Recap of Chapter 5
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!"
Chapter 6
Tetsusaiga clanged loudly as it caught the lead demon in the chest and it laughed as the blow bounced off leaving barely a scratch. He cursed and jumped again, swinging at the demons neck only to be blocked by a solid arm.
He continued to swing at him, chancing a look over at the dragons found them doing only slightly better. It took both heads attacking at once and multiple times before the weaker rock demons were reduced to rubble. The energy took time to build so the dragons had begun alternately attacking, keeping them at bay as they backed into a corner to shield the children.
Tetsusaiga clanged again and the demon knocked it away with a heavy swing of his bulky arm. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, loosening his hands, "Fine, Tetsusaiga wasn't working anyways. IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" The yellow energy blades sliced through the air breaking over the demon and finally cutting into it if only minimally.
"Bastard half-breed!" A heavy stone fist crashed into his stomach, cracking ribs and sending him flying into the steep wall. As he pulled himself from the wall impression his impact made he looked to the dragons again, his brother had instinctively brought his energy whip out and was swinging it carefully, trying to get the demons while avoiding himself and the dragon he was standing on. It was helping the dragons but they would soon be over powered.
Inuyasha called his attack again and one of the other demons caught him from behind, ramming a sword like arm at him and wounding his side before a hard punch snapped it's head off it's neck. He looked at his blood-covered claws and smirked "This ends here! BLADES OF BLOOD!" Red streaks arched through the air, slicing the rock leader up. Soon he was nothing more than a pile of rubble and Inuyasha turned to the more pressing matter of the children.
Leaping high up and over he punched two demons away and sprung up off another to get to the dragon. Sesshomaru had long since abandoned the whip because the range was too close, he was snarling and melting anything that came close to Rin with his poison claws while she watched from the corner in the red material.
Inuyasha barreled through them knocking them together and punching, allowing the dragons to concentrate and destroy them one at a time with the twin lightening attacks. Soon they were surrounded by nothing but smoking rock piles and puddles of Sesshomaru's bitter floral scented poison.
He retrieved Tetsusaiga and sheathed it. "Are you hurt?" The dragons seemed fine besides a few minor cuts that were already healing. Sesshomaru had one cut on the deeper side running vertically through the magenta strips on his right cheek and looked dead tired but was otherwise fine.
He pressed a hand to the wound his side and helped the shaking Rin up with the other, checking her for any wounds at the same time, his coat had protected her well. "Rin is okay."
"Inu hurt." Sesshomaru pointed to his wounded side and Rin gasped before digging through one of the bags and pulling out some bandages. She handed them to Inuyasha and he humored her and let her help him wrap it around himself, tying it off while she held it.
"Thanks kid." She beamed and put the rest away. The demon pup was already healing somewhat as he sat astride the dragon's back, panting a little. "We need to leave, that poison's making me sick. Dragon, do we have enough time to keep going and find someplace to camp?" It shook his head and he cursed. "We should go back." They nodded and he growled in frustration, "Damn, turn around then, let's go."
They ended up back out in the open area before the pass and beyond into where the trees started again so they would have no more rock demons appearing among them. He knew he could have easily pushed them and kept going like he had when shard hunting, but Kaede had been right. He wanted more time with his brother like this and was procrastinating though he would never admit to it.
Inuyasha built a fire for the kids since it was already dark and caught a couple of rabbits, giving Sesshomaru some of one raw and cooking the rest on sticks. The demon also ate some of the cooked rabbit before they played for a little while.
Rin finally settled in her customary sleeping place at Ah-Un's side, dragged out from the fight and tired anyways. Inuyasha watched all this from a tree branch until he heard claws on the bark; his brother was climbing the tree. His progress was slow due to him slipping from tired arms, feeling sorry and wanting the company Inuyasha jumped down one branch and plucked him up; back in the branch before Rin could even register the movement.
He ran a thumb over the line that was a cut only an hour ago, "You did a good job brat." On impulse he leaned forward and licked the scratch, it disappeared completely. Sesshomaru purred and returned the favor before hugging his neck, his small weight on Inuyasha's now only bruised ribs making him hiss and push the pup away a little.
"Inu okay?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you." He braced his hands on Inuyasha's shoulders so he could nuzzle his face without bumping his ribs. Inuyasha had no idea what exactly he was being thanked for but pulled the kid closer to him carefully, settling him on his less injured side.
"Did you know how to use your poison all along?"
"No." 'So it was instinct.'
"You should sleep with the other brat."
"No. Please Inu?"
