Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Masuyo is still mine!

Chapter 8

About five hours had passed since the trio entered the area, and Sesshoumaru had had enough. In truth, he had 'had enough' within five minutes of entering that forest. One can only spend so much time in a place that is so dominated by death before beginning to lose their sanity. With Sesshoumaru's already precarious state of mind it would be easy to believe he was even more endangered than his other two companions.

Come on. Cave in. Tell the others that you desire to leave this forest and take a break.

Inuyasha is still continuing on. I am not weaker than a hanyou!

You can hardly form coherent thoughts in this stench.

Good. Perhaps that means you will be silent.

Little did Sesshoumaru realize that Inuyasha was quickly reaching his breaking point as well. Yet, like everything else that had happened in this ill-fated endeavor, survival had become a personal competition between the brothers to see who could tolerate more hell. Myouga had wisely decided to simply stay out of the entire situation, but there was only so much a flea could put up with. He was old, he shouldn't have to deal with the absurdities of youthful arrogance!

Speaking cautiously, and fully expecting to get smooshed for his diplomatic efforts, the flea timidly offered, "My lords, I think a short break from this forest may help to clear my thoughts. A rest would be very rejuvenating for me."

Thank heavens! This thought happened simultaneously in both the hanyou's and youkai's collective heads and the equally relieved expression on their faces may have been surprising-if both had not covered it so quickly with entirely feigned indifference.

Taking it even a step further, Sesshoumaru let out an irritated sigh, and replied condescendingly, "Very well. If that is what you require." He would have managed to give even more of an appearance of reluctance had his inner mind not been repeatedly praising whatever power that was that caused the flea to speak. His mind's jubilation was distracting.

For Inuyasha's part, he simply let out a derisive snort as he folded his arms across his chest and offered, "Keh. Whatever." It was an altogether bad move, as it left his nose vulnerable to the smells around him and the warrior almost whimpered at the sudden assault. He barely managed to refrain from doing so, but could not stop himself from starting to run towards 'safety'. Not surprisingly, Sesshoumaru quickly followed suit. Myouga was left to hang on for dear life and wonder what had overcome his two masters. He could not begin to imagine the agony the two were going through. A flea's sense of smell could never equal that of a dog's.

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That night, Inuyasha built a fire, though he physically did not require one. He was mentally chilled to the bone by what he had seen earlier. The gruesome display had truly made him realize what precisely they risked. Oddly enough, Sesshoumaru did not sit away from the fire, but also chose to stay near it. The hanyou didn't waste any time on trying to understand his brother's peculiarities. Instead he simply looked to Myouga and inquired, "So why does Masuyo hold such grudge, anyway? What'd my old man do?"

Lifting stunned amber eyes to his brother, Sesshoumaru couldn't help the incredulous note to his tone, "You mean to say you do not know?"

Bristling, Inuyasha shifted in his position, refusing to look at him. Maybe if he didn't, he'd just go away. Not likely, but even warriors can dream. "Should I?"

The youkai's eyes narrowed and a small, mocking imitation of a smile curved his lips, "I would have assumed that your mother would not have been so neglect in...."

He didn't get a chance finish his sentence. Inuyasha leapt with a growl at the insult of his deceased mother, but this time Sesshoumaru was prepared for it. They grappled on the ground, fairly equally matched in advantages. Sesshoumaru may have had only hand, but Inuyasha didn't have spiked armor on chest and shoulder. They came perilously close to the fire, silver hair singing and curling at the end, but Sesshoumaru twisted out of the way at the last moment before his clothes burned. Inuyasha may have been wearing the skin of a fire rat, but Sesshoumaru wasn't. Not to mention, he didn't have Jaken here to mend his clothes if they got ruined.

Annoyed by the close call, Sesshoumaru quickly darted his hand out to rake his claws down his brother's face just as a well-placed punch slammed into his face. Inuyasha managed to jerk his head mostly out of the way of his brother's claw, but dripping blood left a telling sign that he had been marked. The two fell apart as if in mutual consent, anger still simmering under the surface yet somewhat soothed by the drawing of blood.

Lifting a hand to his lips, Sesshoumaru was mildly surprised to feel that Inuyasha had successfully busted it. It would heal quickly so the youkai wasn't really concerned about it, but he was rather put out by it. Or, at least, his pride was. Casting a dark glare to his brother, he moved to sit in the shadows outside the fire and rested his back against a tree. He watched as Inuyasha lifted a sleeve to the blood on his cheek, bemused by the fact that the blood matched the hanyou's clothes. Maybe Inuyasha had a good reason to wear so much of the color. The lacerations weren't deep due to Inuyasha's pitiful attempt at a dodge, but they had to at least sting. The thought filled the youkai with quiet satisfaction.

Neither of the brothers spoke and peace finally reigned over the camp. Myouga deemed this to be a good time to answer his master's question, "Lord Inuyasha, I shall tell you Masuyo's tale if you wish to hear it. I do not think even Lord Sesshoumaru knows some of what I have to tell." The last statement caused Sesshoumaru's piercing gaze to settle inquisitively on the flea, though Inuyasha just nodded his acquiesce. Eager to avoid another fight, and always enjoying the chance to prove his knowledge, Myouga gladly began his story. It is a well known fact that servants enjoy telling stories and youkai servants at the worst of all.

