Title: Careful Concern

Chapter: Prologue – Emotional Upheaval

Author: Ashika

He closed amber eyes and sighed, his breath frosting the cool autumn air. One moment of solitude was granted, and he cherished it. It seemed silly, knowing that only one month ago he had been bombarded with silence and isolation. One month ago he was enclosed in a blanket of icy disdain, broken no more than once in awhile by a small girl.

But one month ago he had met the miko for the final time. A final battle of sorts with the displeasing hanyou, and it had all come to a solemn ending. One purification arrow had been all that was needed, which was unexpected. After all of the battles protecting one small – childish, really – miko it had been she who would defeat the disgusting hanyou.

The pale taiyoukai lifted a corner of his lips in remembrance. His half-brother had jumped into the battle, waving this Sesshoumaru's father's sword as if it were a twig and the battle were a field for playing a grown-up version of Youkai and Humans. Inuyasha had jumped to and fro, avoiding Naraku's tentacles while chopping off others. It seemed to have little effect and Sesshoumaru could only fend off the never-ending hordes of low-level youkai.

In retrospect, even Sesshoumaru had not been quick enough to evade the troublesome hanyou. Three lucky - though this Sesshoumaru did not believe in luck - hits to the spine, neck, and solar plexus had brought him to his knees.

Inuyasha had been ready to take a blow to the head as well, when the miko had yelled an odd word to be yelling. She had yelled it before in his presence and it had a strange quelling effect on his half-brother. Sesshoumaru decided that while it was useful it certain circumstances, it would always be an abnormal word.

"Osuwari, Inuyasha!" His half-brother crashed to the ground and the miko's eyes had flashed and she stood on the blood-soaked field, her hair whipping around her face in the brisk autumn air. Her arm had not faltered and the purifying arrow flew directly into the gross hanyou known as Naraku. And the hanyou was no more.

Filthy and wretched youkai, though they hardly deserved the distinction of the name, turned tail and ran. Sesshoumaru walk delicately amongst the throngs of dying youkai, their stench permeating his delicate nose. Their piteous moans annoyed him often enough that he lashed out with a poison whip every so often. He finally came upon the miko and errant half-brother.

She sat on the ground, much of her miko power depleted. Not far away, Onigumo also lay. Ugly scars covered much of his body and he nothing but sob. Sesshoumaru lifted a lip to show his contempt. Disgusting human...

The miko smiled as a small kitsune ran up, carrying blackish-pink shards and a larger chunk of the same substance.

"Kagome, I brought the shards and what's left of the Naraku's half of the jewel." The kitsune grinned widely, obviously overjoyed that he had done something to help. Sesshoumaru watched the proceedings with disdain. He watched as Kagome wrapped her fingers around the shards and the jewel.

She turned to grin at Inuyasha. "We finally did it. It's all over."

Inuyasha reeked of disappointment, but he turned away with a curt, "Keh."

Kagome frowned. "Isn't it what you wanted? We can finally make a wish and go home. It's done."

"Whatever."

Kagome hung her head. "Well, sorry I had to go and kill off Naraku, but there wasn't any other way. You were going to get murdered by him!"

Sesshoumaru quirked a brow, inwardly laughing at his half-brother – his half-brother would not be pleased about Kagome pointing out that she had done what he could not.

"Keh, I would have killed him. He's not so hard. You should be happy I wore him down for you."

Kagome's face turned red. "I'll show you gratitude. Osuwari!" Inuyasha plunged head first into the ground.

"Why you...!" He shook his fist at her as he pulled himself up as the effects of the odd word wore off.

Sesshoumaru glided forward, his every movement graceful. His usually pristine haori was layered with grime and blood, his hair caked with mud. "Inuyasha, be quiet."

Inuyasha growled and his hand went immediately to his sword. "Sesshoumaru, what do you want?"

"This Sesshoumaru wants nothing."

"Then why the hell are you here?"

Sesshoumaru's amber eyes stared into Inuaysha's. He said nothing.

"Keh, be that way." The taiyoukai merely looked at him and then down at the miko.

