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

Chapter 9: Instinct

With Inuyasha and Inunobu, Away from the Others

Inuyasha caught the scent of Inunobu approaching him long before he could hear or see him. His scent was tinged with anger and vengeance. Inuyasha knew that whoever Inunobu was angry at, it wasn't him, because he hadn't done anything. Within the span of minutes he could hear Inunobu's footsteps, and they were slower and heavier than usual. Something was bothering him. Finally he could see his older brother walking from the direction of the hot springs. A few more minutes passed and the two brothers were facing each other.

'What do you want Inunobu?'

'There is something I wish to speak to you about Inuyasha, and it concerns out father.'

Inuyasha became immediately interested. Maybe there was something important about father that he left out, and getting knowledge about father was the only reason I let him stick around in the first place. 'Well don't just stand there spit it out.'

Inunobu waited for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. 'Inuyasha, there is something important that you must know about the circumstances of our father's death. I found out myself only a short while ago. Father's death, or the event that led to his death, the battle with the dragon demon Ryuukotsusei, was orchestrated by a group of disloyal dog demons who called themselves the Order of the Claw.'

'That's it? What good does that do me?'

'Patience little brother. Their leader, Kichiro, still lives, and he is the demon that injured Sayuri. Father can be avenged if Kichiro and the other members of the Order of the Claw are destroyed. His current plans are to assassinate our older brother, Sesshomaru, and take the kingdom for himself.'

'How many times do I have to say that I don't care about avenging his death? I didn't even know him! And who cares if Sesshomaru dies?'

How dare he? I have no words to express this. He is betraying his own bloodline! Father gave him a precious gift, the Tetsusaiga, and he refuses to avenge him? I…what an ungrateful fool.

Inunobu was fast losing his temper.

'Inuyasha,' he said in a low and hostile tone, 'You refuse to avenge your own family. You betray our father. You have the nerve to ask me about our father, saying that you wanted to know anything! You would turn your back on the most important piece of information I have given you?'

Inuyasha looked at his brother, whose lip was curled in anger. Who cares if Sesshomaru dies? It's not like it hurts me any. Besides, I doubt anyone could kill Sesshomaru. It really doesn't make a difference to me. Maybe if I had known my father…

'I…Look! I didn't even know him! You expect me to stick out my neck for a bunch of stories I've heard from others?'

'You filthy half breed. He died for you and Izayoi. HE DIED FOR YOU!' Inunobu was at Inuyasha throat in an instant, knocking him over and pinning him to the ground. Inuyasha looked stunned for a second before throwing Inunobu off of him.

'What the hell are you doing? What did I do to you? It's my choice to help avenge father or not. I have people that I have to protect, and they would be in harm's way if I did this.'

Inunobu had an enraged look in his eyes. Inuyasha could tell he was inches from losing control. Damn it all he has to learn to control that, especially with Kagome nearby. I'll have to lead him away. Inuyasha made a run for it.

'You flee from me you coward!' Inunobu ran after him.

Sayuri, who was standing around and talking with Kagome and Shippo, noticed a change in the air. It was Inunobu's scent, and it smelled different. It was almost stronger. It was laced with fury. Something's happened to him. He went to talk to Inuyasha about their father, which means something that Inuyasha said upset him.

'Kagome,' the demoness said to get the girl's attention.

'Yeah what is it?'

'We may have a problem.'

As she finished her statement two blurs flew past where the group was standing, one in red and the other in white. Inunobu looked angry, but was keeping his anger under control for the time being, releasing it on Inuyasha, who was doing his best to avoid fighting the demon. Inuyasha swung his fists every now and then to keep his older brother on edge. Inuyasha threw a fist at him to make sure he kept his attention on Inuyasha and not on the others, which was a mistake because it left the half demon wide open. Inunobu took his chance and slugged him in the gut. Inuyasha made a grunting noise. Inunobu took advantage of the situation again and wrapped his free hand around Inuyasha's neck and lifting him into the air.

