REWRITTEN: An Inuyasha Story

by ksavvyx3

Kagome, a half-wolf demon, stumbles upon a village one night in her efforts to get away from a herd of angry demons. Here she meets Inuyasha, a human and dedicated protector of the Jewel of four souls... let the story begin. AU. Pairings IY/Kag, San/Mir and some others.

14. Chapter 14

AN: Now you know why I broke this chapter up a little bit…dies. Anyway, I think I need to stop telling you guys approximately when I think the next chapter will be up because I never make my deadline. The end of this chapter gave me some real trouble, but it's finally done, I hope you enjoy reading it! :)

As always I appreciate all of those who have and continue to review for me. Thanks for your support, I totally wouldn't still be doing this without all of you—you're super awesome! :)

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED…. Sango and Kirara will arrive shortly, possibly as soon as the next chapter, no promises though.

PS. Sesshoumaru's never ending battle continues…is that white thing his tail? A boa? A built in blanket/pillow combo? A super-secret weapon that's so deadly it—

…Whatever.

Chapter 14: The Southern Kingdom Part 2

The castle sat proudly atop the highest hill in the southern kingdom, heavy stone walls supporting five levels that stretched out for hundreds and thousands of meters. A second wall surrounded the huge building, multiple loopholes cut within the stones surface providing only a glimpse at the castle's impressive construction. The gate leading inside the courtyard was made of wood and looked too heavy for even a hundred human men to lift it, but only four guards stood beside it, all full blooded demons with heavily armored bodies, silver hair and brown eyes.

A simple village was laid out before the castle's defenses, its tiny wooden homes shrunken further by the sight of such a massive building towering over them. These homes were made for the families of soldiers who served directly under the dog lord Sesshoumaru and for craftsman and merchants that sold their services to both visitors and residents.

Among all of the kingdom's current occupants, only a handful of battle weary humans, strangers to those who lived within the barrier, passed through. Humans were a rare sight here, and they came accompanied by a fairy and another woman, who at first glimpse looked to be a demon but upon closer inspection of her scent and aura, turned out to be half human as well making the them even more of an odd sight. Suspicious stares were the only thing offered to welcome them within the village, but they were mostly ignored, and for that they were glad. Tired, sore and dreaming of a comfortable bed and warm meal, Inuyasha and his companions eagerly approached the gate oblivious to a pair of frozen golden eyes watching them from the castle's highest window.

Sesshoumaru watched the group slip through the village streets, dodging dirty looks and persistent sellers as they went. A deep frown occupied his mouth as he turned away from the window, his long silver hair brushing his face as he moved.

He wore mostly white robes of silk with a decorative red design on one shoulder and at the end of each of his heavy sleeves. Armor covered most of his chest, and a boa made of soft white fur that matched his mane fell over his shoulder and down his back, dusting across the floor. His face, which was hidden slightly by the shadows, was decorated by a purple crescent moon and two maroon stripes, markings given to him by his parents.

His sensitive hearing picked up the sound of approaching footsteps and he lifted his head to gaze softly upon his wife as she entered the room. She smiled at him, lifting her red and white fan to hide her painted lips in a delicate manner, "Good evening, Sesshoumaru…"

For a brief moment the corners of his lips turned upward in a smile, but it disappeared before even he could notice. "Kagura," he replied, turning back to the window.

The woman behind him looked almost human, it was only her pointed ears and her eyes the color of blood that gave her away. Her thick black hair was pulled back into a bun and decorated by two white feathers and she was dressed in a horizontally striped maroon and white layered kimono with a yellow obi around her waist.

"Well?" she asked, "How do I look?"

"Beautiful." The lord replied, not bothering to turn from his position. Seconds later he felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around his shoulders and a gentle breath brushed his cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"It is none of your concern."

"I'm your wife." The woman replied bluntly, "of course it is." She lifted her head to see one golden eye staring back at her and smiled. "You're frustrated with the half demon, Kagome. Am I right?"

Sesshoumaru turned back to the window. "She is failing to commit to her duties. The northern kingdom will fall without a leader."

"I've heard the wolf demon, Koga has taken over." Kagura said, "He does have royal blood so he is capable of holding the title as long as no one challenges him…and wins."

"That pathetic bastard is not deserving of the position. He does not know how to lead."

Kagura smirked at this, pulling away from their embrace and stepping forward to stand next to her husband. "Watch out, Sesshoumaru, someone might take that as a compliment towards Kagome…" she teased.

"A half-breed such as herself is no better, but her sister cannot be trusted and so we are forced to rely on her." Sesshoumaru explained, turning to give his wife a sidelong glance. "She carries the blood of a god, perhaps if she were to find another god willing to take her as their mate…"

Kagura nodded, and then turned at the sound of a gentle knock on the door. "Come in."

A second later the shoji screen moved to reveal a tall, thickly armored dog demon. His hair long and white, the same as Sesshoumaru's but pulled into a bun. He opened warm, brown eyes as he rose from his bow. "My apologies from interrupting," he said, "I have come to inform you that your guests have arrived, my Lord."

Sesshoumaru nodded, not moving from the window. "You may go, Itsamu."

The dog demon bowed once more before disappearing behind the shoji screen.

Kagura watched him go, enjoying the comfortable silence that fell between herself and her mate for a moment before turning back to him. She touched his shoulder gently, leaning up to brush her lips over one striped cheek before turning. "Try not to be too hard on them." She teased as she headed towards the door, "I will make sure the servants have prepared the rooms and meet back with you in the entrance hall." Then she was gone.

Sesshoumaru's face darkened slightly as he saw the heavy wooden gate, held open only by two of the guards, and the six travelers that ducked inside. His gaze fell on the golden eyed swordsman, and then the sword at his hip.

'Father…' The dog god thought, finally turning from the window and making his way towards the door. 'I will never understand why you gave a human such power. That sword should have belonged to me.'

…

Inuyasha lead the way past the castle's double doors following two of the well-dressed guards who had met them at the gate. Kohaku, Miroku, Shippou, Kagome and Hoshi followed shortly after him, and the second of the four guards followed after them, slamming the doors closed behind them.

The castle's interior was no less impressive then the outside had been, in fact, if possible it seemed even larger from the inside. The floors were made from wood, a beautiful red chestnut in color, and the stone walls of the entrance hall were decorated by portraits of dog monsters, similar to the ones Inuyasha's team had fought at the barrier's entrance.

"So you have finally arrived," a gentle voice, unmistakably that of a female and as soft as a gentle summer's breeze brought Inuyasha and his companions to the attention of the female demon standing before them, her crimson eyes judging them silently. After a moment of silence she sighed, turning to face one of a handful of servants and guards standing beside and behind her.

"Go find out what's taking him so long," she demanded before turning again to the group of travelers, all of which had ducked their heads in respect for the lady of the south. "I am Kagura," she told them, "Stand straight, and tell me why you are here."

Inuyasha scowled at her, even as he straightened from his bow. "You know why," he replied her, confused by her question, "To have the agreement signed, for the protection of the shikon no tama and my village."

Kagura raised a brow, watching with amusement as the disrespectful swordsman was put in his place by a fairy not even one tenth his size. "One would think you could find a nicer way to ask," She replied, "We can refuse our services anytime."

Before Inuyasha could reply with a no doubt rude comment, another man from his group stepped in front of him. "Kagura-sama," he greeted her, clapping his hands together in front of him and bowing his head to take on the posture of a beggar, "I humbly apologize for my friends rudeness, I come to warn you about a demon named, Naraku, I fear he is trying to resurrect his brother, Onigumo by collecting the three treasures, one of which you protect…I would be eternally grateful if you would provide me with an army, to avenge my people who were murdered by him."

Kagura's gaze fell upon the demon hunter and she frowned, "We have heard of the destruction of your village, human." She told him, "You will have to speak with my husband about this matter, he will decide if your story is worth his time."

Miroku winced. "I appreciate your consideration." He whispered before returning to stand beside his brother.

The wind-witch then turned her attention to a small, green-skinned and wrinkled creature hopping impatiently from foot to foot at her side. She narrowed her eyes on him, "What is it, Jaken."

He was barely a foot tall and dressed in robes the color of mud, waving a two-headed staff about as he bounced up and down. He looked up at her with giant yellow eyes and fell to his knees in a bow, "I came to inform you, the lord, Sesshoumaru-sama is on his way!" he squawked.

"Really?" The wind-witch asked, now smirking as she turned to face the dog lord who had already arrived, "you really are useless, Jaken."

The little imp looked as if he could protest, but a firm look from Sesshoumaru as he stepped out of the shadows silenced him immediately.

