Author's note: I am so sorry about the delay on the updates. I really had super writers block plus I didn't really feel like writing. I had a large amout written but couldn't figure out how to keep the story going. So sorry! Anyways, I'm not really good at writing fighting scenes so bare with me, okay? And I also made a new name because I don't like this one. I'll keep posting this story on this name but all new storys go on my other name. It's Hamona. Anyway, this chapter contains song lyrics by Poe for the song "Haunted". I'll try to keep updating this story, but don't count on it. Sorry, I've really lost interest in it. If I get enough reviews I will update. Btw, THANK YOU REVIEWERS!!!!!!! You totally make me feel great about my writing. Thank you, again!
Chapter Four - "The Animal Within"
"It appears the castle has a strong barrier around it."
"Mind telling me something I don't know, monk?" Inuyasha shot out, letting his annoyance show. Perhaps, a little stronger then he meant to. "Well, afterall, he is the Lord of the Western Lands. That alone should explain the barrier." Kagome stated, putting Shippo down. "I don't give a damn about any of that. I'm only here for one reason, and that's for the sacred jewel. Kagome, are you picking anything up?" Kagome gave a small nod. "I'm almost certain I can sense one heading away from us."
"So it seems she does, infact, possess a half of the jewel. Just like Kagome. Inuyasha, I think it would be better if you let me handle this."
"You wish, monk! Besides, all you'll end up doing is asking her to have your children. Then, it's a slap in the face."
"You are catching on, Inuyasha. There is hope for you, yet!" The half-demon rolled his eyes. "All right, enough waiting. I'm going in." As Inuyasha began to step forward to enter the castle, a male voice arose from the wind. "Inuyasha."
"Sesshomaru!"
"Do they always have to do this?" Shippo mumbled, shaking his head at Inuyasha. "Back for more, I presume?"
"Stop yacking and come out and fight me!" The wind seemed to pickup at his response yet nothing happened. So Inuyasha waited. "Didn't you hear me? Unless, you're frightened." No response. "Perhaps, if you tried being nice, Inuyasha. Sesshomaru, please, allow me to see the beautiful young lady you have in your possession and we can talk about this."
"Nevermind, him! I'll spare your life just hand over the girl, already!" Inuyasha shouted, starting to get frustrated. "I don't think he heard you, Inuyasha." Shippo responded, giving the half-demon a devilish grin. "Think I don't know that, stupid!"
"Kagome! Inuyasha is being mean to me again!" Before Kagome could reply back Sesshomaru stood infront of Inuyasha. His usual unreadable mask was planted firmly on his face. "I'm not going to waste time with such small vermin. Leave now." Inuyasha felt the rage beginning to boil within him just from the words his half-brother spoke. "No one calls me small! You got that!" Sesshomaru seemed uninterested in the words Inuyasha spoke. His head was no longer directed at Inuyasha but rather toward Kagome. Kagome bit down on her lip, slightly scared the dog demon might hurt her. "Tell that boy to stop or I will harm you, instead."
"W-why me?" Kagome's voice stammered out. "Because he will listen to you. I know this."
"Leave Kagome out of this!" Inuyasha rasped, tightening his grip on the Tetsusaiga. "The human girl holds more power over you, then you yourself hold, Inuyasha. It's most pathetic." Sesshomaru spoke the words with disgust. "That shows what you know!" Inuyasha defended feeling his face grow hot with embarrassment. "I warned you, yet you failed to listen. Now you shall die on the behalf of your stupidity." Sesshomaru growled out. "I'd like to see you try!" Inuyasha challenged, swinging his sword over his shoulders. Without further words spoken by either of the two. Sesshomaru rushed at Inuyasha head on with unmatchable demon speed. Inuyasha stumbled back, barley able to catch his balance as he landed firmly on his feet. The Demon Lord spun around rapidly immediately flinging himself back at the half demon. This time successfully knocking the hanyou to the ground. Sesshomaru took his chance to drive his poison claws through his brother's chest. Inuyasha yelped out in pain feeling his body becoming weakened from the attack. The Demon Lord continued to force his claws further inside of his brother's body. He would not be content until his arm was completely driven through reaching to the other side. Once it was he jerked his arm out of Inuyasha. "Inuyasha! Are you okay?" Kagome shouted out, running to his side. "Stay back, Kagome. I don't want you to get hurt!" She ignored him, kneeling down and cradling him in her arms. "Kagome..." Inuyasha's voice trailed off as he felt his heart skip a beat from feeling her skin touch his own. "I'm fine, Kagome. It's nothing. Go back." He said in a whisper like tone, putting on his usual tough guy act. Kagome nodded, running back over to Miroku but before she reached his side Sesshomaru grabbed onto her wrist roughly. She turned around to face him. "Take him and leave." He commanded sternly, pushing Kagome back with brute force. She fell back onto the grassy ground quickly rising to help the wounded Inuyasha up. Miroku ran to her aid immediately helping her carry Inuyasha away from the castle. Inuyasha didn't even bother arguing about it. He knew he was no match for Sesshomaru right now. Yet, he couldn't quite understand why his older brother had let him live. Sesshomaru watched the group leave, watched as Kagome cared and comforted his own brother. 'How utterly repulsive that half breed is... letting that women touch him like that.' He told himself revolted with the scene he was seeing. Yet, he couldn't help but let his curious eyes linger on the two a little longer before he turned the other way, beginning to head back to his castle. '(You let him live, why?) Why shouldn't I? Afterall, with him alive it gives me less worries about that demon, Naraku. With Inuyasha around he is more likely to go after him. I have too many issues that lie at fault to deal with Naraku, at this time. I will be the one to cause the half breed's demise. It's just, it will be done when I know it's time. (You really do lie to yourself, don't you?) I don't know what you're talking about. (You can't lie to me, I know you better then anyone else) Stop bothering me, you're wasting my time. As usual.'
