Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or related characters, settings, or anything else.

"Speaking" Inuyasha's thoughts Sesshoumaru's thoughts

Author's Notes: I love reviewers. I also love suggestions, which includes ideas for this story, story requests, and recommended reading.

Also, I should warn you, my muses are fickle, and the fact is this is the first thing I've written in over a month, and it's been even longer since I updated my story The Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo.

This is probably going to have two chapters. If not, then three. If not… the point is, this isn't a long-term story. It's a random short story about an event that didn't take up much time. This story does not take place in a specific period in the series, just sometime after Sesshoumaru resurrects Rin.

On with the story

A Debt Repaid

"Oh my GOD!"

Oh no…

"I can't believe this!"

How could I let this happen?

"I can't believe you let this happen!"

To think that THIS Sesshoumaru should be saved by-

"I can't believe I just save YOU of all people!"

"Inuyasha."

"I can't- huh? Yeah Sesshoumaru?"

"As much as it pains this Sesshoumaru to admit-" though he looked more disgusted than pained, "I would have been severely injured had you not… interfered. And so I am…" Sesshoumaru's nose wrinkled as though he smelled something foul, "In your debt…"

"Wow. Does this mean you're gonna stop trying to kill him?" Piped Kagome, who had just entered the clearing.

This Sesshoumaru did not even notice her until she was within an arrows range. This Sesshoumaru clearly is not well.

"Of course not. This Sesshoumaru will kill Inuyasha. However, " turning to Inuyasha, "Inuyasha, you may choose your payment, within reason."

"Stop trying to kill me."

"No."

"Give me you're word you won't kill my companions."

"No."

"Acknowledge my right to exist."

"Never."

Inuyasha let out an exasperated sigh, "Then what will you do? I can't think of anything else you have to offer me! And none of those would cost you anything to give me."

"On the contrary, Inuyasha, it would cost me everything."

"What do you mean? I'm not doing anything by being alive. What threat am I by just being alive? It's not like I want kids or anything. If I live, I'll just die eventually, and then my tainted blood will end with me. I'm not stupid enough to try and claim your title, no one would follow a half breed like me. It costs you nothing to just wait until I die rather than going out of your way not to kill me!" The hint of resentment in the word tainted did not go unnoticed.

"Inuyasha, as fathers only legitimate heir it is my duty to kill you. To give you my word that I won't kill your friends would be to put myself at risk because in battle they could attack me in an attempt to protect you- it has happened before. To give my word that I would not kill them without cause would be pointless because I would not waste my time killing humans without cause, and it would therefore not repay my debt. And to acknowledge your right to exist is not possible, because I do not believe you have that right, and neither do my followers."

"Then you have nothing to offer me." Inuyasha turned and started to leave.

There must be something this Sesshoumaru can offer… Of course.

"Answers."

"What?" Inuyasha turned and gave him a questioning glare.

"This Sesshoumaru has answers."

"Answers to what?"

"Questions."

"Which questions?"

Baka hanyou.

"Inuyasha, this Sesshoumaru has been alive for a great deal longer than you. I guarantee there will be things I know that you don't, that you will find interesting."

"Yeah, right."

"You doubt me?"

"Name one thing a spoiled prince like you knows that I would be interested in."

"This Sesshoumaru is a Lord, not a prince."

"Whatever. Name one thing."

"Our Father."

"Ha! What do I care what he was like?"

"Then you are not interested in how he died, or how he felt about his little hanyou son, or why the head of a race of demons who supposedly take only one mate obviously took two, or."

"Ok, ok, I know what I want."

Caught you, Little Brother.

"Oh?"

"One day. One day to ask you whatever I want, and you have to answer with the truth. The whole truth. That means no lies, no avoiding, just the straight truth."

Shit. I hadn't expected that baka to be so thorough. But this Sesshoumaru will not continue in the debt of a hanyou.

"Agreed."

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End Chapter

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Ok, so there will be at least two chapters. Oh, and just to warn you, the questions Sesshoumaru used to bait Inuyasha will not necessarily be the ones he asks. They are only there to show Inuyasha that being able to ask Sesshoumaru questions and actually get answers is an offer he shouldn't refuse. Oh, and one other thing, my chapters are nearly always short. I've been known to write 2 or 3 chapters in the same day, so it isn't necessarily a lack of inspiration (it's usually either pouring or in draught, no middle ground) it's just my style. There are certain places that it just feels right for the chapter to end, and for me it's usually sooner rather than later. Please Review!