Disclaimer: *nurses several cuts along her arms glaring once again to the toppled over chair* alright so who knew his claws were just as quick as sessy's well at least he doesn't have the poison. *arms wrapped up in tight white bandages* there now may be I should try and capture sessy instead he's the cuter one and besides he doesn't have such a nasty temper *well at least I hope he doesn't*


A/N: OMG I'm soooo sorry bout not upd8ing but I made the varsity soccer team 4 my school (yeah!!!!) and we've been @ a lotta tournaments l8ly and I've had to study 4 finals and get ready 4 4mal so I havn't had a lotta time 2 work on this plz accept my humble apologies lol.. But relly I didn mean 2 take so long but I've been byond busy you hav no idea but finals r this week and 4mal's over and not so many soccer games cuz there's christmas break soon but ne ways I'm gonna *rt my 2nd story now th@ I kno I'm gonna finish this 1! But idk if it'll slo me down I hope not I'm alredy way slo to begin with but @ least having 2 stories will make thinks a little more interesting *I can already see myself screwing up the plots* but now th@ i'v babbled on bout a lotta useless stuff here's some food for thought so get to eatin–







Twisted Love


Chapter Nine


The Dangers of Angry Tears







He pointed towards their quarters down the hall in the opposite direction, motioning for Sango and Miroku to leave. When they'd turned their backs and started to their rooms he made as if to go in the opposite direction away from her door. He waited for the tell tale sound of their doors closing before he doubled back and stood indecisive behind the strong wood door straining his ears to hear her through its thickness. A ruffling of bed sheets, a wisp of hair falling to her face, the trickle of salt tears flowing down smooth cheeks. He hears everything, everything but her. He could her breathing, her breath coming in soft tendrils to flit about her it tugged at his senses giving him a strange feeling of need wash over him. He felt drawn to her, to her sorrow. A weight pushed heavily on his heart, for all that he wished to comfort her it was because of his meddling that she grieved. Lost of always hurt the most when the blade of betrayal accompanied the push of changed feelings.

He heard a soft muffle from her and shoving his doubts behind him he carefully pushed open her door. Peeking through the thin leeway he was allowed through the minuscule crack he surveyed the depressing scene before him. Kagome sat on her bed her hair falling about her in abandon, her eyes bright with a wave of fresh tears flooding over the brim of her eyelids, hands splayed out about her barely able to support her slim frame, her body now jerked spasmodically to the silent sobs that wracked through her body.

Persistent hands gripped his heartstrings and unable to control his emotions Sesshoumaru squeezed through the crack with all the ease of a practiced sleuth. He crept towards her softly padding across the floor silently until he reached the edge of her bed. He stood steady, his demon senses heightened by her close proximity. He waited with baited breath for her to notice him but in contradiction to himself he kept silent, facing her back, afraid to disturb her.

"Inuyasha how could you?" She burst out suddenly. "I hate you." The latter she whispered to herself as if it were a dark secrete begging to be told. She turned around her head bowed facing her lap still oblivious to his presence. With stiff hands she swiped away at her tear stained face. When she lifted her eyes, she gasped surprised to see him standing before her.

He watched her stare blankly at him before her eyes turned red and enraged. In complete disregard for his status she threw fury at him a mass of angry words cutting the silence in two. "What are you doing here? Get out! Get out!" She ran at him fists held high. He stood his ground knowing he had nothing to fear of her weak human strength. Flying at him she pummeled his chest viciously. "Get out! Why are you here? I want to be alone. Why won't you leave me alone? He did. He even went on to someone else. He left me alone..." Her blows became sluggish and as her voice cracked her knees buckled. He moved to catch her pulling her close to keep her from falling. She gripped his arms tightly leaning into his strong abdomen.

Again her demeanor changed. Her eyes grew troubled like the sky on a stormy night, lightning flashing in their depths hinted of her underlying temper. New tears threatened to break through. She still remembered the promise that she had made to herself, not to cry in self pity. Until now she'd upheld that promise, but it was too late to regain her composure and so the damns of self-control failed her and her tears came falling heavy and thick as raindrops. They dampened Sesshoumaru's clothes as she cried into his shoulder.

Dumbfounded he stood stonily unsure of how to react. Never in his life had anyone turned to him for comfort, no one but his little brother. And even then they had been young and closer than ever...


