Chapter 11

Hey everyone! This week has been an odd one, I suppose. Easter weekend wasn't too bad. Me and my mate didn't do anything really, other than go to the story Saturday and watch Enchanted when we got home. It wasn't bad, but it was a romantic-comedy, not my kind of thing. Sunday, really, nothing happened, other than I visited my grandfather while my mate had to go to work. Oh well, things happen I suppose.

Well, I suppose since there were no reviews, I'll begin. I do have a question though. Is everyone that is to get an alert when this updates getting one? I know I've had one chapter thus far where no one got an alert, and I'm curious if that was the case last time. Anyways, if you could let me know, I'd be thankful. If that's the case, I'll possibly begin PM'ing alerts instead since the stupid alerts are possibly once again broken. Ack, I wish would fix those already. Since my mate has been here, which was '04 or so, the alerts have been messed up. They've gotten better, but other than that, they occasionally still mess up.

Oops, sorry about the rant. Just irritated over the alert system. Sorry about that.

Without any further ado, here is the new chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Slowly, the group consisting of Lilly, Inuyasha, and an unconscious Kagome, returned to Kaede's hut. Although injured still, Inuyasha refused to let Lilly carry Kagome or himself, and had taken it upon himself to carry Kagome himself. Arriving, the elderly miko with grey hair bound up that wore an eye patch over her right eye and a set of old red and white robes had the group come into her hut.

"Ye neko, bring me some water from the stream." the elder miko commanded.

Lilly obeyed and quickly fetched some fresh water. Returning, she handed it over immediately to the woman. The elder miko was still tending to Inuyasha's wounds, who kept grumbling.

"Kaede, take care of Kagome! My wounds will heal!" he barked angrily.

Shaking her head, Kaede remarked "Ye girl shall be fine, but ye's wounds are bad."

"I don't give a damn! Take care of Kagome first! That filthy fox Kurama did something to her and now she won't wake up!" he screamed, making Lilly flatten her ears to her head.

"Do you have to yell?" a voice called out from the outside of the hut. Walking in with Kohaku on his shoulder and Kirara in his other arm, Iya grumbled "Half the forest heard you complaining."

"SHUT UP! KAGOME NEEDS HELP!" Inuyasha snapped.

Sighing, Iya set Kohaku down on the floor gently, and placed Kirara on his lap. Turning back to Inuyasha, Iya quietly said "There is nothing to do for her now."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR HER!?" Inuyasha screamed loudly and began getting out of bed.

"Lay still!" Kaede commanded gruffly.

Ignoring her, Inuyasha stood and gingerly walked over to Iya and grabbed a hold of his collar, yelling "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"

"Sheesh, can you yell a little louder." a new voice grunted from outside the hut. Walking in with Sango and Miroku on each shoulder, Ichigo carefully set the two down.

Looking at his three fallen friends, Shippou, who had been sitting beside Kagome worriedly asked "What happened to all of them?!"

Deeply sighing at the sight of Sango and Miroku, Iya mumbled "The mages got to them all…"

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON AROUND HERE!?" Inuyasha screamed at the top of his lungs, making both Iya and Lilly flatten their ears to keep the noise out.

Growling loudly, Iya broke Inuyasha's hold on his collar and growled out "SHUT UP!"

Backing down, Inuyasha hobbled back over to where Kaede had had him laying and sat down. Taking a deep breath, he gruffly asked "What is going on Iya!?"

Deeply sighing, Iya slowly said "The mages, they've attacked all of them just like they said they would. Each of them has had a spell cast on them to make them the mages' slaves."

Frowning, Inuyasha asked "How do we stop it?"

"We can't. For the rest of the night and most of tomorrow, they'll all be asleep. During this time, they'll transform into their half demon states." Iya informed. "Once the transformations are over, after a day has passed, they will wake up. We then have thirty days to kill the mages before the spell takes full effect."

"And if we don't?" Shippou worriedly asked.

Closing his eyes, Inuyasha looked away and said "They become slaves permanently, right?"

