Weee~!!! I got 4 reviews in one day....WOW!!! So now I have the inspiration to continue. Thanks a bunch!! *hugs all readers*

Someone finally told me their opinion of my disclaimers!! And I really appreciate that you find them amusing, Kagome-Sama0560. Well....now onto an interesting adventure starring me and Inu characters!!

Disclaimer:

Nenuiel: O.O Oh my god....four reviews....you people really do like me!! *jumps up and down like a maniac*

Sesshomaru: Stop hopping like a frog, you crazy woman, and add me into this!!

Nenuiel: *clucks tongue* Becoming impatient are we? Just your luck, you finally appear in.... *grabs mouth in horror*

Sesshomaru: *smirks*

Nenuiel: Darn, I shouldn't have said any of that.

Sesshomaru: Well, you did.

Inu-yasha: *nibbles on pocky* Why does he even have to come in? The story's better without him....though my creator and owner Takahashi would disagree...

Sesshomaru: *cracks his venomous claws* Is that a challenge, little brother?

Inu-yasha: You bet!! *draws Tetsusaiga*

Nenuiel: *throws a thunder spell at them* WILL YOU TWO CUT THAT OUT!!

Inu-yasha and Sesshomaru: O_O;; When did you learn to do that?!

Nenuiel: A while ago, now if you two don't behave, I'll turn you both into frogs. Then I'll have to kiss you to change you back. *smiles wickedly*

*both demons grump*

~*~*~

Blood Oath: Brothers and Rivals

~*~*~

"What is it my lord?" asked a green-skinned lackey that peered up at the tall figure that had suddenly stopped. "He's nearby," was the only response given by a deep, sensual voice. The little toady snorted, "The fool, he fell right into your trap." A little girl that had been forming snowballs and throwing them at the little man looked up and ceased her work, "Are you talking about Inu-yasha?" The silver haired youkai turned to face her, his eyes expressionless and cold, "Yes." The small child jumped up and down, "Then Kagome Nii-chan must be with him! Can we go see her, please?!" The toad spat out at the girl, "Do not ask such silly requests of my lord, you ungracious brat!! You will also address him by his proper title!! Anyway, the lord has no precious time to waste on your childish--"

"Yes, we shall go see Kagome and that weakling that travels with her," The golden-eyed demon told the excited child, "but cease that infernal hopping." She immediately stopped, though her eyes still twinkled with happiness. The green-skinned servant stared, and started grumbling about how unappreciated he was. The little child started singing happily as the powerful demon started walking towards where he had felt the expected presence.

**

A grayish mist suddenly appeared, and swarmed around the black tip that was dripping with blood. It disappeared into the blade, giving it a grey glow that quickly faded. Death smiled with corrupted glee, "Ah, a strong one. Very good." Marisa looked on with furious curiosity, "What the bloody hell was that?" Red hair waved back and forth as Death shook his head, "Such language, I thought you were supposed to be pure." His comment resulted in a hating glare. "If you must know," he continued, shifting the wounded Kaede, "it was a demon. You see, when demons die, their physical bodies go straight to hell, but most of their mental energy remains behind. So, I decided to claim that power for my own uses." He licked some of the blood off the sword, his yellow eyes never leaving the woman in front of him. The wind still pulsed around her, and now became stronger after seeing his actions. Her red eyes glowed an even deeper shade of red, her breath coming out in growls, "Place....her...down.....NOW!!" Marisa yelled, and shifted into a fighting stance, "This is between you and me, do not bring her further into this!!" One eyebrow arched arrogantly over a sickly yellow eye, "She already is a part, so it is only fitting that she remains in this...battle, shall we say?" Brown hair snapped around her face, eyes narrowing in thought. "Shall we make a deal, then?" she asked cautiously, "I defeat you; you leave us both alone, and never bother Kaede again until her time has come. If you win, you have my soul to add to your sword, as well as a quick and painless death for the woman you currently hold. Deal?" Death's face broke out in fearsome ecstasy, "Your entire soul?" Marisa nodded slowly, and he smiled, "Well then, we don't have to add this old one to the mix. If I get your soul, that is more than enough." Marisa gave an inward smile; this is exactly what she had expected. Outwardly, she shrugged, "Very well, whatever you desire." Pale hands released their hold on Kaede, letting her softly drift to the ground. As soon as she settled gently on the grass, tendrils of power reached out to protect her. "One more thing, Death," Marisa murmured, hand held out towards the still Miko, "The tree is not part of this battle. I want a fair fight." She lowered her hand and looked up at him. The man put a hand over where his heart would have been, and tried to look offended, "You insult me, that is all I ever want!" Marisa rolled her eyes, "Uh-huh, sure." The wind that had been surrounding her finally died away, and she stared up at the red-haired man, "Shall we begin?" Death grinned in mocking courtesy, "Ladies first."

