"Where exactly are we traveling to?" Inuyasha stretched out on the back of Ah-Un. It seemed him and his brother were always going somewhere, but never actually got anywhere. And sometimes, like today, it was simply too humid to walk. The hanyou's bangs stuck to his forehead as did his robes to his back.

Sesshomaru, on the other hand, didn't appear at all phased by the heat. Inuyasha looked on with envy as the yokai silently strolled ahead. He hopped off the two headed demon then and scampered up to his brother.

"You going to answer me or not?" The hanyou urged. His ears wiggled, trying to catch even the slightest response.

Although of course there wasn't one. Sesshomaru didn't have to explain or justify his actions to a child, especially to one as whiney as the one next to him. He gave the half-breed a sideways glance, expecting another tantrum, but instead found a heavy glare. Sesshomaru began forming his own glower when Inuyasha suddenly turned away, huffing.

It was probably for the best; Sesshomaru told himself. He couldn't allow his brother to have such control over his emotions. Though, if he were being honest, the defiance really pissed him off. Unlike Jaken and Ah-Un, who were easy to control because they admired and respected him, Inuyasha felt neither of those things, and if he did he never showed it in a way Sesshomaru approved of.

"Do you smell that?" He heard Inuyasha ask. He took a dramatic whiff of the air while Sesshomaru subtly did so, thinking something amiss, but the younger brother suddenly broke into a grin. "It's coming from that village."

Sesshomaru squinted ahead, and sure enough there was a village in the distance. It was but a speck on the horizon but there nonetheless. He didn't like where this was going, and that feeling was further affirmed by Inuyasha's joyous reaction.

"It's a human village." Sesshomaru noted.

"So?"

"No," he hadn't expected the child to understand. Though explaining it would be troublesome, so maybe he wouldn't.

"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha whined. He hadn't smelled something so amazing in a while. The scent was more tantalizing than anything he'd hunted and cooked on his own.

"Inuyasha," The older brother chided back. He wouldn't stop him if he tried to go, but thinking of the trouble he might get into brought on a headache, "no."

The familiar pout returned to the boy's face. He crossed his arms and walked harder than before. "What do you have against humans? They're not so bad."

"Their nothing but a nuisance."

"My mom is one." He paused, clenching his fist, "Or… was anyway."

"And how do you feel now that she's gone?" Not that Sesshomaru cared, but he needed to make a point and quickly if he wanted to resume a silent journey.

"Sad," Inuyasha spoke his next words very quietly. "I miss her."

Exactly.

Sesshomaru didn't have much experience with humans. Although he didn't need to to know what fragile creatures they were. They died easily from illnesses, accidents, attacks, natural disasters, etc, and if they didn't Inuyasha would surely outlive any he encountered. In the end, they weren't worth the time or effort.

Sesshomaru hoped his younger sibling would see this. He tired of conversation and didn't want the boy needing further explanation. Again, he peaked over at the hanyou, and for once the mutt caught the yokai by surprise. Inuyasha was smiling, albeit it was a small closed lipped grin, but Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes regardless. If an extensive conversation wasn't sure to ensue, he might've asked what was so humorous.

As the village drew closer, Inuyasha picked up speed, his smile growing wider. He waved at the adults on lower ground. They waddled in the water, pants rolled up to their knees, and eyed the group warily. A few spat in their direction, but Inuyasha paid no mind. He was too busy locating the scent he'd smelled earlier. Sesshomaru, however, mutely bared his fangs at those who dared disrespect him, and was only somewhat satisfied when they turned away.

"Right there," Inuyasha pointed to a small hut. A young girl with long, pitch black hair sat with a tray of dumplings in her lap. She bit into one, her teeth tearing the dough so effortlessly that Inuyasha knew he couldn't not taste one. His topaz eyes crawled away from the sight and up to his brother. "Can I go?"

The yokai continued walking. He brushed passed the child, no longer caring what he did, and signaled for Ah-Un to follow. Following along, Jaken tipped his nose up as Inuyasha started down the hill. Even the small, green demon knew he was in for a rude awakening.

Inuyasha didn't know what they knew though. He wasn't as old as his brother or Jaken; therefore he didn't have the knowledge or experience they possessed. If he did maybe he wouldn't have blindly stumbled into human territory. Maybe he would've disguised himself or not even approached them at all.

But he did, and he shot the girl his most innocent smile when he finally reached her. She stared back in awe, and perhaps a little fearful that the hanyou was too inexperienced to notice.

Her hands shook slightly as she spoke. "Wh-what do you want?"

"Nothing really, just..." Inuyasha cocked his head. Inept he may be, but his ears were sharp enough to detect the stutter. "Are you nervous?" He didn't think he nor his voice was particularly menacing.

The question seemed to snap her out of her shock. She pushed her hair away from her neck, straightened her shoulders, and attempted to calmly meet his questioning stare. "Of course not," she retorted. "I'm a priestess in training. I purify demons like you."

"You can't purify demons." Inuyasha shot back. He'd momentarily forgotten he came to ask something of her, for if he remembered the hanyou surely would have spoken more politely.

"Can to," she snapped, standing. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to take these to my sister."

Inuyasha's ears wagged at the reminder of food. His eyes dropped to the fluffy dumplings in her lap, and he licked his lips. The girl watched uneasily as she caught sight of his fangs but made sure to keep her lips from trembling.

"You should get out of here before someone sees you." She turned away from him. If Inuyasha didn't know better he'd say she purposely put the snack out of his sight. "With your red clothing and dog ears you're sure to draw attention."