"Fine, but if she gets cold…"
Sesshomaru's fluffy bangs tickled his neck as he nodded and began that rumbling growl again. Only sounds of the fire crackling and popping along with the pup's noise were heard until Rin spoke up at the base of the tree.
"Rin doesn't want to sleep by herself, Rin wants to sleep with Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru. Please Inuyasha?"
Grumbling he jumped down with his brother and strode over to the dragon, asking with his presence alone what he wanted from it. Ah-Un snorted then rearranged itself so there was enough room for him to lean against it. He sat; crossing his legs, then pulled the little girl onto his lap and helped her settle so the children wouldn't disturb his wounds.
"Now will you go to sleep?"
"Yes Inuyasha, good night."
"Night Inu."
"…" Inuyasha just closed his eyes.
"Inuyasha?"
"What?"
"Rin thanks you and her lord for saving her." She snuggled down into Sesshomaru's fur and dropped off to sleep like only kids could do.
Sesshomaru stayed awake longer, playing with the little horse charm that Myu had given him. He looked down at Rin and the fur wrapped tighter around her, "Rin safe?"
"Yeah." He draped his arms over her small form to help protect her from the chill in the air.
"Scared, bad thing." He pointed in the direction of where they had been and back today.
"I killed all of them."
"No. Bad, bad thing." The demon pup was trembling a little as he pointed but calmed once Inuyasha pulled his little arm back in and stroked his hair.
"Go to sleep, I'm here. Nothing bad's going to get us." He cradled him in one arm so he wouldn't have to sleep upright and Sesshomaru nuzzled into his chest, listening to the calm breathing of his half-demon brother.
"Safe Inu."
"Yeah." Inuyasha fell into a light sleep after both kids were asleep, trying to get as much rest as he could for the day ahead.
In the morning he was glad that he had decided to sleep with them, it was cold, almost cold enough for him to see his own breath. The kids would have been freezing once the fire burned down, not to mention it was much warmer next to the dragon then it would have been in a tree branch.
Before he ever opened his eyes he felt warm breath ghosting over his cheek and knew his brother was planning on licking him again. So instead in one quick movement Inuyasha had a hand on one striped cheek while he licked the other, he opened his eyes fully. He was smirking at the pup's sound of surprise and caught him just before he would have fallen onto Rin.
"Inu!" Sesshomaru's eyes were comically large in shock and he was breathing a little faster.
"Thought I would let you do that again brat?"
"Yes. Morning." He turned his face into the hand on his cheek and licked his palm, laughing when Inuyasha grunted and wiped his hand off on his sleeve. "Bad thing today."
"Yeah."
"Rin stay Ah-Un, we go?" He gave him pleading eyes before looking at the girl. "Safe here from bad thing."
'He wants to protect her, but is it safe to leave her here with the dragon alone?' He sighed and scented the wind, checking for the immediate dangers, a couple of normal animal homes, the old scent of a badger demon and… His eyes opened wide as he caught the scent of Sesshomaru's imp heading towards them.
"Great, this is just what I need."
"Inu?" His brothers bewildered tone drew his attention and it was then he noticed how Sesshomaru was copying him. At least until his face scrunched up and he covered his nose, muffling his words slightly, "Bad smell coming." He recoiled a little at Inuyasha's sharp bark of laughter but held his ground, "Funny?"
"That 'bad smell' is your servant."
"Ser-vant?"
"Yeah, ask the kid."
"Rin?" He turned around to look at the still sleeping girl and got in her face, "Rin morning! Servant coming!" He pouted when she didn't even stir and ran his claws lightly over her cheek. "Rin!" She stirred a little, but only to brush his hand away. Sesshomaru sat back thinking then said in a loud voice, "Sesshomaru says it's morning for Rin!" This time she woke up and stretched with in the confines of the fur, looking at the very close face of her former demon protector she blinked sleepily.
"Morning."
"Servant coming."
"Who?" She looked past him to Inuyasha.
"That green toad with the staff."
"Oh, Jaken is coming. Jaken will be most unhappy to see us." She giggled and stood up, grabbing the fur so it wouldn't trail on the ground and get dirty. "Rin is hungry." She went to the bags without being told and pulled out some food handing it to the boys before sitting on Inuyasha's leg again.
After they finished Jaken could be heard shouting even by Rin as he approached their camp. "Lord Sesshomaru! This Jaken has returned from the quest milord had sent me on. The Staff of Skulls made quick work of those annoying humans that were looting villages on your lands." He stepped out of the bushes across from them with his back to them as he tugged his staff free of the thorns.