"You're going to regret that decision," Marisa retorted as she smirked.

**

Shippou had tears in his eyes as looked at the silver hair swishing in front of him, "I'm hungry!! Can we take a break?!" Inu-yasha turned around, "No." He continued walking ignoring the sputtering kitsune. They walked a few paces in silence when a wail broke out, "PLEASE?!!" Kagome groaned, "C'mon Inu-yasha, we're all tired, and I need to apply bandages to my wounds." At that comment, Inu-yasha stopped dead in his tracks, and faced her with a glare, "You mean you haven't put stuff on there yet?!" Kagome sniffed, "No, because as soon as the battle was over, you had us walking." The hanyou had a guilty face as he sat on a log, "Fine, we'll stop." The group sighed in relief as they sat down. They had only been walking for barely five minutes, but the fights they just came out of seemed to have suck out all their energy. Sango was gently helping Kagome place bandages over her shoulder, Shippou was digging through the huge backpack, trying to find chocolate, and Miroku just sat looking at Inu-yasha. The half-demon had his eyes closed, as if trying to push something away from him. Since they were out of the hearing of the girls, he leaned over and said, "What's wrong? You have been acting strangely ever since we helped that girl." Inu- yasha sighed, and shifted in his seat, "There is something about that girl, Marisa. Ever since she came here, she's been driving me crazy." Miroku tilted his head to one side in confusion, "How? She is not even here....oh." He broke out into a lecherous grin, "You desire her. Well, that is not uncommon, because even with those wounds, I can tell she had a lovely face." Inu-yasha growled, "That's not it!! It's almost as if she's following us, I can't get rid of her scent." Now the priest had a worried expression on his face, "This is a very interesting change of events....." His friend gave a questioning glance, causing Miroku to continue to ponder, "I wonder if she...." He was interrupted by a small girl flying across the clearing, and landing herself in Kagome's arms yelling, "Kagome Nii-chan!!" The teenager she had called blinked, "Rin?" All the adults except for the pinned Kagome stood up, and prepared their weapons. If Rin was here, her protector would have to be nearby. At that thought, he gracefully leapt into the clearing, a cold smirk etched across his fine features. Inu-yasha snarled, "What do you want Sesshomaru?!" The regal demon pointed his one hand towards the small girl clutching Kagome, "The child wanted to see your woman, little brother. Besides that, we have unfinished business, you and I." He took a few steps in the direction of his younger brother, "Hand over the Tetsusaiga."

**

Marisa stood silently, facing the creature in front of her, planning her first strike. "Well, are you going to attack or not? Why don't you try that sword of yours, I heard its power is legendary," Death recommended. She snorted, "Your scurvy hide is not even worthy to be nicked by that blade. But I have other tricks up my sleeve..." With that, she jumped into the air, green cloak swirling around her as she took up the gift of levitation. At the same time, she called another power to her whim. She whipped out one of her hands, and a ribbon of water swirled around it, then swung outwards at Death. All he did was hold out his sword, and the water parted on either side of him. "Really, woman, is that all you can-" Marisa had kept control of the water, and had turned it around behind him. Clenching both of her fists, she had then ordered the bands to attack her foe. Death was now entrapped in bonds of water, vulnerable to another attack. She twirled a finger over her head, summoning a few lightning bolts. These were quickly thrown towards the trapped enemy, causing a massive electric shock. For a few seconds, his body smoked, then a evil cackle rocked his body. He straightened, and though he was scratched and burned in a few places, Marisa could see his wounds beginning to heal. *Damn,* she thought, backing away slightly, *this is going to be harder than I thought. Which is pretty bad, since it is difficult to begin with.* She dodged a huge, dark shadow that had come from Death's sword. The shade, which was in the shape of a predatory bird, turned around to attack once again. Marisa formed a small marble of light in her fist then threw it at the silhouette. Upon being shone upon, the bird shadow dissipated into a mist. "You discovered my blackbird's weakness pretty quick," Death commented amusingly, "I must say I am impressed." With that, he lunged forward, his dark blade braced and ready for attack. Marisa floated to the side, barely allowing the sword to bypass her. Death lazily back-swung his arm so that the black weapon was aiming at her head. His intended victim dropped, then sent a harsh wind from underneath him, blowing him a good distance away. Marisa then positioned her arms as if she were holding a bow and arrow. Her weapons were quickly provided, filling in the empty space between her hands. She murmured something beneath her breath, and let loose the arrow. As it flew, it took on the essence of fire, forming its shape into that of a phoenix. Death's eyes widened as the golden inferno overwhelmed him, howling in frustration. The flames did not die, but continued to lick at the body balled up within their hot embrace. Finally, the figure rose, his own yellow eyes out shining the fire around him, his smile extremely horrible to look at, since most of his face had melted from the heat. Death raised his sword above his head, then pointed it not at Marisa, but to her left. Realizing what he was up to, she began summoning another spell to counterstrike, but she did not have enough time. The flames that had engulfed Death flew towards the tree, and quickly covered it with their fiery forms. Grimacing she fell, landing roughly in the yellow green grass next to Kaede. Howling in pain, Marisa clutched at her head fiercely, as if preventing it from being pulled apart. Death floated down, and stepped on her head, not too gently either. "I guess this qualifies me as the winner, eh?" he asked, his grin venomous.