Sesshoumaru watched as his little brother struggled to hold the weight of the Tetsusiaga. Groaning with effort Inuyasha raised it high above his head and held it still as his father instructed him. He was learning sword handling, something that the youkai child had long known and mastered before his hanyou brother had even been conceived. A single stroke was hard on Inuyasha's mixed blood, the blade swinging awkwardly thru the air. A blind sidestep could put you out of harms way. A look of grim determination was all that could be seen from a sweating Inu, as he had called him once. He was a strong hanyou and he would work at this until he had mastered it. His father lectured him soundly. "You have the will my son it is only a matter of perfecting your skill. Your brother Sesshoumaru," He gestured over his shoulder to where his eldest stood a smug grin on his face, watching the episode unfold, "he mastered this when he was but a pup. It is important to know how to handle such a weapon my sons it is a valuable asset in any battle and I trust that if anyone strong enough questions your authority as Lords being my heirs you will use this blade as I once did to uphold my name and honor."

Sesshoumaru had heeded his words a proud thoughtful boy he followed them as his code. He waited to see how his brother would take his father's lesson to heart.


(Months later through which Inuyasha practiced his sword maneuvering day and night he has finally gained the speed and control needed to handle the weapon)


For once Sesshoumaru was proud of him. He'd taken time to learn something and knowing Inuyasha like he did that wasn't something he was often capable of achieving. Their father was even impressed and had decided to give Inu a real challenge. He was taking both his sons demon hunting. Sesshoumaru had been many times before and he was ready to,even without a sword. He bared his poisoned claws knowing they would be good enough for their little venture. Inu seamed doubtful about his skills eying his father's sword dubiously.

When the Lord announced that they were leaving his wife, Inu's wretched human mother, had wailed. Her voice weak and powerless in the hall of youkai that started at her outburst. Their father had pulled her aside and assured her all would be well. But the bitch that she was she continued to demand her son stay back arguing teary eyed and almost frantic. If he hadn't hated her, her step-son might have felt pity for her weakness but all he felt was contempt and anger at her disrespect for his father. It took them forever to get going having to wait for their father to get that damn woman to calm down.

He took them through a demon forest with an evil aura thick and placid saturating the very air surrounding it as though it were as innocent and harmless as the air they breathed. Inuyasha quivered as they entered it gazing upon the mangled shrubbery and gnarled trees, their bark dark and their branches grasping. Eventually they came upon a fire demon swift and agitated. Apparently they'd scared off its supper and it was furious. Compared to them it was huge rising above the treetops menacingly but in retrospect it was a minuscule dot in comparison to the Lord's and Sesshoumaru's true forms. They both could see the fear in Inuyasha's eyes and exchanged knowing glances. "Alright Inuyasha watch your brother take this first one then you can take the next. Just so you can see how it's done."

Sesshoumaru rose to the challenge rolling up his sleeves carelessly to expose his deadly claws. The enraged demon snarled at his insolence. He wasn't worried he'd done this a million times, the whole operation so thoroughly memorized, the dodges and attacks loaded and waiting. Every movement anticipated and every advance countered. Fire demons were weak but he hated how dirty they were especially this one that he was about to fight. Its hair was greasy and unkempt its body caked in dry blood. It reeked of its dead enemies the stench almost unbearable to his youkai senses. The creature was slow and heavy where he was quick and agile. The fight was short and pointless in his opinion but he gave it some drama to boost Inuyasha's confidence.

The creature attacked without warning but he was ready dodging with a well-placed side-step. He bent forward extending his claws as the creature rammed into them poison injecting into his blood stream. Lifting it easily he held the writhing mass of flailing limbs above him as blood dripped down his arm slowly. He could feel its life beat in his own blood while it slowed and hiccupped spontaneously in reaction to his poison. Vaguely he thought of how the blood would stain his immaculately white kimono but it was too late by then so raising a second clawed hand he moved to relinquish the beast from its misery. Pulling back his arm he retracted it swinging it forward in one fluid motion slicing the creature's neck in two. Its head lulled of to the side falling as if in slow motion before tumbling to the ground rolling in disgusting circles across the dirt.

He heard a soft gasp escape Inu's lips and gave him a comforting smile. Tossing the carcass away they continued on Inuyasha in complete awe of what he'd just witnessed. His older brother had just destroyed a fire demon, twice his own size his size with only two blows, one which in his opinion wasn't needed. He could never have done that. Fingering the Tetsusiaga's hilt nervously he crept after his father and brother as the retreated into the thicker clusters of trees crowding the dense forest. It was a long while before they came upon another demon. In actuality the forest was teeming with them many rough and insolent demons that refused their father's Lordship. Many of them were harmless to a full Inu youkai but one of Inuyasha's weakness had to be careful. His skill was not yet honed and well rounded as a full breed at his age but he was doing exceptionably well with what he had.