Sesshomaru slowed to a stop as he was just about to enter the dining area. He heard their voices. He hesitated for a second wondering if he should go in or listen to their stupid talking. He pushed his body against the wall so they couldn't see him and listened."We will be eating soon. Aren't you hungry?" Rin questioned, leaning over in her chair to lay her head on Sango's arm. Sango gave Rin a warm smile before replying. "Yes, very much so."
"What is the future like, Sango?"
"Well, there's a lot of buildings and-" Before she could finish her sentence she was jerked up, her body dangling lifelessly in the air. Someone's strong hand was woven forcefully against her neck. The chair she was seated in hit the ground making a loud thud sound, that started to echo throughout the bare castle walls. She looked down seeing Sesshomaru's amber eyes staring back at her. Seeing him put an end to her sudden confusion. "The chairs are not for your sitting pleasures. You will only be allowed to use them when you are eating. Do I make myself clear?" He told her, frostily, taking a small step back. Sango nodded a yes glaring at him angrily. He released the grip he had on her neck beginning to casually walk away before his eyes fell on the imp. "Jaken, begin preparing dinner early."
"But why, me Lord?"
"Do not ask questions just do as you are told."
"W-why y-yes, of c-course!" Jaken stuttered, frightened at Sesshomaru's overly dominating behavior today. Sango looked at Rin who still remained seated. "I'll stand with you, Sango." The young girl replied, rapidly getting up, pushing her chair in, and rushing to Sango's side. "No, Rin. Stay seated."
"It's okay, really! I like standing." She exclaimed, grabbing onto Sango's hand. "Thank you, Rin." Sesshomaru left the room, watching the humans in the corner of his eye. He almost wanted to smile. Almost. "Do you need any help, Jaken?" Sango offered, beginning to walk over to him. "As if I would accept help from a filthy human!" Sango sighed, looking down sullenly. 'This is just impossible.' She thought dryly. As if Rin could sense the negativity in her head she quickly removed it with a short sentence. "Sango, I'm so glad you'll be joining us!"
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After some time Jaken had the dinner sat on the table. He quickly scampered over to his seat, his eyes watching the Demon Lord with worry. Sesshomaru took a seat looking down at his food before casting a glance at Sango. "The human will be eating outside."
"My Lord, plea-" Rin began to plead but was interrupted by Sesshomaru. "Quiet, Rin." He ordered, sternly. His icy orbs still casted on Sango. He hesistated before speaking again. "Human, you're still sitting. Why?" Sango stood up completely frustrated. She had, had it up to here with his bullshit. "I'm honored you don't want to eat with me! Because I wouldn't be able to keep my food down knowing I had to look at you! The very sight of you makes me sick!" She said walking away from the table, plate in hand. It's too bad Rin was sitting there. Otherwise, she would have really let him have it. "Jaken, take her plate away. She won't be eating at all."
"With pleasure, me Lord!"
"Good! Keep your food, I don't want it." Sango spouted out her fury growing stronger. "I have warned you already about your attitude. Know that... as long as you possess it, your words will become quite costly." He replied, staring at her with a overly composed look. Sango just rolled her eyes at him. "I'll never loose my attitude, not until you stop treating me like dirt!"
"Then, I see no reason to feed you tomorrow either." Sango opened her mouth to speak again but was cut off by a harsh Sesshomaru glare. "You will stop while your ahead. If you value your life." He threated, rising up from his chair. She gritted her teeth, balled up her fist, and stomped out of the room. The Youkai Lord's eyes darted after her. He watched intently as her feminine figure disappeared out the door. Thus, he returned his attention back to his food, but he was to aroused to eat now. The human girl, Sango, had left behind her strong, alluring scent. The same scent that had began to awaken Sesshomaru's true form. He stirred in his chair, fighing against the transformation that wanted to take place so urgently. His eyes flashed red for a split second before, in a blink, they returned back to their normal color. Sesshomaru hesitated, her smell still lingered in the air. It almost seemed to encircle his very form. As if, it knew the effect it had on him. The power to make him succumb to a human. He couldn't stand it. He was becoming weak by his own youkai desires. The longer he sat, the stronger his urges for Sango got. She was driving him wild, putting his dog demon instincts on the edge. He couldn't hide it from himself anymore. He craved her. She had become like a hunger, a hunger he needed to feed. The longer he resisted the more he became tangled in her web. He would force himself to break free but no matter how much he struggled; the more trapped he would be. The scent would never go away, it would always be there, attaching itself under his nose until one day his lustfull tendencies would overpower him. He would claim her as his own. 'NO! That will never happen. I won't allow that to happen! That is not who I am. (Accept it. You have already chosen her. You can't deny it now. You even had to fight your true form to hold back from taking her.) I don't care what my instincts did, I will never allow them to accept a human for a mate. Do not think you will be the one to persuade me to such extremes.'
