Author's Note:
Not as long as normal but still not short. A little action, angst and mush here, so I hope you like ^_^
Enjoy and review please ^_^
Chapter Twenty-One
Arms Outstretched
A scowl seemed to have permanently imprinted itself across Inuyasha's face. Sesshomaru kept close to him despite the fact that every time he did so the sulking Half-demon let out a low, warning growl, before walking a little faster. Frequently Inuyasha would wander off in another direction to relieve the pressure in his bladder, and again, every time an argument ensued when Sesshomaru followed.
The sun was sinking along the horizon now, and though every limb screamed for rest, Inuyasha was determined to reach the village by nightfall. It was his fault. His head hung, eyes burned and feet ached from the non-stop walking, (his pregnant body not used to such exercise) but he deserved it all, and more. That village, those people were his responsibility and he'd left them unprotected… He'd hidden away under the evanescent peace of Sesshomaru's protection whilst they were targeted because of him. How could he rest knowing what he'd done, whilst the villagers suffered for his cowardice, his selfish foolishness in believing it was alright to stop fighting…? It would never stop…
"Do you intend to drive yourself into the ground?"
Inuyasha stopped, too tired to turn to face Sesshomaru at the stoic words that had ushered past his lips. "What will drop first? You or the pup?" the Demon persisted. Inuyasha tipped his head back exhaustedly, momentarily closing his eyes against the crimson sky.
"I protected them, and in doing so I showed the Demon World that they were my weakness… And Hikireimaru's after me, not anybody else… This is all my fault. If I'd just faced him before, this would all be over-"
"And the pup would be dead. These mortals will have to learn to survive without you again, it was targeted before you were here and will be targeted again now you have moved on also. I will wipe Hikireimaru from the face of this earth but after this your responsibilities to your new life come first, understood?"
Inuyasha sneered, spinning on his heel to face the Demon Lord. "Who do you think you are? You can't tell me what to do! I don't expect you to understand the world in any other terms than property or pride, but to some there are things more important than that!"
Sesshomaru smirked, moving forwards and spanning the gap between them, hot breath fogging up the Half-demon's senses. "You had the choice to back out before and you chose me-"
"-In your dreams! I chose the pup!"
"Regardless, you chose to become my Mate-"
"-That doesn't mean you can tell me what to do!" As he moved to turn from him, Sesshomaru seized his wrist, pulling him back and forcing him to meet his eyes.
"While my pup is in your belly, that is exactly what I can and will do," The Demon Lord muttered dangerously, "When you made your decision to be my mate you dedicated your life to me, our pup and our Father's lands. Anything else, like this village of yours must come second best."
After a long moment, he released his hold on his younger brother, permitting him to turn and move forwards. He could only hope he had made Inuyasha understand, he had tried so very hard not to lose his temper, and had successfully refrained from striking him, but if it took that to stop him from heading in the direction of disaster for both him and the pup then he would have no choice…
Turning slightly to gaze behind them, Sesshomaru saw Takara and Ah-Un following slow enough to permit the two lords their space. He would have liked to have left his most trusted servant behind to look after things, but with a potential encounter with Hikireimaru ahead of them, he could not afford to risk Inuyasha collapsing or requiring assistance again during the battle. This time, he thought, I will finish this once and for all…
Perhaps without the ever-present threat of Hikireimaru looming over him, Inuyasha would be able to settle into his new life a little easier. The Demon Lord cringed when he recalled his initial reason for not destroying Hikireimaru on the spot during their first encounter. He could have spared himself some trouble, as well as his sibling some worry, though if he had disposed of him back then, would he still have Inuyasha now?
Sesshomaru watched the back of his Little brother thoughtfully; was having Inuyasha worth all this trouble? Most certainly, even if, in those moments where their eyes met, he could see a flicker of what Inuyasha had once hoped for, once desired. That Priestess, a life in this village – he had wanted both so desperately, and even as he walked with him now, he could see a lingering dream of what might have been. He hadn't released his hold on his past just yet.
