REVAMPED

Yay! I actually had time to update today. :grins: Now then, I'm just brimming with ideas but alas I can't fit them all in one chapter. (Woe ), but I would like to thank the people who reviewed my last chapter, luv ya' long time.

Thanks to: Galandria the Vampire Queen (who was also my very first reviewer "thank you"), Marnika, silverninja, and New Fan (jh) (you know who you are: smile: I'm glad you think my story is original 'cause that's what I was going for)

Alrighty then, a few explanations, Sesshoumaru is the main focus of this chapter and there'll be few flashbacks but I won't you everything yet, mwahahah :ahem: Anyways, if it seems like Sess is a schizophrenic, well lets just say that his youkai blood is the equivalent to a human conscience (albeit with vastly different values). How you ask? Well, just wait and see.

More talking, because I'm trying to get the boring stuff out of the way first in this story.

NOTE: Okay, I know that people have had battles over what the fur draped around Sesshoumaru's shoulder is. Is it a tail or is it for decoration? I heard somewhere that Rumiko Takahashi said that it is indeed his tail, and I like the sound of that. So a tail it is. Don't be silly and flame me over it.

Almost forgot the Disclaimer.

I don't own, so leave me alone. (Kinda dumb but I didn't think about this one too much)

Ties of Blood

Chapter 2

Escape

Humans. The air was filled with their stench.

'Dirty humans with their filthy blood.'

'How his claws ached to feel that very same blood running off of them as he exterminated these mortals.

At times like this, he swore that his youki had a mind of its own; or maybe it was his baser nature showing through.

Whatever the case, he could put a voice to the urges that clawed their way under his skin and into his brain.

"Kill them all," it whispered to him.

"Show them who truly rules."

He wanted to, so very badly, he wanted to give in to the voice but he pushed it down instead – his revenge would come soon enough - and considered his predicament. Two years ago, his forces had been on the verge of winning, just two years.

How intriguing that so much could change in so short a time.

Two years ago he wouldn't have bothered with the human who sat in the cage adjacent to his.

Two years ago he would have won total victory and these audacious worms wouldn't have sealed him up in this cage. Two years ago, he could have killed that woman before she did the damage she had done.

'Life is overflowing with surprises, isn't it,' he thought sardonically.

Flashback

His downfall had begun that day, on a normal day for him.

The sun was shining high in the sky.

The ground below was strewn with bodies.

And he alone moved, his steps slow and measured as he traversed the path between heaven and earth. At the moment he was navigating his way through what had been an army screaming defiance at him not ten-minutes earlier.

Now they lay dead at his feet.

Pitiful testament to what happened to those who opposed him.

Humans - they were such fleeting creatures.

The familiar stench of death perfumed the air and he hadn't minded so much really, despite the fact that he hated the way humans smelled.

He had often supposed that he wasn't bothered because it meant that he had fewer mortals to deal with and that was always a good thing.

And so onward he trekked, brushing by the corpses and the many faces twisted in pain and terror. They had gained their just reward for daring to defy him; for thinking that they had a right to what was his.

He had turned to leave, long, silver hair and pelt swaying in the gentle breeze as he prepared to leave.

It was then that it reached his sensitive nostrils.

The faint smell of pain.

Live, human pain.

It was coming from the direction of the forest.

He snorted in brief annoyance before following the scent.

They were like roaches, these mortals.

One human, he had learned, could ruin a lot of careful planning and he didn't want it to be known just yet that he'd decimated their numbers as much as he had. He wanted to break their morale and discourage more rebellion in one fell swoop. It could become difficult if this human survived.

End Flashback

Sesshoumaru's ears perked up as he heard someone approaching and he turned his head slightly to see who it was. Was it that idiotic human who enjoyed tormenting him so? He half-way wished that the dirty soldier would try to lay a hand on him – thinking that he would be protected by the barrier sealing him in the cage. He would take great pleasure in tearing off an arm or two.

However, the steps were far too light to be male and he narrowed his eyes at the approaching figure, knowing that she couldn't see him. Raising his nose up a bit, the inu-youkai sniffed, trying to catch her scent. But she wasn't close enough. The barrier surrounding his cage impaired this, one of the senses he relied on most, and he felt his annoyance kick itself up yet another notch.

They had better pray that they could kill him before he got his claws on them.

The female's back was turned towards him as she conversed with his fellow prisoner and he could only see that she was dressed in a kimono of very low quality and had long, black hair. She was also very small, a child perhaps. His youki was curious, prodding towards her. There was something…unusual about the girl.

It was partly why he spoke up in the first place - to give himself the opportunity to see her face and ascertain what it was that intrigued him so.

The other reason was that she too carried the sense of something profound, yet it was even stronger around her than his companion.

She turned to look at him and he suddenly found himself remembering that day two years ago.

