Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha.

Chapter 7: Relapse

On the Road

The group walked along a path, leading to the next village. They were really just wandering aimlessly, because Koga, the leader of the wolf demon tribe, had the remaining jewel shards. Inunobu had fallen silent, as usual. He walked behind everyone, but did not stay as far away as before. He was getting hungry, and he could tell that the others were as well. Inuyasha walked at the front, arms crossed. Inunobu could smell animals nearby. They were large enough to make a good meal out of. He smelled primarily wild boar and stag. Before he could suggest anything to Inuyasha, Shippo spoke up first.

'Inuyasha I'm hungry!' the little fox whined.

Inuyasha turned around and looked at the fox, with a bored expression. He looked like he was about to say something, then stopped, and decided instead to smack the child on the head, giving him a large lump.

'SIT!'

'Ow…Kagome…why do you always have to do that?'

'Because you were being a jerk. Shippo's hungry, and so am I. We've been walking for hours. I don't care what pace you think we should keep up with, because we are stopping here.'

'Well if you weren't so weak we might even have the jewel shards back. Or maybe you might not even have broken the damned thing in the first place.'

'Sit!'

'Ow! Fine,' came Inuyasha's muffled response, face buried in the ground, 'we can stop here for a little while.'

Kagome smiled. She turned to see the rest of her friends, and noticed Inunobu walking away from the path, into a nearby forest.

'Um…Inunobu where are you going?'

'To get something to eat and bring it back,' was the demon's response.

'Hey!' Inuyasha pulled himself up from the ground. 'I do the hunting around here!'

Inunobu stared at him for a few moments, then turned back to Kagome and the others. He was certain Inuyasha would follow him anyway, so there was no reason to argue. I would much rather just leave and find myself some food, but I doubt that these mortals can find food as fast as I can. He remembered all of the creatures he had devoured, human, demon, and animal alike. To most demons, especially dog demons, it was considered barbaric to eat humans, and cannibalistic to eat other demons, no matter what kind. I suppose I cannot hunt humans or demons anymore…which is a pity, humans make good food.

'What would you all want to eat? If I am going hunting I might as well find something we will all eat.'

'Wow,' Kagome said; a smile on her face, 'Inuyasha never gave me a choice before.'

'Keh, stop complaining, at least I fed you.'

Kagome sighed. She looked all Miroku, Shippo, Sango, and Kirara. 'What do you guys want?'

'I smell boar and stag,' Inunobu told them.

Shippo said stag, while Miroku and Sango wanted a boar. Kirara mewed for a stag. Kagome said she would eat whatever the others decided on. Inuyasha knew that already, of course, but he still stood stubbornly with his arms crossed. The two dog demons didn't care, as long as it was food. After the group had announced what they wanted to eat, Inunobu sighed.

'Inuyasha I suppose there is a use for you after all. You get the stag, and I will get the boar.'

'Yeah as if! I get the boar. What, just because I'm only a half demon means I can't get the tougher food?' Inuyasha looked at his older brother, half of him angry, and the other half just being difficult.

'Suit yourself, little brother, stag are faster and harder to catch.'

Inuyasha stood and looked stupidly at Inunobu. That bastard! I bet he planned that whole thing. Well we will just see who is the better hunter. 'Fine let's go.'

The brothers walked into the forest, walking side by side until they had gone out of the range of sight of the others. Once they put a couple hundred feet between themselves and the road, Inunobu took of in a flash of demon speed, leaving Inuyasha standing.

'Showoff…' He followed suit, running in the same direction. Inunobu came in sight within a few seconds, leaping from tree to tree. Inuyasha sped up and kept pace with the older demon. 'You're not so tough are you?'

Inunobu gave a genuine grin, which surprised Inuyasha. At the next tree, Inunobu pushed off as hard as he could. Inuyasha heard the tree crack and saw his brother ahead of him in the air. Inunobu gave one last arrogant look back at his younger brother before engulfing himself in a white ball of light. As the light dissolved Inunobu, in his canine form, dropped to the forest floor and ran straight, ducking under bushes and foliage that would have been impossible to get through with his humanoid form.

'Hey that's cheating! Damn you!' Inuyasha yelled. Inuyasha could still see Inunobu, ahead of him by about fifty feet. I swear he smiled before he transformed. I can't believe all he needed was a couple of friends to change him so much. He and father aren't so different then. He smirked and kept going.

The wind flew past Inunobu's ears as he ran at top speed, a feeling he truly enjoyed. I guess half breeds aren't that bad, even one as stubborn as Inuyasha. He slowed down as the strong scent of a male boar struck him. He came to a complete stop once he though he was close enough. He transformed back to his two-legged from. Inuyasha came to a stop a few feet away.

'Smell something?'

'If your nose wasn't so weak Inuyasha you would smell it too. It's a boar.'

