Intentions

Sesshoumaru was not idle as he waited for Kintsuke to handle her affairs. Her territory was small by his standards, comprised only of a trio of peaks and the lands surrounding their bases; the rest of the range belonged to that male thing. He examined the other territories, defining borders and noting the scents of their masters for future reference; though with any luck, his interactions with these weaker demons would be minimal.

He'd watched Kintsuke leave towards the lake with the male and return to her mountain with another female in tow, disappearing deep into the thick forests on the eastern side of the center mountain. Slowly, the sun had set and risen again and another day wore on. He continued to examine, to keep watch, but as the sun began to set once more, he grew restless. She was making him wait, exactly the thing he had requested she not do. Did she think him aimless, without business of his own?

'Is she testing this Sesshoumaru?'

The thought both irritated and amused him.

The sun had nearly disappeared by the time she finally made herself known again, leaping effortlessly and alone to settle on a cliff about half-way up her central peak. There, he saw her search the skies, for him no doubt; and Sesshoumaru scrutinized the area thoroughly to ensure that male thing was nowhere to be found before alighting down to join her.

***

Kintsuke watched the full moon rise, pale and muted in the lingering light of day. She felt Sesshoumaru arrive, landing behind her at a polite distance and she was thankful for it. Her inner demon was instantly on edge again, and she ensured it was well under control before she finally turned to face him.

He was already watching her and met her gaze immediately. Something was…different. Her usual fire was lessened somehow, and the sharpness was gone from her yellow jade eyes. He felt her hesitation along with her intention to speak, and so remained silent. He was curious to hear what she had to say. This time, she did not make him wait long.

She licked her lips and cast her eyes to the side, knowing she risked losing her nerve if she continued to watch him.

"I will endeavor to waste as little of your time as possible; all I ask is that you are equally frank with me."

She waited for his slight nod of understanding before continuing.

"This cannot continue, Sesshoumaru. No, let me clarify, I will not allow it to continue; this vagueness, these unspoken intentions and hidden meanings. I have a life here and a home. I have allies and creatures I've sworn to protect. Whatever your plans for this province, I am affected, as are my 'people', if you will allow them to be referenced in such a manner. I would know what it is you want here."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, considered her words and all their implications carefully as the silence fell heavily between them. The wind shifted, tugging his mokomoko around, but she was too far from him and it fell, instead, around his own feet. He felt a slight unease as he concluded that he would need to speak even those things which he himself had not yet accepted; but for his ends to be met, for his future, for his very destiny, it was required. Whether either of them consented to it or not, Kintsuke was entwined with that destiny.

"You will have to be more specific in your questioning." He said smoothly, tucking his arms into his sleeves.

"What are your intentions for the southern province?"

"It will, eventually, become part of my empire along with the rest."

"And the residents?"

"A chosen few will become my vassals and see to the enforcement of my will in the area."

"You've done this with the other provinces, I take it."

"I have."

"Are you planning to use this province as a buffer against the human forces coming north from Kyoto?"

He blinked for a moment, not quite sure what she meant. Ah, yes, he remembered now, that ambitious human general.

"The waves of war are unpredictable. All will do their part."

"Will you take a direct approach with the humans?"

"I will not."

"I see."

She looked at him again, finding his eyes held something similar to what had underlined his rage days before. Curious, she shifted slightly as though to approach and saw it flicker, almost hopeful. It gave her pause. Details of his manner of the conquest of the south could wait. She felt he was finally being some-what open with her and had more significant questions for him while he was.

"Sesshoumaru."

The sound of his name on her lips in that tone sent a shiver down his spine.

"Yes…Kintsuke?"

She hesitated, the way he'd spoke her name almost making her words fail.

"What is it you want with me?"

His jaw clenched, not expecting the sudden shift in conversation. She had come almost directly to the very matter he had not yet prepared to discuss.

"In what manner?"

"Before, you swore to kill me on sight were I to be found in your territory, yet each time you found me you did not; either by intent or apathy; and you did not pursue me. Why?"

"There were more pressing matters to tend to."

"And later when I returned from the mainland? You pursued me then."

"I had heard news of your death, yet your scent could not be mistaken. I needed to see with my own eyes."

"You could have killed me at that time, yet instead you rescinded your declaration. Why?"

"I no longer desired your death."

"Because you had more important issues to tend to?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"The matter has been settled. Why do you still concern yourself?"

"You are, and will always be, the daiyoukai Sesshoumaru, but you are different from the one I used to know. I want to understand who you are now, and what drives you; for my own safety and peace of mind."

