Alright, here it is. My first InuYasha fan fiction. Just a warning, this fic probably won't have much fighting in it. Like... battles. I'm terrible at writing them, and the story only calls for a few. Anyway, have fun. PS. This will be pre-Rin. It's got my own little explanations as to why he's so opposed to caring for humans :D Also, Sesshomaru is the main character, and I don't feel the need to chance points of view. If I don't label who the PoV is, it's mostlikely in his.

ooo Sesshomaru ooo

The eternal question: Can a demon really love a human?

The answer.........

Yes.

Only the gods above know why...

ooo

I traveled alone for decades. Centuries even. The trails were quiet... I kind of miss that. Once Jaken joined me on my endless adventure, it was like a live-in conscience. It's tolerable. Annoying, but tolerable. That green impish creature can come in handy when you need an ego boost, but nothing more. You can't even trust him to find your father's resting place.

"My Lord... Don't you think we should rest?" The yokai pondered, tapping his head with his staff.

I kept quiet, scanning the area. We had no place to stop, even if I wanted to. The forest was empty, more than normal. Demons normally roamed this forest like they would raid a village for lunch. This is just insanity; it's too quiet. "Jaken."

He looked up towards me, his eyes bright. "Y-yes, my Lord?"

I stopped walking. "Something's not right."

"What do you mean? Everything is perfectly fine."

"No." I looked to my left. "The forest is too silent. Something is wrong."

"I don't feel any noticeable different. I-I mean, sure, it's quiet, but--"

I silenced him, "Let's go." I continued walking on. The yokai was tired, he even admitted it himself, but I had other reasons for stopping. Something was different tonight. I could feel it in my bones.

Jaken sighed, shook his head, and loyally followed along.

"The nearest village would take through the night to reach, correct?"

He sounded confused as he spoke, "Yes, Sire, but--"

"Good. We'll be there by day break. First... to get out of this damned forest." I looked up, stepping carefully. The breeze was nice; chilling, but nice. The cold air always felt nice when I needed silence. I could focus on the biting feeling nipping at my skin, rather than Jaken's groveling. Other good distractions were the stars. Their beauty astounds me, as it should others. Most people don't pay attention to the beauty of the nature that surrounds them. I just happened to have enough free time on my hands to watch certain things like that.

I quickly glanced at Jaken once before picking up speed. I ran through the trees, changing directions multiple times. "Master, wait!" I could almost hear him yell as I ran off. I rolled my eyes at the creature and continued on.

Finally, a trail. The breeze was stronger here. Colder as well. It was much more comfortable, and not as sporadic. I could smell hot meals being cooked, fires burning, and even a bit of human blood being spilt. Blood: an all too familiar smell. And, it was human blood, no less. "Typical."

I could hear the voices of children and women, men and their wives, families... I've heard these sounds millions of times; it's not even funny anymore. I used to laugh and snicker, hearing them fight, laugh, sing...

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord... Sessho...maru!" Him and his small lungs. Sometimes I wonder how he's even considered demonic.

I stopped walking, glancing over my shoulder. Jaken was running as fast as he possibly could to catch up to me, yet he still had a ways to go. I sighed, looked straight ahead, and continued walking. Those voices were so far away; I was determined to find them before day break.

The night went by incredibly slow after Jaken caught up with me. He kept going on about something like... paranoia, being exhausted, and annoyance. You tend to learn not to pay attention to things that don't really matter over the years. If they're pointless, I rather not waste my time contemplating them.

"Finally."

"Milord?"

The village was in sight, and that chilling feeling from the forest was clinging to me like wet clothing. It wasn't a demonic aura, no. In fact, it was a pitiful feeling of emptiness. Almost depressing...

"Are we stopping there?" he asked, his voice almost overjoyed. "Oh, thank you, Lord Sesshomaru! I'll never be able to repay you for this."

I looked at him. "You've said that about quite a few things, Jaken. Pick your battles."

"...Y-yes, I'm sorry. Thank you, really."

I looked from him, down towards the ground. "Let's hope they're lenient on demons," I told him, a silent laugh.

The imp ran ahead of me towards the village like his life depended on it. If I never see a loyal servant like him again, it'll be too soon. He puts me before himself, but when I do something that benefits him...

I watched the horizon as I walked off again. The sun was barely peeking over the trees, coating the land in its warm rays. I subconsciously brushed my hair behind my ears and stepped forward, down the hill.

This village was quaint. Even this early in the morning, the men were out in the fields making the plants, ponds, and crops more beautiful than they already are. The younger kids were helping their mothers with the house work, and just about everything else. It felt open and welcoming.

"Look, mama, a demon!" a young girl giggled.

