An Old Rival Returns

"Danzaemon, you say!" Myoga hopped back onto Inuyasha's shoulder. "He's back?"

"Myoga, you know of this demon?" Miroku asked.

"Yes, yes, it was years ago. Lord Sesshomaru was still a boy by demon standards. He and your father had traveled into Moth territory. There were talks of a truce. No one wanted to take on the great dog-demon and your father took Lord Sesshomaru along to show just who would be his heir and ensure dominance over the Western territories."

Inuyasha looked over at his brother and felt a twinge of envy. Sesshomaru had been able to spend time with their father, had been chosen by the great general to take over the lands once he passed on. His hand tightened on his sword, the only thing he knew of that his father had meant for him to have, that and his robe of the fire rat – it wasn't enough, yet it was all he had. Feeling Kagome's hand on his chest he looked up and knew she could read his thoughts. Mentally shaking off the melancholy Inuyasha once again paid attention to the flea.

"I take it there was a problem." Miroku wanted to know.

"Oh no, of course not. Fighting my lord meant death for them. No the moth lord agreed to the truce but his son was angered by it all, he wanted to fight and show that moths weren't afraid of the general but Lord Sesshomaru treated him with contempt, for he was a weakling. You see he was a mixed-demon!"

Sango had stayed inside with Rin but at these words she came to stand in the doorway. "A real mixed-demon? They really exist?" She couldn't believe it. "My father had mentioned them to me but he said it was rare, that most demons wouldn't consider such an abomination." Sango looked to Inuyasha who was frowning.

"What the hell is a mixed-demon?" He didn't like the look of embarrassment on Sango's face.

"Consider yourself lucky, little brother. Even you with your dirty human blood, is much better than being a bastard mixed-breed. Danzaemon is part moth, part panther and part human." Sesshomaru stared at his brother. Yes, Inuyasha was much purer as a half-demon than Danzaemon.

"But how is that possible?" Shippo asked looking confused.

"The moth lord fell in love with what he thought was a human woman but soon found out she was half-panther. Her panther side didn't manifest itself but on certain occasions but when his son was born – it was sickly and would change from one to the other of it's make-up without control. The moth people revolted and would not accept him as their next ruler. In the end, the child and his mother were sent away to the continent never to be heard from again." Myoga looked at Sesshomaru. "But it seems he has returned, perhaps his father has died and he's come back to rule."

"Her words…now they make sense. Danzaemon has indeed returned." Sesshomaru moved up into the hut. Miroku, Sango and Shippo quickly got out of his way. She laid quietly, her small chest rising and falling easily. Bandages were wrapped about her neck and chest – a medicinal scent emanating from them.

Dropping to one knee, Sesshomaru placed his hand against her cheek. In her sleep, the little head turned into his palm. His thumb caressed the smooth skin. "Be safe. I'll return soon."

It was a touching scene but as always, Sesshomaru's face didn't reveal anything. Stepping outside he moved away from the others and looked to the sky. "Jaken and Ah-Un will arrive soon; use them to help protect the girl." Looking over his shoulder he sought Kagome's face. "I expect to find her better when I return."

Kagome knew in her heart that he was asking her to care for Rin in his absence. She nodded. "Rin will be fine."

"Wait a damn minute!" Inuyasha moved to stand before his brother. "You're just gonna leave her here and go look for this – mixed demon by yourself? What if that demon shows up here looking for you?"

"Then you will have to protect her! Danzaemon is looking for me and I will kill him for the harm he has done!" Sesshomaru's voice betrayed how very angry he was as he stared daggers at his brother.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome shook her head.

Inuyasha sighed, Sesshomaru rarely showed any anger and he knew nothing he said would have any affect on what he was going to do. Turning his back on him, Inuyasha moved to stand beside Kagome. "We'll stay here a few days. Rin will be safe."

Neither looked at the other but to everyone else, they couldn't be more alike. Sesshomaru once again transformed into a bright light and sped off into the distance. The three humans looked at each other before separating and doing what was needed to make the hut safer and to protect it from any attacks.