I do not own Inuyasha or the characters
By the time we arrive at Totosai's domicile (I mean what do you call it when someone essentially lives in a volcano?) it's already the middle of the night. In my excitement I forgot the time and that annoying little thing called sleep. As we enter through the main opening, Totosai looks up from his forge, his large eyes bugging out even more than usual. He turns back to his hammering, intent on ignoring us. Watching him hammer away at what appears to be the beginnings of a long spear; I can't help but think he's like a quirky version of the Roman god Vulcan. I wonder if all the Roman gods were actually youkai and just mistaken for heavenly beings.
"Hey ya old fart," Inuyasha yells over the loud din of the hammer against the anvil. "We've been travelling for hours, don't just ignore us!"
"It's okay, Inuyasha," I reply with a large yawn. "I'm exhausted. Sango and I need to get some sleep." Inuyasha sighs and throws his arms up in the air.
"Ya know how tiring it gets when you always need to rest or to eat or to bathe…" Inuyasha begins his rant, but I quickly cut him off.
"Unless you want to s-i-t I suggest you stop complaining," I say in exasperation. "A person can only take so much criticism until…well until they stab a lovely sword through your gut."
"You could never beat me in a sword fight," Inuyasha brags as he doubles over laughing.
"I can when all you have to fight with is a rusted katana," I retort mockingly, sticking my tongue out for good measure.
"That reminds me, old man," Inuyasha says turning back to glare at the blacksmith. "Why won't Tessaiga transform anymore when I try to fight my prick of a half-brother? Without Tessaiga, Lord Fuckhead wipes the floor with me."
"Yeah, I don't know if Inuyasha can survive much more discipline from our alpha," Sango chokes out through her laughter. Totosai approaches Inuyasha and pulls Tessaiga from its scabbard before the hanyou can react.
"Damn he's fast for an old geezer," Inuyasha mumbles under his breath. As the blacksmith examines the youkai fang, it pulses and vibrates in his hands almost as if it's speaking directly to him. "Well?" Inuyasha demands when the silence continues to stretch.
"The sword is fine," Totosai states as he hands it back to Inuyasha. "It's happier now than it has been for a long time. It won't transform because it doesn't wish to fight Sesshoumaru. Somewhere along the way Inu no Taisho's eldest son picked up compassion for all beings. Never thought I'd live to see the day…" He trails off, returning to his anvil.
"So I can't fight him? Is that what you're saying?" Inuyasha sighs in defeat.
"No," Totosai says over the clang of his hammer. "If he wishes to harm you or those you travel with, Tessaiga will transform."
"Are ya deaf?" Inuyasha shouts at the old youkai. "I told ya he throws me into trees and rocks and cliff walls and basically anything hard every fucking day!"
"That doesn't count," the blacksmith replies without looking up from his project. "Normal discipline doesn't count. Don't piss off your alpha and everything will be fine."
"Don't piss off…you've gotta be fucking kidding me!"
"Inuyasha, please stop with the crude language unless you wish to kiss the floor with your crass face," I say in a sharp tone, tired of his yelling and cussing.
"Did ya hear that? She sounds just like him!" Inuyasha groans, shaking his head sadly.
"No she didn't," Sango intervenes. "I highly doubt Sesshoumaru would have said 'please'."
"Enough!" Totosai bellows from his workspace. We all freeze, slowly turning to look at the old blacksmith. "I'm going to sleep now. If you have need of my services, we'll talk in the morning. Feel free to sleep out here," he says before quickly disappearing through a small door behind the forge. I guess our bickering finally pissed the old guy off.
"Let's stop arguing and go to sleep," I say, dropping my pack to the floor. Without another word, Inuyasha stalks over to the far wall and sits down, leaning his head back to pierce me with a dark glare. I decide to ignore him, not rising to the bait this time. Pulling a small blanket from my bag, I curl up on the stone floor and close my eyes, intent on getting at least a little sleep.
Later
Inuyasha's soft growling rouses me from my light sleep. Sango is already awake and on her feet, standing next to the hanyou, effectively blocking my view of the threat. Now that I'm awake I can feel the controlled bursts of youki from the other side of my friends. It's a warning to stand down, and based on the power level this is a strong taiyoukai. Rising quickly to my feet, I walk over to Inuyasha's side, trying to get a glimpse of the newcomer. The hanyou's arm snakes around my waist, pulling me roughly against his side. Though my mind screams at me to fight him, my instincts tell me to leave it be. Inuyasha is in full inu protective mode. Something is very wrong.
The taiyoukai is tall and handsome, based on his extravagant clothing he must be a lord. His hair is a rich black falling to his knees with several streaks of red running through it. Dark red eyes stare unblinking from his chiseled face. Two black stripes run across either cheek and what appears to be a sun adorns his forehead. He is wearing a black haori with the sun emblem of the South embroidered on the left shoulder. If I remember correctly, Sesshoumaru said the Southern Lord is a tiger youkai.
"What is going on out here?" Totosai grumbles, emerging from the back room. "Can't a poor old man even have a few hours to sleep?"
"I merely came for my son's sword," the taiyoukai says in a deep voice tinged with amusement. "Though I had no idea you would have such an intriguing guest." His dark red eyes roam over my body like I'm a prize mare for sale, making me bristle from his audacity. "I am Arashi, the Lord of the South." He takes a few steps forward causing Inuyasha to bare his fangs and growl louder. "Stand down, puppy, you are no match for me."
