Beginning Anew by Inkasha Taisho

When Two become One

Sesshomaru glared at the man across from the table from him. He wanted nothing more than to end the worthless worm's life, but with his borders being threatened by foreigners, mortals with guns and holy men, he had to act with more decorum and stay his hand. He had a pack that depended on these mortal's assistance. How it grated against him to ask for this, but he had no other options, not after almost losing his pack to those invaders.

Sesshomaru shook with rage as he recalled the actions that drove him here.

*Flashback*

The samurais had been watching the fortress with greed in their eyes for some time. Sesshomaru would often scent them deep in the woods outside the walls of the fortress right outside of the garden. Often times, he and his mate, Kagome, would sit in the garden and she would play the newest song she learned from her tutor. She was learning the Hotchiku although she wanted learn some of the lute instruments she saw in the pleasure districts, he refused her. No mate of his would play the instruments of a harlot.

His youngest pup, Hichiro played in the garden as well, practicing and honing his hunting and stalking techniques. It had been a unique boon that his mate gave him full blooded pups, but on further discovery after his fifth pup was born, a full mortal pup with youkai's immortality, but her mother's holy powers, it was discovered why. Reikai and youkai could not share the same body, but they could give their pups a unique advantage. His youkai pups were given complete immunitiy to reikai, but could not wield it.

His mortal pups were given full use of their mother’s power but his immortality and immunity to poisons.

Hichiro was their 8th pup and was only 8 summers in mortal years. He had the body of mortal three year old and much of their antics as well.

Their eldest male pup Takeo was due to be home along with his mate, Rin. It was a great surprise to them both when Takeo reached his maturity, that he had grown to love the girl that was practically his eldest sister. Although even at young age, Takeo kept his distance from Rin and his siblings, because he was his father's heir and had much studying to do and training, but Rin always made sure to make him feel included despite this and it was only natural that Takeo take a shine to her.

Rin had ceased to age at her 21st summer. It was discovered that Jaken had been fooling with potions and magic for years and slowing the girl's aging until she ceased to age at all. At first, it infuriated him that his servant had been experimenting on his ward, but when that very same concoction allowed him to keep his mate for centuries; he knew he had much to thank the toad for.

On this day, during the rare down times they had as a family as waited for Takeo to show, they were enjoying a peaceful day when they struck. Holy men and local samurai had joined together to "free" maiden from vile demon's clutches.

Although Kagome had warned him of the escalating of violence during the coming decades, he had assured himself that his pack(s) were safe. But with the combined might of holy people, his mighty barrier fell to their onslaught, but his mate's barrier held, but it was straining against the dark intent of the priests and priestesses that had sacrificed their souls for power. The samurai were not affected by the holy barrier. He was forced to slay them all but a few managed to slip through and one almost managed to slay his pup before he fled to safety. Only his mate's quick skills with small throwing blades she was fond of stopped the swordsman for killing his pup. In a rage at the threat to his family, he transformed and laid waste to all of the invaders, but it came at a price.

After restoring the barrier and taking his humanoid form again, he was truly drained for the first time in his long life. The battle was much harder than he had anticipated with the priests and samurai coming in endless waves. Takeo had arrived shortly after the battle and was shocked by the bodies and the destruction. He told Rin to enter the palace and check on his parents and to get started on clearing the mess.

Takeo forced his father to rest and take it slow the following days and during this time and with much discussion with his remaining council and his mate, they had come to the decision of an alliance. His father was dead set against the idea, but it took his mother conjoling and warnings to make him go through with arranged plans. Although he was standing ruler of the Western Land after his father stepped down and left to live in the mountains in their summer home with his mother, Sesshomaru was still involved in some of the politics in the western lands and was still the most feared demon in all the lands. It was best that his father go and handle the matter while he handled the affairs in the West.

End Flashback

Sitting on the silk pillow next to smelly Portuguese priest holding cross and whispering prayers in his directions while he waited for the Nagamasa Daimyo to show up. The man was putting on a show, obviously aware of the rise of violence since Tokugawa Shogunate was beginning to form and take control. This particular Daimyo had many dealings with foreigners and youkai was knowledgeable enough to know why he had come. Sesshomaru was less than pleased and was just short of beheading the simpleton praying and be done with this whole charade when the Daimyo finally appeared.