"Kagura," Sesshoumaru's cool, icy voice greeted her as he came to stand beside her. His equally cold gaze fell on the newcomers as they once again bowed in respect of the southern god. His eyes fell on the same, golden eyed man that he had spied through his window earlier, a stranger, and yet somehow familiar at the same time. After all, they were brothers in a sense, the human carried a single drop of his father's blood.

"Takahashi, Inuyasha…" he said, seeing the question in the boy's eyes as he lifted his head to stare back at him. "Draw your sword."

"Eh?" Inuyasha asked, his expression comical as he stared back at the lord with wide eyes, but he didn't hesitate a moment longer when he saw the god leap towards him with amazing speed, one hand on the hilt of his own weapon.

He barely had time to draw his sword and throw it in front of him protectively to shield him from the oncoming attack. The metal of the two blades met with a hiss, and pain ripped through Inuyasha's body as he was forced back nearly fifty feet.

His eyes met with those of the dog god, cold and hard, and he sputtered at him, "Wh-what in the hell are you doing?"

"You do not have the right to wield such a blade, weakling," Sesshoumaru replied, giving no explanation to his actions, only pushing further on Inuyasha's body until he had nearly collapsed from the pressure.

"Are you so foolish to believe that just because a single drop of blood runs through your veins you are strong enough to carry around such a weapon?" He pressed harder and succeeded in bringing the man to his knees, "you have no clue what the Tetsusaiga is capable of."

Inuyasha grimaced but somehow found the strength to stand, biting back a furious growl as he pushed the dog lord back slightly. "What are you talking about?" he snapped at him, all efforts to show respect to the god as he had been taught vanishing from his mind. "Toutousai was the one who made the Tetsusaiga—how would you know anything about it?"

"Your village sword smith created the weapon," Sesshoumaru agreed, "but it was my father who's own fang was used." He paused for a minute, feeling the way his blade, Tenseiga, pulsated beneath his fingers. It too was created using one of his father's fangs, and recognized Tetsusaiga as it's brother. Inuyasha seemed to have noticed it too, and stared down at his own weapon in shock.

"Do you not even know of your own weapon's creation?" The dog god asked, "Or of the blood that is inside you? My father's idiocy is the only reason you are capable of the things you are, however pathetic they may be—"

Inuyasha silenced him with a rather impressive snarl then, his golden eyes flashing as he forced the dog god off of him with an unexpected burst of strength. "I don't know what in the hell you're talking about," he snapped, "but the Tetsusaiga belongs to me, it was given to me by my father. Try and take it from me, I'll rip you apart using the wind scar!"

Sesshoumaru looked murderously back at him. He reached out with lightning fast movement and wrapped his long fingers around the sword's hilt, using the man's firm grip on it to his advantage and tossing them both across the room.

"Inuyasha-sama," Kohaku cried, finally kicking his body into action and running across the hall to come to his friend's aid. He was followed shortly by Miroku and Shippou, both equally as worried about their friend's safety.

Inuyasha sat up, easing his friend's worries with a mouthful of colorful words. They stepped back so that he could stand, albeit on shaking legs, and glare back at the one who had thrown him.

Silence filled the hall for a moment, all too shocked of scared to break it. Finally it was Kagome who stepped up beside the dog lord, eyeing Inuyasha carefully before lifting her gaze to the god beside her.

"Sesshoumaru," she started uneasily, "he hasn't been told…"

Two pairs of golden eyes snapped to her and she squirmed uncomfortably under their both angry and threatening gazes before averting her own to the floor.

"Is this true?" Sesshoumaru asked, turning back to face Inuyasha.

Inuyasha scowled at him, "I don't know what she's talking about…"

The room was silent for a moment before Sesshoumaru replied, "I see." He said, "Your father was too much of a coward to tell you of your own fate."

Inuyasha snorted. "And I'm sure you know everything…"

"Silence, boy," Sesshoumaru demanded, "I know more about your past then it seems you do yourself."

"Then tell me!" Inuyasha yelled at him, sheathing his sword and instead raising an angry fist as he took a few unsteady steps forward. He was either unafraid or unaware of the incredulous looks he was receiving from the surrounding servants, guards and even his own companions. No one had ever dared to speak to the southern god with such arrogance, as if they were his equal, and this man had come to represent a village asking for his protection.

When Sesshoumaru did not grace him with an answer Inuyasha continued, taking another step forward, "Tell me!" he demanded, "you know don't you? Everyone does—I'm sick of being left in the dark!"

"I do not owe you any explanations." Sesshoumaru replied, "Although you are correct in your assumption, it is only you that has been left unaware."

"Unaware of what?" the swordsman pressed.

Silence filled the hall once more until Kagura stepped up beside her husband, looking no more pleased with the man's rude behavior then he did. "Have you never wondered why your eyes are that color?" she asked curtly, "Or maybe you were too stupid to notice…"

"Of course I noticed," Inuyasha replied, turning his scowl on her, "I got them from my father, his are the same color…"

"Only because he went through the same ritual you did." Kagura told him, sighing at the sight of his puzzled stare. Someone had to tell him, and she knew better than to think her husband would be one to hand out such lengthy explanations, especially to someone so ill-mannered. It didn't look like Kagome had any intentions of slipping the truth to her companion either, if her grim expression was anything to go by. She stood on the other side of the wind-witch, her eyes still on the wooden floor.

"Golden eyes are not something you would normally see in a human." She told him, "You may have also realized…you heal faster, your skills on the battle field, endurance, strength and agility, are superior to other humans, even those that may have had more training. You most likely have heightened senses as well. This is all because of a single drop of blood."

"What are you getting at?" Inuyasha grouched, still lost as to where this explanation was going.

"Listen carefully," She continued as if she hadn't heard him, "we call it the blood ritual, have you ever heard of such a thing?"

Inuyasha grunted as he thought this over. It sounded so familiar, as if someone had explained the process to him once before, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He shook his head, "no."

"It isn't surprising that you wouldn't remember," Kagura told him, "it consists of a sharing of blood, from one to another, a blood transfusion." She looked him dead in the eyes then, "and it was performed on you years ago…"

This time Inuyasha remained silent and waited for her to continue, "It's usually deadly. We've estimated that perhaps one in one thousand humans are strong enough to survive it. You and your father were both two of the lucky ones that did." she waved her fan carelessly in his direction, sending a gentle breeze through the hall. "Sesshoumaru's father only agreed to give you one drop of blood, because you were so young…but it clearly was enough to have an effect on you…"

Inuyasha stared back at her; a thousand expressions touching his face as the new information began to sink in. The hall was silent again as everyone watched him with baited breath, waiting for his reaction. Finally he stumbled back, his mouth opening and closing to form words that refused to come.

"No…" he choked after a moment, looking from the two southern leaders, to Kagome, and then to the rest of his companions. Kohaku and Miroku looked as shocked as he did, but everyone else seemed unsurprised.

"Father would have…told me…" he managed then, but he took the words back as soon as they came. 'He wouldn't have,' his mind barked back, 'he's too much of a conceited bastard to explain such a thing…'

"Your father is a fool." Sesshoumaru told him bluntly, "He begged my father for his blood because of his own weakness, and then forced the same fate on you, hoping you would survive and carry the same sword he did." the god then turned to the green-skinned imp at his feet, "Jaken."

"Y-yes, Sesshoumaru-sama," he replied, coming out from behind his master's legs and looking up at him. "How may I be of service, my lord?"

"Take them to their rooms," the dog god replied, "You may wait there and retrieve them once the dinner has been finished."

"Yes, my lord…" Jaken answered, then turned his giant yellow eyes on the group, scowling at them as if they were the dirt bellow his feet. "Follow me," he ordered, turning away from them as he made his way down the hallway.

Kagome and Hoshi trailed after him obediently, followed shortly by Miroku. Kohaku hesitated a moment, looking over his shoulder at Inuyasha, who's eyes were still glazed with shock.

"Inuyasha-sama?" He asked softly, "Umm…Inuyasha-sama, everyone else is leaving…"

Inuyasha blinked, turning to face Kohaku and offer him a jerky nod before stumbling after him.

The group was led through winding halls, up several flights of stairs and past hundreds of doors before they finally came to a stop beside a row of bedrooms, each hidden behind a simple shoji screen. "These are your rooms," Jaken announced, looking back at them, "I will return to gather you when the food is ready. You are not to leave here until then."

The imp paused at every door, depositing each of the travelers in their own separate room, even Shippou. He waited until they had all disappeared behind a closed shoji screen before moving on down the hallway to stand near the stairs and wait as he had been told. He didn't notice as one of the doors slid open and a figure stepped out, hesitating before disappearing down the hall in the opposite direction.

