IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS STORY IS SEVEN CHAPTERS LONG, ALONG WITH A PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE. So please stop asking. Thank you.
Recap of Chapter 4
He knew what his brother wanted, and debated with himself before finally lifting his arms up in a welcoming way, "Come here Sesshomaru." The name felt odd rolling off his tongue with no malice and he unwittingly corrected himself, "Sess." With a loud whimper the pup threw himself into Inuyasha's arms, clutching for dear life onto his kimono and crying his eyes out. Inuyasha wrapped his arms tightly around him, feeling awful because he now had the guilt of what he did to this pup; along with everything else he had screwed up resting with him forever. His eyes pricked a little with guilty tears that he refused to let fall, only one escaped with out his knowledge. It rolled down his cheek and landed in Sesshomaru's silver hair as the quiet sounds of the forest and the river far below were disturbed only by the small demon's soft crying.
Chapter 5
Night was approaching quickly now; he had spent the rest of the morning comforting the child. They returned for lunch after the pup had calmed and the afternoon was passed with them playing with Yuki until Kaede required her aid in healing a villager that was attacked by a wild boar in a nearby village, which left Inuyasha babysitting and them most likely staying the night there.
The sun hung low as he watched the children run around in the field of flowers he had promised Rin, they were playing tag with some of the other children from the village. Inuyasha had already warned Sesshomaru about being too rough or hurting them with his claws and the child was even going so far as to run only slightly faster than a human child could, just so he wouldn't get in trouble again.
He listened to their laughter and screams as they ran around, watching curiously when Sesshomaru pulled a little girl he recognized from the stall that had almost collapsed earlier a little ways away from the other kids. He smirked as he listened to the pup try an articulate what he wanted to say with his limited vocabulary.
"Sorry."
"For what?" The little girl had a bell like voice and she looked at him curiously, she was maybe only a year or two older than Sesshomaru's age, which put them roughly on the same level of intellect.
Sesshomaru made the motions of something falling on her head and her eyes lit up in understanding. "For making the roof fall on my daddy's place?"
"Yes. Sorry."
"Oh, it's okay. Inuyasha stopped it." She looked at his eyes and gave him a bright smile before kissing his cheek on one of the magenta strips. "Thanks for saying sorry. Now let's go play!" She grabbed his hand and ran over to the other children so they could continue to play tag.
Inuyasha was definitely going to taunt his brother about blushing from being kissed by a little human girl when he was back to normal. That also made him wonder if he would remember all of this or not.
It wasn't even close to sunset yet and he could already feel his senses dulling as he leaned back on a hill and closed his eyes, which probably explained why Rin and Sesshomaru were able to sneak up on him. Sesshomaru pounced on his chest followed closely by Rin, soon he found himself dog piled under all of the children from the village. They were giggling and shouting things like, "Stop the demon!" and "Save the village!" seeing Rin jumping on him had apparently made them all a little bolder.
He heaved himself up and sent them all tumbling onto the soft grass, he growled as they scrambled to get up. Then gave them a playfully wicked grin, Rin squealed at this and shouted, "Run! The evil demon Inuyasha is too strong!" She giggled like crazy and this set them all into motion as they ran and scattered through the field.
He went after them on all fours, going just fast enough to overtake the children. He caught a little boy of about ten first and tickled him with his knuckles until the child was breathless then left him behind to go after another one. Soon he had gotten them all at least once but they just kept coming back for more. Oddly enough he was enjoying playing with the children, since all the adults were busy at work and couldn't see him acting like this he was allowing himself to.
He caught Rin again and she yelled for the other children, "Help Rin! Help Rin beat the demon!" He began tickling her and taking away her breath to yell.
The boy he had caught first gave a battle cry and charged in, "We can beat him if we work together!"
Inuyasha allowed the kids to pile on him again and soon he found himself with kids sitting on him everywhere, pinning his arms and legs. Sesshomaru and Rin sat on his chest grinning at him and he had about four children of various ages sitting on his stomach.
He growled and thrashed a little, pretending to try and throw them off until Rin hit his forehead lightly with her hand. When it left there was a flower sitting in his hair. "Rin has finished the demon! We beat him!" The kids all gave a cheer as Inuyasha closed his eyes and dropped his head to the side, playing dead.