They came upon a particularly unruly one. A kitsune who spoke out against such leadership. He'd been a bother from the beginning and wasn't even an intelligent enough enemy for the Lord. He'd been a bother lately stealing things from the manner and poisoning several youkai's food and drink not a strong enough poison to kill but potent enough to make them sick for days on end. He operated outside of the law and in that way was out of the law's jurisdiction according to the laws of the land. He was expendable and would not be missed. He sat in the center of a small clearing basking in the dappled sunlight that filtered through grasping a stolen necklace that looked a lot like the one that had been stolen from Inuyasha's very mother that bitch probably left it lying about an easy target for such a thief.

Sesshoumaru could tell that his counterparts could also recognize the jewelry. Even the little brat was angry about the situation. "Here you go, Inuyasha" His father whispered to him. "Get back your mother's necklace."

His brow furrowed ever so slightly Sesshoumaru noticed a change in his father's scent. Though subtle even he could identify the hint of fear lingering about the tall figure. The Lord feared for the runt's safety as he himself did in an offhand way. They stepped back as Inuyasha approached the oblivious youkai surreptitiously, knees quavering as he readied for the attack.

They watched as the young hanyou raised his sword timidly as if to kill the kitsune in cold blood without even giving him warning. Sesshoumaru watched as his father dropped his head with a look of defeat and in equal disgust he too dropped looked away from the scene. He was just about to call out to the poor victim, wanting it to be a fair fight, when his father grasped his arm and pointed proudly to his youngest son. Inuyasha threw his sword to the ground inches away from the kitsune youkai's face. "Where did you get that?" He gestured toward his mother's necklace. The kitsune held his composure. "I swiped it from some human in that bastard Lord's castle" He replied curtly flicking it in Inu's face mockingly. "What's it to you."

"That human happens to be my mother, you baka. You're a sorry excuse for a youkai. Stealing from humans. I guess the challenge of a demon would be too much for you." He ground out angrily.

The red-haired demon fingered the necklace gingerly between his thumb and forefinger teasing the boy. He raised an eyebrow questioningly as he studied its fine craftsmanship he hadn't thought about it until now but with it's superior value the woman must've been very important or of a high class. That wasn't very common nowadays, few humans especially women belong to high class society. Taking a closer look at the boy that stood before him he noticed his ears and the absence of a tail. A snicker escaped his lips as he comprehended something. "You foolish little brat you are but a hanyou. Tell me who is your father? What sober Inu Youkai in his right mind would ever want to bare a bastard hanyou like you, humans are the lowest filth on this earth. A pile of shit compares grandly to their putrescence. Enlighten me on the origin of your mental incapacity." He laughed haughtily at this as the hanyou glared daggers at his form shaking in mirth.

Sesshoumaru saw his fathers face redden with fury. Clenching his teeth and balling his fists he did all that he could to keep out of the confrontation if only to see his son triumph over such a scumbag. It was conceivable that even he felt the anger of his father and brother over the kitsune's audacity to insult their family. He watched earnestly hoping against hope that Inu would in the very least defend the family honor.

A low growl escaped the boys throat and the kitsune's laughter only continued growing in intensity. Calming his anger and gaining his composure Inu cooly addressed the offensive youkai. "I want my mother's necklace back, you baka, you have no right to touch it with your verminous hands.She is a lady of honor and unlike anything I can say about you she is at least decent enough not to steal from those weaker than her. And as of now you are lower than the pigs that swallow in their own excrement and filth. Rise so I may put and end to your life for there is nothing but disappointment in your future."

The kitsune sobered up slowly at that statement. "It's your own death warrant that you issue my boy." He laughed mischievously as the entire forest grew silent. A deadly silent. The air swirled about them with whispers and the two older inu youkai shared a knowing glance, this would be a good experience for Inu. A swift flash of color and a splash of harsh sound clearly audible to the inu youkias their excellent hearing intensifying the sound. In the place of the human-like form of the kitsune stood a tall foreboding fox-fire demon, flames licking at its heels and from the tip of its tail and ears.