"Good, you actually remember what I said." Iya half-heartedly joked.

Reopening his eyes and throwing a glare at Iya, Inuyasha growled out "How can you joke at a time like this!?"

"It's not easy." Iya teased. Turning serious, he added "There is nothing we can do for now."

"What, we just wait!?" Inuyasha impatiently asked.

"It's all we can do." Ichigo replied with a grim look. "Till they transform, they'll be out cold."

Looking down at the ground, Iya deeply sighed, muttering "I had hoped to stop this… I see even warning you all was just a moot point."

"Iya, you had no idea this would happen though. You tried to save them, and really, you did by keeping the mages from taking them with them." Lilly consoled.

Sighing lightly, Inuyasha muttered "At least they're safely with us."

"True, but that won't stop the mages from trying to get them back. They'll stop at nothing to get their slaves early. Even though they're not under their control, they'll still want them. They always crave them." Ichigo muttered with some anger crossing his face.

Sensing a demonic aura rapidly approaching, Iya suddenly ran out of the hut. Sniffing the air, Iya frowned and watched a sphere of white energy come floating down towards the hut. The sphere soon landed on the ground and expanded. Slowly, the energy dissolved away and revealed Sesshomaru standing with an unconscious woman, whose face peeked out of his fur boa that was wrapped around her, in his arms.

"Sesshomaru…" Iya mumbled with a touch of shock.

Hobbling to the door, Inuyasha looked out to see Sesshomaru and let out a feral growl. "What the hell are you doing here Sesshomaru!?" he loudly snapped.

Emotionlessly, Sesshomaru replied "I see you are still alive little brother."

Growling loudly, Inuyasha stumbled forward and grabbed the hilt of Tetsusaiga. He was about to draw it when Iya suddenly grabbed hold of his arm, growling out "Not now Inuyasha!"

Shaking Iya's arm off, Inuyasha angrily yelled "Why not now! That bastard nearly killed me thousands of times and now isn't a good time!"

"I understand Sesshomaru hasn't been hospitable in the past, but we don't have time for this now! Kagome and the others of your pack are depending on us to save them!" Iya angrily spat.

Realizing what Iya was saying, Inuyasha released his hold on Tetsusaiga and calmed down a bit. Angrily, he shoved his fists into his kimono sleeves and grunted out "Feh!"

Sighing heavily, Iya returned his attention to Sesshomaru. Sniffing the air, Iya's eyes softened a bit upon recognizing a familiar scent. Calmly, he said "I take it the mages got to that young girl as well Sesshomaru."

Keeping his emotionless mask on, Sesshomaru calmly said "A single mage attacked this Sesshomaru earlier. This Sesshomaru has come to ask you to check on my ward."

Chuckling at Sesshomaru's formality, while also chuckling at Inuyasha rolling his eyes, Iya nodded. "I shall."

Walking forward, Iya gently turned the head of the young woman towards Sesshomaru and stooped down lightly. Moving her hair off to the side, Iya examined the young woman's neck to find a faint grey mark of a grinning snake.

Deeply sighing, Iya stood and released the woman's hair, saying "She's definitely had the binding spell cast on her. Sesshomaru, was the one that attacked you known as Ichimaru?"

Softly growling at the mention of the name that irked him greatly, Sesshomaru curtly nodded. Seeing that Iya knew, he asked "How do you know this?"

"The insignia on the back of her neck, it is that of Ichimaru. It bares a snake with a grin, which is his insignia." Iya retorted.

Nodding with understanding, Sesshomaru stoically said "Reverse the spell."

Slightly shocked by Sesshomaru's demand, Iya calmed and replied "Unfortunately, I don't know the reversal spell. I only know of two ways possible to reverse it. The first being an unsure method, which is to have the mage reverse it. The other being that the mage that cast the spell is killed before the binding spell becomes permanent."

"How long does that take?" Sesshomaru shortly asked.

"Thirty days after the victim wakes up." Iya replied. "Also, there is one other thing you should know. Even if the binding spell is reversed, the person it is cast onto can never go back to being the age they were, or be human again. Unfortunately, the person will have the life of a normal half demon, and all the weaknesses and strengths that come with it."