Fleeting sparkles of the sun's last rays shimmered as they caught his mate's hair, and Sesshomaru continued to watch him carefully as they moved towards the nearing silhouette of the village on the horizon. He never thought he would lower himself enough to liken his thoughts and feelings to a human's, but he could not help but wonder, if his current emotions regarding Inuyasha's inability to let go, were in any way similar to Kagome's when the Little Half-demon was unable to forget Kikyo…
With the village remaining firmly in the distance, it was only the call of Inuyasha's stomach that persuaded the Half-demon that now was the time to rest for a while, though even then, he made sure to sit away from the fireside and Sesshomaru, only just visible in the dim shadow of the surrounding trees. Sesshomaru cast him an exasperated glance, before returning his gaze to Takara, who was prodding the fire.
"Petulant brat…" Sesshomaru mumbled, regarding his servant with a dangerously placid look at the small smile that danced across the blue-eyed demon's lips. "Something amuses, Takara?"
"Never, My Lord. Though it is evident that Lord Inuyasha's distance displeases you."
Sesshomaru managed to withhold a snort.
"If he feels he must emotionally distance himself from me he may do so. However the physical distance is unnecessary."
Takara seemed to be regarding him rather closely, an odd glimmer of innocent affection in his eyes.
"You are aware of the cause of this sudden need for space?" the Servant asked. Sesshomaru sighed, leaning back slightly against the trunk of the tree.
"Indeed, I can feel his apprehension… He is nervous about meeting his old companions once more."
"Or more specifically, meeting them with you at his side, whilst carrying another man, albeit his own brother's pup. Humans are finicky; it is understandable that he is concerned for their possible reactions."
"Indeed," answered Sesshomaru distantly, wincing as he struggled to suppress the second wave of heated desire in him. He ground his teeth against the yearning that spread through his boiling blood. He was panting, he knew he was, but remained powerless to calm his erratic breathing.
Takara offered no assistance, nor any remedy. There was but a few cures for what plagued Sesshomaru and none of which were within his reach. His heat had a tendency to bother him in small, random waves. This however, felt more like a typhoon.
"You have been suppressing it, have you not, Sire?" the Servant asked knowingly. Sesshomaru nodded slowly, momentarily incapable of speech. He was concentrating hard enough on remaining upright. "If you suppress it, Sire, it merely builds up until it overwhelms you." Takara cast a glance over to Inuyasha, before focusing on Sesshomaru once more. "Is Inuyasha not aware of your heat pains?"
Sesshomaru smirked, sitting back, face flushed.
"He is. Though without experience of a heat season with a mate, he can hardly be expected to understand…"
Takara's eyes widened in mild surprise.
"You seem to understand a lot about Lord Inuyasha now, perhaps he in turn has come to do the same for you?" Takara asked. That same smirk played across the Demon Lord's lips.
"Inuyasha has no desire to understand me; to him I am too reclusive to even contemplate."
Suddenly, a shudder separate from Sesshomaru's body coursed through him. But he wasn't cold. Sesshomaru paused, thinking for a moment before he realised it was Inuyasha that was cold. Getting to his feet, the Demon Lord moved to where his sibling sat, only to discover his eyes closed, and his cold body leaning peacefully against the body of the tree. At the risk of doing something against his character, Sesshomaru slid an arm round his Little brother's waist, amd pulled him to his chest. A small flush brewed, threatening to notify Takara of just how awkward he felt carrying his mate over to the blankets by the fireside. Careful to avoid his Servant's eyes, he dropped the blankets over the Half-demon now lying near to him, before resuming his seat.
"Sleep Takara," he ordered quietly, staring into the amber flames, "I do not require your company while I keep watch." Obeying as always, Takara turned in, leaving the Demon Lord alone with his thoughts and his torment.
That unbearable heat throbbed in his veins hungrily. Sesshomaru tipped his head back. He could swear he felt his clothes getting tighter. This was torment. Why did something like this have to be so unbearable? He felt a harsh desperateness for contact with the sleeping form beside him swell. There was no way he could sleep near him tonight. He'd lose control and take him for sure…
"Your heat's bothering you that much?"
