Chapter 10: His Guardian

The torrent of blinding light hurled towards Sesshomaru with such force that even a demon of his caliber struggled to not get swept away by its destructive power as it knocked the breath out of him, and thrashed against his armor. Shattering the protective metal within seconds while the raging energy around him continued to simultaneously rip through his demon-silk robes.

Immediately a silent alarm went off, as the pain hit. Igniting his instincts as the Wind Scar started to tear through his flesh now that there was nothing in the way of its natural course.

Letting out a battle cry, Sesshomaru summoned his own demonic energy in response. Creating a surge of power that would hopefully suppress the tide that was ready to engulf him. But, the Tessaiga's attack proved to be too much for him to fend off with just his demonic energy alone. It was as if he was caught in the middle of a never ending current with no way out. The more he fought against the Wind Scar, the stronger the rush of energy flooding out from the sword fought to drown him. In the end, all he could do was expel enough power to brunt most of the assault in an attempt to shield himself from the Wind Scar long enough to hopefully wade through.

Though, as each agonizing second passed by and the energy required to fend off the attack grew, Sesshomaru soon realized that his demonic powers wouldn't be able to keep up.

And as that awareness sank in, the unfamiliar stir of his inner demon roared to life. Rushing through his veins, while it tried to break free from his control. No longer trusting Sesshomaru's direction, and instead demanding his body now that self-preservation was its only concern in their dire situation.

But, Sesshomaru outright refused to give in to its ridiculous antics, as he remembered how he had suffered the last time he had made the mistake of trading his capability of higher thinking and rationality for strength that paled in comparison to the Tessaiga. Effectively subduing the internal war within him, by ultimately refused to transform.

Because how would that help?

If he wasn't able to overpower the Wind Scar by now, then there was no chance he would be able to when what remained of his flesh could barely cling onto his broken bones.

He wasn't stupid.

There was no point in struggling. He had already realized he was going to die.

And so, in his final moments there was something more important than struggling to survive. Something he had to figure out before the darkness descended and he was sent to whatever hell the gods deemed fit.

"How did I lose to a half-breed…?" The demon asked himself, as unwavering light ate away at his flesh.

"How is that possible?" He questioned.

He was a full demon born from a powerful clan. The ultimate weapon made to stand above all those he chose to conquer and kill. The strongest demon to walk the Western Lands.

That was his purpose.

The sole reason for his existence.

And that's why… That's why the half-breed shouldn't have won.

Because he couldn't take that away from him too…

Yet, he did. Defeating him in battle over and over again. Taking way the very reason he had to get up after each humiliating defeat. Just as the half-demon had taken away the opportunity to battle their father for his rightful title, and the sword that was supposed to be his once he had bested him.

So, Sesshomaru asked himself a question. A question he had never asked himself before. Even as it plagued him for years.

Except, when the question finally manifested it no longer sounded like a question. And maybe, that's why he never asked. Because he already knew the answer.

"Father realized I would never be strong enough to succeed him."

That's why he hadn't meant anything to the man that sired him.

"That's why he choose Inuyasha."

And as he finally accepted that, suddenly everything became clear.

He had damned his father his entire life for the way he had walked out on him and their clan for some human brewing his bastard spawn. Never realizing that his father's favour was justified.

Why wouldn't his father abandon his weaker heir in favour of rearing a stronger one? Why wouldn't he give his strongest heir his treasured sword?

It wouldn't have made any sense if the Great Dog Demon didn't.

"That's why he gave everything to Inuyasha."

And with that, all the facts added up.

Enough for Sesshomaru to let go of the one thing that gave his life purpose, as he welcomed the death he knew awaited him.

But his inner demon had other ideas as it rushed to gain control of the body that he had given up. Refusing to allow the listless demon to drag them into the darkness he had succumbed to. Frantically mending the rips to their torn and numbing body, while battling against the current that Sesshomaru knew would take his life whether his demon blood continued to fight it or not.

Yet, it still refused to give up even as more blood spilt from his wounds and it could no longer mend the deepening gashes.

What was happening?

He had heard that when a demon that possessed a great amount of demonic power was close to death their blood raged in order to ensure a chance of survival.

But Sesshomaru had given up.

So, what was going on? Was his body so far gone that he couldn't even do as he pleased now? He could call upon his demon blood for power, but when he wanted to die it wouldn't listen to him?

If Sesshomaru could, he would have let out a sigh. Things weren't adding up again, and his earlier enlightenment had been enough for his lifetime.

Why wouldn't his body just let him die? There wasn't anything left to fight for anymore.

So why fight?

He had lost his reason to live, but still, his body wouldn't listen to him. It kept trying to wade through the Wind Scar, clawing at the tide in an attempt to push through the rush of power ripping through his flesh as his body finally gave out.

And all he could wonder was, "Why?"

There truly was only a matter of seconds left before the inevitable, and his demon instincts seemed to have finally realized that this was the end. It too was fading way slowly, releasing its hold on his body. But, before Sesshomaru was able to gain complete control, his inner demon arched his back with the last ounce of its strength before letting out a deafening howl through his throat.

Howling to the sky, as if it was pleading with the winds to carry his last words to-

…

"Who?" His mind was blanked.

And instantly the sword at his hip started pulsing to life. Making him tremble to his very core, as something in the back of his mind throbbed to break free. Something that had to do with why his demon blood had been trying so hard to ensure his survival. He could feel it. It was right there. But, he just couldn't remember...

Then, almost desperately the Tensaiga started beating louder and faster. Pulsating in its sheath, and pushing its power through its demon master. Trying to awaken the precious memories it knew were sealed within him.

And then, slowly the muddled fragments came to together as the memory of soft fluttering laughter filled his mind. Somehow soothing the ache from the lacerations that tore through his flesh. Making his chest clench with an unfamiliar feeling while the light breeze that carried the mirthful melody blew the smell of flowers towards him. Instantly making him feel… longing. Along with a hundred other things he couldn't put a name to because he had never felt them in his life…

Was that why his inner demon had fought so hard?

Was that who his demon blood had called out to?

But, it was too late. The Wind Scar had already fully encased him, and the numbingly cold feeling of what he assumed was death started crawling over his body.

He was out of time.

Yet, something was different now. He may have lost his purpose. And, realistically the laughter he was able to remember could have meant nothing to him. Because why else would something seemingly so important be forgotten?

But, even though everything pointed to that fluttering memory being fabricated in his final moments, he couldn't deny the strange tightness in his chest as he remembered the musical lull. A feeling he had never felt before. A yearning for something other than power.

And so, even if it didn't work, he had to try. With the last of his consciousness he ordered his battered arm to grab the pulsating Tensaiga, holding the blade against the Wind Scar as a blinding blue light erupted from it.

AN- I know Sesshomaru is out of character, but I needed something like this to explain why he stops outright trying to MURDER Inuyasha, and to backup character development later on. Plus the guy does have a personality. He asks Rin why she's all bruised up, AND when Jaken thinks he's dead he threw a rock at his face. So I think the guy just hides all his feels with a really good poker face ;)

ANN- Also, yes. I CHANGED EVERYTHING! (Well, almost. The story has been edited, but the title did change completely.)