The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The General

Chapter 100 - The General *Herald* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

The Western Lady frowned at the ruckus Sesshoumaru's pet human and the servants were making. After trying to ignore the noise for several minutes, she rose from her throne and stomped towards the main hall. Her eyes widened in shock as she discovered what everyone was so damned excited about. There, in all his ethereal beauty, was Sesshoumaru himself.

"There is my ungrateful and vindictive son," she snarled, her anger obvious.

Sesshoumaru smirked. "In the flesh, Mother. Did you miss me?"

The Western Lady shot him a glare. "How dare you publicly acknowledge that disgusting creature?" she hissed.

"Insulting the second heir to the West is unwise, Mother, even for you." His tone said it all. She needed to watch herself, because he had neither forgotten nor forgiven her for casting that treacherous spell on him. "Have you found another place in the West to live?" He chuckled darkly at the shocked look on her face. "I have not changed my mind, nor will I." Unwilling to waste more time on the bitch, Sesshoumaru turned his focus to one of the many servants who had gathered to welcome him home. "Summon the General and have him meet me in my study."

-

It didn't take long for the General to arrive. The inu was in shock and absolutely had to see his Lord's presence for himself. How in the world had he managed to bring down that barrier? The information Seiko extracted from Tsukiko had led him to believe that Lord Sesshoumaru would never step foot in the West again because finding a woman to love him seemed impossible. Apparently he had underestimated the taiyoukai.

After knocking and being told to enter, the General simply stood in the open doorway, staring. After a full minute, Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, snapping the man out of his stupor.

"My Lord! How did you manage to bring down the barrier? Tsukiko said..." He stopped himself too late, realizing he just admitted to withholding information from his Lord.

The taiyoukai snarled. "Tsukiko said what? I was told that he had not given any information about the barrier."

"My... my apologies, my Lord," the General said while pressing his face to the floor in a humble bow. "We decided against telling you what the fool revealed, assuming that it would not be of help and would only serve to anger you further."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "What. Did. He. Say?" he said slowly, punctuating every word for emphasis.

Afraid for his life, the inu responded, speaking quickly. "Your mother's concubine told Seiko that the only one who could bring down the barrier was a woman who was in love with you." He kept his face pressed to the floor, hoping that his submissive behavior would keep him alive.

The taiyoukai looked thoughtful for a moment. 'Only a woman who loves this Sesshoumaru? But that would mean that Kagome loves me. Why would she hide such a thing? Still, this is confirmation that she loves me." His positive thoughts quickly took a turn as he realized something. 'Or the barrier simply responded to her love for Prince.' Sesshoumaru heaved a heavy sigh, watching as his General twitched at the sound.

"Get up, Toumoku." He watched as the inu climbed to his feet, his nervousness and fear apparent. "Relax. I have no intention of killing you, though you should not have kept this information from me." Sesshoumaru found it interesting that he had no desire to behead his underling, and it had nothing to do with not wanting to have to train a replacement. His time with Kagome had done wonders for his patience and even made him capable of a small degree of forgiveness. His mother would never receive such a thing from him, but the General would.

Toumoku studied his Lord while trying to control the shaking of his limbs. "My sincerest apologies. I believed that the information would have been of no use to you, My Lord, but clearly I was wrong. It is wonderful to see you home."

Sesshoumaru allowed a small smirk to show on his face. "Indeed. Has Mother been behaving?" When the General groaned and rolled his eyes, Sesshoumaru chuckled softly, shocking Toumoku. "I had thought not. Everyone that had been assembled to search for a solution can now return to his or her usual tasks. Everyone needs to be questioned, however, for any knowledge of a witch or dark miko that could have aided Tsukiko.

"And speaking of that fool, inform Seiko that he need no longer inquire about the barrier. He should focus on the identity of the traitor's accomplice. I think I shall take a stroll through the dungeons myself, though. It will be quite amusing to see Tsukiko's reaction to my presence when he learns that his elaborate plan completely failed."

"Yes, My Lord. I will disseminate the information and ensure that everyone is questioned. Do you believe the witch resides in the West?"

"It would be a wise choice, would it not, to hide oneself inside the barrier designed to keep this Sesshoumaru out? Especially if one believed that the barrier could never fall. I believe she is, more likely than not, hiding in the West at this very moment. She will be located, and she will pay for her involvement in such treasonous actions.

"I will not be returning to the palace as of yet however. There is something very important I must do before I can stay. Until then, continue to keep watch over my mother. I suspect she is willing to do whatever necessary to ensure her place here; however nothing will change my mind. She will still be leaving the palace upon my return."

"Yes, My Lord," Toumoku replied, thrilled that he was still alive. "Excuse my curiosity, My Lord, but how did you bring down the barrier?"

Sesshoumaru smiled a genuine smile that nearly made the General soil himself. "I found the new Lady of the Western Lands."