing just the slightest to show that he was. So the last jail cell had been filled. It had been quite awhile since anyone had replaced the last of the demons that were unfit to bear such a title. After a moment, the demon lord spoke, still staring off at the sun as it fell behind the clouds and horizon.

"Let it begin."

Turning from his servant, he walked back to the hallways that echoed with ghosts and the steps of others. It wasn't long before he was in his own chambers that were filled with luxuries most never laid eyes on. Being a lord, he had such privileges. Stripping himself of his clothing, he stepped into his private bathing room, seeing the water already steaming and scented to his liking. His servants were good. They always seemed to know when he wanted to bathe or be left alone. So he soon stepped into the warm waters and relaxed, knowing full well it wouldn't be hours until the little tournament would begin. He wondered if he would enjoy it this time.
 
"Yes M'lord!" came the little demon's reply, watching his Master walk away from the balcony, he himself soon turned and ran off back down the stairs to let the main dungeon guard know.

Moving through the twists and turns of the elaborately built castle, he finally reached the guards room where no doubt the demon was resting. Pushing open the door, the imp demon gave a glance around until he found which one he was looking for. Setting the staff of two heads down with it's tip in the ground, Jaken spread the word to the demon. It was not long after that, that the rest of the guards soon were down in the dungeons to carry out the beginning of the tournament. It would take plenty of work just to wrestle the demons out for the first match.

Thus the sun was just rising when the news came back to Jaken that they were ready with the first couple opponents. Ready on either side of the arena to find out what they're fate was. They were given no weapons except what they were born with. Swords, and other weapons had been confiscated when they first entered the dungeons prior to being caught.

Many things were still in order however before it formally began, for instance Rin would need breakfast and a small handful of guests would be arriving sometime in the morning to watch the happenings. After all, it had been a very long time since the arena would officially be open again for another battle.

Rushing back through the corridors, poor tired Jaken made his way back to his Master's room to tell him the news that things were almost ready, and they once more just waited on his presence to begin the match.
 
During all the organization of the prisoners and lots to see who would fight whom, Sesshomaru had bathed before wandering the castle grounds during the night. He rarely slept more than a handful of hours at best and so walking along the garden path soothed him the most. It had been refurbished when Rin had come to live at the estate. She had wanted a garden where she could relax between tutor sessions and sparring times while also having something of her own to take care of. He couldn't deny her and had flowers of various colors and sizes planted and groomed into perfection. His favorite though, were the night-blooming roses, if he ever decided to choose. They were beautiful in a way that made him feel peace whenever he was around them. He felt especially unsettled, which wasn't like him, but something he couldn't deny. He felt something was different with this little tournament of theirs. Something odd.

"I can't quite figure it out..."

He murmured to himself, touching the delicate petals of a small blossom. He would though. He always did. Hours went by in the garden before he finally retired to his chambers, seeking some semblance of sleep before he had to sit and watch demons murder each other for survival. It was boring mostly because he had guests to entertain that absolutely loved the arena battles. He could care less, but politics were what they were and he had to keep some people happy despite wishing otherwise. It was rare that Jaken ever woke Sesshomaru from sleep, but this morning was one such instance. Rousing from his bed of rare furs and blankets, soft pillows and memories, he stared with his yellow eyes at his green follower. He could faintly hear Rin sitting down for breakfast. Or was she already done?

"I'll be arriving shortly. Make sure everything is prepared."

He ordered, not indicating anything resembling a sleepy tone. He stood from the bed, bare as the day he was brought into the world and sought out his clothing for the event, turning his back once more on Jaken.
 
"Aye My'Lord!" The green imp replied again once he was given his orders for the day. "Everything is ready for your arrival at the arena, the guests are already starting to show up and the demons are in place!" Bowing lowly, he grabbed his staff and ran from the room so his lord might be able to get ready in peace.

Now that everything was ready and set up, most of the servants were taking breaks in shifts. There was not as many of them running around frantically trying to get things prepared, and the ones who were still working were directing guests to the arena while they're luggage was brought up to a room. Tournaments like these could last days so it was easier for the guests to stay while they were attending.

The seats in the arena were beginning to fill and soon all that was waited on was Sesshomaru. Eager and excited chatter filtered out of the arena as they waited.
 