Deeply frowning, Sesshomaru laid Rin on the ground beside of himself and glared at Iya. "You caused this to happen to this Sesshomaru's ward." he stoically stated.

Shocked at Sesshomaru's statement, Inuyasha shouted "It's not Iya's fault that…"

Holding a hand out to silence Inuyasha in mid-sentence, Iya somberly said "It's alright Inuyasha. It is partially my fault. Father charged me with killing the mages, and I've been at fault for not killing them soon enough. Many have suffered due to that."

Lowering his hand, Iya then swiftly added "But I am not the only one at fault Sesshomaru. You too are at fault for not stopping them when you had the chance two and a half centuries ago."

"It was not my place to do your work." Sesshomaru remarked.

"Wait, what happened two and half centuries ago?" Inuyasha questioned, somewhat shocked by this development.

Pointing at Sesshomaru, Iya calmly said "Back two and half centuries ago, a few days after I had visited you and your mother, I went to the Western Stronghold. Along the way, I picked up the scent of the mages. They had literally passed right by the front gates of the Western Stronghold, and Sesshomaru didn't lift a finger to stop them!"

Growling deeply, Iya glared at Sesshomaru, angrily saying "His only reasoning was it was my task, not his! Sesshomaru, you fool, you could have cut their numbers down for me, making it easier to kill them!"

"This Sesshomaru was not responsible for finishing your work for you. You are to blame for what has happened to this Sesshomaru's ward." Sesshomaru calmly stated.

"I will not take full blame for your mistake Sesshomaru!" Iya angrily spat. "You're just as much to blame as I am!"

In his normal stoic tone, Sesshomaru remarked "This Sesshomaru will not share the blame for you, half breed!"

Growling loudly, Iya's eyes flickered with a trace of red for a moment. The flickering quickly vanished, but he immediately placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Slowly, he drew Ketsaiga, transforming it upon doing so.

"You've called me a half breed only twice in my life, and both times I've resented you for it. Last time, you knocked me unconscious, forcing me to submit." Iya coldly said. Pointing Ketsaiga at Sesshomaru, he added "This time, it will be you who submits to me."

"You point father's fang at this Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru questioned calmly. Drawing the sword from the top of his obi, he held it out and prepared to move.

In an amazing show of speed, Sesshomaru charged at Iya, who at the same time moved back away from the nearby huts. Turning towards Sesshomaru, he challengingly said "Not here. Follow me."

Slightly irked, Sesshomaru quickly closed the gap between him and Iya, only to find it widened once more with Iya leading him into a nearby empty field. Finally in it, Iya came to a dead stop and turned to face Sesshomaru with his sword raised.

Arriving in the field, Sesshomaru came to a halt when he saw Iya waiting. Slowly moving forward, Sesshomaru immediately went into a full run. Iya did the same, and the two met in the middle with blades clashing against one another, making several sparks fly off of the two meeting. The sounds of blades clashing filled the air as the two continued to exchange blows.

Both had a calm and serene look to them while attacking and countering one another. After a few minutes of clashing together, the two separated, each staring one another down, seemingly looking for an opening in the other's defenses.

"You've improved." Sesshomaru nonchalantly commented.

Smirking, Iya remarked "So have you."

"Back down." Sesshomaru simply stated in response.

Still smirking, Iya shook his head. "Not this time Sesshomaru. I may not be a full demon, nor care to be, but I deserve respect. I did all I could to stop the mages, and am still trying. Blaming me for your ward's attack will not change the fact that she is now in danger of becoming Ichimaru's slave."

"You failed to kill them Iya. Father was a fool to leave you with such an important task."

Growling loudly, Iya charged forward, yelling "Leave father out of this!"

The blades once more clashed together, sending out sparks again. Iya pressed hard, swinging his blade fiercely against Sesshomaru's, forcing Sesshomaru to backup some. Seeing he had the advantage, Iya continued pushing, making Sesshomaru lightly growl as his arm began buckling lightly under the tremendous force Iya was exerting.