'Both of you STOP!' Kagome screamed. Inunobu turned to look at her, the anger in his eyes subsiding a little. 'I can't leave you two alone for a minute! What happened?'

'Nothing, Inunobu just went completely-' Inuyasha was cut off as Inunobu squeezed his throat harder.

'This wretched half breed refuses to avenge his father's death.'

'But…Inuyasha already avenged him, Ryuukotsusei is dead,' though Miroku out loud.

'Ryuukotsusei was not the one who organized the fight. The one who did still lives, and Inuyasha defiles his father's memory.'

Inuyasha, who was now looking a bit pale, seemed to be struggling to lose consciousness. Inunobu was distracted by Kagome and did not loosen his grip. Inuyasha's arms, which were trying to remove Inunobu's hand from his neck, went slack at the half demon's side.

'Inunobu let Inuyasha go your killing him!' Kagome pleaded.

Inunobu looked at her, then to Inuyasha, who had gone unconscious, and dropped him to the ground. Kagome rushed over to him to make sure he was not dead. Inunobu stood and gazed with disgust at his younger brother, his hands clenched. How can you refuse to avenge your own family Inuyasha? Even Sesshomaru is willing to work with me on this. There are four of them, and two of us; we are still outnumbered.

I can tell Inunobu's father is a soft spot for him Sayuri thought. She felt helpless, and so did Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. What could they do? Inuyasha and Inunobu's father was their business. Who knew whether it was appropriate for them to intervene according to demon customs? Sayuri decided she had to do something. She walked slowly over to Inunobu and stared at him until he returned her gaze. Her eyes were soft and understanding. His anger seemed to drain away. His fists unclenched.

'Thank you,' he murmured to her. She smiled gently at him, then turned to see whether Inuyasha was all right. He was conscious and looked annoyed.

'Kagome I'm fine stop trying to-'

'No, you're not fine until I have a look at you!'

'Would you just leave me alone…I said I was all right.'

'SIT.' Inuyasha fell against the ground, bound by the beads. Kagome used this as an opportunity to check on his neck and see if there were any problems with it. 'Ok Inuyasha you're fine.'

'I told you that…' His gaze shifted over to his brother, who was staring at Sayuri, which seemed to calm him. He stood up.

'Inuyasha don't say anything. I swear sometimes you can be such a fool,' reprimanded Miroku. 'Inunobu,' he spoke up, addressing the older brother, 'even if Inuyasha is unwilling to go after whoever you say is responsible for your fathers death, I am sure that if you ask us we will help you as friends,' he said the last word with emphasis, glaring at Inuyasha.

'I will not ask for help. Inuyasha is obliged to avenge his own father.'

'I told you, I never even knew-' the half demon began.

'Sit. We will all help you Inunobu because you are our friend. Inuyasha doesn't have a say in the matter.'

'WHAT? But he was my father! How can I not have a choice if its my-'

'SIT! Will you accept our help Inunobu?'

Inunobu did not answer. What good is the help of a son who doesn't care? I should go kill Kichiro on my own right now…Sesshomaru will catch up with me. Kichiro and his men could not be that strong. He looked at Kagome asking him for help, then down at Inuyasha. Is it noble to accept their help? Inunobu turned his gaze on Sayuri; the demoness still looking at him. He took a deep breath. How does she do that?

'I accept.'

Three Weeks Later

Three weeks after the quarrel between Inunobu and Inuyasha ended, there was no sign of Kichiro. Inunobu had spoken to Sesshomaru four times, and each time he spoke with the demon it seemed another important dog demon had been killed. Kichiro would not show his face until he was ready to strike, and that all depended on where the Lord of the Western Lands was at the time. It could be days or years, and everyone understood that. The search had slacked off a little, and the only trace of the Order of the Claw that had appeared was one of Kichiro's men, who ran as soon as he was spotted. Sayuri had started to walk at Inunobu's side; mostly because she could talk to Inunobu about her homeland, which she missed, but also because her presence always seemed to sooth the demon. Sesshomaru had informed Inunobu that it was not safe for Sayuri to return to the Western Lands, because Kichiro would be able to use her to get to her father.