Flashback

It was in a clearing that Sesshoumaru found him, the source of that pained smell.

The man's face was plastered in blood, some his and the rest from others. His armor was so damaged that he was certain it would be useless against his claws - not that any man-made armor could ever stand up to youkai strength in the first place. The human had apparently been expecting him because, though he was lying against a tree in exhaustion, he held his sword up, the tip wavering.

The inu-youkai had the distinct impression that this human was the type of individual who would normally wield a sword only in the defense of others, never in behalf of himself. It was a trait that made for a poor soldier. And it was unlikely that he would survive another battle.

So he would do him a favor and make sure that he didn't live to see another battle.

The Taiyoukai of the West calmly drew his sword, deciding that he would make this quick - his prey wasn't going anywhere.

Brown eyes lifted themselves up at his approach and blinked in surprise.

"You…you're a youkai?" he asked in bewilderment as if not quite believing what he was seeing.

'Hardly something an intelligent being would ask, when it's so obvious' he had thought, his steps never slowing. He doubted that there were humans running around with crimson stripes on each cheek - like his own - and blue crescents decorating their foreheads.

"What else would I be human," he had replied, wondering why he was even bothering to exchange wordswith a lesser being - especially one who would soon be a corpse, if he had anything to say about it.

"But you, you look like a human."

"Do I now?" Sesshoumaru asked, bristling inwardly at his unintentional insult. He flexed his claws, drawing the man's attention to hands that no human would have.

As if finally realizing that he was in danger, the warrior asked, "Have you come to kill me then, youkai?"

It was the way he said it that gave him pause, not the words themselves.

Most humans fluctuated between begging for their lives and swearing to take him with them. Not a one had ever looked him in the eye and calmly asked what he intended to do.

'Is his head damaged?'

"Why else would I bother with you human?"

'Perhaps now he will beg me for mercy.'

To his infinite surprise – expressed via one blink – the man smiled.

He SMILED…

…And said softly, "Ah, I suppose it's too much to ask for mercy then, lord?"

"Far too much," came the cold reply.

"Then allow me the honor of telling you who it is that is about to die at your hands."

He wondered what it was that prompted him to nod his permission but he had and the human continued on.

"This, your humble servant, tells you that he is a worthless man. He deluded himself into thinking that he could change himself in order to survive this war but it would seem that he never has been nor ever will be suited to the battlefield. This man's name is Higurashi Souta."

The human fell silent then and Sesshoumaru hadn't known what to make of him but since it seemed that he was done with his speech, he raised his sword arm and prepared to deliver the finishing blow.

The man's eyes were very gentle and he whispered quietly, "Tell me, lord, who is it that sends me from this world?"

Again, without his permission, his body acted on its own and he gave the human his name.

"It is Sesshoumaru who brings your life to its end."

The man's face lit up with such joy that he was taken aback.

How strange to receive such a bright smile for something as simple as learning his name.

Slowly, the mortal bent his head down, offering his neck for the killing stroke, lids obscuring his clear eyes.

For the first time in his life he actually had to force himself to kill a human.

He raised his sword, never taking his eyes from the human.

And right when he moved to sever that frail column in half, he heard the man say gently, "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

End Flashback

As he had thought, she was indeed small. Had he been able to stand, he would have towered over her by almost two heads. He might have also been right in assuming that she was a child, until he noticed the swell of her breasts and curves that not even a kimono could hide.

Everything about her was delicate and he restrained himself from reaching out to see if she would break if he touched her.

It would have been impossible anyways since she was well out of his reach.

He sent out a few tendrils of his youki and it sought her out immediately, sending him feedback in a clear message. 'Interesting, I want to touch. Let me touch.'

His curiosity was piqued and he refrained from scowling. What was it about these particular mortals that his youki found so interesting? Any second now and he would be asking himself questions, raising suppositions, and wanting to know more about the girl.

Curse him and this curiosity of his.

Curse this whole scenario which threatened to be a repeat of the past.

The human was begging him to be kind to his sister, now, and he decided that the human most certainly was out of his mind if he thought he could be swayed yet again by his pretty words.

And yet, even now he was thinking of doing just that. Even when the girl mistakenly compared him to a human – much the same way her sibling had upon their first meeting two years ago – and his youki blazed up…he actually found himself mulling over the likely results of sparing another human from death.

The longer he was in her presence, the more similarities he drew between her and her brother. But still, something was different about her.

There was a sort of strength present in her every word and gesture. Yes, a type of defiance that shined through to him even when she was trembling from feeling the lash of his youki. She couldn't even fully mask it when she spoke up in behalf of her brother and herself and bowed - the very picture of obedience and humility.

He suspected that only he heard the message hidden in her request.

'I will obey you only because I must but don't expect this from me at all times.'

