Inuyasha's POV

(Two Weeks Later)

This pain. Is there anyway to end it? It is relentless. It is unbearable. 'I feel so powerless. How do I get out?'

'What will it be hanyou? Death or submission?'

Death…or…submission?

The body on top of him is a heavy, immovable mass of pure muscle. Every time he grinds against him, it feels as though he is being split apart. 'My body is torn and bruised in so many places. How much longer can I hold out? How long have I been here? Why hasn't anyone come yet?'

'Your place is underneath me. You serve no other purpose and are worthless in every other way. A half-breed mutt should roll over and accept his place gratefully.'

'He's wrong. I know he's wrong, but it's becoming impossible to fight anymore. I just want it to end…The darkness is creeping in. I can't see anything beyond the void.'

"Inuyasha-sama."

'I can't breathe.'

"I-Inuyasha-sama?"

'But the pain is fading. Everything is fading. The darkness is consuming me. It…feels kinda' good.'

"Inuyasha-sama!"

"Huh?!" He wakes with a start and flinches when his injuries throb in protest to his jerk movement. "Ugh, Kuso!" There is no part of his body not currently tingling in pain. His body is shaking from cold and it takes him a moment to realize his face is drenched in water and not sweat for once. He lays there dazed and confused until Tatsuya leans over to check on him. He is clutching his satchel and canteen close to his chest and peering down at him with wide apprehensive eyes that glow green in the shadows.

"I-Inuyasha-sama? I-I am sorry, but you would not w-wake up…I was s-scared."

'So, it was just a nightmare…no, for a moment there it really felt like I was fading. And besides, those words…that coward has said those very words to me more times than I can count.' "Where is that bastard?" The hanyou knows that he must be off the mountain because that is the only reason why the kid would risk a visit.

"M-Master has been gone all day on b-business," 'Business? Probably tormenting some other sap.' "He should return later tonight. I-I would have come e-earlier b-but he sent me away to do something first, ah uh gomen…"

He has nothing to say as the kid helps him prop up against the wall. With his hands still bound behind his back he has to rely on the dragon boy for food and water. Still, Inuyasha does not know what to make of him. The brat is probably the only reason he is still alive right now. Without the food and water, the curse would have drained the life out of him ages ago. But the fact remains that Tatsuya did lure him here and has made no move to help him escape. He knows the child is, rightfully, terrified of his sadistic master so he tries not to take out his frustrations on him. But then again, Inuyasha is going to keep him at arm's length. 'For all I know, they could be waiting for me to let my guard down. No way that's happening again. I learned my lesson.'

The mountain air is cold, eerie, and still as he feeds him the usual stale bread with trembling scaled fingers. As always, the ryu keeps his head bowed and avoids looking at the captive's weakened state at all costs. When he brings the mug of water to his lips, he lets out a little gasp of shock and nearly spills it on him. Inuyasha throws him a questioning scowl until he traces his horrified gaze to his right shoulder. 'Oh right.' He knows it is bad. Besides the ache below his wait, it is the part of his body that hurts the most. He noticed a pungent stench coming from it a couple days ago but could not bring himself to look at it. He risks a glance now and instantly regrets it. The flesh between his neck and shoulder, and most of his shoulder as well, is shredded. It looks as though the dairyu was trying to devour him and quit halfway through out of boredom. He can clearly see some of his bone and the sight combined with the blood and puss is enough to make his stomach turn.

"T-T-That does not l-look g-good Inuyasha-sama."

"No kidding?"

Ignoring or perhaps oblivious to the man's sarcasm, the kid spares a glance at the ceiling before chewing on his bottom lip in contemplation. Night is just starting to creep up on the clear blue sky. "I—there are s-some medical herbs in the n-nearby forest. I-I can—um will try to make something a-and come back before Master Khuzaimah returns. I-If you catch a fever from this you could…c-could…"

Inuyasha has no idea what his face looks like right now, but it is enough to make the other end that thought with a gulp.

"I will return as quick as p-possible."

Again, he says nothing, so the young whelp gathers his things and disappears through the opening in the ceiling, leaving the prisoner to the cold gloom once more. For awhile he just sits there. Unmoving. Unthinking. Unblinking. Only being.