'Keh. I think I should tell you that the little trick you pulled right there doesn't prove anything. I can't transform at all, and you know that.'

'I don't know what you're…' another scent drifted on the wind to Inunobu. This one was a stag. Perfect, I guess we won't have to go that far. He crouched and looked through to a clearing to see the boar and stag standing a mere hundred feet apart. His primal nature began to call for the meal.

'Well,' Inuyasha said, 'are we going to go after them or what?'

Inuyasha waited for a response and received nothing. He looked to where Inunobu was standing, taking his attention away from the animals. He saw his brother, crouched and gazing at something that took up all of his attention. The look in his eyes was focused and deadly.

'Watch and learn, little brother.' His voice was cold.

Inunobu allowed himself one more moment to survey the situation, and then decided to strike. His eyes melted from gold into a glowing red. He crouched lower to the ground, letting out a very low growl. His fangs were bared. Inuyasha shuddered. The stag, sensing something wrong, looked to forest that masked the brothers' presence. Inunobu saw that the stag was about to flee, so there was no hesitating if he wanted food. He vanished in a blur and reappeared in front of the stag, a foot away from the now terrified animal. It turned around, ready to flee, but Inunobu was faster and raked his claws down the side of the animal, from its flank all the way to its neck.

Inuyasha watched in amazement. That was too cruel; he could have ended the animal with a slash to the throat. Now he will just let it bleed to death. Inuyasha was interrupted when the boar made a squeal and decided to run for it. Damn it, I wasn't paying attention. He was going to lose the prey until a red light whip wrapped around one of its hind legs.

'Kill it,' commanded Inunobu.

Inuyasha became very serious. If Inunobu kept acting like this it could be a problem, no matter what Kagome thought. He swiftly jumped over to the boar, reached down, and broke its neck. It was a merciful death. The stag was dead from blood loss. Inunobu jerked his wrist, releasing his hold on the boar, the light whip snaking back to his hand. He licked the blood from his claws. Silently, both of them picked up the animals and began to return to camp.

On the Road, Waiting for Inuyasha and Inunobu to Return

'Hey Kagome, when are they going to be back with food? And why couldn't we just eat the food you have in your bag?' complained Shippo.

'Just be patient Shippo, they will come back with lots of food soon. Besides, the food in my bag is almost gone. Inuyasha doesn't eat anything from my era besides Ramen, and we ran out this morning. You can't live on candy and chips forever you know.'

'I could,' Shippo said enthusiastically. Kagome laughed.

'Look everyone, our food has arrived,' said a hungry Miroku.

Inuyasha walked to them first, the large boar over his shoulder. He dropped the animal in front of the group. He had an "I killed it so you cook it" expression on his face. Inunobu appeared next, with the stag. It was draped over his shoulder, the ghastly wound facing away towards the forest. He dropped in a similar fashion, the wound still not showing. He found a suitable place on the side of the road and sat down.

'Thanks,' the group said at once.

There was so much food that everyone could eat to their hearts content once it was cooked. Inuyasha could have eaten it raw, along with Kirara, Shippo, and Inunobu, but for some reason humans always cooked their food.

Ten minutes later and the cooking was underway. Kagome, who took the liberty of helping Miroku with the large boar, left the stag to Sango. Shippo wasn't really any help, but he tried to be. Sango was trying to show Shippo how to skin an animal, so they were taking longer than Kagome and Miroku. Kirara mewed with anticipation. Sango finally turned the stag over skin its other side and stopped. What an awful wound. Inunobu said he was going to get the stag right? He did this…The animal's neck isn't broken. He let it die slowly.

'Kagome,' Sango said very quietly, 'come here a moment will you?'

'Sure Sango, what's up?'

Kagome stopped and looked at where Sango was pointing. Inunobu was against a tree, eyes closed, although he could probably still pick up bits and pieces of conversation with his highly tuned dog ears.

'Oh…that looks terrible…I…' Kagome was at a loss for words. She placed her hand on the edges of the wound and felt how deep it was.

'Kagome….he let this animal bleed to death.'

Kagome looked sadder. She put a hand to her mouth. She looked over to Inunobu, still seemingly asleep against the tree. She looked at Inuyasha, whose eyes were not closed, but looking very serious.

'I'll go talk to him.'

Kagome made her way over to Inunobu, who did not move at her approach. She sat down next to him, turning to face him. For a few moments she did not speak.

'Inunobu? Can I talk to you?'

He made no response. He remained resting against the tree, eyes closed. He was listening though, and he knew what she wanted. It was only an animal. It is food, nothing more, nothing less. What could I possibly have done that has upset her?