Sesshomaru inclined his head slightly, seeing Inuyasha gazing at him from nearby. The sheet covered the smaller frame, though a chill still crept through his bones, telling him that Inuyasha hadn't warmed up yet.
"Of course," Sesshomaru said simply, "It will not go away yet."
Inuyasha frowned, sitting up a little.
"When will it go away?"
"It is different for every couple. So I do not know."
Inuyasha avoided the Demon's eyes guiltily, knowing it was down to him that Sesshomaru was suffering alone. "Why aren't you asleep?" he asked, in order to distract himself from the odd act of feeling sorry for Sesshomaru. The Demon Lord remained impassive.
"You are there currently, and need both the warmth and the rest more than I-"
"-But with this heat… I mean… I'm dragging you all the way out here with it, to solve my problems, and I'm not even helping you with yours, am I?"
Sesshomaru offered him an odd look.
"Do not feel obligated to sate my urges, Inuyasha…"
"But I thought it was my obligation?" he said with mild confusion, raising his eyes to his sibling at last. To this, Sesshomaru said nothing; it appeared Inuyasha, (like him) did not comprehend what any of this meant. Guilt, concern, selflessness… These were not things a Demon Lord should be concerned with, and yet…
When the silence fell stagnant, Inuyasha lowered his eyes once more, moving over to the side of the bedding. Sesshomaru raised a brow. "It's your damn bed, you should sleep in it," Inuyasha growled, clarifying his words. His reaction was not the one he had hoped for.
"You seek your own precious comfort and warmth regardless of my condition?" Sesshomaru asked, a sneer present in his angry expression. Inuyasha frowned.
"I thought you might like some sleep is all!"
"You thought you would like comfort, that is all. You imagine that I am the one who uses your body for my own devices. But it is you that uses me, my body and weakness for your own selfish needs!"
Inuyasha stared at him in bewilderment. The dark flush of the heat graced his brother's usually pale skin. An ethereal pinkish glow flickered in and out of those eyes and a foreboding gruffness began to seep into that voice. Inuyasha swallowed nervously.
"It's just the heat," he said flippantly, "It's driving you crazy, I get it, but don't take it out on me! I never said I wasn't using you – we're using each other and its wrong but it's a bit late to be saying that now we're stuck together!"
Suddenly Sesshomaru leapt forwards. Inuyasha scrambled back in a failed attempt at escape, and a feral snarl filled his ears which flicked back protectively against his skull. He flinched. His claws tore across the Demon's cheek, raking bloody welts into the flushed skin. Inuyasha tilted his head away from Sesshomaru's reach, too late. The Half-demon's shot out to stop him but those hands he both relished and feared seized his wrists, threatening to draw blood.
Blood red eyes, that's what he saw when he dared to peek up at his brother. Elongated fangs glistened ominously as husky words whispered into his ears.
"Do not pretend that what you do holds any similarity to my actions. My emotions and attentions are meaningless to you, are they not?"
Inuyasha winced, hands struggling to push his brother off, wondering just how badly he might be injured if he called out for Takara's help. No, he wouldn't ask for help, that wasn't how he was. He could die under Sesshomaru's grasp right now, but he would never forgo his pride enough to call out, even now, when his pup wriggled in his stomach. Just then, those crimson eyes softened slightly; had Sesshomaru felt the movement?
In that moment, the Demon Lord stared down at him with a strangely confused look, and the grip on the Half-demon's wrists slackening. Inuyasha growled, throwing his weight upwards and shoving Sesshomaru backwards off of him. Sesshomaru's back slammed into he ground, and reddened eyes faded back to gold, confusion growing with them as he stared up at the Half-demon, who had pinned him to the ground. Rebellious silver tresses both alike and dissimilar to his own spilled over those shoulders. The Demon's arousal spiking despite himself. His heat swelled once again, and there was still nothing he could do about it.
"Remove yourself from me, Inuyasha," he ordered tersely, but Inuyasha didn't budge. "I said move."
