Chapter 23

"Kaede-baba-chan! You have to do something! Kagome's hurt!" Sango cried for the old woman. Kaede came out of her hut, shocked to see the devastating sight.

"What on earth has happened?" she asked, assessing the young miko's injuries. They were rather bad, and she had lost consciousness.

"We were attacked by a hawk youkai. He caught us off guard, and he... he..." Inuyasha buried his head in his hands. "He hurt Kagome!"

"Aye. I understand. I will tend to her wounds. Ye need not worry. She won't die, but she will be rather weak for a few days. So ye go easy on her." Kaede instructed. Inuyasha nodded. Kaede handed him the jewel. "Ye should hold onto this for the time being. It is not safe with Kagome at the moment." Kaede explained. Inuyasha nodded and slipped the jewel into his haori. Inuyasha left the hut so that Kaede could begin tending to Kagome's wounds. He wanted to get as far away as possible so that no more youkai would be attracted to Kagome because of the jewel. Inuyasha scowled. I have to talk to somebody about this jewel. Perhaps someone else could be its guardian. Inuyasha pondered the choices until he came across one he was reluctant of, but it was his best chance. Heh, just hope he'll do it. Inuyasha smiled, and headed into the Western Lands.

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"Oi, Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha called. The inu youkai merely turned his head to face Inuyasha. His loyal companions, Rin and Jaken stepped to the side, not wanting to be caught in the middle of this family bloodfeud. Sesshoumaru eyed the anxious hanyou and let out a sigh, showing his annoyance.

"What reason would have you tresspassing in this Sesshoumaru's lands?" Sesshoumaru asked, void of any emotion. Inuyasha's ears twitched, hoping he wouldn't have to bring Tetsaiga into this.

"I have the Shikon no Tama. The jewel is complete... but..." Inuyasha trailed off.

"Spit it out, hanyou." Sesshoumaru spat apathetically. Inuyasha growled.

"Kagome is the guardian right now... but so many youkai are attacking her for it. I... I don't want her to be hurt anymore." Inuyasha's eyes were filled with a sorrow that nearly had his half-brother Sesshoumaru feeling sympathetic. Almost.

"What do wish this Sesshoumaru to do about it?"

"To become the guardian of the jewel." Inuyasha replied. Sesshoumaru let out a sadistic laugh.

"Of course. Though what will you be trading this Sesshoumaru for it? That jewel is more trouble than it is worth." he said with a stoic face. Inuyasha gritted his teeth.

"What do you want, Sesshoumaru? I'll give you anything to keep her safe." he admitted.

"Ah, I see. My hanyou half-brother has chosen an equally pathetic intended?" Sesshoumaru taunted. "This Sesshoumaru does not wish to hold onto that jewel. I have no need for it."

"But- but you just said-" Inuyasha started to yell before he was cut off.

"I asked what you would trade for it. I never said I would take it. I merely wished to see how far and to what lengths you would go for the life of your intended." Sesshoumaru said, smirking inwardly. He enjoyed watching his cowardly half-brother suffer.

"You know what, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha cried. "You're nothing but a coward. Only someone who is a coward would spend their whole life alone. I don't intend to do that. I've found someone that I want to be with for the rest of my life. That isn't cowardly. Acting cold and distant is." Inuyasha retorted.

Sesshoumaru was shocked to hear these words, but his face remained calm and void of emotion. Deep inside his heart of ice, he knew that Inuyasha was right. Well, in a sense at least. Sesshoumaru knew that he would someday need an heir to look after the Western Lands. He would spend days on end wondering what he would do. If the mighty Sesshoumaru, the youkai with a heart of ice and claws of poison, were to take an intended, he would appear weak. He would show emotion. Other youkai lords would only take advantage of this. On the other hand, without an heir, Sesshoumaru would also appear weak. Sesshoumaru was unaware that he had let a small growl escape past his lips. Inuyasha smirked.

"Seems you are a little upset about that." Inuyasha teased. Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered red.

"You shall learn your place, hanyou." he spat. "And it is not here on my lands. This Sesshoumaru has made his decision. I will not take that forsaken jewel. I have no use for a despicable trinket such as it. Any youkai who would use it is simply weak." Sesshoumaru continued. Inuyasha growled and drew his hands into fists.

"You really are a coward. With your power. With your force. With your nobility. With all of this... you still cannot take care of a jewel. You cannot even begin to care about what happens if this jewel falls into the wrong hands." Inuyasha said in disgust.

