-1Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha and friends. They're Rumiko Takahashi's.

Chapter 6

Warning: this chapter contains violence and reference to rape (nothing explicit).

Sesshomaru sat quietly trying to digest the deluge of information and keep his stomach settled at the same time. The reek of humans was fast becoming an overwhelming stink. He could smell the embarrassment coming from the miko's mother. He cracked an eye and saw her attempting to hide behind some sort of book. So he had been correct in assuming the woman would ask her daughter about what had happened. Females were all the same, demon or human, too nosy for anyone's good.

He kept his eyes closed when he felt the woman stand and try to slip away unnoticed. Did she really think she could sneak past him? She wouldn't even have fooled that half-breed Inuyasha. He stirred when he sensed a large number of people approaching. There were several men in strange uniforms and they smelled strange, unlike any of the other humans he had encountered so far.

His eyes widened with shock as he saw what held their attention. "Rin," he stated softly.

The small mortal girl looked almost identical to his Rin and appeared to be the same age. Her clothing was torn and dirty, and where it did not cover her skin, he noticed darkening bruises and numerous cuts. One of her eyes was swollen shut and as she had passed, her other brown eye locked onto his golden ones with the emptiness of one already dead. He blinked, knowing that this could not possibly be his Rin, but he tested her scent to make sure.

She smelled of dirt, blood and something that sent his demon blood boiling and caused his eyes to glow red. He quickly set off after the child, his demonic aura causing his hair to swirl about him. He did not need to hear the police suspicions to know the child had been violated.

Sesshomaru could smell the musk of sex and the sheer terror that poured off the girl so strongly that, had he not been so enraged, he would have vomited. Humans are disgusting creatures, he thought as he tried to maintain his rational mind against the demon urge to slaughter every male near his Rin. I had not thought even those beasts to be capable of doing something so vile and dishonorable to one of their own.

Silently raging, he followed them for several turns before they noticed his presence. Once they did, one of the uniformed men confronted him immediately.

"Um, sir, can I help you with anything?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, leashing his rage for the time being. She is not Rin, he told himself silently. He moved swiftly past the men, noticing another young man in different clothing that appeared to be very nervous. From what he had overheard, this was the girl's uncle who had brought her in.

"The girl has been violated. Who did this, child?" he demanded firmly. She looked up at him, then back at the man who was her uncle and a fresh wave of terror rolled off of her as she stammered, "I- I-don't know. I c- I couldn't see."

Sesshomaru followed her gaze and noticed the man's sharp glare then nod of approval guiding her answer. Suspicion flared, and Sesshomaru's golden eyes burned into the man.

"I'm sorry, sir, but unless you are family, we'll have to ask you to move along," one of the uniformed men interjected, shifting so that he stood closer to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru ignored the human, his eyes never leaving the uncle who had finally noticed these attentions and had begun to shift uncomfortably. The demon sniffed the girl trying to distinguish the male's scent upon her. The humans around him began to grow more and more nervous at his silence.

The uncle finally stepped forward angrily and said, "Hey, buddy, you heard them. Back away from my niece. You aren't family or even a friend."

That movement sent a strong wave of the man's scent towards Sesshomaru. He narrowed his eyes in recognition, rage threatening to destroy his composure. He memorized the scent of his prey, imprinting every little texture and nuance into his mind.

He did not suppress the smirk that curved his lips as said prey paled, recognizing the deadly predator standing before him. The tempting smell of fear began to taint the man's scent, and he licked his lips nervously while starting to move away from Sesshomaru.

"Um, I'll be right back. I've gotta check up on some paperwork," the man added in a meeker tone. He then quickly retreated down the hall in the opposite direction of the demon.

Sesshomaru followed him with his eyes until he disappeared around a corner. Inwardly he smiled and thought, You presume to outrun me?

Sesshomaru looked back down at the girl cowering in fear of the males around her. Gliding past her, he whispered in a scarcely audible voice, "Fear not." Rin.

Sesshomaru continued on down the hall at an almost leisurely pace. The man's fear only made his scent that much more pungent and easy to follow. Since he had arrived in this dreadful time, it had taken every ounce of restraint to keep from spilling blood that practically begged to be spilt. Now he would not restrain himself. He would enjoy this little hunt; delight in removing an intolerable stain from the filth that was humankind. This mortal would pay for his villainous crimes.