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~Masuyo's History, from Myouga's perspective~

symbolize interruptions by Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha

"When your father was young, the western lands were divided into two parts. One part was ruled by your grandfather, the other by a great wolf youkai named Yukio. As you know, wolves and dogs have never quite gotten along, despite their similar natures. Wolves are naturally more inclined towards cruelty and Yukio was no exception. He and his followers hunted down any who were not part of the wolf tribe and drove them from the lands. The lucky ones survived to make it out- others were not so fortunate. This greatly vexed your grandfather, for Yukio hardly needed all that land and it was causing overpopulation and dissent in his land. Though most youkai are not terribly territorial, nor are they inclined to be in such close proximity with others.

Left with no other choice if he wanted future peace, the Inu taiyoukai set about taking back the other half of the western lands. The battle was quick, for the wolves weren't expecting a true challenge to their supremacy. Yukio was killed in the fight along with many of his wolves, but the existence of a son managed to slip notice. It wasn't till long after your grandfather's death that your father, who was now in control, was made aware of the mistake of his predecessor. The son, who now went by the name Masuyo, had gained a position of some prominence amongst the wolves. He was notoriously vain, his arrogance fueled further by the fact that the wolves practically worshipped him. He was a legend, and by their way of thinking, rightful heir.

Nevertheless, your father was not truly concerned, for he considered the packs too scattered to ever be united again. In that, he was correct, but he was unprepared for Masuyo's cunning. It had become evident to Masuyo that he could never succeed by employing his father's narrow-minded tactics, so he began to resort to other means. This included swaying anyone, even humans, to his way of thinking…"

"He used humans?" Sesshoumaru's tone held just a little shock and even more revulsion. The thought of anyone bringing humans into a fight between taiyoukai was appalling. It was degrading to any youkai who had any pride at all. Taking to mind Sesshoumaru's considerable pride, it was of course the most disgraceful thing a youkai could do. It was horribly convenient how fast he forgot Rin's existence (and why she was even alive) when it suited his pride to do so.

"So what if he did?" Inuyasha retorted, still sore over Sesshoumaru's slight on his mother. "I bet they got the job done." Of course, the hanyou wasn't really sure that was true, but it was worth saying for the wonderful flare of annoyance on his brother's face.

Said brother was about to formulate an equally scathing and brilliant reply when Myouga cut in, "Actually, Lord Inuyasha, you are correct. Because your father did not expect humans, they made the perfect spies."

Inspired by The Flea's words, Sesshoumaru sneered, "And once again humans prove they are untrustworthy."

"Then why'd you save one of those untrustworthy humans?" It was an instantaneous, genius response on Inuyasha's part. It received the desired result, as well, for though Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to answer, nothing came out.

Nonplussed, the youkai turned his gaze back to the fire and stared moodily into it. His brother marveled that the fire didn't turn to ice under Sesshoumaru's gaze. Apparently Myouga wasn't held in such awe, for he simply continued on as if the demonstration of 'brotherly love' had never occurred.

"Masuyo's strategy brought many to his side, and before anyone had a chance to realize the full extent of his forces, he attacked with swift and brutal vengeance. His followers were not disorganized like his father, but moved with a common accord. For quite some time, it appeared as if he might win, but your father rallied and it eventually came down to a fight between the two. Both were injured badly, but your father landed the fatal blow and it was believed to be the end of it. Masuyo's followers disbanded, and it was believed that they took their leader's corpse with them, for it could not be located. It now appears we were mistaken, that there was no corpse to be found. Masuyo must have survived, but how he went unnoticed all these years is beyond my comprehension…. And…"

"Keh, who cares how he survived? He did and that's all that matters." In a belligerent display, Inuyasha raised a hand to his mouth and yawned.

Sesshoumaru spoke without truly realizing the full significance behind his words, "I agree."

A mouth caught in mid-yawn simply never closed as Inuyasha stared at his brother, "You what?"

"I said I…." The youkai halted, letting his earlier agreement sink in. "Nothing. I didn't say anything."

Yes, you did.

You are mistaken.

"Okay." Mouth now closed.

See? He agrees. I didn't say anything.

So, You're agreeing on the fact that you didn't agree at all?

… Shut up.

Unnerved, both brothers just stared into the fire in silence. Sure, they had agreed before, but it was always for their own selfish reasons- reasons that did not apply in this situation.

Myouga crossed both sets of arms across his chest and looked up at the sky. He would never understand those two. He wasn't sure he wanted to, either.

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A/N:

I apologize for taking forever to get this chapter out. Life has been extraordinarily hectic for me and it has left me with hardly any time to work on the story. This should be the longest wait there will ever be between chapters of this. This chapter is a little longer than usual to attempt to make up for it though!

Also, I took a lot of liberty with Masuyo's history, and I should warn you that I'm going to continue taking a lot of liberty with everything concerning Inuyasha's father since not much has been given by the series for me to go off of.

Thank you for those who have stuck by and reviewed, and please continue to let me know what you think. Your reviews are always great inspiration.

SweatDaeth: I didn't get the bit odd thing actually in this chapter- Not to say that enough odd things didn't occur. But, uh, no, the only relationship between Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru in this story will be brotherly or as enemies. I'll leave the Sesshoumaru/Inuyasha action to others. ^_~