A/N: okies guys, to clear away some doubts for my long run readers and others who may be still confused: In short Kenji is to mate Sesshomaru who is against it. So Kenji makes a deal with Sesshomaru that he could bring him Inuyasha and he would leave Sesshomaru alone. If you want more info, you can refer back to the ending of chapter 2 and a bit of chapter 3.

Chapter 11

Inuyasha looked up at the intense golden eyes with fear. The taiyoukai looked entirely different. Almost...beast like.

"Se-Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha called out to the demon lord as he tried to stop from hyperventilating.

The older inu gritted his teeth and lowered his body until they were touching and placed his head in the crook of the hanyou's neck. Inuyasha noticed how the taiyoukai's chest raised up and down rapidly against his own chest as if he was fighting a battle. The dog eared half breed couldn't suppress the panic that was ebbing at his currently racing mind and he began to instinctively struggle to get away from underneath the heavy and uncomfortable weight of his older brother.

Sesshomaru growled when he felt the hanyou squirm and it only fuelled his dominative side. He nipped Inuyasha's neck before running his tongue over the skin. At this point, Inuyasha became even more alarmed.

"Sesshomaru!" he screamed the demon lord's name, writhing more fiercely. Inuyasha's panicked voice was all that the taiyoukai needed to snap back. Still able to maintain some control over himself he said gruffly in a strained voice, "do not move."

Inuyasha froze when he heard Sesshomaru speak. A part of him wanted to get away from the taiyoukai as fast as possible but something told him that he needed to obey the lord at the moment and with much reluctance he stayed still, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

The taiyoukai calmed down somewhat when Inuyasha stopped struggling and he clenched his fists in a fierce attempt to force the animal raging within him down. After what seemed like a century to both the brothers, Sesshomaru slowly got up, releasing Inuyasha who immediately bolted upwards and moved a bit away. His breathing was hard as well as Sesshomaru's. Both of them remained silent and neither looked at each other's faces. Fear still clutched Inuyasha's heart at the thought of what Sesshomaru could've done and for the first time, he felt frightened to be in the demon lord's presence. The apprehension emanating from the half breed did not go unnoticed by Sesshomaru and it unnerved him.

Naraku regarded the whole scene with anger. Maybe leaving Inuyasha with Sesshomaru wasn't such a good idea after all. If that cursed demon did anything to his fragile hanyou, he would make sure he would pay dearly. Nevertheless, he had to maintain patience and wait for the correct time.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha continued their journey, nothing said about the events that took place the previous day. The morning sun was already high up and the only thing that broke the silence was the leaves rustling beneath their feet. At some point, Sesshomaru's arm brushed lightly against Inuyasha's and the inu flinched visibly. When the taiyoukai caught the action, he clenched his teeth. Never did he think that having the hanyou fear him would feel so distressing. He didn't like it the least bit that the hanyou felt anxious around him now just because he lost his head for a few minutes yesterday. It wasn't like he was going to rape him! Inuyasha moved away a little, keeping as much distance as possible from his half brother to avoid contact again. He wondered how much longer he was going to have to put up with this torture and how much longer they had to travel to wherever they were going.

The remainder of their journey was not much different. They rested in separate places for the night and woke up early in the morning again to resume their travel. Inuyasha could've sworn his vocal cords were going to get paralyzed if he didn't talk. Sesshomaru had shown no signs of speaking after the ordeal and he was about to finally say something when the taiyoukai stopped abruptly. To see what had happened, Inuyasha took a look around and his eyes widened. They had reached a village, or what used to be a village. Everything was burned down and there were corpses of humans and demons lying around everywhere, reeking horridly telling that the bodies were more than a few days old. The scent overwhelmed both the inus' noses, blocking out any other smells. Blood stained the ground and dyed the dirt crimson.

Sesshomaru frowned at the scene before him. These were most definitely Kenji's lands. What had transpired? He scanned the burnt down village that was a part of the leopard demon's empire. Every form of life seemed to have been killed in one way or the other. He walked further, having to step over bodies from time to time until he noticed that something wasn't right. He swiftly turned around to find Inuyasha gone and his eyes searched quickly for the hanyou in case he had just wandered off. He cursed when he didn't spot his half brother and was about to go off to search for him when suddenly a form appeared before him. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. His senses were dulled with the stench of rotting bodies, thus making him unaware of the demon until he showed himself before the taiyoukai.

