From Death Comes Life by Dani

Ch 1

Sitting behind a low desk, Sesshomaru could feel the muscles beneath his skin twitching.  He was anxious, and the anticipation was eating him slowly from the inside.  Keeping his face in a cool facade, his eyes barely shifted when a knock sounded at the door.  “Enter,” he stated coldly.

Sliding the door open, the servant bowed, pressing her forehead to the floor.  “My lord,” she stated softly, “the pup was stillborn.”

Waving the servant away silently, the woman quickly closed the door and left.  Jaw clinched, Sesshomaru had enough.  This was the fifth time his son, his heir, did not survive.  None of the women he had bred with were suitable, all had failed him and his kingdom.  Hearing another knock at the door, he remained silent, but the door slid open anyway only a moment later.

Stepping into the dimly lit room, the demon closed the door behind him and took a seat before the young lord silently.  Although Sesshomaru appeared to be calm about the news, the demon knew otherwise.

“I did not give you permission to enter, Dachi,” Sesshomaru stated flatly. 

Bowing, Dachi replied, “I am sorry for your loss, my lord.”  Meeting the cold, amber eyes of his lord, Dachi continued, “However, I believe I have discovered what has been happening.”

Before Sesshomaru could respond, the door to his study slid open again, and three older demons stepped into the room.  Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru growled, “Last I checked, I was still lord of these lands, and yet, my staff has seemed to somehow forget the basics of decorum.”

Bowing placatingly, the three demons took a seat on the floor next to Dachi.  “My lord,” one spoke, “we apologize, but as devastated by the news as we are, we were sure you were as well.  We will find another suitable female for you to try again with and-”

“No,” Sesshomaru replied with a growl. 

“No, my lord?” the demon asked softly.

Staring flatly at the demons seated before him, Sesshomaru replied, “I have had enough.  None of the females you have picked for me have been capable of carrying my heir.  I have lost faith in your capabilities.”

Stuttering, the demon replied, “But, my lord, we are your advisers.  We only want what is best for you and the Western Lands.”

“You are no longer my advisers,” Sesshomaru replied sharply.  “You are dismissed,” he finished with a wave of his hand.

Standing, the three demons left silently.  Focusing his attention back on Dachi, Sesshomaru stared at the dark inu with a critical eye.  While not an adviser technically, Dachi was one of the few beings Sesshomaru trusted.  Raised together in the palace, he was the closest thing the young lord had to a friend, and the dark inu knew most of Sesshomaru's inner wishes and thoughts without them needing to be voiced. 

“I hope your solution doesn't involve me breeding every available female, Dachi,” Sesshomaru clipped. 

Smirking, Dachi replied, “Of course not, my lord.  Although, that idea does have merit.”

Glaring at the demon, Sesshomaru snapped, “Don't waste my time.”

Growing serious, Dachi responded, “As you know, my lord, I did not believe this latest female your advisers found was the answer to your problem.”  Nodding silently, Sesshomaru waited patiently for the demon to continue.  “I researched several of the older records in the palace stores and you are not the first lord to run into this problem.”

Raising an eyebrow, Sesshomaru had no idea he had an ancestor who had issues having an heir.  It had never been mentioned to him.  “From what I discovered,” Dachi continued, “it is due to your poison, my lord.” 

“My poison,” Sesshomaru repeated blandly.

Nodding, Dachi continued, “Yes, my lord.  Your poison is very potent, so much so, that your heirs are being born with the ability to wield it even in the womb.  The females selected for you are not capable of handling the poison being leaked into their wombs by your young and their bodies are aborting the pregnancy in order to protect themselves.”

“I assume there is a solution written in the scrolls,” Sesshomaru replied, a small bubble of hope leaking into his aching heart. 

Frowning Dachi said, “They did; however, I do not believe the same solution will work for you, my lord.”

“Explain,” Sesshomaru snapped.

“As you know the white inu are the only poison users of the inuyokai,” Dachi started.  “But even of the white inu, not all are able to use poison.  What your ancestor did was to find a white inu female that was able to use poison.  Her womb and body were able to resist the poison being leaked by the pup.”

