Man, even though my arm is still sore, I couldn't resist typing this! Without writing, my day is empty! Anyway, here's an update on my Animal-Talk, or Ani-Talk.

::Sesshoumaru::

-Ah-

'Un'

:Inuyasha:

Ch. 9& 10 Reviews

Aura Black Chan: As far as rhetorical questions go, I'm with you, bud, and that's why I put it in there. After all, isn't this supposed to be humor? Thanks for your support in my time of neediness! Oh, and Inuyasha is going to have a slight moment, too. Then I'll do Kirara.

Closer-Than-Fate: Now I'm not trying to be a smart aleck, so forgive me for speaking frankly. I mean no insult...If you had a fever of 120, wouldn't you be a little OOC too? Like I said, not to insult, cuz I'm usually with you, but this is supposed to be sort of humorous, so I can't always help it. Anyway glad you liked the chappie!

Ch. 11

The next day, Sesshoumaru was feeling much better. His fever was back to its usually manageable scale. That was what Kagome didn't like. His fever never went away, just lessened to about 105. Given his higher average blood temperature, this didn't cause Sesshoumaru so much trouble, but it left him susceptible to temperature spikes like yesterday.

We need to find that flower, and soon.

"Wench!"

Kagome balled her hand into a fist, but resisted the urge to snap at the demon lord who'd addressed her.

"...My name is Kagome!! Ka-go-me!!"

"Hn."

"What do you want?"

"I must go hunt. You will watch Rin for me."

Kagome nodded.

"Sure."

There was a sudden burst of power from behind her. Nervously, the young miko turned around and found herself face-to-face with an enormous Dog.

"Er...happy hunting, Sesshoumaru..."

He snorted and licked his chops as he caught a scent, taking off with extreme speed.

"WOW!!" Rin cried, eyes sparkling. "How did Sesshoumaru-sama turn into a big doggy?"

Kagome sweatdropped.

"Um...Rin, he's an Inu Taiyoukai!!"

"Oooh!! Sesshoumaru-sama's a doggy?! I knew he was a demon, but I didn't know he was a doggy!!!!"

Rin sounded ecstatic at finding that her guardian was a canine.

Sesshoumaru knew that Ah-Un was tailing him, and he didn't appreciate it. He knew they meant well, but their antics still irked him.

::Ah! Un! Reveal yourselves to me!!:: he demanded.

Immediately, the dragon landed in front of Sesshoumaru

::Would it be too much to ask if I were allowed to hunt alone?:: he snarled in his dog fashion.

-We don't quite trust you anymore. Your curiosity and deception has earned you this.-

::That may be, but you must remember that I am your master.::

-That may be, master,:: Ah growled, ::But the last testament your father left to us was very clear; never leave Sesshoumaru's side and make sure he is not hurt.-

::Does this mean you will bother me so, because so help me, I will rip your heart out if you attempt insubordination to the Lord of the Western Lands.::

So saying, Sesshoumaru began to growl deep in his throat.

Ah-Un made a placating gesture and bowed.

'You win this time, Sessho, but do not count on it so frequently. We are much older than you and what you are doing is disrespecting your elders, and more importantly, making us disobey your father. Hunt if you must, but know this: We do not serve anyone we do not want to serve.'

With Un's final word, the dragon left.

Sesshoumaru snorted and began his hunt once again, feeling slightly guilty for what he did. Just as a child knows when they are wrong, so did he know he was being spoiled.

The taiyoukai, without sight no less, caught himself a meal near the afternoon and began to glean huge hunks of the tasty, rare dragon meat. The meat was just right, not too salty and not too tough. He could feed on the carcass and bring a large portion to the camp where his brother and the wench could cook it.

Ridiculous! I find it superfluous to cook meat. True, you can sometimes obtain diseases from the raw meat, but that could hardly happen to a predator like myself. Perhaps Inuyasha has not enough demon in him to be a predatorial consumer. Pathetic...

Sesshoumaru reverted to his more human appearance and began to half-carry, half-drag the remainder of the dragon carcass to the camp. He was sure the humans would not appreciate having animal slaver all over their possible meal. He smirked. Or at least they wouldn't want to see any more on it...