"Missing something?" he asked with a toothy grin. He was a tall, well built youkai with dark messy yellow hair and sea green eyes. His tanned skin held no markings except for a scar along the forearm of a hand that held a strange looking sword. It resembled a thick vine with sharp thorns and the hilt was wrapped around with a white cloth.

"Where did you take the hanyou?" Sesshomaru made it sound more like a demand rather than a question. He couldn't care less who this demon was as his entire focus was on what happened to Inuyasha.

"Oh, my minions should be taking care of him now as we speak", he answered almost casually.

Sesshomaru growled as he felt anger surge through his veins and he drew out tokijin, his rage reflecting in his sword as a powerful rush of energy.

"My, my why so hasty?" the youkai said tauntingly. "You wish to challenge the new lord of these lands?"

New lord? Sesshomaru's eyes widened in realization. This demon must have taken advantage of the rebellions and captured Kenji's lands. Did this mean that Kenji was...dead? It didn't matter to him at the moment. Finding out where Inuyasha was at the moment came first.

The taiyoukai, with sword held in position, raced towards the demon before him with such speed that he was only a blur. Just as he swung his sword, the youkai vanished only to reappear behind him with a laugh.

"Challenging this Haruka is not something that will be tolerated", the yellow haired demon lashed out his sword which sprang forth just like a vine, elongating dangerously close to Sesshomaru who dodged it effortlessly. But Haruka didn't stop. He kept on assaulting the taiyoukai, making him move nonstop without giving him any chance to strike back. He tried cutting the vine like weapon but it wasn't until the blade of tokijin met the opponent's one did he notice that the vine was made of something that resembled metal. He was kept occupied until he heard an ear splitting scream come from not too far away and he froze. That was definitely Inuyasha's voice! What was happening to him? The moment's distraction was enough for Haruka's unusual sword to get past Sesshomaru's defenses and place a deep gash across the side of his torso after shattering his armor, the thorns piercing his skin. The taiyoukai winced when the vine was pulled back, cutting him deeper but made no sounds of pain. His white kimono was already starting to be drenched with fresh blood that slowly dripped to the ground.

"Do not avert your attention", the green eyed demon said with a smirk. "The hanyou should be as good as dead by now."

Upon that comment, Sesshomaru's eyes bled a dangerous red and he gave a feral growl. His youki spiked up ten times than usual causing Haruka to take a step back in hesitation. He held his sword in front of him, ready to attack, but his eyes widened when Sesshomaru was nothing more than a whirring colour of white and before he knew it he was face to face with the taiyoukai and it took a moment for him to realize that the demon lord's sword was embedded in his chest. He coughed up blood when Sesshomaru pulled out the sword as violently as he had plunged it and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his heart. Without a second glance, the taiyoukai sped off in the direction of the scream.

Inuyasha had been walking a few paces behind his brother and was too absorbed with his surroundings to notice that Sesshomaru had walked a few more steps ahead, placing more distance between the two of them. Just then he felt a hand clamp over his mouth and his eyes widened with shock. Even before he knew it, he was being pulled away further from Sesshomaru until he could see him no more. His cries were completely muffled by the strong hand that covered his mouth. He knew he was being assaulted by more than one being as his arms were being held back by someone else that was hastily tying them up with what seemed like a thick rope. No matter how hard he tried to break free, his struggle against the strong arms was in vain. It wasn't until he was taken into a clearing far from the taiyoukai that he was released. He was thrown forcefully to the ground and he let out a small cry when his head collided into the base of a partially burnt tree. He turned to face his attackers to see three golden haired youkai standing in front of them with grins. All three had dark skin and looked alike, each one bearing the same nerve wracking smile.

"Let's kill him and get it over with", one of them said. "Our master should be handling the other one right now."

"But should we let such a beauty go to waste", the other piped up as he dragged his jade eyes along the hanyou's body hungrily.

"You're right. We can always kill him later. A hanyou wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight anyways", the third said as he took out his sword.

Inuyasha felt the familiar anxiety overtake him and after a long time, Naraku's face overtook his mind. He gave a sharp scream when the third youkai cut off his haori swiftly with a single stroke of his blade and tackled the red clad form to the ground. This couldn't be happening! Even with the panic raising, Inuyasha felt as if something was breaking free of its cage inside of him. He wasn't weak! He had no demonic barriers sucking off his energy now! He shut his eyes as he tried to figure out the familiar stirring that clawed at the back of his mind. It was filled with bloodlust and fury. Despite the situation, it held no fear. It was only thirsty for the blood of the demons that stood before him. When Inuyasha opened his eyes, the usual golden colour of his pupils was replaced with burning crimson. His mouth curled into a snarl and without much effort, he tore the ropes binding his hands apart. The three youkai were startled by the sudden change in the hanyou and edged away, uncertainty filling them.