Inuyasha smirked and pushed Sesshomaru behind him, hiding him and silencing the children as Jaken turned around.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" He gave an indignant squawk and waved the wooden staff around when he saw Inuyasha leaning against the dragon with Rin on his lap. "What are you doing here? And why is that filthy human child wearing that? I shall turn you to ashes for taking what belongs to my Lord."
"I haven't taken anything you idiot, my brother's right here."
"Where? Lord Sesshomaru?" He spun around in a circle while Rin giggled. "Oh Lord Sesshomaru, are you hiding from you loyal servant?"
Inuyasha reached behind him and grabbed Sesshomaru's striped wrist to pull him in front then sat him next to the girl on his lap. Jaken caught sight of him, his eyes bugged and he began wailing.
"Surely that cannot be you Lord Sesshomaru! Oh what has the filthy half breed done to you?" He kept wailing and moaning loudly.
The demon pup covered his ears and whined, "Loud." Inuyasha had to agree, his ears were pinned back against his head to block out the sound.
"Lord Sesshomaru always hits Jaken when he becomes too noisy." She handed him a rock and it flew with uncanny accuracy into Jaken's forehead, knocking him out on the ground with swirly eyes.
"Good shot brat, one of you get that damn staff from him."
"Can Rin hit him with it like Jaken always does to her?" She jumped up excitedly when he shrugged and pulled the staff away from the imp before swinging it down with a solid 'thwack' to his head, adding another bump above the one on his forehead. Both children were laughing as she came back and handed the staff to Inuyasha. "Thank you Inuyasha!"
"Whatever." He reached out with the end of the staff poking the unconscious servant and waking him up.
"Milord?" He saw him and began wailing again until another, smaller, rock flew and bounced off his beak.
"Too loud."
"You half breed what have you done to Lord Sesshomaru why- Give me back my staff!"
"Shut up. I didn't do nothing, your precious Sesshomaru got put under some kind of spell and I am here to get him fixed so I don't have to take care of him." He saw the pup droop and added in voice only someone with their hearing could catch, "Not you brat." He couldn't even be sure if he was actually lying to the kid.
Sesshomaru brightened and latched onto his neck, licking his cheek once. "Inu. Rin stay Jaken, we go?"
"What is going on, you are not going with the half-breed my Lord?"
Sesshomaru covered his ears again and glared at Jaken, silencing him. "Noisy Jaken, Shut up."
"Idiot, if you haven't noticed he isn't exactly my brother. I have been watching both brats for the past few days, he has no memories of who he is and only recognized any of us by scent. Though he doesn't like yours." He smirked, one fang peeking over his lip as Sesshomaru nodded.
"Jaken, smell bad."
"Does Rin smell bad?" She smiled when he shook his head no.
"Rin smell like flowers. Inu smell like…" He let go of his neck to sweep his arms up, gesturing to the forest around them.
"Trees?" Rin was confused when he made the motion again shaking his head.
"All."
"Oh, Inuyasha smells like the forest?"
"Yes." He reattached himself to his brother's neck. "Only Jaken smell bad." He grinned, showing his fangs when Rin giggled and Jaken swelled up indignantly.
"B- but, milord does not smile."
"Get it through your thick skull, this isn't really him. It's his body but he has no memories of who he is. Not quit your squawkin' or I'm gonna let the kid beat you with this damn staff." Jaken gulped as Rin grinned evilly and rubbed her hands together. "Why was he here in the first place?"
"Lord Sesshomaru did not inform this lowly Jaken, but I assumed it was to meet the very powerful witch that lives in these parts. She was indebted to Lord Sesshomaru's father."
"Inu's father too!" Sesshomaru was defending his 'big' brother by glaring at the toad and though the glare was less potent in this form it still had Jaken quivering.
"Yes milord." He was bowing down, forehead touching the dirt as he groveled. The demon pup grimaced as his whiny voice continued to utter praise and apologies.
"Inu staff?" He held his hand for it and grinned when it was given to him. The crack rang out through the forest as it came in contact with the imp's head.
Ah-Un opened it's eye at this after having gone back to sleep, they took in the unconscious green servant and snorted before laying back down.
"Fun. Again?" Inuyasha caught the staff on its downward arch and pulled it away from him.
"Do it again and you'll kill him. I still need him." He ignored the kid's pout and set Rin on her feet, standing up as well as he toed the imp onto his back then jabbed him sharply in the stomach with the staff. "Great, he's out cold for a while. There's a stream nearby, we'll go get a drink and wash up some, maybe he'll be awake by then." Inuyasha gave the demon a parting jab before crouching for Sesshomaru to get on his shoulders after the pup had kicked the toad then scooped Rin up. "Dragon! Watch that stupid thing so he doesn't do anything dumb." Ah-Un snorted without opening it's eyes and Inuyasha left for the stream.
