Sweetest Sin

DaggersBloodPain

Chapter Twelve

Three Rounds

The Eastern Training yard was set up like a modern day stadium, the actual field was ringed with places for visiting youkai to come and watch the practice sessions. It was a fairly effective intimidation tactic, but it made this yard the ideal place for Inuyasha to prove himself, there would be an audience to confirm the results and spread the right rumors.

Inuyasha and the Bear youkai faced off in the middle. No move had been made by either one as the rules had not been agreed upon yet. Sesshomaru's calm voice washed over them. The first set of instructions was mainly directed at Inuyasha.

"The fight will be fought in three rounds. The first round you may not use any weapon not gifted in your blood, it is a test of your youkai potential. The second round you will fight in your transformed state, this is a test of your control. The third round has no boundaries, any weapon and any form is allowed, this is a test of your skill. Inuyasha you must win all three rounds to claim your place, and if for some reason your opponent can no longer fight a replacement will be brought in for the remaining rounds." When Sesshomaru finished his speech Inuyasha knew his new mate had something planned for the final round. There was a suspicious gleam in Sesshomaru's eyes.

Turning back to focus on his opponent he carefully removed the Tetsusaiga from his hip and placed it in Sesshomaru's hands, knowing that would be the first time he had ever willingly handed over the coveted sword to his brother. Without the grip of the ancient sword on his youkai he carefully unleashed the demon from his mind allowing his markings to show and his eyes to bleed red. He stopped the transformation before he lost his humanoid body, but even this much of a transformation was a shock for the gathered nobles who even if they had a run in with the hanyou previously hadn't known he could do it.

"You will begin on my mark," Sesshomaru stated as he withdrew from the eminent battlefield. "Three, two, one begin!" He called once he was a safe distance.

The bear decided to rush at Inuyasha first, he figured one good slam would send the more delicate Youkai flying. He was not expecting Inuyasha to anticipate the move and dodge out of the way bringing his sharp claws down digging into his back. Blood spurted up out of the deep gauges bathing Inuyasha's clawed hand in blood, unleashing even more of his youkai.

Inuyasha did not give the bear a chance to recover from the blow before he was slamming into the bear from all directions, sometimes drawing blood other times just shaking the Bear's confidence. He was deliberately goading the Bear trying to make his angry, an angry opponent was more likely to make mistakes.

It did not take long for the Bear to recover a bit and start striking back, landing a blow to Inuyasha's ribs that started to bleed, unknowingly giving the hanyou yet another weapon. Quickly springing backwards Inuyasha carefully coated his claws in his own blood. Whipping his hand around quickly the blood flew off it and formed a liquid blade that cut in deeply just below the Bear demon's neck missing being fatal by mere centimeters. Blood poured out of the wound like a fountain for moments before the skin began to stitch back together faster than a normal youkai would heal, this was the Bear demon's blood gift.

Inuyasha immediately flew back into the fight once he realized what was happening he knew even if the would was healing the Bear had still lost a significant amount of blood which took longer to come back from than the actual injury in most cases. As long as he could keep landing blows that bled high volumes of blood quickly he could incapacitate the Bear.

Inuyasha was not unharmed in the fight, he was bleeding and bruised too, but the bear was far worse off. His underestimation of Inuyasha was costing him the fight. Dealing blow after blow Inuyasha was steadily wearing out the Bear's healing abilities, more blood was flowing, and the Bear was getting unsteady on his feet. With one quick swipe Inuyasha had the Bear on the ground, his clawed hand wrapped around the stocky throat.

"Do you yield?" Inuyasha asked formally.

"Yes," The Bear admitted grudgingly, he knew he would need help to limp his way out of the training yard and to the awaiting healers.

"Does anyone contest the victory?" Sesshomaru asked the watching crowd, when no objections were raised he declared, "Inuyasha has won the first round, who wishes to face him in the Second?"

A member of the palace guard came forward already transforming into a giant, sleek, black panther. Inuyasha saw him coming and became the enormous snowy white dog. Without waiting for Sesshomaru's signal, as it wasn't needed they clashed together in a ball of teeth and claws. Both youkai were slim and agile but Inuyasha was just a touch stronger and the cat a bit faster.

Growls and snarls were the only sounds in the training yard, the spectators all holding their breath at the display of power. The panther Youkai had obviously earned their position in the guard, Inuyasha would have to work hard to beat this experienced fighter.

He tried to bite and claw at the tender abdomen but the panther always managed to twist away making Inuyasha's teeth and claws graze his flanks. Blood flowed between the two, neither managing to land a debilitating blow. It was a very close fight. If Inuyasha won this one he would truly earn the respect of the watching Youkai.

When he realized going for the soft spots was not going to work he switched tactics. Grabbing at the panthers tail the youkai turned around with a snarl to be met with claws to the face. Blood running freely down the pitch black fur the panther was momentarily blinded by the blood in his eyes. Giving Inuyasha just enough time to get his jaws around the Youkai's throat, and squeeze.

He did not bite down hard enough to kill, just enough to prove he won. At the same moment they both reined in their inner youkai and reversed the transformation. It was a fair win once more.

"For the final round I claim my right to Challenge. I will fight in the last round." Sesshomaru commanded smoothly dismissing the panther from the fight

So this was what Sesshomaru had planned, if he beat his brother the revelation they were mates would go over a little easier. He would truly earn the alpha position if he won.

Sesshomaru gave back the Tetsusaiga, but Inuyasha managed to hold onto the partial transformation thanks to all their practice. As long as he kept his mind the sword did not interfere, one of the more interesting properties the sword acquired when Inuyasha's own fang was used to mend it.

At a silent nod the battle started with their swords clashing. They moved and dodged with the grace and speed of seasoned fighters, and the passion and fire of lovers. Their whole relationship was laid out before the spectator's eyes as they fought.

They were loving every minute of it and were prolonging the fight just to enjoy the play of muscles and the blood singing through their veins. They were born and bred fighters, the thrill of battle and of the hunt was part of their genetic make up, when fighting each other these traits were amplified and enjoyed. The longer battle also allowed for a larger exhibition of skill.

In truth the previous battles and wounds should have tired out Inuyasha, Sesshomaru should have rightfully won the fight. It would not have been easy to win it but with Inuyasha weakened it shouldn't have ended the way it did with Tetsusaiga pressed against him with his yield. The secret of the fight would be taken to their graves.

Sesshomaru had let Inuyasha win.