Freedom

Sitting idle was not something Sesshomaru did well. But if stalking around the household's perimeter only served to agitate the other villagers, the daiyokai knew he would be damned in more ways than one.

"I can't wait for sunrise," Inuyasha mumbled, stepping outside. But minding his distance at the sudden rise in yoki didn't stop him from quipping, "Then you can get that knot out of your fur, Sesshomaru."

Amber eyes sharply narrowed.

"Well, damn it all, Sesshomaru. You're getting your way aren't you? I don't think they can serve an army on silver platter!"

The daiyokai absentmindedly tapped a claw to his chin as if he honestly were considering the situation.

"Give 'em a break, they probably got lost and then found what they thought was a good setup. Wasn't like they were out to kill anyone 'til you got involved."

Sesshomaru's open palm slammed into the wall, inches from Inuyasha's face. The half-demon bit his lip; he hadn't seen that look in his brother's eyes in a while. That same glare when he'd first known another so-called blood relative…one who burned with only the desire to kill.

But Sesshomaru's voice betrayed nothing with its smooth even tones. "Inuyasha, you don't believe that our world has already been tainted?"

"People are gonna believe what they want. Nothin' you, me, or anyone else can do about that." Inuyasha barked a bitter laugh, shoving Tetsusaiga's hilt against heavy black armor. "You think someone is just gonna close off the trading gates of the country one of these days? Ain't possible."

Sesshomaru arched a skeptical brow, but let up. "Little brother…you of all people should be the least apathetic to these circumstances."

Inuyasha tried to casually wipe the sweat from his brow. Too close a call. "And why's that?"

"You know what it means" – Sesshomaru's mouth twisted oddly – "to protect."

The half-demon's forehead scrunched in thought. "You act like that bothers you."

In a single spring, Sesshomaru was on the roof, shingles barely shifting beneath as he landed. Posture erect and legs folded, he sat back to think, ponder, and escape. Like an old friend, the wind combed through his mane with long, easy breezes. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and inhaled.

If yokai are free and we live for ourselves, then why be fettered to a few humans?

He had plans, plans that had been postponed for years now as Sesshomaru found himself swept up in the current of a new life. Did he mind it? It would only be a short diversion, after all.

Freedom, I've been told, is doing as you please…doing what one enjoys.

And there had always been time for that. True, he was still quite young for a yokai, like an unending scroll eternity stretched before him, blank and waiting for his mark. Now it seemed that space was to be cut unexpectedly short. Ironically enough, by a few humans.

Life hadn't felt this uncertain in centuries. It was like trying to fill his father's place all over again – not knowing if he was good enough, strong enough, if he would have to rely on others like a cripple. It would be another day-to-day existence. It would be tedious, he would be meticulous. And they would be safe. He found it pleased him.

And it is free to me.

The wind kicked up and Sesshomaru blinked against it. As his vision cleared, he didn't move from his post. Quickly, he sniffed again. There was the scent of yokai on the wind – yokai blood.

"Idiot!" Sesshomaru was soaring over the trees before his sibling dashed into the clearing. The daiyokai could hear Kagome's panicked voice fading. Inuyasha's call still ringing in his ears.

"It's Koga!"

Not just him, Sesshomaru's nose corrected. There was too much blood for that.

If those liars had recanted their promise, safe passage was no longer his to guarantee. This affront to his trust assured it. Redemption and destruction were strapped at his side and Sesshomaru wasn't going to hesitate dispensing either.