It wasn't long before Sesshomaru was dressed in a black and white kimono with crescent moons embroidered into the fabric. He took his time, knowing that the anticipation would be good for his guests, besides, he didn't want to sit through the boredom. Blood and fighting was good and all, but he liked doing the fighting when he felt the need to do so. Otherwise, it was completely pointless. Rin was in between on her feelings involving the demon tournament to clear out the cells. But she had always attended since she was able to at thirteen. He knew that she was already seated and waiting for him. He should probably spend more time with his adopted daughter since it seemed she was always waiting around for him.

Shrugging it off and clearing his head, the demon lord made his way down to the arena and navigated to his usual reserved chair, Rin beside him. He didn't sit just yet but instead waited until his guests were quiet. He looked them over before turning to Jaken and speaking just loud enough for everyone to hear him.

"Let it begin."

Sitting in his seat, he sat up straight and regally, showing no indication of boredom or a severe lack of interest in everyone around him, minus his daughter. He knew how these tournaments went and it was always the same thing. Usually, they all died. Occasionally a champion would come out on top and be offered a way to win their freedom but they either killed themselves or ended up getting killed anyways. Very few had ever won their freedom. And so he sat in his seat, waiting for the inevitable outcome. Yet he felt tenser than usual.
 
At his words, cheering broke out from his guests, and the massive cage doors were opened to let the demons emerge from the shadows.

Two lizard demons who looked momentarily confused and disorientated from the sunlight that suddenly blinded their faces. One of them overcame their disorientation fast enough and immediately headed for the other one. All the demons in the cells had been updated on what was going to happen in the next short few days.

The battle between the two lizard demons was fast and bloody, the attacking demon easily getting an upper hand on the other one, using the others disorientation to his advantage. In one clean cut the lizards neck was severed, gushing red blood onto the dirt floor of the arena.

The day went on more or less the same, the first lizard eventually being beaten out by an ogre, who was beaten out by a bug demon. The sun was finally starting to set and dinner was called in the castle for the hungry guests. All of them excitedly talking about the days fights and moves that the demons had brought out, ones in which some of them had never seen before.

The smell of dinner wafted through the corridors of the castle, servants leading guests to the great hall to eat, while others went down to the arena to carry out the pile of carcasses. It was chopping up to be another exciting day tomorrow for the tournament. At least for those who were looking forward to it.

Back down in the dungeons, Inuyasha had not the faintest clue to what was going on. The guards had left him in the back, silenced and immobile from the sutras around him. He couldn't even hear what was going on around him, as the demons moved up through the dungeons towards their spot in line for the next day. It wasn't until much later, that the half-demon was manhandled to his feet and moved to the next cell. Only to be back on his stomach to wait.

It was going to be another very long night.
 
After the first day of battles, Sesshomaru was glad to be free of the arena, especially when dinner was served. He didn't eat much, but he ate enough to not be bothered by whispered comments. He knew he needed to eat more, but he always was unsettled by how excited his guests would get after the battles. He found it all pointless. Rin excused herself to indulge in her studies - which was actually a lie, but no one would refute her claim - and soon the demon lord also left the table, telling his guests to eat until full and to have a pleasant evening. He was much too charitable, but as long as it kept away a war that his territory couldn't handle, he would do it. Even if it made him have terrible headaches.

He checked in on Rin to find her reading, almost half-asleep on her bed. He couldn't help but smile just the tiniest bit before he left her alone. Soon, he found himself back in the garden briefly. He let the scents and soothing atmosphere calm his irritated nerves before he made his way back into the castle. His guests were now drunk and happy in their rooms or in some other person's room. It mattered little to him. He made his way back to his chambers, stripping himself to settle into his bath. He let himself sink down into the warm waters, just absorbing the quietness. Tomorrow would ensure more headaches and annoyances. He would be much more at ease when it all ended. And it would be better for his tongue, since he wanted to use it to cut down everyone in residence at his castle for the events.
 
The guests, laughed and enjoyed themselves throughout the evening, despite not having their host's with them. It was late into the night when the castle finally became quiet once more as everyone drifted off to sleep.

