Leo: For those of you who love this story, you're in super luck. I have the next two chapters after this completed. And I will try to start a posting rotation every Tuesday.

The Fragile

Chapter 11 – The Great Below

We touched down on the familiar bone covered ground with a crunch. I had dropped down and caught up to Rin, Jaken and Kohaku and we all descended on the creature that Sesshoumaru always had with him. I was relieved to be in the light, even if it was in the creepiest place imaginable. There was nothing worse than fighting a demon-anything in the night. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru descended just after us, but immediately, Inuyasha jumped back from Sesshoumaru and the two broke off into a heated argument that sounded way too strange for both of them.

"You want to know what my answer is Sesshoumaru? I'll tell you." Inuyasha sounded so unusually mature the way he approached his brother. The rest of us merely stood watching. No one wanted to intervene. "I refuse to let you die by Naraku. You may hate me to the very core for what I am or whatever I've done to you and I may hate you just as a response, but that doesn't mean I would wish that on you. If I can help it, I'm keeping Naraku's filthy hands as far from you as I can, but I won't kill you if it happens."

"Then I wish to return to my lands." Sesshoumaru's eyes were cold and unloving, but I knew that had to be a force of habit. Sesshoumaru had shown he was capable of at least acknowledging people's feelings and he definitely understood the importance of life, since he was able to use Tenseiga so easily.

"No." Even I was taken back by how forceful Inuyasha sounded. "You may not have intended to; but we're in on this now and I have no intention of killing you unless it's a fair fight, just you and me. If you wanna fight this out, then come on. We'll see who lasts longer this time. Naraku's ruined enough people and killed enough. Don't be just another number. You coward. I know you're more of a demon lord than that. Or is it you who's just the puppy?"

Sesshoumaru took a step forward, his face held an unusually angry expression…well, angry for what Sesshoumaru can show on his usually emotionless face. "How dare you of all people accuse me of cowardice?! I took a bite out of my favored adviser for you, and took injury for your priestess. I am not your friend, Inuyasha. I barely want to be your brother." My eye widened when I heard him say this. Barely…Does that mean there's a part of him that does, or at least once did?

"Yeah, well that's too fucking bad. You're stuck with me now. If you want someone to blame, then blame our father."

"Oh, trust me, half-breed, I blame him for a lot more than just giving me a miserable excuse for a younger sibling. I didn't want your help. You never helped me when I needed you before, why would I think to start asking now?"

Inuyasha stopped his response, his face fell from angry to stunned. I could feel the turmoil boiling within him from his brother's last words. "What the hell do you mean!? You never asked me for help!"

"No. Of course I didn't." Sesshoumaru sneered in a fashion very unlike him. He looked like he was at the tip of his patience cap and about to snap. I supposed even someone as calm and collected like Sesshoumaru had his personal issues that were always suppressed until they built up and the stress tacked on. "You were too busy being sealed to a tree by that miserable Kikyo bitch."

Inuyasha growled and I looked down and away from him. He always got defensive of her and it hurt a little. "How very uncouth of you Sesshoumaru. I didn't think you were into throwing around insults about lowly humans. What about you, you damn hypocrite!? What's this brat mean to you? Huh, just holding on to her until you need a snack or something."

I watched in amazement that the injured Sesshoumaru darted toward Inuyasha fast enough to put his fist into Inuyasha's face with a loud resounding smack. This went from passive to very aggressive fast. I moved to step in but found myself unable to move my foot. I looked down to see Koumaijii's hand holding my ankle from where he lay on a large canvas type of cloth, I assumed Jaken was responsible for moving him for a short time. "…Why are you…" I whispered.

"Let them…This is important…" Koumaijii mouthed. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew there would have been a look of relevance in them. This was something the two of them needed to fight out. Naraku only influenced Sesshoumaru to start it before, but here they were both their own, and under no one else's control. They were baring themselves out to each other. Their father had to know there would be a riff…he practically set it up from what I saw.

"My father once asked me something that I ignored, he asked me if I have something to protect. Tell me, Inuyasha, if you knew I was he one person on the planet who could have saved your damned Kikyo, would you send her to me, even if I am your enemy?!"

Inuyasha paused. He didn't even look at me but I already knew the answer. "…Yeah."

"Well then you might understand even a little that I have something to protect now. I do not love humans. I can barely stand the sight or stench of them, but species is not what makes someone worth protecting. Rin tried to help me when I was injured. I snarled at her. I pushed her away. I told her to leave and I ignored her. But she followed me because she has the ability to see what I do not. Kohaku followed me of the same volition. Jaken is loyal as well as are my other subjects, but of all my subjects none of them understand me like Rin and Kohaku do."