…

Kagome massaged her temples gingerly as she made her way down the stairs. Her head was still pounding from Miroku's poison gas, and the stress of the recent events didn't help either. Inuyasha probably hated her now. Not to say that he hadn't hated her to begin with. Maybe intense loathing would be a better description of the feelings she was sure he now harbored towards her.

'Not like I care,' Kagome reassured herself, 'He's an arrogant, immature, reckless, stupid, thoughtless, pain in my ass…'

Kagome was still listing off Inuyasha's undesirable traits in the back of her mind when she reached her destination, and was about to lift her hand and knock when the shoji screen was pushed out of the way. A pair of crimson eyes stared back into her startled blue ones.

"Perfect timing," Kagura said, stepping aside so that the hybrid could pass through the doorway. "I believe Sesshoumaru had some matters to discuss with you…"

Kagome nodded mutely as she passed Kagura and entered Sesshoumaru's study.

Sesshoumaru stood in front of a desk, his head bowed as he skimmed over a handful of scrolls spread across its wooden surface. He knew she was there, in fact he'd known she was on her way to see him before she'd even made it down the first flight of stairs back to the main floor. However the dog lord was quite content to let her wait while he finished his work, however long it might take.

Kagome had other ideas.

"You wanted to speak with me, Ojisama…?"

Sesshoumaru looked up from his paperwork to stare distastefully at Kagome. She had given him that nickname early on when she was only a pup. Even at such a young age she had immediately noticed that it bothered him. That, he suspected, was the only reason she continued to tease him with it even as a young adult.

"Kagome," He greeted before returning his gaze to the pages in front of him. He waited patiently until just before she opened her mouth to address him again and then spoke, "Why are you here?"

"Why…?" Kagome asked, confused, "Well…Kagura said you had something to—"

The god interrupted her, "That is not what I meant. Why are you here in the southern kingdom, traveling with a pack of humans…" he glared at her, "When you should be heading north to win back what is rightfully yours?"

Kagome squirmed under his glare, "Well it…" she started, "It was mother's idea that I led after her to begin with, I never wanted to have any part of it…I still don't…"

"Don't be a fool." Sesshoumaru said, "Your mother did not choose you as her heir because she wanted to, she had no choice. Kikyou has shown disloyalty in the past and is not to be trusted with such a position. Koga is no better, and on top of that he is not a god. He has no right to lead the north. Do you realize what you have already allowed to happen by ignoring your responsibilities?"

Kagome nodded meekly, "I heard." She whispered, "Hoshi told me…that some of the wolves are rebelling…"

"All of the wolves are rebelling," the dog lord corrected, "And Koga has called in his pack to take their place. The northern kingdom will fail under his pathetic leadership if something is not done."

"I know." Kagome said, reciting the same words she had been told so many times, "the four kingdoms are meant to be ruled by gods and have been for thousands of years. No demon is welcome to lead in their place…"

Sesshoumaru stayed silent.

"But I'm not a god either, remember?" Kagome snapped, recalling those who had strongly opposed her mother's decision to make a mere half demon the heir to the north. "I'm just a half breed! It wasn't so long ago that I was considered unfit to lead the north…because of my blood…"

"Do not misunderstand," Sesshoumaru told her dully, his eyes drifting back to the papers in front of him, "if we had another choice, then you would be relieved of your duties immediately, but for now you are considered more welcome then either Koga or Kikyou."

Kagome growled unconsciously as she thought this over. 'Damn you, Sesshoumaru' her mind hissed, 'I want to live my own life, not that which was chosen for me by my mother! I never wanted to have anything to do with this—but Kikyou, she had to go and destroy that village…'

Kagome remembered the look of horror on her mother's face when she saw the destruction Kikyou had caused. Ironically, the ruler of the north had been blessed with two daughters, neither of which wanted to be her heir. When Kikyou was told she had no choice in the matter, she had acted out by attacking a village of innocents close to the northern barrier. She burned their houses to the ground and mercilessly killed everyone, even the children, in order to prove herself unworthy of such a role.

The then ruling god of the north was forced to reconsider her eldest daughter's position, and finally remove her from the ranks. After that the wolf god scored all of Japan looking for a suitable replacement, but when she found none she was given no other choice then to turn to her youngest child, a decision Kagome, along with the rest of the gods firmly disapproved of.

Technically Kagome only would have had to burn down a village or kill a few innocent bystanders to get out of it. But she had never had a taste for human blood like her sister did. Kikyou had taken after her father and learned from his careless ways of killing whoever opposed him. He even killed for the pleasure of killing and the taste of the blood as he licked it from his claws. Kagome however had learned from her mother to keep the peace as best she could and protect those weaker than her.

The god's were expected to kill of course, and Kagome's mother had done so regularly, but never without a good reason. As Kagome had been reminded so many times, the four kingdoms had been established for the protection of Japan and to maintain the balance between everything that lived there.

"You have until tomorrow night."

Kagome was dragged from her thoughts by Sesshoumaru's next words and lifted her head to look at him with a humorously confused expression. "Eh?"

"Do not make me repeat myself." Sesshoumaru demanded, knowing she'd heard him and continuing, "Inuyasha will be leaving the morning after for the western kingdom. I expect you to go north and remove Koga from his position. If you try and run away again I will have Itsamu personally escort you. "

Kagome hesitated a moment before answering, ever so reluctantly, "Right…I understand."

"Good." Sesshoumaru replied, and then looked passed the hybrid, "Isa…"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Kagome jumped and spun to face the woman standing behind her. The half demon had apparently been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed the younger demon's arrival.

Isa was one of the few servants there that Kagome knew. The young dog demon had been one of Kagome's few friends growing up, but they had not seen each other since they were both only pups. She didn't look much different from any of the other demon's residing in the castle. Her hair was white and braided behind her back, her eyes a warm and welcoming brown and her clothes made of the finest silks.

The dog demon ducked her head shyly, "Kagome-sama," she greeted, "it is good to see you."

"Isa," Sesshoumaru called again, gaining back the attention of both women. "You will escort Kagome to the dining hall, I believe dinner should have been served by now."

"Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama." The brown-eyed demon replied, stepping aside so that Kagome could pass through the door ahead of her before she slipped out.

…

By the time Kagome reached the dining area the meal had already been served and distracted as they were by the abundance of delicious food laid out before them, the hybrids fellow traveling companions barely noticed her arrival. It had been a long time since any of them had had food of such quality. It looked good, it smelled great and it tasted even better.

The southern dog god and his wife did not grace the group with their presence. Instead, a handful of higher ranking guards and servants stood around the table, prepared to offer help where and when it may be needed. Among them were Isa, Itsamu and the little imp, Jaken.

Kagome took a seat in between Inuyasha and Shippou, who was far too busy stuffing his face full of tasty meat and dumplings to bother greeting her. Inuyasha didn't notice her either, but it wasn't because he was absorbed in the food, in fact he hadn't touched it. Instead he stared listlessly into the soup bowl on his plate, unmoving.

'Can't blame him…' Kagome thought as she brought her own bowl, filled with a gracious amount of miso soup, to her lips and took a sip. Her eyes then fell on the younger hybrid, whose greedy fingers were now reaching for her plate of fish. A threatening growl deterred him, and he chose to crawl across the table in order to take Inuyasha's instead. The swordsman didn't even bat an eye.

Kagome sighed and exchanged a look with Hoshi who sat directly across from her. The fairy shrugged, and then gave a reassuring smile before returning to her food. The half demon turned to her fish, lost in her thoughts.

'Why is this bothering me so much?' she thought, digging into the meat without any sense of femininity. 'It's not like we're friends or anything, so it shouldn't bother me, right? We're just traveling together…hell; we won't even be doing that after tomorrow. We'll probably never see each other again.'

"Don't look so glum boy," Jaken said, waddling over to where Inuyasha sat and waving his staff at the boy rudely. Apparently he had also noticed the man's lack of gusto, but was not intending to be polite about it. "It is a great honor to have the same blood as the lord Sesshoumaru-sama running through your veins," he continued, "be proud."

Kagome snorted, "You think you could remain calm if you were suddenly informed that you weren't what you thought?" she asked him before she could stop herself.

"He should be proud!" Jaken squawked back at her angrily, "He carries the blood of a god!"

'Really?' Kagome thought wearily, 'I'm not proud, and I have more than Inuyasha…'

"It's true." Itsamu pointed out from his post beside the door, "even just a drop increases his strength, stamina, senses and ability to heal…"

"See? See that?" Jaken continued, pointing an accusing finger at the hybrid, "even he understands! The boy is insulting Sesshoumaru-sama by not appreciating the blood ritual! He should be on his knees thanking him!"