Steadying the kid on his shoulders with his free hand, Inuyasha ran through the forest, nimbly dodging trees until they reached the water. Sometime during the run the fur had mostly unwound from the girl and was around his waist now, it stayed with him as he set the kids down.
Plucking at it a little with his fingers he looked at the owner, "Why's this on me?"
"Inu hold it. Not get wet?" He looked at Rin and Inuyasha saw why, the girl was getting her drink, consequently spilling water droplets down her dress.
"Whatever." Readjusting the fur so he could check his wound he watched the children have a small splash fight. Shrugging out of his top he peeled away the bandages, the cut in his side was only a scar now, and that would be gone by lunch. "Hey brats don't get too wet or you're walking back."
"Yes Inuyasha." Rin pulled Sesshomaru away from the water and sat him down on a rock in front of her. She began braiding his silver hair, humming as she did. She looked around for something to tie it off when she finished, pouting when she found nothing. Then she inexplicably brightened and reached inside her dress and pulled out a tie like the one in her hair and finish off the braid. "There, now Lord Sesshomaru's hair will stay out of his way."
The demon picked up the heavy braid and brought it over his shoulder to look at it before letting it swing behind him, "Thank you."
"Lord Sesshomaru is welcome."
She watched curiously as the brother's heads whipped back towards camp, "Jaken."
"Yeah. Come on brats, and get this off a me." Sesshomaru pulled the end of the fur so it wrapped around his waist once, then the rest followed on it's own, wrapping around one shoulder also.
"Want to run."
"Try and keep up." He scooped up Rin and began back towards where Jaken was yelling; he was going slowly at first then speeded up once the pup proved he was able to keep up with him. Sesshomaru was doing well and soon they arrived back together, the child was panting while he was barely out of breath, even though he was carrying both Rin and the heavy staff.
Jaken was yelling at the dragons while they ignored his ranting and continued to sit with their eyes closed, infuriating the imp all the more.
"Stupid dragon, how could you take our lord to the half-breed!" He quieted when a rock whizzed through the air and knocked into the back of his head. Quivering he turned to face his young master's disapproving look.
"Jaken, be nice Inu." The demon child was pointing down at the bowing toad with one finger out, his hand glowing green with the threat of his poison.
"B-but milord!"
"No. Be nice."
"Yes milord." Sesshomaru smiled and looked up at his brother for approval, completely grinning at the barely perceptible nod from Inuyasha.
"Inu, Rin stay Jaken?"
"No. I don't trust the toad, we're all going." He blinked in surprise when Sesshomaru jumped onto him and got in his face.
"Stay Inu?"
"Fine." He helped him onto his shoulders, moving his long silver hair so it trailed over the demon's blue clad leg. "But if there's trouble you protect the kid."
"Yes Inu."
"Kid get on the dragon, we're going. You too toad." Rin complied with his request and climbed onto the broad back while Jaken swelled up.
"I am not a toad! You are not my master I will not take orders from you!"
"Jaken, Ah-Un."
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru." The sulky imp climbed on in front of Rin with the reigns grumbling to himself.
Remembering that the girl was going to be up in the cold air Inuyasha removed his fire rat kimono and draped it over her shoulders then handed her the staff. "You can give this back to him if there's trouble. Don't hit him any more, we may need the toad."
"Yes Inuyasha, Rin will be good."
"Hey toad! Follow me with that dragon, you can do that can't you?"
"Yes, of course I can! Whom do you take me for?" He closed his eyes with one webbed finger raised, "I am advisor to the great Lord Sesshomaru, of course I can as the great-" He was cut off mid rant by Rin's giggle and opened his bulbous eyes.
Having gotten impatient with the pompous toad Inuyasha was already running towards the mountains.
"Rin thinks Inuyasha doesn't like Jaken." The little girl giggled again and patted Ah-Un's side, "Let's go Ah-Un, fly and follow Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru." The dragon lurched into the air and Jaken lost his balance, falling and swinging by the reigns.
"Ack! You stupid beast! Set down this instant." He squawked again when it just tossed it heads, making the smaller demon swing violently.
"Here Jaken, Inuyasha said we might need you so that means Rin cannot let Jaken fall." She offered him the skulls end of the staff and helped him back onto the dragon's back where he threw another fit before finally settling down.