I listened to him talk and almost fell into a trance. His words were like poetry in motion and he had a content aura about him when he talked about them. We had known he was deeply attached to Rin when he went to rescue her the several times that she had been abducted from him. We had talked about it as a group and no one could understand why he would break his own personal laws and let a human girl follow him.

"You used Tenseiga on Rin…" Inuyasha added softly, so as not to evoke anger in Sesshoumaru, but surprisingly enough there was no anger. The demon's face returned to its complacent indifferent expression.

"I did. And when she followed me…when Kohaku followed me, I did not push them away. They understood their place. I am not like you. I don't fawn and squall over my companions like you do, but I would go to the depths of hell for Rin and I will not let her die by someone as trifling as Naraku, when I know that you or at least your prieste….Kagome, is capable of protecting her. I do not need you helping me."

"Well you're too late, Sesshoumaru. You were trying to save Rin, but you ended up getting more than you asked for. You should know better. But I don't understand why you hate me, if you don't hate Rin."

Sesshoumaru actually visibly exhaled, and I was a little surprised to see him doing something as normal as an audible sigh. "I remember what makes me hate you now. You don't know when to shut up."

"What!?" Inuyasha barked.

"You're trying to start a fight now Inuyasha. I don't wish to spend my few moments of healing time arguing with the likes of you. Especially when you have nothing to say to me. You're always complaining about how I treat you and how you cannot help what you are, but truth is, you should be thankful you are not in my position."

I carefully watched Inuyasha for his response. He looked a mix between angry and hurt. I'd never seen this look from him while talking to Sesshoumaru before. It seemed like someone had struck a nerve. "Care to explain?" He said rather calmly for how his body language was.

"You were the one who made my father happy. I was not. First born, but second best."

No one made a sound when Sesshoumaru said the words and turned his gaze away and out into the large vast nothingness of their father's grave. Inuyasha's expression became a kaleidoscope of expressions, but the most prominent one was sadness. This conversation was heartbreaking even from my perspective. I wanted to intervene, but Koumaijii probably knew that had to happen and in truth, if the two were ever going to get along, long enough to fight as comrades, then this conversation had to happen. So in a way, the sooner the better. It was the only thing Naraku had started that was in our favor.

"Sesshoumaru…that isn't true…He didn't give you Tenseiga out of spite and me Tetsusaiga. He had a reason and…"

"I'm not ignorant, mutt. I don't care about the swords anymore. The swords were my excuse for being pissed off that you took away the one person from whom I sought approval."

Suddenly a lot of things made sense…Sesshoumaru's hatred of humans probably stemmed from his father's love for a human woman that bore Inuyasha. He otherwise probably held no distaste. In fact, Sesshoumaru was no different than a boy who wanted his father's love.

"But it's not my fault…I couldn't help that…" Inuyasha sounded defeated. His ears slacked a little and he looked down. Suddenly, everything felt chilly.

"You do not understand. But that doesn't matter anymore. I ask you right now. I will abolish all of my anger towards you. I will kill all of my resentment towards you, if you take Rin and Kohaku leave. All I want…" He paused as if he was trying to select his words carefully, and for someone as calculated as he was, that meant it was something important, "is that you take my daughter and son to a safe place." He said clearly and actually proudly, looking to Rin and Kohaku as if they were his own. Rin started to squeal and sob and she ran to him as best she could on the bone-covered ground. She plowed into his leg with a huge hug. Kohaku sniffled next to me, but also followed Rin and stood next to him with his hands brushing Rin's hair while she cried.

"Sesshoumaru…" I whispered, not wanting to make him mad, but also wanting to add in my thoughts. "You care about these children so much. I know you've already said it and I know you hate humans, but you care about these two…That means that while you cherish them, they also cherish you. Leaving them here, then running off knowing you're going to your death is a horrible idea. Think of how you would feel if they died…them imagine that both of them would suffer each the same feeling…Not to mention Jaken, whose loyal to you even though you treat him terribly at times; and Koumaijii, who seems to want the best for you. Inuyasha wouldn't have anyone to bitch about and throw his sword around at. I don't want to see you die either…Please don't ask us to leave you to die alone. You have a lot of people who think highly of you."

"Yeah, you dumb bastard. After all the shit we've been through together…Taking on Naraku so many times, even if it was just an accident we teamed up…it would be like all that was going to waste." Inuyasha added with a cocky grin, "So shut up and come on. Your children ain't gonna die under my watch, but neither are you."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and frowned. After a moment of obvious contemplation he opened his eyes and snorted rather unlike himself. "You humans, to put it in a rather blunt light, piss me off sometimes, but fine, this one cannot argue to such logic." He shook his head and looked down to Rin. "…Where is Tenseiga?"

Rin shrieked looking up at him. "Rin left it behind!"

"Worry not, Lord Sesshoumaru. I, Jaken, have retrieved it for you!" The little imp pointed toward the demon creature, where Tenseiga was strapped to it.

