Chapter Five: Strange Emotions

Inuyasha gasped. "That is what we smelled?"

Sesshomaru growled low in his throat. "I suggest we get out of here."

Inuyasha twisted around and raced to Kagome's side. "Get on my back." She nodded and jumped onto his back without argument. "What about Rin?"

Sesshomaru walked over to them and stood beside her. Reaching down he scooped her into his arm, and whispered to her. "Hold on."

Rin was speechless. However she gripped the pelt that hung over his shoulder, and buried her face into it. The youkai brothers glanced at each other, and then back at the twins. Without a word between them, they raced off across the river towards the trees on the other side. The sounds of pursuit grew closer, and Elladan cursed under his breath.

The twins skidded to a halt. "We can't outrun them." Elrohir turned around facing the river.

Sesshomaru hissed in annoyance. Those twins had helped them before. "Inuyasha!" He snarled.

The younger youkai spun around quickly. "What?"

Sesshomaru approached him. "Take Rin."

Gaping, Inuyasha frowned. "What?"

"Take her and Kagome to safety."

"I can help." Inuyasha argued.

Shaking his head firmly, Sesshomaru growled. "Not until you learn to keep your emotions in check! Take her and go!"

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. Sesshomaru whispered in Rin's ear. "Stay with them. Do not wander."

"Ye…yes my lord." She whispered fearfully.

Inuyasha bolted off leaving the twins and Sesshomaru standing waiting for the 'wargs' to approach.

Standing next to the twins who both stood ready with weapons drawn, he stood still and listened to the crashing of water and foliage.

"What can you tell me about them?" Sesshomaru snarled.

Elrohir didn't look over, but hissed through his clenched teeth. "Large, blood hounds. They are evil and will not hesitate to tear anything in their path apart."

Smiling, Sesshomaru nodded.

Elladan piped up. "There are many. Eighteen or so."

Elrohir nodded, and Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "Many?" Lifting his hand to his face, he concentrated on his energy whip. His fingers turned green and he waited. The first warg that came through the trees surprised the youkai standing there. The appearance of it was a large misshapen dog. Hardly the size he would be in his true form, but he curled his lip at the size of the jowls. The archer had taken it down without incident, but more came crashing through the trees moments later, snapping their jaws with fury.

Sesshomaru snarled. The warg nearest him, stopped confused. Snapping its jaws, it regarded the strange being standing there. Growling low in its throat, it jumped at him. Sesshomaru flicked his hand, his whip shooting out catching the warg by surprise. The warg darted out of the way quickly and backed up slowly. This foe was different. Snapping its jaws again, others joined it.

Sesshomaru grinned. Jumping forward, he flicked his wrist again, letting his energy whip fly out cutting some down, as others scrambled out of the way. The twins were too busy with their own to see what was going on behind them, but they had felt the difference in the air.

A large warg warily watched this strange being, as he flicked his wrist cutting down more wargs. He was killing its pack. Snarling with rage, it stalked this being, carefully. Trying to remain out of this strange looking elf's sight, it watched looking for a sign of weakness.

Sesshomaru had sensed a warg behind him, and knew that it was watching his movements. Without warning, Sesshomaru jumped into the air, twisting around and flicked his wrist out, catching the larger warg by surprise. The green energy whip lashed out, licking the ground in front of the beast, and it snarled backing up. Growing impatient by this dog like creatures fast movements, Sesshomaru growled and flicked his wrist again, knowing that the warg would change direction, he twisted his wrist quickly as the whip lashed out, causing it to lift suddenly and land where Sesshomaru predicted the beast to land.

The warg had seen the whip coming, and darting to its right, howling with rage as this being changed the whips direction as quickly as the warg had moved. It licked its right flank causing it to growl with pain, and it limped out of the way as the whip lashed out again. Snapping its jaws in rage, it jumped out at the last minute hoping to at least take a chunk out of this weird elf. Knowing its life was short as the whip darted out again; it barred its teeth and was able to embed its teeth into this beings arm.

