The Next Step

"If they are still alive, now is the perfect time to wipe Sesshomaru and his friends off the earth." Danzaemon was fully recovered and had just dined on two females. Standing he flexed his muscles and picked up his sword, settling it against his hip.

"My lord, don't you wish to have witnesses at your great victory? I could contact your clan and that way they could witness how powerful you are. None could speak against you once they see you defeat a great foe." Gituku stroked Danzaemon's ego. It was a good plan and would cement his position at Danzaemon's side.

Danzaemon thought about it. He wasn't sure if he wanted an audience. What if by some chance, Sesshomaru was still able to fight? That could be a problem. But Gituku was right, if he could show the Moth clan that he could defeat the son of the great dog demon, they would have no choice but to accept him.

"Alright. Go and let them know what's going on and lead them to the temple." Danzaemon sent Gituku on his way but started planning, just in case Sesshomaru was able to put up a fight. "Might as well give myself an edge." He went for his wooden box again.

Gituku entered the Moth village unseen, blending in perfectly with his surroundings. He was impressed. These demons lived well and he was looking forward to a place of honor among them.

Gituku looked for the most impressive dwelling and once there he slipped inside. He was surprised to see many moths there, over a dozen - they were having a meeting. It was a meeting on who was going to be the next leader. Gituku thought it fortunate that he arrived when he did.

"Excuse me, my lords." His voice interrupted them. Gituku remained camouflaged.

Chairs were over thrown and all took defensive positions. They had no weapons since they were in their own territory and on friendly ground. Many reached for them but felt only empty air and cursed.

"No need to fear attack, I come as a messenger. I hid myself so you will not kill me before hearing me out."

"Who are you?" It was an elder who asked.

"My name is Gituku and I am a servant to Lord Danzaemon who has returned from the continent to take his rightful place as ruler over these lands." He paused as the Moth demons voiced their surprise, anger and disgust at hearing Danzaemon's name and learning that he was back. Maybe this was going to be more difficult than either he or Danzaemon had thought.

Gituku moved, not wanting anyone to strike out in anger in his direction. "Please, my lords, hear me out. Danzaemon has chosen to prove his worth by eliminating the dog demon Sesshomaru. He is as we speak on his way to destroy Sesshomaru. He has asked that some of you come and observe him in battle and praise his victory over a worth opponent." Gituku was being as persuasive as he could. Surely once Danzaemon was victorious, they would see he would be a worthy leader.

"Sesshomaru? Is he mad? He is nearly as powerful as his father was. If he should win, he could come here and destroy us all!" Said the eldest.

"But if Danzaemon has grown strong, he could eliminate the threat of Sesshomaru!"

"We've been left in peace! Why risk it on a whim? On a promise from a mixed-breed?"

"Isn't there another son of the great demon? If his brother dies – he'll most likely retaliate."

"We should stop this!"

Gituku sighed as he listened to them argue. If they didn't get there in time the fight would be over and Lord Danzaemon would not be able to impress them. He'd wait a little longer before urging them along. Gituku silently hoped they resolved their problems quickly.

The gang was asleep. They'd slept on and off all day long. Even Inuyasha napped some but was ever alert. If a bird flew overhead, his ears caught the sound of its beating wings.

It was late and the air was cool. Inuyasha had found a T-shirt with a huge yellow happy face on it and slid it over his still scared chest. He was expecting some laughs when Sango and Miroku saw the shirt. Walking to the door, Inuyasha looked out into the night. Sesshomaru was standing out in the open in full view. He was ready, more than ready for the next attack to happen. Inuyasha just hoped they could finish it this time.

Inuyasha looked back on the last few days. The time he'd spent in Sesshomaru's company had almost been -friendly? No that wasn't it. Actually Inuyasha wasn't sure what it was. It was nothing like the time he spent with Sota, who was now a little brother not only to Kagome but to him as well. Yet, their time hadn't been spent hating each other as they normally did. They were tolerating each other, that's it! Feelings of hate were being put to the side so they could take of their friends and defeat this Danzaemon.

Inuyasha crossed his arms and looked back into the room. Shippo was curled next to Kagome. Miroku and Sango were side by side. He shook his head; never had he actually believed the monk would give up chasing women and make a commitment to Sango.

His friends. Inuyasha felt blessed to have them. Half-demons were hated for the most part. They were neither human nor demon but both and a place in this world was hard to come by. You either had to take it by force, hide in disguise or have friends and family like Kagome who accepted him.

Inuyasha knew how Danzaemon felt. How it was to be treated like he shouldn't even exist but Inuyasha couldn't forgive him for trying to kill them. He'd attacked them simply because of his hate for Sesshomaru. Looking out again, Inuyasha studied his brother. Sesshomaru was arrogant but then he had reason to be, he was a powerful demon. Sesshomaru's attitude would put off any demon or human and had. Some had even tested him only to fall because Sesshomaru's great power. Even the lack of an arm didn't slow his brother down. Inuyasha was shocked that he felt a little proud of that.

But even so, this Danzaemon wanted to kill any and all who were connected to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha couldn't have that. If Sesshomaru didn't take him down then Inuyasha would. The senseless attacks had to stop.

Sesshomaru heard his brother's approach but continued to look to the stars. They stood in silence for a while. Inuyasha squatted and plucked a wet blade of grass. Looking down Sesshomaru blinked. "What is that ridiculous thing you're wearing?"

Inuyasha stood grinning, fangs showing. "A shirt. Like it? Maybe you'd like one for yourself." He knew Sesshomaru would be dead before he wore anything like the bright smiling face and even then he'd come back from hell to destroy the one who put it on him. Inuyasha couldn't help but chuckle.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at his brother. "You look like a fool." When Inuyasha continued to laugh Sesshomaru remarked, "Maybe there was another effect to that venom – acting like an idiot."

Still laughing Inuyasha put his hands on his hips and looked up at his brother. "Maybe, too bad it doesn't affect you. You need to lighten up sometimes Sesshomaru."

The two stared at each other, what was going on between them? Were they actually getting along? Teasing each other? Identical eyes stared then blinked at the same time then in the next moment they both stiffened and looked to the sky.

Darkness was approaching them and the demonic aura was strong. Inuyasha ran inside to wake his friends and grab his sword. The battle was on.