But then the intrusive thoughts come rushing forth like always, 'How long has it been? How much longer can I last? How much longer will I have to fight? To struggle? How many more times does he need to do THAT until he's satisfied? Will he ever be satisfied? Where is everyone? Why haven't they come for me yet?' The rarely listened to rational side of him knows that they have obviously been trying but cannot reach him for one reason or another. The predominantly protective side of him wants them to stay far, far away and fears that the monster is aware of where they are. There is no telling what Khuzaimah would do to them on a whim. But the other side of him…

The tormented side—thinks they are too busy to be bothered with him. The twins must have been born already and now Miroku and Sango have a family to take care of; a real family. He knows what he is thinking is wrong. He knows they care about him, so then why does his heart feel so heavy? Why does it hurt so much? He has been alone before. Hell, he has been alone far longer than not.

"Feh!" 'So then why?! Why am I getting so emotional about something so stupid?!' He can hardly feel his claws digging into his palms and he clenches his jaw when his body begins to shake for a reason besides the cold. The tears prick the corner of his eyes, threatening to fall at any second. He squeezes them shut and hunches over until his face rests on his knees. 'What the hell is wrong with me?! Get a grip! I'll never get out of here if I don't keep a cool head! I just have to hang on. Bide my time. Wait for an opening. I just have to hold on, damn it—

For what?'

"KUSO!" 'Wouldn't it be easier to just give up? No, what am I thinking?! Giving up means dying or…no there isn't any other option. There is no part of me capable of submitting, especially not to a freak like Khuzaimah. I don't want to die, do I? No, I can't. I have to go back and be with the others. I have to protect them. I have to wait for her. If I'm not there when she returns, I will never forgive myself—' "W-What?" All at once, he jerks in shock as an alarmingly familiar sensation spreads through his body from head to toe. His eyesight dulls until he can see nothing in the pitch blackness surrounding him. His fangs shrink down to normal incisors and the claws that were digging into his palm retract until they are nothing but dull nails. 'No!' He can hear nothing over his accelerated heartbeat and can only smell the decomposing flesh on his shoulder. 'NO!' He knows even without looking that his silver locks are now black as night and devoid of dog ears. His once halcyon eyes are now a deep brown.

He is a human.

'Shit!' Since he had no way of keeping time, he had no idea the night of the new moon was already upon him. 'I can't believe it's been this long.' It all makes sense now. He is never more emotional than on the nights of the new moon. 'Damn it, this is bad. My mortal body can't withstand—' "Aargh, ngh kh!" Right on cue the shocks of pain crash over him in relentless waves. He wants to clamp a hand over his tattered shoulder, but all he can do is curl into a ball on his side. "Hah, ah ngh ah." He can feel himself drifting into unconsciousness and a part of him welcomes it gratefully, but he is also worried he will never wake up again. 'I can't die here. I can't die like this after everything. I will…wake…up…'

Everywhere he looks there is nothing but the bleak abyss. He feels light and numb, like he is floating somewhere between reality and the void. It feels like he is drifting towards nothingness. It is so tantalizingly close and so sinfully tempting. He does not feel anything here. He is safe but…he is alone. He has known loneliness for so long. He does not want to suffer alone ever again, but it seems destiny keeps pulling him that way.

A flash materializes in the blackness and he finds himself subconsciously drifting towards the only source of light in the barren nothingness. The blinding light mellows to reveal a beautiful long-haired princess donning a brilliant pink and cerulean kimono. 'My boy.' She is holding her arms out, inviting him out of his solitude and into the warmth of her motherly love.

'Kaasan.' She is coming closer, or is he the one moving forward? From behind her a maiden steps out to stand beside her. A fair miko clad in red and white. 'Kikyo?' Her expression is as stoic and impeccable as ever, only her beguiling eyes hinting at any emotion. She is beckoning him closer with a simple wave of her elegant hand. They are so close. All he has to do is reach out and grab them. He lunges forward with an outstretched hand when a third woman steps out from between them to stand in front with her hands on her hips.

'Inuyasha!'

