A/N: Glad to be almost done, sorry its been awhile, I put myself at a stand still with this story and did not know how to continue from where I left off.

Chapter 29

To say the air was thick enough to suffocate would have been an understatement. Hate radiated into the atmosphere like smoke from a pipe and everything seemed to be on pins and needles. Inuyasha seemed to be glued in place, his mind seeming to go blank. He was never one to fear another... but the things that guy had done to him in that cave ran through his mind and made him shake.

If Kanima thought the honor would be hers, she was wrong and very much mistaken. There was malice within Sesshomaru's eyes which told of the true demon inside of him simmering with rage. His orbs had become a new shade of color as if the normal gold and angry red alloyed together and created something dark and dangerous. He positioned himself between Inuyasha and Hikari, protecting his considered mate from any and all harm.

Oddly enough despite all his current malice towards his half-brother, he felt immensely safe behind him as a barrier. Sesshomaru had his sword drawn in a matter of seconds and there was the promise of death in the air.

Hikari's eyes had widened upon realizing that the two who were supposed to be dead, lived. His heart beat erratically, that simply could not be. The woman he was sure he had disposed of for her wound should have been fatal. As far as that half demon, that poison had no cure... he should have perished in fiery agony. His expression stilled, he could fix this, he could play this out, somehow, someway. He refused to give up all his hard work now of all times.

"Surely the two of you are mistaken." His face took on a pleasantly bored expression. "I have never glanced upon either of you in my lifetime... beyond that point, what on earth would I gain from attacking you? Sesshomaru and I have only met once, I am no enemy to him." He was hoping to appeal to Sesshomaru's sensible side.

"Don't give us that bull shit! Do you take us as fools, as if we will apologize for the misunderstandings and sit and have tea? You don't think we would not recognize our attempted murderer? You have some gall showing up here! I recognize that smell, that wretched smell of death on you!"

Hikari narrowed his blue eyes, "surely you are mistaken woman, I have never met you a day in my lifetime." This was true, as far as his "lifetime" went, they had never crossed paths.

Inuyasha was regaining himself, regaining his composure and his sensibility... well a bit of it. He was mumbling something about protecting his pups and even more incoherent was something about a raven.

Sesshomaru growled in annoyance, angry that he did not know what was going on. He would not question it further however, if this demon was causing Inuyasha distress, then he would die by his blades. "You, it was you! You had the nerve to hurt what was mine and return yourself to my presence!"

Hikari's own anger had flared to new levels, this entire situation had backfired. How did this come to be, what did he possibly screw up in his plans? No matter, he was determined to have Sesshomaru as a mate, but the demon was more like a consultation prize. "Tch. I was hoping that this would be simple from the beginning. All you had to do Lord Sesshomaru, was except me as your mate, but that was too difficult for you it seems. You had to fall in love with this dirty mutt and make offspring from it of all things. I even fixed that mistake for you, I killed him, or so I thought, and I would have let you keep your pups to ease your temporary pain. It seems that was not good enough either." Blue eyes were now bleeding to black as caws rang throughout the room and ebony feathers began to rain from the sky.

Sesshomaru eyes narrowed as the smell he had come to brand in his memory, assailed his nostrils and ripped through the air. The same smell from the cave. Angry eyes caught sight of the source as it swopped down, beady red eyes glowing with malice.

He could hear Inuyasha's shuddering breath as his eyes focused on the bird's, his pupils becoming dark and void as if in a trance. Sesshomaru caught him as his knees gave way. "Inuyasha, Inuyasha, what is the matter?"

Theer was a woman's cry of pain as Sesshomaru turned in time to see Kanima thrown through the doors from an unknown force. He held Inuyasha closer as the scenery melded into a dark wasteland, bones and carcasses scattered, a lone bird circling above.

"Do not bother with that nuisance Sesshomaru, he is trapped in my magic, it is a wonderful thing ,the power of dark magic." A cackle rang through the air as Hikari held out his hand for the raven to land. "He is in an unconscious state, one that can only be broken by my death which will never happen. I will give you one last chance Sesshomaru, be mine and I will dispose of him nicely, he won't feel a thing. If you do not, a will kill you, and dispose of him properly as you watch with your dying breath!"

