Childhood Horror:

What's scarier to Inuyasha than Sesshomaru? Read on to find out...

~*~

Inuyasha stirred in his sleep. The same dreaded nightmare that haunted him everyday since he was six years old once again claimed his once lust filled dream, turning it into a nightmare. More tosses and turns came from Inuyasha, soon followed by grunts of protests. Inuyasha suddenly woke up with a jolt, sending Tetsusaiga down into the under brush. Hyperventilation took over Inuyasha as he sat in the tree, chest heaving in and out.

"When will it cease?" Inuyasha clutched at his racing heart, sweat beading on his forehead. Inuyasha jumped down from his perch, careful not to wake any of his companions. As soon as he was from hearing distance, he sped off, going to the only person he knew who could stop his nightmares.

~*~ 10 (or 60) years previously...

"You're such a liar, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha fruitlessly yelled at his older half-brother.

"How much you wanna bet he is real?" Sesshomaru relied back, confidence lining his words. He could smell Inuyasha's fear...and that was too good to waste.

"I don't need to bet! I know he isn't real!" Inuyasha's tiny ears fluttered.

"Okay. But I warn you...he's supposed to come tonight."

"T-tonight?"

"Yeah...and rumor has it...he's looking for a half-breed to eat. He's too tired of eating those nasty humans." Sesshomaru inwardly smirked as he watched the fear dance across Inuyasha's face.

"Sesshomaru..." A loud, familiar voice thundered from behind.

"Yes, father?"

"What have I told you about telling Inuyasha all of those fake stories?"

"Well, um, you said..."

"Yes. I did. Now why aren't you doing as I said?"

"Um..."

"It's bedtime." Inuyasha slightly whimpered. Sesshomaru glanced back at the scared hanyou and silently laughed. Oh yes...Inuyasha was going to get a visit from the boogieman tonight...

~*~

The wind crept upon the sleeping hanyou soft and gently, caressing the exposed parts of his skin.

"Inuyasha..." a faint whisper called out. Inuyasha's eyes fluttered softly. "Inuyasha..." It called out again. Inuyasha roused awake, his ears twitching violently. "Inuyasha...I've come to eat you..." Inuyasha's once sleepy eyes bolted open.

"You're the..." "Yes, Inuyasha. I'm the boogieman..." Inuyasha jumped onto his feet and made a mad dash into the woods. He could hear the sounds of the boogieman as he came closer and close to him. Inuyasha pushed forward, even when his sides became terribly sore.

Then, he stumbled. It was the last thing he needed. To stumble. To allow the boogieman to gain on him.

"Inuyasha...I'm going to eat you..." The boogieman said, coming closer and closer to Inuyasha. Inuyasha began to back up, until his back touched the bark of a tree.

"You should really stop running, Inuyasha. Escaping me is inevitable." The boogieman stepped forward, appearing only scant inches from where Inuyasha was.

"Please...don't eat me..." Inuyasha said, cowering into his haori.

"Oh no, Inuyasha. I fully plan on eating you." Whimpers could be heard from Inuyasha.

"Are you frightened?" Inuyasha didn't respond. The boogieman began to chuckle. Inuyasha looked up at him, a confused look plastered on hi face.

"I'm not the boogieman, Inuyasha."

"Yes you are...i know you are! My half brother said you were real!" A hand reached out from the darkness and reached up towards its face. It grabbed a hold of what looked like plastic, and pulled upwards. Sesshomaru appeared from behind the mask. Fury raged in Inuyasha.

"Gotcha."