Title: A Hopeless Endeavor
Summary: Inuyasha thinks about his relationship with his half-brother after a brutal fight.
Rating: T
Inuyasha/Sesshomaru
Potent poison ran through his veins, igniting his blood to a feverish temperature as he did his best to staunch the wounds he had received. Two brothers that were destined to fight until one drew their last breath- yet Inuyasha was still very much alive. Suffering, but still breathing. It vexed him that Sesshoumaru never bothered to finish him off. Each hard strike against his Tetsusaiga held the meaning and purpose to end his life, yet, always when it came to the final blow, the daiyoukai just left him writhing on the floor, as if he weren't fucking good enough to die at his claws.
It was twisted, but the hanyou resented that death hadn't come to greet him swiftly. Instead, his half-brother's dripping talons seared him nearly inside out. "Dammit," he grunted, tensing as he turned his head to the side against the harsh sunlight beating down on his shameful state and coughed out blood. The bastard had a lot of nerve- wishing for his death, making him fight for his life, and then soiling honor by leaving him to suffer in the worst way. His verbal barbs were equal to his meaningful actions, drawing out his pain while keeping him on the brink of life and death.
Why…? Sesshoumaru was a tough enigma, made up of impenetrable walls skillfully hiding whatever he felt within a cold, calculating gaze. Inuyasha couldn't understand his reasons, motivation, or plans for the life of him if the daiyoukai didn't bother to explain. He couldn't understand the seemingly eternal feud between them beyond his blame for their father's death and the two swords passed down to them. His brother loathed everything he was right from the start.
Why do you hate me?
Inuyasha wasn't a blind fool; he was painfully aware of Sesshoumaru's own challenges from the battles with Shishinki and Magatsuhi. His pride had to be grounded down massively to achieve the powerful Bakusaiga. Maybe that was when his respect for him was born- or maybe it was always there.
A dirty, hopeful pup looking up to an apathetic visage of a daiyoukai.
He had said that they were going to fight for the rest of their lives, but, Inuyasha didn't want that. Despite the bad blood between them, Sesshoumaru was his only brother- the only family he had left in this world. A pompous jackass, sure, but still… how could he deal a death blow when all he wanted was his acceptance?
The hanyou must have been a masochist to want to extend a hand toward him. Time and time again, he's been shown to be nothing but scum on the daiyoukai's boot and made the resentment clear by the sound of their blades clashing. It wouldn't stop until one of them were dead? Inuyasha would kneel right now, as broken as he was, and challenge Sesshoumaru to take his head. If he could do it, he'd believe his claims and it'd put an end to this frustrating confusion.
As it was, Inuyasha was left bleeding alone. Like a bad habit, Inuyasha would lick his wounds and return to fight him again until he found his answer.
A/N: Again, a drabble written on Tumblr.