The inuyokai return victorious but also weary and injured. Aid for Sesshomaru is slow as he needs time to recover his energy. However, what angers him the most is his brother's willingness to harm himself.

145 years before the search for the jewel shards.

Chapter 39: A Brother's Duty

Yes, I was in pain. Yes, I was tired of not being able to move properly. However, Inuyasha should have been more careful and not hurt himself just because I was uncomfortable. At least he exposed his poor judgment then while I could still correct him and not later when it would have cost him his life. Not that it made any difference today…

-Sesshomaru

Sesshomaru growled as he lay prone on the floor of the temple. Several pillows were positioned around his head and under his chin to allow him to lay comfortably while face down. Naomi and Kaiyoshinju each placed a firm hand on his shoulder to prevent him from moving. Saben and another young demon pinned Sesshomaru's legs. Kakiboufuu was in his priest outfit with the sleeves tied back to expose his arms. He had slit Sesshomaru's back from skull to tailbone, exposing the vertebrae and the iron that bound it.

It was more than a week after the battle at Castle Arai. Kaiyoshinju had returned two days after they did, her sanity restored. No one asked what she had done during that time and she didn't speak of it. Waiting for Sesshomaru to recover enough of his strength to endure the operation was agony for all especially Sesshomaru who had to spend the entire time either on his side or in his current position. Being helped up only when he had to eat or drink.

Sesshomaru sweated and panted as his brother ran his razor sharp claw down his back and pulled the flesh away from the bone. The two dragons held the flesh back as Kakiboufuu danced his left claws along the metal trying to tickle it loose with just enough heat to make it expand but not enough to burn the bone. It was an extremely slow process and not for the first time, Kakiboufuu wondered if he could have compromised just long enough at Castle Arai so that Sesshomaru could have gotten the medical attention he needed. A kanetenko could have removed the iron in just five minutes without waiting for Sesshomaru's recovery.

Night fell outside and he wasn't even halfway done. Xeno and Yukibi arrived with several lanterns and placed them around the room to help keep the area lit as the sun went down. Others brought in fresh water and Himawari wiped sweat from Kakiboufuu's forehead so it wouldn't run into his eyes and blur his vision.

Kaiyoshinju ran water around the vertebrae he finished with and Naomi closed the skin over it, adding a touch of healing magic to seal it. Sesshomaru did little more than growl and pant through it all, despite the surges of youki that suggested the pain was calling to his demon instincts. The passing time began to show on Kakiboufuu as his breathing became short and his face paled in the firelight.

Deep into the night, the first slip due to fatigue came as he reached the small of Sesshomaru's back. The iron beneath his claw tip suddenly glowed white hot and deformed. Sesshomaru yelled and Kakiboufuu withdrew his hand babbling apologies even as he stuck the fingers into his mouth. He brought his right hand over the bright spot and soon it disappeared, returning to the normal blue-black color.

Kaiyoshinju twisted around, removing her hand from Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Let me see your hand, Puppy," she said. He glared but refused to remove his fingers from his mouth. Kaiyoshinju growled and took hold of his wrist. It was slick with sweat and she almost lost her grip. However, when she pulled he didn't resist further.

Ignoring the saliva, that she noted was drying at an alarming rate, she examined the tips of his fingers. The claws were deformed as if they had partially melted. The flesh surrounding the nails was black and the skin further away was blistering. Kaiyoshinju frowned not comprehending why he would be burned so badly from the short slip.

Naomi hissed at the sight and leaned over Sesshomaru, first removing her hand from his back to keep from putting unnecessary weight on him. She took her uncle's hand and studied it closer. "How did you burn yourself?" she asked and began applying her healing magic to then wounds. However, they were slow to respond.

A series of popping sounds came from beneath them as Sesshomaru rose to his elbows then turned his head to look over his shoulders. The first such movement since his capture several days earlier. "If you're too tired to keep from burning yourself, then stop," he said. "A few hours more won't matter and they won't be as unbearable as the last two weeks have been."

"We're almost done," said Kakiboufuu. "Just a little more."

"Otouto," growled Sesshomaru in warning. He thought he heard the notes of madness creeping into his brother's voice. As he looked at the hanyou, he noticed Kakiboufuu's golden eyes were unfocused, the pupils dilated to the fullest, swallowing the golden irises until they were a mere outline between the black and white.