The next day was brought on by the same excitement as the first. People filing down to the hall for breakfast, talking about the night and how beautiful Sesshomaru's castle is. For the parts that they were allowed to see anyways. The rest of the tournament would not start until mid morning. Once everyone would have some time to clean up and have something to eat.

The guards in the dungeon were counting out the next matches, and figuring who would go first, against the winner of yesterdays champion.

"Lets get the half-ling out after the bird demon fights with the ogre." the captain told his crew. "I doubt that will be a very long battle, and then he's out of our hair, and we'll save the two best demons for last to give the guests something more exciting to watch." The guards around him agreed and then headed off to finish up with their jobs.
 
When the next day of events finally arrived, the demon lord wanted to just kill off his guests. He was glad that they would be gone within the next day or so. He was tired of them filling up his castle with their stench and petty voices. The morning came and went and soon the next batch of matches were set up. Sesshomaru still felt uneasy, but he didn't show it. Something wasn't right, something in the air had his attention and he didn't know why. Rin kept holding his hand and he was thankful for it, her ability to keep him grounded in subtle ways that were unseen by his guests. They wouldn't be allowed to use Rin as a weakness. He'd kill them first.

A few matches went by with even more bloodshed, fear, and display of throwing around body parts for the hell of it. One match went on for over and hour, the combatants both bloody and ruined. It was a miracle either of them were standing until they both fell over dead from the blood loss. His guests weren't pleased by it, but there was nothing that could be done. So more demons were to be brought out. It was the way it went.
 
It took several guards to haul the dead corpses out of the arena. Once they were out of site, they were taken down to the furnace where they would be cut up and burned. At least then they wouldn't come back and haunt people, and this way they wouldn't take up space and the guards wouldn't have to bury them.

After almost half an hour, guests were starting to wonder if there was going to be anymore fights for the day, when they heard the yelling of another demon being loaded into the area just before the gate was open to let them into the arena. A giant bull demon's horns could be seen poking out from above the gates. Flames shooting through the cracks of the wood, designed to keep all sorts of demons in; from big to small demons. Sutras appeared on the outside to keep the beast on the inside, just so they could get the other demon ready for him to face.

There was not much to do to get the half demon ready. They released his eyes from the sutras and only stopped the magic on the ones around his limbs when he was safely placed in the holding cell. His ears twitched as the roar of the crowd came to him, once the magic surrounding his ears disappeared. Confusion held itself off from him as he quickly realized where he might be. Judging by the sound he was surrounded by humans and demons alike, and they were cheering something, something that he couldn't quite make out.

His golden eyes glanced between the cracks, where he could just barely see the round arena in front of him. Could see the dirt, and rocks and splatters of fresh and dried blood. From where he stood, he could not see the stands or the people surrounding the arena. His pupils expanded and decreased as he got used to the light shining through the boards. His nose taking in the scents and his ears taking in the sounds.

With the creaking of a chain, the two doors lifted up after the announcer yelled out that the match would soon begin. The bull demon, tore from the pit snorting and pawing the ground. Throwing it's gigantic head back and forth as it snorted smoke from it's nostrils. It's red flanks shaking in anger and ready to fight. It's horns sharp as tacks and glimmering in the sunlight as it looked for it's opponent.

Inuyasha stepped from his pit and blinked, looking up he noticed the huge cage like top to the arena so bird demons would not just fly away. He could now see the crowd surrounding the arena looking down on the two demons.

"A half demon?! it'll never make it out!" he could catch from the crowd. Along with several insults before they mixed on with the crowd. Golden flecked eyes focused on the bull demon in front of him, who was still looking for him.

All at once it saw it's opponent and came charging, Inuyasha's muscles tensed and he lunged out of the way, as the bull demon slammed into the fence on the other side. The strong magic seals keeping him from blasting right through.

Landing gracefully on the other side of the arena, it was then that the half demon caught his brother's scent. A growl came to his chest as he lifted his eyes up towards the crowd and scanned it.
 
"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru murmured, eyes wide at seeing his brother in the ring. The last few fights had been brutal but he knew his brother could handle himself here, even without his sword. It had been years since he had seen him and he was seriously wondering how his guards had managed to get his half-brother under their control. It seemed impossible, improbable - and it was crumbling his composure.