"And I say I'm cold and I'm tired so shut up!" The Half-demon paused then, glancing over to Takara and taking a cautious sniff of the air to ensure the other demon was still asleep, before turning his attention back to his sibling once more. "You called me selfish, and that means you want something in return from me," he stated. "What more could you want? You wanted me to have your pup and I am, you wanted me to be your mate and I am!"
"And you imply that simply because of that, your using me is any less wrong?"
"No!" Inuyasha snarled, "I'm saying that this is the whole point of being mates!"
Sesshomaru sneered once again.
"Do not presume you; a Half-demon needs to lecture me on demon traditions," The older brother growled. Inuyasha flinched at the Half-demon comment.
"So what's the point if not doing things for each other? I'm suffering for you so it's only fair you give me something in return!" At this the Older Brother's interest peeked, there was just something, so very perfect about that statement…
"You say it is a matter of 'You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours'?"
Inuyasha recoiled from him then, releasing his hold on him in apparent disgust.
"I'm not scratching nothing!" he insisted indignantly. Sesshomaru smirked, capturing the boy's back and fighting him to the ground once more. That heated breath steamed up the air surrounding him once more, cold prickling up his spine in reminder of how he would feel if the Demon Lord moved away again.
This time Sesshomaru glanced over to ensure Takara's slumber continued, before looking to his suddenly overpowered Little Brother. "If that is the case," he practically purred, thoughtfully stroking a downy ear he had recently become rather fond of. "I will give you what you desire if you do the same for me…"
Inuyasha blinked up at him, his hazy, exhausted mind taking a moment to realise what he was implying. He leant up, supported by one elbow as the other hooked around the Demon's neck, dragging him down to him a little more. His tongue flicked apologetically against the already healing gashes from his claws, and he smirked slightly when Sesshomaru turned his head to allow further access, submitting to his preening, all-too welcomed attention. All the while the Demon tried to watch him, so amazed at the way the comparably smaller frame seemed to melt against his own body in the heat.
Reaching for one of those ears again, The Demon Lord, coerced the Half-demon's mouth to his lips at last, pressing him back to the bedding with gentle insistence. He felt a soft bump against his stomach from inside Inuyasha, smirking against the kiss despite himself. At this, Inuyasha drew back to consider his expression. "What're you smiling for?" he asked, the same flustered gruffness returning to cover his embarrassment as the passion subsided.
Sesshomaru said nothing, turning his mate onto his side carefully, before moving to lie behind him. Inuyasha's body tensed slightly, wondering what Sesshomaru up to. Didn't he say he wanted Inuyasha to relieve him of the unbearable pressure brought on by his heat? Well, not in so many words, he supposed… Maybe he had misunderstood what he'd meant by 'desire'…
The Demon's eyes slid shut as the combined warmth of their bodies settled into the sheets. He felt Inuyasha try to scoot forwards a little and Sesshomaru's arm moved forwards, encircling the boy's waist and drawing him back against his chest. "Go to sleep, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru murmured against the nape of his neck. With a final glimpse at the flickering flames of the dying fire, Inuyasha's eyes closed, and attempting to push his brother's heat-induced confession from his mind, he permitted sleep to take him.
Somehow, whether it was pure luck or some skill he had acquired in the last few months in Inuyasha's company, Sesshomaru managed to persuade his brother to ride on Ah-Un's back for the remainder of the journey. Though oddly, (even after last night) the Half-demon remained just as distant as ever. In fact he hadn't even spoken to him very much, until…
"This place stinks of fear," Inuyasha growled, casting an uneasy glance to the village that lay only a stone's throw ahead. The surrounding trees clung to his body as they pressed on through. He raised his head to the canopy above. Something was wrong. The same trees, the same leaves… but this wasn't his forest anymore, it didn't smell right. He had described it best with those first words… It reeked of fear, and not only the villagers', but of his own as well.