"Sweetie, come back in side," she urged her child and quickly gave me a stern look.

I let out a held breath, and continued on. More children had the same reaction as their parents dragged them back into their respective huts. I stayed quiet, resisting the urge to ask everyone what was so wrong about being a demon.

Jaken rushed back up to me, staff in hand. "Sire! I have found someone willing to help us. Come quickly."

I looked at him, and followed his instructions. We ended up at one of the larger homes, and older man and three women standing out front, waiting for us. "I hear you're interested in staying here. Our village doesn't take to kindly to demons, I'm afraid..."

Jaken sighed.

"I am aware of that." I nodded. "All I ask is a place to stay for tonight and the following."

I swear he even stuck his nose in the air at my request. "Well..."

As the man continued speaking and explaining how this is an impossible request, I looked around. Two of the three women were standing by the elder man's side, formally dressed and awaiting an order. The other didn't look so fortunate. She was dressed in commoner's clothing and looked like she was doing some work around the home. She seemed like a servant; more so than other women I've seen. I've known the head of the house to typically punish those who are particularly defiant. Maybe she was just unfortunate enough, not favored like the others...

"I'm sorry. I don't understand what's so impossible about having a room for two nights." Jaken insisted.

I growled, "We'll be leaving now, though I'm not sorry for wasting your time." I turned away and began to leave.

A feminine voice added in, "I can take you two in."

When I looked to the women by the man's side, the two of them looked shocked; it wasn't either of them. That must mean it was the younger one, the servant child.

"Oh, thank you, young lady. Your kindness will be greatly rewarded." Jaken bowed respectively.

I looked to the young lady, who was now standing up to brush herself off. Her hair was long, like my own, and a surprising light brown. Her eyes were even more startling, being a sparkling silver. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," she sighed, "I don't have to worry about the others looking down on me for housing a demon. I'm already an outcast."

Jaken smiled. "Well, your compassion won't go unnoticed."

She pushed her way past the old man. "Follow me. I'll take to you my house."

Strange... I would've assumed she lived here with him and the others, considering she was doing some work around the place.

She took us to a small house, but made us wait outside for a moment. "This is nice. What a lovely young woman, as well!" Jaken smiled.

"Incredible."

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"She seems to have no fear for demons. No hatred, no grudges, nothing..."

Jaken nodded. "I have to admit it's quite odd, but it's in our favor. We have a nice place to rest for a few nights. Why question it?"

"Because it isn't right. Humans aren't supposed to take such a liking to demons. Look where it got my brother! He's still pinned to that damned tree..."

"I understand your reasoning, Sire, but--"

"No 'buts,' Jaken." There was no point in going any further into the subject. It didn't matter, anyway.

As we waited, I could hear a bunch of noise rattling around in the young woman's hut. Jaken looked at me, and I sighed. I knew she'd asked us nicely to wait outside, but I went in anyway. "...Miss?"

She looked up from a large pile of supplies - which looked like a bunch of work tools, gardening tools, clothes, and sheets - and smiled nervously. "Excuse me... The villagers store things here."

I furrowed my brow, questioning her sanity silently.

"Oh! No, no, no. This... isn't my home. Don't worry."

I shook my head and turned back out the door. Jaken was waiting breathlessly.

"Is something a matter?"

"No. She's just searching for something."

"Uh... hm..."

The girl bounced out of the hut carrying a set of sheets. "Sorry..."

"You've no need to apologize," I told her.

She nodded, then ushered us off once more. "I don't have much room, but as long as you don't mind a hot meal and some mild conversation, you're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like."

I cringed at 'mild conversation.' I'm a quiet person. I could live without talking.

"Thank you," Jaken bowed.

We all walked into her home, finding it to be rather small, yet nice. She had a small hole smashed into the floor, which now had a nice plant growing out of it, and a fire pit in the middle of the room, not lit, with a pot hanging over it. Bowls, a ladle, and a few other utensils were sitting by the pit as well.

"Make yourself at home."

I have to remember I'm not stopping for my own selfish reasons. Jaken would've nagged me otherwise, and there was no way I was going to continue roaming in that forest. "Thank you."

"Now, I have several things to do today. You're welcome to help out, if you'd like."

Strange, I thought, the young lady seems to treat me as if I'm no different from the others.

The young woman walked out of the hut after setting the two sheets in a corner. I assumed they were for us.

Jaken fell to the floor and was asleep before I could say anything. Looks like he needed to rest more than I thought. I sighed and leaned against the wall.

What is it about this human that makes her different from the others? What is it about her mentality that makes it impossible for her to fear demons? Why was everyone else afraid to even be near us, while she's willing to give us lodgings? Hmm...