Sesshomaru's blood ran hot as he laid Inuyasha down upon the dirt, his body loosing heat by the minute. "Coward, I belong to no one, and no one has the right to do anything to what is mine. I will kill you, you will regret the day you ever hurt what I love."

Hikari's laugh rang throughout the barren scene. "Love! Truly Sesshomaru, did you just utter the word love? You are a demon, you do not love! You are the great Taiyoukai Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western lands, the last powerful dog demon in existence! Love was what got our clan killed, your father killed! Love is what killed me!" His face was no longer amused, only dark and angry, his hate flashing in his eyes. "Love is what I strive to make obsolete!"

"I do not care for your sob story fool, you will rue the day you ever called forth my vengeance!"

It was only an instant before man was now beast and snarling jaws were gaping into the stoic face of the one he would soon kill. Hikari however, was laughing, as if the notion of dying was the last thing on his mind.

His bird cawed and the smell of death instantly radiated from Hikari. In some odd display of flashing light, demon and bird became one, the body of the bird appearing as if it was a tattoo, the head jutting from his chest, pulsing as if it were his heart beat. The demon sprouted tattered black wings and soon there was no longer a human form, only that of a giant bird with deadly talons and a razor sharp beak.

"Do not think you can so easily kill me Sesshomaru, for I am already dead! How else did you not smell me the night I attempted to kill that nuisance. It is a wonderful thing, having the power of death by your side, I will show you what I am capable of, why you would have been lucky to have me at your side! Now you will have to die, and all for that waste of life you are so valiantly protecting!"

Wings rose and feathers were sent flying with speeds unable to be caught by eye, making them like daggers slicing through the air reeking of corpses. He dodged, his great body taking care to steer the fight away from who he was protecting with his life. He would keep himself between Inuyasha and Hikari no matter what, refusing to budge from his role as a shield. He was sure he dodged all of the flying feathers, most of them lodged into the ground, the cracks around them proving just how deadly they were. The rips to his flank proved otherwise. He howled with pain as he felt the searing rips through his skin. Impossible, how had they come to be behind him?

Hikari's voice mingled with that of another as he laughter rung out yet again. "You look surprised Sesshomaru! I should let you in on a little secret, the feathers have a mind of their own!"

Sesshomaru had received greater wounds then that, so the little scrapes did nothing to detour him. It was he who decided to attack first this time, and he was now ripping at wings with a poisonous mouth. The wings seemed as hard as bones and his poisonous saliva melted holes through them but within the blink of an eye, they were healed. He growled in anger, this was definitely going to be harder then he imagined.

"What are you," he growled out as again he attacked, this time Hikari evaded and took flight.

"Let's just say I am the living dead." The raven at his chest cawed and its red eyes flashed brightly. Hikari's new body glew the same color and and as if drawn by a some magnetic force, the bones of the dead around them began to lift from their eternal resting places. Sesshomaru glared at the proceeding, not knowing what to expect. He was neither surprised nor did he expect what Hikari would do next. Like a puppet and its puppeteer, the new bird made of bones and Hikari cackled at him. "Do you like my twin Sesshomaru? Isn't he just a perfect match!"

Sesshomaru had a feeling that Hikari had crossed the line from insane to deranged in some former part of his life and he, himself, had somehow become entwined in his sadistic web.

Sesshomaru did not have time for his foolery. Who knew what he had done to Inuyasha. He looked back to be sure he was safe.

"Do not worry about your half-breed Sesshomaru, I will save him for later. When you are about to die, I will torture him thoroughly and you can die in all the more agony."

Sesshomaru lunged but the skeletal bird blocked Hikari like a shield and took his poisonous bite. The bones melted. Sesshomaru did not miss the fact, he would dispose of that one first and then figure out how to kill that bastard. While he focused on the bird of bones, Hikari took all the opportunities he could to attack Sesshomaru as well. He seemed to be limited to his razor sharp claws, the piercing feathers, and a cry which resonated like a destructive sonic boom. Ever observant, he also noticed that the bigger bird protected the head of the raven meld with its chest. He realized this when he once again got a grasp of Hikari's wings and the raven's eyes flashed red. The moment the chunk of flesh was removed, it healed. It was truly vexing.

