Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any characters associated with it.

This is an old story I started some time ago. Check my profile for story status.

The roar of the cheering was like nothing the brothers had ever experienced before. The crowd was vibrant. They cheered, whistled, cried, stomped their feet; anything they could to show their support for their driver. They couldn't see them. Not yet. Instead, they watched on the hundreds of massive screens hovering above the track. The screens showed what was happening miles from where they cheered. Large robots of different colors and styles battled for position as they sped through the twists and turns of the track. Their arms collided with one other, trying desperately to knock their opponents off balance. Some fell, sparks flying as the metal grated against the track to disappointed boos and jubilant cheers of the crowd. Of those that fell, some recovered quickly, bouncing back to their feet and speeding off after the others. Not all were so lucky. Parts lay scattered across the track where some of the massive machines fell, their race finished early.

But the three young children's eyes weren't on those screens. Their eyes were locked on the center screen which easily dwarfed the others in size. That was where the lead robot was displayed, miles ahead of the competition. It was expected considering who was inside. None other than the world champion. He was their hero – but most importantly, he was their father.

A loud cheer shook the stadium. How the audience managed to get any louder than they already were was no small feat. A second screen moved away from the others, slowly moving towards the large center one. Another robot had freed itself from the pack and was rocketing towards the lead one. At the speed they were moving, it took seconds. The challenger was fast, but the world champion was powerful, and he was waiting.

The lead machine struck first, its large robotic hand smashing into the challenging vehicle. It was obvious the challenger hadn't expected such a large machine to move like that. That was the difference between a god and a mortal.

Sparks flew as the challenger machine skidded across the track. It took seconds to recover, but the distance had already grown substantially. The challenger wasn't giving up though. Its form shifting, it became lower to the ground. Its arms folding inward, it darted off towards the lead once more. If it was fast before, this was lightning as it shot after the lead once more.

To the cheers of the crowd, the challenger robot suddenly shot into air, transforming once again into the blocky mass it was before. The lead robot moved its arms up, blocking the double fists as the robot fell towards it. The challenging robot was thrown back but managed to land on its feet, pushing forward to exchange blows once again.

The machines rocketed past on the track far below them in the stands. They were moving too fast to see anything but a blur, but the crowd cheered anyways. All eyes were locked on the center screen now. Something had happened.

The lead machine was moving slower now against the rain of blows the challenger was throwing at it. Most were skillfully deflected, but every so often, one impacted against the body of the machine. Sparks flew from the impact of metal against metal.

The cheering was lower now. It was to be expected. Nearly everyone here was rooting for the champion – and he was losing.

A large piece of metal flew from the lead machine as the challengers fist connected with the body. Spinning, the champions' machine returned with a back fist, the large fist slamming into the unsuspecting challenger's side. Out of control, the challengers' machine slammed into the protective wall; sparks flying as it skidded to a stop. Its race was finished.

The crowd roars reached epic proportions. He had given them a scare, but the champion had won again. The other machines were still locked in vicious battle amongst themselves for second place seemingly light years behind the champion. Transforming into his faster form, the champion rocketed forward, increasing the distance even more as the crowd thundered their support, and the three boys' ecstatic cries were lost with the others.

Of the thousands of viewers in the stands and millions in their homes, only one had stopped cheering, his body frozen. He knew that something was off. This wasn't the way his father drove. It became apparent after the second turn. The machine clipped the siding as it completed the turn. There was a slight `ooo' from the crowd, but the general volume of the yelling stayed the same. A clock appeared on ever screen. He had reached it, the covenant and envy of every racer. Two minutes and the race would be over. It was the champions signature ending. He was the only one who could consistently ended races by leading all other racers by two minutes for two minutes. Only a handful of other races could say they hit the clock, let alone win by it.

The crowd quieted down once it was obvious the racer was in trouble. It was skidding in an erratic manner, the driver seemingly in a desperate battle to keep the machine in control. Eyes locked on the vehicle, the world watched as the machine slammed into the wall of the third turn. Metal flew into the air, scattering across the track and the area near it as it rolled end over end. The fireball could be seen off in the distance from the stands as the super-refined fuel ignited.

The race was halted, emergency systems automatically activated, the other machines simply stopped functioning, their drives powering down as they coasted to a rest. Emergency vehicles raced towards the wreckage almost immediately after the crash occurred. The entire audience seemed to be holding their breath as they watched and waited. They knew something had gone terribly wrong. The cockpit hadn't been ejected at impact.

Rescuers arrived in two minutes, pouring fire suppressant foam onto the burning wreak, coating it in the thick white substance. Even still, the super-hot fire still raged. No one knew if the man was a fan, or if he was just going the extra mile to save a life. Risking his own life, he flung himself onto the mass of twisted metal, climbing as fast as he could. Other workers focused their efforts on the areas around the climbing man, trying to keep the burning flames at bay. Slipping on the slimy substance, the man finally reached the cockpit area. Hitting the release, the doors slid open. Flames sprouted through the opening as fresh oxygen rushed inside. The man stumbled backwards, almost falling completely from the machine. The rescue workers poured everything they had into the cockpit area, but it was already too late. Two minutes too late.