'Kagome?!'

'Inuyasha, what do you think you're doing?' She looks exactly as he remembers; pretty ebony locks, big doe eyes, and a charming face full of pure determination—he has missed her so much it hurts. He assumed the feeling would be mutual, but when he tries to embrace her, she backs away like he is an enemy. 'No! Stay back!'

'W-Why? Kagome you…' His heart feels like it just dropped to his stomach. They have been apart for so long and she does not want him near her? Why? Has she not been hurting too? Has it just been him on his own?

'Inuyasha, you do NOT belong here. You need to go back.'

'Go back? Go back?! Go back to what?! To being tortured?! And used?! Even if I were to escape or be saved, what's there to go back to?!'

Her eyes narrow in a way he remembers means he is in for it. 'What are you saying? Do you hear yourself right now?! What about Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and all the others?! Are you trying to say you don't care about them anymore? When they are working so hard to get to you? They need you as much as you need them!'

'I—…' He knows she is right, but he does not want to admit it. 'I need you…'

Her face softens considerably as she moves in and cups his face in her soft hands. 'I know, but you will not find me here; not the real me. Your real mother and the real Kikyo would not want you here right now. Wait for me out there. In the meantime—'

'Kagome—'

'Survive and find happiness.'

Happiness? How could he truly be happy without her? 'Kagome, I can't—'

'I know it's tough but no matter what, stay alive.' She rests her hands on his shoulders and presses a light kiss against his forehead before shoving him back with surprising force; sending him spiraling backwards.

'KAGOME!'

She spares him a sad little smile before turning away and fading away into the light with the others.

"Inuyasha-sama! Inuyasha-sama, p-please try and wake up!" His eyes snap open to Tatsuya shaking him as firmly as he can muster. "Thank goodness!" With his human vision, he can only see his green glowing eyes in the night, but visibility is the least of his concerns right now. His body feels like it is on fire and he can hardly breathe. Everything is fuzzy and his head is spinning. His only relief comes from something cool on his forehead and a tingling numbness in his shoulder. "I treated your wound while you were sleeping, b-but w-why are you h-human? Is this what h-happens to severely wounded h-half-demons?"

"Hah, hah ah fu—aaah!" His body is seizing from the agony and he cannot seem to get enough air to his lungs.

"I-Inuyasha-sama, this is not good. K-Khuzaimah-sama is fast approaching, but I-I do not think a ningen can s-survive long with M-Master's cursed bindings. You are already…I-Inuyasha-sama is not d-doing so well."

"Ngh—kh." Even if he wanted to say something, he cannot physically manage it. All his efforts are concentrated on not crying out with every shaky gasp. His mind is slipping, his ears are ringing, and his body will not respond to him anymore. He is so cold, but he is drenched head to toe in sweat.

"Inuyasha-sama, p-please hold on! I-I will go get help!" His voice sounds miles away now. "Please try and stay awake!"

He knows he must or else this may really be it, but it feels like he is fighting a losing battle. His lids are so heavy and the sweat dripping down his face and stinging his eyes is making it all the more difficult. It will not be long now, but he cannot give in. He has to fight. The others are waiting, just like Kagome said. 'They are definitely waiting for me. And I will wait for them as long as it takes.' His lids droop, but he knows he will wake up again. He has to.

….

"I said HOW did you know he was in such a state begin with?" 'Huh?'

"I-I-I—"

"If I repeat myself, it will be your head." 'Khuzaimah!' Inuyasha opens his eyes to find himself laying in a nest of some sort. It is still night, but he can see well enough thanks to lavish cave having a large opening for an entrance. 'This is the place he invited me to eat after we fought the birds and panthers.'

"I-I w-was inside t-the c-cavern w-with I-I-Inuyasha-sama, m-milord." Tatsuya is cowering against the cave wall opposite of him, as Khuzaimah stands between them with his arms crossed and head cocked to the side; emphasizing the large ivory horns that curl behind his cascading hair. The dragon lord's back is to him and he does not seem concerned with the hanyou turned human in the slightest. 'Damn this bastard! Why does it have to be the night of the new moon now of all times?! He's so fucking full of himself, ignoring me like I'm not a threat.' The truth of the matter is that he is not a threat at the moment. He can hardly manage more than a twitch even though his arms and legs are finally untied.