"Lord Sesshomaru...that's Inuyasha.." Rin murmured, keeping her voice down while she stroked his hand. He slowly settled back into his composure, but he knew that no one had seen it on his face anyways. They were too busy cheering on the bull demon. They had no idea that Inuyasha would probably pull the other demon apart slowly if he had to. The demon lord knew that it was not good that his brother was there and yet he was intrigued. He'd always had a sick obsession with his brother, but he never revealed it to anyone. He wondered now how Inuyasha would react. Would he keep his mouth shut until the end?
 
Waiting for the bull demon to get it's head clear from the last tackle it tried on the half demon, Inuyasha scanned the crowd high above him. His ears twitching back and forth as he looked for anyone that he knew. From where he was standing, Rin and Sesshomaru were hidden from him, so he had no way of knowing that it was them that was hosting this tournament.

His ears twitched back telling him that the bull demon was going to throw another assault on him. Growling, Inuyasha's fingers curled up to extend his claws, having enough of this demon already. Crouching his muscles, he jumped easily out of the way of the charging bull. Only to turn around and destroy the demon with his claw attack.

The silence in the arena was deafening as people and demons tried to come to grips with exactly what had just happened. The lone small half demon, destroying a huge bull demon. The silence only lasted thirty seconds before the crowd began cheering loudly.

If Inuyasha could have spoken at that moment he would have told them all to shut up, but with the Sutra still wrapped tightly around his neck, preventing him from speaking there was little he could do but stand there. His gaze eventually was brought back down to where the opposite gate was slowly opening, revealing another demon for him to fight.

It was not long before that demon to, fell beneath Inuyasha's claws. "This is a waste of my time." he thought in irritation while the next and last demon was brought out for him. It was not a very big demon, but the energy coming off him, told Inuyasha that this was not going to be an easy fight.

They took a few moments to size each other up, and then they were off, dodging and throwing attacks at each other. The crowd still cheering each time, one was slammed into the boards or one gained the upper hand only to loose it a few moments later.
 
From the look on Inuyasha's face, he could smell them but he couldn't see them. What an odd twist of fate, he thought. And those sutras? What was the deal with that? It didn't make sense to him to see those stupid little charms on his brother. However, it didn't stop the half-demon from destroying his opponents. Rin held the demon lord's hand tighter and tighter after each fight, voicing without words how wrong it all felt. How had they found Inuyasha? Unless those charms were strong, they shouldn't have been able to hold him. But why was he here? It was the one question that plagued his mind as he sat there in the stands, remaining calm and collected like he was supposed to do. It wasn't that hard to keep his composure, but this was a little bit harder to bear. It was a disgrace that his brother was done there. He did have the authority to end it, but he knew that then he would have to explain why and it would become a slippery slope. Politics were incredibly stupid.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Rin said, leaning close to him as she watched. She murmured a few more things before she couldn't take it anymore. She sat silent, patient, knowing that there wasn't anything either of them could do in that moment. Perhaps the demon lord had become softer in the past few years, but he had to make sure that Rin was protected and that no one would try anything. He could protect her, but killing half the nobles in the surrounding areas would bring about a war just to stop the tournament.

"Inuyasha can handle himself," Sesshomaru said, watching avidly. This demon would be much harder to win against. He just hoped he wasn't too hard to defeat.
 
With a sickening thud, Inuyasha was thrown to the dirt of the arena. Amongst loud cheers from the spectators, he lay there for a whole thirty seconds before finally starting to pull himself to his feet.

Both demons looked tired, and ready to give out, it seemed this would be their last match up. Turning back around to face the other demon, Inuyasha's face was bleeding, staining his silver bangs red as it slid down his face to drip onto his haori. Clenching his hands into a fist he crouched and lunged at the other demon.

This fight lasted another five minutes before Inuyasha was finally able to cleave the others head from his body. The body fell to the ground, spilling more blood onto the already stained ground. Cheers once more and applause broke out from the spectators . They had their winner, and nobody in that crowd would have guessed it had been the half demon to do it.

"Your orders sir?" A guard asked from being Sesshomaru who stood guard even though his job was generally pointless, he did keep the peace in the dungeons and with the guards. So Sesshomaru would not have to.
 
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