A/N: Alright, this is when things really get started. Also know that this story is really short. The next chapter will be the last and then I will be working on Otouto, which will be longer and with more plot. This is story is more of a prequel to the rest of the series. I still hope you enjoy this chapter and story. Reviews and constructive criticism are always welcomed. ENJOY :D!
The Neko Youkai landed silently, giving Sesshomaru a glare. He ignored her, more focused on the group that climbed off the youkai's back. He could recognize the Miko instantly as the one that was always hanging off the Hanyou, but the said boy was no where to be seen. The Miko placed a cocoon shaped blanket beside the Neko before turning to Sesshomaru. She took a few steps forward before stilling. She began to speak, her voice devoid of fear, but tinged with sorrow and strained slightly.
"Sesshomaru, we need to talk to you," she began. Sesshomaru stayed silent, waiting for to stop stating the obvious. "A few days ago, our group was attacked by a youkai. It used some strange blast of power and the effects of the blow was nothing we could have expected," she said, her chocolate eyes meeting his easily. A gentle, caressing breeze flowed through the glade, causing the leaves to dance and flutter silently to the ground. A sudden, unexpected sent hit Sesshomaru's nose. He took a deep whiff, trying to find its source. The smell of pine and grass along with sunshine and the fresh smell of spring water flowed around him. The source, which seemed to be the bundle the Miko placed beside the feline shifted. Inuyasha? It definitely smelled like the Hanyou. No one else smelled so much like the wilderness that surrounded them. Kagome followed his line of sight and her gaze somehow softened and hardened at the same time. Striding over to the red blanket- which Sesshomaru now saw was the Fire Rat kimono that his half brother held so dear-she continued her explanation. "We found Inuyasha like this." Now with her burden held firmly in her arms, she returned to Sesshomaru. Gently, she unwrapped the cloth, revealing a relaxed, chubby face. Inuyasha slept peacefully, his fanged mouth hung slightly open. Sesshomaru stared at the pup, his mask of boredom hiding any emotion he might have been feeling.
"And this concerns me how?" he finally asked, startling the humans around him with his cold, level voice. Kagome's brows furrowed into an unhappy frown.
"Lady Kaede, the village Miko, said there's a chance that Inuyasha will have to relive his childhood. That means we can't possibly take care of him because he will surely outlive us. Even if we did decide to care for him, I refuse to leave him alone again, having to deal with life on his own," the Miko stated, her voice taking a sharp edge. Sesshomaru could sense what she was getting at. His eyes narrowed to thin, golden slits, his voice a mere whisper. "I refuse." He turned on his heel, silver hair swirling behind him as he strode off.
"Sesshomaru! Wait!" the Miko called, but it was in vain. Sesshomaru ignored her, gliding away from the glade. Something stirred behind him, causing his movements to come to an abrupt halt. He turned slightly, looking at the squirming cocoon of fabric. A river of snowy hair appeared from the kimono's folds, accompanied by twitching canine ears.
"A-Aniki?" came the soft, youthful voice. Inuyasha twisted to face him, chubby hands rubbing at sleep glazed amber pools. Inuyasha's rubbing ceased and a toothy grin was painted across his face. "Aniki!" the pup cried, reaching out towards Sesshomaru, innocent admiration glowing in his eyes. Something stirred within Sesshomaru, causing a frown to slip past his mask. His inner youkai was now completely alert and had its focus entirely on the Hanyou that reached for Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru, following his youkai's instincts and lead, gently probing Inuyasha with his youki. Inuyasha's youkai responded with a gentle probe of it's own. Sesshomaru could feel that his youkai was very curious about the pup that was obviously kin and wanted to know why Sesshomaru was not taking the pup from the humans and leaving with what was naturally pack? Sesshomaru pushed his youkai deep within him and turned away, beginning to leave once more. He could feel his youkai's rage and Inuyasha's confusion and emotional pain. "Aniki!" the pup wailed. Sesshomaru continued on, never looking back and ignoring his youkai's yelling within his head.
Trying to calm the distressed Inuyasha was a challenge that took the group hours to complete. Even after the Lord of the West was long gone, his scent and youkai presence washed from the area, Inuyasha continued to howl and plead for his aniki. Kagome held him and gently rubbed his back as he cried, not stopping until Inuyasha sobbed himself to sleep.
Sesshomaru watched the group silently from the tree tops, a scowl etched across his perfect features. After many hours of hearing his youkai growling and screeching in his head, Sesshomaru had finally snapped, deciding to watch over Inuyasha from afar in an attempt to placate his beast. So far, it was working. His youkai was silent as it watched the pup through Sesshomaru's eyes. Sesshomaru could feel it try and reach out to Inuyasha's youkai, but he reined it in, knowing it would wake the noisy toddler. So, he sat, watching silently and occasionally looking up to the stars to gaze the moon and constellations. His youkai gently prodded his mind, asking a silent question. Why can we not take him with us? Sesshomaru inwardly sighed, deciding to ignore his youkai again. His youkai was relentless though. He is kin, which makes him pack. We are the alpha, so we must look after the pack, It continued. Sesshomaru's annoyance made itself apparent to his youkai. His youkai fell silent, but Sesshomaru could feel its frustration with him. He looked back down at the fitfully sleeping Inu pup and began to contemplate his beast's question. Why could he not take Inuyasha with him? Because he is stain on the family. He is a Honyou disgrace and caused father's death, but his youkai disagreed. No, he is pack. Alpha chose to sacrifice himself for the human on his own. The pup is not to blame. For the first time that day, Sesshomaru listened to his youkai. He hated the truth within those words. It was so much easier to think that Inuyasha was to blame for his father's premature death, than to think that his father had abandoned him, choosing to save the human and unborn pup over staying with his teenage son. Fresh, raw pain stabbed at Sesshomaru's heart. He is dead. We are alpha now, and it is our duty to protect the pack, His demon reminded him, returning Sesshomaru's attention to the Inu pup. Without another moment of hesitation, Sesshomaru dropped gracefully from his perch and strode over to where Inuyasha slept. Carefully, so as not to wake the more intuitive humans, Sesshomaru sent a wave of youki towards Inuyasha, wrapping the pup in a spiritual safety blanket. Crouching beside Inuyasha, who lay sleeping beside the Miko, Sesshomaru carefully picked Inuyasha up, cradling him in his arms. He stood smoothly, turning away from the human group and the glowing embers of their dying fire. He disappeared, the only sign of his departure being the sudden breeze that stoked the cinders of the flame. Although, the DaiYoukai's disappearance did not go unnoticed. Kagome sobbed quietly, finally allowing her tears to cascade down her face as she mourned the loss of her closest friend.
A/N: I warned you these chapters were short! Just to make this clear, Sesshomaru's youkai operates on pure Inu instinct and logic, not on Sesshomaru's own personal feelings. That is why he disagrees with Sesshomaru's line of thinking when it comes to Inuyasha. Anyway, I will posting the last chapter soon and then begin my work on the sequel. Again, reviews and constructive criticism are always appreciated. SEE YOU NEXT TIME :D!