Conflicting Emotions
"Stupid Kagome taking that child's side, who does he think he is anyways?" Inuyasha growled to himself, still perched on the end of the Bone Eaters Well where Kagome left him. To tell the truth, Inuyasha felt a weird connection to the strange boy that un-expectantly entered his life. The moment he saw Kaiden he immediately saw himself and felt the same bond towards him that he felt towards Sesshomaru; brotherhood. He reasoned that it was because he looked so much like him and was much younger, there could be plenty of other dog demons out there…couldn't there? Even across time periods? But the more he thought about it the more doubt crept into his mind that somehow, even across time, Kaiden was his younger brother, though he would never admit these feelings to anyone.
As Inuyasha pondered all these conflicting thoughts going on within his head, he began to smell a scent he always wished to never smell again: Kagome's blood. Within a second Inuyasha had left his position on the well and was sprinting towards the scent that made his stomach drop. I swear Kaiden if you deceived us and attacked Kagome, I will destroy you…brother or not. Inuyasha thought to himself as the scent got stronger and stronger.
"Inuyasha!" He heard Kaede yell from the path in front of him.
"Kaede! Whats going on? Is Kagome ok? Where is Kaiden?" Inuyasha yelled at the old women, panic beginning to consume him.
"They are both further down this path. A demon attacked and has both Kagome and Kaiden. I left trying to find help." Kaede frantically told Inuyasha, all the while a number of emotions passed though Inuyasha. Relief that Kaiden wasn't the attacker, fear that he was too late to save either, guilt that he hadn't stayed with them, and anger at the bastard that threatened Kagome. "Inuyasha! Hurry!"
At that Inuyasha took off once again towards the path that Kaede pointed him down. Finally, he broke through the dense trees and saw the demon that had attacked Kagome and Kaiden. It was a nasty looking worm that was currently laughing at something Inuyasha had missed. Inuyasha took his eyes off the demon for a second to scan around for his comrades. And that's when he saw her. Kagome was laying a few feet away in a bush, and seemed to be completely unconscious.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha rushed over to her side and gently pulled her up onto his lap. "Kagome? Can you hear me? Please wake up!" Inuyasha looked over her, she didn't seem to have any exterior injury except for a few small scraps, but he had no idea what had happened or what kind of injury was going on beneath the skin. "Kagome!"
"Unh…I-Inu-yasha?" He heard the small voice of Kagome, it was like hearing an angel.
"Kagome! Thank god you're awake! Are you ok? What happened?" Inuyasha frantically surveyed her once again looking for any injury.
"I-I think I'm ok. Nothing feels broken; I'm just a little sore." Kagome seemed dazed, as if just waking up from a very vivid dream. And then all of a sudden reality hit her. "There was a demon, where is Kaiden? Is he ok?"
"I haven't seen him, didn't he return to his own world?" Inuyasha suddenly and un-expectantly had another stomach dropping episode…why was he so worried about some child he had just met?
"No, he came back to save me. The demon grabbed him, it was crushing him. Inuyasha leave me, I'm fine. Go find Kaiden!" Kagome was pulling away from Inuyasha at the same time pushing him frantically to leave. "Hurry Inuyasha!"
With that Inuyasha gave a quick nod, placed Kagome gently on the ground, and sprinted towards the demon he saw just seconds ago. As he neared it, he began to smell a new scent…blood…Kaiden's blood. He looked up at the huge demon and noticed her attention was towards the thing she was holding tightly in her iron grasp. Kaiden…and he wasn't moving.
"You ugly ass worm, let him go!" Inuyasha skillfully unsheathed Tessaiga and directed it towards the demon.
"Haha, another half-demon! My lucky day!" The demon stared down at Inuyasha obviously pleased that she would have two dinners tonight.
"If you don't let him go right now, this will be your last day!" Inuyasha bared his fangs at the ugly demon, all the while stealing glances at Kaiden, looking for any signs of life.