Sesshomaru himself was not completely sure if he realized that the girl was not Rin. Every time he closed his eyes to calm himself, all he could see was his Rin- his little Rin screaming and crying beneath the body of this wretched mortal, her brown eyes wide and fearful, her lips pouring out pleas for mercy mixed with cries for her lord's aid.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself staring at his vague reflection in the silver panels of one of the moving boxes. His once golden eyes were glowing bright red and the red haze of his demonic aura engulfed his form. The stripes on his cheeks were broader and longer. Having never seen himself much even in his calm state, Sesshomaru was pleased by ferocity of his appearance. Unfortunately, if he wished to hunt unhampered, then he would need to remain as unassuming as possible.

By the time the panels slid open, the demon had regained control. The humans already inside looked at him strangely and moved over to make room for him and his attire. Uncertainly, Sesshomaru studied the numbers beside the door. He knew these were important and enchanted in some way, but he was uncertain how to activate the spell. The females had simply touched the surface and the number lit. Would it work the same if a demon touched it, or was the spell only for humans? He remembered the feeling of touching the ensorcelled Tetsusaiga and did not wish to have these humans present if he were rejected.

As though they had sensed his question, one of the humans leaned forward with a hand over the numbers and asked, "Which floor, cutie?"

Sesshomaru wanted to growl at being addressed so casually by a lesser creature, but found himself without options. He did not know which number he was already on, or which would lead him to his prey, so he hazarded a guess.

"Two."

"You're on two, cutie. You tryin' to get out right?"

Sesshomaru nodded once.

"Thought so," she pressed the number one which lit up. The box then shuddered to life and began to descend. "You must not be from here."

Sesshomaru ignored her. Yet again, this female did not seem to get the hint.

"Are you here visiting your wife or girlfriend?" she asked in an overtly light-hearted tone.

"That would be none of your business, mortal," he told her. He was relieved when the doors finally opened allowing him to use his demonic speed to distance himself from the aggressive female. He had no desire to kill any before he had found his prey.

In his hurry, he had not noticed the absence of the man's scent. Fortunately, just as he glanced up, the man darted out of a door marked "Stairs" and fled through the transparent doors and into the night.

So the mortal thought he could shake this Sesshomaru by so simple a ploy as doubling back to use a second exit, Sesshomaru thought as he calmly followed. Again the stench of fear reached his nose and excited his predatory instincts. Heedless of any mortals or the strange metal beasts that moved rapidly along the road outside, Sesshomaru slowly followed the scent of his quarry.

The man must have been aware he was being followed because he continually tried to make fake trails or hide, but Sesshomaru followed the seemingly random flight relentlessly. Finally, he cornered the man at the junction of two of the "buildings" and a wall too tall for the human to scale.

"Pathetic," Sesshomaru told him, once the man realized his situation and turned to face him.

"What's so pathetic? Why are you following me?" the man asked, his bold voice betrayed by the scent of fear that covered him.

"Your actions are pathetic, mortal. Pathetic and weak," Sesshomaru continued in an eerily calm and quiet voice. "Only those who have no power seek to prove themselves by attacking the weak and defenseless, yet that only proves to show how weak and pathetic you are."

"Huh, I don't know what you're talking about, pretty boy, but I'm not as weak as you think," the man taunted, his eyes making a purposeful sweep of the surrounding area.

"You are despicable," Sesshomaru told him without concern. He ran his fingers through his hair and locked his golden eyes on the man. "You would dare violate a child, then deny it when I can smell her blood on you as well as I could smell your seed on her. You shall die. And if by your statement you are referring to those pitiful men who even now are trying to encircle me, you should know that you are still sadly mistaken."

At that the man's features stretched with surprise then faded into an evil grin. "Well, men, I guess pretty boy's figured us out. Yeah, I took the little bitch. I confess. You caught me. I don't know who you are, but you obviously don't know who I am so I guess me and my boys will have to fill you in."

Sesshomaru gave him an almost bored look and interrupted, "Mortal, I care not who you or these humans are. You are no threat to me."