**

"As if you are going to take this sword from me you bastard!!" yelled Inu- yasha, "Besides, you've got one of your own." Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Not one worthy of me, maybe for you, you worthless half- breed." He leapt forward, his whip lashing out towards his brother. Inu- yasha jumped back, but was surprised once again to find Sesshomaru right next to him. Sharp claws dug deeply into a red haori, causing a fluid of a similar color to pour from the wound. Inu-yasha fell back, sliding on the ground for a few feet. Sesshomaru jumped up and pummeled his fluffy thing down at the laying hanyou. The Tetsusaiga rose up to block the blow, allowing its holder to rise up from the ground. "You have gotten better, little brother," Sesshomaru commented mockingly from a tree. Then the full demon was right up in Inu-yasha's face, "But you are still no good." Poisonous claws etched shallow lines across the hanyou's features as Inu- yasha quickly backed away from his brother's body. He had no time to rest however, because Sesshomaru appeared behind him, lashing out his marked hand. Inu-yasha barely managed to duck, the move costing a few of his silver strands. A knee suddenly impaled him on the stomach, and sent him flying upwards. Sesshomaru then jumped up to his vulnerable prey, and kicked him again, sending him soaring in Kagome's direction. Inu-yasha landed within inches of the girl's still form, and hurriedly tried to rise before his brother came too close. Just he managed to drag himself off the ground; Sesshomaru had him by the throat. The taiyoukai slowly raised his only arm, making Inu-yasha's feet dangle, and left him gasping for air. Sesshomaru smiled coldly, "It's lucky for me that ice demon tired you, I wasn't sure if he would." Inu-yasha gaped at him, his eyes burning with hatred, "Yes, little brother, I gave those two the jewel shards, hoping they would eventually lead me to you."

"You.....bas...tard....." Inu-yasha choked out. His elder brother smirked, "Now, finally, I can claim what is rightfully mine. Rin." The little girl hopped out of Kagome's stiff grip, and smiled blankly at her hero. "Do you see that sword my dear brother is holding?" Rin nodded enthusiastically, "Take it from him." Smiling brightly, the small child reached out to take Tetsusaiga from Inu-yasha's almost limp form. Just as her fingers brushed the hilt, Sesshomaru tore the wilted figure of his brother away, sniffing the air frantically. A look similar to interest lighted his normally expressionless eyes, and he tossed the unconscious hanyou to the side. He didn't notice that it also took out Miroku and Sango, who were rushing to Inu-yasha's side, at the same time. He grabbed Kagome's wrist, and as roughly as he could in front of Rin, pulled the startled woman to her feet. He continued to sniff, his eyes intensely focused as he did so. Jaken sneaked around to stand by his lord's side, "What is it that you smell, my lord?" Rin looked between the two adults, her confused eyes shifting on each of their faces constantly. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, "Someone has infused part of themselves into her." Jaken's jaw nearly dropped to the ground, "Has your mongrel of a brother taken her as his mate? It is only suitable that he-"

"It is not Inu-yasha," he gazed at the bangs covering Kagome's face, "The person who did this is much more powerful." He tilted her chin up so she would look him straight in the eye, "Who did this girl, tell me." Hazel eyes filled with fearful tears as she whispered, "I don't know." Sesshomaru barely ignored the instinct to slap her, his grip tightening on her, "Tell me, now." Kagome's voice rose as she gave her answer again, "I really don't know!!" Anger filled his amber orbs as he growled, and shifted his hold to her wrist. She winced as he squeezed it so hard that he was close to breaking bone, "I don't have time for such games....." Then a pain hit his back, driving him to his knees. "Leave her out of this you prick!!" Inu- yasha snarled. Closing his eyes, Sesshomaru smiled, "If she won't tell me," he jumped up, bringing Kagome with him, "you certainly will." Landing on top of the tallest tree in the area, he held the startled girl close to his breast. "Now, little brother, you better tell me who did this to her, or I will have to take some drastic measures." Inu-yasha snorted, "If you drop her from there, Sesshomaru, it would be an easy catch. Not much of a threat." The youkai gave his brother a deep look, "That's not what I had in mind." Saying that, he leaned over Kagome, his lips become dangerously close to hers. Another pair of golden eyes widened in anger, "SESSHOMARU!!" Inu-yasha had tightened his fists so much that his claws had drawn small rivers of blood as he looked up at his elder sibling. Sesshomaru raised an inquiring eyebrow, "Well?" Inu-yasha glared upwards, "There's this one girl, her scent hangs around all the time, even if she's not here," he growled. The taiyoukai leapt nimbly to the ground, still holding Kagome. "Where is she then?"