"And what exactly were you doing in there?"

"I-I-I—"

"Spit. It. Out." His hiss is cold as ice and it leaves an ominous chill in the air that puts the mountain frost to shame.

"I! I—Inuyasha-sama n-needed treatment. I was d-dressing his wounds, milord."

"Hm, so how is it that you were aware of his condition?"

There is brief moment of silence before he speaks, obviously trying to choose his words carefully, "I saw his wounds when I b-brought him f-food and w-water."

Another pause. Inuyasha can feel the daiyoukai's aura flare up to sinister levels, but when he speaks again it is with practiced patience. "Ah, I see. You took it upon yourself to sneak around behind my back and take care of that unsightly crossbreed? Is that the gist of it?"

"…" Despite his human ears still ringing, Inuyasha can hear how hard the kid gulps. "K-Khuzaimah-sama p-please have m-mercy—"

"Answer me you lowly worm."

"Y-Yes! Yes L-Lord K-Khuzaimah that is what I did b-but—"

"And I presume that you have been doing this the entire time he has been here?"

"Yes m-m-milord b-but—AAAAAAH!" The shriek nearly makes Inuyasha's heart stop. The room went from ice cold to Hell's inferno in a matter of seconds. Inuyasha manages to crane his neck and he watches in horror as Khuzaimah breathes a cloud of fire down on the boy. He can only see the shadow of his lithe body writhing and trying to escape the harsh flames, but the firestorm is more intense than any fire he has ever seen. "LORD KHUZAIMAH I'M SORRY! AAAAH PLEASE, PLEASE MY LORD! PLEASE AH FORGIVE ME!" In blatant disregard of his words, the cloud of fire grows, and the child's screams turn hysterical.

'What the hell is he doing?!' "OI! Stop God damn it'!" From somewhere beyond him, he finds the strength to struggle into a sitting position. Khuzaimah closes his mouth and spins around in wonder, almost forgetting that the daihanyou was there in the first place. The human is currently glaring daggers at him as Tatsuya lays face down on the ground whimpering and flinching as his charred skin does its' best to cool off. "What the hell is your problem?!"

"…"

"He's just a kid! Are you such an underhanded monster that you have to rely on treachery and bullying little kids? Scared of what would happen if you faced someone on equal footing? You really are nothing but a spineless coward."

There is a long stretch of silence in where the dragon stares blankly at the sickly man; only the sounds of his heavy pants and the whelp's whimpering breaking the tension. Inuyasha cannot stop himself from shivering and he can only hope it is from the fever and has nothing to with the empty crimson eyes boring into his own. "You still manage to maintain such baffling levels of insolence after all this time. I do not know whether to be more amazed by your bullheadedness or your ignorance, but it does not matter. Your will only remains because you have not truly experienced complete and total helplessness. You have not been brought to the brink, no-no you have merely had a taste of true despair."

"You don't scare me—!"

In a movement too quick for his human eyes to trace, the dragon closes the space between them and grabs his jaw to yoke him up to eye level. A grin slowly spreads across his face as the hanyou's face darkens in realization. "Oh yeah? Then why do you reek of fear? If you are like this now, I wonder what a truly broken hanyou bitch smells like. How far can that pride of yours take you? How much longer until you are reduced to nothing but a sniveling mess? How often do you transform into this disgusting mortal form and what is the cause? How many more interesting discoveries can I explore with the son of Inu no Taisho? Hm~ every time I grow bored and consider throwing you away, you give me a new reason to be intrigued."

"Che." It takes everything in him to bite his tongue and settle for giving him a dirty look. One strike from this maniac in his current state could prove fatal.

"But for now—"

"Ugh!" He drops him all at once and his body crumples under his own weight.