Against his will, the corner of mouth twitched – how had his servant gained such an audacious creature for his sister?

Here he could crush her without a thought and she still stood up to him – challenging him as she asked for her life whereas her brother had been the epitome of mildness when they first met.

It was an amusing and completely new experience for him.

'Will she prove even more interesting than her brother?'

'Is this why I kept the human around for so long? So that he would lead me to her?'

'Why is she this way, what makes her so spirited?'

He was getting curious again – what was it that fascinated him so about these particular humans?

It was enough to decide him on what course of action to take - there really weren't many options at this point anyways.

Sesshoumaru gave his word not to harm her or her brother until they were away from the town and he saw understanding in her eyes. She knew that this was the most she could expect from him.

What an astute child.

The girl came closer to his cage at her brother's insistence that she "free Sesshoumaru-Sama first."

He kept his eyes on her as she drew near, picking out even more details from her face as she stopped before him and stared - as most humans did upon seeing him. His night vision was just as good as his day, so he had no trouble mapping out her features.

Her skin was pale, but not fashionably so. There were a few light brown spots which indicated that she spent a good amount of time in the sun. Her nose was small like the rest of her but her lips were surprisingly pouty in contrast. Her cheeks were softly rounded curves that completed her heart-shaped face and her hair was the dark shade of midnight. Rough in appearance – probably because it was uncombed - but very fine and he had the very irrational urge to explore the obvious contradiction with a searching hand.

'Is it as soft as it looks?'

'How long is it?'

How fortuitous that the bars - as well as his hard-earned self-control - kept the frivolous desire in check.

The girl was still staring at him and he was tempted to say something rude but she beat him to it by wrinkling her brow and asking, of all questions, "Are you sure you aren't a she?"

A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard as his mind processed what she had just had the nerve to voice. Yes, he suspected that people had often mistaken him for a woman but, as of yet, no one – not even his fellow youkai – had actually had the guts to voice it out loud.

'Is she brave or is she foolish?'

He decided on the latter as she placed a hand over her mouth, as if that could somehow force the statement to go back in instead of hanging in the air like it was.

"Ara, ara, I guess I shouldn't have said that. It was very rude of me."

He shot a very pointed "and-you-want-me-to-spare-her?!" glare at her brother, who looked as if he were about to be sick.

"Rin-chan, it is…unseemly to be so forward with Sesshoumaru-sama," he chastised her.

"But Souta, I'm sure there are plenty of people who have wanted to ask him that. They were probably just too scared, right?" she gave him a knowing look and he was torn between a vague sort of admiration and conviction that she really did want him to kill her.

"And," she added, "I don't see why he needs you to answer for him. In know he's perfectly capable of doing it himself. So tell me Sesshoumaru-sama, do you or do you not get mistaken for a woman sometimes?"

'Where does this forwardness come from and why is she wasting time such a frivolous question?'

'I have no obligation to make a reply to it.'

'…'

'How would she react if I answer?'

He couldn't believe that he was actually thinking about this seriously.

Her brother opened and closed his mouth, apparently struggling for the proper words to keep his sister's head attached to her body.

Strangely enough, it was the sight of this that prompted him to take action.

'Why do I need someone else to defend me?'

He looked the girl in the eye – such a warm shade of brown they were – and said firmly, "This Sesshoumaru is most assuredly a male, human. I have no need to prove anything to you."

Her reply was a bright smile and a nod, "I thought so, I just wanted to see how you would react. I think I can see why Souta would be willing to serve you. I bet you don't talk about yourself much, do you?"

Why she was choosing now of all times to analyze him, he wasn't sure, but his ears picked up the sounds of increased movement. It wouldn't be long before they were found trying to escape.

As if reading his mind, she clapped her hands together and said, "Ah, gomen, gomen - now isn't the time, is it? I get so carried away sometimes."

'Sometimes?' she had already committed at least three "Sesshoumaru no-no's" within the past ten minutes. More than anyone else had gotten away with in such a short amount of time.

The girl reached for the lock while he processed this new experience and he slid his neutral face into place. Her hands were steady – no hesitation at all – and for all appearances she seemed to lack any sort of fear that he would tear her to pieces once she freed him. Where was the sheer terror that had held her in its claws earlier? Humans weren't known to trust youkai so easily.

How she knew what he was thinking a second time, he wasn't sure, but she paused before her hands actually came in contact with the lock and said in all seriousness, "I know you'll keep your word."

The serious look on her face told him that she honestly did believe that.

The girl was a marvel. And he just had to know…

"And how could you possibly know anything about me? Do you dare to presume that you can ever know this Sesshoumaru?"

'Give me a reason to kill you girl.'

A tiny frown creased her brow before she shook her head and looked him straight in the eye. Not once did she flinch as she replied softly, "You haven't killed nii-chan, yet."