Sesshoumaru nodded, it was likely his best way of saying "thanks". He didn't move to take Tenseiga, but I guessed he just wanted to know it was there. "I will say one more thing," the dog demon started, clearly addressing us all, "It does not set well with me to allow the lot of you to risk death in my battle. I'm not responsible for your misfortunes."

"Fair enough." I smiled, though extremely thankful that he was at least not vehemently pushing us away. Inuyasha was trying to use this opportunity to breach an understanding with his remarkably cold, yet some how passionate brother. I had huge hopes for them. I stepped forward, feeling a little brighter. I had to be careful walking on that ground, all covered in bones, but I managed to get closer to Sesshoumaru. My sandals were made of wood which actually was very good considering my other shoes would have had a hard time on all the bone. Sesshoumaru watched me even as I came close enough to reach my hand out and touch him. He had this remarkably curious expression and I thought it was strangely cute for such a miserable guy.

I gave no real warning of my intent, but I reached forward and pulled the front of his Kimono down on the right side. He seemed not even concerned of my actions and Rin was looking up at him in wonder. She was worried about him; I could see it in her little eyes.

"Kagome, what are you…" Inuyasha asked, jumping closer.

"Don't freak out Inuyasha. I wanted to check his wound. He took a nasty bite."

From about ten steps back I heard an apologetic voice, "Yeah, sorry about that."

"You are awake already, Koumaijii?" Sesshoumaru questioned, moving to allow me to inspect the rest of the wound, while I pushed his hair up on his other shoulder.

"You could say that Lord Sesshoumaru."

"Sorry about your face." Sesshoumaru said almost amusedly.

"Ah, my Lord, don't be crass. You're not sorry in the least." The other demon chuckled a little, petting one of the heads of the demon creature that had moved to lie next to him

"…You're not wrong."

I giggled, it was basically demon bickering. "Look at the bright side," I added my own smart remark while undoing the sash around my waist to act as a temporary bandage, "At least the exchange was equal."

"…Priestess makes a point." Koumaijii added quietly.

I beckoned Inuyasha forth as I tried to pull the sash around the demon Lord's body. "Inuyasha, I'm not tall enough for this, but to stop the bleeding best I need him in a standing position while wrapping it."

"All right, but if he takes a bite out of my face, it's on you."

"I would hardly go for your face Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru added coolly. "I'd go for a leg, that way I can get permanent amusement watching you hop around all day, trying to pick fights looking like such a retard."

I couldn't help myself when I failed to restrain a little burst of laughter. The way he worded it, his stoic face and toneless voice, it was just too funny to imagine he really said it himself. "Oh…" I uttered looking at the wound up close. "Sesshoumaru, it's healing already."

"Partially. I am a full demon." He answered shortly, but let me continue to wrap it with Inuyasha's help until it was tightly closed around the entirety of the wound. "If I had the capability I would pity the creature that bit me." He looked down to Koumaijii.

Koumaijii coughed slightly, but a smile spread across the only part of his face we could see. "I'm lucky I still have my tongue. Though, I have no taste buds now."

"Well whose fault is it for taking a bite out of a poisonous dog?" Sesshoumaru chided.

"Be thankful I didn't bite your head off."

"Like you could."

I looked over Sesshoumaru's shoulder directly at Inuyasha's face while he watched Sesshoumaru and Koumaijii go back and worth. I knew that expression. He was actually jealous of Koumaijii. I think deep down inside he wanted that sort of relationship with Sesshoumaru, even if he would never admit it. There was no doubt they had things in common with each other. They were both so stubborn and egotistical at time, more Sesshoumaru than Inuyasha there. They both wanted to show up the other. Inuyasha to prove that he was worthy of being Sesshoumaru's rival and Sesshoumaru probably to prove to Inuyasha that he was the more worthy son. It was a truly unfair setup and I wondered what their father was thinking. He had to have a reason, but most of the time it just seemed like there was no sense in it.

"Lord Inuyasha, Lord Sesshoumaru isn't a bad guy." Rin said, standing next to Sesshoumaru while Inuyasha and I tended toward her self proclaimed adopted father. "Rin is very safe and she's very human!" She squealed cutely, reverting to her occasional habit of speaking in the third person.

"Yeah, Rin." Inuyasha kneeled closer to her. "You don't understand quite yet." He patted her head. "I'm not the same as you. And you're very special. You and Kohaku both." Inuyasha chuckled a little, "Well shoot, I'm a little jealous now!" He passed it off like he was joking, but he was actually telling the truth, and I saw it. He knew I saw it. "Oh and sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to insult you Rin. I was really pissed off at this bas…jerk off here."

"You can kiss my ass." Sesshoumaru muttered and I blinked in surprise. He had unknowingly picked up quite a few of the more common human terms in his time around them.

