Last chapter... sob
"Whatever happened between you?" Kagome asked curiously. "You seemed to get along just fine!"
"Yeah, well, we didn't!" Inuyasha grumbled.
"Of course you did, so far. But what happened to split you? What went so wrong?"
"You really want to know?"
"Yeah!"
"No you don't."
"Yes! Tell us!"
"It's uncomfortable, okay?"
"Just tell us and it'll be easier."
"You think so?"
"Yes!"
"Pretty determined, aren't you?"
"Of course!"
"Fine. It happened a while ago, back when I was still young in demon years…"
"Father…" Sesshoumaru said, tagging along after his father as the Great Dog Demon strode across the grounds. "Where are we going?"
"To an open area."
"Why?"
Sesshoumaru waited, but his father didn't reply. They stopped at the edge of a huge valley next to the castle.
"Do you smell anyone out there, my son?"
Sesshoumaru sniffed. The smells were all at least a day old. "No, Father," he replied, curious to know why his father had brought him here.
"Good."
Sesshoumaru's father reached to his belt. The young demon watched in anticipation as the demon pulled out two of his swords: Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga. He thrust them into the ground, side by side.
"Which would you like to try first?"
It was all Sesshoumaru could do to contain his excitement.
"T… try?"
"You've always wanted to, haven't you?"
"Yes… but why can't I use Sounga, Father?"
The Great Dog Demon's face turned stormy.
"Only a demon with great power such as mine can wield Sounga. You are not strong enough."
Disappointed, Sesshoumaru looked at the two swords before him. One was smooth and sleek, and the other looked old and battered. The young demon had seen his father use both swords and knew instantly which he preferred. He reached out a hand and gently touched Tetsusaiga's hilt. It gave him a shock the moment his fingers brushed it. He jumped in surprise, but his father laid a hand on the sword.
"Behave yourself," he rumbled, speaking to Tetsusaiga. Sesshoumaru took the hilt, and this time it let him hold it. The Great Dog Demon waited.
"Well, give it a swing," he said.
Sesshoumaru took a deep breath, raised the sword high, and brought it down, at the same time concentrating all his demon powers on it. A golden blast shot out from it, knocking the young demon back a few feet. The explosion burrowed along, tearing the ground open as it went, until it dissipated several meters away. Sesshoumaru's father looked vaguely surprised.
"The Wind Scar, at your age. And quite an impressive one at that," he said. "You make me proud, son. But why choose the old, battered one over the Tenseiga?"
"I prefer the power to destroy over the power to protect," Sesshoumaru said flatly.
"You've done enough for today," Sesshoumaru's father said abruptly. "Go home and get something to eat and then get some rest."
"Yes, Father."
Sesshoumaru bowed and took his departure, heading for the main door of the castle. Neither of them noticed a forlorn-looking, red-clad figure watching out of an upstairs window.
Sesshoumaru was nearly at his room when he heard his little brother call his name. He turned to see Inuyasha, looking stormy-faced.
"Did you have fun?" he asked.
Sesshoumaru was vaguely confused, and it must have showed, for Inuyasha went on.
"I guess you did," he said bitterly. "You finally got what you wanted, didn't you? Father let you use the Tetsusaiga."
"Yeah, but he wouldn't let me even touch Sounga…"
"Listen, Sesshoumaru, Father's not going to be around forever. He's a great demon and all, but everything dies and he has to leave his swords to someone. You're going to get Sounga eventually, not to mention Tetsusaiga, and I'll probably get stuck with stupid Tenseiga."
"Inuyasha, we don't know what Father's going to do with his swords…"
"Everyone knows you'll get the better ones!" Inuyasha cried, his tone changing to anger. "You're everyone's favorite. Just because you're older you get all the attention and you'll be Father's heir and you'll get Tetsusaiga and Sounga and all the good things while me, poor little brother, will get nothing!"
"I get all the attention?" Sesshoumaru snapped. "You're always getting worked up over dumb things like this!"
"This isn't dumb, Sesshoumaru!"
"Just because you're so cute, with your fluffy little dog ears and your tiny little nose, you get all the love and attention, while I, Sesshoumaru, have to put up with everyone coming to me with their petty problems!"
They were both shouting now, at the same time, and some servants were peeking around the corners at either end of the hallway.
"They all respect you because you're going to be their master someday…"
"… and you're Father's favorite…"
"… and nobody listens to me when I have ideas, they all go to Sesshoumaru, the perfect little prince…"
"… and you're not even a full demon! You're just a filthy half-breed!"
There was a stunned silence. Sesshoumaru's words seemed to keep ringing long after he'd closed his mouth. Everyone was staring openly.
"Fine," Inuyasha said quietly. "I guess I don't need to hang around here."
He turned and pushed a servant out of the way.
"Inuyasha, where are you…"
"I'm running away."
"You can't…"
"I'm running away, Sesshoumaru! And don't even think about following me!"
Sesshoumaru stood, shocked, as Inuyasha began to walk away.
"Fine!" he called. "Go! You don't belong here, half-breed!"
There was no reply, except for the distant sound of a door slamming, followed by running footsteps. Sesshoumaru stood for a moment more. Then he barked, "What are you all staring at, human scum? Get back to your work."
Then the young demon stormed away, his footsteps fading into echoes.
And that's it. Luckily, I already have an idea for my next Inuyasha fic! See y'all then!