A voice behind him spoke, harsh and rasping. "Oh, you'll care once we mess up that face of yours, pretty boy. I just hope you're not afraid to get that fancy getup a little dirty. I heard it's hard to get blood out of silk."

Sesshomaru did not acknowledge the men that continued to move in closer, awaiting a signal from their leader, his prey. He smiled slightly. This fool would soon learn it was useless to defy him.

"Oooh, watch it fellows," another voice mocked. "He's got a couple of swords. He must be a dangerous samurai. But what's this? Oooh, even more dangerous, boys. We've got a one-armed samurai. What's the point of having two swords if you only got one arm? Guess math's not one of his strengths."

Raucous laughter echoed around him. He could hear the sounds of chains and various blunt weapons they so vainly thought to use against him.

Sesshomaru brushed his claws over the hilts of his swords. "My Tenseiga and Tokijin? Oh, I would not sully their blades with such lowly blood as yours."

More laughter erupted which was cut off by a shout from the man Sesshomaru pursued. "Men, I think we'd better put this guy out of his misery. He's insane."

As one the men lunged for Sesshomaru who remained still. He casually lifted his right hand, claws glowing, as he released his light whip. Spinning in place, his lithe white form became a blur within the glowing arcs of his whip. The men did not have the chance to cry out before their bodies were reduced to bleeding hunks of flesh.

Sesshomaru came to a stop facing his again terrified prey. The light retreated back to his fingers, and he lowered his claws.

"Wha- what the hell are you?" the man cried out backing up against the brick wall. He tried and failed to keep from vomiting as he saw what was left of his companions.

Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose at the putrid stench. He took a step closer and said in his same, even tone, "You are weak, pathetic mortal. An abomination even among humans. Never again will you harm Rin."

The man, now in a panic, latched onto what he saw as his only hope. Dropping to his knees, he pleaded, "Rin? Who's Rin? My niece's name is Yumi. Please, please don't hurt me. I've never touched this Rin. Have mercy, please. You've made a mistake."

"Silence! You have no honor, that is clear, but do you not have the self-respect to die as a man?" Sesshomaru barked, showing the first spark of emotion to this insolent cur. "And it is you who is mistaken, mortal. Mercy is not one of my vices."

He stepped forward lifting claws now dripping poison prepared to deliver the death blow when the man suddenly tightened his hand around a small hilt that had been hidden beneath his shirt. In one smooth motion the man removed a strange, short sword and pointed it at him. Taken aback that one, the mortal had the audacity to defy him, and two, that he had thought to do it with this, short, hollow sword, Sesshomaru hesitated.

A loud crack deafened him for a moment and he felt a sharp sting in his shoulder. He did not let the surprise phase him, instead he slowly stepped closer moving in reach of the man's throat. The look of triumph drained with the blood from the man's face. Sesshomaru smirked, allowing his eyes to glow red, and taunted, "Did you assume that pathetic weapon could injure me?"

The man engaged the weapon twice more, both times piercing his armor and flesh. Sesshomaru glared down at the man who continued to point the thing at him with his eyes closed. It no longer barked to life with its deafening roar. Tracing a claw along the hollow metal portion, Sesshomaru watched his poison dissolve the metal and ooze down to burn holes in the man's hand. Cries of pain burst from the man's mouth coupled with further pleas for mercy.

"Since you are no more than a weak human my poison will kill you quickly which is more than you deserve," Sesshomaru told him, then he dug his claws into the man's neck. The poison did indeed work quickly, and a few moments later the man lay dead at his feet. The smell of the man's blood on his claws disgusted him, so Sesshomaru released more poison to dissolve it off.

He then moved away from the carnage. His chest and stomach burned and his ears throbbed as a result of the loudness of the weapon. Lifting his claws to his chest, Sesshomaru felt hot blood pouring from the wounds. Just what was that strange weapon?

Sesshomaru returned to the hospital at a slow, yet steady pace. He bared his fangs and growled into the night. He absolutely refused to accept that such a pathetic mortal had managed to land a blow. Not even the half-breed could do that easily. The wounds were small, but the blow to his pride was what stung. He debated returning to resurrect the mortal with Tenseiga so that he could kill him yet again.