'Inunobu please, what you did to that animal…it was so cruel. You shouldn't have treated it like that. You weren't merciful at all…Please just talk to me.' She felt helpless. She glanced over at Inuyasha, and to her surprise, he was motioning for her to touch his neck. Miroku did say that dog demons love affection. Inuyasha would know best I guess. She placed her small hand on the side of his neck. He responded by moving his head and neck into her hand, almost asking for more comfort. He understood that whatever he had done, it had been by human standards, wrong. If he was going to spend time with humans, accommodating them would be a wise decision. She turned her wrist and allowed the back of her hand to stroke Inunobu's neck once before removing it.

'Don't…take that the wrong way…Inunobu…but you weren't answering me.'

'No, I understand. Kagome, in the short time we have known each other, you have become almost like a sister to me. Besides, I can never forgive human women for the fate that they brought upon my father.'

'Inunobu…you can't blame Inuyasha's mother…never mind…'

'Tell me, what have I done that is wrong?'

'You should have been more merciful to that stag. It didn't deserve that. It's enough that you killed it for food; you don't need to make it suffer.'

'I understand,' he said. She began to walk back to continue the preparing of the animals. 'Wait.'

'What is it Inunobu?'

'Would you allow me to sit over there…with you, Sango, and Miroku? I am a bit…lonely…over here.' That was difficult to say.

Kagome flashed him one of her heartwarming smiles. 'Of course you can…no one ever told you to sit over here away from everyone.' He nodded then rose to a standing position. Both of them made their way over to the campfire where the boar was roasting alongside the stag. Sango had gotten some help from Inuyasha when Kagome left. He stood with his back facing the fire. He turned around when he sensed Kagome return, and was a little surprised to see his older brother walking at her side. Both sat down around the roasting meal. Kagome looked at him, her eyes begging him not to ask Inunobu about why he had suddenly decided to join them. He rolled his eyes at her.

'Ah, hello Inunobu, you have decided to join us today I see,' greeted Miroku. Shippo, who wasn't paying attention, now went silent. He just stared at the demon.

'Shippo,' Sango reprimanded, 'it is time you got over you childish fears. Inunobu isn't someone you should fear. Why don't you come over here and say hello for once.'

Shippo looked very nervous. I know I have to get used to him, but he's still scary. He edged his way over slowly. He came to a stop a few feet away from Inunobu, who was looking at him with a blank stare. Not exactly the most inviting person I've ever seen.

'H-Hello…Inunobu.'

Inunobu said nothing, but took the hand that was closest to Shippo and gave him a pat on the head. He reached over to the stag and tore off a piece. He knew well that Shippo wouldn't mind if it wasn't thoroughly cooked. He handed the meat to Shippo, who looked at it hungrily. Shippo began to take small bites from the meat. Inunobu gave him another pat on the head before turning back to the rest of the group, who were all smiling at him, except Inuyasha.

'What, it's not like I never gave Shippo stuff to eat before,' the half demon yelled.

'Well,' responded Shippo between bites, 'you…were…never…nice…about it.'

'Keh.'

Sango watched Inunobu give Shippo the piece of the stag. There's more to Inunobu than meets the eye. It must be that he never really had anyone to share anything with before, like Inuyasha before he met Kikyo. They were both lonely. Kagome told me that Inuyasha tried to attack her when he was revived. Perhaps all Inunobu needs is friends.

Miles From Inuyasha and Friends

I've been walking for a while. I wonder he even knows where we are going anymore. We are going off course. This is not where the Lord asked us to scout. Our purpose was to gain information on the surrounding lands and see if they are suitable for taking. She sighed.

'We are almost there,' said a smooth, almost oily voice.

The man walked beside her. It was almost the right time. Soon we will strike again. It is our duty to rid the kingdom of its inadequate ruler once again. Soon. He stopped walking, and turned to face his female companion.

'We are here.'

She looked around confused. There was nothing there besides trees. She could see the road that they were supposed to have taken to her right. The task the Lord had set forth for them was within their grasp. Why had they stopped?

'I don't understand, there's nothing here besides you and me.'

'You, me, and my scouts.' A grin spread across his face. Three shadowed forms revealed themselves. All of them wore a similar grin. Being in a powerful office is convenient. I know the Lord's wishes. He wants to take these lands into his own, so he will surely be in the area soon to scout them for himself. He wasn't one to take another's opinion over his own. If he was ultimately going to check on this area himself, why send us? Just incompetent, there is no excuse. Getting rid of this woman will also draw his attention. The trap is almost sprung.

'What's the meaning of this? Who are these people?' Realization came into her mind. A traitor. He took me along to get rid of me…but why? I am not that important to the kingdom…that means… I am just a distraction. The Lord will investigate my death because he trusts my father, the head of the council.

'You intend to kill me don't you? You want to lure the Lord out here. You want to kill him. My father will insist on our Lord to look into my death, so he will linger out here longer until he has swept every inch of this place for clues, and you will leave no clues. Why?'