"Oi, Puppy!" said Kaiyoshinju, becoming equally concerned. She rubbed his back and said, "Break time. Lie down for a couple hours, drink some tea, walk around in the fresh air."

"I didn't send her," he muttered no longer hearing them. "I didn't send her so why was it necessary for her to be there? I didn't send her so why did I say we weren't going?" Kaiyoshinju stared in uncomprehending confusion.

Sesshomaru grimaced and laid back down. He reached back and tapped Naomi on the leg, breaking her concentration on her spell. "Stop, Naomi," he said.

"Why?"

"Kaiyo," continued Sesshomaru, ignoring his daughter's question and startling Kaiyoshinju by using the more familiar name. He raised his hand and mimicked a neck blow as he said, "Hit him."

"Alright," she said. She put one hand in from of the hanyou then struck the back of his neck with the other with just enough force to knock him unconscious but not to snap his neck. His eyes closed and he toppled into her arm. She pulled him back and laid Kakiboufuu down on the floor beside her. Saben and the other demon removed themselves from Sesshomaru's legs.

"I guess I better close you up," said Naomi.

"I wait a moment, everyone," said Xeno from behind his mask. After returning from battle, he had quickly replaced his lost mask and cape. His scimitars were another story. If the planned return to Castle Arai didn't turn up the lost swords, he would have to learn to wield another pair. Something the old demon was not looking forward to. He entered the room with his phoenix on his shoulder. Once he and his wife had left the lanterns, they had departed, now he reentered alone.

"What is it, Xeno?" asked Sesshomaru.

"Scheherazade says she can trim the remaining iron so that it won't interfere further with your movements. That way you won't have to be reopened again later," replied Xeno. "However, it won't be pleasant. Even a phoenix doesn't have your brother's control."

"That's acceptable," said Sesshomaru. "I don't want him to lose his remaining hand."

"He won't lose his hand," said Naomi. "I can heal the injuries."

"Not this time," said Sesshomaru. "When a hitenko burns themselves with their own power their body fails to realize it's burned. That's why he wasn't responding to your spell. We will need to remove his claws and the dead flesh if he is to recover. If he is allowed to continue removing the iron without fully recovering the bone will be burned and then it will be impossible to save his fingers."

Naomi gasped. "Why would he risk himself like that? He only has one good hand to start with. And why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"I didn't know what he was doing until just now," replied Sesshomaru as the men pinned his legs down again. Kaiyoshinju gripped one shoulder and Naomi hastily followed. "As to why, is between me and him."

Xeno knelt beside Sesshomaru and held Scheherazade out to him. The firebird lowered her beak to the exposed bone and began nipping at the iron. Sesshomaru gasped, he hadn't been prepared for the shock. Every muscle tensed and he buried his face into the pillows to keep from screaming. It was worse than he thought and it took every ounce of willpower to keep from ordering Xeno to stop. The phoenix worked quickly to remove the unwanted bits of iron, tossing them aside as it came loose.

An hour passed then it was over and Naomi was able to close the opening and heal the incision. Sesshomaru cursed then turned over to a symphony of cracks and pops as his spine resettled. Himawari slid over and kissed Sesshomaru on his forehead. Sesshomaru raised his hand and ran it through her golden locks. She had smothered him with her attention and tenderness since his return.

At first, miserable, weak and in pain, he had wanted to push her away. One look from Kaiyoshinju, who had appointed herself as in room protector to him, and his tongue had stilled. So he had accepted all the care, caresses, chaste kisses and even kitten licks she had given him without a word, though he felt uncomfortable in receiving them.

His wife-to-be spread a blanket over his naked torso when he withdrew his hand. His sideways glance revealed his brother had been similarly tended. She had brought in a futon for him and then moved him onto it. The sight of bandages, a bowl of water and bloody rags and knife told him that Himawari had already seen to the task he had stated his brother needed for his hand to heal. She really was a good woman, his daughter had chosen well for him. Even if the idea of marriage still made him balk.