"What was that?" Inuyasha barked standing back tall.

"I said, you. can. kiss. my. ass." There was a devious smirk under the cool exterior that Inuyasha didn't see because of his massive outburst of blind anger.

"Inuyasha, he's fussing with you now." I sighed. Some things never changed.

"Oh?! Well fine, go die for all I care! See if I want to help you anymore!" He seethed. He didn't like being treated so lowly by his brother and there was a difference in the chiding from Sesshoumaru and Koumaijii than Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. There was more respect from the former.

"Don't say it, unless you mean it."

"Well I don't! So there." Inuyasha crossed his arms. A short silence fell over the ground and the strange sort of air in the tomb blew over the ground and made an eerie rattling sound over the tons of corpses. "I wish I could have met him." Inuyasha sighed, staring up at the large corpse. I looked up too. It was certainly an impressive sight.

"He was an impressive demon. He ruled his lands like a true diplomat." Koumaijii complimented his former master. I could see from the corner of my eye that he was moving and I turned. He was in a sitting position. He didn't look as bad as he did before, but he certainly was making a quick recovery. Then again, I'd seen Sesshoumaru stabbed through the chest before and still walk it off like it was nothing. The demon lord himself walked rather leisurely passed me, Rin and Inuyasha and he moved to his underling. Koumaijii's head tilted up, despite the coverings of his eyes. It was like he could see Sesshoumaru anyway. Sesshoumaru's deft fingers reached forward to pull the blood soaked cloth from his face. Koumaijii's sleek features were brought to good light in that tomb and I realized just how much like Sesshoumaru he looked.

"Your eyes are fine, already. You almost had me concerned about your skill level."

"Ah, you're just some demon's brat. I've got you beat for years to come. Until you surpass your old man, you've got nothing on me." Koumaijii bragged, but I sensed sarcasm in there in the extreme. "Well…at least in personality. You're like a rock Sesshoumaru. Smile once in a while."

"It'd probably break his face." Inuyasha added.

"I changed my mind, I am going to kill you when this is over." Sesshoumaru glared.

I took a moment to compose myself for asking a rather personal question, "Say, are you and Koumaijii related, Sesshoumaru?"

"He's my father's brother." Sesshoumaru actually answered honestly, which surprised me a little bit.

"I'm sorry you all met me on such bad terms. I was being manipulated from the beginning, but I tried to give you hints. Truthfully, I am not as strong as Lord Sesshoumaru, but I am a little more tactful in that sort of thing, which is why I tried to keep you, Priestess, away from Sesshoumaru while he discussed with Inuyasha. Interrupted, Inuyasha may have never been able to describe to Lord Sesshoumaru what was happening."

Inuyasha turned to Sesshoumaru and I was surprised to watch him lightly punch his older brother on the uninjured shoulder. "You bastard, you knew that it was Koumaijii. That's why you split up from us right before he attacked.

"It's called strategy. If I was there he would go straight for me and bypass you. I could have been captured since I was at a disadvantage."

"You risked us to do it…" Inuyasha grumbled.

"I also got injured saving you, whelp."

"Okay guys…" I broke in. "I think we understand that it was all for the best. Now I think we're all able to move out of this place. We can get to the other side of the well once we leave this place. I don't want to risk Naraku finding us. We can discuss what Naraku's intent is there. Okay?"

"That sounds like best approach." Koumaijii agreed.

"If he concurs, than I do as well."

"Yeah yeah, I guess you're waiting on me to open the damn portal," Inuyasha growled. "Let's not make a habit of busting my eye open for this okay?" He said and a large black swirl of violet light appeared before us all.

Koumaijii went through first, my best guess was in order to act as the first line of defense in case something was waiting on the other side. Rin, Kohaku, Jaken and the demon beast went after. Inuyasha beckoned me to go next and I walked through looking back to see Sesshoumaru push Inuyasha through and follow. The trip through the portal was, as always, a strange weightless sensation that ended in me falling out on my face. Well, not my face, but I didn't land gracefully.

"Ow!" Rin cried. "That hurt!" She said rubbing her knee. It looked like she just bumped it.

"I hate that portal," I groaned before I felt a strange whirling in the air. The leaves all dangled as if they were being suspended by someone making the wind perform a dance.

"Kagura!" Inuyasha growled and with that I stood up as fast as I could, thankful that I still had the bow and quiver of arrows that I borrowed from Sesshoumaru's castle.

To be Continued…

Leo: Yeah I know that was probably totally out of character, but I think every now and then Sesshoumaru needs some light shed on him. Don't think I'm turning him into a peace preaching retard. He'll do a lot more jack assery before this is over (which it's like not even close.) This chapter is crucial to future plot points. Just though you should know that.