Kagome looked behind her to see Inunobu and Sayuri talking; actually it was Sayuri doing the talking. Inunobu listened and replied when she was completely finished. In the few days after Inuyasha had flat out refused to avenge Inu no Taisho, Inunobu was very ill tempered. Not in a violent way, but more like Sesshomaru talked to Inuyasha before they fought with each other. You know, now that I think about it, Inunobu calmed down a lot. Sayuri is a kinder demon than most. They don't really talk about anything important, but I don't think it matters.

'Hey Inuyasha,' Kagome said, 'what do you say we stop here for a while.'

'We…just…stopped…an…hour…ago,' Inuyasha managed to squeeze out through gritted teeth.

'Yeah I know, but I want to talk to Sayuri about something.'

'So do it.'

'In private…'

Inuyasha complained in a low voice to himself. 'Fine but only for a little while, and I'm not getting you any food.'

'Thanks Inuyasha.'

'Whatever.'

The others besides Inuyasha and Kagome were confused as to why they stopped so soon. Inunobu found a nice spot on the side of the path and sat on the ground. Sayuri was about to walk over and join him when Kagome caught her attention.

'Sayuri, come with me for a while will you?'

'Oh…um…all right.' She looked once more at Inunobu before leaving with Kagome.

The two women walked away from the group and Kagome motioned for them to sit down. Kagome thought to herself about the best way to approach this. Hmm, I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable, but the suspense is killing me.

'So…Sayuri?'

'Mmm Hmm?'

'You have been hanging around Inunobu a lot lately.'

'Yeah…I guess so.'

Sayuri grew to know more of Inunobu that the others. She could see his subtle facial expressions better than most, and she knew what they meant. He really wasn't unreadable; it just took a little time to get accustomed to. Why do I stay around him so often? He knows more about our homeland than Inuyasha does, but most of the time we don't talk at all.

'Sayuri…what's the matter.' I know exactly what the matter is…but let's see if she understands.

'I…nothing, why do you ask?' I know what you're getting at Kagome, I'm just not really sure, so I can't answer you.

'I can tell you're thinking about something, and I haven't had the chance to really talk to you in two and a half weeks. You can open up to me.'

Kagome is treating me like a little girl. Then again…I am so young. I am just a little girl. I haven't had many life experiences worth talking about. Humans seem to get so much more out of each year of life than demons do; maybe that's because their lives are so short.

'I…it's just…Kagome I don't think I want to talk right now. Is that a problem?'

'Nope not at all. Just tell me something when you figure it out.'

Sayuri smiled. They started to walk back to where they left the others on the path. The closer they came the easier it was to make out the form of Inunobu standing over Inuyasha, stomping on the middle of his back vigorously. He looked more bored than angry. Kagome wore an expression that said "why me?"

'I swear, the two of you….Inunobu, would you be so kind as to NOT kick Inuyasha,' Kagome said impatiently. Inunobu reluctantly stopped stomping on the half demon.

'Inuyasha,' Kagome continued, 'stand up.' Inuyasha stood up. 'Sit.' Thud. 'What were the two of you arguing about?'

'I didn't say nothing! All I did was suggest that we should give up on finding Kichiro, and then Inunobu over here starts stepping on me. I didn't fight back because I thought he would maybe stop eventually, but I guess he got a little too much fun out of it.'

'Maybe if you used you brain for once Inu- OW!' complained Shippo, whom Inuyasha had just smacked on the head.