He soon arrived with the meat, which Kagome thanked him for awkwardly.

"Thanks...what kind of animal is this?"

"Can you not see? It is a middle class dragon. A rare find indeed, and quite a delicacy."

Sesshoumaru remembered his meal and licked his lips involuntarily.

Kagome pulled a face.

"Erm...uh, thanks Sesshoumaru. I've never had dragon meat and I'm sure it'll be...appeasing."

Sesshoumaru looked at Ah-Un sideways. The dragon put its noses up and sniffed.

::I apologize for my behavior, and I also apologize for my choice of meat. It was getting late, and I was starving...::

-Your apology for the meal is accepted. We must ponder on the other,- Ah growled roughly.

::I understand.::

Sesshoumaru walked over and ran his claws down Ah's muzzle softly before finding a nice tree to lean on. He found it nearly impossible to dwell on their sourness. His stomach was full, his heart content, and his eyelids heavy.

"Lord Sesshoumaru! I'm glad to know you're a doggy!!"

Sesshoumaru winced. His involuntarily kept secret from Rin was out.

"So is that fluffy thing really your tail? I thought it was just an impression. Why don't you have doggy ears? How come you don't transform a lot?"

Sesshoumaru was too dignified and too tired to sweatdrop right at the moment. He merely cast a look to his brother pleadingly (at least where he hoped his brother was). Rin's questions continued.

"Is that why you bark at Ah-Un sometimes? Do you have a secret language?"

Don't look at me, brother, Inuyasha's eyes seemed to say. Your kid, your problem.

Kagome finally took pity on Sesshoumaru and went to Rin.

"Rin, honey, let Sesshoumaru go to bed. He hasn't had a proper sleep for...well, since he got sick. I'll help answer your questions. And so can Uncle Inuyasha."

Inuyasha gave her a look.

"Feh!!"

"Inuyasha...Osuwa..."

"Okay, fine! Come on, kid. Sit on my lap."

"Oh, and no bad information, Inuyasha!" Kagome added.

"Oy, make the ramen already!"

"I'm going!"

After all was in place, Sesshoumaru snuggled comfortably against the tree and after a few minutes, the others could hear his light snoring...

The next day...

Sesshoumaru was feeling quite refreshed in the morning, even if still weak. His remaining arm was in serious trouble though. Anytime he put pressure on the half-healed bones, an unhealthy amount of pain flared up.

After he growled for the umpteenth time because of it, Inuyasha force him to hold his arm out. Reluctantly, the taiyoukai did so.

"Well, there's your problem, idiot!" he sneered. "The bone must be at an angle, because that's how it's healing—uneven."
Sesshoumaru stared at his only remaining arm seriously with unseeing eyes. He then thrust it to Inuyasha.

"Fix it."

"Huh?"

"I said fix it. Make the bone straight. You have two arms, I do not. And I also do not feel like being further handicapped. After all, if I am to kill you eventually..."

"Ugh! Alright..."

Inuyasha took hold of his brother's arm and broke it again.

"Raarrghhhhh!!!!!"

Sesshoumaru roared in pain, eyes red and fangs bared once again.

Inuyasha then aligned the bones and yelled for Kagome to "tie a splint before this bastard bites the hand that heals him."

After that fiasco, Sesshoumaru was able to buckle down and control his rage. He smiled as he remembered Boksanou's words of how Inuyasha could not control his demon blood as well as he could unless he was in close proximity of the Tetsusaiga.

I must be taking after the bastard. I have never lost my temper so often until I was around him.

Without a word, he strode purposely forward where he could smell the flowers.

"This way."

Sesshoumaru felt that no one was following him.

"What is with you idiots?"

Suddenly, Inuyasha's voice pervaded his thoughts.

"...Ah-Un won't move."

Sesshoumaru growled.

"What a time to prolong my suffering, Ah-Un. Are you enjoying yourselves?"

Ah turned his head to Sesshoumaru.