They climbed off and began dancing around him, he listened to all this with his eyes closed. Keeping track of where Rin and Sesshomaru were in the impromptu circle by their giggles.
When they were at his feet he sprang up in a blur of motion and grabbed them both around the waist. The flower still stuck to his bangs amazingly as he did this and crouched in the middle of the frozen circle with them. Before he could do anymore Rin spoke, changing the game. "It's okay. Rin's flower stayed! Inuyasha is a good demon now!" She threw her arms around his neck as he stood up and Sesshomaru held onto his shoulder until the half demon put his arm under them.
"You brats need to go home your mothers are callin' ya." It was true enough but he also wanted them to go because sunset was coming on fast and he wanted to be in his home when it happened.
They all said their goodbyes after he set the two he was taking care of down. A bunch of the kids giving Inuyasha himself hugs before they ran home. The little girl that he saved thanked him and gave him an extra long hug before kissing Sesshomaru again and hugging him. She ran off with a wave and bright smile.
One of the little boys of about six stood there waiting for Inuyasha to notice him and grinned when he did. "I want to be just like you Inuyasha you're the best!" He then took off after the other kids to home.
"Come on brats, we need to get to my place." He crouched and they climbed on his back with Sesshomaru holding onto Rin like before.
"Inuyasha is taking Rin and her lord to Inuyasha's home because Kaede isn't here?"
"Yeah sure, hold on." As he ran he tried to figure out what he was going to do, but he really had no choice but let them see him. It didn't matter if Sesshomaru remembered this or not, he already knew when his human night was and Rin wouldn't matter either. But he really just did not want to explain it to them.
He reached his averaged sized one room hut and entered, setting the kids down to explore the room while he built a fire and found some food for them. He was quickly getting agitated by the light fading in the room and built a fire on one side in the little pit. He gave them the food and they sat at the fire to eat while he put his sword up on its hooks within easy reach, and then placed Sesshomaru's on low a table before moving into the shadowed corner to sit.
The light disappeared and he could feel the beginnings of the pulse that went in time with his heart, his claws began to soften and turn into human fingernails. Next he could feel his ears shriveling with an odd sliding sensation as human ears took their place. He watched his hair bleed black until his changing eyes momentarily blinded him.
Finally it was done and he was panting a little, it didn't hurt but was almost unbearably uncomfortable.
The now black haired Inuyasha clenched his fists, feeling the weakness of it as he did. He caught sight of some movement, Sesshomaru was next to him making a whining noise that would have been loud normally but was barely audible to his human senses.
"Quit whining." Even his voice sounded wrong to him.
"Inu?" He looked at him like he wasn't sure if it was really him.
"Yeah it's me kid." This brought Rin over and he almost sighed.
"What's wrong Inuyasha? Why is Lord Sesshomaru upset?"
"Everything's fine."
"Oh, can Rin pet Inuyasha's ears again?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't have 'em."
"Huh?" Rin was confused, and plopped down in front of him and looked up at him in the shadows. The little demon could clearly see him in the shadows but her human eyes couldn't see any difference. She gasped and scrambled backwards when he leaned forward into the light from the fire. "What happened to Inuyasha?"
"Inu?" He was distraught.
"It's my human night. Every new moon I become human, which means you need to stay here and listen to me, because I can't be saving you if you get into trouble."
"Rin promises to be good, will Inuyasha be okay?"
"Yeah, in the morning." He was surprised when Rin crawled into his lap and hugged him around his neck, followed by the demon pup around his waist.
"Rin is glad."
"Yeah, yeah. Did you eat?" He pushed her down to sit on his leg but allowed her to keep her hold on his fire rat.
"Yes, Rin is done. Lord Sesshomaru too."
"Go play, there's a couple a Shippo's toys in the corner." She got up and ran over to them picking out a small top to play with. The half-demon pulled his brother up and set him on his feet, "You too brat." He tried pushing him towards the girl but the pup just latched onto his neck making small noises. Now that he was this close Inuyasha could hear the frightened noises and cradled the kid in his arm, since Sesshomaru wanted to stay with him. He grunted in surprise when tiny-clawed hands began combing through one of his forelocks, playing with the black strands, there was a sort of mild fascination on the kids face as he did.