Separating once more, Sesshomaru smirked a bit. "You have indeed become strong." he commented calmly.

"Glad you noticed." Iya commented while glaring. "Ready to give up?"

"Hardly." Sesshomaru calmly stated. "True, you have grown stronger, but not strong enough to make this Sesshomaru submit."

Taking up an attack stance once more, Iya commented "Then I'll have to show you more of what I've learned."

Rushing forward, Iya prepared to strike Sesshomaru when suddenly a new sword slid in between the two, cutting off his path and making the metal clash off one another. Looking, Iya saw in shock that it was Ichigo who stood in the way.

"Damn it Ichigo, move!" Iya snarled.

Glaring hard at Iya, Ichigo punched him hard in the face, knocking Iya backwards a bit.

Walking into the middle completely, Ichigo yelled "You two idiots, use your heads! We don't have time for the two of you to kill one another!"

Glancing at Sesshomaru, Ichigo added "I may not like you, Sesshomaru, but I know that in order to save that girl back there, you need to be alive. Plus, you're to blame for her transformation. You should have protected her!"

Sesshomaru's eyes widened a slight fraction upon hearing this, but soon his mask of calmness returned. "Watch your mouth quarter demon." he irritably said.

"Whatever." Ichigo muttered. Turning back to Iya, he snapped out "And you should know better than to fight him at a time like this! We need to find the mages save everyone, not fight one another! Saving the others is top priority!"

Iya looked down and away upon hearing this, knowing Ichigo was right. Deeply sighing, he transformed Ketsaiga back to it's original form and sheathed it. Looking up, Iya calmly replied "You're right Ichigo."

"Heh, never thought I'd hear those words come from you." Ichigo bragged.

Lightly growling, Iya stopped and couldn't help but lightly chuckle to himself. Sesshomaru, seeing the battle was over, sheathed his sword as well, but stared Iya down nonetheless.

"We should get back to the village." Iya calmly stated.

The three soon returned with Inuyasha impatiently waiting outside. Noting that the young woman wrapped in his fur boa was gone, Sesshomaru quickly rushed forward and grabbed Inuyasha by the neck roughly and held him up off the ground a few feet. In a low growl, he asked "Where is Rin!?"

Grasping Sesshomaru's wrist tightly, Inuyasha began choking from the pressure of Sesshomaru's strength. Intervening, Iya knocked Inuyasha free from Sesshomaru's grasp, growling out "What's the matter with you, Sesshomaru!?"

"Where is Rin!?" he snarled out once more.

Catching his breath, Inuyasha coughed a few times and rubbed his sore neck. Glaring at Sesshomaru, he angrily snapped "Why the hell should I tell you, you bastard! I tried to be nice and take her in to get looked at, but you nearly kill me for my trouble!"

Calming a bit, Sesshomaru moved to enter the hut, only to be blocked by Lilly at the door. "I'm sorry, but you can't come in right now." she softly said.

Glaring at her, Sesshomaru defiantly said "You're in the way."

"I apologize, but she's being looked at right now. No men can come in." Lilly apologetically said.

Realization entered Sesshomaru's mind at Lilly's words and he settled. Turning wordlessly, he walked to the front of the hut and leaned up against the hut with his arms folded.

All of the group let out a small sigh and sat down nearby. Each patiently waited till finally Lilly came out and looked to Sesshomaru. With a light bow, she humbly said "You may come in now."

Wordlessly, Sesshomaru followed Lilly in. Going in, Sesshomaru saw the four other humans laying in the hut, each unconscious and covered with blankets. Looking at each, he saw nothing different other than one, who was Kohaku. He instantly realized the boy that had traveled with him and his group before was now older than before.

Returning his attention to Lilly, he saw her walk over to Rin, who lay covered with a blanket. Noting at the top of the blanket that he saw some kind of straps on her shoulders, he looked questionably at Lilly, asking "Is she dressed?"