Miroku was eyeing Sango the entire time, but she moved further away to get ready to leave again. Miroku was at a loss. She will definitely see me coming now. He looked over to the rest of the group, the closest target being Sayuri. Not bad. He casually strode up to her and caressed her backside. She jolted up, not used to the monks hand like the demon slayer was. Sango, who had come over when she saw what Miroku was doing, and looking at the look of hatred Inunobu shot the monk, smashed Miroku on the head before any more harm could be done. She knelt down to whisper in his ear.

'Miroku are you trying to get yourself killed?'

'Sango, it is the hand, and besides Sayuri would not harm me.'

'It's not Sayuri who I'm worried about.'

'What do you mean my dear- Oh.' Miroku noticed the look in Inunobu's eyes for the first time. So he does care for Sayuri.

How can he touch her like that? Perverted monk. Why do I have this reaction though? Is it possible…? Inunobu walked over to Miroku, who was still on the ground, towering over him.

'Never again monk.'

'Of course…Forgive me Inunobu I did not realize that you-'

'Silence!'

Miroku went quiet. He did not want to anger the demon further, knowing how vulnerable he was to his temper. He watched Sayuri hurriedly get away from the range of the monk, standing just to the right and behind Inunobu, who was still glaring at Miroku. She placed one of her small hands in his, giving it a light squeeze.

'Just forget about it Inunobu I'm fine and Miroku won't do it again. You should try to be less angry sometimes, it doesn't do you any good to have all that anger.'

Inunobu's anger completely vanished as it did before. Damn it, I will find out how she does that. He gently pressed her smaller hand into her own, almost caressing it, before letting it go. The gesture was enough to make Sayuri's heart beat just a little bit faster.

A few minutes later they were back on the road. Miroku stayed a bit quieter than usual, and Kagome stayed up front with Inuyasha. Shippo was sleeping lazily on Kirara in her transformed state. Sayuri and Inunobu walked together, like before.

'Sayuri?' Inunobu asked very softly.

'Hmm?'

'How did you do that?'

'Do what?'

'You took away my anger, it was almost peaceful. How?' Inunobu questioned. Sayuri laughed softly.

'Like this.' Sayuri grabbed one of his hands that were swaying by his sides and held the tips of his fingers in her hand. She looked up after she had let go, and was surprised to see Inunobu looking at her, with a softer gaze. She held his stare for a few seconds before averting her eyes, blushing lightly, too light to notice to anyone but herself as she felt her cheeks go warmer.

Another Week Later

Yet another week passed without any evidence of Kichiro. Currently the group battled a monkey demon. The demon was fast and but not strong. In fact, it rarely attacked, but just jumped around from tree to tree.

'Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!' Inuyasha lunged at the demon with his claws only to hit air again. 'Damn him!'

Inunobu was also having trouble hitting the monkey. He jumped to where he thought the demon would land, only to see it go else where. It didn't seem to have any actual plan, and it jumped wherever it thought was best. Inunobu was successfully following it in the trees, but landing a blow was another matter entirely. Curse this stupid demon Inunobu thought all it does is take up my time. I would gladly end its life it would only stay still. It hasn't even attacked in the last ten minutes.

'I don't have time for this. Everyone get down,' Inunobu warned as he spun his light whip in a very large circle, slicing through the trunks of the trees. The monkey demon landed in front of Inunobu, now aware that he had no where left to jump.

'Now it is finally time for you to die monkey.'

'Yeah right! I get to kill it!' Inuyasha yelled.

'I don't believe this,' Kagome screamed, 'you're going to fight over who gets to kill it. It's right there! It's open and exposed and you're arguing.'

Inunobu and Inuyasha turned to face each other and glared. Inuyasha started to yell at his older brother, while Inunobu stood, arms crossed and arrogant.

'I will kill both of you! Don't underestimate my power,' hissed the monkey demon. He ran full speed at the dog brothers, who were still arguing. Inuyasha look away from his brother just long enough to see the monkey demon racing at them. Damn it, Tetsusaiga is in its sheath, and I won't have enough time to draw it out. Inunobu followed his gaze a split second later. The monkey was too close to evade.