It was amazing how much Sesshomaru was acting like he did when they were younger.
His mother had told him when he was little to never let anyone know when his human night was; she would always spend it with him in his room. He remembered how she used to sing to him to calm him, because he had felt so unsafe without all his senses.
His father never went near him on those nights, he was a kind man to him and his mother but he chose to ignore the fact that his son was a half-breed.
On one such night an important ball had taken his mother away from him, and only she and his father had known what happened to him. To make matters worse that night was storming.
-Flashback-
He had been so frightened, storms scared him anyways and now he was alone and unable to see in the dark. He remembered huddling in the corner of his bed with his legs drawn up and a blanket wrapped around him so only his dark eyes that were closed in fear were visible. In between the sounds of rolling thunder he heard the door to his room slide open and his brother calling out to him.
"Inuyasha?" He remembered his mothers warning and curled up on the bed with the blanket hiding his now human features. "Inuyasha there is no need to hide." Sesshomaru hadn't known why he was hiding and crawled onto the bed with him.
"Go way Sess." His voice had been trembling and he clearly remembered holding onto the blanket as tight as he could when his brother tried pulling it away. His brother's superior strength soon won out and a flash of lightening had illuminated his brother's half-horrified face for him.
"Inuyasha. What happened? You're human?"
He had covered his head and turned into the corner, "No Sess! Mommy said no one's supposed to know!" Thunder clapped again and he yelled, covering his ears while trying to hide from the noise. He had struggled violently when his older brother pulled him onto his lap, trying to get away. "No Sess! Mommy said!"
"Shh, Inuyasha it's okay. We won't tell." Sesshomaru had began running his fingers through his black hair, turning him into himself to sort of shield him from the storm. "It will be our secret."
"You'll stay with me tonight Sess?" His older brother pulled him closer when he whimpered from another loud rolling boom.
"Yes Inuyasha." They laid down on the pillows together while he curled into his brother's arms and clawed fingers combed through his hair for comfort since he didn't have his ears. He remembered hugging his brother tight and muttering his name before falling asleep once the storm had quieted to just rain.
That was how his mother had found them in the morning; they had both fallen asleep when Sesshomaru was supposed to leave before his mom returned. He had jumped up silver hair flying and tried to explain while his brother sat quietly waiting for punishment. "Mommy! I-"
"Good morning you two. Thank you for staying with him Sesshomaru, I am sure the storm scared him. It was regrettable that I could not be here, I am grateful that I can trust you to care for him while I am away." He remembered how his mom's eyes had sparkled before she gave a small bow of her head to the prince of the western lands and turned to leave. "Breakfast will be served soon." She left them in the room and slid the door closed quietly.
He plopped down next to his slightly slack-jawed brother, "Sess?"
"It would seem that your mother does not mind me knowing your secret. We cannot tell father though." Sesshomaru had grinned and pulled him onto his lap, playing with his ears until a playful growl on his part had them in a small tumble match around the bed. It ended with him nipping lightly at one of his brother's pointed elf-ears while wrapped in fur that almost completely engulfed him. "We should go to breakfast Inuyasha." He licked softly at where he was biting as Sesshomaru released him from his 'tail'.
"Will you stay with me and mother next time I change?"
"We'll see what she says later." Sesshomaru took his hand and led the way out of his room and to the dining hall.
-End Flashback-
His brother had stayed with him for those nights every moon cycle after that until their father died. His mom was happy that Sesshomaru wanted to be there and sung softly as she held both of them. Sesshomaru had been a good distraction for him, playing with his hair and tickling with his fur.
Inuyasha sighed at the demon playing with his hair in lap, when Sesshomaru was there those nights had gone so fast. He had actually started to look forward to it after the first few times. He got to stay up as late as he could, playing with his brother while his mom sung or told stories.
Now on the new moon he had to stay awake in fear of his life.
The pup on his lap seemed to sense his distress and was up licking his cheek again. "Inu?"