"This ningen state of yours is revolting. It is no wonder you are still on death's door despite Tatsuya's aid. You are weak and pathetic and therefore you deserve everything that comes to you." Before the hanyou's hotheaded nature can get the best of him, Khuzaimah turns his back and regards his struggling servant coolly. "And since you feel such a strong compulsion to help this cur, I will leave him in your oh so caring hands. But let me say this; If the half-breed dies tonight, I will rip your throat out and toss your useless corpse from this mountain." Tatsuya looks up through his indigo fringe, but the man's glower sends his submissive gaze right back down to the dirt. "Are we understood?"

"Yes…Khuzaimah-sama." The words come out in a pained whisper that makes Inuyasha's wrist itch for tessaiga. He has not wanted to so ruthlessly tear someone limb from limb since Naraku.

"Your incompetence has been irking me for awhile now. I do not need much more provocation to rid of you—your mother be damned. Remember that." He is not expecting an answer, so he leaves the pair behind with a flip of his midnight green hair. They watch as he sprouts his magnificent wings and takes off into the dusky sky. 'Is he leaving again? How long will he be gone this time? He is arrogant enough to believe he has nothing to worry about back here. He doesn't know I turn back at dawn. My demon blood should get rid of any fever and I should have more energy than ever with these things off of me. I know what I must do. I just need to survive until then.'

"I-Inuyasha-sama will you lay back down p-please?" Even though his own body is shaking uncontrollably, the draconic boy helps the captive lay back into the nest of feathers and hay. He grabs a basin and rag from nearby and pats down his sweaty face. Up close the black haired hanyou can clearly see the singed skin all over his arms, legs, and part of his already damaged face.

"Oi, are you alright? You should take care of yourself."

"No! Ah, Master told me to take care of you Inuyasha-sama…b-besides," He adds in a meeker mumble. "I am okay."

"Are you kidding me?!"

"I can't let you die!" He snaps back, stunning them both into silence. Inuyasha can only watch as he mixes medical herbs and scurries around the room finding things to make his impromptu patient more comfortable. He lights a fire and boils a pot of water over it and the crackling pit lulls the injured male into a somewhat relaxed state.

Even though there is a high risk of falling asleep Inuyasha had to close his eyes because of how violently the room was starting to spin. He was just starting to drift off against his best efforts when he feels something cool placed on his forehead and something warm on the rest of his body. He forces his eyes open to find a blanket draped over his shivering body and a wet rag on his burning forehead. Tatsuya is leaning over him and clutching a little wooden cup in his small hands. "I-Inuyasha-sama? W-Will you drink this tea please? It should h-help. I can drink some first, if you want?"

At this point, it hardly seems necessary. If the brat wanted to poison him, he would have done so a long time ago. Refusing to show anymore weakness, he forces himself into a sitting position despite his nausea and dizziness. By the time he manages it, he is again drenched in sweat and panting but he is able to grab the cup and drink from it himself. To his credit, as soon as he finishes the drink the nausea disappears, and his hand steadies a bit. It is hard not to notice the wide emerald eyes scrutinizing his every move. Looking at the whelp again draws his focus back to his numerous and severe burns. "Does that happen often?"

He looks puzzled until the older nods towards his body. "Eto…n-not really. O-Only when I really anger Khuzaimah-sama…ah! B-But p-please do not worry about me Inuyasha-sama. I brought it upon myself and I will heal soon. This," He touches the red blemish around his eye and cheek, "Happened before I had scales. Now the b-burns will fall off with the damaged scales in a couple of nights. I should be grateful that M-Master held back."

"That's not the point. The bastard shouldn't go around attacking people who can't defend themselves."

"…" He looks thoughtful for a moment before looking down and swiftly shaking his head. "It is my own fault Lord Inuyasha. I-I only need to obey Lord Khuzaimah and not c-cause any inconvenience for him. That is my only p-purpose and I-I cannot even manage to do that properly. M-Master says only the strong are worthy, so they always prevail. The w-weak get everything they d-deserve."

"Tch." 'What a load of shit. That bastard is everything I despise. A mouthy, arrogant, controlling coward.'

"I know I should simply listen b-but…I do not like seeing o-others suffer.'

'This brat…that kind of mentality will bring you nothing but misery. Haven't you learned that yet? You will. But for right now, we need to get the hell out of here. The sun is almost up, and I should have enough energy to escape, but I still do not know where tessaiga is. I could always come back after I've recovered and take this bastard out at the same time. But first,' "At dawn I will change back."