The man laughed evilly. 'You are very intelligent for someone so young, so I will humor you. I wish to kill the Lord so that the kingdom can be strengthened. He is never present to rule over his lands, and it makes us weak. We will kill him. The Order of the Claw will strike again.'

'The…Order of the…Claw.' She was filled with fear. That group had plotted against the Lord's father. They had caused his death, and had never been found. 'You…haven't you caused enough damage?'

He laughed again. 'We will stop when the kingdom returns to its full strength. The current bloodline is not strong enough to rule it. I will share a bit on information with you. Are you aware that we set up the battle that ultimately resulted in the end of the Lord's father? Ryuukotsusei was our doing.'

She realized her fate was sealed. She looked down in defeat. I don't want to die. I…am afraid. But I must try to kill them. I am no coward. She flexed her right hand, then left, and centered herself, waiting for the attack.

'Do not be afraid, we will not kill you. We will leave you for the lesser demons to devour.' He grinned malevolently as he closed in on her, with his three scouts behind him.

With Inunobu, Inuyasha, Kagome, and Friends

'Wow really? Tell me more!'

Shippo was fascinated with what Inunobu was telling him about the Western Lands. Inunobu told him of the elaborate ruling system of his home. The reason the Western Lands have lasted so long, according to Inunobu, was because of its system of government. They had a Lord, who was currently Sesshomaru, and under him a council. The council functioned as advisors, and while the Lord was absent, the council would rule in his place; more specifically the head of the council. He said he was not up to date, but when he left, the leader of the council was a male dog demon named Kichiro.

'The system that we use is called the Order of the Fang, which my father organized. That is why Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and I are known as Sons of the Fang. Should both Sesshomaru and I die, Inuyasha would be able to claim the throne as rightful Lord of the Western Lands.'

Kagome was enjoying hearing about the Western Lands, but she was more enjoying hearing Inunobu talk. It was so rare that he spoke anything that was not necessary, but even less so that he spoke of something personal to him. Inuyasha was the same way, and I bet their father was as well. It took Inuyasha a while to open up to me.

The wind picked up for a few moments, sweeping into the hair of Inunobu and Inuyasha. Both of them caught the same scent, and they turned their noses to the sky to more of the scent. Inuyasha smelled a wounded demon. It didn't smell serious, and demons fought each other constantly. Inunobu's nose was more trained than his brother's. He smelled a wounded dog demon. It was too far away to tell anything else except that there were many lesser demon scents surrounding it. It smelled sort of familiar to him. He couldn't place the scent. There was only one option, to get to the demon before the other demons did. Inunobu immediately ran in the direction of the scent.

'Inunobu where are you going?' Kagome shouted after him.

'It's all right Kagome,' Inuyasha said, 'I think he recognizes the scent of a wounded demon.'

'Then let's follow him.'

Inunobu was running fast, but he feared it was not fast enough. Who does this scent remind me of? I can see a face in my mind…it's…a woman. Hana…the healer. But this scent smells younger, and Hana must be at least one thousand years old, if she is still alive. He came to the same place where the man and his scouts had left the woman for dead. He couldn't see her; she was surrounded by at least one hundred lesser demons. They were bickering among themselves for who gets the meal.

'Be gone from my sight.' Inunobu shot out his deadly light whip. It flashed into the group of demons and emerged, carrying parts of the demons with it. He jumped into the middle and stood over the person whose scent had caught his attention. He did not look at her, because the lesser demons were attacking him. His claws sliced through many of them, but there were always more.

'Get out of the way if you don't want to get killed.'

Inunobu glanced for an instant at the voice. He saw Inuyasha standing behind him. The Tetsusaiga was drawn and transformed into a giant fang. Wind swirled around the blade. Inunobu understood. I did not think Inuyasha could harness that kind of power. I underestimated him. He slashed one more attacking demon, grabbed the person at his feet, and jumped away.

'WIND SCAR!'

A blast of yellow-golden light erupted from the Tetsusaiga as Inuyasha slammed it onto the ground. Inunobu was out of the fray just as the energy from the Wind Scar covered the demons, slaying them. Some of them dissolved completely, others left pieces behind, but they were all dead.

Inunobu surveyed the carnage that the Wind Scar had caused. He looked down in his arms to see a semi-conscious dog demoness. Her hair, a pale shade of silver, was cast in her face. It was very long, and it went all the way to her calves. It covered most of her. She was clutching at his chest, trying to go further into his arms. She is probably still scared. He didn't know quite what to do with her. She was out of harm's way, so it was probably safe to leave her. But he wanted to know why her scent was like Hana's.

'Thank you.'

I guess she is more aware than I thought. 'What is your name?'

'Sayuri.'

'I will take you back so you can rest. You may do as you wish after that.'

She mumbles something inaudible as she drifted into a much needed sleep.