"Thought I told you not to do that?" The demon just sat back on his leg and continued to play with his hair. Rin soon got bored with the toys and was back in his lap, and much to his annoyance was playing with his other forelock.
"Rin likes Inuyasha's hair, but thinks it's better when it is like Lord Sesshomaru's, cause then Inuyasha has his soft ears." She giggled when Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Aren't you tired yet?"
"No Rin is not sleepy at-" She yawned cutting off her own words and making his brother laugh.
"Sure kid. You can sleep over there." He pointed his clawless finger at a mat in the corner of the room near the fire.
"But Rin wants to stay here with Inuyasha like before, please?"
"Please Inu?" Now they were both giving him puppy eyes.
"Gang up on me why don't ya?" He grunted softly and curled his arms around them, as they settled down. His brother was purring again, but he couldn't hear it, only feel his small chest vibrating against his stomach.
"Good night Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru."
"Night Inu, Rin."
"Go to sleep."
Both children drifted off to sleep in the warmth from the fire and Inuyasha himself, as he stayed ever vigilant as usual throughout the night.
Morning came after what seemed like an eternally long night and he felt the changes. Turning human did not hurt, but becoming demon again did.
Fingernails hardened and pushed out painfully into claws, while human ears shifted and rearranged themselves on his head with a painful twist into dog-ears. His eyes burned and he couldn't see for longer this time as they turned gold. His eyesight returned just as his scalp came alive with a crawling sensation and his hair turned silver once again. It was all over in matter of seconds but it was a bitch to go through anyways.
Now that he was back to normal he allowed himself and the pups some rest in the early morning light.
Once again he was brought to full consciousness by Sesshomaru licking one cheek with his hand on the other to keep him from turning his head away. "Hey brat, I'll wake up on my own ya know." He pushed him away but not before the pup got in one more lick with his slightly rough tongue.
"Morning Inu!" He stood on Inuyasha's thigh, hugging him around his neck then reaching up to grab one of his fuzzy triangular ears. "Inu's ears back."
"Yeah, now let go."
"No." He grinned showing his fangs and put his face into his brother's silver again hair and breathed in his comforting scent.
Inuyasha grimaced and turned his head so he was face to face with the disobedient child, "Let go brat." He growled when Sesshomaru rubbed their noses together before licking his temporary big brothers. "What the hell do you keep licking me for?"
"Like Inu!" He grinned again before releasing him in favor of waking Rin up, he tickled her with his fur but she just pushed it away this time and he pouted before getting right in her face. "Rin, Morning!" Inuyasha watched amused as she pushed him away in her sleep by his fore head. He continued pouting for only a second then he brightened, he leaned down next to Rin's ear and yipped sharply, grinning when she sat up straight sending him tumbling into Inuyasha's chest. "Morning Rin."
"Ooo, Lord Sesshomaru is so mean, waking Rin that way." She gave him dirty look and rolled onto the floor with a thump to the boards, rubbing her eyes with one balled up hand as she stretched.
Deciding to pay the laughing pup back Inuyasha yipped sharply into his pointed ear just like he had done to Rin. Smirking when Sesshomaru squeaked in surprise and fell off his lap in his haste to get away from the loud noise.
Rin giggled and Sesshomaru pounced on her growling softly as they rolled on the floor playing with each other. "Hey, be careful brat. She's only human." Though he had to admit, for a human she was doing pretty well. She had the demon by his long hair and was sitting on his back for a moment until he rolled them over and she lost her grip as he lied on her and pinned her to the floor.
"Lord Sesshomaru wins! Rin gives up!" He grinned triumphantly and licked her forehead, looking surprised when she returned the gesture. Inuyasha shook his head at the weird child before standing up and stretching himself.
"Come on brats, we're going to go get some food."
"Rin is hungry. Rin is supposed to bathe today." She wrinkled her nose with good reason; it was too cold to go swimming in the river this early.
"Fine, there's a hot spring we can go to. The other brat needs a bath too." He grinned when Sesshomaru growled and jumped onto his back, scratching his claws lightly on his neck.
After grabbing the two swords the were his father's gift to his children Inuyasha picked up Rin as the demon climbed up to sit on his shoulders again, he replaced the grin with his customary frown and put a hand on the little demons back to steady him as he took off in a run to Kaede's for food.