Sesshomaru pushed his thoughts away trying to focus on eating his food, but his mind continued to wander. He was so distracted with arguing with himself he couldn't make his chopsticks function properly. Everytime he would lift the food up to his mouth, it would fall back onto the plate. Sesshomaru's blood began to boil. He had, had enough of the chopsticks! No, it was the human that was causing all of this. She was the problem to everything. He knew now he had to kill her. She would ruin him if he stayed around Sango any longer. She would be the downfall to his very existence. He would never allow her to make him a weak human lover. She had to be stopped now, before he became more attracted to her. Sesshomaru arose from the table leaving the room in silence. His mind running at a rapid pace. The thoughts of everything that had just happened rushed in and out. He stopped walking, balled up his fist, and inhaled a deep breath. This would clear his mind. At least, he thought it would and for the moment it had. Once he had regained control of his thoughts he began tracking down her scent. Which was undoubtedly easy since it seemed to be everywhere. She had left the castle just as he had figured she would. Typical human completely unaware of the dangers that lurk outside.
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa...
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa
Sesshomaru slowed to a stop seeing Sango standing infront of him. She was standing over a cliff, standing very close to the edge. He could smell the tears welling up in her eyes. His heart weakened and his will to kill her was no longer present. He didn't say anything because he feared he might say something that showed his feelings. "I never dreamed that feeling this alone would hurt so bad, but when I think of dreams. I think back to my mother and what she told me." Sango told him, letting a long pause fill the air in hopes he would say something back to her.
Come here. Pretty, please? Can you tell me where I am?
You. Won't you say something? I need to get my bearings.
I'm lost and the shadows keep on changing.
He didn't respond so she just decided to speak again. "She said I must follow a path and no matter what stands in my way. I just have to keep going. This loneliness. It's a blockade. It's trying to stop me, but I can't give up. I have to live even if I don't want to."
"Why are you telling me this? Surely, you are aware that I don't care about your petty human emotions." Sesshomaru finally replied, as cold as ever.
And I'm haunted. By the lives that I have loved and actions I have hated.
I'm haunted. By the lives that wove the web inside my haunted head.
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa...
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa
"I am aware of that, but it won't stop me from speaking. If you were to walk away right now. I would still continue to speak."
"You are foolish."
Don't cry. There's always a way. Here in November in this house of leaves,
we'll pray. Please, I know it's hard to believe.. to see a perfect forest through
so many splintered trees. You and me and these shadows keep on changing.
And I'm haunted. By the lives that I have loved and actions I have hated.
I'm haunted. By the promises I've made and others I have broken.
I'm haunted. By the lives that wove the web.
Inside my haunted head.
"I have to be. It's the only thing that's keeping me going right now." Sango said, her voice almost a whisper. She let out a long sigh before turning around and facing Sesshomaru who avoiding looking into her eyes. She slid her hand to her face erasing the warm tears that gave her skin a strange damp feeling. She would have given anything at that point to have had Sesshomaru wipe them away even if she didn't really like him. It was just the thought of it all. To know that she had deeply misjudged him and that he truly was not a monster and did infact having a loving heart. A heart that beated for her.
Hallways... always. I'll always want you. I'll always need you.
I'll always love you, and I will always miss you.
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa...
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa
"Not that I care or anything, but what is this path you speak of?" He questioned, taking his icy orbs off the ground and warming them a bit to look at Sango. She gave a small smile to him before taking a few shaky steps toward him. Then, when she was right infront of him she wrapped her arms rather stung against his body. He was caught off guard by her actions but somehow managed to stand there silently, his hands by his sides. Clearly he would not hug her back. His eyes stayed glued infront of him. No way would he look at her now. It was bad enough he even had let her hug him! This whole thing was just.. bad. (This is just what I warned you about! If you're nice to her once you will be trapped from then on. Don't you see, Sesshomaru?!) The Demon Lord shook the thought from his head, letting the feeling of her against him break away small pieces of the barrier he had formed around his heart.
Come here. No, I won't say please. One more look at the ghost
before I'm gonna make it leave. Come here. I've got the pieces here.
Time to gather up the splinters. Build a casket for my tears.
I'm haunted. By the lives that I have loved. I'm haunted.
I'm haunted. By the hallways in this tiny room.
The echos there of me and you.
The voices that are carrying this tune.
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa...
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa...