I may not be able to update this fanfic as frequently in future as the school holidays are over. However, I'll try not to drag each chapter for too long. Sorry for the inconvenience.

There's another thing... I noticed that when my fanfic is in the romance/action/adventure section, the reviews I received are very little (like 2 reviews a week). But when I switched it back to general/action/adventure, the reviews increased (like 4 reviews a week). It's really weird...but anyway, I'll most probably switch the genre of the story once in a while, just to experiment with it and see how the response is. - Hope whoever that read this fic wouldn't mind...

Glossary:

Miko: priestess

Hanyou: half demon

Youkai: demon

Osuwari: sit

Ramen: Japanese noodles

Haori: the red coat Inuyasha's wearing

Katana: sword

Kaze no Kizu: Wind scar

Senkonketsu: Iron Reaver Soul Stealer

Baka: Idiot

Inu: Dog

Chapter 8

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Shippo's dramatic entrance did not help much in preparing them for the surprise that was following up. A steady rhythm was heard, and also felt as the ground shook and wobble. Once again, Inuyasha and the gang enjoy the utter misfortune to be stalked by a youkai.

And it seems that the particular vixen behind all these attacks have a preference for big-sized youkai. This round, it's a tongue spitting lizard which crawls on four. The circumstances? Its worst than the last. Inuyasha's human and could neither protect Kagome nor Shippo. In fact, he himself requires protection.

Like all youkai who stalked them, this lizard youkai wasted not time in attacking. A blow followed by another, fashioned viciously to hit its victim with maximum force, or to take down as many people as possible. Inuyasha and the gang could only play defense. They, had no means of offence.

The wind was carrying a familiar scent..." The Prince of the West Lands thought, "...but the matters of that particular person do not concern me." He decided hard heartedly. Walking away from the edge of the cliff, a young human girl and an ugly looking toad came out to greet him. Strange companions indeed for a taiyoukai...

"Sesshomaru-sama, look what Rin had made!" The human girl was far from being afraid of this formidable creature. Surprisingly, she was actually squealing excitedly about a garland of flowers she just made, a garland of flowers which bloom only at night.

Sesshomaru merely glanced at Rin's proud creation, for his mind was too preoccupied- he is still keeping tab on the scent. An unwanted disturbance was tingling in his very youkai senses, and he responded by trying to shake it off. Walking away would be the best thing to do, although he fully knows that his upbringing does not really approve of that. Taking another step, he stopped again in his tracks. Now, this time it was really unnerving, because the scent of that worthless half breed...was now tainted with blood and an unmistakable odor of youkai poison.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed in horror as Inuyasha shielded her from the lizard's deadly claws. His haori split opened, revealing a huge wound that ran from his left shoulders to his waist. Thick blood slowly seeped out, and worst still, the skin around the slash had started turning purple, a clear indication that toxin was injected. Pale and shaken, Kagome knelt beside his limp body, shiny tears were beginning to roll down her no longer rosy cheeks. She tried to help him up, but his current state allowed him no further than kneeling. "Uh..." He groaned as he felt the venom on his wound slowly making their way to other parts of his body. Desperate, the gang huddled closely, trying their best not to let fear take over their logical state of mind as the foul youkai crept nearer. Spitting its forked tongue and eyes gleaming maliciously at its prey, the youkai raised its claw to give its death sentence. Kagome couldn't watch, she didn't have the courage to watch. Adjusting herself slightly, she prepared for the final blow when...

A huge blast knocked the youkai off its feet before ramming it against a nearby tree. Everyone turned to take a good look at their savior, only to stifle gasp of amazement. Directing his katana at the lizard youkai, his expression remained stoic, ignoring all the attention he was gaining. In Kagome's eyes, Inuyasha may not sport purple jagged lines on his face, nor did he have that type of icy cold personality, but still, she could sense an unknown resemblance between both of them, Inuyasha and this commanding youkai. "Maybe...this is Inuyasha's sole living kin..."

Giving away no sign of worried ness or even the knowledge of the hurt Inuyasha, he walked calmly to the fainted lizard youkai. Raising his katana, his amber eyes spoke of no hesitation. Within a flash, Tokijin had pierced through the vermin's heart. Squirming in agony for the last few seconds of its life, it finally lay still as Sesshomaru felt its soul left its vessel. Drawing his sword out of the lifeless corpse, he sheathed it and walked away. His companions appeared than, walking out of the shadows, it was revealed that they are a weird two headed creature carrying a small girl. Jumping down from the creature's back, the girl ran to Kagome and chirped: "Let Ah-un send Sesshomaru-sama's brother home!"

"We don't need his help!" Inuyasha snarled angrily, followed up by a gasp as the pain of the wound shot throughout his body. Kagome held him tighter, noticing that his body was getting warmer every passing second. Making a hasty decision, she said to the little girl: "Thanks you for your help."

Inuyasha would've disagreed; he didn't want to own Sesshomaru any debts, but his energy drained out of his limbs as soon as he made any movement, so he had no choice but to let Shippo and Kagome heave him onto the steeds back before embarking themselves. Casting one last grateful glance at Rin, Kagome left with her friends, rising higher and higher into the misty clouds of the night sky. She knew her heart was thundering against her chest as Inuyasha's breath became slower. "Please...please get there in time..."

Sesshomaru did not look back. He was sure that Rin would join him soon as he did not go far. As for the minor task he entrusted her and Ah-un, he was sure they'll carry it out well. Though, that's the least of his problems. The much urgent one was about himself. When did he become so soft hearted? Why did he save that filthy half breed? Why couldn't he look at Inuyasha and gloat about the fact that his half brother was worthless? Was it really because he held not even the tiniest regard for his half brother? Or was it frighteningly because he couldn't stand looking at Inuyasha's pathetic state? He himself also doesn't know. Still, subconsciously, his heart felt a heavy burden taken off as he heard Rin reporting their safety. The rest...would depend on Inuyasha himself.