“There are only a few white inu left,” Sesshomaru replied flatly.

Nodding, Dachi replied, “Yes, my lord, and therein lies the problem.  I am sure you have no desire to whelp your dame.”

Brow furrowing in distaste, Sesshomaru asked, “What of her family?  Are there no females left?”

Shaking his head, Dachi replied, “Only one female was born to your dame's brother, and she was killed before reaching adulthood.  The only white inu left are yourself, my lord, your dame, your uncle, and his oldest son.”  Clearing his throat, Dachi added softly, “and of course, your half-brother.”

Turning his gaze out the window, Sesshomaru replied, “I need an heir Dachi, and I will not rut with my mother.”

“I know, my lord,” Dachi replied quickly.  “There is one more thing we could try,” he added hopefully, drawing Sesshomaru's attention back to him.  “It is merely a theory, but I believe it will work.”

Frowning, Sesshomaru replied blandly, “Continue.”

“There was a scroll that spoke of a male of your line who fought a powerful miko.”  Not sure where the demon was going with his train of thought, Sesshomaru waited patiently for him to continue.  “It is said that he used his poison on the woman in an attempt to kill her, but the woman somehow survived his attack.  In the end he beheaded her to kill her.”

“While fascinating, Dachi, what does that have to do with my problem,” Sesshomaru asked, slightly annoyed.

“If a powerful miko can survive a full out attack from your clan's poison, then I suspect one would be able to birth your heir as well,” Dachi replied confidently.

Eyes narrowing, Sesshomaru spat, “And have a half-breed for an heir.”

Shifting on his knees, Dachi said, “Maybe not.”

Raising an eyebrow, Sesshomaru stared skeptically at the demon.  Raising his hands in a placating motion, Dachi added, “I know it's a long shot, but I was thinking on this for a while now.  If the miko can resist your poison, I suspect it would be due to a barrier of sorts.”  Nodding, Sesshomaru allowed him to continue, “So, if that is the case, there may be a chance the pup would be born pure.”

“Have you gotten into the sake stores again, Dachi?” Sesshomaru asked blandly.

Growling low, Dachi snapped, “No, my lord.  I am serious.”  Ignoring the dubious look he was getting, Dachi continued, “A pup normally grows by consuming energy from both parents, but if the miko puts a barrier around her womb to protect herself from the poison it is emitting, then the pup would grow from your energy alone, making him pure.”

Staring at Dachi for a moment, the silence was deafening.  Sesshomaru's brain was running on overdrive, however.  Could it be possible?  He had no idea, but the female demons brought to him all had failed.  What else did he really have to lose?  Staring blandly at the demon, he asked, “So you expect me to douse every miko I see in poison and see if they survive?”

Furrowing his brow, Dachi rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  “I suppose that is one way, although, I can think of other ways I would prefer to handle it.”

“I am not rutting with an undetermined amount of human mikos,” Sesshomaru replied with a huff.

Waving a hand, Dachi replied, “Fine, then douse them in poison and see who pops out alive.”

Raising a brow, a long-forgotten image wormed its way to the forefront of Sesshomaru's brain.  A skimpily clad girl with dark hair, holding an heirloom sword, had already done just that.  His brother's miko had survived his poison without a mark on her.  He had thought it impossible when it happened but didn't have too much time to dwell on the incident.  She was uncouth, defiant, and loud-mouthed, but if he remembered correctly, she was good with young.  At least, she was gentle with his ward the few times they had interacted.

“I believe I know of a miko,” Sesshomaru stated softly, unsure of why he said it out loud.  The events of the day had taken their toll on his usually unfazed nerves.  Grinning like an idiot, Dachi was about to respond when a knock sounded at his door.

“Enter,” Sesshomaru ordered harshly. 

Bowing low, the servant slid the door open, and kneeling on the ground with her forehead pressed to the floor, said, “My lord, my lady is seeking an audience.”

Waving the servant off, the woman didn't say anything, and silently closed the door.  “Duty calls,” Dachi replied with a smirk. 

