Story Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its associated images. Anything familiar belongs to the creator. What you don't recognize I claim as my own.

Chapter 1:

Born of Blood

They say those born of blood are meant for destruction…

Sesshomaru paused, blinking at the corpses -or rather what remained of the particular corpse at his feet. It smelled like a boar demon. Any other distinctive features were lost in the mutilation. The male's entrails lay splattered on the tainted snow, slashed until one couldn't tell difference between the clumps of liver and the shredded muscle that may have been the heart. The genitals, interestingly enough, remained intact, only thrown aside. The amount of snow covering them indicated that anatomy as the initial point of assault.

The Inu had to admire the viciousness of the attacks.

A sense of excitement and eager anticipation welled in the Inu pup.

He wanted to see this creature, to fight the beast that wrought such destruction on three worthwhile demons. The challenge that spoke from such a kill would no doubt make for a marvelous story. It could even distract the Western Lord's ire seeing as Sesshomaru exited the castle without guard. Not to mention, the pup ignored his father's previous task completely.

An aura interrupted his musings and Sesshomaru readied himself for the fight he was itching for. Battle-eager eyes turned from the carnage to the sole survivor.

It was a child crouched in front of a decrepit tree across the plain of death. At the sight of her, his body grew tense. Something called to his instincts telling him to be cautious, to be careful.

When the wind shifted, he knew why.

She… she reeked of death. Layer upon layer of blood and gore coated the pallor of her skin. Blood from multiple owners flickered through his senses and he almost took a step back. The freshest coat was that of the boar but underneath…

Sesshomaru snorted reflexively as a gust swept towards him, making her defiled scent even stronger. Dozens of different youkai blood caked her.

Old Blood.

Weeks had passed since she had been covered in the first spray. How could one stay sane with the maddening smell of decay and waste clinging to their senses? Just the short encounter he experienced made him want to gag, but he would not turn away.

Curiosity had claimed the son of the Dog General the moment her aura flared.

Sesshomaru would have doubted one such as her could create such devastation, but his intuition was accepting the matter entirely. He could not ignore the fact that she was covered in so much blood, all from varying youkai. The circumstances for her appearance failed to be explained by normal means. Even the smell of human blood lay upon her. She felt... wrong.

Amber eyes gave the slouched figure a critical look. She was alive, of that he was sure, and yet her stature was that of one who died sitting. Blood showered the snow with its crimson color as it leaked down her face and body. Her hair, which sat in pools beside her feet, shifted stiffly in their crimson bindings. She slouched, swaying silently in the winter winds, seemingly oblivious to his approaching figure. She hadn't moved and Sesshomaru was sure she had to be suffering from the cold. Any injured being would be huddling from the chill, desperate to reserve the little body heat they had.

She acts as if it doesn't faze her. And her aura...

It did not resemble that of a young youkai. It was strong, even when suppressed, and it weaved around the girl's body violently only to return to her once more, undulating like a pulsing wound. It was as if her form could no longer contain itself. The energy continued to surge around her fighting for… something. He could not tell what for or even why.

The fact that she was indeed a female youth made him question her appearance here more so. She was younger than he and yet she wandered unsupervised and unprotected. He was not allowed out of his teachers' sight unless his father was in the castle watching over him. He was forbidden from leaving the castle grounds unattended. How could she be here with no one? Females were given more protection. Why was she alone?

His want for information allowed him to momentarily ignore the swell of her strange youki. Apparently, she did not like his encroachment.

The girl's lip curled back in a snarl, fangs glimmering in the light as her head snapped up to meet him. The vermilion glow in her eyes gave him pause. They fixed onto his golden irises, warning him to keep his distance. When she did turn away, Sesshomaru had to fight the shiver that tried to spread. Her eyes promised death to any who would threaten her, but they had not dared him. They had spoken their warning and had turned away, almost trusting him to flee like some frightened pup.