"What is it you hold, miko?"

Kagome stared up at him before looking to the ground. "It's the Shikon no Tama."

"I see."

"Sesshoumaru, you can't have it!" Inuyasha jumped in-between the taiyoukai and miko, his sword out and transformed. Sesshoumaru glared.

"This Sesshoumaru needs nothing. Especially not the power of a childish bauble."

Inuyasha sputtered. "Childish...bauble...what the hell...bauble?!"

Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth. "Hurry and make your wish, miko."

Kagome looked to Inuyasha. "Do you still...?"

"No! I mean...yes. I don't care. Make a wish." Inuyasha was obviously still too in shock to notice what he was saying.

Kagome appeared deep in thought before smiling to herself. "Yes. That is what I'll do."

Sesshoumaru frowned and watched. He sensed the appearance of the monk, taijiya, and neko-youkai that also traveled with the group. Anyone alive watched in awe as Kagome began to glow with a pink radiance.

"I wish for everyone to care." Kagome uttered not another word as she rose into the air, wind and pink light surrounding her. It came to a sudden stop and she fell to the ground. Inuyasha immediately leapt to her, berating her the entire time.

"You wished for what?! You stupid wench! I wanted to be a full youkai and this is how you repay me?"

Kagome frowned and looked up at him. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I just thought..."

Inuyasha growled. "Keh."

Sesshoumaru turned from the strangely homey scene; the others seemed to be in no rush to break into the argument. He walked amongst the dead youkai, stopping at the pitiful being, Onigumo.

"You are not worthy of this Sesshoumaru's notice." He narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "And yet, you intrigue me."

Onigumo could only moan in pain.

"I will heal your wounds and you shall serve me forever." Sesshoumaru frowned at his own benevolence, but shrugged. He could be a victim to his whims once in a while.

Onigumo made no protests and Sesshoumaru drew out Tenseiga. A quick slash above the dying man, and Onigumo was healed. "You are now property of The Lord of the Western Lands. Disobey me and you will regret such an action for the rest of your pitiful human life."

Onigumo stood on shaky legs, his naked form pale and thin. He said nothing and followed as Sesshoumaru began the long journey home.

Sesshoumaru's fortress loomed before him, and he sighed in distinct pleasure. It was strangely nice to be back in familiar territory. "This is my fortress. Leave without my permission and you will be punished."

Onigumo merely nodded, not once opening his mouth.

"You are also not to go near my ward without my explicit permission, under penalty of death. Is that also clear?"

Onigumo lowered his eyes in submission.

"Let us walk." Sesshoumaru strode the rest of the way, not even questioning whether Onigumo would follow.

He entered the fortress, guards and chattel alike bowing to their most gracious lord. He walked by, his notice and attention on matters beyond the attendance of his servants. An ugly green youkai ran up screeching, "Sesshoumaru-sama! Welcome back!"

Sesshoumaru stepped over the toady youkai and looked to his ward. She smiled a toothy smile. "Sesshoumaru-sama! You are back. Look, Rin picked these flowers just this morning."

Sesshoumaru looked down at the delicate weeds, nearly sniffing with disdain. He frowned and picked the weeds from Rin's hands. The words felt strange in his mouth – he did not know the last time he had ever uttered the distasteful phrase. "Thank you, Rin."

Rin did not seem to realize the significance of the moment. She smiled and said, "Rin likes picking flowers for Sesshoumaru-sama!" She turned to leave, but Sesshoumaru stayed her.

"Rin. Do not go near this man unless I tell you to." He gestured to Onigumo. "Is that understood? I will not tolerate ignorance of my command."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!"

She skipped away happily. "Jaken-sama! Let's go pick more flowers! Rin will make you a pretty crown." She was also oblivious to the torture she was putting the green toad youkai through.

AN: It was SUPPOSED to be a one-shot. It was SUPPOSED to stay with Sesshoumaru only. It was NOT supposed to take turns like this. Now I've opened too many cans of worms to pull off a one-shot. Ugh, sorry. This is going to be VERY slow going. I'm a slow writer as it is...anyway. Read and review. Please.