Sesshomaru shared a look with Takara, and the two demons both fell into a slow, cautious stride on opposite sides of Inuyasha. The Demon Lord and the Servant shared a common understanding, if anything happened to this village, Inuyasha would never forgive himself…
At last the grabbing, spiteful trees parting to reveal the village beyond. Everything was still. No sound, not a whisper of a stirring breath ushered into their ears. There was no one to be seen. It wasn't dead or torched, just…deserted. Whilst Takara threw his Lord a worried look, Inuyasha disregarded their presences, manoeuvring (with no little amount of difficulty) from Ah-Un's back, and patting the demon distantly before moving forwards. Again the Servant and Master regarded each other with silent understanding, before following quickly after the very pregnant Half-demon.
"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru called forwards, eyes darting to every inch of dirt, every shadow if they so much as twitched in the eerie breeze. Where was everyone? "Slow down!" Clearly, the Half-demon wasn't listening to him.
Inuyasha cradled his swollen stomach thoughtfully as he pursued the scent – amongst all the others he had to be sure Sango and the others were okay. The scents assaulted him with every step. There was a potent stench of demons and Hikireimaru, but beneath the thick layer of panic he could find Miroku and Kirara, not anyone else, at least not any of those he'd once called his pack. Sango, Shippo, Kaede, Kohaku… what had happened to them? And where were the Monk and the cat-demon, for he was sure they were here, he could smell them strongly now. What was going on?
His steps halted as he reached the beacon that sent those waves. His head buzzed with the smell of terror now, and they emanated (in particular) from inside the hut that lay before him. Kaede's hut.
A lump rose in his throat. He swallowed nervously, arm moving the matting that formed the door to the side, only permitting half a step into the place that made his skin hum with an unnatural anxiety. Golden eyes widened as they gazed into the dimness ahead. Two small bundles lay on the floor ahead. He shot forwards, preying they weren't what he thought they were, and lowering to one knee awkwardly, Inuyasha stared down…into the faces of two small infants. His heart thudded madly in his chest, and his face twisted in disgust. Who would have left them here? Or…what if…
What if the demons… He wondered, not daring to finish his own suspicion, even in his own mind. Taking a careful sniff of the air, his heart skipped a beat; disbelief shuddered through his body as the cool air surrounding him sent a chill down his spine. They weren't dead. He gnawed his lip thoughtfully for a moment, considering his options. However none that he could bear entailed leaving the slumbering human babies on the ground, cold and vulnerable to any lower creature that slithered in and strangled their precious life from them. As carefully as he could, the Half-demon raised the children into his arms.
It's a good job they're small, he thought turning to the doorway, only to find Sesshomaru and Takara had been watching his every move. He flushed a little, feeling awkward with children in his arms. "What?" he asked indignantly, "You propose I leave them here?"
Sesshomaru remained impassive.
"I care not what you do with orphaned mortals," the Demon Lord replied, turning from Inuyasha to head outside.
SMACK! Something whipped through the air, slicing bloody gashes across Sesshomaru's chest. He winced, blood weeping from the wounds as crimson fluids burst from the wounds, staining the once pristine whiteness. Takara leapt towards the doorway as he watched Sesshomaru disappear through it. "Lord Sesshomaru!"
"Inuyasha, stay inside!" Inuyasha sneered at the call from his brother, moving forwards to the mat door, and swatting it aside, only to stop dead in his tracks at the foreboding feel of a sharp blade pressed against his windpipe.
Golden, anxious eyes darted across to where chains bit into Takara as the surrounding demons pulled them tight around his flesh. The Half-demon's ears lay flat against his head at the piercing roar from Sesshomaru. The metal bond slung around him crumbled under his grip. Poison hissed at his claws but he dared not use it. Even Inuyasha recoiled as the Demon leapt forwards, fangs tearing into one of those daring to try and tie him down. Screams filled the air, and the infants in Inuyasha's grasp came to life with blood-curdling shrieks.