Sesshoumaru could feel the demon's youkai energy clearly, sharply now but only because of his acute senses. For any normal youkai of average ability it would only be a faint hint if anything. The energy surrounding the kitsune managed only to crackle and singe its way only a dismal distance from its form. His power was weak and his hold on it fragile. This would be a good fight for Inu. A good experience. He watched as the hanyou stood his ground bravely next to the towering beast.

The boy studied it feeling a tainted stench reach him as he sought out its youki. This was a fearsome demon albeit small. In comparison to the true forms of his father and brother who toward over entire villages and cast lengthy shadows that blocked even the might of the noon day son from reaching the earth this creature was nothing. And that he would prove if only to meat his own standards. He waited while the beast sized him up as well taking head of the sword in his hands. He spat at Inuyasha's feet a low rumbling laugh splitting the silence between them. "You are a fool of a boy risking your life for such a weak abomination as a human. But as it is your blood I cannot argue with your stupidity."

His teeth clenched Inu barely let a seconds pause breathe in the still air before he replied dangerously. "We shall see you insignificant swine who's blood shall be spilled tonight. I would not be surprised if yours coated this entire forest by tonight."

The kitsune took the insult scraping the ground with his claws leaving deep furrows in his impatience. "Let's just see what comes of it then."

The ground shook as the demon charge straight at Inu. He left non room for maneuvering no time for thinking in the hanyous case. Turning Sesshoumaru caught a quick glance as his father grimaced at the sound of the combatants meeting. A loud clash of claw and steel a swish as Inuyasha parried the blow. The force he put into it sending the offender back a little ways. Their attacks continued like this for a while a break of random intervals in which they studied one another only to attack once more. It was like an intricate dance woven sporadically as they moved across the clearing.

Inuyasha grew frustrated and tired. He watched the kitsuene's body, how it leaned and balanced jumped and dodged. With every attack he began to catch onto the simple technique. Waiting for the right moment, the third twist of his hind leg, he paused for only a second but for him that was long enough. When the moment came he pounced dashing his sword down the kitsune's throat right through his skull impaling it through to the ground. The impact sent a spray of blood in all directions coating the area around it thickly in a sticky mess. Staring at the mangled corps a pool of blood forming around it Inu looked upon his first kill. He felt a bubbling of pride surge within his chest and he smiled as he reached to take back his mother's necklace from around the dead fox-fire's throat.

Sesshoumaru stepped forward congratulating him with a look of approval albeit little it was enough to earn the young one's gratitude. His father, a little more loving, gave him a pat on the back. "Good work my son this is your first kill, may it not be the last." With that they returned home, Inu clutched his mother's necklace tightly ready to present it to her waiting hands.

When they reached their father's estate, Inu flew anxiously through the doors. Youkai standing in the hallways gaped at his blood smeared face, coated fingers and drenched clothing. Sesshoumaru and his father followed at a lesser pace. Reaching the wenches room both youkai were surprised to find the woman screaming at her son. Tears streamed down her frantic face as she hissed at Inu. "Get out of here." The poor boy was confused, a look of sadness mixed with fear as he stared at the jewelry he held. Again he tried approaching her, raising the necklace to her, but she only pushed him away. "Get out of here you filthy beast, look what you've done." She gestured to the bloody hand prints around her waist where it looked like the hanyou had attempted hugging her.

The tears running icily down her cheeks and a look of pure anguish on her face she flung herself across the room straight into their father who put his arms around her and held her close, consoling her. Over her shoulder he addressed Inuyasha. "How could you do something so disrespectful? Frightening your mother like that. Look at yourself. Your covered in blood. How dare you approach your mother looking like that." He shouted shrilly at Inu.

"I...I only wanted to giver her back her necklace." Inuyasha held it out as tears sprang to his eyes and he wept at his fathers disapproval.

Watching the incident unfold Sesshoumaru observed a slight injustice on his father's part. Inuyasha had only wanted to return his mother's belonging and in his rush he'd forgotten his appearance which was in fact no reason for the wench to act as she had. Defying his character he turned to his father and addressed him for his little brother's defense. "What has he done to offend that human? Merely fighting his first demon if only to win your pride and her necklace he comes home to return it expecting praise as you gave him from his mother, but instead he is rebuked. And for what? I see nothing wrong with his actions. That bitch should toughen up. The sight of blood is going to become familiar to her pup and should be the same for her." He stared daringly up at his father and his wife.

"Sesshoumaru you no better than to talk back to me." The Lord retaliated to appease his beloved's cries of hurt. "You're upsetting your mother."

