A.N.: This is the pilot chapter of something I've been writing in my head for a long time. You don't have to be gentle, but it'd be nice. :p

Trailing after Sesshomaru, I made my case as best I could. "He was alone, Brother. One thief. A half-demon. I can go and be back by tomorrow, at worst. You need not even wait for me." Hesitantly, I touched his shoulder,"It's my fault, I should go. You're going to fight this Naraku, you should-"

Sighing, he stowed the offending dagger in one of Ah-Un's saddlebags and turned to stare down haughtily at me for the first time since we'd discovered the theft. I hated it when he gave me that lord's look of his; I was 215 years old, not some 25-year-old child.

I retracted my hand, waiting for the lecture. "This mongrel stole from us while we slept, little one," he said harshly, "The dagger and theft were challenges, and if they did not seem to be directed at you, you would not be going at all. Either you let me handle this, or you stop depending on that piece of trash."

Why he hated my o-nenju, I could never fathom. It'd been given it to me to help me control So'unga and though I hardly used it anymore, not having it frankly scared me. I knew it was childish, and that Brother only wanted to help, but he did not have to act as though its very existence offended him.

"I am not a little girl, Sesshomaru," I retorted, "I can do it alone." As his vaguely irritated eyebrow swan-dived into a full-blown frown, I ducked my head in obeisance. "I mean, you have taught me well, Lord Brother. I only ask that you let this one deal with this minor annoyance herself." Smothering a grin, I added, "I promise I will not get engaged this time."

At his warning growl, I straightened up, looking properly afraid. Still too soon. "You hang back," he enunciated slowly, "or do not go. Do you understand me, Naresome?"

The imp chose this moment to butt in, "Yes, you can stay in back or not go at all, girl!" I could eat him, I really could. Why Brother let him hang around him all the time would always be a mystery to me.

As Brother turned to secure Ah-Un to a tree, I took the opportunity to give Jaken a swift kick to the rear as he began to formulate some other quip. He squawked in outrage as he flew over the crest of the hill. "Behave," Brother admonished, not even bothering to turn anymore.

"Are we going yet?" I asked.

"Yes."

I gave him a small, apologetic smile hoping he wasn't very angry that he'd had to put business off to do this. When he shook his head in bemusement and ruffled my hair, I knew I was forgiven.

We walked towards the gloomy castle looming over the treeline, in no real hurry. It was obviously a trap, but we had been through hundreds of traps over the years, and Brother had defeated them all. This one would be a man to be reckoned with, but he would be no different in the end.

If we were lucky, there we might even find information about this Naraku, who Brother had come to fight, and I'd get to visit Inuyasha at the tree afterward. Day brightened, I said, "Please don't go to too much trouble over this, Brother."

"He might've hurt you, little one. There will be no bartering for this life."

I knew that, but I nodded anyways. "Just don't make it too bad. You know how annoying So'unga gets."

We walked for an hour or so before reaching the castle. "We should split up," I said, "it will be faster."

Sesshomaru raised his skeptical eyebrow.

"Yes, I know. But a hut, this is not."

He smiled sarcastically, nodding. He was waiting for me to say something else dumb, I just knew it.

"Brother," I whined, "please. I don't want to spend all day searching every room safely. I want to get it done quickly. Of course, I'll stay close by-"

"As long as you know the rules." he cut in, walking towards the doors on the left. I followed, grinning.

We searched until the sun had begun its decline, and still nothing. Walking into the next room, I found nothing. "This one's clear, too." I called out. Brother made no reply. He was probably annoyed that I hadn't given up, or that the thief hadn't shown his face by now.

As I turned to leave, I realized that the door was no longer open, but the door to my right was. Finally, we were getting somewhere.

Out of curiosity, I went in and found a young man sleeping in there. He didn't look like any thief I'd ever met. His features were too fine and he didn't look dangerous. Especially not curled up under that fur like that, with a thin stream of drool starting. It couldn't be him.

I felt the beginnings of pity for him. What impossible wish had driven him to this? If he wanted a fight, then he would have one. But it couldn't be against me.

Unsheathing So'unga as quietly as I could, I pressed the tip against his neck and spoke clearly, but not loudly enough to alert Sesshomaru, "You there. Who are you?"

He inhaled sharply, blinking up at me coolly, as if this was a normal occurrence, "Sharp sword you have."

"And he'll kill you if you don't answer my questions. Who are you and what business do you have with me?"

He smiled indulgently, "My name is Naraku, Naresome. As to our business, I have no idea what you might mean."