Kagome growled, swatting at him with a clawed hand. "You stupid little toad…"

"Kagome, don't bother fighting with him," Hoshi said, snapping her chopsticks at the pair from across the table, "His respect for Sesshoumaru-sama is borderline obsessive, you should know that…"

"Maybe he won't be so obsessive if I knock some sense into him…" Kagome countered, closing her hand into a fist and bringing it dangerously close to the imp's head.

"Kagome-san…don't…" Kohaku protested from his seat beside the fairy.

"How dare you threaten me, you ungrateful halfling! You too should be on your knees!" Jaken spat, and with that, Kagome hit him. "Why you—"

"Ha!" Kagome grinned down at the little imp as he clutched the new lump on his head. "How do you like that?"

"Shut up."

Kagome twitched, and then turned along with the rest of the dining room's residents to face Inuyasha as he stood up. His hands gripped the edge of the table so firmly that the wood splintered under the pressure. With a deep breath he bowed his head, letting his eyelids flutter closed for a moment while he regained his composure.

Seconds past, and the only sound were Jaken's soft grumbles as he continued to massage his bruised skull. Finally raising his head again, Inuyasha turned to his companions, "I…" he started, "I think I'll retire early tonight…" he told them, and then turned to go.

His teammates watched him disappear sympathetically. They all knew better then to think it was from a single drop of blood that he was so frustrated, so lost. He also felt betrayal, from his father for never telling him of the blood and perhaps even from his own teammates for doing the same.

The silence continued throughout the rest of the meal. Not even Jaken spoke up again after receiving a few meaningful looks from Kagome and also from his fellow servants. Eventually the group excused themselves one by one and retired to their own bedrooms.

"Goodnight Oniisan," Kohaku said, bowing shyly to his older sibling before slipping past the shoji screen and disappearing into his bedroom.

Miroku watched him go before continuing down the hall to his own bedroom. He paused when he spotted Kagome standing just outside Inuyasha's door, which was on the way to his with a pensive look in her eyes. Her head was cocked to one side slightly and her ears twitched towards the room as if she were trying to eavesdrop. Something the hunter figured would not be difficult at all for her to do.

He smiled and stepped up beside her, carefully making sure to keep enough distance between them for Kagome's comfort. The hybrid had already made it clear that she did not enjoy his company. Not even a little bit.

"Why don't you talk to him?"

Kagome flinched and turned to snarl at him, taking a handful of steps backwards to distance herself from his potentially roaming hands, if nothing else. "What do you want? You perverted—"

Miroku settled her with an apologetic look. "I do humbly apologize for the advances I made, if it makes any difference to you I promise to never do so again…" she continued snarling and he sighed, realizing that friendship with the hybrid would not be gained so simply he returned to his original thought. "I believe you do, on some level, understand Inuyasha's position, do you not?"

Kagome fell silent and stared back at him blankly. "What?"

"You are both human and demon, part of both worlds." He explained, receiving a dumb nod from the hybrid in front of him, "Inuyasha is no longer human either," he pointed out then, "I can only imagine that it would be very confusing to, as you said, be suddenly informed that you were not what you thought."

"Well, yeah…" Kagome admitted, "but I was born this way…he was made into what he is by no choice of his own."

"But did you really choose to be conceived by parents of different species?"

Kagome remained silent, but the frustrated look in her eyes was enough for Miroku to know that she had understood his meaning.

"At any rate, you certainly can relate to being different than others. You are not human, you are not demon. Instead you belong to a very small population of individuals that are often ridiculed for just being who they are." He continued, "That is what Inuyasha must be going through. Although it is only from a single drop of demon blood, he is no longer one of us. Aside from that…he feels the betrayal of his own father."

'He's right,' Kagome thought, although she hated to admit it. Maybe the perverted hunter wasn't quite as bad as she'd originally made him out to be, but he was still far from trustworthy in her book.

"So then," Miroku offered, gesturing towards the still closed door.

"I'll think about it." Kagome bit out.

Miroku smiled, "good," he said, and then made his way around her and to his own bedroom, "Goodnight, Kagome-san."

Kagome waited until he was gone and even long after that before resting her hand on the wooden frame of Inuyasha's door and sliding it open slightly. He was there, standing on the balcony and looking over the southern kingdom with his elbows leaning heavily on the railing and his left cheek resting lazily against one hand. He hadn't noticed her yet, or if he had, he made no move to acknowledge her presence.

With a sigh she slipped through the door and then slowly slid it back into place. Inuyasha remained pleasantly oblivious until she cleared her throat softly, her gaze falling to the floor as he turned to glare at her.

"How long have you been there?" He demanded, rising away from the railing and passing through the curtain that separated the bedroom from the balcony.

"Not long." She answered truthfully.

Inuyasha eyes narrowed on her stationary form, waiting for her to continue. When she remained silent he turned towards his futon. "If you have nothing to say then get out," he told her, "I'm going to sleep."

She remained silent for a moment, watching as he made his way across the room, stripping out of his haori as he went and reaching for the yukata that had been folded neatly on the bed.

"Are you angry?" she asked just as he took a seat on the bedding.

He stared back at her, surprised. "What?"

"You know…" she hesitated again before looking up at him, "because…I knew about the blood ritual. I guess I just didn't know how to—"

"I'm not angry at you, if that's what you mean." Inuyasha interrupted.

She stared at him, unconvinced. "You're not?"

"I said I wasn't, didn't I?" he asked grumpily, "I just…I'm not sure how I feel right now…" he admitted with a sigh, "Is that all you wanted?"

"Uh," Kagome still looked doubtful, but nodded her head anyway, "Yeah, that…that was it…"

Inuyasha raised a questioning eyebrow in her direction. "You sure?"

Kagome opened her mouth to respond but then paused and moments later her jaw snapped shut. She glared at him. "Of course," Kagome she said with a disdainful sniff. "What else would I want?"

That said, she turned and slid the shoji screen out of her way, disappearing past it before it was closed again. Inuyasha watched her go, waiting until the sound of her retreating footsteps had faded until he stood, disrobing from his fire rat robes and changing into the yukata that had been provided for him. He collapsed back on the bed seconds later with a huff, folding his arms behind his head comfortably and tracing the lines on the ceiling with his eyes.

'Stupid father…' he thought to himself angrily, 'what was he thinking?'

…

Kagome cleared the steps in one easy leap. She didn't miss a beat afterwards either, quickly rising from a crouch and sweeping over the wooden floor with fast, long strides. Her already existent scowl deepened at the sight of Jaken rushing towards her.

"There you are!" he berated as he came to a stop in front of her. "Itsamu is looking for you. He awaits your presence in the training hall. You are to go immediately."

Kagome thought this over for a minute, 'the training hall, huh? That might be a good spot to let off some steam…' she thought, and then her blue eyes fell to the imp waiting impatiently for her response. "Fine," she told him with a grin, "I'll be there."

She then took off again, but not without making sure to leave a dark footprint on the imp's bald head before leaving.

A handful of minutes later she arrived at one of two doors leading into the training hall. Not bothering to announce her presence or even so much as knock for that matter, she slipped in and made her way across the floor to where Itsamu stood.

Itsamu was currently in the middle of a lesson with a large group of his students, teaching them in the art of weaponry, his specialty. The demons ranged in age from adults to children not any older than Shippou. Kagome knew better than to think any of them were unskilled for their age. All of Itsamu's students, no matter what age, were at the top of their level. After all, Sesshoumaru would accept nothing else from those to be warriors of the southern kingdom, and neither would Itsamu.

Each one of the dog demons lined up in front of Itsamu held a rusted and battle weary weapon in their sweaty palms. The weapons looked as if they had been plucked from the bloodied battle field of some human army, their points stained crimson, and dulled from overuse. Even Tetsusaiga in it's untransformed state would look like something special in comparison, but these weapons were not meant to be fancy. They were for training only.

Itsamu's students directed nervous gazes to Kagome as she casually approached their teacher. She ignored them, waving nonchalantly to the weapon's master as he turned, "Hey, Itsamu," she called, "You wanted to see me, right? The little toad said so…"

"I did," he said, bowing respectfully to her and urging the others, now behind him, to do the same with a firm look. "It is always a pleasure, Kagome-sama."

With a growl of disapproval she stepped back, folding her arms across her chest and leveling Itsamu with a furious look. "Don't do that!" she ordered hastily, "you look stupid bowing to me. Besides, you know how I hate it…"

"My apologies, Kagome-sama," Itsamu said with a sigh, rising from his bow. "I was asked by Sesshoumaru-sama to see how you have progressed since your last visit."

"I was hoping you would say that," Kagome said and gave him a toothy grin. "A good fight will settle my nerves for sure."

