Thanx for the reviews, everyone. I'm glad you like the story, and I'm glad you like that at least Zanmaru's dead. Oh, and eVilxSnare, I only have one pretyped chappie left, so I am gonna slow down again. Sorry. But at least I'll try to update the HP/IY cross.

Ani-Talk-

Ah- /blah/

Un- 'blah'

Kirara- &blah&

Sesshoumaru sighed.

:Well. All of us are together. Did you not gather us so that we may talk:

&Oh, yeah. Well, I know you've been acting pretty noble, and I respect that, but you really need to stop acting so self-righteous. It's getting old, and I'm sure Ah-Un here will agree.&

:Self-righteous? What is that? I have forgotten what self-righteousness is.:

Sesshoumaru turned away.

:Neko, I've changed my mind. I don't want to talk. Please…please leave me alone. I beg you…:

/Kirara, we should leave him alone. Maybe another time./

'Our lord is not well in his mind.'

&…Well, okay. I'll bring you a rabbit later, Sesshoumaru…&

:I…I doubt I could swallow anything without becoming ill…: he barked weakly. :And it's okay. I'll manage…:

Kirara and Ah-Un slowly left his side to rest in the forest.

Great. Now I'm alone again…alone to be tortured by humans…

&Ah-Un, did you notice anything about Sesshoumaru?& Kirara mewed.

/Well, yes, of course. He is no longer full of pride./

'That's an underestimation if I ever heard one. The koinu seems to be scared of his own shadow, Ah!'

&That's right. I mean, he was lying on his stomach, but if he was lying on his back, you'd see that someone vivisected him halfway and his hand and feet have enormous holes in them, like he was pinned to the wall with huge spikes. And did you notice also that his hair has been cut?&

/Yes, that was meant to demean him from his taiyoukai stature. And I cannot believe Sesshoumaru didn't fight back. It isn't our lord's trademark to withstand the punishment without a struggle…/

&Don't you see? It's not a matter of lack of willingness. It's a lack of ability. That collar around his neck, it's a Subduction Collar.&

Un growled deeply in his throat.

'Who would dare to put that on our master?'

&A Were Hunter wouldn't have a choice. Zanmaru did it to keep him in check, but the collar was meant to subdue transformed Were-Dogs. Using it on any normal Inu Youkai would mean death. Zanmaru knows how to manipulate Sesshoumaru well. Or at least he did…&

/What do you mean, "Did?"/

&Sesshoumaru devoured him, along with a dozen other humans.&

'But…he would never…'

He wouldn't. But a Were-Dog would…

Sesshoumaru coughed violently, tremors from the action coursing through his body. On accident, his bare foot nudged the barrier.

A shock went through it, and he grunted.

"Damn! I didn't do it on purpose," he whined. "Why…why me…"

Sesshoumaru knew that Ah-Un was sad. Sad for him. They knew what it meant, what his life would be like now…

"Mr. Demon-Man…"

Sesshoumaru raised his head to see a young child. His brown hair was shoulder length and unruly.

"You won't hurt me, willya?"

"Peace, child. I mean no harm."

"…'kay. I brought you some water and food…"

"I made a meal of your villagers, young one. As much as I hate it, I am satiated."

"Well, here's some water anyway. You want it?"

Sesshoumaru tried to reach for the bamboo thermos of water, but was unable.

"Here, Demon-Man. I'll help you."

The little boy helped Sesshoumaru turn onto his back so that he could drink easier, then put the container to the taiyoukai's lips, tipping it slowly.

Sesshoumaru was in heaven after the first drops hit his tongue. He instantly began to gulp it greedily until only the dregs remained. He choked on an air bubble, looking very ill-mannered.

"I thank you, child. What is your name?"

"Uh…Haku…"

"Well, Haku. You have been kind beyond expression, especially to a demon such as myself…"

"Uh…"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes with a sigh.

"Thanks for your help, kid," he said plainly.

"Oh! Anytime, Demon-Man!"

"Of course, you'll need to know my name…"

"I know who you are, mister. You're Sesshoumaru, the taiyoukai of the West."

Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered.

"How did you know?"

"My parents told me about our lord. A demon which is to be despised, but yet a kind ruler-person…something like that. You fit their description except that Sesshoumaru's hair in their story is longer."

Sesshoumaru sighed heavily. He remembered well when Zanmaru had taken pleasure in lopping off his silver locks. Now his hair barely reached his shoulders.

"I know. Someone cut my hair off," Sesshoumaru replied bitterly.

"It's okay," Haku crooned, patting Sesshoumaru on the head. The taiyoukai could not suppress a rage-filled growl, which scared Haku.

"It is okay. I just do not like being touched on the head…"

"Oh. You shoulda said so!"

Haku began to scratch behind Sesshoumaru's ears softly.

"That better, Sessho?"

"I am a lord, not a puppy…"

However, Sesshoumaru could not hide his contentment in the action, so Haku continued.

Quite suddenly, the taiyoukai pulled away from Haku and flipped to his side before retching horribly.

"Sessho, you okay!" Haku cried.

"I…I will be fine…" Sesshoumaru gasped. After this "release," he felt a bit better, though having purged all of the flesh he'd consumed as a Were-Dog left him weak and with less room in the barrier than he originally had in the first place.

Just as long as the cursed flesh is no longer inside me, I am grateful. Even if I roll onto it in my sleep…wait, that would be revolting…

"Here, Sessho, I'll stretch your spot out…"

Haku moved the sutra walls out so that Sesshoumaru had more maneuverability.

"Thank you. By the way, Haku, where are your parents?"

"They were here just today, then they hid me in the straw…and they were gone…"

Sesshoumaru's eyes softened. No parents…just like Rin…but this time it was a demon that did it, not bandits…

"Don't worry about it. Just go home."

"Okay! Hope you feel better!"

Sesshoumaru sighed and curled up into a ball. His body ached with its thousand wounds and his chest was the worst of all. The exposed muscles were throbbing as if each nerve was its own heart.

Every bit of pain…this time I deserve every ounce of it…Haku is an orphan because of me. Even a ningen does not deserve this fate. Not even a human…

He could not shed a tear. He didn't have the heart for it, but his guilt was enough.

After awhile, the taiyoukai Lord of the West closed his eyes and let sleep take him.

R&R, please!