"You poor thing, your little friend here is already dead. I broke every bone in his scrawny body…don't worry I made sure he felt each one snap." Inuyasha was beginning to lose his temper with each word that left the demons mouth. "You should have heard his sweet screams."
"SHUT UP!" Inuyasha ran at the demon while raising his sword above his head. "Wind Scar!"
Fortunately for Inuyasha the demon did not believe the small sword could unleash such a power, therefore she didn't move so she got the full force of the Wind Scar. Unfortunately for Inuyasha was that when the demon was disintegrated Kaiden fell helplessly from many feet above the ground. Inuyasha was able to reach him just in time, midair after launching up from the ground, and cradling him in his arms before placing him on the ground.
He looked bad, not only was his wound on his arm reopened and was gushing out blood, but his body looked squeezed…somewhat distorted. "Kaiden? Hey Kaiden…wake up u idiot!" Inuyasha frantically looked around trying to find something that could help him. The longer and longer Kaiden stayed unconscious and unmoving the more dread over took him.
"Inuyasha!" From the beginning of the clearing Inuyasha could hear his name being shouted by Miroku, who must have heard of the battle from Kaede and rushed over. At this point Inuyasha was sinking lower and lower into despair…it wasn't just that this boy could be his little brother but that whenever Inuyasha failed to save an innocent life he felt completely responsible. "Inuyasha, I spoke with Kagome, is Kaiden alright? Inuyasha?" Miroku was coming around Inuyasha now to get a better look at what he was leaning over, Inuyasha heard Miroku's breath hitch.
"Is he alive? Is he breathing?" Miroku dropped his staff to the ground and knelt over the crumpled figure, feeling for air movement, a pulse. All the while Inuyasha just sat there staring at the body of his possible younger brother that he had only just met, he should have been there…this would have never happened. It was his fault.
"He's breathing! And there is a faint pulse!" Miroku jumped up quickly, turning his attention back to the paralyzed Inuyasha. "I don't know how he's alive but we need to get him back to Kaede's right now. Inuyasha are you listening? He might not make it out here much longer!" Miroku starting shaking Inuyasha, finally he hit him across that face with a sharp slap. This broke Inuyasha out of his paralysis and made him look sharply at Miroku. "Inuyasha I know how you are feeling, but you need to help me get him out of here, it's his only chance of survival."
Kaiden was alive. This information suddenly pierced his mind with a jolting force…he was alive. Quickly, and ignoring the slight pain in his leg, Inuyasha jumped up and extremely carefully picked Kaiden up cradling him in his arms. The boy was very light; Inuyasha hadn't noticed before how much smaller Kaiden was then himself. He wasn't scrawny or anything like that…he was just younger…more fragile.
As they hurried along the trail leading to the village Inuyasha noticed he didn't see Kagome. "Where is Kagome Miroku?" He asked frantically.
"Kaede and some of the villagers helped her back to her place. She's ok." Miroku reassured him.
The trip back to the village was horrible, Inuyasha wanted to sprint but he had to be content with power walking because he didn't dare jostle the inured body anymore then already afflicted. Finally they reached Kaede's.
"Kaede!" Inuyasha yelled out as he neared the hut. Almost immediately said women rushed over to them.
"Get the boy inside quickly Inuyasha. I must start immediately." Kaede urged.
Inuyasha did so without hesitation, gently laying him down on the blankets Kaede had already laid out for him. Kaede and Miroku rushed over to Kaiden and immediately began pouring their spiritual powers into him, attempting to heal him of his injuries. Inuyasha spotted Kagome lying down peacefully on the other blanket; he dropped down next to her, exhaustion overwhelming him.
"Kagome…are you ok?" Inuyasha looked worriedly down at the women he cherished.
"I'm fine Inuyasha. Just a few scratches and bruises…and I hit my head a little hard but it's nothing serious." Kagome tried to lighten the mood by giving a small smile to Inuyasha, unfortunately Inuyasha looked seriously upset.