The center screen showed everything. The rescuers spent ten terrifying minutes fighting the flames. Only after they had quelled the flames could the true extent of the damage be seen. The flames had been so hot, the fire-resistant foam had actually evaporated, and with it gone, the high-tolerance steel had melted. The transmission was cut shortly after that. Everyone knew why. They were removing the body. There wouldn't be much left… not after those flames.

Three young boys, the oldest, Sesshomaru and the twins, Inuyasha and Hideki, confusion on their faces, looked over at their weeping mother. In an instant, their lives had changed forever. Two minutes was all it took to change the world.

There was a faint hissing sound as the cockpit sealed around him, plunging him into darkness. A red light began blinking before him, each flash casting an ominous red tint across the equipment. Closing his eyes, he steadied his breath. Closed spaces always made him feel uncomfortable.

Once more… Just let me finish one more time… He continued his breathing exercises until his heart rate was back under control. Maybe after this, he would be released from this curse.

"Inuyasha, is something wrong?" a voice chirped. It seemed to be coming from every direction.

"No, I'm fine," he answered, opening his eyes again.

"If you say so… You might want to start it up then." Reaching forward, he pressed his hand down against the flashing light. Instantly, life sprang to the machinery around him. Lights flashed as systems came online. A console screen rotated, opening up until it was in position in front of him. A picture of an American flag followed by the words: Road Dogs OS v.2.44. The familiar whining sound of the drive system spinning up filled the cockpit. All racers told the story differently. Some said they heard angels singing, others, the sound of children laughing. There were as many stories as there were racers. Inuyasha hated it. It was terrifying. It was the sound of thousands of Sirens calling him to his impending doom. Did father hear the same thing? His father never talked about it, even when interviewers asked him about it.

"One more race," a familiar voice echoed. The voice was filled with anxious excitement. "They can't ignore us after an undefeated season. Not after using this shitty hand-me-down equipment."

"Hey! Watch what you're saying! Those babies are my pride and joy!"

Laughter danced around Inuyasha's cold metal sarcophagus. "Call them what you want Old Man, but these hunks of junk only slow us down." An unhappy huff answered them.

"Hideki, enough," a calm voice said, silencing the laughter. "Focus on the task at hand. Our enemies aren't going to give in easily."

"Whatever you want Sesshy-kun."

"Do not call me that." More laughter followed.

"Don't worry. We will make your last race one to remember, right Inuyasha?"

"Right," Inuyasha said, nodding to himself. His hand moved to the necklace without thinking. The last thing his father had given him. He remembered his mother had been furious. A small three dollar trinket he bought from one of the tourist shop could hardly be considered a worthy birthday gift. Hideki had one as well, but Inuyasha had never seen him wear it. Inuyasha didn't care, this was his. His father had promised to get them something better later, but like all his promises, they were still waiting.

"Okay people, enough chatter. We'll show those Ruby Reds not to look down at us because we have third rate equipment! I have a thousand bucks on this race, don't let me down!"

"Bring it!" Hideki shouted.

"I was not chattering."

Watching the screen, the cold metal hatch slowly morphed into a view of the outside. Ahead of him were three red machines, to either of his sides, two blue and brown machines.

"All racers, we will begin the countdown," a foreign voice said. Gripping the controls tightly, Inuyasha felt sweat begin to form on his face, his heart beating faster with each passing second. A red light appeared in front of him. Another one… The crowd was cheering. He couldn't hear them, but he could see them. Focus! The eerie sound of his breaths echoed inside the metal cockpit.

The lights changed to yellow. They were flashing at steady intervals. Three more… two more… one more…

Green.

Twisting his wrists, he unlocked the breaks. The sound of clanking metal rang through the steel around him. At the same time, he pushed the controls forward as far as he could manage. Terror gripped him as the acceleration shoved him back in his seat. Gritting his teeth he held his position. Two seconds… Three seconds… Four… he counted to himself. Two more until Top Out. Suddenly, the force subsided, the screen slightly below his vision showing he was moving at two hundred and sixty seven miles per hour. Even with the extra weight gone, the feeling of terror didn't leave him. He could still hear it… The sound of banshees seemed to scream around him, circling him… taunting him as his drive engine screamed deep within his machine.

It was as if the machine was speaking to him… and it wasn't happy.

Dozens of camera flashes blinked from the darkness as the twins took the brightly lit stage. Taking their seats at the center of the table, both took a second to get comfortable. The one on the left smiled, leaning forward on the table while the other sat with a blank expression on his face. Scooting the microphone on the table towards him, the left one tapped on it. Nothing happened. It wasn't surprising considering it was merely for show. Technology had long since replaced the need for something so large and bulky.