He got there and pushed the mat aside, "Hey ya old hag? The brats are hungry and I don't got any food."
"Good morning to ye as well Inuyasha, must ye be so rude?"
"Feh." He sat on the floor, setting Rin on her feet. He waited for his brother to get down and got impatient when he wouldn't. "You can get off now brat."
Upside down gold eyes blocked his vision and long silver hair hung down tickling his hands on his lap, "No." He growled.
"Yes." He reached up and grabbed the small waist, flipping Sesshomaru over to land in his lap on his back. The pup grinned and sat up, watching the old woman across from them with as much curiosity as she was him.
"Morning K'de."
"Good morning child." She patted Rin on the head as she said good morning as well as giving her a hug before returning to sit by Inuyasha. "Ye will be leaving today Inuyasha?"
"Kid wants a bath. I'm gonna take 'em to the hot springs then we're leavin'."
"I see, ye will have to purchase ye brother some more clothes." She handed out food to them as she spoke.
"Feh." It did not go unnoticed by her how he did not immediately correct her as he had been. "What are you smiling at?"
"Never ye mind Inuyasha. How are the people of Sango's village fairing? I failed to ask ye due to the commotion."
"Fine, twice as many as before."
"Miroku, Sango and young Kohaku are well I hope."
"Yeah, but the monk won't be alive much longer, Sango's gonna split his head open."
"I see, he still has difficulty minding his hands," She ignored the snort from Inuyasha, "And Kohaku, what of his nightmares?"
"Better."
The rest of the meal was held in a silence that Rin broke as soon as she was finished. "Rin needs to get her stuff for bathes from Ah-Un."
"Sure kid, let's go."
"Thank you Kaede for the food."
"Thank you K'de,"
"Ye are welcome."
"Say your goodbyes, we're not coming back."
"Where is Inuyasha taking us?"
"You'll find out later, now let's go."
"Okay! Bye Kaede thank you for the food." She hugged the old woman, who looked amused as Sesshomaru copied Rin, including the hug.
"Take care children. Mind them well Inuyasha."
"Yeah, yeah." He stood after allowing Sesshomaru on his shoulders once more and picked up Rin as well. "Later Granny."
"Goodbye Inuyasha. Good luck." She ignored his snort as he left past the reed doormat, she had a feeling that she would not see the half-demon for a long time, but was relieved that it did not feel like a bad parting. "Perhaps ye will find what ye truly search for."
Just as Inuyasha was prepared to take off towards the dragon's scent Rin stopped him. "Can Rin say good bye to Yuki too? Lord Sesshomaru should say bye to Myu too."
"Who's that?"
"The girl Inuyasha saved." She giggled as she looked up at the little demon, "Lord Sesshomaru is blushing again." Inuyasha smirked when his brother's fur snaked out and wrapped around Rin's mouth, silencing her.
"Sure." It would give him more to torture his brother with later. He took off into the village, heading to where Yuki was staying with a family of the village. He found her outside, humming as she swept. "Brats want to say goodbye."
"Oh, you have to go?" She reached up and plucked Sesshomaru off his shoulders before kneeling down to hug Rin as well. "Well I'll miss you, I hope I get to see you again."
"Don't count on it. We're leaving so we can get him fixed. He doesn't like humans or me, so I doubt they'll be back. Besides, he's a real bastard grown up."
"That's too bad." She ran a hand through the demon's fluffy bangs then kissed his crescent moon. "He's such a cutie." Sesshomaru grinned showing his fangs, making her laugh.
"Rin will miss Yuki." The girl was latched onto the priestess' neck, messing up her hair with the tight grip.
"I'll miss you too, don't worry though. I have a feeling we'll see each other again." She laughed as Rin squealed excitedly, then Yuki turned to the half-demon looming over them. "Make sure you take good care of these little sweet hearts."
"Feh."
"Well I don't want to hold you up, so you better get going. Bye Rin, bye Lord Sesshomaru." She gave them each another kiss on the fore head and slipped a charm over Rin's head. "Here, it's a protection talisman. For a safe journey." She stood and bowed her head slightly to Inuyasha. "Good bye Inuyasha."