"She's wearing a simple shift. We're working on finding her a kimono that will fit. She's about my size and age, so we're trying to find clothes for both of us." Lilly calmly said.

Reaching over, Lilly picked up the fur boa that had been set to the side, kindly saying "This belongs to you I believe."

Taking it, Sesshomaru returned it to his shoulder the way it had been previously and wordlessly walked out of the hut. Slightly sighing, Lilly looked at the young woman and sadly smiled.

"He's worried about you." she mumbled.

"Lilly, child, could ye help me for a moment?" Kaede called out, breaking Lilly's momentary thoughts.

Turning to Kaede, Lilly softly smiled and nodded, following the elder woman over to Kagome. "Ye notice that Kagome is burning up?" the old miko asked.

Seeing what Kaede talked about, she saw that Kagome was sweating profusely, even after the pair had taken her blanket off and wiped her down occasionally, but her temperature still remained warm.

"I see what you're talking about Kaede." Lilly softly remarked. "How can we get her fever to break?"

"I'm unsure, but ye should go out and fetch Iya." Kaede advised.

Nodding, Lilly walked out to find the group of Iya, Inuyasha, and Ichigo sitting together while Sesshomaru was off on his own leaning against a tree. Seeing Iya, she walked to him and softly smiled. "Iya, Kaede needs you in the hut for a moment."

Standing up, Iya nodded and followed her in. Noting Kaede at Kagome's side, he walked over, asking "What's the matter, Lady Kaede?"

"The child's fever won't break. Does this occur with the transformation?" Kaede worriedly asked.

Thinking momentarily, Iya replied "Most of the transformations do heat up the victim's body."

"Is it like a permanent one, because she's been sweating badly for the last hour or so?" Lilly questioned.

Taking a moment to ponder on Lilly's question, Iya finally said "No, most usually cool a bit after they're rubbed down with a cool cloth."

"We've rubbed her down a few times already Iya, and she's still hot. We can't bring the fever down at all." Lilly quickly explained.

Sighing lightly, Iya replied "She maybe transforming quicker than the others, but she shouldn't. Rin should transform first, then Kagome, followed by Sango and Miroku about the same time, and finally Kohaku. Kagome shouldn't be showing these signs this quickly. She has half the night yet to go before she actually should show them."

"You mean all of them will be like this!?" Lilly exclaimed in a bit of shock.

Shaking his head slightly, Iya replied "No, they shouldn't. Lady Kaede?"

Looking up at Iya, she answered "Yes child?"

"Kagome, she's a priestess, isn't she?"

"Yes, she be one. She is in charge of the Sacred Jewel." Kaede explained.

Frowning lightly, Iya calmly asked "The Jewel of Four Souls?"

"Yes, that be it." Kaede responded.

"I wonder if the jewel had an effect on her transformation. She gave it to Inuyasha though, right?" Iya asked with a look of concern.

"Aye."

Tapping his chin for a moment, Iya frowned once more. "I want to make sure Kagome doesn't have it. Lilly, can you and Kaede check her to make sure?"

Grunting with agitation, Kaede mumbled something about "Nosy dogs" and began checking Kagome's body. Lilly noted she had her left hand closed and curiously uncurled her fist, finding a small pink jewel in it.

"Kaede, is that the Sacred Jewel?" Lilly curiously asked.

Looking down at the jewel, Kaede softly gasped and gently picked it up from Kagome's hand, saying "Aye, it is. Inuyasha must have returned it to her."

"I bet he returned it to her before Kurama attacked." Iya commented softly. Calmly, he said "Lady Kaede, perhaps you should hold onto the jewel till Kagome awakes."

"Aye, that would be a good idea." Kaede remarked.

Turning to Iya, Lilly asked "Why did you think she had the jewel?"

"The transformation is why." Iya replied. "If she had the jewel when Kurama cast his spell, then it may have reacted to him. From what I understand, the Shikon Jewel increases a demon's powers, so the effect of the spell that Kurama cast could have been changed. The spell accelerated due that Kurama unknowingly may have used the jewel. I'm guessing she'll have thirty days like the others, but is just the transformation spell is just transforming her quicker than the others. That's about all I can come up with."