-We will no longer serve you. You do not appreciate what we have done to raise you.-

Sesshoumaru's milky eyes widened.

::You cannot be serious!::

'As we said before, it is apparent you care nothing for us. You are the most emotionless wart we have ever had the displeasure to be in servitude to.'

Had it been anyone but Ah-Un, Sesshoumaru would have snubbed the words; but this dragon had guarded him ever since he was a child. He had always considered them as a pet, though he knew they were as a friend. And so, his usually emotionless face registered the tiniest bit of sorrow.

::Do as you see fit. I shall miss the both of you.:: he barked softly. ::You are correct in your assumption of my emotions, but for one thing. You two know most of all that I show emotions to those I can trust, and those I care about...::

Sesshoumaru bowed to the dragons.

"Kagome, let's go," Inuyasha said softly.

"But we can't just leave Ah-Un!" she cried.

"Ah-Un won't be coming. They're going their separate ways."

Kagome was confused. Why would such a dedicated servant...no, friend....why would they desert their lord?

"Sesshoumaru-sama, is it true?! Ah and Un won't be joining us?" Rin asked in an alarmed voice.

"Yes. Rin...you may stay with them if you wish..."

"But Milord...I would not leave your side..."

"If you wish to, you may. I know how much you love them."

Sesshoumaru walked forward. The Inu-Gumi and Jaken followed him. The only exceptions were Rin and Ah-Un.

::Provide well for the child, Ah and Un,:: Sesshoumaru barked on a final note.

Ah pulled Rin onto their back and began to take to the air.

-Come, Ah. We must find a new master.-

Sesshoumaru's heart was heavy as they came upon the flowers. Already, he longed for the companionship he had lost. Being a Dog, he longed for companionship, was dependent on it for happiness.

"Okay, we found the flowers," Inuyasha snapped. "Now what?"

"Boil them and ground the limp petals into a paste," Sesshoumaru said dully.

"Feh. What's eatin' you?"

Inuyasha could tell his brother was talking beyond stoicism, but he didn't feel any concern.

"It is none of your concern."

"Feh!"

Kagome paused in picking the healing flowers. Who would have thought that eating that chocolate would cause all of this? And who would have thought I'd start caring for Sesshoumaru's mental well-being?

Kagome sighed as she took her bundle of flowers to boil.

"Sesshoumaru, you are one hell of a paradox," she whispered.

The said taiyoukai jumped into the highest tree of the small outside of the meadow. He wanted to gather his thoughts.

Sesshoumaru's POV

I never felt such guilt as at this moment. Ah-Un was right to some extent. They need not serve me any longer, and I am the emotionless bastard they said I was.

But even as I thought that, I knew it was a lie.

Ever since my curiosity brought me to use the Tenseiga to revive Rin, I have opened my heart to her. And Ah-Un was no exception. They were just as well as my nurse when I was young.

I do miss them, but I also realize that it is for the best that they are gone. Without them, I will be able to rule as a proper lord does, without distractions. My emotionless is now free to be....

So then why is it that I feel this pain in my chest? What is this feeling? I felt it when Chichi-ue died, but I have long forgotten what the emotion is called, and it is a destructive one at that....

Could it be...that my Dog-like disposition demands companionship?

Normal POV

Eventually, the Western lord fell asleep, which amazed Inuyasha, for he knew Sesshoumaru did not require much sleep.

Inuyasha went to fetch him so that he could have the flower-paste, but when he found him asleep in the tree, even he could not disrupt the lord's sleep. Even though Inuyasha hated him, the look on his face was so mixed up that the hanyou didn't want to cause anything else that could worsen Sesshoumaru's condition.

He's not so sick in his body anymore. He's sick in his mind, and that's one thing that he'll have to fix himself.

Inuyasha knew not why he felt this way.

He didn't know why his hand brushed his brother's cheek....

He didn't even know why he found a branch later that night that was close to his brother's...

He didn't know anything anymore...

Man, so full of mush!!! I think I'm straying a little off topic, but with my other story, people liked that. However, this should be ending really soon. Until it does...

R&R, please!