And for the first time in his long life, Sesshoumaru – Taiyoukai of the entire Western Lands – had nothing to say in reply.

It would appear that this was going to be a night of many firsts for him.

Taking advantage of his rare moment of speechlessness, she again reached for the lock and he watched as a tiny spark lit between her hand and the device. His youki drew back instinctively and a low growl tore itself from his throat – her actions screamed "miko" at him.

'Kill her. Kill her. She'll make you hurt, just like the other's who trapped you' his instincts were screaming at him. Would his youki make up its mind already?! First it was entranced and now it was screaming bloody murder. Which was it?

He balled his hands into fists, and the pain of claws digging into flesh brought him back to himself. He took a deep breath and pushed the voice to the back of his head, focusing on the slip of a girl before him.

'Calm yourself, this girl isn't her' he told himself.

He narrowed his eyes at her and forced himself to hold still.

No, this girl wasn't her - the elder and more intense of the two women who had trapped him. He had known the moment they erected a barrier around him that she was the one who had hated him the most.

She was the one who wanted him dead.

Not the girl currently trying to free him.

She was trusting in him, at this moment, to an unsettling degree. However, he could understand, in part, why he'd had the feeling that she was different. Miko were fairly rare these days but he had yet to meet one who didn't try to "purify" him the moment they saw him. The girl before him had the scent and feel of a miko but she wasn't acting like one. That in itself was odd. Wouldn't her powers and instincts be urging her to destroy him the same way his was clamoring for her death?

"Are you well, Sesshoumaru-sama?" there was the tiniest trace of worry in her voice.

"It's nothing, continue," he shot what had to be his thousandth glare at "Souta nii-chan"who shrugged. Apparently, his servant wasn't about to offer an explanation for why his sister was a miko in the first place and, more importantly, one who apparently didn't mind helping out a youkai or two.

Whatever the reason, she was able to unlock the door with ridiculous ease and it rankled. How easy a task it was for a mere child and yet the Sesshoumaru could not unlatch a simple door?

He was going to kill the miko who had sealed him into that accursed cage the first chance he got.

Sesshoumaru slipped out and stood, stretching to his full height - meaning he dwarfed the girl. She took her time looking him over, brown eyes lingering on his facial marks and the fur draped over his shoulder, where they stopped. Her hands made an effort to rise but she controlled them, no doubt sensing that nothing good would come of trying to pet his tail.

She opted to bring her eyes back to his and gave him a – shy? – smile.

"You are very beautiful," she half-whispered as if they were sharing some sort of secret. He blinked, cocked his head a fraction of an inch, and turned away; he really didn't know what to make of her. The female sighed and made her way over to the other human's cage.

As if the gods had been waiting for that exact moment to ruin their plans they heard the bells ringing out an alarm and the sound of many footsteps assaulted his sensitive ears. Things were rapidly taking a downward spiral and his youki wasn't sufficiently replenished for him to take on another crowd of humans without receiving serious damage.

He despised the thought of running away but he wasn't a fool and, hopefully, neither was she.

Looking back at the girl, he saw her fumbling at the lock on her sibling's cage, but it wasn't the same as his own.

Sesshoumaru could smell her beginning to panic and he looked at her brother over her head. An unspoken message passed between the two of them and he moved forward in enough time to see the man reach through the bars and give her a none-too-gentle shove that sent her sprawling.

"Leave me Rin!"

Her eyes clearly gave away the sense of betrayal she felt at his actions and she was clumsy getting to her feet. But neither of these things prevented her from moving towards his cage once more and pressing herself close, tears evident at the corners of her eyes.

"No, Souta. I won't leave you. I won't be left behind again!"

"Rin, please… Do this for me. I've lived my life and I have few regrets. I need you to go with Sesshoumaru. It won't be safe for you to go back home anyways. I'd rather you went with him."

"But nii-chan…" she looked very young all of a sudden and even the Taiyoukai found himself compelled to move just a bit closer.

He refrained from doing so however – he was more aware of the danger they were in than the two siblings because of his enhanced senses. He could make out the individual clinks of metal as swords were drawn and the soldiers were close enough, now, that he could actually pick up the sound of their heartbeats. He couldn't even count how many there were but they were definitely heading for the courtyard. Then, an even worse sound reached him. The creak of timbers rose above all other noise.

They were closing the gates!

A growl of irritation escaped him. There was no time for this idiocy.

For once, the human was in accord with him because he took his eyes off of the girl and said as firmly as he could, "Please watch over her for me, my lord."

That was all he needed to hear. Moving faster than any human, he scooped the woman-child up and tucked her beneath his arm before making a dash for the gates.

They just managed to slip out before the heavy doors closed behind them, effectively separating the youkai and the human girl from her brother.

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Lot's o' changes, eh? As always please read and review. I hope I'm not ruining the story for you guys.