Not too much later Ah-Un landed just behind Inuyasha in front of the pass they had traveled the day before. They walked down the path once again with the new addition to their group, all of them on alert after what happened the last time.
"Inuyasha will there be more of those rock men?" She was huddled in his coat still and scanning the walls nervously.
"I don't think so kid."
"No more rocks. Only bad thing." Inuyasha could feel the demon pups trembling and hear the small quaver in his voice.
"You sure brat?"
"Only bad thing." Inuyasha grimaced when two small clawed tipped hands latched onto his ear but let it be, it stopped the kids trembling.
"Watch your claws."
"Yes Inu."
They walked on, eventually passing the battlefield of the day before. It inspired Jaken into a speech once he saw the puddles of acid that were still eating through the rock. He ranted on about his 'Great Lord and Master Sesshomaru', at least he did until Sesshomaru himself covered his ears and ordered Rin.
"Rin, Jaken staff!"
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru." She swung the staff and knocked the imp out cold on the dragon's back.
"Thank you."
"Lord Sesshomaru is welcome."
Inuyasha looked back her and the unconscious toad with a shrug before walking on; it wasn't like he ever really liked him. He and Sesshomaru always played tricks on him when he was still an advisor for their father.
-Flashback-
It had been one of those rare days when Sesshomaru was free from his studies and they could play. Their current mission? To annoy Jaken as much as possible, the imp was trying to get things ready for an important meeting and was squawking at the servants and rushing around trying to look important.
Most of them just ignored him and did the jobs they already knew they had to do from other such meetings.
He and Sesshomaru were watching this out of the imp's sight, waiting for him to turn his back. "Okay Inuyasha, go steal his scroll." His brothers mischievous smile and the gleam in his eyes spurred him on as he darted up behind the yelling demon and snatched the scroll from his stubby hand.
"Hey! Give that back you miserable half-breed!" Several of the servants gasped and stopped what they were doing.
His ears laid back and the taunt died on his lips as the scroll fell from his hand. Sesshomaru was there in an instant and holding the stupid advisor by the throat with red eyes. "You dare to insult one of your Lord's children, one of your masters and a prince of the western lands?"
"Prince Sesshomaru! I, I was only-" His panicked stuttering was cut off as Sesshomaru hand closed on his throat and his already bulbous eyes bugged out further.
"Save your pitiful excuses, were you not my father's advisor I'd kill you for addressing my brother as such. You will apologize to him, and my father for insulting his son in that manner when you return. For now-" He dropped the toad at his feet and narrowed his red raged eyes at the cowering demon. "Be gone!" He kicked Jaken, sending him out through the balcony doors and good distance over the railing to land with a large splash in the middle of their garden pond.
He had watched as his older brother almost visibly collected him self before the magenta accented gold eyes turned to him. "Ignore that fool Inuyasha, hopefully father will dispose of him." Sesshomaru bent and retrieved the fallen scroll; he opened it and looked it over before calling one of the women.
"Yes Prince Sesshomaru?" She accepted the scroll when he handed it to her.
"I trust you all know your jobs and do not need that fool harassing you." He addressed her specifically next. "You are to make sure the tasks set out on this scroll are done, if my father's adviser" He said the title with mild disgust evident in his voice. "Returns here, send him to find my brother and I so he may present his apology. Do not return that scroll to him."
"Yes Prince Sesshomaru." She bowed and was echoed by the others as Sesshomaru turned and ushered him out of the room. Once they were out of their earshot he let loose his barely contained excitement.
"He flew so far Sess! I bet he landed right in the middle of the garden pond!" He had grinned when his brother's frown turned into and evil smile and he laughed with him.
"I have been wanting to do that to him for a long time."
"Stupid toad. So what are we going to do now Sess?" On these days his brother could always find something interesting for them to do.
"Why don't we go watch that idiot pull himself from the pond? If we are quiet we can make him run all over while he tries to apologize to you."
"Yeah!" He had grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and they ran out together to the garden where they could hear Jaken splashing and sputtering in the water. His brother had grabbed him and jumped them up into a tree to watch Jaken slog out. They laughed quietly at the servant's curses and mutterings.
"Is there a reason why my advisor now smells like our Koi pond?" They looked down into their father's amused golden eyes and Sesshomaru leapt down while holding him.
He remembered speaking in his glee before Sesshomaru could answer, "Jaken always smells that way."
His father had chuckled and put a hand on his head, ruffling his bangs a little, before turning to his eldest son with a raised eyebrow.
"Your advisor," again there was distaste in his tone. "Insulted Inuyasha. I knew it was not my place to kill him as I wished. He should be seeking us to apologize to Inuyasha, then you as instructed." He stood with the entire regal ness their father also possessed.