"This Sesshoumaru has his own lands to take care of. The Western Lands are my territory, and I can assure you- jewel or no jewel, nothing will happen that is not to my liking." Sesshoumaru stated flatly. His eyes wandered over to Rin and Jaken. Of course. Jaken is still complaining that we left Ah and Un at the castle. Sesshoumaru's icy heart warmed at the sight of Rin attempting to calm Jaken down. Why do I allow this human child ot travel with me? Why did I save her from the brink of death? Sesshoumaru chuckled at himself inwardly. It seems I am already weak. The other lords are not stupid. They know I travel with a human child. I cannot tell Inuyasha my true intentions for turning down the jewel. I cannot allow him to see my one weakness- Rin. I cannot take that jewel. It would bring unnecessary chaos into my lands... and I would risk the life of Rin. I cannot do that. I understand now why Inuyasha wishes to rid himself of the jewel. All he wants is to live with Kagome without excessive fear. He wants Kagome to be alright. I want the same for Rin. Sesshoumaru was pulled out of his thoughts when Inuyasha cleared his throat.

"Ahem?" Inuyasha coughed. What is he thinking about that would leave him completely open to attack like that? Inuyasha followed the direction of Sesshoumaru's eyes, and learned that they fell upon the young human girl who travelled with him. So that's it. That's why he won't take the jewel. He doesn't want any harm to come to the human child. Wow... do I ever feel selfish. Inuyasha shook his head. "Sesshoumaru... never mind my request. I will leave your lands." Inuyasha turned and fled back to Kaede's village to check on Kagome. For the first time, Inuyasha was proud to be Sesshoumaru's half-brother. He felt a pang of sympathy for the great lord of the Western lands.

Sesshoumaru watched as his half-brother fled to Kagome's side. His head dropped when he was sure no one could see him.

"Sesshoumaru-samma? Sesshoumaru-samma? Are you o-kay?" little Rin asked as she gently and politely tugged on his haori. Sesshoumaru looked down at the girl. She had grown a lot since he had first saved her life. He could see that Rin's eyes were full of worry. It was always worry, or love- never fear. Even the first time they had met, when he snarled at her and let his red youkai eyes show. She never once feared him.

"Yes Rin. I am fine." he replied, letting a small smile grace his features. Rin smiled and grabbed onto his hand.

"If Sesshoumaru-samma is fine, so is Rin!" she cheered. Jaken was blowing steam out of his ears.

"Sesshoumaru-samma! We should be going!" he protested. He hated that Rin got more attention than he did. Sesshoumaru simply began walking away hand in hand with the small girl. Perhaps she can be my daughter. I shall adopt her... it's not as if I haven't already. But now... I won't hide it. I will be her father. Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin, and for once instead of those cold eyes, Rin saw compassion. She smiled brighter and began to sing.

"Sesshoumaru-samma... Sesshoumaru-samma... Sesshoumaru-samma will stay with me till the end of ti-ime!"

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"How is she doing?" Sango asked anxiously. Kaede shook her head.

"Do not worry, child. She will be fine. She just needs to rest." Kaede replied. Sango breathed a sigh of relief. Though something still bothered her.

"Kaede? Where did Inuyasha go? It's not like him to leave Kagome's side when she's hurt."

"Ye are correct. It is not like him. However, I have an idea what he may be doing." Kaede sighed. Sango was rather curious.

"What is he doing, Kaede?" she asked.

"He has the jewel. I assume he is trying to find it a new guardian. Kagome is being attacked often, and Inuyasha fears for her life. He is probably trying to get rid of the jewel by finding it a new guardian." Kaede replied. Sango frowned.

"I see. I hope he's alright." Sango said. "Thank you, Kaede." Sango turned and exited the hut to speak with Miroku. Once outside, she relayed what Kaede had said to him.

"So that's why he's gone. Makes sense." he stated simply.

"Let's just hope he returns soon, and with good news." Sango concluded.

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Inuyasha sat on his favorite branch in the God's tree. He twirled the Shikon no Tama in his hands, cursing at it. Why did this jewel have to ruin everything? All I want is a normal life with Kagome. To live with her and start a family. Is that too much to ask for a hanyou? Inuyasha's eyes widened. That's it... that's the only way, isn't it? Inuyasha smirked and looked at the jewel. I'll do it. I'll do it for Kagome! Inuyasha held the jewel close to him...

Kagome... she's worth this.