Sesshomaru was righteously ticked that she did not see him as a possible threat. The impudence! One of his heritage would never fly from a fight; not against some plebeian youkai brat. With new resolve, Sesshomaru took purposeful steps towards her.

The girl on the other hand was paying him no more attention, focusing now on the stream of life that flowed from its hair. It had warned him to stay away and he seemed bright enough to avoid conflict. All that was left was sleep. It needed to regain her strengths.

The change in the air made it sigh. The boy obviously wasn't as bright as it had originally given him credit.

"You were warned to stay away, pup." The girl responded in demon tongue, bringing the Prince into stillness. "Your death will do nothing for the girl's peace."

He was almost too stunned to respond. She had not even turned his way! As if it would be a waste of energy. Her voice was rougher than one would expect even when being controlled by their beast. But, how could that be? She was definitely younger than him. And she called him Pup?

"What girl do you speak of?" He heard himself demand, confused as to why she would refer to herself in such an unusual way. "And who are you to call this Sesshomaru 'pup' when you yourself have not reached pubescence?"

Under the shadows of the dying hardwood, her body shook in tremors and it took Sesshomaru a moment to realize she was laughing.

His eyes narrowed to angry slits. "I fails to see the humor in the statement."

He growled softly at her silence as she continued her noiseless laugh. The girl's gaze shifted immediately, locking onto his frame. The mirth continued to dance on her voice and her eyes lost some of the hard scarlet that had laced them.

"There is much you do not know, young one. This one is but one of those things."

He frowned at her. "What knowledge am I supposedly lacking?"

She gave him a knowing look that reminded him of his father. How he despised that look…

"This one knows you are curious. You remain here for answers to your questions, but you will not get them."

Sesshomaru held back his sniff. Of course she would act like she knew nothing. They always did, but he would get his answers soon enough. "If such questions exist, why would you deny me?"

"It is not this one's place to tell, young one." She shifted and Sesshomaru heard a distinct popping sound. "This one will be sleeping soon and suggests you leave beforehand."

"You will do well in ceasing to refer to me as 'young one' and you will answer any questions I voice."

She cocked her head to the side, taunting him. "This one sees nothing wrong with the title. You are indeed young. Why should this one call you anything more?"

Again she spoke to him like a child. He was Sesshomaru of the Western lands. He deserved more reverence when spoken to. Just as he began telling her so, the vibrant eyes shifted behind him glowing dark in anger.

"Forget your questions and return to your home." It was an order in a tone he heard so often from his father. A voice he himself used.

"Tread carefully girl," He warned, eyes flashing.

Her eyes narrowed and a growl rumbled from her small body. "This one will not be able to protect you. Leave, more are coming."

"As if this Sesshomaru would need the protection of an injured child." How dare she insinuate that he could not take care of himself?

The girl quivered. Her mouth twisted in a scowl. "The girl will be bothered if you are hurt. This one's strength is hindered with these wounds. Leave!"

He ignored her. "I will deal with the scum and then you will answer my questions." With that, he turned away from her. He would not be denied. If he had to rid himself of a few annoying youkai in order to get his answers then so be it.

"No!" She cried, her voice blending with a feral snarl. "This one's control wavers. You will die if you remain."

In hindsight, Sesshomaru should have heeded her. He should have listened to another, if only once. In doing so, he would have avoided the headache the girl would be. But then, this would be a short story if he did.

Sesshomaru merely glanced back at her trembling body and snorted in dismissal. "When I do not die, you will address my inquiries."

It wasn't a question so he didn't wait for her reply. The scent of the approaching horde made his senses flare, warning them to stay away. He felt them pause, drawing a smirk to his lips. But when they continued their pursuit, he scowled, irritated that everyone was seeing him as nothing more than a nuisance today.

He would show them the error of underestimating his blood.

(A/N:) Tell me what you think. Any questions feel free to ask.

~Yasha's Sis

Updated (2/21/2015)