Feeling a tad foolish but believing she needed and deserved it, he pulled his hand from the blanket, place it behind her head, pulled her down to him as he leaned up and kiss her forehead. Himawari blushed and looked away, suddenly overtaken by girlish shyness. He glanced around and noticed Naomi smiling with the radiance of the sun. Kaiyoshinju smirked and the men had all found something else of interest in the room.

The next day, Sesshomaru woke to his brother's scowling face. "If you are going to scowl go do it in the mirror," said Sesshomaru, irritated. "I personally have a hundred things that come to mind of what I want to open my eyes to in the morning and none of them involve seeing you."

Kakiboufuu held up his left hand and glared. Sesshomaru stared at the bandaged fingers then glanced passed them to the hanyou. "Is there a problem with Himawari's work?" he asked.

The hanyou snorted then pulled back allowing the older demon to sit up. "Having to be knocked out because I was beginning to hallucinate with exhaustion is one thing," said Kakiboufuu. "But you went and made it impossible for me to finish removing the rest of the iron for another couple of weeks."

"Don't worry about it," said Sesshomaru. "Xeno's phoenix pulled the rest of it out."

"I was wondering how you were sleeping on your back," muttered the hanyou, still vexed. "Still, I doubt it was pleasant."

"It wasn't but it's now over and you don't have to risk losing your finger."

"Feh!" said Kakiboufuu, dismissively. He didn't see his brother's hand until after it had slammed into the side of his head. "Oi! What was that for?" he shouted, bringing his face nose to nose with Sesshomaru. The older demon's face remained passive and emotionless even as he reached up and twisted the hanyou's ear.

Kakiboufuu yelped and didn't resist Sesshomaru's pull as he brought him forward and down. Sesshomaru moved into a crouch and driving his younger brother to the ground until his face was against the floor. Kakiboufuu glared through tear-filled eyes and he gritted his teeth against the searing pain. Sesshomaru's face remained emotionless as he kept the pressure on his brother's ear.

He reached over with his free hand, gripped Kakiboufuu's injured one and pulled it before the hanyou's gaze. "You may be head of the family, you may be the Taisho but I am still your older brother," said Sesshomaru is a low voice. "There is no question that I failed you as your older brother for decades. I should have been able to hold the position of Taisho. I should have been able to hold the position as head of family. That doesn't mean I am excused from my duties as your older brother.

"You are doing a masterful job as Taisho, there is no denying that, but it seems we both are forgetting how young you really are. Sometimes that youth and inexperience impairs your judgment, you make mistakes that someone older would know not to make. You only have one good hand, you should not be sacrificing it unnecessarily!"

"I made the decision," hissed Kakiboufuu. "I made the decision not to wait for the Shiro Tenko for personal reasons. A kanetenko-" Sesshomaru released his brother's wrist and slammed the fist into the hanyou's back. Kakiboufuu gasped and cried out. "Why did you…?"

"You don't think I don't understand and accept your decision?" asked Sesshomaru, his voice still low and even. He brought his fist down again and Kakiboufuu loosed a whine before it turned into a growl. "You warned us. You warned us the day you became Taisho that if we forced you take that post we wouldn't be able to rejoin the Shiro Tenko. We understood and accepted that consequence. Even if the others forgot when they ached and were tired, I didn't.

"A Taisho has responsibilities to more than just his family. He has them to his whole clan. You did well to remember that this past crisis. You hesitated to act until you had secured back-up for the siege, but it seems you only remember it when the risks are toward the clan. You fail to understand that it includes you as well. You have a duty to the clan to protect yourself as well. If anything happens to you, the clan will lose its head and become easy prey for enemies.

"There is no clear line of succession outside the Reihane family. The Ginhane's were the only other family with the status and power that separated them from the others. With them gone all the remaining families are too close in abilities to determine a clear succession should the Reihane line disappear. Even if you named a successor, they would not be able to control the other families. In the demon world, power is everything. Without that obvious, undeniable strength that guarantees victory no matter the challenger, no one will follow for long before coveting the throne for themselves.

"You must never think you are expendable. You are what holds this clan together. You are their leader and their protector, their law and order. Last night it was a hand you risked and with the way you fight possibly a minor loss. However, I cannot allow even that to go unchallenged. Next time you might risk your life unnecessarily and I might not be there to stop you. Minor or major, you will not sacrifice yourself like that again. Understand?"