Itsamu stood back and watched his once student carefully as she dropped her arms to her sides and went about cracking a few loose joints in her back, shoulders and neck. She had certainly grown since he'd last seen her. Then again, that had been years ago when she was only a pup, many years younger than any of his current students in fact.

Per her mother's request, Kagome had started her training very early. Some of her first lessons came from Itsamu himself, when she had only just barely begun walking, and soon she was defeating others twice her age with ease. By the time she was the pre-teen equivalent of a human child she could take on any of her pack mates, most of her fellow students (even those at a higher level than her) and even several of her instructors, and win.

Of course having some of the best teachers in all of Japan and a strict and demanding mother didn't hurt. While many children might have failed under the rigorous training Kagome received as a youngster, she thrived in it. She became obsessed with gaining more power, and not just to please her mother. Fighting became her escape from the world, and the more power she had the better.

'The only things that can defeat her now, aside from herself, are other gods and demons or humans with very high skill levels," he thought, 'but…she still has much to learn. She's over one-hundred years old but she's still just a child.' He narrowed his eyes on the smirking half demon in front of him, 'and just like a child she is still overconfident.'

"Where is your scythe?"

"My scythe?" Kagome eyed him curiously, "It's back in my room. I didn't bring it."

The dog demon sighed and leveled her with a troubled look. "Kagome-sama," he started, "I've taught you better than that. You should take any opportunity to train with a new weapon. You need to know it's powers, it's strengths and weaknesses…it needs to become an extension of yourself to wield it properly."

Kagome shrugged. "I've got my claws and fangs to fight with." She hesitated then, "and who says it's that new? I haven't seen you for decades."

"I can tell by the way you hold it. You have not learned of it's true potential yet. Like the swords that Sesshoumaru-sama and Inuyasha carry…your scythe has abilities that you will have to realize on your own." He then turned back to the other's, waiting for his return patiently. "But as you wish, we will fight with our hands…like barbarians…"

"There's nothing barbaric about fighting with what I was given…" Kagome protested as she trailed after him eagerly. Her eyes fell over Itsamu's students and they stared back at her with the same nervous expressions from earlier. There had to be at least a hundred of them, and they all ranged in age and skill level.

'This must be all of his trainees for the year…' she thought, coming to a stop in front of them, beside Itsamu.

"You have all heard of Kagome-sama, half-god and daughter of the deceased ruler of the northern kingdom." Itsamu introduced the hybrid with a wave of his hand, and then sent her a sidelong glance as he said his next words. "She will be your opponent for the evening. I would like to see how all of you can stand up against the power of a highly trained half-god before Sesshoumaru-sama sees you."

"What?" Kagome barked, grabbing the weapon master's shoulder and roughly turning him to face her, "Hey Itsamu, I didn't come here to fight a bunch of your trainees—"

"What did you think I asked you here for?" Itsamu asked with a smirk.

"To fight with you, obviously…" the hybrid retorted glumly, sparing a glance at the group before looking back at their master. "Itsamu, you know I can beat any of them…"

"I do." Itsamu said, "But you can probably beat me by this time as well, so what's the difference?" when he saw her about to protest again he held up a hand to silence her, "A true warrior never underestimates their opponent. They could surprise you."

"I won't have all of them fight you. That could take all night, and it would be unfair to the children…" he continued as he turned back to face the group. None of his students looked any more thrilled with their master's decision to have them fight with a half god then Kagome did. He smiled at them reassuringly, and then singled out a handful of them, thirteen to be exact, to fight the hybrid. "You there, you three…" he said, "and the group on the left…you will fight her together."

The students he had chosen stepped from the mass quietly, leaving their weapons behind. Across from them, Kagome dropped into a crouch and settled them with an unimpressed look.

"Prepare yourselves. I won't be going easy on you." she warned, and waited patiently until they shifted into what she guessed were their ready-for-battle positions. Her eyes narrowed, her lips pulled back and then she lunged.

…

Several floors up Inuyasha had long since passed into the unconscious land of sleep, but it was not meant to be a peaceful place for him on that particular night. He groaned, tossing and turning on his futon as visions of his past flashed in front of his mind's eye. One hand grouped for his sword, but it lay just outside his reach in the pile of bed sheets that he had kicked away.

"Father…?" He rasped out.

…

"Are you sure you want this, Takahashi-sama? He's only a boy…"

"Don't test me, Myoga." Takahashi, Taisho reprimanded, turning to face the nine year old boy seated next to him, his son. "Inuyasha is well on his way to becoming a man. I have no doubt that this is something he can endure."

The boy glanced up at him with a pair of questioning brown eyes. "Father?"

"Do you want to be stronger, Inuyasha?" Taisho questioned him, "Would you like to learn to wield the Tetsusaiga?"

The boy's eyes brightened and a grin broke out across his face. "Yes father!" he replied without the slightest hesitation, "but how?"

Taisho smiled proudly at his boy. "I will explain it all to you in time, Inuyasha. For now you must be patient…" he turned to look back at his longtime friend, Myoga, who glared at him from across the room. "Don't give me that look, Myoga."

"I am usually respectful of your decisions, Takahashi-sama…" Myoga started angrily, "but this is one that I never thought you would make. You could lose him."

Before the village leader could respond a tall, white haired man stepped through the door of their tiny hut, his cold golden gaze landing on Taisho and then drifting to Inuyasha. "Takahashi…" he said in a booming voice, "have you prepared him?"

"Yes my friend," Taisho replied, standing and dragging his son to his feet beside him before bowing deeply in front of the southern god and ordering his son to do the same with a look. "I am in your debt again, my lord." He told the dog god, "I do appreciate your willingness to share your blood with my family."

The white haired man ignored him; instead walking passed Taisho to stand in front of Inuyasha. He stared down at the boy with something that looked suspiciously like pity. "Have a seat my boy," he ordered, "are you ready to receive my blood?"

Inuyasha nodded and did as he was told, watching as the dog god knelt down in front of him. The god smiled and held out a hand to take one of his. Inuyasha obediently placed his hand in the god's clawed one, palm up. He winced slightly as the knife cut into his flesh, looking down at the blood that pooled there before turning questioning eyes on his father.

Taisho nodded to him reassuringly and Inuyasha's gaze fell again on the god as he cut open his own palm with the same knife. "It may be good for you to lie down now, son…" the god said, waiting for Inuyasha to follow through before reaching out his closed fist and allowing a single drop of his blood to fall into Inuyasha's cut.

At first nothing happened, and Inuyasha found himself confused as to what everyone had seemed so worried about. He remained on the floor as his father approached, bandages in hand which he used to wrap his son's wound. Then the three men sat back, anticipating something that Inuyasha could only guess.

Seconds later he cringed and cried out as pain ripped through his injured hand, traveling up his arm and to his chest with alarming speed. The pain only increased, and he sent his father a terrified look, letting a whimper slip past his lips. Then everything went black.

…

Inuyasha bit down on a scream as he woke, flinging himself from the futon and landing roughly on the wooden floor beside it. A full minute passed before his stressed mind could register where he was. His dream, his nightmare, had been far too real for his liking.

"I'm…alive…" he told himself, sucking in a deep breath and letting it back out. He shifted until he was sitting back on the futon with his legs crossed before reaching for the Tetsusaiga and untangling it from the bed sheets. He rested it comfortably across his lap, running one finger along it's smooth black sheath. The presence of his sword was always a welcome and calming one.

Inuyasha's eyes eventually drew away from his blade and he turned to the door. He had managed to contain his final scream, but he had to wonder if his companions, particularly the ones with better hearing, had heard him.

'That's the last thing I need…' he thought wearily, 'any of them barging in to see if I'm alright…'

His eyes remained trained on the door for a moment more. When nothing came he turned his attention back to Tetsusaiga, and more importantly, his right hand.

'That's right…in that…nightmare…' he loosened his grip on the weapon enough to bring the palm of his right hand into view. Sure enough there was a scar several inches long that stretched horizontally along his skin. 'So it really did happen,' he thought, 'Damn it, what were you thinking, you foolish old man?'

Inuyasha sighed and tore his eyes away from the long since healed wound. He climbed to his feet and grabbed blindly for his fire rat robes, disrobing from his yukata to change back into his normal clothes.

"It's alright, son…" a voice drifted through his head as he changed, one he unconsciously recognized as the voice of the southern god, the one that had changed him. "You'll be alright…I'm sorry…"

He made his way to the door, pausing for a moment at the screen before sliding it open and passing through. He wanted answers to the thousands of questions he had rampaging through his head, but it would have to wait. There were still six to eight weeks of travel before he would return to his village, friends in toe, and see his family again. Once he got back he could confront his Father. For now though, a quiet walk through the castle halls would hopefully settle his mind.