"Bye Yuki."
"Bye Yu-ki." Sesshomaru smiled at her again and copied Rin's hug.
"Bye. Let's go brats." Sesshomaru leapt up onto his back while Rin took his hand, leading them farther into the village and to the stall from before.
On the way they passed the man who Sesshomaru had almost attacked and he backed away fearfully until the demon pup turned sorrowful eyes to him. "Sorry."
"W-what?"
"Brat's apologizing for attacking you."
"Oh, uh yes it is okay. No harm done." The man was obviously too terrified to do anything but except the apology.
"Thank you." Inuyasha moved over to where the stall was and Sesshomaru climbed down and went over to where the little girl was once again minding the merchandize. "Myu?"
"Good morning Sessho!" The little demon fidgeted as she hugged him and Inuyasha snorted at the nickname.
"Came to say bye, leaving."
"You'll come back right?" Sesshomaru looked up at his brother who shook his head no.
"No." His face crumpled in worry when the girl began crying and he tried to comfort her. "Sorry, sorry."
Inuyasha shifted from foot to foot while the little drama played out, Rin remained quiet. Watching from her place next to him as the girl's tears tapered off. He couldn't take them anymore and left briefly to buy another set of clothes for the demon.
"I'm going to miss you Sessho." She looked thoughtful for a moment then let go of him, "Wait please." She ran inside her home and came out with a rawhide necklace with a little charm on it. She slipped it over Sesshomaru's head, pulling his hair from under it. "Here, so you'll remember me." The charm was a little horse, and Sesshomaru clasped it in his clawed hand nodding. "Bye Sessho." He blushed as she hugged him and kissed his striped cheek before running off into her home again crying.
"Come on kid." Inuyasha picked up the sad child and put him on his shoulders again, scooping up Rin he took off to the dragon. Ignoring how Rin was comforting the demon that was nuzzling into his hair and making soft whimpering noises.
They soon came upon the sleeping dragon and he grabbed the reigns, tugging them so it would get up and follow as he took off at a fast pace to the springs. He set the kids down at the edge before pulling the necklaces off of them and unceremoniously tossing them in clothes and all. Inuyasha knew after looking through the bag on the dragon that the girl had a clean dress. He reached into it and pulled out her bathing stuff along with said dress, setting them on the edge of the spring where they could reach.
Both children were giggling as they waded over in their waterlogged clothes; Rin undid her dress and ran it through the water before setting it on a boulder to dry. She helped Sesshomaru off with his clothes, looking confused when he took his 'tail' from around his waist and put it next to his clothes.
"Lord Sesshomaru what is that?" She pointed at the fur, jumping in surprise when it uncurled by itself slowly to lie out on the rock.
The little demon shrugged, he didn't know the word for it so he couldn't tell her. He went further into the hot springs, ducking down and getting his hair wet.
"Does Inuyasha know?"
"No. Hurry up and take your bath, show the other kid too."
"Yes Inuyasha. Is Inuyasha going to take a bath too?"
"No, now hurry up." He sat with his back to them, listening for trouble. Then a wave of hot water suddenly splashed over him from behind, he turned, his hair dripping. "You little brats." They just gave him innocent looks and he growled before taking a large leap and landing behind them in the spring clothes and all, sending a large tidal wave to swamp the children.
Rin was up first sputtering, "Inuyasha! Inuyasha said he wasn't going to take bath." She gave him sly grin and splashed some water at him.
He shook his head and slogged out of the spring shaking himself like a dog to get rid of the extra water and pulling off his fire rat, wringing the water from it. Sesshomaru had popped up from the water a little farther in the springs and was laughing.
"Hurry up kid. We need to get going." He leapt to the top of a boulder and stretched out in the sun to dry, ignoring the chilly morning wind as it sliced through his clothes.
Soon they were done and Rin managed to get them both dressed and ready to go. All their clothes were dry and put away as they settled on the dragon. "Come on dragon, let's get going. Can you take us to where you were when this happen to him?" One of the heads looked back at him and snorted before taking off with a roar and heading in the direction Rin had first come from when he met them at the river.