Kakiboufuu said nothing but his gaze remained defiant. Sesshomaru gripped the collar of his brother's kimono and yanked downward, exposing the hanyou's back. He placed his claws against the skin and said, "If I have to I will carve my words into your flesh so their burn may remind you of what I said. I don't want you forgetting your responsibilities again."

"I understand," hissed Kakiboufuu without taking his eyes off Sesshomaru.

"I'm not convinced," said Sesshomaru, and pressed his claw into the skin, drawing a bead of blood.

"I understand!" gasped the hanyou, sounding more frantic. Alarm in his eyes.

"Understand what?" asked Sesshomaru watching his brother's eyes.

"I understand that my responsibilities include not just bringing unnecessary risk to the clan but to myself as well. Bringing risk to myself brings risk to the clan because they need me to maintain order and cohesion. That if I were lost the clan would disperse or destroy itself," said Kakiboufuu quickly as squirmed beneath his brother's iron grip on his ear.

"Good," said Sesshomaru and he withdrew both hands. Kakiboufuu didn't rise right away, instead choosing to rub his offended ear. The older demon leaned forward and hissed, "Pull this crap again and the hide is coming off your back in strips." Kakiboufuu cringed, hearing the sincerity in his brother's voice.

Outside the room, rudely eavesdropping, stood Lady Kou. The elder nodded her head in silent approval, though no one was there to see her. She had been preparing to give the young Taisho an earful herself on the subject. She was glad to see Sesshomaru stepping up as his older brother.

Sesshomaru's actions were neither treasonous nor inappropriate. This was what many would call an in-house squabble. Elders in a family were not heads but did have position and rights within their families that allowed them to chide and even discipline a head depending on the offense. It was strange to see the older Sesshomaru scolding the Taisho but this was the second Taisho for the clan and he was still very young. As long as Sesshomaru didn't try to control the clan through the Taisho she didn't see a problem with this. Young leaders needed guidance, a young Taisho was no different.

She walked away without either one becoming aware of her presence. She thought she heard the conversation start up again but didn't care to listen further. She had heard what she needed and she would not intrude upon their privacy further.

Within the room, Kakiboufuu sat and straightened his white kimono. "Of all the lousy…" he muttered. He put a hand to the swollen ear and yelled, "You know I actually use these with my jutsu, Aniue!"

Sesshomaru was standing a few feet away as he dressed. He had gotten the inner white kimono on and was pulling on the outer patterned one. He hadn't put on his hakama and stood there barefoot in his robes. A sudden move and he was sitting next to Kakiboufuu with his the claw of his left pointing finger touching the tip of his brother's unharmed ear. He sat with both legs bent, however, one lay flat on the ground while the other was raised. The kimono fell away from the raised knee, exposing naked pale flesh.

"I could equalize them if you want," said Sesshomaru.

Kakiboufuu had a very surprising reaction. Jerking back, he cried, "Get away! Don't do that when you aren't fully clothed!"

Sesshomaru lost his passive face as he blinked in confusion. "Whatever is wrong?"

Kakiboufuu scooted out of reach, panting. "There are many weird people with strange ideas that I do not wish to encourage in any way," he replied.

Sesshomaru stared for a moment then snorted and stood up. The Prophet's Eye strikes again, he thought. Though, it sounds a bit random and doesn't seem to have any bearing on the future. What did he see in that instant? Sesshomaru pondered the words a few moments but pulled back before he came up with anything conclusive. Perhaps ignorance is bliss, after all.

"I'm sorry," said Kakiboufuu, after regaining his composure.

"About what?" asked Sesshomaru as he tied his hakama. I'm never going to get used to his random comments.

"Naomi," he replied. Sesshomaru paused and regarded his brother. Kakiboufuu was curled up on the floor with his chin and arms resting on his knees. He wasn't looking at Sesshomaru. "I know what I said to her. I know I told her not to go. Yet it ended up being so necessary. Why did I think she obey that? Why did I not at least pull her aside and tell her what I was doing? I feel like even though I told her not to go I actually pushed her into going by herself, just so she would already be inside when we attacked. That the whole battle was just a decoy operation so that she could free you.