He blinked for a moment, then slid his eyes up to the softly glowing moon. In this case, it was a fair enough question.

"Your minor sins did not warrant death."

He waited for the response that did not come. Her silence finally drew his attention, and he found that she was smiling gently, chuckling softly in her throat.

"Something amuse you?"

There was a sharpness to his tone. She shook her head a tad.

"You are beginning to sound like your honorable father, in the best sense."

Sesshoumaru licked his lips, unsure of how to respond. Coming from anyone else aside from Rekkonji, those words would have been meaningless, laughable even; but from her, who had known him as well as his father, they were almost significant. She offered him a distraction from the confusing effect they'd had on him, every sense keenly honed as she moved, closing the distance between them just enough to put him at ease. Admittedly, the excessive space had kept him on edge.

"Tell me something."

He tilted his head in question.

"You knew full well the developments here, how we struggled. It would have been the perfect opportunity for you to seize control and establish a base of power here for your empire, yet you did not."

Her tone offered a silent 'why'.

"I was awaiting news of your victory."

Kintsuke blinked, admittedly stunned.

"My…victory?"

"I am unaware of a time wherein you have failed to achieve your desired ends. Even death, it seems, cannot hold you. I expect your future endeavors will see you equally successful."

"Is that why you maintain my acquaintance; that you might benefit from my victories like you did in the past?"

"Are they all you feel you have to offer?"

"The only thing that would matter to you, yes."

Sesshoumaru fell silent. He could tell where this was going, and it unsettled him.

"I do believe I am entitled to a question or two of my own."

He watched her ears flick and perk before she nodded in agreement and he continued.

"Why do you seem to fear this Sesshoumaru?"

She licked her lips slowly.

"Because I still remember the suffering I endured at your hands. I know I was your servant, and you were within your rights, but I will not be so mistreated again. I will bend knee to no one."

"Do you suppose I will attempt to force you?"

"If it is what you desire, then yes, I do."

"Hn."

"Will you?"

He blinked but continued to hold her gaze.

"You are not one to be owned, by this Sesshoumaru or any other."

"Then why did you come here? You're still talking in circles."

Her patience was growing thin. Sesshoumaru could tell there was no indirect way to convince her.

'Will this assuage you, dear hanyou? This indignant veneration, these forthright confessions?'

He knew what he needed to say, but it was ignoble. He hesitated. Kintsuke squared her shoulders as she stepped forth, leaving barely any space between them.

"Well?" she demanded.

"I want you to come with me."

"What for?"

"To assist in building my empire."

Kintsuke snorted.

"Ask Rekkonji."

"He is already assisting me."

"Then why do you need me?"

"He will not leave his territory for long. I require one with whom I can travel."

She spread her arms.

"And I have my own territory to look after, my people, my home. Why would I leave?"

"You are ambitious. There is greater profit in making your name known in other lands."

Kitsuke's arms slowly dropped to her sides and she looked away from him. He felt her resistance falter and persisted.

"Tell me, can you be satisfied with such a life as this? Is there nothing more you desire?"

Her lips parted, but no sound emerged. He was right. She hated to admit it, but Sesshoumaru was right. There was something lacking in her life here, and her nobility was dependant on the handful of local demons. Anywhere else, and she would still be nothing but a half-breed.

"...Assume I agree, how long would I be away?"

"There is still much to be done."

'Even he doesn't know. I do want to go, but...what of my responsibilities here?'

Sesshoumaru felt her waiver. This was his chance.

"Come with me, Kintsuke," he breathed. "Fight at my side."

'Where you belong.'

He heard her heart quicken. Her lips moved, but still, no sound came. Now that she was within reach, he urged his mokomoko to shift, curling it around her feet. Her breathing stopped for a moment. He held his own as he waited. Finally, she shifted, curling a thin lock of his hair that had fallen over his shoulder in her fingers.

"These ends... They are in a sorry state."

Shivers of memory coiled up his neck and crawled along his skin to his forehead as she stepped around him to smooth the lock into the rest.

"It has not been my most immediate concern."

She hummed, mindlessly running her fingers along his endless falls of silver.

'Yoichi can handle things here, and, if it comes to it, I can afford to hand my mountains over to him. He wants to control the entire range, anyway. I am not so attached that I'm unwilling to gamble for something better, something more.'

"I have business to settle here."

Sesshoumaru turned, letting her hand brush along his arm.

"Then do so, and find me in Musashi when you are finished."