The warmth of blood had begun to spread on his back as well where whatever the man had launched at him had exited. He fingered the holes in his armor, armor that could turn aside arrows with ease.

So, things have changed quite a bit, he thought. He glanced up at the massive structure of the hospital before entering. Yet even with such weapons, they are no match for this Sesshomaru. I will not be taken unawares again, though even I must rest before I attempt to confront that healer. If what the miko's mother claims is true, then I will be faced with many of these strange, new weapons at once.

Sesshomaru ignored the stares of humans as he made his way to the silver panel again. Two, he had been on the level numbered two. Now all he had to do was activate the spell. As the panels slid open he was pleased to find it empty. Moving inside, he briefly inspected his appearance in the mirrors.

Most of the blood was concealed beneath his armor or his hair, and the one wound to his shoulder could be hidden with his fur. Allowing any of the humans to know of his injuries was not an option. The pain in his stomach only grew worse, though. It felt as though a demon had raked its claws through his gut. It would take him longer than he had first thought to heal.

Now, he had to activate the box. Biting back frustration, he quickly pressed the number two. No pain, or spark of energy coursed through him. Of course they wouldn't have put a barrier against demons. These humans did not believe demons existed. The compliant box immediately hummed to life, carrying him back to the floor where he had left that human woman.

Sesshomaru was about to leave the box when he sensed the miko being moved. Closing his eyes, he used the weakening connection to locate her somewhere above his current position. Some deep instinct drove him to seek her out; he needed to be by her side, to be wrapped in her embrace again.

Curse that wench! he growled in his mind. She was manipulating his emotions, making him weak. His claws returned to the numbers and pressed three. He would stop at each level if he had to and search each room before he would ask a human for help.

xxxxxx

"Your daughter is doing well, Mrs. Higurashi," the doctor said in a pleasant voice.

He stood in a small room at the foot of the bed where Kagome rested peacefully. Mrs. Higurashi sat beside her daughter amazed by the good color of her face after loosing so much blood.

She cast a grateful smile at the doctor's stern, well-groomed face and said, "Oh, thank you so much for helping her, doctor."

He gave her a cold smile and said in much too eager voice, "You should be thanking her fiancé more than me. His donation was most helpful. By the way, where is the young man? I was hoping to give him my thanks and apologize for being so abrupt with him earlier. I understand now he was just being protective."

Mrs. Higurashi did not like his words. Each one seemed to be loaded with several sinister meanings that the almost hungry gleam in his eyes only increased. She felt afraid of this man, almost as much as she feared Sesshomaru. At least the demon seemed to follow some code of honor, not to mention he would be returning to his own time soon enough. This man was greedy and deceptive, and he wasn't going anywhere.

Before she had a chance to reply, a silky voice spoke up from the door. "How kind of you to be concerned with my whereabouts, healer. I was simply out getting some fresh air."

Tension seized the room and Mrs. Higurashi could almost swear she felt Sesshomaru's demonic aura clouding the air around them. Dark, eager eyes met cold golden ones as the two stared at each other for a moment.

"Indeed. Well, I wanted to apologize for my rudeness earlier, but I assure you I only had this dear girl's best interests at heart," the doctor replied in a honeyed tone. "I take it you'll be here tonight watching over her, would you like for me to have a meal sent up for you?"

"I require nothing you can provide," Sesshomaru responded in his usual even tone. Mrs. Higurashi was beginning to grow accustomed to this by now, but she noticed it still unsettled the doctor. He shifted and had to rework his forced smile.

Fortunately, a knock at the door shattered the tension and the doctor hastily moved to answer it. A young orderly stood outside and whispered, "Dr. Moto, you asked me to report anything unusual to you immediately."

An eager grin answered the young man and the doctor leaned back into the room and said, "If you would excuse me for just a moment."

Drawing shut behind him to keep from being overheard, the doctor gripped the orderly by the arm and snapped, "Okay, boy, spill it."

"Um, well sir, a man has just been brought in dead," the young man answered nervously.

"I see dead men every day, fool, what was so unusual about it?"