Sayuri watched the entire thing in silence. They are bickering while their enemy is still alive? I guess they get along even worse than I imagined. This must be the same way with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. She saw the monkey rush at them, and decided that she had to act.

Inunobu and Inuyasha were prepared to take the small hit from the demon until they both saw Sayuri dash out of the corner of their eyes and land on the monkey's shoulder. The demon stopped running and attempted to strike her down. She dodged the first strike, while still on its shoulder, then drove her claws into the demon's shoulder. She was struck with the monkey's second attack in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her and throwing her off of its shoulder. She landed gracefully on her feet, clutching her stomach gently.

'Sayuri.' Inunobu allowed her name to escape his lips. What in hell was the point of that? This demon doesn't even hurt. She put herself in harm's way to save Inuyasha and myself a little discomfort? Inunobu strode steadily across the battlefield towards Sayuri, passing the monkey demon by mere inches.

'Inunobu you fool what are you doing?' Inuyasha shouted as his brother walked close enough to the monkey for it to strike him.

'Are you blind Inuyasha, this demon is already dead.'

'What? Are you crazy, he's still standing up!'

In response, Inunobu gave the monkey demon a light push and toppled it over. Its eyes were glazed and it was not breathing. Inunobu continued walking over to Sayuri, talking back over his shoulder.'

'I would have imagined that you would know this Inuyasha, but apparently I was mistaken. Female dog demon poison is extremely potent; more deadly than anything I or Sesshomaru have. Females' poison is strong so they can compensate for the lack of strength and a light whip, like mine.'

'That's a scary thought,' Shippo commented, 'I've seen Sesshomaru's poison at work on Inuyasha, and he didn't get up for a good few days.'

Inunobu had ignored Shippo and had reached Sayuri. She was kneeling on one knee, trying to get her breath back. She waved him off to say she was ok. He stepped in front of her and crouched down so they were eye to eye.

'Sayuri.'

'What is it,' her voice was strained from the loss of breath.

'Why did you do that, a hit from that demon would have done absolutely nothing to me, and you know that.'

'Well it was better than letting it hit you!'

'But it struck you instead. I've been wounded many more times than you, I can handle it better. Don't do that again,' he said more tenderly. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and took one arm in the other to help her up. Sayuri looked surprised. Inunobu did not usually touch her.

Sango the demon slayer was about to check on Sayuri herself until she saw Inunobu. Inunobu behaves so differently than any other demon I have ever encountered. He acts bloodthirsty and cruel one minute but the next he is so gentle, though still cold. It must be the jewels influence on him. She watched Inunobu lead Sayuri away from the dead monkey demon. Sango noticed that Sayuri still allowed him to support her. Getting the wind knocked out of you is only momentary, which means she doesn't want him to let go. Sango glanced over to Kagome, who had that dreamy look in her eyes.

'Kagome, I hope you're not planning anything.'

'Who me? Not at all Sango why do you ask,' she replied innocently. Sango sighed.

In a Village, Night Time

The traveling group stood in front of a village inn, asking for lodging and food. They had no money, as usual, but Miroku sensed a "dangerous" presence lurking within the mansion, so the innkeeper was eager to let them stay. Inunobu however, along with Sayuri, were a little uneasy. The villagers did not look kindly upon the two dog demons staying there. They gave Inuyasha the same looks, but he was used to it by now.

'Inuyasha,' Inunobu said as the group was about to enter the inn for Miroku to perform his fake exorcism, 'I'm sleeping out here, I prefer it anyway.'

'Whatever,' Inuyasha responded casually. Kagome watched Inunobu walk away. She looked at Sayuri, who was looking at Inunobu. Ok Kagome, you can do this she thought to herself.

'Sayuri.'

'Yeah Kagome.'