"I see…" Kaede quietly mumbled.

Glancing at Kagome's sweating brow, Iya calmly said "I believe she'll transform within the hour. Once her body transforms, she should be alright. The fever will break, and she'll cool off. Till then, just keep wiping her down."

Nodding, the elder woman nodded and responded with "Thank ye."

"I'm going back outside for now. If you need me Lilly, come get me." Iya informed which got a small nod from Lilly.

Turning, he walked outside and found Inuyasha sitting at the base of a nearby tree with his eyes half closed and his sword resting against his shoulder. Taking a seat next to his half brother, Iya leaned back against the tree and let out a soft sigh.

"Something wrong?" Inuyasha quickly asked.

Getting a no from Iya through a head shake, Inuyasha frowned slightly and asked "How are Kagome and the others?"

"The others are resting. Kagome though will transform into her half demon state soon." Iya remarked.

Opening his eyes wide, Inuyasha quickly turned to Iya, worriedly saying "Transform into a half demon!? But I thought you said it took a long time to do that!"

Calmly, Iya softly said "Normally it does, but she was holding the Shikon Jewel when the spell was cast on her. The jewel somehow or another augmented Kurama's powers and made the spell take affect quicker is all. She'll be fine."

Slightly worried yet, Inuyasha stood up with a bit of difficulty. "I'm going to go sit with her. She's been with me when I was always down, so I think it's only fair I return the favor."

"It's alright. Go on." Iya replied with a soft smile.

Watching his younger brother walk away, Iya eyes softened. "I know that he loves her. You can fool everyone else little brother, but not me."

Reaching the hut, Inuyasha could hear Kagome's ragged breathing already. Undeterred, he walked in, earning him a glance from both Kaede and Lilly. "I came to sit with Kagome." he simply stated.

Kaede softly sighed and said "It is alright."

Hobbling over, Inuyasha sat down in the floor next to Kagome. Her breathing was labored, and sweat was pouring from her brow. "Kagome…" he softly whispered.

Getting a tap on his shoulder, he looked up to see Lilly softly smiling and handing him a bowl with water and a rag in it. "Here, use this to help cool her." she kindly said.

Understanding, Inuyasha took the bowl and rung out the cloth. Gently, he wiped Kagome's forehead and her neck. Using his other hand, he felt her head and frowned at the fact she was rather warm yet. Suddenly, her body went rigid and her face filled with pain as she softly cried out in pain while her body began to glow with a pink aura.

"Kagome!?" he asked aloud, drawing attention from both Lilly and Kaede.

The three watched in amazement as her body elevated a few feet off of the ground while a pink aura continued to flare around her body. The blanket that was covering her fell to the ground in a pool. The three lightly cringed at the sound of Kagome's bones crackling and seemingly shifting. Sharp toenail like claws slightly came out from her socks, and the nails on her hand sharpened and hardened, becoming claws. Her skin lightly tightened a bit, and her muscles toned a bit. On her head, her human ears slowly vanished and new black dog ears sprouted on top. From underneath her skirt, a black puffy tail slid out. Her gritted teeth sharpened and fangs appeared. Releasing the look of pain in her face, she softly floated back to the ground with the pink aura fading quickly.

Laying back on the bed, Kagome lightly panted. Examining her new features, Inuyasha felt his breath catch in his throat. "She's… she's so beautiful as a half demon. Why do I feel a deeper connection to her now?"

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he took the cloth he had and dipped it once more. Gently, he wiped her face down while taking in her scent that smelled of vanilla and cherry petals. The scent itself always seemed to calm him, and even now his worry was ebbing away slightly over her condition.

Finishing with wiping her face and neck down, Inuyasha watched Kagome lightly moan and seemingly sink into a more peaceful sleep. Softly sighing at this, he rose up and turned to find to Lilly nearby. "Lilly, will you make sure when she wakes up that you come get me?" he asked, trying hard to keep from being too gruff about it.