"Why do you want to know anyway? It's just a human girl." Sesshomaru gave him an annoyed glance, tightening his grip on Kagome, "You are as clueless as ever, Inu-yasha. This girl's stench clearly says that she is not human." The group looked at him in shock as he released Kagome, "Since you are hiding the answer from me, she must be in the village that priestess trapped you in. Jaken, Rin." He commanded, turning to go. Jaken stumbled after him, Rin waving happily before disappearing into the brush. Once they were out of sight of group, Jaken glanced up nervously, "My lord, where are we going?" Sesshomaru looked straight ahead, not seeming to listen until he replied, "You will take Rin home. I have business to attend to." He then vanished in the pristine purity of the night.

**

Waves of pain continued to rack Marisa's body, causing her to shake uncontrollably. Death smiled graciously down at her, "I know I said that I wouldn't bring your tree into this, but I simply could not lose to you." He applied more pressure to his foot, planting it more securely against his victim's head. She whimpered and yelled at the same time, though her cries were muffled by the earth. Death continued his feral smile as he planted the tip of his sword at the mark at the base of her neck, "Now, your race shall finally vanish from this realm...." The yellow glow that had lit him and Marisa suddenly vanished, and the screams that had emanated from the body beneath his foot ceased. Turning quickly, Death glared at the intruder. Jikan stood silently over Kaede's sitting form, a look of pure hatred darkening his pale features. "You have gone too far this time, Death," he snarled, taking a step forward. Death gave him a disgusted smirk, "You are pathetic, Jikan. You care far too much for her and her kind, and have interfered with my plans long enough." He raised his sword to point it at the black-robed figure, "You shall die now, and you cannot defeat me."

"No," Jikan agreed, "but I believe she can." A fist barreled into Death's right cheek, knocking him to the ground. Marisa shook in rage, her eyes taking on a shade that could not be recognized. "You...." she hissed, "...how...Dare...YOU!!!" The whole island quaked with her fists, as the glowing figure threw them into the air. Kaede and Death stared in horror as the earth began to break apart. Kaede cried out as the soil beneath her collapsed, threatening to swallow her. Jikan was the only one who remained calm through the terrifying pandemonium, "Marisa, you're going to kill the Miko." The young woman turned in his direction, her colorless eyes peering into him. "You cannot kill one without killing the other," he continued, trying hard to ignore the power searing through his body. Marisa lowered her hands, eyes slowly returning to the clear blue that she possessed before. She turned towards Death, who was half buried by earth. His yellow eyes looked up in angered fear as she stood over him, "You will go, now." At that command, he vanished, but his voice lingered, "You may have defeated me for now, but you will not have a second chance." As his voice faded, Kaede began to do the same. Before she completely disappeared, she looked up at Marisa, "What....?"

"You don't want to know," the woman answered simply. When Kaede was gone, she turned to Jikan, "Thank you." He tilted his head at her, "I know you would have wanted me to stop you." He too, suddenly, left. Sighing wearily, Marisa plopped between the roots of the tree, and leaned back, falling back asleep.

**

Kaede opened her eyes, pain starting to flow through her veins. After applying makeshift bandages for her wounds, she gently washed the blood off Marisa's head, thinking about what had taken place. *She is a prize to many,* she realized, *it shall be hard for her to remain hidden for long.* Her gaze drifted to the stub of a candle. "All of that in one hour...." she murmured.

~*~*~

That was a long chapter wasn't it? Took me FOREVER to write. First clue to Marisa's mysterious secret: She's not human. Doesn't help much does it? Mwahahah!!! ^.^ And what is with Sesshomaru suddenly wanting to kiss Kagome? Was it a threat, or something more? o_O If you want to find out what the hell is going on, you better keep reviewing. I will not write unless I get reviews....SO GET OFF YOUR LAZY BUTTS AND DO SO!! ^_^