"They said they found him in an alley surrounded by the bodies of seven or eight men, but those bodies were all sliced into pieces," the young man replied. "But our dead man, he died of poison, some kind of extremely lethal unidentified poison. He died in a matter of seconds, his insides and most of his body dissolved by the toxin."

"Thank you, boy. You've been most helpful," the doctor told him with a satisfied grin. He released the orderly's arm and fished his wallet from his coat pocket. A large wad of cash made its way into the orderly's pocket and the doctor added in a low voice, "And that should assure that I get that body. Understood?"

The orderly's face began to mirror the doctor's. "Yes, sir! Oh, but sir?"

"Yes?"

"You'd better come quickly. The poison is still dissolving him. Soon there won't even be bones left."

"Where have you-" Mrs. Higurashi began to demand once the doctor had left the room, but the demon turned his back to her and spat, "Silence, wench!"

Mrs. Higurashi bit back an angry retort as she noticed him focused on the door. He must be listening to what that doctor is saying, she realized.

Feeling tired and frustrated, Mrs. Higurashi jumped when her cell phone started to ring. Sesshomaru shot her a heated glare before turning his attention back to the conversation outside. Mrs. Higurashi smiled as she moved to the far window and answered. Sesshomaru had jumped at the sudden sound as well. Sota spoke loudly from his end of the line.

"Mom, how's Kagome doing? Do you think I can come down and see the de- I mean her?"

Mrs. Higurashi glanced over her shoulder at Sesshomaru before she answered, "No, you may not come down here to gawk at Inuyasha's brother."

Sota let out a whine and said, "Aw, mom, I really am worried about Kagome. It's just, well, he's a full demon, isn't he? And Kagome gets to see them all the time. Besides, he's Inuyasha's brother so he should be nice too, right?"

Mrs. Higurashi's hesitation hung heavily in the air. This demon was not at all like Inuyasha, and she did not want her other child anywhere near him. He could probably even hear every word of their conversation if he could hear well enough to eavesdrop on the doctor outside, and she did not want to say anything that might anger him. It was out of the question, Sota could not come, but she did need to go home. They would need food for tomorrow and Kagome would need fresh clothes to wear when she awoke.

"Sota, you know it is too late for you to be going anywhere. Kagome is doing just fine and needs her rest right now. But I'll be coming home to get some things for Kagome and prepare meals for you and Grandpa for tomorrow."

"Oh, okay. And he'll come with you, right?"

"Sota," Mrs. Higurashi said in a warning tone.

"Fine, and give Kagome a hug for me, please. I want her to get better soon."

"I will. See you soon, sweetie

A moment later the doctor returned, looking extremely pleased about something. Mrs. Higurashi frowned at this. She glanced up at Sesshomaru, but the demon's face was still unreadable.

"Pardon me, Mrs. Higurashi, but I have an urgent patient in need of my attention downstairs," the doctor told them with exemplary professionalism and a stiff bow. "I'll be back later to check on your daughter's condition, but don't you worry. She'll be fine. Good evening to you both."

With that he nearly ran out the door. Mrs. Higurashi clasped her hands together and said with a sigh, "I'm not sorry to see that man go. He reminds me of a snake in the grass."

She heard a strange noise from the demon, she would have thought it to be laughter from anyone but him. "That image came to my mind as well."

He moved over to the window and stood staring out at a nearly full moon.

"Sesshomaru," she said softly. "Are you hungry? I've got to go home to get some things for Kagome and see to my son and father. I could fix you something to eat if you'd like to come with me?"

The demon did not move, but she could see the reflection of his pale face in the glass. He appeared pensive, emotionless, but very pensive. She hated to bring him anywhere near her home, but he might cause trouble if he stayed. Anyway, he might to go back through the well now that Kagome was going to be fine.

"You think that to be the lesser of two evils." It was a statement rather than a question.

Despite the quiet of his voice, when the demon spoke it startled her. Mrs. Higurashi looked at the reflection of his face trying to determine his mood. He was too cunning to speak casually with.

"Do not think I am as dim-witted as that half-demon," his eyes met hers through the reflection. "I can smell your fear of me, and I know you are torn between protecting your pack and your precious time from me. Yet you are much like the miko, for despite your fear of me; you fear for me. You seek to protect me knowing that I could kill you at any moment without remorse."