"Ah, I see. You were hiding from him in the tree?"
"Sess said that Jaken would have to run around looking for us."
"Oh? You have been asked not to play tricks on the servants boys." Their father was once again looking stern, but there was a glitter in his eyes he chose not to hide. His brother had remained silent as they looked up at the taller demon, but he had an answer that he tried to pull off with as much innocence as possible.
"It wasn't for a trick, we just wanted to help Jaken get dry after he went swimming." Their father laughed again before stepping in front of them and using his fur to keep them out of sight.
"My advisor is approaching, we will see what he says."
Wrapped in the warm fur together Sesshomaru was returning his own grin and whispered to him, "Maybe father will kick him into the pond again." He smothered his laughing as Jaken slogged up to their father.
"Milord!" His voice was muffled and they guessed he was cowering on the ground as usual.
"Jaken, explain." Gone was the caring amused voice that he had used with them only a moment before, replaced by a lords cold one.
"Milord! It was Prince Sesshomaru! The child kicked your most faithful servant from where I was doing my duties in the meeting room." Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and he picked up his brother's hands and put them on his ears to distract him from his anger. It worked and he calmed as they listened to the conversation continue.
"Oh? I find it hard to believe Sesshomaru would do something without cause. Tell me what happened."
"I was merely doing my duties when Prince Inuyasha stole the scroll with the tasks written upon it from me. We exchanged words and then Prince Sesshomaru had me by the throat and he was in a terrible red rage. He claimed that were I not your advisor that he would have killed me! Then he dropped this loyal Jaken and kicked me from the room!" Sesshomaru's fingers had tightened almost painfully on his ears at the imp's woebegone tone and he whimpered, trying to pull away.
The harsh grip loosened and Sesshomaru began rubbing softly again, bending slightly to whisper below the toads hearing. "Sorry."
"What was said between you and my youngest?"
"The exact words escape me milord, but I asked for the scroll back."
"Is that all?"
"Y-yes milord." He remembered his brother growling lowly at the lying words. Though the touches to his ears remained gentle, his brother's magenta strips had begun to darken and widen.
"Shall we see what they have to say then?" He had giggled a little when the fur around them tightened and they were brought to the front of their father, but put on a face as serious as his brother's when the hands dropped from his ears. "Sesshomaru?"
"Your loyal advisor has failed to mention that he insulted your youngest son, and in turn insulted you. He has also failed to mention that I gave him orders to apologize to Inuyasha then yourself for his insolence." He glared at the imp that was now trying to backpedal his way out of the mess.
Their father held up a hand, silencing his advisor, "Inuyasha? How did Jaken insult you?"
"He called me a miserable half-breed." They all ignored Jaken's protesting squawk.
"Not by your proper title?"
"No." His ears had begun to droop, he remembered having a lot less control over them when he was younger and they betrayed his emotions easily. They perked though when he saw the flash of anger that passed through his father's eyes, because that meant Jaken was in trouble.
"Jaken? Is this true?"
"I-I-I b-but... I was just doing my duties milord!" Jaken was pressed so close to the dirt that he was lead to half hope the toad would sink right in and disappear.
"You are saying then, that both of my sons are lying to me?" Their father did not bother waiting for the answer; instead he bent and picked the imp up by his robes and set him on his feet in front of him and Sesshomaru. "You will apologize as instructed by Sesshomaru, then apologize again to both of them for accusing them of lying to me."
"Yes milord. Prince Inuyasha please forgive me for insulting you and not addressing you by your proper title."
"I guess."
Jaken turned his groveling away from them and to their father, "Milord please forgive this lowly Jaken for insulting Prince Inuyasha and in turn you."
"Granted. Continue."
"Yes Milord, I am sorry princes of the western lands for so foolishly accusing you with my words of lying to your father."
"Whatever." He had wanted to kick the toad and he could tell his big brother was resisting the urge to do that as well.
"You are forgiven, this time. Do not accuse me of such ever again."
"Yes Prince Sesshomaru. Thank you my masters for forgiving this lowly Jaken."
"You may leave Jaken." He frowned impatiently when the toad continued to grovel. "Here, I shall help you on your way." Before the imp could react he was flying through the air and back into the pond with a splash, courtesy of their father's boot. He openly laughed while the fur unwound from about them but stopped when their father spoke. "I will leave you boys out here to play, I only ask that you not terrorize the good servants too much today." He began to walk away after ruffling both their bangs and smiling.