He didn't see anyone until after he'd passed the first flight of stairs except Isa, who offered a gentle smile and nod as she passed him. She didn't try to stop him, or question his reasons for walking about so late at night, and for that he was grateful.

As he continued down the next set of stairs he listened to the sounds of battle as he grew closer and closer to the training hall. He turned towards the noise, his adrenaline already rising, but the sight of a sword held horizontally on the wall in between the two doors caught his attention first.

The sword was completely black in color from the point of it's blade to the pommel. As Inuyasha crept closer he admired the flawless weapon. There wasn't a scratch, dent or drop of blood anywhere on the blade; in fact it looked as if it had never been used. He glanced up and down the hallway once, as if expecting someone to stop him from approaching the weapon further. When nothing presented itself he hesitantly stepped closer again, pausing just in front of the sword and leaning down to read the inscription carved into the blade.

Onigumo

He nearly fell as he stepped quickly away from the weapon in shock, regarding it with wide eyes and a gaping jaw. 'This…this is Onigumo's blade? One of the three treasures Miroku was referring too?' he thought, his head spinning, 'Why would they leave it out in the open like this? How foolish can they be?'

Inuyasha felt his muscles relax on their own accord and frowned at the sudden urge to take a hold of the weapon swept through his body and down to his fingertips. His right hand twitched slightly and his feet moved on their own accord until he was standing back in front of the blade.

"I wouldn't touch it if I were you…"

Inuyasha jumped, his body once again his own. He quickly backtracked and pressed his back firmly against the wall opposite Onigumo's blade, trying desperately to lower his heartbeat.

Hoshi chuckled at him. "What?" she asked, "did I startle you?"

"Of course not!" Inuyasha snapped, "but that blade…it…it's Onigumo's isn't it?"

The fairy nodded. "It is. It's protected here in front of the training hall where Sesshoumaru's men and women most skilled in defense and battle reside. This is where it has the best chance of being protected by anyone who might want to take it…"

She paused, eyeing him suspiciously for a moment before continuing. "Not as if just anyone could take it," she told him, "that blade chooses it's master. If it rejects you, you will be poisoned by Onigumo himself…and with poison like his running through your veins you wouldn't survive long enough for anyone to save you."

Inuyasha scoffed and folded his arms. "As if the blade could poison me just with a touch…" he reminded her, "Onigumo is dead."

"Believe what you want." Hoshi said with a shrug. Her normal carefree smile was back. "But I wouldn't try and touch it again. The blade is extremely sharp." She turned away then and wandered towards one of the doors, "I'm going to watch the fight. You can come too if you want."

"What fight?" Inuyasha asked, trailing after her curiously.

"Come and find out," was her only answer.

…

Kagome wiped a bit of blood from one cheek as she admired her work. Twelve out of the thirteen trainees that Itsamu had chosen for her to fight had collapsed on the ground. The last was still on his knees, but not for long. She smirked as he finally fell onto his belly with a groan, clutching his side where she had kicked him.

They had managed to put some damage on her. She had a thin slice across her right cheek, and a painful bruise on her left arm, but she was far from being beaten. Kagome turned back to Itsamu, arms crossed.

"I've done as you asked." She pointed out, "now fight me."

He smiled. "Patience, Kagome." He reminded. He then turned to address his students with half-lid eyes. "There was a purpose to having you fight with Kagome." He told them, "And it wasn't to relish in the sight of all of you being pounded into the ground by someone other than myself," the corner of his lip twitched slightly, "at least it wasn't meant to be."

The weapon's master was rewarded by a handful of heavy sighs and muffled complains from the thirteen who had only moments ago battled with the hybrid. The taunting laughter from their fellow students was not welcomed either.

With a sigh Itsamu raised a hand to silence them, "Listen, all of you. It is difficult not to become overly confident in your position. You have all been chosen to serve Sesshoumaru-sama because you are strong, you have much more than the average strength of someone similar to yourselves…" here his eyes narrowed, "however, one must never be too cocky in battle. Behavior like that will only end up getting you killed that much faster."

His students merely nodded and averted their eyes to the wooden floor shamefully. Itsamu's eyes drifted to Kagome, who sat on the ground nearby, arms and legs folded as she waited for him to finish his lecture. He raised an eyebrow at the hybrid. "Don't think that you are not guilty of this as well, Kagome…god's blood or not, there are still many opponents you will face that are strong enough to challenge you, and even kill you if you underestimate them."

The mentioned half god opened one eye to peek out at him, and then gave him a sheepish grin before closing it again. "I know, Itsamu." She reminded him, "I was your student once too you know, all of your lectures are the same…"

"That's because they are important ones."

"But we already knew we would be beaten, sensei…" one of the thirteen injured trainees protested, "Kagome-sama is far too fast. Why ask us to fight when we know we will lose?"

"Good question," Itsamu replied. "A god is not just powerful due to their blood. While that plays a large role in one's strength, training is also important. If one of you were to train long enough and hard enough, you could match Kagome in strength, or perhaps even beat her."

A disbelieving snort from Kagome and a room full of doubtful looks followed his explanation.

Itsamu smiled. "It is true. I asked you to fight so that you could have something to reach for. As future defenders of the southern kingdom you need to be strong."

His students remained silent and so, expecting no more questions from them he turned to Kagome. She had beaten his trainees easily, as he had expected her to do, but she had even gone above and beyond what he anticipated from her. Her speed was incredible as she weaved in and out of the way of dangerous claws, only getting hit twice. She had further proven herself by not leaving even a single drop of blood behind, showing that her own claws had not once touched one of her opponents.

"So can we move on?" Kagome asked, noticing his eyes had fallen to her.

Itsamu nodded to her, "Yes, get ready."

"About time," the hybrid said, jumping to her feet and moving towards him with long strides and a feral grin. Before she reached him, her smile left her face and her gait slowed until she had stopped completely. Her eyes and ears focused on the door she waited, along with the other demon's surrounding her, until the door slid open to reveal Hoshi and Inuyasha.

"What? We're not interrupting something are we?" Hoshi asked as she walked past the door frame and then stepped sideways to allow Inuyasha to come in behind her. Her smile fell on Kagome, and then Itsamu. "Do you mind if we watch?"

"Of course not, Hoshi," Itsamu said, returning her warm smile. He turned to Kagome, who didn't look nearly as happy about their presence as he. "Kagome and I were just about to have a friendly spar…"

"We'll stay out of the way then," Hoshi replied with a nod, taking Inuyasha's sleeve and dragging him towards the wall where Itsamu's trainees had gathered to watch.

"Don't I get a say in any of this?" Kagome barked, pointing one clawed finger at Inuyasha, "Why did you have to bring him along? He doesn't need to be here…"

"Hey!" Inuyasha barked back, instantly taking the bait. He tugged his sleeve from Hoshi's loose grip and marched over to the half demon, prodding her chest with one finger rudely. "Don't say it like that! I'm standing right here!"

Kagome deadpanned, "How should I say it then?" then after brushing his hand away, "You have no business being here. Weren't you going to sleep?"

"I can be wherever the hell I want! It's not like someone like you as any right to boss me around!" he replied.

Itsamu watched as the pair continued back and forth like young children, his brown eyes wide. He turned to look at Hoshi, as if asking for an explanation for their behavior, but the fairy seemed unbothered by their banter. She leaned casually against the wall behind her, her arms folded and her eyes drifting closed as she listened to them.

"Does he have any idea who it is he's talking to with those poor manners?" Itsamu asked as he stepped up beside her. "And he spoke to Sesshoumaru-sama in the same way earlier—is this really to be the future of Takahashi's village? What a foolish man"

"He is a fool." Hoshi agreed, "But then so is Kagome, so they really are perfect for each other."

Itsamu frowned. "You mean they're together? I didn't think Kagome had chosen a mate yet…"

"No, no…she hasn't. Not yet anyway." Hoshi told him, waving off his concern with ease. She smirked at Kagome then, who had ceased listening to Inuyasha's never ending threats and insults in order to send the fairy a disapproving look. She clearly did not appreciate their current topic of discussion. "Anyway," Hoshi continued, glanced up at the weapon's master, "Kagome hasn't told him, so I'm sure he has no clue."

"She hasn't told him?" Itsamu gasped in shock. His eyes flickered between the half demon, who had since dove back into her argument with Inuyasha and the fairy beside him. "What on earth does she plan to achieve from keeping such secrets?"

"I think she enjoys being treated like a normal person, that's all." Hoshi said honestly, and then with a chuckle, "not that Inuyasha would treat her otherwise, even if he knew…"

"That's enough!" Kagome's frustrated snarl immediately silenced all of the occupants within the training hall as she brushed past Inuyasha and marched towards her once-master. "Itsamu, I'm ready."