Mrs. Higurashi tensed at his speech. What was he trying to say?

"I do not need your protection, human!" Sesshomaru snapped. "Even in this time, I am more than capable of handling threats. You will do me the honor of acknowledging this as well as giving me the respect owed to one of my station. I am no deceitful human with petty interests to appease. I have given my word not to harm you or yours as long as no attempt is made against my person. I have ignored countless insults and suffered your healer to live this far even though he has proved to be no more than a 'snake in the grass' as you so eloquently put it."

Why is he being so candid all of the sudden? Mrs. Higurashi wondered wryly. "Petty interests, huh," she muttered under her breath. "And trying to kill your own brother and a young girl for a stupid sword isn't petty?"

The words struck her as soon as they left her mouth, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late. Before she could blink, he was towering over her, his eyes burning red in the semidarkness of the room.

"You dare question my motives in the affairs of my pack, mortal? You will know your place and acknowledge your betters, wench!" he actually shouted at her.

"I'm sorry, Sesshomaru. I didn't mean to impugn your honor. You have done much to repay your debt to my daughter, and I am grateful." Mrs. Higurashi watched as he battled back his rage, returning his eyes to their usual gold color. The demon seemed to pride himself on control and poise, so something must be bothering him for him to lose it like that.

"I trust your word not to harm humans unnecessarily, but the offer still stands. You must be starving, and the snack machines don't have anything worth eating. Trust me, I already tried them."

He backed away from her and said softly, "I require nothing from you, woman. I do not eat human food, nor do I need to eat as often. Go to your pack, and care for them. I will remain here."

Mrs. Higurashi knew that was not a request. For whatever reason, the demon wished to be alone. Planting a kiss on Kagome's forehead, she told him, "I'll be back sometime before dawn. She will be safe with you."

Sesshomaru nodded, understanding that hers was not a question either. He followed her to the door, then blocked it with a large wooden piece of furniture after she had gone. Satisfied that no one could get in, he staggered over to the chair beside Kagome's bed. His belly felt as though a fire had been lit within it, and the pain threatened to thrust him from consciousness.

He stripped out of his armor, not seeing the blood he dripped on the floor. Sinking into the chair, he inspected the tiny holes in his armor. Looking at the inside of the back plate, he noticed a small piece of metal, coated in his blood, imbedded in it. How could something so small have in inflicted so much damage in passing?

He pulled open his kimono and studied his flesh. The three places where the man had struck were already beginning to heal, but inside he felt as though his insides had been shredded. His vision swam with the pain and he closed his eyes to fight it back. Soon, Sesshomaru fell into a fitful sleep and other images began to crowd his thoughts.

Cold, rushing water dragged him down, filling his lungs and inciting terror. But then, she was there. Her warm arms holding him; her gentle voice reassuring him. Her eyes made his heart stir as they watched him.

The pain wracked his body and fever raged, but somehow he knew she could help.

He saw her lying there, sleeping next to a dim fire. The cat demon had curled herself around him, and the fox kit snored loudly from its position on her tail. The darkness seemed to loom all around and fear gripped his heart as he thought of the spider demon that had chased him. It had wanted to eat him. It had said so. He had been dead, a victim of the river, until she swept him up, protected him.

He knew he needed to be near her. Quietly, Sesshomaru lifted himself from the cat demon's embrace. The fox kit twitched and muttered, "Stupid Inuyasha," before settling back into his dreams. Desperately, he moved toward the sleeping girl. Inuyasha's ear twitched at the soft rustle of silk against grass, but did not awake. Soon, he was at her side, her scent soothing him and her warmth encouraging him to curl up beside her. Tucking his fur around himself, he snuggled against her, content. Fear, pain, the darkness- it all vanished with her embrace.

Sesshomaru crept over to the bed and slid in beside Kagome. His eyes were glazed with pain, but a calm settled over him as his body pressed against the warmth of hers. Her steady heartbeat murmured softly to him. In unconscious response, she moved closer to his warmth and tossed an arm over him. Sesshomaru drifted into a deeper, dreamless sleep, soothed and comforted by the scent and the embrace that had haunted him for days. He had found what he had not even known he was searching for.