"Does that mean we can play some more tricks on Jaken Sess?" His brother had turned to look at the retreating form of their father and grinned when they both heard a low chuckle from him.
"He said the good servants Inuyasha."
"Oh. Will flower petals stick to him if he's wet?" He had wicked idea, and he could see his brother's confusion as he nodded.
"Why are you asking?"
"I just thought maybe we could help Jaken not smell like the fish anymore." His brother had smiled showing his fangs and he imitated him before they ran off into the gardens to collect some Sakura petals. They gathered them off the trees, making sure not to take too many off of any one tree and piled them in Sesshomaru's fur so the gentle breeze wouldn't blow them away. By the time they were done, their own silver hair was sprinkled heavily with petals, but neither noticed as they snuck up on Jaken, who was panting and sputtering on the ground.
Sesshomaru dropped the large pile of petals over the imp and he patted them down onto the squawking demon as he rolled over and covered himself further. Sesshomaru's last handful covered the toad's bald green head after they knocked his hat off and made him look like he was growing pink petals for hair.
As they ran away into the large grassy area of the estate he laughed, "That only helped Jaken smell a little better." They stopped in the middle of the tall grass and he had pounced on his brother. "You have petals in your hair Sess!"
"No more than you little brother."
"Oh yeah!" He pulled a petal from his hair and stuck it to the middle of Sesshomaru's forehead inside the crescent moon. "Sess is a flower prince!" He ran away laughing, calling in a singsong voice. "Sess is the flower prince!"
He had yelped when his much faster brother caught up, tackling him and tickling him. "Flower prince huh?" Sesshomaru stretched up and blew in his sensitive ear, making him laugh even more.
"No! No Sess not that!" He was laughing uncontrollably by now and his brother wasn't letting up on blowing in his ears. He couldn't even move them away he was laughing so hard. "Sess!"
"Am I still the 'Flower Prince?'" The tickling let up so he could answer and he squirmed a little before collapsing in the grass, pouting.
"No." Then he laughed and reached up to pull the pink petal from his brother's forehead, watching it flutter to the ground. He still remembered how surprised Sesshomaru had looked at what he did next. He had reached up and pulled his brother down in a hug. "Thanks Sess, for taking care of Jaken."
"Of course little brother, I said I would protect you did I not?" Their noses brushed together affectionately before Sesshomaru moved off of him to lie in the grass and look up at the clouds with him.
"Yeah. Hey, look at that cloud, it looks like father!" He pointed up at a vaguely dog-shaped cloud.
"Yes, I suppose it does resemble him in his true form." Sesshomaru grunted as he rolled onto his stomach to sit and look down at his older brother.
"So what are we going to do now Sess?"
"I don't know." The full demon child reached up and tugged lightly on his ear when he stuck his lower lip out in a pout. "Don't give me that look, why don't we put butterflies in Jaken's hat?" Sesshomaru had laughed when he pushed his lip out further.
"But we did that last time."
"Hmm, I will have to think about it." His brother closed his eyes and tapped his lips thoughtfully with the fingers of the hand that had just been on his left puppy ear.
Growing impatient he leaned down in his brother's face, jumping back in surprise when Sesshomaru snapped playfully at his nose. Ah! Hey! Not funny Sess!" He was pouting again.
Sesshomaru snickered, "Come on, why don't we go play with your ball?" There was a brief pause for a thoughtful look. "I sure hope your face doesn't stick that way." His brother tugged on his ear again before they raced each other back inside.
-End Flashback-
His brother tugging on–oddly enough-the same ear as in his memory and whimpering brought him back to reality. "What is it kid?"
"Bad thing soon."
Looking around Inuyasha realized that he must have been lost in his own memories for the better part of two hours. Jaken was awake again and Rin was looking scared once she heard her former protectors announcement. Drawing Tetsusaiga he preceded forward, followed closely by the dragons. As they rounded a corner Sesshomaru's trembling took on a whole new level and he whispered, "Bad thing here."
"I don't see nothin'" But Inuyasha spoke too soon as a horrible creature with Naraku like tentacles burst forth from the rocks, showering them debris. It was a big mass of sickly green flesh with dozens of tentacles and a gaping maw; it was something that could have never been created by nature. "Kid! Give the toad the staff, and you get back there and protect her." He blocked several tentacles with the flat of his sword, but one nicked him in the thigh and another grazed his right arm. A third that would have hit his other arm was deterred by Sesshomaru's energy whip.
"No! Stay Inu!"
"Damn it brat." He leapt into the air over several tentacles but wasn't prepared when they each split in two and surrounded him. As they wrapped around him one caught his brother in the chest and sent him flying with an audible crack into a stone wall.