"H-Huh?"

"Some of my strength will return and that is when we will make our escape."

The incredulous look on his face is expected, but he still sighs when the little dragon stammers and shakes his head in mortified disbelief. "I-Inuyasha-sama I-I cannot leave! L-Lord Khuzaimah will—"

"He won't do anything to you. I'll make sure of it."

"Inuyasha-sama…" It is readily apparent that the boy is either much too frightened or does not have much confidence in the hanyou's ability to take on his master. Perhaps it is a bit of both. "My place is under Khuzaimah-sama. We cannot—I-I cannot…"

'Kuso. I can't leave this idiot behind. There is no doubt in my mind that a monster like Khuzaimah would actually kill him if I escape on my own. How can I convince him? When I was his age and on my own, what would I have wanted to hear? What did I want most in all my hardship…' "What did he mean by 'your mother be damned'?"

The reaction is almost immediate; his head snaps up and his eyes twinkle in the emerging sunlight. "Oh, u-um…my okaasama left me in the care of Lord Khuzaimah, but master is getting s-sick of me. I have been with him for so long a-and milord has only s-spared me for m-my okaasama's sake."

"Why would she leave you with him? Is Khuzaimah your dad or something?!"

"N-No, I do not k-know my father. L-Lord Khuzaimah is my okaasama's older brother."

"So, he is your uncle?" He nods the affirmative, so Inuyasha fires off another question. "When will she be back to get you?"

"I-I do not know. G-Gomen."

"If you come with me, I can bring you to her. She will keep you safe from him, right?"

"I-I…I" He is hesitating, but there is a glimmer of desperate hope in his innocent eyes. "Okaasama would not be h-happy that I went against h-her or Lord K-Khuzaimah's wishes. She told me to obey him no matter what."

"Yeah but," 'Shit the sun is starting to come up. We need to go as soon as we can. "She would not hurt you, right?"

"Uh, n-no s-she never has—"

"So she would just be angry? That's okay because you miss her right?"

"H-Hai but—"

"You want to see her right? You want her to call your name? To hold you in her arms again?" The image of his own mother assaults his mind; her melancholy face, the tears she shed for him, her warm embrace—the memories bring a lump to his throat and he cannot continue.

Not that he has to. The boy's eyes are full of tears and he rubs at them with the back of his hand. "I-I d-do. I do w-want to see okaasama. I m-miss her."

"Then come with me! If you want to see her, you should—" All at once his body freezes as the sun finally peeks over the horizon, bathing them in sunlight. The first thing to change back is his hair; the midnight tresses are replaced with grayish-white strands and his ears take their rightful place on top of his head. To his relief, there is no longer a chunk missing out of one of them. Soon his fangs and claws return along with all of his half-youkai senses. Just as he thought, he has more energy than before the new moon, but it is not nearly enough to stand a chance against the ryu lord right now. "Let's go!" Wasting no more time, he grabs the younger's tiny wrist and darts towards the cliff's edge.

"W-Wait! Inuyasha-sama we can't!" Looking over the edge he can see how big of a drop it is to the next ledge. "In your state, you cannot—"

"Don't underestimate me brat!" He leaps with the boy still in hand and almost buckles under the impact.

The kid is really starting to panic now. "P-Please Inuyasha-sama! L-Leave me and just go yourself! Please!"

He spins around and glares at the boy who shrinks back in terror. "Even if I wanted to leave you behind, don't I need you to get through whatever barrier he has around this place?!" While he could still think clearly, the hanyou assumed long ago that even though he cannot sense it, there must be one in place keeping his friends at bay. "And why the hell would you want to stay here?!"

"Ah—!"

"I am saying I'll protect you so just shut up and follow my lead!" He turns around and abruptly slams into a rock-solid mass. He looks into stony reptilian eyes full of amusement. The ryu sees the way his honey eyes widen slightly in disbelief and the delight spreads to his lips; revealing serrated teeth.

"Going somewhere?"

