Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of this story. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi, creator of Inuyasha. This story is purely fan based and non profitable. Also, this is now the first book in a series called The Brother's series. This happened when I realized that I had too much I wanted to put in this story, but at the same time didn't want it to be a long story. So, look out for it's sequel: Otouto, which I am currently writing. I Hope you enjoy the story. Reviews are always appreciated, please just remember that if you do not like the story so far, please tell me so I can improve. Also know that the chapters will be short, sorry :) ENJOY! :D
The moonless sky glittered with millions of stars, trying in vain to make up for the loss of moonlight. The specks of brilliance illuminated the green belt of forest below with an unnatural, yet captivating, glow. Smoke floated up from the forest, signaling the location of a campsite. Three teenagers and what appeared to be a young child and cat were seated around the campfire, eating and chatting aimlessly.
"Inuyasha, come down here and eat!" one of the teenage females shouted skyward. When the black haired teen received no response, she approached one of the ancient trees and peered into the branches. Inuyasha, perched on a thick branch of the tree, glared up at the sky with miffed obsidian eyes.
"I'm not hungry," the red clad boy grumbled. The girl scowled up at him, but just as quick as it appeared, it disappeared behind a look of mischief.
"Fine, I'll give Shippo your share of ramen," she shrugged, turning away from the sulking teen. The uniformed girl picked up a cup of steaming noodles and, as she was handing to the young child, Shippo, had it snatched from her hands. Inuyasha crouched in front of the fire, devouring his dinner. The brown-eyed girl smiled softly before returning to her spot around the fire.
Kagome awoke with a start, sitting up quickly and struggled out of her sleeping bag.
"Inuyasha, what's going on?"
"There's a youkai in the forest and it's headed our way," he responded, palm resting on the Tetsusaiga.
"Kirara!" Sango called to the monstrous demon cat, hefting the Hiraikotsu onto her shoulder. Trees crashed to the ground as the hostile youkai rampaged through the forest, chasing after the Shikon Jewel Fragment in sensed.
"Inuyasha, come on! We can't fight!" Kagome shouted, approaching Kirara and reaching for her raven haired friend. It was still night. Inuyasha was still human and defenseless without the ability to use the Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha gazed towards the forest and with a frustrated growl, sprinted towards Kirara. A blood-curdling roar rang through the clearing, freezing the group on the spot. The youkai had the scaly body of a snake, the face and torso of a human, and eight spider legs. In other words, frightening.
"Sango, stay with Kagome," Inuyasha ordered.
"Inuyasha, the moon-"
"We can survive 'till morning," he interrupted. The youkai made a choking noise that the teens assumed was a laugh.
"Foolish mortals! I will take pleasure in ripping your skin from your body!" it cackled again. Miroku gripped the beads that wrapped around his right arm, ready to suck the youkai into his Wind Tunnel.
"Miroku, stop!" Sango shouted, gesturing to the poisonous insects that now swarmed around the youkai. The monk cursed under his breath, rewinding the beads around his hand. The youkai lunged forward, a beam of blinding blue energy shooting from its mouth. The beam hit Inuyasha square in the chest, throwing him into the forest.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, giving chase to the surely injured boy. Sango flung Hiraikotsu at the youkai, effectively slicing it in half. They too, with Shippo trailing behind, hastily chased after Kagome to help in the search for Inuyasha. The raven haired girl raced toward the area she had seen Inuyasha tossed into, calling out for him.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome called, eyes scanning the forest. A soft, almost silent whimper from the left caught the whole group's attention.
"Inuyasha?" Miroku whispered cautiously. Another pitiful sound directed them to a quivering bundle of red. Kagome stumbled over to the bundle, eyes wide and searching, but did not see her boisterous friend. She placed an unsteady hand on the discarded kimono and gasped as she felt something squirm. Kagome hesitantly began to unfold the heap, trying to find what hid in its folds. Her hand brushed something stringy and she cried out.
"Hair?" she gasped. Even more determined, she finished untangling the kimono. The miko choked, hiding her mouth with her hands. Trembling in the nest of crimson, was a very young, very small, Inuyasha. Kagome reached down and gently lifted the toddler into her arms, cradling him to her chest. Bruises and scratches marred the youth's tan skin, blood smearing the kimono that now acted as a oversized cover for his nude body. Inuyasha looked up at Kagome with innocent ebony orbs that could melt even the coldest heart. Kagome stood, whispering soft words to the child in an attempt to soothe.
"How did this happen?" Sango wondered, thin fingers ghosting through Inuyasha's raven tresses.
"It must have been the energy beam that youkai shot at him," Miroku mused, watching the the girls fawn over the miniature Inuyasha.
"How do we change him back?" Shippo squeaked, perching on Kagome's shoulder to watch the tiny child.
"Perhaps lady Kaede will know?" Sango suggested. The group nodded in agreement before taking off towards the village upon Kirara.
