I know I know, that last chapter ended on a horrid note. I'm so sorry, but I have my reasons, please trust me. I do nothing without reason! Thanks again for your support guys!

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Best Friends Forever

Suekichi was having a bad day. He had never met this 'Naraku' but he had certainly heard plenty about him. He wasn't afraid of anything, that was for sure, but he was afraid for the others. He had been in this castle for a while, and he knew that each year they had a week of peace and quiet when Sesshoumaru went away for the birthday ball. But this year was different, and on a short notice at that. Suekichi was more concerned about the reasoning than the fact that the big bad spider was coming. He'd seen Sesshoumaru at his worst, how bad could Naraku really be?

Of course, despite his calm yet frustrated feelings, he was still capable of being clumsy. He destroyed an expensive bottle of wine, scratched the floor, and pissed off Zaniggi, the demon Suekichi hated above all others. The very second he made that stupid mistake the lizard was on him and dragging him away, prepared with hundreds of punishments.

The lizard demon had had it out for him from the start, and his hatred displaced onto Tarōmaru more than Suekichi liked. And after making a mistake on the one day that it mattered most, Zaniggi wasn't exactly prepared to do otherwise.

The dinner started off without a hitch, or as much as it could with that creature in their midst. Suekichi hadn't expected someone so… imposing. The very second he entered the room it was like the light had been sucked out. He couldn't understand the fear his body felt; he prided himself on having no fear from Sesshoumaru, so it truly ached at him that he felt so afraid of this person he had never even spoken to.

But even still, nothing seemed to be going too wrong. It was an evening to be expected; high tension, plenty of flowing wine, and girls constantly trying to please but stay away from the guest of honor at the same time. Suekichi was lucky, given the dislike for him, he was placed on kitchen duty for the night, not allowed in the dining hall but to collect dishes.

He didn't mind this, being out of the center of attention was always the best idea when it came to this world and it's horrendous ways. Being invisible was ideal, and Suekichi was as close as you could get to that.

If Zaniggi didn't hate him just for breathing.

He figured something had seriously gone wrong when Tarōmaru hit the ground at a run. Before Suekichi could even react, the other boy was up and looking back and forth, eyes wide and terrified.

"What-?"

Footsteps, followed by a slimy sound that was all too familiar, sent shivers up Suekichi's spine. Unable to continue his questioning, he watched as Tarōmaru spun and ran for the stairs. His speed wasn't surprising, given that it was obvious he was running from some sort of punishment.

Suekichi wasn't sure what to do when Zaniggi entered the kitchens, looking flush with fury. He glanced around furiously, making Suekichi even more concerned. When Zaniggi was mad, it showed, but this… This was something else. What on earth could Tarōmaru have done to make him so angry?

The eyes swiveled down, catching Suekichi, who was still mulling over the possibilities.

"You," he growled out, making the boy start. The anger had switched to eagerness, and that made the boy all the more worried.

"What did I do?" Suekichi snapped, knowing exactly what that tone meant.

"You, boy, have the worst luck." Zaniggi grinned as he snatched his arm, yanking him from the kitchens and back into the main hall. He knew barely anyone knew the boys, let alone cared about them. And even if they knew, it was highly unlikely they would mention it and possibly invoke the wrath Naraku was already spewing out. The boy annoyed him, and now he could finally get some justice. The other one would just have to wait.

"I found him, my lord!" Zaniggi called out, dragging Suekichi behind him with barely any effort. Enjoying the feeling of finally winning, he chucked the boy in front of him, reveling in the smack that sounded when he hit the steps.

Suekichi groaned as he stood up, rubbing his arm in pain. He looked around the room, surprised at the silence and tension. Tarōmaru was not the bad one, he was, so what could have happened?

"My lord," everyone turned to look at Kikyo, who had stepped forward with unexpected worry on her face. "He is not-"

"Silence!" Naraku's voice interrupted, demanding the attention and respect of the entire castle. He left his place to land directly in front of Suekichi, forcing the boy to back up a step – much to his chagrin.

"You've made a grave mistake, boy." His voice was deadly, his eyes were like the very doors to the underworld, and with each word Suekichi felt as though it was a stab in the gut. In the few seconds he had, he glanced down the lord's clothes, noting the massive stain that had destroyed the obviously expensive material.

Oh Tarōmaru… You dumbass.

Suekichi looked back at Zaniggi, silently confirming what he had already guessed. He then took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, mentally telling his friend that he definitely owed him. His round eyes opened and rolled up to meet Naraku's; his fear stamped down and ignored. He could do this.

"You will pay for ruining my clothes, and my evening." A crash made everyone jump, but it was hardly noted when Sesshoumaru knocked his own chair over and stepped forward to take charge of the situation.

"Naraku, you disgrace my hospitality." For a split second, Suekichi allowed himself hope. Perhaps the punishment would not be so bad…

"You will allow this to stand?" Naraku spun around, fists tight.

Sesshoumaru glared, but remained calm, "What are your wishes?"

"Death." Naraku snapped.

Suekichi felt his heart drop. The blood seemed to leave his body all at once, then come rushing back in to roar in his ears and threaten to send him to the floor unconscious. He allowed himself a quiet gulp, then prayed to Kami that Sesshoumaru would not allow such a thing.

Said lord looked directly at him, "Do you admit fault to ruining lord Naraku's clothes?"

The hope for life was diminished as quickly as it came. Sesshoumaru knew, he knew it wasn't him, that it wasn't his fault. He could admit fault, or tell the truth.

…And allow his best friend to be killed.

Suekichi took another deep breath, figuring it would be the last time he could. "I admit it."

"Then, given that it is the lord's birthday, I will grant his wish. Your punishment is death." Sesshoumaru looked at Naraku, "But as I am the master of this castle and these lands, it will be by my hand."

Here it was. The end to such a short life… in the midst of hundred year old demons, Suekichi put such a tiny spec in the timeline. But he had to. As he watched Sesshoumaru's calm eyes briefly flash green, he forced himself to relax. The lord's nails began to glow, and he knew what was coming – he had seen it plenty of times.

Tarōmaru… This was for Tarōmaru. It didn't matter that he was scared, all that mattered was that his friend would live. It was the only gift he had left to give.

Yeah sure, he had been planning on stealing a few desserts for his birthday in a few weeks, but this worked too, right?

Defying a previous thought, Suekichi took another deep breath. But before he could let it out-

"Poison whip."

There was a bright flash of green, and then he was airborne. It felt like hours before he finally hit the tile, surely breaking bones. But he felt nothing as he laid, staring at the doors that lead into the ballroom. When had he left the room?

Never got to actually try that stupid wine…