Chapter 11

Sesshomaru crouched in the corner of the bedroom/living quarters that he and Inuyasha shared and tried to retain his feeble grip on sanity. How could that witch have done this to him, how? After she had taken Inuyasha away, Tala had escorted him back here, and he'd been crouching in the corner with his hands over his ears since then, trying to block out the memories and new emotions that were flooding his mind. He had no idea how long it had been, but it seemed like an eternity.

The door opened and he jumped to his feet, startled. When he had been a demon, he would have heard whoever it was coming. Was he going to spend the rest of his life jumping at little shadows? Was this how Inuyasha had been living his? He shuddered to think of it.

"Good morning, Sesshomaru," Kimi said, giving him a smile. "Did you have a pleasant night?"

He scowled at her. "I did not," he snarled, feeling anger that dwarfed his demonic rage. "Whatever it is you've done to me, undo it!"

"What's the matter?" she asked. "It doesn't bother you, does it?"

Bother him? Oh, this whole situation went far beyond bothering him! He was going mad, and she was simply standing there! He leapt, going for her throat, but his demonic abilities deserted him once she'd made him mortal. He fell short, landing painfully hard on the floor. A tiny figure came out from behind Kimi to stand by his side.

"Is he all right, Lady Kimi?" the little one piped. "He isn't hurt?"

"He's perfectly fine, little love," she cooed. "The only thing that's hurt is his pride. When he can control himself, you may bring him downstairs for breakfast. And Sesshomaru—" she said, going out the door, "If you injure him in any way, I'll make your transformation permanent."

Sesshomaru ground his teeth until the door was closed and she had gone away, then broke down. As a rule, there was no reason for demons to cry and they never did, and certainly never male demons, but right now he couldn't help it. His human feelings were overpowering him again.

"Well, at least she's gone," Inuyasha said in tones of relief. "You okay?"

Sesshomaru snarled, suddenly angry. "What was all that 'Lady Kimi' and 'little love' stuff, eh? Are you one of her little pets now?"

"What makes you think I'd be that stupid?" Inuyasha demanded. "I've still got some pride, ya know!"

Hearing a five-year-old speaking like that almost sent Sesshomaru into laughing hysterics. It just sounded so strange.

"She thinks she's set a spell on me that will make me devoted to her, so I decided to let her keep thinking it. I'll be watched less after a while and I'll be able to escape," he explained.

"Not with that collar on," Sesshomaru reminded. "She could order you to come back, and you'll turn right around and come."

"I'll work on a way," Inuyasha heard himself promise. "She expects us to join her for breakfast. You've gotta be hungry by now."

"I'm all right," Sesshomaru said, knowing he was lying. "If 'being hungry' is a knot in my stomach that hurts like hell, then I'm definitely it."

Inuyasha hid a smile. Sesshomaru was even expressing himself like a human. "That's it. You're probably really hungry since you won't have eaten any human food ever, and you're body needs it."

"I can't believe I actually have to eat now," Sesshomaru muttered in disbelief. "I'm like a human."

"Well, right now, you are," Inuyasha pointed out.

"Ah, don't remind me!" Sesshomaru almost wailed. "I can't stand it!"

"Hey, I know what it's like," Inuyasha assured him. "If you need someone to listen, I've got ears."

Sesshomaru nodded and followed his brother downstairs, stopping only when he remembered something and had to stop. A few minutes of tears made him feel better, but he was certain that he'd frightened Inuyasha since he'd used his shoulder to cry on.

"Last night must have been hell for you," Inuyasha said, but didn't say anything else.

Breakfast was torture. Kimi kept goading him, and only a warning shake of the head from Inuyasha kept him from flying off the handle. He managed to eat enough to still his roaring stomach, but the food did nothing to still his nerves or his anger. Being sent into the garden to have some air once the meal was over was a relief. There, Sesshomaru found a shady little bower where he could emote in private, with no comfort but the presence of the little brother that he had hated until only recently.

Space

:You gotta get me outta here, Kagome!: Shippo pleaded over the walkie-talkie.

:What's wrong?: she asked, frightened at the urgency in the little kitsune's voice.

Quickly, Shippo described what had happened to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru and heard Kagome gasp.

:Hang in there a little longer,: she pleaded. "We'll do what we can!:

Turning off the walkie-talkie, she turned to Miroku and Sango.

"We have to get them out of there!"