He continued anyways, pretending that it was indeed and important functioning device. "Can you all hear me?" he asked into the prop. Not waiting for a response, he continued. "I want to thank everyone for coming here today in an orderly and peaceful manner. I heard there was quite an upset in the reporting world. It's nice to know some of you survived." Laughter followed as the man smiled happily.

"Is it true that you are joining the International Racing League?" a reporter shouted from the crowd.

"Yes, that is partially why you are all here today. My brother and I have formally been accepted into the IRL and will be racing in the upcoming Gate One races." A murmur ran through the reporters. Several of them shouted out questions at the same time. "Please, you are all going to have to wait your turn." Though he said it, no one seemed to have any intention of following it.

"G-1 races are full of the most elite racers… for someone who just came from the amateur leagues… aren't you worried about getting in over your head?"

Hideki laughed. "It should be them who are worried. I am more than confident my brother and I can handle anything these so called `pros' can throw at us."

"What teams will you two be joining?" someone shouted just a little louder than the others.

"That is the second reason why you are all here. My brother and I have looked over all the team requests. It was a difficult decision, but knowing that we would inevitably have to face one another, we have decided to create our own, brand new team."

A roar of shouting followed as more camera flashes danced in the darkness. Unaffected by the sudden chaos, the brother continued. "We have already received approval from the League and have secured several sponsors. We will be receiving our new machines by the end of the month, just in time for the start of the new season."

"What is your team name?"

"We have decided on Dog Demons. We chose this name in honor of our American team, Road Dogs. Without them, we wouldn't be in the place we are today. The second part of our name comes in remembrance of the man of legends and our father, the original Speed Demon."

"What the hell was that?" Sesshomaru asked as Hideki and Inuyasha exited off the stage. He never shouted, but he didn't have to. He had the type of voice that was more effective at showing anger the softer it was. The reporters were still shouting questions after them, but the thirty minute time limit was up.

"Huh?" Hideki said in his usual whimsical tone.

"You went off script," Sesshomaru growled.

"Relax, that was boring. I don't like talking about boring stuff."

"That's not the point. You said nothing about who our sponsors are and what they do—"

"'And how grateful we are for them to be on our team.'"

"Do not mock me."

"Bo-ring. No one wants to hear me rattle off that shit."

"No, but they pay you to."

Hideki frowned as he waved his older brother off. "All that stuff's your department now, remember? I just have to drive – and win. Speaking of which…" Taking a couple large steps, he caught up to Inuyasha. Tossing his arm around his brothers' shoulder, he pulled him in. "What the hell was up with that? You left me all alone up there!"

"You're better with the cameras then I am."

Frowning, Hideki clicked his tongue as he shook his head. "No good. That's just no good. You're a star now! A celebrity! Start acting like one! At least pretend to be excited about racing in G-1!"

Inuyasha shrugged his arm off. He always envied that about his brother, always so easygoing and outgoing. Hideki had always been the center of attention, even in America. Inuyasha, no matter how hard he tried, would always be the youngest brother. But he didn't care about the mass of people who seemingly worshiped his twin brother… only one of them.

"Ah! You made it after all!" Hideki said, stepping away from his brothers to wrap his arms around a woman. Leaning down, he kissed her gently. Breaking the kiss, he smiled down at her. "How was I?"

"Wonderful!" Kikyo said, smiling up at him. Inuyasha felt a pang of jealousy shoot through him. It was unfair. He had always loved Kikyo; ever since they first met the day the Road Dogs accepted them onto the team. Her father owned the team and being the same age as her, the three became quick friends. At the time, Hideki had been dating two other girls – at the same time. Inuyasha was always around Kikyo, she would talk to him, tell him things. He was easily the closer of the two to her. It completely devastated him when he found out she started dating Hideki. What made it even worse was that Hideki had known he liked her. He had known that and still asked her out.

Being seventeen seemed like an eternity ago. Juggling studies with racing practices and eventually actual races themselves, it had been exhausting at the time, yet those were easily the best times of his life.

Four years, he thought to himself with a mental sigh. I want to go back. Hideki may have wanted this life, but not Inuyasha. He hated The Race. It had killed their father, stolen him from them. Sesshomaru had never been the same after that. Though he was young at the time, Inuyasha could remember times where his older brother didn't have such a brooding personality. A time before he had been thrust into a father-like role for the boys.

"Hey there, we're leaving!" Hideki yelled over his shoulder, snapping Inuyasha out of his reverie. He must have stopped somewhere along his train of thought. Moving quickly, he jotted after his brother. Why does it always feel like I am chasing after him?

As I was going through some of my older works, I happened across this one. Going back and cleaning up the chapters as I work on new ones.