Naraku? He definitely would have his fight. He stood up and readjusted his fur as I resheathed So'unga.

"I'm sorry about that, Naraku," I replied, somewhat taken aback, "something was stolen from me, and my brother and I have come to take it back." How had he known my name? Only Sesshomaru ever called me by my full name.

He looked interested by that, "Stolen? From such well-known warriors?"

I blushed, retreating into the other room. "We were careless. But I must warn you, my brother's out to kill the thief."

Leaning on the doorway, he asked, "You believe it was me, then?" He sounded hurt, but his face looked like he was struggling not to look gleeful.

I backed up until I hit the door. "In truth, I hope not. But if it was, please give it back before we meet with my brother." Sliding it open, I slid through and fairly ran towards my brother's scent.

An arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his chest. "I'm sorry too, my lady," he said solemnly, "but I don't have it." He was as fast as I was. That was almost unheard of in a halfling. Who was he really?

"Who has it then?" I asked, squirming away.

A door flew open on the other side of the room. "He does."

He was Sesshomaru. My heart froze as I took in the scene. Brother was on his hands and knees, covering his face with the hand that held my onenju. To the side of him were the quickly dissolving remains of a demon which seemed to be pumping some sort of miasma into that room. I rushed to the barrier between the rooms and started trying to break through, even as he shook his head.

"Careful, my lady." Naraku cautioned, "That barrier is the only thing keeping us from being poisoned as well." The very air seemed to be eating at Brother's skin, peeling it away on his hands and face.

I turned back to Naraku, helplessly saying, "My brother's in there, you have to save him."

He nodded beatifically, "Yes. It's burning him from the inside out. He'll be dead soon, unless..."

My shock wore off and a desperate rage took hold as he made himself understood. I grabbed him by the front and pushed him into the wall. The wood cracked underneath him, but he didn't seem to feel it under the fur. "What the hell do you want from us?!"

"Yes, kill him. Kill the bastard," So'unga whispered in my head like a high-pitched whine, "Feed me his blood, Nana." I flinched, realizing what I had been about to do. I stepped back, dropping Naraku. I had no choices left.

There was a sound in the wall like something breaking, and he glanced up at Sesshomaru, practically glowing with triumph. "I want you, Nana." he said.

"What?"

He looked back at me, calculating. There was another breaking sound in the wall and we both turned back to Brother, who was now sagging against the doorway, face so contorted with hate and pain that it physically pained me. He hadn't even looked that angry after Father died. "To lose the privilege of killing him," Naraku explained, "I want you."

I had no idea what to make of it, honestly. I knew Sesshomaru would never let it go if I did, but if I didn't... he'd never be able to be overbearing again. "Alright. But you'll leave him alone forever. And-and you'll fix him."

"Of course," he replied, proffering a small vile-looking thing, "nothing you wouldn't ask for."

Rushing into the now-open room, I knelt to give him the potion. "I'm sorry, please don't be angry, I had to do something. You will be alright now." I trailed off as my eyes began to sting with tears and poison. It hurt just being in this room this long, how long had Brother been here before we'd arrived? How much pain was he in?

So'unga didn't even bother hiding the excitement in his voice, "We can still kill him. Before that trash can react. Let me handle it, little dear, you needn't bother yourself. Just give yourself over to me."

Sesshomaru's expression became even more pained as the elixir slid down his throat, but he managed to grab hold of my hand. My eyes stung even more, he hadn't had to comfort me since Inuyasha had been sealed to that tree. I had to stay strong, for his sake. If he saw me cry, he wouldn't rest until we were safe at home with Mother. And that would definitely kill us both.

His focus grew hazier, and before I knew it, his eyes were shut, though his breathing still seemed troubled. He looked to be in less pain. I looked up hatefully at Naraku, silently daring him to even look smug.

To his credit, Naraku only seemed mildly aggravated, "It shouldn't hurt anymore. So let go and stop looking at me like that. I still have to make sure he won't find this place again."

I snarled, erecting a barrier between us. I would not kill him, but I could still stay in control of So'unga long enough to make him wish he were dead.

He smiled sardonically, "Very well, I'll have him gently deposited near your camp. My lady."

It did not irk me so very much that he seemed to tack on the end as an afterthought, but that he spoke as if to a child. "I'm going with you. I'll not leave my brother alone with you."

"I didn't say I was taking him. Kagura!"

A young woman about my age sauntered in, "What do you want now?" She looked very much like him, except for the expression of contempt that seemed permanently fixed on her face.

"Take him back to his camp, or as near as you care to anyway."

She shook her head, "Fine, whatever."