Chapter 23

(Great fight in this chapter. The boys get to test their skills. LadySesshoumaru41)

The demons in the area were used to Sesshoumaru's patrols and had been staying out of the range of his scent. Both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had excellent sense of smell and could always tell when danger was near. However the past few days the brothers had not gone out on patrol. It had been noticed.

A terrible demon of great power named Shai-gogon was on the prowl. He was aware of the training the sons of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were undergoing. He did not want the half-breed mongrels of Sesshoumaru to gain strength. He would destroy them.

He knew his own strength and he was more than a match for the brothers. As for their brats, he smiled to himself, he would eat them. His smile then broadened. There also was that small matter of the wives who dared to think they were good enough to be the mates of demons. They would too would have to learn their places.

His terrible jagged teeth showed. A skull was stuck between two of his teeth. A remnant of an old enemy. He left it there as a decoration and a horrible reminder to all who saw him. He was a devourer of foes.

The night was quiet. Everyone at the palace was asleep. Shai-gogon was nearing the palace. Little Shippo woke up in the night thirsty and the little fox demon went to the kitchen to get a drink. His nose twitched.

"I smell something." He said to himself. "Someone's coming." He ran to Inuyasha's room and banged on the door. "Wake up there is someone outside. It's a demon I can smell him. Get up!"

Inuyasha was at the door in an instant. Picking the little fox demon up by the tail he snarled. "This better be good." And went out to see what the trouble was.

It wasn't good in fact it was bad, very bad. Inuyasha dropped Shippo. "Go and get my brother. Now!"

There in the courtyard was Shai-gogon. He was an ancient demon of terrible strength. It would be all the brothers could do to bring this one down if they could at all.

"Inuyasha the half-breed son of my old friend, Sugumi-sama." He showed his teeth. "You know I never did approve of his mating with that human female. Perhaps now is the time to right that wrong."

I had hoped that your brother would remove your stain from the earth but it seems he has chosen to follow in his father's footsteps by taking a human for his own. I hear he has produced two brats from this unholy union.

Hmmmff. Even your own brat in an abomination to your demon heritage. I hear the mongrel looks completely human. It sickens me." Shai-gogon reared up to his full hight. He towered over Inuyasha. "Once I am done with the troublesome sons of Sugumi-sama. I will rid this world of his grandsons as well as those disgusting things you mated with."

Sesshoumaru had woken the household and instructed the older boys to guard the women.

"I want to fight father, I can help you. You know I'm strong enough. Let me help." Inumouru begged.

"No Shai-gogon is too strong for you my son. I need you to keep your mother safe. Do this for me." With that he left.

"Shai-gogon I've heard of him, he is way powerful." Shippo explained the power of this ancient demon. "He has never been beaten. When he defeats someone makes sure they are still alive when he eats them. Alive!" Little Shippo shuddered.

The older boys looked at each other. " We can't let our fathers battle this one alone we have to help."

Katame tried to talk some sense into the boys. "Don't do that, your father left you orders. You know what he'll do if you disobey him."

Inumouru looked at his mother and said solemnly and with great resolve. "I'd rather face his anger alive that have him eaten by Shai-gogon." The two cousins ran with Inumouru out calling to Samoto. "Watch mama for us."

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were battling valiantly. Sesshoumaru had managed to cut off on of the great demon's arms and was trying desperately to get a clean cut to the heart.

Shai-gogon was no easy target to hit. Inuyasha had leapt up to strike at the demon's head only to be knocked flying into a tree. He landed so hard the tree split and half of it fell on Inuyasha.

"You two are pathetic. You don't do your father's memory justice." He spat at them.

Inuyasha struggled to his feet. His arm hung uselessly at his side. He had damaged his shoulder and could no longer use his great sword. He would have to use his claws and his cunning.

Sesshoumaru was in a sword fight of his own. The demon was using his other hand and was going at Sesshoumaru with terrible ferocity.

None of the combatants saw the two boys. They ran from the side of the house. They had decided that their best attack would be from behind the great demon as their fathers would be fighting from the front.

Inumouru was the better jumper of the two and so it was decided that he would go up and Sugumi would cut low.

Inumouru leaped to the top of the wall that surrounded the palace, and ran along to were the battle was. He got himself in place.

Sugumi had run along the base of the wall in the shadows so he would not be seen. A signal from Inu and the two leapt into action. Inumouru landed on the back of Shai-gogon and plunged his poison claws deep into the neck of the demon.

At that moment Sugumi slashed the the back of the legs of the demon with his claws.

Shai-gogon screamed. The unexpected pain of this new attack had thrown his concentration off.

"What is this? Arrgh..." He screamed again.

Inumouru had torn into the neck of the demon. Sesshoumaru saw his son on the back of the Shai-gogon and took that moment to act. Leaping up he plunged the sword into the demon. He missed the heart but had done a lot of damage. Inuyasha raced forward to slash the legs of the demon in order to bring him down. That's when he noticed his own son. He was busy doing exactly what Inuyasha wanted to do himself. So the two of them worked on the legs of Shai-gogon. Inuyasha with only one arm. And Sugumi using his sharp claws. Soon between the two of them they brought the demon down.

Inumouru was immediately at his father's side sword drawn they went at him. Sesshoumaru went for the neck and Inumouru for the heart.

Shai-gogon was dead. The battle had been fierce. It had taken all four of them all their strength to do it.

Inuyasha's shoulder was badly damaged and would take days to heal. Sesshoumaru had faired little better. He was beaten and bruised in many places and had a large gash across his chest where he failed to block a blow from Shai-gogon's blade.

The two boy's were so happy to have been able to fight alongside their fathers even if it meant that they would have to do chores until they were old men.

They helped their fathers into the house, and sat them at the table. Shippo was sent for bandages and water. The women worked on tending their wounds.

"I'm sorry father I know you wanted me to stay inside but Shippo told me that demon had never been defeated." Inumouru bowed to the floor. "I would rather face your wrath alive than have to bury you."

"Me too father, I felt the same way. Your probably going to work us to death for it, but at least your alive, right?" He bowed but kept his eyes on his father. So far his father's eyes were gold but that could change, fast.

Suddenly Inuyasha yelled. "Yeeoww... Kagome are you trying to rip my arm off?" Kagome was trying to fix Inuyasha's shoulder.

"Hold still a minute. I have to bandage this cut before I can set your shoulder."

Sugumi cringed when he heard his father yell. He thought for sure his father would punish him terribly. "I'm sorry, father please don't be angry with me." He cowered to the floor.

Inuyasha winced again and glared at his son. "Sugumi now is not the time for it. Go to bed we will discuss it in the morning."

"You go too, Inumouru. I will decide what to do about your disobedience later." Sesshoumaru growled.

After the boys left Kagome pulled on the bandage extra hard.

"Yeeoowww. Hey what did you do that for."

"You two are not going to do anything about those boys." She warned. "They probably saved your lives out there. If you even think of punishing them I will sit you so hard your head will be six feet under ground."

Sesshoumaru let out a low growl. He didn't like Kagome threatening his brother with that magic of hers.

Katame, was bandaging her husband when she heard him growl. She leaned in close to him and whispered. "She doesn't mean it. He is too badly hurt for that and you know it. But I do agree with her though. I can't sit you but I can do other things." She patted his bandage. "Come on to bed."

She helped him up and brought him into the bedroom. "Get some rest Sesshoumaru. You should be very proud of Inumouru. He knew the danger and refused to let you two face it alone. You trained him for this. He did very well don't you think?"

He smiled weakly and nodded. "Yes he did very well indeed." He laid down and slept.