"I'm so sorry Kagome. I should have never left your side."
"Inuyasha it's not your fault. You won't always be there to protect me, if it wasn't for you both Kaiden and myself would probably be dead." Kagome tried to reassure him…it really wasn't his fault and she had to make him believe it.
"Have you seen him? He practically is dead…he shouldn't of had to be the one to protect you." Inuyasha was now getting angry, very angry, at himself. He needed to blow off some steam…he couldn't bear to sit in the room any longer. "I'm sorry I'll be back soon." Kagome knew what was going on inside Inuyasha so she didn't stop him…he needed to relax.
Inuyasha glanced once more at Kaiden before leaving, please stay alive. Then he left to go kill something, demons, warlords, trees…anything. Just something to make him feel as though he had control over something in his life.
Inuyasha spent the next three hours running through the forest, swearing, punching trees, and slaying various demons that threatened his path. "How sad, did you let another one of you comrades fall victim to a demon. How can you expect to protect someone else when you can't even look after yourself?" Inuyasha stopped short…he did not need Sesshomaru's arrogant or degrading words right now.
"Sesshomaru…you bastard, I have enough to hate myself for already…get away from me." Inuyasha was trying to be civil with his brother as best as he could…he honestly did not want to fight with Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru regarded Inuyasha for a minute more and then abruptly turned away. Suddenly a thought hit Inuyasha, should he tell Sesshomaru about Kaiden? Or would he just try and kill him? But Sesshomaru never really hurt Inuyasha, in fact he saved his life on multiple occasions. But what was the answer?
"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha, still with his back to his elder brother, had come to a decision. "There is something you should know."
"I do not care of your half-demon trials, whatever knowledge it is you believe I should possess keep it between you and your disgusting comrades." Sesshomaru half turned towards Inuyasha while saying this and then he slowly began his earlier retreat,
"We have another brother Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled back at him. "I don't know how, but he's younger…hes from beyond the well, like Kagome."
"Hmph…that's impossible." To anyone else Sesshomaru would look as if this information didn't bother him in the least...but Inuyasha could tell that this statement had troubled him immensely.
"I only told you this because I wanted to tell you to stay away from him. He's not like us…you have no conflict with him." Inuyasha now turned directly towards his brother, defiantly staring him down.
"Anyone who claims to have my father's blood is my enemy, and will perish by my hand. You should remember this for yourself Inuyasha." With that Sesshomaru took his leave, leaving Inuyasha to stand alone once again.
As hours past, and Inuyasha became even more so exhausted, he willed himself to return to the village. To either receive news of his potential brothers life lost or saved. Although he was tired and still extremely guilty, Inuyasha felt more like himself. He was embarrassed to show the kind of emotions he displayed tonight…especially for someone he barely knew.
The village was quiet, night had fallen and most of the villagers were sound asleep, except for one place where the lights still flickered inside. Kaedes.
Before entering Inuyasha took a deep breath and purposely walked inside…determined to find out the fate of the young half-demon.
"Inuyasha, ye have returned." Kaede spoke from beside the still figure of his brother. "Everyone else has gone to sleep, as you should yourself."
"How is he?"
"He is surprisingly strong; I would have never believed his slight body could withstand such a crushing." She seemed to ponder this thought for a moment. "I believe it's the blood that runs through his body…and the fighting spirit he and all his brothers had inherited. But to answer, Miroku and I healed many of his extensive injuries…he also has been healing rather quickly himself. So I believe he should be fine, the worst is over. It's all up to him now."
"Do you really think he's mine and Saesshomaru's brother?"
"I believe so…"Kaede said rather sadly.
"I don't understand how it is possible."
"All of our answers will be revealed in time Inuyasha… for now rest." With that Kaede stood up and left Inuyasha to himself.
-Ok please tell me what you think of it. I will get another chapter up soon…as long as I know people want me to continue it. So review please!