Itsamu smiled, turning to Hoshi and resting a hand on her shoulder. "It was good speaking with you again my friend," he told her, then passed the disgruntled hybrid on his way to the center where they would fight.

Kagome trailed after him. She stopped only once they had both reached their mark and settled into a crouch, waiting patiently for him to do the same. He did, and the two of them remained that way for a long time. They looked like two statues carved in stone, unmoving. Even the rise and fall of their chests as they breathed was barely noticeable.

It wasn't until long after Itsamu's students, at first having been eager to witness the battle between two skilled demons, grew bored that their dog demon master shifted slightly and stood. He smiled across the wooden battle field at his opponent.

"Your patience is much better, Kagome," he called to her, his voice slicing through the silence like a knife. His smile morphed into a smirk, "but no one will win a battle of strength with only that," he continued, and then he took flight, rushing towards her with his feet barely touching the ground.

His speed was incredible as he approached the motionless half demon, but it was still far from enough. A mere second before he would have crushed her Kagome stood and casually stepped out of the way.

Itsamu came to a sliding stop only a handful of feet after his missed target. He reached around as if to grab her but she skillfully ducked away from him before leaping into the air and landing behind him. The two clawed and snarled at each other, each dodging their fair share of would-be strikes before Itsamu's iron grip finally closed over Kagome's left wrist and held tight. She retaliated by burying her claws into his wrist and baring her fangs but he ignored the threat and used his grip to lift her off her feet and over his head, slamming her down onto her back.

A loud crack cut through the air as the floorboards splintered under Kagome's weight, but she was uninjured. Her claws still digging painfully into Itsamu's flesh, she used her hold to throw him over her and send him sailing towards the opposite wall. Itsamu spun through the air, landing feet first on the wall and using it as a springboard to shoot back towards her.

"Is that the best you can do?" he called to her, watching as she took another leap into the air as he flew towards her. He winced slightly as he realized her plan, and that he could do nothing to stop it.

She landed perfectly on top of him, forcing him to the ground with her weight and balancing precariously on his back while he slid to a stop on his belly. Kagome grinned down at him once he'd come to a stop, bending her knees and leaning towards him as she teased, "Is that the best you can do, master?" she growled, "Really, Itsamu…I don't want you going easy on me. You know better."

"You're probably right…" He said with a smile and she leapt from his shoulders as he stood. He gave no warning as he turned and attacked and this time she didn't leap away. She met him halfway with her claws raised, swiping at him with the intent to draw blood. He held the same intensity within his hands and managed to give her a second bloody stripe on her cheek, right below the first, in the same instant that her fist crushed some of his armor.

"You're good," he commented, blocking one of her attacks aimed at his neck, "but are you good enough?"

"Shut up." Kagome growled, likewise blocking his fist, and then blocking a kick. "I know you're just trying to piss me off…that won't work."

"I won't deny that." Itsamu agreed, and then laughed as she snarled at him. "Are you sure it won't work? It used to do wonders for me…but that was back when you were my student…"

Kagome rolled her eyes, leaping away from his claws and once more landing behind him. Mere seconds before he could turn and block her, her claws dug into his shoulder where she had removed the armor earlier. Crimson blood ran over her finger tips as she twisted her talons beneath his flesh.

Itsamu caught the inside of his cheek in between his teeth as he turned to face her, barely noticing the way his skin was painfully ripped from her steady grip. He managed to grab her and force her to the ground, holding her down and raising his talons intent on stabbing her in the back. The half demon managed to buck him off before he had done any damage however, and she kicked him in the ribs as she rolled out of the way of his reach.

She didn't make it far enough. He had grabbed her again and once again pinned her to the ground. Itsamu had only long enough recognize the flash in her blue eyes before he had been kicked straight up into the air and enveloped in a huge fireball that had been sent up after him.

He landed a handful of yards from her in a crouch, his clothes and hair singed from the flames but otherwise unharmed from her heated attack. The half demon glared at him from a distance, her claws digging into the wooden floorboards.

"You bastard…" she growled, her eyes flashing again. Her fingers twitched slightly, and before the dog demon could respond he was dodging a wave of fire that blanketed the ground as it flew towards him, leaving the wooden floor black and smoking.

Itsamu leapt above the fire easily, but it twisted into the air and trailed after him, easily manipulated by his opponent. His eyes grew wide as he soon found himself in the middle of a burning tornado, the fire igniting one of his long sleeves before he leapt free of the hot trap.

He sent Kagome an unappreciative look as he landed, to which the hybrid only chuckled and prepared to send her next attack his way. The weapon's master quickly dodged a handful of fireballs flying towards him in rapid succession before he was able to get another clear shot at the half demon, and he took it. His eyes grew red as he charged and by the time he had tackled Kagome to the ground he no longer took the shape of a human, but a large, white haired dog.

His fur was thick, especially around his neck and over his spine, and his tail stood erect as he towered over her. He stood about as tall as a horse, an easily intimidating sight to most, but Kagome was unafraid and bared her fangs at him with a fierce growl that rivaled his.

"Get off me, fur ball," she spat, ducking her head away when he snapped at her face. After a few repetitions of the same act she was able to gain her freedom and put a good distance between herself and the giant dog.

"You think you can do better on four legs then two, eh?" Kagome called as she stood up, cracking her knuckles as she watched the man turned beast shift into a crouch again. 'He has the advantage of brute strength now…and he's faster,' she thought, 'but he's also clumsy.'

She didn't have time to think further as Itsamu lunged towards her again and she stepped out of his way, drifting across the floor as she continued avoiding him. "You're still too slow!" she taunted and with a single leap she sent herself somersaulting onto the dog's back, grabbing a hold of his thick mane of fur to keep herself on as he tried in vain to get her off.

'How dare you try and ride me like a horse!' he barked at her in the canine tongue that only his students and the hybrid above him could understand. The capability of human speech left him once he transformed.

"Well you're the one who left yourself open," Kagome pointed out, eyes widening as Itsamu collapsed beneath her, rolling over onto his side and effectively trapping one of her legs underneath his body. "Why you stupid—"

He pulled away from her only to turn back and tower over her again, his jaws snapping dangerously close to her face and one paw pressed firmly against her belly to keep her from getting up. If it wasn't for her hands being free and holding tightly to his two upper canines he could have done some damage.

'Release me!'

Kagome only grinned back at him. He was quite literally laying on top of her, trapping her legs and upper body with his weight, but as long as she had control of his jaws there was nothing he could do to harm her.

"Better luck next time," she said with a wink, gripping the thick fur on his neck with one hand and lifting him up and over her head, slamming him into the ground above her head. She made it back to her feet and was about to deliver another blow to his upturned belly when a voice as gentle as the wind called out to her.

"Kagome," Kagura called, "Itsamu…"

Kagome turned to look at the lady of the southern lands, now standing in between Hoshi and Inuyasha. She fanned her face gently as she regarded the hybrid and still upturned dog demon with a smirk.

"The two of you are both far too stubborn to ever give in, you would both fight all night long before there would ever be declared a winner." She told them, "besides that…you look like a pair of bickering pups. It's pathetic."

"My apologies Kagura-sama," Itsamu said, having regained his footing and returned to his more human appearance upon Kagura's arrival.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she grumbled, wiping at the dried blood on her cheek in vain, "What are you doing here anyway? Did you need us for something…?"

"Oh, no," Kagura said, turning her gaze to the man on her left. "I actually came for Inuyasha."

"For me?" Inuyasha asked, looking just as surprised as his other companions. "What do you need me for?"

"I came only to retrieve you for my husband," Kagura said, folding her arms and settling him with a bored look. "Sesshoumaru would like to speak with you. I have no idea why, I am only the messenger."

"Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha scoffed, having quickly lost interest upon the mention of the dog god's title. He folded his arms beneath his giant red sleeves and turned up his nose. "Whatever he wants can wait until morning. That's when we'll be signing the agreement…"

"Inuyasha," Kagura said, snapping her fan shut and pointing it at him dangerously, "I would suggest you follow orders," the wind witch spared a look at Itsamu then, "otherwise I may have to result to forceful measures."

Inuyasha followed her gaze and frowned at the brown eyed demon, who returned his look with a promising one of his own. Itsamu was strong, strong enough to give Kagome a run for her money, although she had fared much better then he in the end, even after battling with thirteen of his top students prior. Not that that was what convinced the swordsman to follow Kagura's orders.

"Feh," he grouched, "Let's get it over with then."

With a nod of approval Kagura turned and led Inuyasha, Kagome and Hoshi, who had decided to tag along in order to satisfy their curiosity, down the hall to where Sesshoumaru waited. It wasn't a long walk considering the size of the castle. When they reached the doors to Sesshoumaru's study Kagura stepped inside, ordering Inuyasha and the others to wait outside. She returned moments later and slid the door open enough for them to step through.

