Prompt: Discord Drabble Nights October 2021 [Beast]

Inspiration: She's Not Just a Pretty Face by Shania Twain

Summary: An argument with his brother causes Sesshoumaru to come to an interesting revelation.

Power

"It would serve you better to employ everything at your disposal."

Inuyasha bristled even though there was no threat or malice in Sesshoumaru's tone. "What are you on about now?"

"The miko."

Inuyasha's ears pressed against his head, his hand already on the handle of Tessaiga. "What about her?"

"You are ignoring her power."

"Keh! I ain't ignoring shit! She's human. I gotta protect her."

"You are a fool to think she cannot do that herself."

"Look, I know she got a bunch more power now after that thing with Magatsuhi, but you haven't been around her like the rest of us. She gets captured a lot."

Free

"If that is true, it is due to your lack of abilities."

"Shut up, ya bastard! You don't know what we've been through!"

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at his brother, the scent of his agitation and guilt souring the air.

"This One has seen enough to know it is the miko that has sacrificed the most. She seeks to free the rest of you from your burdens while the web that binds her tightens by the day."

Inuyasha's eyes flickered away in shame.

So he is aware and does nothing.

"You try and stop Kagome from doing anything she's already set her mind on."

True

"You speak as if her tenacity lowers her worth."

"Stop talking as if you know her! She's part of my pack!" Inuyasha smirked at the look of surprise on Sesshoumaru's face. "Yeah, I know about that shit. Mom was able to tell me some things before—"

"If you understand the true meaning of the word, then you understand the disrespect you are causing your alpha female by not allowing her to perform to her full potential."

A dark blush stained his brother's cheeks, the foul stench of his shame overpowering the scent of the lush forest surrounding them.

"Perhaps you still have more to learn about what it means to be 'pack', little brother."

Spirit

Sesshoumaru watched as Inuyasha slunk back to camp, giving into the urge to roll his eyes before turning back to the stream that flowed through the glade.

Elemental spirits wafted through the bubbling waters, their laughter washing away the tension as they splashed against the bank's edges.

Waves caught fire in the golden rays of twilight.

It seemed to be the calm before the storm, and Sesshoumaru sucked in a deep breath, trying to relieve the tension in his shoulders.

The spider hanyou had yet to make his final move and the list of those Sesshoumaru wanted to keep safe seemed to be expanding by the day.

Dominate

The snap of a twig had him whirling around, his youki instantly seeking to dominate as it bore down on the being that stepped out of the tree line.

He was loathed to admit he'd been distracted, but when his gaze met that of the miko, he felt his ire turn to pure astonishment. Not only was she still upright, but he sensed little of her reiki.

How had she managed to get this close without him noticing?

As if reading his mind, she gave him a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I heard you arguing and figured it was better to stay hidden."

Maw

She'd 'heard'? How long had she been concealing herself?

And more importantly, how much of her power had been unlocked by Magatsuhi's defeat?

"Inuyasha has never been able to control the volume of his voice."

The woman nodded, now standing beside him. Tucking a wayward curl behind her ear, she watched the water nymphs point at them, giggling at some joke they were not privy to.

For once the miko seemed content with the silence, her normally incessant chatter giving way to the sounds of nature.

Sesshoumaru found it stifling.

"I am—"

Soft lips pressed against the underside of his jaw.

Control

If Sesshoumaru had been a lesser youkai, his instincts would have easily taken hold.

As it was, he still struggled to remain in control of his humanoid facilities, viciously clamping down on the urge to claim—or at least acknowledge—the female in front of him.

Was she not aware of the intention behind such an open invitation? Had his brother, even the slayer, taught her nothing of the language of youkai?

"Thank you." Her voice was soft, quickly carried away with the flow of the stream.

He gave her a questioning look, his skin still tingling where she'd kissed him

Feral

The smile she gifted him in return had butterfly wings brushing against the inside of his stomach.

"You believe in me even though you haven't been fighting with us for that long. It means a lot. And that you stuck up for me."

The tone of her voice made it sound like it was something that didn't happen very often, and he suddenly wished he could do more; the thought of her potential being squandered by the closed-minded imbeciles she called friends making his eyes bleed crimson.

He growled as he turned to face her. "Would you permit me to test something, miko?"

Unleash

She blinked, as if caught up in her own thoughts, then cocked her head to the side. "I guess so. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone."

Golden eyes softened, crimson receding. The miko would protect others even if it brought harm unto herself.

It was a gift.

It was a curse.

Sesshoumaru unleashed his youki, the elementals in the water squealing in fear and racing downstream.

Trees swayed; the air heavy as he watched her with keen eyes. Blue eyes blinked again, then creased with determination, her lips curving up into a smirk.

The force of her power, as it swelled up to meet his own, almost made him stagger.

Tooth

Sesshoumaru had learned the hard way not to underestimate the slight woman in front of him.

He would not make the same mistake twice.

Allowing his youki to build even more, he watched as she began to glow, her body becoming a conduit for pure, untapped reiki.

In a moment of clarity, he grinned, flashing a pale fang before finally reigning in his youki, the miko's face a mix of confusion and confidence.

"You are worthy, miko, regardless of what anyone else says."

A delightful blush spilled onto her cheeks, and she bit her lip.

"I implore you to remember that as the final battle draws near.

Claw

They re-entered the camp together, Inuyasha's belligerent rants quickly cut off as the miko sent him face first into the forest floor. She brushed past him and sat down beside Rin, engaging both his ward and the kit into a game of words.

As soon as the spell wore off, Inuyasha attempted to berate the miko again and Sesshoumaru felt his claws prick his palms.

But his reaction was unwarranted, reiki exploding from the miko as she levelled his brother with an intense but silent stare, the welp retreating without any further arguments.

Yes.

The miko was indeed worthy.