'You know, you're a demon too, don't you want to leave too.'

'Would…that be alright? I thought maybe Inunobu prefers to be alone.'

'You'd be surprised.'

'Ok then, see you in the morning Kagome.' Sayuri ran off after Inunobu.

She followed Inunobu's scent to a patch of tall lush grass. He was lying down, arms behind his head, looking at the sky. She walked up slowly, making sure if he wasn't paying attention to his senses, that she wouldn't startle him. She didn't have to worry, because he knew she was coming as soon as she started leaving the village.

'The inn is warmer you know.'

'The humans in that village don't think too much of demons. I didn't like being stared at all the time is all. Do you mind if I join you?'

'No, its fine.'

Sayuri seated herself in a place to the right of Inunobu. He sat up and sniffed the air. The only smell that he could pick up was the scent of Sayuri and grass. If someone tried to sneak up on him, he would not see it coming until much later.

'You seem a little restless, what's the matter.'

'Its…nothing,' she said. Why did I come here…what am I expecting? I'm really not taking Inunobu's feelings into account. I don't know what he's thinking half the time. I just want to help him. He seems so lonely. He doesn't really have any "loving family"; Sesshomaru and Inuyasha hardly count for anything. I guess I'll just ask him.

'Inunobu, I want to ask you something, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I just want to know why you're so sad, it's hard to look at it all the time, especially in such a cheerful crowd as the one we travel with.' Except Inuyasha, who's just irritable. She heard him exhale deeply, and his shoulders sank a little. 'I'm sorry if I made you remember anything terrible.'

'No, it's all right. The truth is, I don't really know. It goes deeper than not having a devoted father or two distant brothers. I…think I'm just…' He stopped talking, not knowing what to say.

'You're just lonely. I think two hundred years alone will do that for you. How often did you get to see your father when he was alive?'

'Once every couple of years if I was lucky, but demons live for a long time, so it didn't make that much of a difference.'

Sayuri smiled softly at this comment. Her father was head of the council that advised the Order of the Fang. She knew all too well what it felt like to have her father rarely be around when she needed someone to talk to. She had a few close friends, but Inunobu probably only had his brother, which was definitely not helpful. Sayuri felt empathy for Inunobu, something that not many were capable of. She had an unusually large heart for a demoness. He's not a savage at all like the stories say. He just isn't well understood.

Sayuri turned to look at Inunobu once more before resting her head on his shoulder. Inunobu smiled lightly, and traced the line of her jaw with one claw without really thinking. She let out a shuddering breath, and turned her head more into his hand. Her pale and smooth neck was left exposed in the moonlight, and instincts won over Inunobu's mind. He gently put his fangs to the side of her neck, and she froze for an instant before leaning into him. One of her hands rested on the side of Inunobu's face. He bit her neck a little harder, not drawing any blood, and she made a light moan. Both of them sank into the grass. Sayuri draped herself over Inunobu and he pulled his fangs from her soft neck. She looked at his eyes for a few moments before placing a light, loving kiss on his lips, which he returned. They continued to kiss, and Sayuri allowed him to bite her every now and then.

Her mind and heart were racing. He bit me…I…I don't even know what to think. He is so gentle with me. Can I really love him? My body and heart agree, but my mind is…unsure. I can't say no to this though, I've never felt anything like it.

Inunobu was feeling the same way. What am I doing? I am being consumed by this feeling. This feels so natural. I'm so sorry Sayuri, but I need to think to myself. Inunobu slowly and reluctantly pulled Sayuri off of him. He sat up, bringing her with him. He embraced her, taking in her scent as much as he could. Her scent betrayed her feelings of excitement and arousal, even happiness. 'Sayuri, I'm sorry, but I just need to think.' He withdrew her from his embrace and kissed her once more before running in another direction. She watched him go, still in a daze. I think I need to think too.

A/N: Keep reading…and review. Review for the love of all that is Inuyasha, review!