Putting two and two together, Sesshomaru disposed of the bones and again attacked Hikari. He made the demon think he was going for his neck and when the wings came up to protect, his claws came up to strike at the raven's head. Hikari was fast but not fast enough to stop Sesshomaru's claws from raking out one of the eyes. Like a rippling wave, the scenery shook and for a moment they were back at Castle Oblivion before the dead scene came back. Movement and faint noises behind him made him glance back. Inuyasha stirred, his hand to his head as if he was fighting a headache. He glanced about obviously confused and his eyes widened at the sight of the two beast.

Hikari noticed as well and like a hawk swooping down to grab its prey, he took to the air with claws ready. There was no chance in hell Sesshomaru would let him reach Inuyasha. The claws bit into his shoulder as he threw himself between the lightning fast Hikari and dazed Inuyasha. He held in his howl of pain as he was crashed into a mountain of bones. His tail wrapped about Inuyasha instinctively and bought him to the place between Sesshomaru's paws and body. He would protect him from all harm.

– – – – – –

Inuyasha had regained the majority of his senses, including his mind which had been thrown into calamity when he had witnessed the sight of his tormenter. Upon his finding himself again in the place where he had been viciously, brutally tormented, shock had paved way to anger as he vowed to get his revenge. Of course anger was once again turned back into shock as he witnessed the two towering creatures. He had no time to protest when Sesshomaru's tail grabbed him, he was only eternally grateful not to be crushed by the mountain of falling bones. He was not fully recovered yet so it would have taken far too much effort to dodge every bone. He glanced up as he was covered completely by fur. His hands instinctively curled into the soft white fur as the sounds of the sliding pile of bones shook the place. He hoped Sesshomaru was alright. He would not mind if he was bruised badly but he did not want him dead that was for sure.

Things were unbearably silent for an instant and only the sound of his breath could be heard. Finally Sesshomaru's tail twitched around him and he was being lifted from the ground and onto an equally furry back. When Sesshomaru's large head turned around to analyze him, he found his cheeks becoming hot. He was not exactly use to the damsel in distress role but he did not hate Sesshomaru's protection. After all, he was safer up here then he would be on the ground where bones, or the wrong step, could crush him.

Sesshomaru shook himself to dislodge any bones, careful not to throw off Inuyasha. His shoulder throbbed and blood oozed from it in a constant leak. He had suffered quite a few bruises around his ribs as well from the crushing mountain of bones. He would heal however, the wounds were meager. Inuyasha was not hurt, that was the only thing that mattered. Hikari was seething with anger, his body once again glowing as the bones rose from the ground and compacted into a shield around the raven's head. It was obvious that it was the key to killing him.

"I have found your weakness fool," he growled out, his acid like saliva dripping to the ground. "The bird is the source of all of your powers."

Hikari glared at him and took to the sky. "You may have discovered a small crack in my armor but it shall not happen again!"

Inuyasha's hands tugging at his fur made his mind pay him attention. "What is it Inuyasha."

"The bird... I remember it from when he... I just remember that when I looked into its eyes, I was suddenly brought to this place. I think it will be useless with out its eyes."

"Or without its head," Sesshomaru growled as he was forced to take to the air as well. Inuyasha was momentarily alarmed, seeming to forget that flight was one of his abilities.

"He has not completely covered it because it has to see I think, if you can take it out then should be able to get out of his illusion."

Sesshomaru was expertly dodging the constant barrage of feathers and claws as Inuyasha gripped his fur to stay secured. "My claws are too large to attack that opening, if I melt it away, he restores it with more bones within a matter of seconds. That attack of yours should be miniscule enough to reach the opening I make."

"What do you mean by miniscule," Inuyasha growled out in his normal temperamental manner.