As he watched his brother slide down and a tentacle shoot towards him he saw red. The Tetsusaiga pulsed madly to keep his demon blood under control as he began hacking through the forest of tentacles, which only seemed to grow in number.
The tentacle wrapped around Sesshomaru, making the pup whimper as it tightened around his bruised back and pulled him towards the gaping tooth filled mouth.
"Bastard!" Inuyasha hacked faster and watched his brother dangle, terrifyingly limp, high in the air above the main mass of the writhing monster. He could hear the frantic noises of the others behind him as they fought off their own batch of tentacles and the Tetsusaiga worked even harder to keep the demon in him at bay. "No!"
He had to take the risk, "WIND SCAR!" He leaped up after the streaks of energy and caught Sesshomaru as he fell inside the detached tentacle, ripping it from his small body as he landed.
Tetsusaiga lay forgotten where he had thrown it as he examined the pup, blood leaked slowly from his mouth as he pulled him close. Inuyasha cradled his brother's still form, his torso looked somehow twisted and wrong, "Hey kid, Sesshomaru!" He shook him a little but there was no response.
He put his face close and listened; no air was passing through his lungs and his heart no longer beat. He had failed; he had told him he would be safe.
Rin's tears and murmurs of her Lords name reached him as he collapsed on the ground with his dead brother. 'No, he can't be.'
A sudden, urgent pulsing at his hip caught his attention.
Tensaiga was calling…
To be continued
A/N: There is one more chapter after this one and the epilogue will be posted at the same
time as the seventh and final chapter.
Review Responses
AngeloflLight: Cliffies are fun as you can see. Thanks for the review!
Azmidiske: Glad you like it. I know about a few others and I wanted to do it to Sesshomaru . Thanks for the review!
Battle and War: Um… Thanks for the review!
cLuMzYaZnGrL106: Wow, scary sugar high review. O.O Thanks for the review!
Darkunknownone: Thanks for the review!
Eboni: No idea, I am so overwhelmed with the amount of reviews it is hard to keep track. . Thanks for the review!heather(Anon): Glad you think it is cute… Thanks for the review!
insanechildfanfic: Okay, I am all for tradition… But do you think maybe you could leave me a longer review for the last chapter? Pwease? Thanks for the review!
inugurl666: Thanks for the review!
inu-youkai 911: Wow, glad somebody liked it, Shadow Dragon59 almost killed me because I made him cry. -.- Glad you liked it enough to put me on your favorites list! Thanks for the review! (You accidentally sent two though!)
Inu no Miko: Thanks anyways, but I am arranging for some professional from him. It should be here be the end of the story. Thanks for the review and attempt at protection! lol
Lightning Streak(Anon): :blinks: Thanks for the review!
Moose: Yep, had to argue with my dad just so I could get this one out on time. -.-0
Next to last. Seven is it, along with the epilogue.
Hehe I am not an optimistic person by nature. Thanks for the review!
Morlana: Thanks for the great review!
New Girl(Anon): Let's go with Kagome got healing powers until I can think of something better. -.-0
No. He's not exactly my most favorite character and I didn't want to torture poor Inuyasha further.
Um… Please don't pat me. Thanks for the review though!
Phoebe H.(Anon): Empty threat, if you do that you won't get the story anyways. Thanks for the review!
Rose Valentine: Thanks for the review!
Samieko: Thanks for the review!
Sesshy81: I put notices… Thanks for the review!
sessinu girl: Thanks for the review!
Shadow Dragon59: He, he… Please don't kill me? Thanks for the calmer review!
Shrew-hanyou: Don't worry about the plug. I will go check out your stories when I have time. Thanks for the review!
Siere(Anon): Thanks for the review!
Vulcana(Anon): It's okay, I still got others asking. -.-0 Oh well…
Yeah.
I thought that it would be only right.
That was one of the points I fought with the plot to get in there lol.
Well, Inuyasha has shown occasionally that he has a more playful side every great once in a while.
About a sequel, I have no clue. No thoughts for it all. -.-0
I don't think Ah-Un actually has that much awareness, but it doesn't seem too far-fetched.
Wow. Thanks for the review! I really like reading yours because you tell me what you like!
yoyo person(Anon): Thanks for the review!
yumi-sama: Thanks for the review!
A/N: Yikes! I have a killer headache now. :shakes fist: you better appreciate this. Anyways, thanks for all the reviews and for anyone who just reads! More reviews are always welcome! See you all for the final chapter and epilogue!
Wish He Was Mine