Short and stout with a strong face, the Daimyo eyes widened as he took his first look at the most powerful demon in all of Japan. The being was almost too beautiful and delicate to be male, but there was no mistaking the deadly glint in his eyes or the intricate grace in which the youkai moved. He watched as the foreign priest, his Jesuit friend who wished to spread his knowledge and faith with those in his domain, nearly piss himself in fright as the demon rose. The demon was acknowledging his status by rising, but did not bow as was custom.

- Interesting, there is much I can gain from having this man as an ally- The Daimyo already realized this when the demon had sent a page to let him know he wished to form an alliance with him.

Nagamasa-daimyo bowed to Sesshomaru and then took a seat. "Let us begin negotiations."Nagamasa-daimyo spoke and Sesshomaru nodded with acknowledge.

-Days later-

Nagamasa-daimyo watched as the youkai left his domain very much pleased with the results of the negotiation. The youkai had agreed to share his crest and military might with his clan in exchange for protection from rogue samurai groups and warring clans as well as the right share Nagamasa name. At first, he was wary of sharing his clan with demons, but after some thought he agreed. The demon had said that they would be pack after this alliance and the crest he given him would make other youkai aware of whose protection his clan was under. This would cause less tension and threats from youkai lords and his family line would be protected. It also gave him a strange peace knowing that youkai were immortal meaning his clan name would never die and would carry on for centuries to come.

-----

Centuries past and new Nagamasa daimyo rose and fell with the time until the dissolution of clans and uniting of Japan. Kagome had warned him how important it was now to escape Japan and to find a way to blend in mortals. Sesshomaru had hard time of this, but he realized with the growth technology and the level of destruction mortal could now create, youkai were obsolete. Nothing more than forgotten relics of past glory and tales for elders to tell their young about, but he carried on, him and his pack left Japan during the second world war well before the bombs fell. They fled to an island far away from the violence that was owned by the British.

Sesshomaru watched as the bombs fell and destroyed his homeland. He mourned for the loss of his mortal clansman but knew it had to come. He had adopted the Nagamasa surname, and had also grown fond his mortal relatives. Through the years, many of the Daimyo had become close with his pack and had intermarried with his daughters and sons. His large pack of mortals, hanyous and demons were one of the few left that had survived only because of his mate's wisdom and knowledge of what was to come. The Nagamasa name would live on through his pack and he would make it name well known.

----

Kagome held the book to her chest, the smile on her face causing her to light up. Although she was centuries old, she appeared to around 25 or 26 years in age. The young woman checked out the book in the library for some light reading and was shocked by the discovery. Rushing home, she could not wait to show her mate.

Sesshomaru heard the door close and scented his mate entering their home. Centuries of being with his beautiful mortal mate had yet to decline his feeling for her. If anything, they only increased and became overwhelming at times. He leaned down to kiss his tiny mate and wondered what had her in such state. She was fairly brimming with excitement.

"What has you so eager mate? Have you found a new item to bring into our bed play?" Sesshomaru smirked devious at his mate. Even after all this time, he could never get of her body even after the many pups they had.

"You sir, have a one track mind, and no, I did not, but I do have something I wish to show you." Kagome had laid the book in front of her mate and flipped to the page and turned to show him the image.

A book of crest, showing the Nagamasa clan with is his family crest. Sesshomaru allowed small of triumph to show. They had done it. His crest and Nagamasa name truly lived on and his family was living proof of their success.

"Thank you, Kagome. You have no idea how much it means to see these two items together as they should be." Sesshomaru placed the book down and pulled his mate close.

"I know you didn't like them at first, but I'm glad to see you have come to terms with that decision all the centuries ago, my love. It shows how much you have grown." Kagome tightened her arms around him.

Sesshomaru inhaled her scent. Truly grateful to be alive and known as Nagamasa Sesshomaru.