Softly smiling, Lilly nodded and replied "I will Inuyasha. Go rest for a while. You need it to let your own wounds heal."

Grumbling, Inuyasha nodded and walked outside to find the villagers were gathering around the front of the hut. Many had pitchforks and other farming tools, while some held torches and were all angrily staring at Sesshomaru, who was leaning against a nearby tree. Iya and Ichigo stood in front of the crowd, seemingly trying to calm it.

"Please, you all need to go back to your homes." Iya calmly stated.

Glaring past him at Sesshomaru, all of the crowd ignored him. One man shouted out "We don't welcome demons here!"

"You half breeds we don't care for very much, but that full demon has to go!" another added.

The crowd all shouted out with agreement upon the statement, making Iya lightly growl out with frustration.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru moved from his spot towards the crowd, making some of the men back up. Staring at them with indifferent eyes, he stoically said "Weak humans, be gone now."

"Sesshomaru, don't do anything to them." Iya quickly said and moved in front of him to block him from the villagers. "They're just confused and worried is all."

Looking out at them, Sesshomaru simply turned away, saying "They are not worth this Sesshomaru's time."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Iya turned to the villagers, saying "Go home before he feels provoked. Stay there and you'll be safe."

"We won't let a demon stay in our village!" a man cried out and broke from the ranks of the crowd. He began running towards Sesshomaru with his pitchfork raised.

Iya was about to intercept when suddenly Inuyasha grabbed the man by the shirt and threw him back into the crowd roughly. Growling deeply, he snarled "Don't be a fool! Do you want to die!?"

The villagers all saw that look Inuyasha was giving them and immediately began backing up and finally turned and ran. Putting his hands in his sleeves, Inuyasha muttered out a "Feh."

"Thank you." Iya gratefully uttered.

"Keh, stupid humans, they should know Sesshomaru is a full demon and will kill them without any hesitation." Inuyasha gruffly retorted.

"He wasn't always like this." Iya lowly muttered.

Somewhat shocked at hearing this, Inuyasha turned to Iya, asking "What do you mean he used to not always be like this?"

Glancing up at Sesshomaru, Iya saw the hard glare coming from him. "He deserves to know Sesshomaru." Iya calmly said.

Sesshomaru didn't say a word but continued to stare coldly at Iya. Deeply sighing, Iya apologetically said "I'm sorry Sesshomaru, but he should know."

"You are under a vow of silence. Do not break it!" Sesshomaru warningly growled out.

Once more deeply sighing, Iya replied "Sesshomaru, he has a right to know the truth. I'm sorry, but I must break the vow."

Growling a bit more, Sesshomaru suddenly and wordlessly turned away and began walking off into the woods, leaving Iya somewhat shocked.

Turning to Ichigo, Iya asked "Will you stand guard over the others?"

"I won't be able to hold off all the mages if they come back." Ichigo pointed out.

Grinning, Iya remarked "We're not going very far. Just far enough to where we're still on the edge of hearing you."

Shrugging, Ichigo yawned and sat down in front of the nearby tree. "Go on, I'll stick around." he muttered.

"Inuyasha, come with me." Iya gently commanded.

Nodding, Inuyasha followed Iya with a hobble into the woods. Guessing he had enough distance, Iya stopped the pair and leapt into a nearby tree. Inuyasha followed suit and took up a sitting position on a limb. Leaning up against the tree himself, Iya relaxed up against it and closed his eyes.

Slowly, he reopened his eyes and looked down at Inuyasha, who had his back pressed up to the tree and looking up at him with a look of wonder. Deeply sighing, Iya glanced up at the sky and then back down at Inuyasha.

"So?" Inuyasha curiously asked.

Softly smiling, Iya slowly said "The reason Sesshomaru hates humans and half demons so much is complicated. He once loved a human, and he felt his love was betrayed, which drove him to where he is now."

Looking confused at Iya, Inuyasha was about to ask Iya more on the fact when Iya shook his head. "This all happened two hundred and sixty-five years ago, back when father was still alive."