Inuyasha's eyes flew to his mate as he sensed a prickling of disembodying energy course through his body. Sesshomaru offered the surrounding, overpowering demon masses a bloody smirk, fangs dripping the crimson life's-blood of the slaughtered enemies that lay at his feet. "You assume mere mortal bonds can hold me?" he growled, eyes reddening in menacing preparation for what was about to occur.
Suddenly the Half-demon's eyes glistened with realisation, and he surveyed the surrounding homes of the people he had once took it upon himself to protect. "NO! STOP!" he screamed.
Sesshomaru looked over to his mate, chains cracking against his spine, and crushing him to the ground. His arms fought to grip the ground beneath him, spine arcing in a telltale formation of his demon form struggling to the surface. "SESSHOMARU DON'T! DON'T CHANGE!"
Takara looked over to gaze upon the Younger Lord. "See reason, Young Sire!" Takara cried out, "You would see your Brother suffer for the sake of some mortals' houses?"
Inuyasha turned his eyes from both the Demon Lord and Takara, unable to look upon them.
"We don't know where Hikireimaru has the villagers – they could be in any of these houses. Someone could get killed-"
"-Well said." At those words, everything in the small grass clearing froze. The Demons shoved Takara to his knees, and the crowd parted to reveal (to the captives) the dark-haired problem that had, until now been shoved aside, almost ignored. Almost
Hikireimaru scanned the captives, handsome eyes settling upon the Half-demon that remained trapped by a knife's edge by Kaede's hut. "Inuyasha," Hikireimaru practically purred, relishing the tremors the dangerousness in his voice sent through Inuyasha's form. "I see you fell into the so very predictable trap I laid specifically for you, Little one."
Inuyasha glanced down at the children in his embrace, throwing the Demon a sneer. "Where are their parents?"
Hikireimaru smirked at the adorable anger gracing the boy's features.
"Absolutely fine, all alive at least. They will be released soon enough. I merely wished to see you, Little One."
Inuyasha twisted his head away from Hikireimaru's claws as they stroked his cheek gently, the Half-demon's fangs snapping dangerously close to his hand. Still that smirk failed to fall from those features. "How terribly amusing," the Demon purred, eyes perusing Inuyasha's form with every word. Inuyasha's fangs grated together in apprehension. It was only a matter of moments before Hikireimaru took note of the more obvious attribute to his body, and he could only guess that the outcome would not be in any way good…
Those clawed fingers traced his stomach carefully, and Inuyasha flinched as his pup punished him with a sharp kick for his overexertion of their shared body. "Seems as if Lord Sesshomaru has given you a lively little creature," the monster noted. Inuyasha said nothing – he dared not even blink. One swipe, that would be all it would take for Hikireimaru to end it all for the tiny little life Inuyasha had come to adore even before it had even been brought into the world.
Sesshomaru's body trembled with unleashed fury, those hands were on his mate, those hands felt his pup's movements. Inuyasha's panic burned his mark; it burned his chest to feel the breathless torment. Sharp, panting breaths erupted from his lungs. Something was happening. Different yet familiar. Sesshomaru felt suffocated. Was it Hikireimaru's doing? No…it was different…it was…Inuyasha. He felt his emotions choking him. Inuyasha was doing something Sesshomaru hadn't believed a half-demon capable of; he was calling out through their invisible connection.
The Demon Lord's body groaned under the strain of pressing upwards into his metal bindings, fighting his prison.
"What's this?" Hikireimaru murmured.
Sesshomaru glanced up to see Hikireimaru's fingers toying idly with the Tetsusaiga at Inuyasha's waist, and the Older brother felt Inuyasha's fear spike again. Those old words echoed from a place in his mind that seemed to come from so long ago…
"…If backed into a corner to the point where his life is in danger his demon blood takes control of the body and it transforms in order to preserve his life… His demon blood will devour his human soul. He will not be able to recognise himself. He will not be able to differentiate between friend or foe, he will simply kill. And with repeated transformations Inuyasha will lose his soul. He will become a demon that only knows how to fight and kill, and he will continue to fight until he is destroyed… I sincerely doubt that your father would have wished such a terrible fate upon his own son..."