Sesshomaru could smell fresh blood but it was hard to tell whose it was. It mixed in with the already drying up crimson liquid that was splattered all over the ground around him. It sent waves of dread through him that stimulated each and every one of his senses, his heart beating frantically against his chest. He ignored the hot searing pain that shot up his side as he ran. This pain was nothing. If anything were to happen to the hanyou...The taiyoukai growled, moving faster if it was even possible. When he reached a small clearing he halted abruptly at what he saw. Inuyasha was standing with his back facing towards him, his hair bristling. Around him were the mangled corpses of three demons, each disfigured horridly. One had a large hole gaping through his chest as if heart was ripped out, the other body was headless and the third had its arms and legs bent at unimaginable angles.

Inuyasha was drenched in the crimson liquid of the three demons, which stained even his dark silver hair. His claws were dripping with blood, but despite everything, seeing that the hanyou was safe relieved the taiyoukai considerably. Sesshomaru's eyes locked on Inuyasha's when the hanyou turned around to face him. His eyes were a dark shade of red and two large purple markings streaked each side of his face. He snarled to show his slightly longer fangs. He looked no different from a blood thirsty demon that was out of control and over that, he seemed as if he had lost his sane self. Inuyasha bared his fangs at his half brother as if to say that he was his next prey. It was apparent he didn't recognize the demon lord. For the first time, Sesshomaru had no idea what to do on a battlefield. Inuyasha took a fighting stance, crouching a bit and letting a small rumble vibrate against his chest. Just then, his crimson eyes widened and he doubled over, clutching his stomach with gasp. The taiyoukai raced forward to catch the hanyou before he fell to the ground, his face contorting in pain. Sesshomaru frowned as he looked down at his half brother. It was hard to see if he was hurt as he was already covered in so much blood, but he looked to be agony.

The moment the demon lord caught him, Inuyasha snarled again and ignoring his pain, he dug his claws into the taiyoukai's sides to push him away. Sesshomaru clenched his teeth when the hanyou's sharp nails raked his open wound on his side but made no sounds of discomfort nor did he let Inuyasha go. The half breed struggled and howled, his ears flattening against his head.

"I will not harm you", Sesshomaru spoke to the writhing demon in a firm yet gentle voice. "Do not fear me." He didn't care if his words made any sense to the animal like form in his arms, but his words didn't fall on deaf ears.

The moment Sesshomaru spoke, Inuyasha stopped moving as if his body was under the taiyoukai's control, but his arm was now held tightly around his abdomen. He moaned, bending over a little. He unsheathed his claws from the demon lord's flesh and slowly began to transform back as if he were sure that the danger had passed. Once the crimson in the hanyou's eyes receded and the stripes on his face disappeared, he groaned again. He blinked and caught a glimpse of his surroundings to notice that he was again too close to the taiyoukai, only this time, he felt uncomfortable.

"Don't touch me", he said roughly as he tried to move away, wincing when he was aware of the aching, ripping pain in his stomach.

"As I have said before, you do not need to fear me", Sesshomaru replied though he loosened his hold on the hanyou as if to add that he wasn't going to force him to do anything.

"Feh", Inuyasha scoffed and with great effort, he stood up, the pain now subsiding a bit. He then looked at the three bodies on the ground.

"I did this?" he asked, his back facing the taiyoukai who also stood up, but was a bit too quick and his head spun from the blood loss. Though he was a full blooded demon of high caliber, a wound of this extent still needed time to heal. He leaned against a tree momentarily to stop himself from collapsing.

When Inuyasha didn't receive an answer he turned around and frowned first when he saw the taiyoukai using the support of a trunk but then his eyes widened when he saw Sesshomaru's side dyed crimson. "You're bleeding?" he gasped, wondering if it was really possible that someone managed to inflict a wound on the fearsome warrior.

"It is nothing", Sesshomaru retorted, pushing himself off to stand as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with him.

"Nothing?" Inuyasha's look was disapproving. Anyone could've seen how serious the injury was. Blood was still dripping down to the forest floor. No matter how tough Sesshomaru made himself out to be, this was definitely not something that could be ignored.