"This Prophet's Eye, I hate it. It influences my words and my actions without me understanding why. It doesn't allow me to make the decisions by showing me the possible outcomes. It just controls me and when it governs my actions I find I have the least awareness. It isn't until afterwards when I stop and think about it that I realize what happened. I actually put Naomi in danger and I didn't even realize it."

Sesshomaru sighed; his brother was weakening again. He walked over and placed his hand on the hanyou's head. "Maybe you should trust it like your instincts. Everything turned out well in the end," he said.

"You heard about what happened with the Jewels of Life?" he asked. Sesshomaru nodded though his brother couldn't see him. "Where was the warning there?"

"Maybe because it foresaw the outcome and so no action of avoidance was necessary," suggested Sesshomaru.

"But who is deciding this? It isn't me! Someone else is using me to write history. I'm not even being trusted with the decision. I don't know what will happen I just say or do things at random and it happens to work out, but what if the end of the journey isn't what any of us actually wanted?"

Sesshomaru thought of his mother's words from that rainy night after the Ascension Ceremony.

"He is being forced to walk a lonely road, one that is filled with jagged rocks, barefoot. His suffering has just begun and I shudder at what's yet to come."

I'm beginning to see it now, what she was talking about. What else lies ahead for us if this is only the start? Sesshomaru wondered.

Author Chat:

Yes, I did! I couldn't resist letting that damned Prophet's Eye give Kakiboufuu a peek into the mad world of fandom. And it serves as a reminder that there is no incest in this story. They are brothers and they will behave as such. They will be nice one day and they will beat each other up the next. They will not make out with each other, ever.

Beyond that, I was glad to give Sesshomaru some dominate male time. He kept getting pushed around and put down so much in this story, it was long past time for him to remind everyone that he is a powerful yokai that make thousands tremble in fear. Oh I forgot, that happens outside Tenji and never within. Well, he still needed some dominance time.

Chapter 40: Do Not Interfere Further

A temporary halt to the fighting gives all sides a chance to rest and recover. During this time, Kakiboufuu makes plans to visit the mainland in order to discover the reason behind the unexpected appearance of foreign weapons on the battlefield.

Translations:

Tsuchi: earth

Hi: fire

Mizu: water

Ki: wood

Kane: metal

Kaze: wind

Himizu: as discordant as fire and water

Hikaze: fire wind

Tenki: weather

Enzeru: angel

Hanyou: half-demon

Obi: the sash that is wrapped around a woman's waist to hold her kimono closed.

Matte: wait!

Shoji: sliding door.

Engawa: veranda, walkway running along the outside of the buildings.

Temee: you, derogatory term, very insulting.

Kisama: you, derogatory term, more vulgar than temee

Ano: uh

Hai: Yes

Aniyome: elder brother's wife; sister-in-law

Hime: Princess

Waka: Young lord, used for the son of a noble.

Otouto: Little brother.

Onii-(_): Big brother, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect of love. (Can also be used when addressing a young man.)

Aniue: Big brother, formal.

Imouto: Little sister.

Onee-(_): Big sister, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect of love. (Can also be used when addressing a young woman.)

Aneue: Big sister, formal.

Ojii-(_): Grandfather, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect of love. (Can also be used when addressing an elderly man.)

Obaa-(_): Grandmother, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect of love. (Can also be used when addressing an elderly woman.)

Oji-(_): Uncle, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect of love. (Can also be used when addressing a middle-aged man.)

Oba-(_): Aunt, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect of love. (Can also be used when addressing a middle-aged woman.)

Mina wa ookii aho desu: Everyone's a big idiot.

Sumimasen: Excuse me.

Oyaji: Father, informal masculine.

Otou-(_): Father, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect or love.

Chichiue: Father, formal.

Ofukuro: Mother, informal masculine.

Okaa-(_): Mother, general. Honorific added on to end, determining level of respect or love.

Hahaue: Mother, formal

Otaa-sama: Mother, said by children of court nobles to their mothers.

XX-(blank): Intimate or rude address depending on usage.

XX-kun: Male honorific, friendly

XX-chan: Female or young boy honorific, friendly

XX-san: general honorific, polite, (Mr. or Ms.)

XX-sama: formal or very polite honorific, used for those of superior status or to show great respect. (Lord or Lady)

XX-dono: more formal honorific, more respectful than XX-sama. Derived from tono = lord.