"You—!" The words literally catch in his throat when the taller demon grabs him by the neck and soars up into the air. He takes him back to the peak and tosses him into the cave he just made his escape from. Inuyasha crashes into the rock wall, making an indent in it before flopping limply to the ground.

"Looks like disciplining you is going to be a full-time endeavor. However, I cannot waste all of my precious time on trash like you, no matter how entertaining."

"Fuck. You." He manages to get to his feet, but his stance is wobbly.

"Fortunately," He exhales and closes his eyes as the half-demon attempts to slash at him. He side-steps out of the way of the obvious attack and sighs once more. "I have the solution. To think I would actually add a hanyou dog to my collection, but I suppose you are not just any old mangy mutt are you, son of Inu no Taisho?"

"What are you—" In a flash, he closes the distance between them. In the next second, Inuyasha finds himself on his stomach with his arms pinned painfully behind his back. Get the hell off of me!" 'No! Not again! Never again!'

"Oh don't be so dramatic, I am not going to do that to you—yet."

"Tch!" With every second he struggles; the man only presses him harder into the dirt crushing his body against the rock-hard surface. "Khuzaimah, you bastard, I'm going to destroy you!"

"Mhm, you do that. In the meantime," The ryu buries his face into the crook of his neck on his uninjured left shoulder. Inuyasha feels the smile against his skin in response to the way he tensed in dread. "Frightened? You should be. Your lack of mark combined with the fact that you have never been in heat means you are not mated to anyone, correct?"

"What…" His question hangs in the air as the dragon rakes his fangs over the flesh of his neck. 'No!' "Stop! You can't! Is that what you meant by collection?! You can't have more than one mate at a—"

"Do NOT compare me to you mindless mutts. We dragons are not so blindly loyal. We can have as many little bitches as we want and the more powerful the alpha, the more lovers he can take. And guess what?"

'This isn't happening. He's bluffing. He wouldn't! He can't!'

"Unlike you dogs," He goes on. "It does not matter one bit what happens to my mates. A dragon's beta can die, and it will not affect me or my power at all. But I am sure even an imbecile like you knows if a beta's alpha were to die, so would the beta."

"You fucking bastard! Don't you dare!"

"Do not worry. There is not a soul alive who could seriously challenge me. And if you are a good boy, I will not throw you away." With that he closes his mouth around that delicate bit of flesh again and ghosts his fangs over that sacred spot.

"Don't do it! I swear, I'll tear you apart! What's wrong with you?! Face me like a fucking man, you coward!" Inuyasha lets out a slew of profanities as he struggles for all he is worth. The demon teases him with his teeth and even lets out a chuckle here and there. He allows the younger to struggle for a while until he yanks up on his pinned arms; yanking one of them out of socket. The rest of his injuries get the best of him and his body goes slack. "Kuso!" 'Why is this happening?' "Ple—…"

"Hm?" Khuzaimah pauses and tilts his head to look at the other's flustered face. "What was that?"

"…"

"Do not clam up on me now. I am a merciful lord and I reward displays of deference. Be a good boy and ask me nicely."

His jaw is set so hard, he can feel one of his teeth cracking under the pressure. "…Please…" The plea comes out in a strained snarl, but the lord seems pleased, nonetheless.

"Please? Use your words. I know even you can."

"Don't…do it."

"What would you have me do? Surely your impudent actions warrant punishment, do they not?"

'This piece of shit. He's fucking toying with me.' "Lock…Lock me up in that place again. Put the ropes back on."

"Hm…not a bad idea." Inuyasha almost exhales a sigh of relief when the ryu starts to lift himself off. "But would you honestly learn your lesson from that?"

"Ugh!" He slams back down on top of him and hides his face in his shoulder before sinking his fangs deep into his neck. "AAAAARGGGH!" It burns. It feels like white fire coursing through his veins. The sensation is so flooring, he hardly notices when the daiyoukai pulls his tattered pants out of the way and shoves himself deep inside him in one powerful thrust. He teeth remain deep in his shoulder as he pushes himself into his trembling body over and over. His screams echo off the cave walls as the seal appears between his neck and shoulder; marking the silver-haired half-breed as his.

Forever…