This Face

           

I don’t own InuYasha, I don’t own Ako Manto or any of the sites I found information on Ako Manto. Ako Manto is believed to be a malicious male spirit that haunts public bathrooms (usually the last stall).

              "Cursed, cursed with this face," snarled an infuriated silver haired demon as he glared into his beer. His handsome autocratic features were spoiled by fury. These women… these single, married and mated women and demonesses chased after him with lust clouded minds. 

            “Is there no escape?” he growled lowly, his amber eyes flashing red in his agitation. The constant lustful praise and chase was becoming quite bothersome and interfering with his work. The Inu demon had hired security, only to have them overcome by females... so disappointing.

            “Is it truly escape you crave, Lord Sesshoumaru?” a raspy voice asked as a robed figure approached in the dimely lit bar.

             The silver haired Inu demon finished his beer before glaring at the robed stranger that had decided to intrude on his solitude.

            “Of course This One wish to be free of these moronic twits’ attention!” Sesshoumaru snapped, flashing his deadly fangs.

            “May I present you with this gift, my Lord?” asked the stranger as a pale disfigurement of a hand presented a mask that was both a precise piece of art and vile.

            Sesshoumaru inhaled the smell of dark magic that surrounded the mask in its ghastly beauty. “Why do you present This One with something tainted in the dark arts?” Sesshoumaru asked without emotion, while inside he sneered.

            “This lowly priestess only wishes to help her Lord. How can one rule a kingdom when he is forever pushed and pulled in corners by whores?” the priestess spoke with no lies, and her dark holy powers explained the smell that Sesshoumaru couldn’t place.

             “Priestess, do not make this Sesshoumaru repeat himself.” 

              “The black magic infused in this mask is to help repel even the most ambitious demoness,” the smile in the dark priestess’s words was apparent, but the benefits weighed more on the demon’s lord’s mind.

              “This One shall be capable of removing the mask at any time?” Sesshoumaru asked with narrow orbs on the dark priestess and her proffered mask. The bar was fairly empty due to Sesshoumaru's fury in his aura that had scared all other patrons out, the worry over curious listeners was not an issue.

              “When the malicious nature in those whorish souls ease, this guardian mask will remove from your person,” the miko replied.

              This seemed too easy and too convenient for One such as He.

              Golden orbs again took in the detail of the half faced dragon mask. It would cover his forehead and heritage, the clay looking like real discolored and slightly deformed facial features. It was an amazing work of art, not the plastic and molded make-ups so commonly used. His nose would hook, leaving the mask to cover his magenta markings on his cheeks. His lips chin and eyes would be the only features of his coveted face for the females to see. He would take utter delight in approaching every woman who had made his existence intolerable and ask if they still coveted This Sesshoumaru. 

              Vengeance would be sweet. He would learn who was pure in their intentions toward himself and his lands.

              With a nod to the dark priestess, she placed the unsightly mask in the demon lord’s hand. He moved his famed silver locks from his face, before placing the mask against his pale skin. The suction the mask produced against his features both surprized and angered the demon lord. This mask would not choose the speed of the placement, This Sesshoumaru would! 

               His skin felt as if it were being ripped from the very bone, but Sesshoumaru didn't hurry his motions. The need for the mask's powers to submit to his own were too great for the Inu demon to take notice of the pain. As the mask finally touched flesh the Beast within Sesshoumaru lunged forward, while it may be housed in a lord that didn't listen, the Beast knew what they had just  happened and what they had just become.

               Before the Beast was locked away by the dark magic it managed to rip off the dark priestess' head. At least the curse could not be perminent with the woman dead, but the bartenders would have a hell of a mess to clean up in the morning.

              All those near the bar that night remember the blinding purple light, an eerie manic cackle abrubptly quieted by the murderous howl of their demon lord... before all went silent and dark.

 

INUYASHA © Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan • Yomiuri TV • Sunrise 2000
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