A/N: What do you get when you have nothing but time to write? Writer's block, of course! I have the entire rest of the story written in my head. It's just getting it from there to my laptop in some semblance of sense that's killing me! Argh! I'll get there... eventually.

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Chapter 21

Inuyasha was awoken at dawn by the feeling of his demonic powers returning. He frowned. He never fell asleep on his human night. Not since his mother had died. It was far too dangerous. Even when he had been with Kagome and his friends he had remained wakeful. Trusting them with his secret had been difficult. Though it had gone a long way to showing him that he could be accepted even as a half-demon and have true friends. But he had still always remained wakeful on the moonless night. Trusting his friends with the knowledge that he became human once a month was one thing. Actually sleeping when he was so vulnerable was another.

He felt something soft and warm surrounding him. He opened his eyes, momentarily disoriented and confused. Blinking sleep from his eyes, he discovered he was still bundled securely in Sesshomaru's tail. His brother remained exactly where he had been the previous evening. His eyes were closed but Inuyasha knew he was awake and alert. His sense of smell would alert him to any potential threat well before he'd be able to see it. His eyes fell involuntarily to the scars visible through the rents in Sesshomaru's clothes. That he'd admitted to being in pain in not so many words worried Inuyasha. He knew that Sesshomaru had remained awake all night, despite his body desperately needing rest in order to finish healing.

If he hadn't needed to keep watch, he'd be completely healed by now, Inuyasha thought guiltily. He was relieved when he noticed Sesshomaru's breathing sounded completely normal again. The color had returned to his face and there was no longer the telltale pinched and pained look around his eyes. He may not have been fully healed but the worst was behind him.

Inuyasha somewhat reluctantly began extraditing himself from the enveloping tail; it was rather comfortable. He had barely managed to free himself when Sesshomaru stirred, moved to the small entrance, and got to his feet outside. Inuyasha joined him. Sesshomaru's arms were tucked into the remains of his sleeves as he glared east, his eyes narrowed to glittering gold slits. Inuyasha looked in the same direction, trying to see what was the current target for his brother's wrath. Nothing but trees and the just-visible river were in sight. He didn't sense any demonic auras nearby, nor any other threats.

Before Inuyasha had even realized he had moved, Sesshomaru was a quarter of the way down the rise. He hurried to catch up to his retreating back.

Asshole….

"Hey, Sesshomaru! Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked as he came abreast of him.

"To get answers."

Inuyasha felt a chill run down his spine at his brother's tone and was very glad that for once his ire wasn't directed at him. He hurried to keep up as they finished descending the rise and Sesshomaru began walking towards the forest with long strides. A part of him wanted to return to Kaede's village and assure his friends that he was alright. They were doubtless worried about him. He wondered if Sango had delivered her baby yet. But he too wanted to know what had happened to them and why. Sesshomaru seemed to have an idea but, as usual, wasn't forthcoming with the information. Inuyasha wanted to demand answers from his brother but decided against it. They may be getting along fairly well at the moment but Sesshomaru was clearly in a bad enough mood already and it wouldn't be wise to push him. Besides, he already had a good idea as to their destination.

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It was only a matter of a few hours before Mai's estate came into view once again. No demons had bothered them on their way. Doubtless they could sense the aura of the angry daiyokai as he passed through the forest. Few would be foolish enough to tangle with him.

Without hesitation, Sesshomaru strode through the open gates as if he owned the place. Inuyasha silently marveled as servants and guards bowed low as they passed. Barefoot, clothing bloodstained and tattered, hair and tail matted with dirt and blood, his brother still radiated power and managed to keep an aura of command and control about him.

Icy bastard, Inuyasha thought even while he silently envied his control.

They entered the estate and Inuyasha followed as Sesshomaru strode down the long corridors. He seemed to know exactly where he was going. A moment later they approached a pair of doors set at the end of the hall. The doors were opened as they approached. Sesshomaru's gait hadn't slowed in the slightest and Inuyasha suspected he'd have walked right through them even if they'd remained closed.

Mai appeared completely unsurprised to see them. "So, you've returned. My little spell broke, I see." She sounded as if she was greeting an old friend who had just returned from a pleasant trip rather than confronting an angry demon who'd had a very, very bad week.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It was you who dared cast such a spell upon me!" he growled.

She ignored his angry tone as she looked them over. "You are a mess, pups. Go get cleaned up, both of you. Then we will talk and I'll answer your questions."

Mai and Sesshomaru locked gazes. Inuyasha was unconsciously holding his breath. He knew his brother was powerful and could no doubt crush almost any opponent without difficulty. But Mai had managed to cast a spell on him that had caused his reversion to a pup. He wasn't certain who he would bet on if it came to a fight. Fortunately, Sesshomaru turned away with a slight sneer. Inuyasha released the breath he hadn't even been aware he'd been holding. He risked a glance at Mai, who still looked completely unconcerned at having pissed off Sesshomaru. She smiled and made a small shooing motion with her hand. Inuyasha was shocked she still retained her limb.