He had gone too far. Even Inu noticed the quick change in his brother's demeanor. Scurrying across the room he ran to Sesshoumaru's arms embracing him tightly around his waist crying into his blood spattered kimono. His brother wrapped him in his arms protectively. "It's alright Inu I promise everything will be ok..." He turned a sharp glare at his father he still held his human wife comfortingly. "Father's delusional at the moment. I'm sure he'll get over it soon enough." He patted the hanyous back as if to confirm it. Inu may have been only a half-blood and his half brother but that didn't make him any less of a brother. And any brother of his deserved to be stood up for. Especially this little ball of fluff. He brushed a hand across Inuyasha's hair ruffling it playfully bringing a teary smile to the youngster's tear streaked face.



Sesshoumaru shook his head bringing himself back to the present. It had been hard enough for him to console his younger brother and now with Kagome in his arms he was helpless. Carefully he pulled her closer as her sobs became more forceful. He hadn't wanted to hurt her like he had. He'd only wanted her to like him over his brother and in the process his plans had all but backfired. It hurt to think that he had caused her pain. His only consolation being she had no idea what he had done and would be innocent. Feeling better about himself he gripped her waist tighter and ran clawed fingers carefully through her hair. It was soft but still limp from her fatigue and sorrow. Her scent reached his nose and it reeked of luscious flowers and blossoms. He loved her smell it reminded him of when he was younger and would laze about in the meadows near his home the world quiet and peaceful before his father's war with the surrounding youkai Lords.

He held her in his arms for a long time until she found it in herself to sober up and dry her tears. Backing away from him, she looked into his eyes for a moment, analyzing anything she could get out of them. She'd never known him to be as compassionate as this and it unnerved her. His motives were unclear but it felt good to be held after such a terrible thing had happened to her and she was grateful. Standing on tiptoe she put her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Thank you." She whispered as she fell back to the floor and headed to her water pitcher and mirror to wash her face.

Sesshoumaru watched her, butterflies flitting about in his stomach. She'd kissed him. A hand rose to his cheek, fingertips barely brushing the skin in his wonderment. Never had such a thing been given freely to him that meant as much as this had. She was so sweet and gentle now more so than he'd ever perceived her to be. In her usual angry stupor she'd been nothing but spiteful toward him and the recent change was daunting. He knew the change was the result of his own meddling but in his own predefined innocence of the crime his mind clouded with vague thoughts of her affection as though she were her true self acting on her own behalf and not on a drunken passion born of sorrow.

He studied her figure as she poured water from the glass pitcher into a shallow bowl. Dipping her hands into it, she raised them full of the pure liquid. Bringing them to her face she splashed the cool refresher on her skin blinking away a few clinging droplets from her eyelashes.

He followed her movements with his eyes all the while inching closer and closer. A few steps behind her he put his hands around her waist lightly pulling her closer. She didn't refuse his touch and quite the contrary to some of her actions in the past she turned to face him leaning into him and breathing in deeply as she nestled her head into his chest.

He ran his fingers through her hair once more. It was disheartening to think that in this dreamy state she would more than likely remember none of this the next morning. Thinking on that soundly it could turn out to be a good thing. She was drowsy and needed sleep and besides that was she who had turned to him in need and therefore the blame was easily enough displaced. He could've been nasty about it but he'd violated her enough already. Sighing heavily he lifted her fragile body up from the floor and carried her to her bed. She lay in his arms in a kind of half sleep gazing dreamily up at him and muttering softly under her breath. Laying her down on the soft sheets he rested her head comfortably on the pillow and leaned over just listening to her breathe. He pulled the covers over her and waited for a little while to be sure she was asleep.

In a few minutes' time he noticed fresh tears once again falling from her eyes. Even in sleep the tragedy plagued her. With every thought every action of her being the pain burned within her and he felt in the least bit responsible if only for not being able to soothe her. Holding out a folded finger he wiped the tears away and in a moment of pure raw passion he bent over her innate body and pressed his lips down onto hers. Pulling her bottom lip into his mouth he rain his tongue along it softly, only tasting. Eventually he pulled away leaving her to her fitful sleep.



A/N: Okey day that's all folks well at least for now that is sorry again bout the lapse in my updatin just hope non a ya'll forgot bout lil old me. This chapter leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion but I'll fill in the holes next chapter ::Redefined and Undefined:: (or vice versa) but I should have it up soon cuz it's winter break and no school finals or soccer to worry bout for a few days so I'll write like crazy to make up for my absence lol see ya soon space cowboy!!! (I love cowboy bebop folks)