"Sesshoumaru will speak with you now." She told them as they moved past her, "hurry up, he isn't a patient man."

As they stepped inside the found the southern god standing proudly beside the desk, his golden gaze regarding Kagome and Hoshi with curiosity for only a second. His eyes then flickered back to Inuyasha, the man who he had called for.

"Takahashi, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha raised a brow at the greeting, then tipped his nose back into the air and folded his arms. "Yeah," he said, "you wanted to see me?"

"I did," the god replied, and wasting no time with idle chit chat he spoke again, "Do you wish for the Tetsusaiga to become stronger?"

Inuyasha stumbled forward slightly but recovered quickly, turning wide eyes and a gaping mouth back on the southern lord. "What?"

"Do not make me repeat myself." Sesshoumaru replied coolly.

The mostly human's golden gaze narrowed sharply on the arrogant demon before him and he felt the urge to growl, but he was stopped by the sudden warmth at his left hip. His eyes drifted to the Tetsusaiga tied there, resting a hand on it's hilt and feeling the gentle pulse below his fingertips. He could count on only one hand the amount of times his blade had spoken with him before. Not in words, but with a steady pulse, much like a heartbeat, and a warm glow.

'Weird…what are you trying to tell me now?' He thought. His eyes then drifted back to Sesshoumaru, who waited patiently for his answer. This time he did growl. 'That stupid bastard thinks he knows everything about Tetsusaiga, he's never even touched it! Why in the hell would he want to help me anyway—it's probably some sort of trick.'

"I don't need your help." Inuyasha snapped, "Tetsusaiga is strong enough."

"Then your answer is no…" Sesshoumaru said, his voice cold and the temperature in his steady gaze lowering several degrees.

Inuyasha didn't reply, only returned his icy look with one of his own.

"Then you are a fool."

Before the short-tempered swordsman could do anything foolish, unleash his sword on the dog god's study for example, Hoshi rested a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Kagome too held him back with one hand closed tightly around his right wrist, keeping him from drawing the Tetsusaiga from it's sheath.

"Inuyasha…" Hoshi protested from beside him, "Don't be stupid—you should at least give him a chance to explain…"

"I'm not being stupid!" the man protested, ripping his arm away from Kagome's powerful grip and brushing the fairy's hand from his shoulder roughly. He then folded his arms and glared across the distance between himself and Sesshoumaru. "You didn't even think I was worthy of wielding Tetsusaiga before and now you want to help me make it stronger." He pointed out, "what's changed?"

"Nothing has changed." Sesshoumaru replied evenly, "However I respect my father's wishes, as foolish as they may seem. I will allow you to continue using the Tetsusaiga for now."

Inuyasha snorted. "Allow me to use it…Feh!"

"If you lose," Sesshoumaru continued as if Inuyasha hadn't even spoken, "then the sword will be mine."

Inuyasha was glaring at him again. "If I lose?" he asked, "so what, I have to fight you or something?"

"A battle with you would not be worth my time." Sesshoumaru said, "You will fight with Ryukotsusei."

"Ryukotsusei?" Inuyasha asked, letting the name roll over his tongue. "Who in the hell is that?"

"A demon who's body is strong enough to survive the force of your wind scar." Kagura answered, appearing beside her husband. She hesitated a moment before continuing, "Even Sesshoumaru's father was unable to defeat him. It was due to the injurious he received from this very demon that he was later killed by only a human."

"I've heard of him," Hoshi replied, but her eyes were wide and her expression was one of fear and uncertainty. "The two-faced serpent is what they call him...but I thought he was sealed."

Kagura nodded. "It was because he was causing trouble for nearby villages that a few warriors, those that had survived out of a hundred-man army, came to beg for assistance. Sesshoumaru's father sealed Ryukotsusei with a talon, because he could not defeat him." she sighed, "he is still sealed, but not dead."

Inuyasha spoke up next, "I know who he is," he told them, "my father used to tell me stories…but he always called him the two-faced serpent." He paused, and his face darkened, "I will not fight a demon that can't fight back. That kind of battle is not one worth winning."

"Ryukotsusei will not be sealed when you see him." Sesshoumaru said evenly, "the seal has deteriorated over time. It was over two-hundred years ago that my father was wounded by him. It won't last for another hundred years, or even one-tenth of that time."

"So he might as well be released and destroyed before he gets out on his own, eh?" Inuyasha asked, mulling over this for a moment. "Fine, I'll find this Ryukotsusei, release him and kick his ass."

Sesshoumaru nodded, "We will leave first thing in the morning." He told them, "Ryukotsusei's lair is a three day's walk from here…we will make it in one."

Inuyasha scowled, "you're coming?" he asked, not sounding the least bit pleased, "I don't need your help—"

Sesshoumaru looked him dead in the eyes, satisfied by the way he froze under the intimidating stare. "When Ryukotsusei is released and you are killed, someone will need to destroy him properly." He told him, "Do not think I am allowing you to fight Ryukotsusei out of the goodness of my heart. As you have no offspring, it is I who will inherit your sword after your death."

Inuyasha growled, again, a thousand insulting words rising in his throat. He was stopped again by a hand on his shoulder, this time belonging to Kagome. He stared down at her curiously, meeting her determined blue gaze with his own golden eyes.

"What?"

"When you go to fight with this… Ryukotsusei…" she started, "I'm going with you." her tone left no room for argument.

He frowned, confused by her words. "Of course," he replied, "why wouldn't you come?"

His frown deepened as he realized that she was no longer looking at him. Instead she stared at Sesshoumaru, her eyes meeting his in a clash of dominance. He had never seen her face so cold, so determined and unwilling to waver. Inuyasha turned to see Sesshoumaru now, who regarded the half demon with an unconcerned look.

"Very well." he replied finally, turning from them. "You may return to your rooms until you are called for in the morning."

…

The group had long since disappeared from the castle walls, traveling back the way they had come and following Sesshoumaru's lead obediently. The agreement between the village and the southern kingdom had been signed much earlier in the morning, a process that had taken less than five minutes, hardly making it seem worth the miles they had traveled to get there.

Had they been around to see it, Inuyasha and the others could have described the castle's halls, once peaceful and quiet, as a depressing and horrifying sight. Bodies littered the floors and the walls were thickly painted with the blood of hundreds of dogs demons bent on defending their home. The stench of poison was nearly unbearable. Only two figures stood in the middle of such a seen, one the tall and muscular form of Itsamu and the other, a slightly shorter and thinner man with long black hair and red eyes.

Itsamu turned to look at the man beside him, his eyes dull and his face lacking expression. "It's here, Naraku-sama, the sword."

"I appreciate your help, Itsamu." Naraku said, a sickening smile crossing his lips as he took in the sight of the powerful weapon, reaching out one hand to rest his fingers gently on the blade's pommel. In response the blade hummed with excitement and took on a warm, crimson glow, reflecting the blood spilled from all it's victims in a past life.

Naraku's smile deepened. "Hello brother…"

The red-eyed man then turned back to Itsamu, "You are no longer needed." He told him, removing his hand from the weapon only long enough to rest his fingers on the man's neck, squeezing firmly when he found the right spot and watching in satisfaction as the dog demon crumpled to the floor without a sound of protest.

"But I still need you alive," he continued, turning his attention back to the sword and reaching out gently to pick it up, one hand on the pommel and the other resting carefully under its sharp and deadly edge. "It wouldn't be any fun if it was easy, now would it, brother?"

The sword didn't respond in words, but the look of understanding that then crossed Naraku's face could have told any onlookers that he had heard something no one else could. "I understand," he whispered back to the blade, "we must move quickly," and with those final words he was gone.

…

AN: There he goes; talking to inanimate objects again…he should see a doctor about that. :c

Just for clarification, Kagome and Sesshoumaru are in NO WAY related. Kagome only calls him Ojisama…umm…mostly to piss him off. Anyway, I thought it would be kind of weird and totally out of character if Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru actually got along…so…they still hate each other. Just wouldn't be right any other way, would it? :3 Speaking of Sesshoumaru, how did I do? He's a real pain in the butt to write about, I'm interested to know how you guys thought I did in portraying him...

Oh, and if any of you are x-men fans you should defiantly go check out calicochips. She's a good buddy of mine and an awesome writer, also my story editor and new bounce board for thoughts and ideas. :) Now go on and check her out, shoo!

Chapter 14 (the two-faced serpent)… Inuyasha faces off against Ryukotsusei in hopes to get his sword stronger. Then what happens when they return to the castle? Sorry, no spoiler this time. :3

That's all for now! Toodles! – K