Who the hell is this lady? he wondered. Deciding he could wait a bit to find out, he followed Sesshomaru out of the room. Neither said a word as they walked back to the rooms that had been theirs previously. Inuyasha continued to ponder their situation while he bathed. Mai had managed to successfully cast a spell on both himself and Sesshomaru. That was no mean feat in and of itself. Not only that, she seemed to have absolutely no fear of Sesshomaru once he had been returned to normal. Inuyasha could only come up with two explanations: either Mai was extremely powerful on a level he never wanted to cross or she was completely insane. He wasn't certain which of those scenarios was worse.

He got out of the tub and dried off. He wasn't going to get any answers until they talked to her. Suspecting Sesshomaru wouldn't wait around for him, Inuyasha scrubbed his hair dry as well as he could with a towel and brushed it out. Besides, he had some questions of his own for his brother before they confronted Mai. He pulled his Fire Rat back on. It was already dry. The properties of the material really were amazing, he thought with a smile. Sesshomaru had destroyed at least two sets of clothing since their little adventure had begun. Securing Tessaiga at his side, he headed towards his brother's rooms.

"Hey Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha said as he burst into his brother's room. "I want some answers –" He broke off suddenly at the sight that greeted him. Sesshomaru stood in front of the wardrobe, one hand reaching in, presumably to grab clothing. The other holding the towel that was wrapped around his waist. His silver hair hung loose and damp down his back and his bangs were plastered against his forehead, practically obscuring the crescent moon. His damp tail lacked its usual fluffiness. Inuyasha was suddenly struck again by how small Sesshomaru seemed. His older brother had always seemed larger than life to him on an almost unconscious level. While he stood a full head taller than Inuyasha, he was slender. Inuyasha hadn't realized how much bulk his brothers flowing clothing and armor added to him.

Sesshomaru barely glanced at the noisy intruder before turning back to the closet. "What do you want, Inuyasha?" he said in a cold voice. He wasn't in the mood for his younger brother's loud and obnoxious demands right now. He pulled out suitable clothing – white hakama and a white kimono patterned with green swirls - and began getting dressed. He ignored the sandals lined up neatly on the floor of the closet. His boots had shrunk along with his clothing when he'd been initially turned into a pup. He had gone barefoot ever since so they had not reverted when he'd returned to his normal stature. His footwear was really only for aesthetics at any rate.

"It just has to be white, doesn't it?" Inuyasha said, noticing his brother's clothing choice.

"Father wore white," came the smooth reply.

Inuyasha stared. "Really?" slipped out before he could think better of it.

Sesshomaru spared him a glance and nodded once.

"Oh." Inuyasha found himself embarrassed by his outburst. "I wouldn't know." He hesitated, uncertain how receptive the other would be to his continued questioning. Sesshomaru's patience with him was thin at the best of times and this certainly wasn't them. But he needed to know. "Who the hell is this Mai person, anyway?"

Sesshomaru had finished tying an emerald green sash around his waist and was scrubbing his hair with the towel. He raised an eyebrow at his brother. "You haven't noticed her scent?"

Inuyasha scowled. His nose wasn't as good as a full-blooded demon's and Sesshomaru knew it. He started to make a rude comment then stopped as he realized that Sesshomaru had paused his hair drying and looking at him, waiting for his answer, not insulting him. His brows drew together as he concentrated on the memory.

"She smells like you… And me…" he realized, surprised. He looked up. "She's related to Father?"

Sesshomaru nodded and resumed towel-drying his hair. "She is our father's sister."

Inuyasha silently mulled over that while Sesshomaru worked a brush through his hair. He had assumed that his half-brother was his only living family. He had never known their father had siblings. It didn't matter, he thought, his ears drooping a bit. He'd learned early on that full blooded demons would never accept him as a half-breed.

"Any other relatives I don't know about?" he asked, his tone slightly bitter.

"A few distant cousins. No other of Father's immediate family still lives."

"Oh." Inuyasha fell silent again for a few minutes. "Wait… why didn't you recognize Mai right from the start? You know who she is and all – "

"I did not meet her until early adolescence. Her… spell –" Sesshomaru practically spat the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth "—reverted me to an age prior to being introduced. I recognized her as family due to her scent but not how she was related."

Inuyasha turned back to the more immediate concern. "Why would she want to turn us into pups?"

Sesshomaru set down the brush and tucked a stray lock of hair behind one pointed ear. He picked up his swords and slipped them through the sash at his waist. "That is what I intend to find out," he said darkly.

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A/N: Now we know who Mai is. I did promise you'd find out eventually. Ah, but now to find out just what she was hoping to accomplish by turning them into pups. And how the brothers will react. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Sesshomaru's mom, either. :)