Sesshomaru did not have time to chastise his temper, because Hikari was playing a new trump card. "What are you two plotting over there, or are you whispering your sweet goodbyes? How heartbreaking," he mocked. "If only mine still beat, then perhaps I might feel sorry for you!" His wings drew back, black as the night, they seemed to glow with with an ominous light. Sesshomaru did not know what to expect but when the dark slashes came at him, he was ready to dodge.

Both he and Inuyasha turned in time to see the black slashes of energy destroy, or more to say, erase, anything they hit. He was quick to move out of the way when they seemed to turn and head for him again.

"I think he can control them," Inuyasha said as he ducked in time to dodge one himself.

"You don't say," Sesshomaru growled out rather surly toned.

"Do you like my claws of death?" Hikari laughed in amusement as Sesshomaru continued to dodge the none stop moving energy. "What ever it touches turns to dust and it does not disappear until it hits its intended mark!"

Sesshomaru may not have noticed while attempting to stay out of death's way, but Inuyasha saw the next attack. He was attempting to unleash a second wave of those things! He noticed however, that as the demon retracted its wings, the raven's head was extracted just beyond the point of protection.

Not wanting to waste the opportunity, he leaped from Sesshomaru's back. Sesshomaru seemed to think he was knocked off, but he had to move away to avoid the waves of energy again. The big bird may have payed him no mind, but the one red eye of the raven landed on him. He did not think, only slashed at it and as his claws drew blood, he caught sight of a wave of energy coming straight for his head. He closed his eyes, hoping it would be quick, but he was violently slammed into just as something sliced through his billowing hair, cutting off a large portion. There was a sharp cry as the energy slammed into Sesshomaru's tail, or what was once his tail but now was nothing.

The scenery again rippled like water pelted by rain and everything went black before Sesshomaru was crashing onto his castle's floor and Inuyasha was crashing into him. His demon form had been reverted and he panted heavenly on the ground as his shoulder and leg bled.

"Are you insane Inuyasha," he growled out angrily, "what were you thinking!"

"I was trying to get us out of there," Inuyasha returned with equal venom, "it worked didn't it!' His hand came up to feel for his hair which now stopped in a clean sweep at his shoulders. "My hair!"

Sesshomaru was forcing them to a sitting position, his anger still at full bloom. "Your hair can grow back, your head cannot!"

Inuyasha was prime and ready for a retort, but an angry roar from behind them shut him up. He was instantly shoved behind his oh so gallant knight in shinning armor.

"You, you fools! Look at what you have done!" Hikari was not back to a normal form as well, both eyes black and bleeding however. He held the dead bird in his hands as if it would be his savior. Sesshomaru brandished his sword but it did not seem to be needed. Like a dying flower, Hikari was seeming to turn an ashy gray. "No... this cannot be the end, surely I deserve more than this.." His body seemed to be dripping away, turned to ash piece by piece and falling to the ground. In an instant the bird combusted into a pile of ash and with a distraught cry, so did Hikari.

Inuyasha blinked at the pile of ashes. "What in the hell was that?"

"I do not know," Sesshomaru answered, "but I know who will have answers for me."

– – – – – –

Inuyasha was deposited gently on the ground as they neared a foreboding castle. "Grandparents? What do you mean Grandparents? Since when do we have grandparents?"

Sesshomaru sighed and cracked his neck, wincing at the slight pain in his shoulder. He had took no time to recuperate, not wanting to give the old fools any chance of escape. "Not your grandparents Inuyasha, they are mine. They come from my mother's side, therefore they have no relation to you."

Inuyasha grumbled, "still, I thought we were the last Inu-youkai in existence."

"We will be soon," he growled as he threw open the doors.

It took no time to find the throne room. Sesshomaru was not at all surprised to find the two old fools slouched in the one chair at the end of the long, dark path. He made Inuyasha wait at the doors, this matter was one for him alone. When at last he did reach the two, he was greeted with a rather disappointing situation.

"I have questions for you old woman," he clipped out at his grandmother since she now sat beside her husband, the only one of the two still drawing breath. "It seems that old fool has passed his time."

There was a glimmer of humor in her dying eyes. "Ah yes, I always said he would go before me, it seems I have not but a few more moments myself, but when I meet him again, I shall laugh in his face at my won wager."