Once again Rin was talking non-stop to his brother as they rode, but her chatter left off when she began shivering from the cold. Inuyasha pulled off his fire rat coat and wrapped her in it, fur wrapped around her as well, aiding in the attempts to keep her frail human body warm.
It was about midday when Inuyasha noticed they were heading directly for a string of notoriously dangerous mountains, if the dragons couldn't get directly to wherever Rin had found his brother then he was going to have a hell of a time climbing up and protecting the children from the many demons that lived there.
He stopped them for lunch when they began whining. They ate and he allowed them to run around for a little, while the dragons grazed. Figuring he might as well let them have fun while they could.
Inuyasha had only closed his eyes for a second when the demon child pounced on him, licking his cheek until he was pushed away irritably. "Damn it kid, what the hell is with you and licking?" The pup opened his mouth to reply but Inuyasha cut him off, "Yeah, yeah I know, ya like me." 'What the hell is going to do when he's back to himself, probably try to kill me for ever seeing him in such a way.' He sighed as his half-brother butted his head up under Inuyasha's chin, making that odd purring thrum in his chest again.
He had just closed his eyes again when, "Can Rin pet Inuyasha's ears again now that they're back?"
"What the fuck did I do to deserve this?" His brother's purring had stopped at the word 'fuck' but continued a moment later. Rin was giving him hopeful eyes and he had to force his ears to stay up when they wanted to lie back in annoyance. "Sure kid, knock yourself out."
The girl stood next to him, stretching so she could reach his ears. She was just as careful as before and almost immediately his eyes closed when her small fingers rubbed at the bases of his ears. "Why are Inuyasha's ears different from Lord Sesshomaru's?" It took a minute for the question to penetrate and he sighed when it did.
"Because I'm only half."
"Half what?" Stretching up like she was, was beginning to tire her arms and her fingers slowed. Inuyasha picked her up, holding her steady while she stood on his leg.
"Demon."
"What is Lord Sesshomaru?" His eyes opened and she was looking at him curiously, she honestly did not know what her beloved lord was.
"He's a demon."
"Oh, okay." She went back with renewed interest to petting his ears, even some how managing to rub her cheek briefly against one.
'Well, it makes sense. Only a kid this weird would follow my brother around.' All other thoughts were pushed away as he automatically moved his head forward when her fingers strayed too far up his ears.
Rin giggled, "Rin wishes Lord Sesshomaru had puppy ears like Inuyasha. But Rin knows her lord wouldn't allow her to pet them."
"Why do you stay with him?"
"Lord Sesshomaru saved Rin after the wolves killed her, Rin has been with Lord Sesshomaru and Jaken and Ah-Un since." She leaned a little more into him, her new position allowing her to reach the bottoms of his ears better.
The two dragons snorted at him and Inuyasha opened his eyes, looking past Rin he could almost swear the twin dragonheads were laughing at him. As much as he regretted doing so he pulled Rin away. "We need to get going."
"Yes Inuyasha." She stood there while he draped his fire rat kimono around her, giggling as she slipped her arms into the impossibly large sleeves. Once he had set Sesshomaru back on his feet Rin pulled him into the red material with her. "Rin is going to miss her Lord being like this, but Jaken wouldn't be happy if he stayed." She hugged the smaller child as his fur wound around both of them, holding them together securely.
He managed to get them both onto the dragons' back with out separating them and jumped on behind them, ordering the dragon to take off and continue their way to whoever did this.
It was half hour later and ten minutes over the mountains when the dragons landed on an open area that lead to a pass through the rocks. "We have to walk now." He looked at the dragons and they lowered their heads in agreement. "Great. You two stay there."
Inuyasha grabbed the reins in his left hand, ready to unsheathe the Tetsusaiga at a moments notice as he led them on. Thankfully the kids stayed quiet, the rocks were echoing every small noise. Making it difficult to pinpoint things moving aside from the dragon's steps.
They had been walking for the better part of an hour and he was hearing skittering noises, it sounded like something sliding over the rocks. His ears were swiveling wildly as he tried to keep track of the sounds, it sounded like they were coming from every direction at once on top of the echoing. He knew it wasn't his imagination, Sesshomaru and the dragons were just as alert as he was and looking around for the sounds.