"Let us leave. We need to find out what had transpired in this area", Sesshomaru neglected Inuyasha's concern and was about to walk back to the burnt down village when he saw someone approaching him. He nearly growled when his eyes landed on the demon before him.

"I am not that easy to defeat, you bastard", Haruka reappeared before the taiyoukai again with a lopsided smile. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. It seemed that in his haste he missed the demon's heart. "So was it this lowly hanyou that had your attention drawn away while fighting me? It is such a waste to get yourself wounded for a mere half breed."

Inuyasha's brows drew together. It was because of him that Sesshomaru was hurt? What did he mean by that and who was this demon?

"Consider your words carefully for they will be your last", Sesshomaru said dangerously, drawing his sword once more and taking his stance in front of Inuyasha.

Haruka laughed mirthlessly and lashed out his sword once more and both demons engaged in a battle for the second time, only now, Sesshomaru's movements were slowed down by the gash in his side. Inuyasha watched the fight taking place before him. It looked as if Sesshomaru was slowly drawing the yellow haired demon away from where the hanyou was standing, but that was impossible, right? Sesshomaru wouldn't care for his safety. Just then Inuyasha gasped when the pain in his stomach returned and he fell to the ground, clutching his abdomen once more. Sesshomaru gave a quick glance at the hanyou before returning his attention to Haruka once more. He had to finish this demon off before he wore himself off.

Haruka had managed to inflict more cuts on the taiyoukai, which to his surprise caused his movements to become more slurred. The confusion must have been evident on his face because the demon grinned.

"Your body must feel like it's on fire by now", the youkai said, smiling even more broadly. "My sword is infused with special poison."

Poison? Now it made sense to Sesshomaru. If what Haruka said was true, he had to be more careful not to let the thorns touch him from now on. So this time when the vine came at him, instead of trying to reflect it, he dodged it. As the fight dragged on, Sesshomaru finally managed to find a breach in the youkai's defense and with a swift movement he stabbed the demon in the abdomen. Haruka fell back, coughing up blood and anger flashing in his eyes. He couldn't be defeated. Not now! His orbs shifted to the hanyou standing to the side and Sesshomaru caught on instantly, but his body was not fast enough with the poison slowly infiltrating his system. The demon whipped out his sword at Inuyasha, whose eyes widened and he shut his eyes for the impact. He couldn't stand up to get out of the way as the cramping sensation in his stomach paralyzed him temporarily. He waited for the blow. One second...two seconds...three seconds...Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes when he didn't feel anything hit him and was taken aback when he saw Sesshomaru standing over him. The demon lord had his sword held up; partially blocking the enemy's sword, but it wasn't enough to deter it completely. A good portion of the vine was embedded in his midriff, the tip nearly showing through his back. The taiyoukai's blood spilled to the ground, and yet he still stood without wavering.

Haruka pulled his blade back and laughed. "You are quite weak."

Completely disregarding his pain, Inuyasha stood up abruptly growling. It wasn't Sesshomaru that was weak, it was him! He was about to go for the demon when the taiyoukai stopped him.

"Stand down", he said. "This fight is mine."

"You're in no-"

"Do not interfere", Sesshomaru cut him off with a firm note. Inuyasha clenched his teeth, but his eyes were worried. Why did the taiyoukai so something so rash as actually taking a blow for him?

The taiyoukai took off again to attack the youkai, this time, his attacks becoming fiercer. He put all of his strength into each and every one of his blows and it was slowly showing its effect. Haruka was being driven back with each step the taiyoukai took forward and as if fortune turned against his favor, he stumbled backwards and fell to the ground when he tripped over a risen root and that was all that Sesshomaru needed to plunge the blade of his tokijin into Haruka's chest, this time making sure not to miss his heart. With a cry of pain, the demon fell into the arms of death. Sesshomaru drew back his sword and whipped it through the air to clean the blade off of the blood and sheathed it. Inuyasha could see how fatigued he looked and it was the first time he ever did see Sesshomaru so weakened. His own pain gradually subsided, making him wonder what could've caused it in the first place. He wasn't visibly wounded anywhere and yet it felt as if his abdomen had just ripped itself a hole.

"Let us move", the taiyoukai said once he regained his breath.

"But you're still wounded", Inuyasha retorted, but Sesshomaru didn't answer. He started walking off as if to say 'I don't give a damn'.