Sesshomaru scoffed. "Tell me, what was the reasons for your actions old woman."

The was a shuttering breath as she smiled. "Ah, you of all people should know Lord Sesshomaru, that greed and power leads one down the wrong path at times. It was in our best interest for the clan, to see our strong kind resurrected. But alas, we failed in our attempts, and perhaps they were the wrong attempts to begin with."

Sesshomaru sniffed in disdain and shook his head."Foolish old woman, no one shall weep on your death for your little killer is dead."

The old demon shook her head. "Ah Hikari...yes, he died a long time ago. This is to say, his true self was lost a long, long time ago. I have accepted my fate Sesshomaru, but dare an old woman ask you a favor."

Sesshomaru turned his back to the woman. "I have no reason to grant you anything. He narrowed his eyes at a certain hanyou approaching, one he specifically told to stay put. "Why do you never listen."

"Because I was interested," Inuyasha glared back at him, "and as far as listening goes, you should hear her out."

"She is the cause of all your recent torment."

"But she is dying and while she may have gone about it the wrong way, her intentions were good."

"You are too softhearted," Sesshomaru growled at him, "and your logic makes no since to me!"

"And you are too hardhearted, I suppose we complete one another. What is it granny, what did you want to ask."

The old woman smiled again. "Ah perhaps, we were too quick to judge you boy. My request is simple, I wish to see my great grandchildren."

Sesshomaru was quick to protest but one look of Inuyasha pleading face and he was undone.


The old demon shakily held out her wrinkled hands for the babes to grasp and each giggled and cooed in wonder of the feeling of old flesh. The old demon seemed to tear up with happiness, something she had probably not done in a long while.

"Ah, I see bright futures ahead. I have done far too much wrong for my soul to rest in a good place, yet I am eternally at peace now. You may bury me with my husband when I soon take my final breath.

– – – – – –

The task was done and all seemed at momentary peace. Kanima had railed at him for missing the "action" as she called it, which he had found profoundly amusing. He now sat wincing as Inuyasha bound his shoulder which would heal in due time due to his demon abilities.

"Why am I doing this," Inuyasha whined once again as he added more bandage. "Don't you have someone else to do this?"

"I wanted you," Sesshomaru stated nonchalantly. He caught Inuyasha's hand as he attempted to tie more bandages. "I think shorter hair looks good on you. You have not glared at me with unadulterated hate. You have not shied away from my touches, you allowed me to carry you to and from my grandparent's home with no protest. Do these things mean I am forgiven?"

Inuyasha blushed. He had not thought about any of that, his anger had not overwhelmed his want for Sesshomaru's safety. He had not forgiven him, if ever he could, but Sesshomaru was right, he did not feel the need to stab him profusely through the heart.

"No," he said stiffly, "you are not forgiven, nor do I know when you will be, but if ever you are, it will take a long, long time for you to make it up."

"Ah," Sesshomaru said, his eyes not wavering from Inuyasha's. "Does that mean I have an eternity to win your trust with my lovemaking."

Inuyasha had been preparing a poultice for his leg and he slapped the stinging, healing salve on the wound with a vengeance. Sesshomaru winced and cursed. "You may go make love with yourself My dark king of nights, for now you are not but an ass with no heart."

Sesshomaru actually chuckled and Inuyasha could not help the smile at the sound he had rarely heard. "As long as I will one day have you under me again Inuyasha. And I will."

He growled as he rose and began to head from the room. "Watch it my Lord Ass, you are pushing it."

A/N: Ehhh, I am done with high school, for forever! Maybe that means another fanfic...maybe no x3. Anywho, I was not feeling this chapter much so sorry if it is utterly shitty. I just strive to entertain you guys and no I cannot be perfect with every aspect of writing or give the perfect scenarios but I do try my best! By the way Hikari's power came from the supernatural bird, I know, corny! And Sesshi-sama's tail will be fine -_-''.

Anywho, one more chapter to go, it is the ending! What do you guys think it will be? Happy, sad, typical? Hell if I know either :) Love you all! I cannot believe I actually finished something!