A/N: Hi Everyone! This is my first attempt at writing fanfiction so please bear with me if it's a little rough. I'll do my best to improve as I go on. This chapter is a bit short since it's mostly just an opener, but I promise there will be more very soon. Thank you very much, and I hope you enjoy the story. Advice and criticism are welcome so please review. Thanks :).

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

Ch. 1 - I Don't Understand You

Sweat dropped steadily from Inuyasha's brow. His breath had become labored and his posture drooped. He clutched Tetsusaiga tightly between his claws as he stared hard into his brother's cold eyes. Sesshomaru was really giving him a workout this time, apparent rage visible on his normally emotionless face as he narrowed his deadly gaze. He was alone; Rin and Jaken were nowhere in sight. He seemed especially impatient with his younger brother today and he was fighting with an added force.

"What do you want Sesshomaru?!" Inuyasha barked between clenched teeth.

"Are you that dense, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru returned in his cold manner, "You have obviously caught Naraku's scent as well, Little Brother. I desire no interference from you. If I must destroy you both, then I shall do so."

"I'd like to see you try, you bastard!" Inuyasha shouted as he lifted Tetsusaiga into the air and whipped it fiercely at Sesshomaru. With the slightest movement of his feet Sesshomaru easily dodged the wayward swing. He moved with a silent grace, and Inuyasha's Neanderthal-like behavior did not amuse him. "Wind Scar!" Inuyasha bellowed as a blinding yellow light shot free from Tetsusaiga and riveted the ground towards Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru didn't flinch as he elegantly raised Tokijin to absorb the attack. He readied the weapon to bring down Inuyasha with his Dragon Strike, but thought better of it. Why give that worthless half breed the satisfaction of a quick and honorable death. Naraku can wait. I shall draw this out a little longer. With that he sheathed Tokijin, raised his only hand, extended his first two fingers, and struck Inuyasha with his poison whip. It latched onto the half demon's wrist like a starving leech and tightened it's vice-like grip. Inuyasha winced, the pain from his entangled wrist quickly overpowering him.

"Do you honestly think you can defeat me, worthless half breed?!" Sesshomaru stated very matter-of-factly. "You are nothing. Realize your place. Your insolence insults me." He yanked back hard causing Inuyasha to tumble to his knees just as Sesshomaru wanted. Anger rose up like devil fire in Inuyasha who was not prepared to be defeated so easily. He dug his toes into the dirt and pulled himself up.

"Inuyasha!" ...a shout from the side lines.

"Ka...Kagome?" Inuyasha stammered, the sound of her voice giving him added vigor.

"Inuyasha! Use the Wind Scar! Use it now! He's toying with you. Now's your chance!" She shouted.

"Hmmf" Inuyasha nodded, determination showing on his face. "Wind Scar!" This time Sesshomaru was not prepared for the strike. At the last second he bounded out of the way, maintaining his usual grace, but obviously annoyed.

"Enough." He demanded as his eyes began to glow red. Still, he did not transform. He would not allow this pathetic half demon to provoke him. Instead, he shot forward at tremendous speed, Tokijin raised level with his face and pointing directly at Inuyasha's bewildered one, knocking the half demon back onto the ground.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome's voice called out, shrill and panicked. Sango clasped a comforting hand on her shoulder and Miroku took a step forward as he raised his staff.

"I can't watch this," a panicked Shippo muttered while forcing his trembling form beneath Kagome's hair.

Sesshomaru slowly lowered Tokijin to Inuyasha's neck. He glared daggers into his brother and Inuyasha returned them.

"So...this is it? Do it already you bastard." Inuyasha snarled. Sesshomaru stood silent, looking, watching...waiting. His gaze never left his brother, and his hand remained steady. So...savoring the moment...Damn you...Inuyasha thought as he lowered his ears to shut out Kagome's weeping, but he could still smell the salt of her tears. Still, Sesshomaru did not move. Suddenly, Inuyasha thought he noticed the smallest movement in the demon's face, the slightest twitch of the eye. Slowly, he slid Tokijin back into its sheath and turned to walk away. "Hey! Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha shouted his confusion. Sesshomaru stopped cold in his tracks, but did not turn around. "Where are you going? Aren't you going to kill me?" Sesshomaru made no reply as he began to walk away. Still sprawled out on the ground, Inuyasha persisted to call out to his brother. "I don't understand you!" Hearing this, Sesshomaru once again came to a halt. As before, he did not turn to face Inuyasha.

"I do not need to explain myself to you, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru retorted coldly, "but if it would silence your barking you should realize that Naraku's scent has begun to move away. I have no time to waste on a worthless half breed, Little Brother." Then he continued on his way. Once he was out of sight, Inuyasha pushed himself to his feet and dusted himself off. His companions rushed to his side, Kagome grabbing his clawed hand, and they all stared off in silent shock.

"I don't get," Miroku finally broke the silence, "Why didn't he just finish Inuyasha off? He could have done it in mere seconds if he so desired. I find it hard to believe he didn't have the time."

"Sesshomaru has always been a little unpredictable though. Just look at Rin." Sango offered.

"Very true," Miroku conceded and his cursed hand began to caress her backside.

"Pervert!" She slapped him hard across the face and the group began to move forward, continuing their journey to find Naraku, as Miroku rubbed his face with eyes glazed over in content. Ah, it was well worth it.

Inuyasha stayed still just a moment longer, his eyes lost in thought and puppy ears twitching. I really don't understand you, Sesshomaru.