"Tch." Inuyasha gave a disapproving look before he too followed the lord, but worry was taking over him. Though he knew Sesshomaru always put up a cool and tough façade, he had surely taken a lot of damage. He kept close to the taiyoukai this time, not because he was afraid of being attacked once again, because he was afraid that the demon lord would collapse the way blood was flowing incessantly from his wounds. Many unanswered questions rose in his mind, but he chose to ask them later, once they had gotten out of this mess.

As they made their way through the reeking corpses and fallen huts Inuyasha's ears perked up as he sensed someone nearing them. Judging by how Sesshomaru's hand went to his sword, he knew that it didn't go unnoticed by the demon lord either.

"Show yourself", Sesshomaru said coolly.

A form appeared before the two inus, kneeling in front of the taiyoukai. He was dressed elegantly in sapphire coloured clothes, metal armour encasing his torso. His auburn hair fell forward to the ground as he bowed his head to the silver taiyoukai.

"Sesshomaru-sama, it has been a while since you've come", he said. "But you have chosen a rather dire time to visit."

"Rise, Raiken", the taiyoukai commanded the demon who was in charge of Kenji's army. "What is it that happened here? Where is Kenji?"

"The rebels were not merely attacking with their own force, my lord. They had joined hands with our most hated enemy, whose son was gifted these lands after they had triumphed over us", Raiken explained once he rose from the ground. "We were outnumbered, sire. Those vile creatures are all over the land."

"Do you mean to say that the demon by the name of Haruka is that son you speak of?"

"Yes. How is it that you know his name?" Raiken looked curious.

"I have encountered him not too long ago. He has been defeated by my hand", Sesshomaru replied and Raiken looked shocked. Before the commander could say anything, the taiyoukai then asked, "you still have not told me where Kenji is."

The auburn haired demon lowered his eyes and with a melancholy expression he said, "Kenji-sama is...dead. He was killed by Haruka. Even his body was nowhere to be found."

Sesshomaru frowned. Kenji was dead? "Is that so?" Sesshomaru didn't express his doubts in his words. He couldn't care less what happened to Kenji but the thought that he was gone put his mind at peace somehow. Especially because now he didn't have to hand over Inuyasha to that vile creature. "What is your position now?"

"We have no choice but to surrender", Raiken replied. "If Haruka is indeed dead, I suggest that you move out quickly before his father finds out. It would only start another unnecessary war with you. I will cover up the death somehow."

Sesshomaru hesitated. Should he really leave things like that? On the other hand, getting his lands into a state of war was troublesome on his part, not to mention that his mother, Natsumi would have a fit over it.

"Very well", the taiyoukai finally said. "Then I shall take my leave."

"What just like that?" Inuyasha said in disbelief. "You are going to leave these people in a situation like this?"

"Do not indulge in matters that do not pertain to you, hanyou", Sesshomaru retorted. He wasn't particularly in a mood to argue with his brother at the moment. His wound seemed to be radiating more and more pain by the passing minute and his entire body started to feel numb. The poison infused in Haruka's blade was no joke. Before the pain got to him, he needed to return to his lands as soon as possible. He couldn't risk another attack now.

Raiken gave a nod of acknowledgement and took off, leaving Sesshomaru and Inuyasha alone once more. The taiyoukai turned around to head back.

"I don't get it", Inuyasha said. "Why did we come here in the first place? To get your ass kicked?" The hanyou knew he wasn't going to answer anyway and just snorted. Leave it to Sesshomaru to do unnecessary things, or what seemed unnecessary at the moment. What was the whole point of this journey anyway?

Sesshomaru could feel it getting harder to walk much less keep standing. His pace became slower and he knew that if he didn't stop to at least rest a while, he wouldn't be able to go on further. He needed to concentrate his entire energy on healing right now. He could feel his own poison battle the foreign one coursing through his veins, but it still needed time.

As they moved forward, the air started to become thick with fog and a bit more humid. It wasn't long before they came upon a small hot spring. It was just what Sesshomaru needed to cleanse his wounds.

"We will stop here", Sesshomaru said. "If you feel the need to bathe, do so."

"I'll pass", Inuyasha replied. "You can go on ahead if you want. I'll wait."

"In that case, do not wander far lest you want to be attacked again."

"Feh, you're the one wounded, baka", Inuyasha shot back though he felt guilty that it was because of him.

"Hn."

Once Inuyasha took his place at the base of a nearby tree, Sesshomaru threw off the remaining of his shattered armor and stripped off his clothes gently, which stuck to his heavily bloodied body. Once he was free from his garments, he stepped into the comforting hot water and winced when it stung his wounds at first. He waded in until the water came up to the middle of his chest and closed his eyes. The pain still did not subside the least bit. He didn't know if it was because of the steam or because of the blood loss, his head began to spin a little.

