Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Inuyasha or Ranma ½.
A/N: As we are nearing the end, I would like to take this moment to thank my readers for sticking with me this entire story, and to doubly thank those who left me a review. While I may not respond to all of them, I read every single one and they are the motivation to keep me going.
Sesshomaru smelled the scent before he attacked the illusionist with a crescented Meido Zangetsuha, saving the boy from death in the process.
"That was a surprise. You again, Lord Sesshomaru?"
Byakuya.
He was Naraku's new offspring. The first time Sesshomaru had met the demon of dreams and illusions, it has been when he was about to test his newly forged Tenseiga on Moryomaru.
"Moryomaru's scent has vanished," Sesshomaru commented. "I presumed he was eaten by Naraku?"
Instead of answering him, Byakuya said: "So. You came to save Kohaku? That wouldn't be in your character."
Sesshomaru quickly took assessment of the scene around him. The boy was entangled in snakes that tried to pump miasma into his being to defile the Shikon shard that was embedded in his neck.
The boy's struggles reminded Sesshomaru of Kagura. Of how he'd been unable to save her.
He remembered that once upon a time he wouldn't have cared. Byakuya was right, this was unlike him.
"I merely came to cut away an irritating smell," Sesshomaru replied emotionlessly. "That's all."
"Well, well..." A swirl of wind came up. "I'll take my leave then," said Byakuya, as he was lifted up on his origami. "It wouldn't be funny if I was cut down by a passerby."
When he was gone, Rin sprung out from the undergrowth of the forest. "Kohaku!" she cried.
"Don't touch him, Rin. Those snakes are venomous."
He firmly told himself that the only reason Kohaku was allowed to follow him was because of Rin. Because she liked the boy. He, the killing perfection, was not changing.
"Is that what you think, little mate?" Naraku taunted inside his head, "I think it's because your instincts are growing stronger. Taking in two stray children to be our pup's playmates... you are so thoughtful."
Sesshomaru wanted to strangle the spider.
Shut. Up.
"This is why you'll make an excellent mother, Sesshomaru."
This Sesshomaru is not a mother.
TBC...