With repeated transformations Inuyasha would lose his soul… Why did that notion terrify him so much? He watched as Inuyasha struggled. With Hikireimaru this close, he could turn any moment. And lose another piece of himself. How many times had Inuyasha already lost to his demon? How many times remained before he could never come back? Why did he care?
Inuyasha's hand caught the hilt of Tetsusaiga before Hikireimaru could take it from him, meeting the dark-haired-demon's eyes. "You wanted to see me? So say what you've got to say and leave. I'm sick and tired of you looming in the background. I'm not a kid and I'm not some fretting human girl."
"Ah, but you are the son of one…"
Inuyasha snarled, making the children scream even louder. "If my mixed blood pisses you off so much then what the hell do you-"
"-Come away with me?" Inuyasha blinked, stunned by the Demon's abruptness.
"What? You've gotta be kidding me! You held these villagers hostage!"
Hikireimaru never tore his eyes from him, even as he swatted the man holding Inuyasha at knifepoint aside so that the blade no longer held over the Half-demon. "Only to draw you out, I never held any intention of hurting them. Well, not really…"
"You're just some twisted anti-half-demon asshole! I'm…I'm with Sesshomaru!"
Hikireimaru smirked once more. "Indeed, I am aware, that was my intention-"
"Why?"
"I gave you a taster of what he could offer you before I came to get you," Hikireimaru's gaze flickered to his stomach and back again briefly, his next words only heard by Inuyasha. "I know the only reason you stay is because you believe Sesshomaru is the only one who can offer your pup any form of comfort and safety, I could offer you that…"
"I don't even know you!" Inuyasha retorted, recoiling from Hikireimaru's touch. "My only insight into your personality is that you tried to rape me!"
"And what did you know about Sesshomaru when you fell into his lap other than he'd tried to kill you your whole life. He gave you a pup against your will. I showed you why you were different, I never forced intercourse, much less another life upon you. What is it exactly that makes your beloved Brother so much more appealing than me?"
Inuyasha's expression remained vacant, but inside a storm of questions assaulted his mind, and he was sure that Sesshomaru could feel them all. "You killed all those half-demons, all those people…" Inuyasha mumbled, not meeting those eyes.
Hikireimaru smiled.
"And how many has your brother killed? Why don't you ask him, I'm sure the question would merit an interesting answer…"
The Half-demon raised his eyes then, something within Hikireimaru at that point…it screamed the truth, but what did that mean if it was?
Suddenly the surrounding crowds roared into panic. Demons dropped from every angle. Something tore through the air, sending creatures flying. Inuyasha watched as Takara smirked menacingly, seizing his bonds with his hands and staring into the eyes of the demons on the other end of them. "Seems not everyone from this village was present at your raiding party." The metal beneath the Demon's hands shook as white-hot fire coursed through the coils. The Demons screamed as the metal seared their flesh, and dropping the chains they backed away from a now free Takara.
The enemy scattered. Sesshomaru leapt to his feet and to Hikireimaru, claws tearing towards him, missing him by inches as the demon stepped back. "Seems I must leave you to ponder your decision, Inuyasha," the Demon said with a smile, a forebodingly flirtatiousness to his voice. "I will be back for you soon, just sit tight with Lord Sesshomaru until then." The crowds swallowed him up as they fled.
The Demon Lord stepped to his sibling's side, hand smoothing over his stomach as if to wipe away any lingering memory of Hikireimaru's touch. "You are alright?" he asked. Inuyasha blinked, startled by the concern in those eyes, but nodded all the same, his answer only partially the truth. "I failed to kill him – yet again."
Inuyasha looked up at him, mouth opening to offer some form of comfort for reasons he did not comprehend. But his voice was drowned out by the call of a familiar voice.
"Inuyasha?" The Half-demon turned, two figures clad in mostly black moved towards him, and he offered a nervous smile. He felt his stomach lurch with anxiety. He needed to be sick again. He needed to pee again. He needed Sesshomaru to stop touching him and move away!
"H-Hey, Sango…"
TBC