Groaning internally, Sesshomaru didn't respond, and instead, stood silently.  Approaching the door, he paused, and said, “See that the female is compensated for her time and is escorted back to her family before nightfall.  I will not have the wench lingering expecting a second try at birthing my heir.”

Bowing, Dachi replied, “It shall be done, my lord.”

Leaving his private study, Sesshomaru strode down the hall towards his mate's rooms.  Sliding the door open without knocking, Sesshomaru silently dismissed her maids with a wave of his hand.  Filing out of the room silently, the final one closed the door softly behind her, leaving him and his mate alone. 

“So,” the demoness said softly, “I suppose the twit will be sent home like the previous two?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

Grunting softly, Sesshomaru eyed the woman critically.  Her long, pale hair trailed along the floor behind her, just a slight tint showing her impure heritage.  Pale skin, and amber eyes that were signatures of all inuyokai didn't stir him at all.  This female was chosen for him by his mother and advisers.  Her breeding making her the perfect mate for him, so said.  Although, the woman had failed miserably in her one duty to him.  Both of the heirs he had whelped off of her died in her womb.  She wasn't worthy of him, or the title bestowed upon her.

“She is being escorted out of the palace as we speak,” Sesshomaru replied, knowing what the woman was fishing for.  “Your position is safe, for now, Kanoko.”

Smirking, Kanoko strode towards him gracefully, her feet barely touching the floor.  Placing a hand on his chest, she smiled up at him, and said, “I have entered my heat, perhaps we could-”

“No,” Sesshomaru replied, cutting her off.  “You have already failed twice.  I will not have another one of my sons killed by you.”

Frowning, Kanoko spun away from him.  “So, your advisers have already picked another suitable female,” she stated with disdain evident in her voice.

“I dismissed those fools,” Sesshomaru clipped.  “They proved to be just as useless as the females they present.”

Sneering, Kanoko replied, “So what now.  Will you not have an heir?”  Glaring at her mate from over her shoulder, she added, “Or will you appoint someone from outside your family?”

“Another female will be brought,” Sesshomaru replied easily, internally smirking at the scowl that crossed his mate's features.  Turning towards the door, he continued, “I will be retrieving her personally in short order.”

Eyes widening, Kanoko sucked in a breath.  “You are personally retrieving her?”

“Hn,” Sesshomaru grunted.  “I will try with a female of my choosing.  And make no mistake, Kanoko, I have every expectation that she will be successful, and when she is, you will be dismissed from your position.”

Clenching her fist, Kanoko bit her tongue when her mate left her rooms.  This did not bode well for her.  This new woman would fail birthing her mate's heir.  One way or another, she would see to it.  Her position was too valuable to lose.

Striding through the palace towards the main gates, Sesshomaru paused when a young girl rounded a corner, nearly running into his legs.  “Lord Sesshomaru!” she called, out of breath.

“Rin,” he responded softly. 

Chewing on her bottom lip, Rin tried to hold back her tears but couldn't.  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she cried into his side.  “Rin heard what happened,” she whispered sniffing.  Pulling away, she smiled at her lord, and wiping her eyes, added, “Rin,” pausing she started again, “I will pray extra hard to the kami for my Lord Sesshomaru.”

Patting her head lightly, Sesshomaru's eyes softened.  The human girl was a balm to his aching heart, but with every failed attempt, even her presence struggled to fill the hole that was growing ever larger. 

“Rin!  Where are you?!  Rin!” Rushing around the corner, Jaken tripped over his own feet, and hitting the ground, skidded to a stop.

“Jaken,” Sesshomaru stated harshly.

“Yes, my lord?” the kappa asked with large eyes.

“Make sure Rin bathes and eats.  This one is leaving,” Sesshomaru said, stepping around Rin, and over his retainer.

“Yes, my lord!  Of course!  Right away!” Jaken replied, leaping to his feet.

“Good luck, my lord!” Rin called after the stoic demon, hoping that the kami would finally smile down on her surrogate father.