"Take the sword and go," Totosai says warily, holding out the beautiful blade. "I prefer to not invoke the wrath of the Lord of the West."
"Yes, it's difficult to miss the courting mark," Arashi purrs as he continues to eye me like a prime steak. "He's also dressing you as if you're already the Lady of the West. Intriguing really. Now tell me, little miko, why would Sesshoumaru let you out of his sight with only a little puppy to guard you?"
That is the final straw for Inuyasha. He unsheathes Tessaiga which flares to life, the youki coming off it in waves of power. Tendaichi begins to vibrate at my side, the only warning I have before the Southern Lord makes his move. In the blink of an eye Arashi grabs me, holding me against his chest with one arm while drawing his sword with the other. Tendaichi continues to dance at my side, but I have no hope of reaching it with my arms pinned by the taiyoukai.
"Let her go now, asshole," Inuyasha manages to say through his growls. "I'm only warning you once."
"Oh really? And just what will you do, little puppy?" Arashi asks through gruff laughter. "Cut her down with me?" He starts to back toward the doorway, dragging my struggling form with him. "Cease your struggling at once, miko. Sesshoumaru may be willing to put up with your disobedience but I will not."
"Let me go!" I shout at the lord as I stomp on his foot and follow it with an elbow to the gut. His arm tightens around me, making it almost impossible to breathe,
"Not a chance," he whispers against my ear as I shiver in revulsion from the contact. "You must be very powerful if Sesshoumaru wants you, and that could be very useful to me. Besides, you are a beautiful little thing. You'll make a fine addition to my harem."
"You'll take her over my dead body!" Inuyasha shouts. Moving faster than I ever thought possible, the hanyou leaps forward, raking his claws down the arm holding me. As Arashi flinches in pain, I wrench away, running over to Sango who places her body in front of mine.
The ringing of steel fills the domed space, echoing off the stone walls as the two males clash once before disappearing outside. Sango and I race to the door, watching the fierce battle. The Lord of the South is powerful, his youki flaring and battering at Inuyasha. But the hanyou is fighting like a man possessed; Tessaiga moving so fast it's almost a blur. After several minutes of heated battle, Arashi leaps backwards, drawing his youki through his blade.
"Tiger Rage," the taiyoukai shouts, unleashing a massive ball of orange youki that races directly at the hanyou.
Inuyasha's face breaks into a grin as this was just what he was waiting for. When the youki attack reaches the hanyou, he deflects it with his Backlash Wave, sending it right back to Arashi. The youki hits the Southern Lord full force causing a massive explosion of rock and dust. When the smoke finally clears, it reveals Arashi, wounded but still standing, his dark garnet eyes bleeding to a brighter red as he begins his transformation.
"This isn't over!" Arashi growls through his elongated fangs.
"Yes it is," Sesshoumaru's deep baritone rings out across the battlefield. Without thinking, I run to him, throwing myself into his arms. He catches my body, cradling me against his chest, but his eyes never move from the Southern Lord. "You will leave this place at once, unless you wish to fight me. I will not hesitate to strike you down for touching what is mine." Without a word, Arashi takes to the sky on a youki cloud, disappearing into the dark night.
"Glad ya got here when ya did," Inuyasha says as he sheathes Tessaiga. "I really didn't want to fight a giant tiger."
"Are you alright, my love?" Sesshoumaru asks, nuzzling my neck, probably trying to wipe away the scent left behind by the tiger.
"Inuyasha saved me from that wretched excuse for a man," I murmur clinging to him, finally giving in to the tremors I'd been holding at bay.
"Yes. Arashi is a formidable opponent," Sesshoumaru says, his arms tightening around my body as he tries to soothe me. "You did well, little brother."
"Uh, thanks," Inuyasha mumbles, obviously embarrassed by Sesshoumaru's affectionate praise. "How'd ya know we were in trouble?"
"Tenseiga started pulsing and wouldn't stop," he replies, glancing down at the sword resting quietly against his hip. "I think Tendaichi called to it."
"It did," I agree. "The second Arashi grabbed me, Tendaichi started pulsating. At the time I thought it wanted me to fight, but I guess it was calling to Tenseiga."
"I'm going back to bed now that the fireworks are over," Totosai mumbles before disappearing back inside.
"Come, I think you all need some sleep," Sesshoumaru says as we follow the old blacksmith. Once inside, I grab my blanket from the floor and wait patiently while Sesshoumaru removes his armor before curling up on his lap. "Now, tell me one thing, Kagome. How do you manage to find trouble wherever you go?"
"Arashi was only interested in me because of you," I say accusingly. "So don't try to blame this on me." He continues to nuzzle at my neck and face as his hair lightly caresses my body. "What are you doing?" I ask, giggling when he rubs his cheek over mine several times.
"He's scent marking you," Inuyasha says from his seat across the room. "You reek of cat."
"Yes, a most unpleasant smell," Sesshoumaru agrees as he moves to my other cheek. "Don't worry, it will be gone soon."
"Take your time," I murmur as he continues to kiss and nuzzle at my face. Though I'd never admit it, I'm loving every moment of this. Perhaps if I'm lucky it'll take all night…
Thanks for reading!
Cymberle