Inuyasha began counting random birds to pass the time. How much longer was that bastard going to stay in there? At first he was annoyed, but as the minutes passed by, the annoyance turned to concern and then worry. He got up quickly and made his way to the spring and gasped when he saw Sesshomaru in the middle of red dyed water. The taiyoukai's eyebrows were scrunched together and he was breathing hard, his body looking limp.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha raced forward and putting aside his phobia, he reached down and caught the taiyoukai's arms to drag him out of the spring. He ignored the fact that the demon lord was naked. A barely audible groan escaped the demon lord's lips. "Oy, Sesshomaru! Look at me!"

The taiyoukai only stirred, but not in response to Inuyasha's voice, but at the stabbing pain that was taking over his body. Inuyasha hurriedly took off his haori and ripped it into two pieces. There went his repaired fire rat robe. He wrapped the wounds with the cloth hurriedly to stop the bleeding and Sesshomaru exhaled sharply when he tied the knot over his injuries.

"Wake up!" Inuyasha yelled again, tension flooding him. But apart from tension he felt fear. Overwhelming fear. Fear that he was going to lose Sesshomaru.

As if Inuyasha's voice finally reached his ears, Sesshomaru slowly opened his eyes, squinting initially until he focused on Inuyasha's worried face. He lifted himself off of the ground with much effort and then noticed the cloths tied around his torso.

"What are you doing here?" he said in a voice weaker than usual.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Inuyasha was furious. "You could've died, idiot! You scared the hell out of me!"

"What reason is there for you to become so scared?" Sesshomaru asked indifferently.

Inuyasha could've sworn that smoke was coming off of his body. "What reason? It's hard enough on me that I had to be saved by you and now if you died on me…..I would….I would….." Inuyasha looked away.

"You would?" Sesshomaru raised a brow, wanting to know what the hanyou was going to say.

"Why did you save me back there?" the half demon still was not looking at his brother. "You could have left me to die."

"I will not allow that", Sesshomaru said matter-of-factly.

"Why is that? Why is it that you suddenly care so much about me?" Inuyasha's eyes now returned back to their golden twins, with burning emotion. "Is this all just some sick joke?"

Inuyasha shivered slightly in surprise and anxiety when Sesshomaru took a hold of his chin gently. "Do I look like I'm humoring you?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes when Inuyasha shivered. "Why is it that you fear me now, Inuyasha?"

As Inuyasha looked into the yellow orbs of the taiyoukai, for once he saw the coldness disappear to be replaced by something else.

"Fear you? Is there a reason I shouldn't?" he snapped back, not quite as roughly as he intended to. "I hate you, you bastard, for everything."

"Hate?" Sesshomaru drew back his hand and suddenly Inuyasha missed the small source of warmth. "Is that how you really feel otouto?"

Inuyasha's breath hitched in his throat. Otouto? He had never heard Sesshomaru call him like that with such tenderness. Did all the blood loss and steam get to his head?

"Yeah, isn't the feeling mutual?" Inuyasha's voice cracked as his mouth went dry. In truth, he was apprehensive about the answer.

Sesshomaru's eyes fell to the hanyou's lips. No, long before this entire ordeal happened, before he took in Inuyasha, he could've said proudly that he did indeed hate his half brother. But now, he was so uncertain. In fact, he was uncertain of everything now that pertained to his dog eared brother. When he heard Haruka tell him that Inuyasha was going to be 'taken care of' never had he felt so much anger or alarm. When that demon was about to attack Inuyasha, never had he felt such a strong desire to protect. Until then, he didn't notice how much he needed the hanyou by his side. But did Inuyasha feel the same way? Was this bond that he accidentally formed only one-sided? As if to wash away all of his insecurities and inner turmoil, he placed his hand at the back of Inuyasha's neck and pulled him forward to press his lips against the hanyou's softly.

A/N: I know you hate me for another cliffie. I'm just evil that way bwahaha! I'm just so grateful to you guys that review all my chapters. You don't know how much that makes my day! Oh and as for the question on my previous chapter, a whole bunch of you guys were quite right! So the question now is, will Inuyasha accept Sesshomaru?

Brz: don't worry, I'll tie the ends of the strings soon enough

Reen212000: your toe curling kiss came at the end of the chapter lol :D