"Wait," Inuyasha grabbed for her shoulder, but was stopped by an older man. He caught the boy's wrist, locking it in an iron grip, and dragged him into the air.

"You got some nerve coming here and harassing our girls." The man spat. With a flick of his hand, he tossed Inuyasha aside and watched the half-breed roll across the dirt.

Inuyasha bolted up right, spiting peddles from his mouth, and glared at the wrinkled adult. He didn't get into a defensive position like his instincts instructed; instead he kept his stance relaxed, hoping they'd see he meant no harm.

"I only came to ask for a dumpling. I don't—"

"There's nothing for you here. Get out." The man snarled. Only when he drew closer did Inuyasha notice the pick ax in his grasp. Its silver blade glinted in the sunlight, particularly on the sharp end.

Inuyasha gulped. This was not a battle he wanted to fight, not without a weapon at least. Sesshomaru hadn't equipped him with anything nor did he train him in combat.

"I said move it!"

The girl behind the man cowered. Her early façade gone, her eyes wide with fear and trained on Inuyasha.

Run, she mouthed.

The hanyou backed up. There were people who approached now after having heard the commotion. They gathered and suddenly their friendly faces with one another turned to one of distain at the sight of a demon. Threats were shouted at him from all sides, all of which told him to flee or else, but none of them gave away from him to move. The villagers circled around him. Inuyasha realized that they wanted to fight.

And that's when he spread his feet, held up his claws, and bared his fangs. He didn't wait for the people to come at him; he struck first, lunging at the old man who initially threatened his safety.

His nails cut deep in the guy's side, ripping through his thin clothes to reveal the new wound.

The crowd roared then and didn't hold back as they closed in.

—

It was sunset now. Inuyasha held his arm close and cradled his head with his other hand. He'd been no match against all those people. Not only did they have numbers but they had weapons— or tools they used as such —while he possessed nothing but his limbs. Somehow he managed to squeeze through them, and with the last of his strength escape into the tallest of trees. They hadn't been able to trace where he went, and for that Inuyasha was grateful. He couldn't move further even if he tried.

Snap.

The hanyou's ears twitched at the sudden noise. It hurt to tense for another battle, but what choice did he have? If they found him now they no doubt had bows to shoot him down with.

Fortunately, it was only the girl from earlier. The half-breed noticeably sagged with relief.

"I wouldn't relax just yet." She said hotly, nose in the air. "I told you I purify demons like you. For fun."

Inuyasha scoffed, which made the girl glare. She walked to the base of the tree and looked up at him. "You nearly killed him, you know."

This made him stiffen. "Is he okay?" He asked hesitantly. Inuyasha was almost too scared to look at her. He hadn't wanted to hurt anyone. It kind of just happened that way.

"Thanks to me he is." She boasted. "Anyway, I came to give you this. Come down and get it."

She pulled something from her robe sleeve. Immediately, Inuyasha knew what it was. A dumpling.

He was down the tree in an instant. His body screaming in protest and demanded he be still, so he sat at the trunk and waited for her to come to him. She looked behind her then quickly hurried to his side.

"I have to go now." She placed it in his lap before standing and walking a few paces away, "please don't come back here."

Inuyasha's heart clenched at her words, "wait." She paused. "What's your name."

The wind blew. It unhinged the Sakura blossoms from their branches and caused the grass to whistle. The girl smiled, "wouldn't you like to know."

He would have, actually. That's why he asked, but she was gone and down the hill before he found the energy to protest.

Frowning, Inuyasha turned his attention to the bun. It was hot in his lap and a stark reminder of the adventure he'd been on. He wasn't sure if the journey had been worth it, but there was only one way to find out. Although as he lifted the treat to his mouth, someone grabbed the backs of his robes, hauling him once again into the air.

He clutched onto the dumpling, fumbling for a moment before his grip steadied. He already knew who'd grabbed him, but he didn't want to look. A blush crept onto his face at the thought of what he must look like. All bruised up and beaten. By humans. Pathetic.

Inuyasha pursed his lips, and Sesshomaru tucked the child under his arm. He didn't say anything, which was normal, but it didn't feel right. The silence was uncomfortable and suffocating. The hanyou could practically feel the annoyance radiating off his brother.

He dared to peek at the yokai, and sure enough a deep frown creased his face. He sighed.

"You were right. They didn't like me very much." He said. He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. "They never have, and I don't understand. I haven't done anything wrong."

"You aren't human. That's why."

"I'm not fully demon either."

More silence. It further proved that Inuyasha didn't really have a place anywhere. Humans didn't like him and full demons like Sesshomaru and Jaken barely tolerated him.

"I got the dumpling though." Inuyasha attempted to distract himself. Tears stung his eyes and threatened to fall, but he couldn't let them do so in front of his brother. He placed his fingers on each side of the snack and broke it in half, lifting his arm to offer it to Sesshomaru.

It took a couple breathes for the yokai to acknowledge the offering. He didn't want to acknowledge. However, he knew if he didn't the child might start sniveling on his sleeve, and Sesshomaru was in no mood to deal with a crying child. So he took the dumpling from his brother's small hands and wordless took a bite.

Inuyasha grinned, ears wagging in the brief happiness.

Yes, the hanyou bit into his own sweet treat. It was worth it.

a/n: thank you so much for reading and for the follows and favorites! i didn't think anyone would, but i'm glad there's a few of you. Clori-Eden i've written your suggestion down and will implement it into the future. i appreciate the kind review and idea! :] until next time ~