Stopping them for a moment he reached back and pulled the harnesses that blocked the dragons power off so it could help defend them. Ah-Un stomped and snorted wildly, looking around alertly for the source of the skittering noises.
Rin was quiet as she sensed the tension from the agitated demons and half-demon, understanding that something bad was going on.
They continued on, it was not too much later when the path widened significantly and the sounds got closer. The children were shaking in fear and Inuyasha looked up at the steep gray rock walls that rose at least thirty feet above his head. "Dragon, can you get up in the air?" the dragon shook it's heads in a negative gesture and he cursed, drawing Tetsusaiga.
The blade transformed in a flash of light and the dragons readied their attack, energy balls forming in their mouths as they were surrounded.
Dozens of large rock like demons emerged from the walls around them, coming straight from the stone higher up and dropping down with large booms. Thickly built and gray skinned, each demon stood twice the height of a man with gaping mouths with a double row of sharp teeth lining them and beady black eyes set deep in immobile faces.
One slightly larger than the rest spoke in a deep voice that echoed around them, "No one trespasses on our masters land." They began to close in, and the risk of bringing the rocks down on them prevented Inuyasha's use of the Wind Scar.
He jumped up with a feral grin, sword raised, "Bring it on ya stone bastards!"
To Be Continued
Review Responses
gintsuki(Anon): Here you go! Thanks for the review!
AngeloflLight: I think the flashbacks were some of my favorite things to write. Thanks for the review!
badgerwolf(Anon): Glad you do. Thanks for the review!
cLuMzYaZnGrL106: I feel sorry for the computer monitor… Thanks for the review!
CurlsofSerenity: thanks for the review!
Darkunknownone: Probably, but then this story would be a little pointless since Kagome would be taking care of Sesshomaru… Thanks for the review!
insanechildfanfic: O.O0 Dependable as always, I think the name is beginning to make sense… Thanks for the review!
inugurl666: Thanks for the review!
Inu no Miko: Yeah, I wanted to kick Inu off too but the story would have come to an abrupt end if I did, so I didn't. :grins: Though I may just write another story for pure Inuyasha torture to appease my violent side. Thanks for the review!
Moose: First off, interesting name… And all my chapters get longer by at least four pages each time! Up until the epilogue at least… Thanks for the review!
New Girl(Anon): Okay, Q.1: I can't tell you, but you will find out. Q.2: It's seven chapters, then the prologue and epilogue. Q.3: About twice a week, I post later at night on Fridays and Tuesdays. Thanks for the review!
sessinu girl: :blinks: Um… I am the one with the answers, but I can't tell you. Thanks for the review!
Shadow Dragon59: Wow. O.O You're really going to hate me soon… :laughs nervously: Just remember that I am only one that can update okay? Thanks for the review! I think…
Shinna: Thanks for the review!
Shrew-hanyou: o.O That could be it, though there are bits of it I do find a little funny. Mine too, but it's no different than the people who cry over TV shows! We should ban together against them, :nods wisely: Thanks for the review!
The Bloody Queen of Hearts: There you go! Thanks for the review! Trunks4: Thanks for the review!Vulcana(Anon): Two more and a short epilogue that I will post the same time as the seventh chapter.
:mysterious voice: Almost all will be revealed in time… lol
Yep!
Got have the ears, as for Inu's reaction… I figure, dogs like it so… :grins:
About the Yuki thing, he trusted her so quickly because he sort of 'sensed' that she was a good person. :shrugs: At least that is how I see it.
Glad you liked! Thanks for the review!
wolfsbride: O! I love when people do you like you did and tell me things you liked, a lot of time they were the things that I worked on to get in there, okay, okay, I need to calm down.
-.- Better.
I think that would how I would react, right before snuggling Sess!
Had to give him a reason.
Yeah, he matures in the show too. Might as well further it.
I would blush if I could.
Thank you so much for the review, I worked really hard on this and I am glad people like it enough to take the time to leave reviews.
A/N: Wow, I didn't think this story would get this many reviews! Thanks for the reviews and anyone who just reads! Reviews are appreciated greatly!
Wish He Was Mine