"Lady Kaede!" Kagome called, rushing into the the old miko's hut.
"What is it, child?" the startled women questioned.
"It's Inuyasha, he's become a child!" Kagome shouted, gesturing outside of the hut.
"Kagome, no matter how Inuyasha behaves-"
"I don't mean like that! He's literally become a child!" Sango, along with the others, pushed into the hut. Inuyasha was asleep, his head resting in the crook of Sango's neck. Kaede stared wide-eyed at the small child, before gesturing for the group to sit on some throw pillows.
"Explain to me what happened," Kaede ordered. The group recounted the tale, supplying bits of information for each other.
"I see," Kaede said finally, glancing at the toddler who was now curled up beside Kirara. "Let us wait 'till morning to see if the transformation back into his Hanyou form changes anything." So, they waited, rarely talking. After two hours, the sun broke over the edge of the mountains to the West, bathing the world with its warmth. Just as the rays hit Kaede's hut, Inuyasha's change began. Dull, human fingernails grew and sharpened, becoming lethal claws. Human ears disappeared and were replaced by snowy puppy ears atop his head. Charcoal eyes bled gold and raven locks paled to silvery tresses. The last change was the sharpening of canines until they were able break skin. Though, after all of these changes and growths, his height and childish physique stayed.
"Nothing happened," Kagome sighed, watching the Hanyou child stretch and gaze about curiously. He explored the hut, standing upon unsteady limbs. Inuyasha eventually tottered over to Kagome, flopping down in front of her.
"How do we fix this?" Miroku asked, watching Inuyasha as he played with Kagome's hair.
"Well, either you find some kind of antidote, wait for it wear off, or-worst case scenario-he has to relive his childhood," Kaede explained, assessing the situation quickly. Kagome's eyes widened. That would mean Inuyasha would be left alone, again! Inuyasha would still be a child when they all died.
"I can't leave him alone again. Not when he has a chance of a second childhood. We must prepare for the worse case scenario," she whispered. Kaede looked solemnly at the teen.
"What would you have us do then?" We are not immortal," Kaede asked. Kagome was silent, trying to think of the solution. Then an idea-a crazy idea-appeared before her.
"I have a plan."
The palace was dark and gloomy, reflecting his mood. The young prince traveled aimlessly down the halls, casting every family portrait a bitter look. Lies all of it. The elegant youth was seeking an audience with his father, wanting to get the ugly truth straight from him. He stopped in front of the shoji door that he knew led to his father's study.
"...be alright," the muffled voice of his father floated to his ears. The prince crept up to the door, focusing on his youkai hearing.
"But what about your enemies?" came a stressed, female voice. He was barely able to suppress the growl of disgust that rose in his throat. Izayoi.
"I will protect you and my unborn pup to the best of my abilities," his father soothed. The prince turned abruptly away from the door. He did not want to hear anymore. He strode, glaring at any any servants who were unfortunate enough to pass him. How could his father lower himself to protecting a mortal and mistake of a pup? The prince would never understand, but one thing was for certain: it would be his father's downfall.
Kirara soared through the clouds, letting a few youls of joy escape her maw. Inuyasha sat on her scuff, giggling and pulling gently at her fur.
"Do you really think that this is going to work?" Miroku asked, peering over Sango's shoulder.
"I honestly have no idea, but he is the only one that can truly care for Inuyasha," Kagome sighed.
"Where was the last place he was seen?" Sango asked.
"A village a few miles up ahead," Kagome replied, gesturing towards the South. They had been flying for hours, heading towards the last place the Lord of the West had been seen.
"I hope this works," Sango murmured.
"Me too," Kagome whispered, holding Inuyasha close.
Sesshomaru strode through the lush forest, silently listening to his companions' chatter.
"Oh, Sesshomaru-sama, look as that flower!" Rin squealed, sprinting towards a purple tulip. Sesshomaru watched her as she plucked the plant and hopped around, searching for others. Ah-Un grazed, paying no attention to the group. Sesshomaru raised his head skywards, breathing deeply. Inuysha. He could smell his brother on the wind, his companions' scents mixing with his.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru said, addressing the youkai, "Take Rin and Ah-Un to the nearby clearing."
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken squeaked, waddling off. Sesshomaru watched the sky, waiting for his Hanyou brother to make his, more than likely obnoxious, appearance.
"Down there!" Kagome cried, pointing at the forest below.
"Is it really him?" Sango asked, peering downward. After confirming the figure's identity, the group began their descent while Kagome began to wrap a sleeping Inuyasha in his baggy Fire Rat kimono.
A/N: And the first chapter is over! This is my least favorite chapter, but it gets better. Also, I know that the Fire Rat kimono grows with him, but I'm having it grow slowly because of Inuyasha's drastic and sudden change. In the next chapter: Sesshomaru's youkai makes Sesshomaru see sense! Again, hope you enjoyed. I will be updating weekly. SEE YOU NEXT TIME! :D