Hissing, Sesshomaru pulled his arm back tearing it out of the beast's teeth and the whip lashed out cutting the thing in half. Snorting, Sesshomaru looked around him but the rest had run off. Elladan now knelt beside Elrohir who was holding his side, panting.

"Are you alright?" Elladan asked over his shoulder.

Sesshomaru snarled, and looked at his arm. "I'm fine."

Elrohir looked at Sesshomaru and saw the blood through the white sleeve. "We have to get to the others."

Elladan glanced over his shoulder, and saw the torn sleeve of Sesshomaru's shirt. "Let me look at your arm."

Shaking his head, Sesshomaru lifted his arm allowing the sleeve to fall showing the wound. "It will heal quickly. There is no need."

Elrohir noticed the lack of movement from the left arm and frowned as Sesshomaru didn't use it to lift his right sleeve. "Is your left arm broken?"

Sesshomaru lowered his right arm and shook his head. "There is no arm."

The twins looked at each other surprised. "No arm?" They exclaimed in unison. "What happened to it?"

"Ask Inuyasha sometime." Sesshomaru sniffed, turning around walking away from them.

Elladan helped Elrohir to his feet and both followed after Sesshomaru speaking rapidly to each other in elvish. Sesshomaru ignored them, sniffing out Rin's scent. It didn't take them long to find them amongst the trees, and Rin gasped when she saw the blood on Sesshomaru's shirt. A small nod from him eased her worries, and she raced to Elrohir who slumped against a tree with his brother's help.

Inuyasha frowned, noticing Sesshomaru's eyes narrow as he watched Rin approach the injured elf, and felt his eyes widen in surprise. "Kagome." Inuyasha whispered.

Looking up, Kagome sighed looking at Inuyasha. "Yes?"

"Look." Inuyasha pointed to his brother who still stared at the elves and Rin who was fussing over the injured twin.

Kagome allowed her eyes to travel to Sesshomaru and she noticed his narrowed eyes and her gaze shifted to Rin and Elrohir. "Well that is new." She muttered. "I think he's jealous."

"Keh! Sesshomaru jealous?" He snorted. "I highly doubt that. He has no heart."

Kagome shook her head. "We are in a strange world, Inuyasha. We all have been acting rather strange."

Inuyasha squatted next to her and they both silently watched Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru felt that feeling fill his chest again. It was the same one as the night before, and he felt his mouth pull into a frown. Not knowing what to do, he turned away from the sight and turned his eyes to the sky. 'What is this feeling I'm having?' He asked himself. His chest felt heavy, and tight. Never experiencing it before, he glanced down at the ground remaining silent. Somehow he felt out of control. Glancing over his shoulder again, he allowed his eyes to wander back to Rin, who was still kneeling beside the twins, helping Elladan wrap the wound in his brother's side.

Furrowing his brows deeper, he forced himself to turn away from the sight. His breathing hitched and he felt his shoulders slump. Growling low in his throat, he tried to shake the image that burned in his mind. Sesshomaru couldn't erase it, no matter how hard he attempted to think of something else.

Kagome shook her head. "I don't think he realizes what it is he's feeling." Gathering her feet, she stood up and walked over to the twins. "Rin, why don't you go see how Sesshomaru is doing?"

Rin looked up at her surprised. "Do you think he's hurt really bad?" Her brown eyes widened worried and looked over at Lord Sesshomaru. Getting to her feet quickly, she raced over to him. His back was stiff and he looked angry. Slowing her run, she took a deep breath. "Lord Sesshomaru?" She whispered.

He stiffened even more. Rin stopped. Standing next to him, she waited.

Sesshomaru relaxed slightly. Looking down at her his eyes met hers. "Yes?"

"Does your arm hurt?" She whispered her hand reaching up to finger his torn hakama.

He frowned and shook his head. He didn't utter a word, but stood stone still when her hand slipped into his. The physical contact almost took his breath away, but he felt a little comforted by the small contact, and wrapped his fingers around hers. Frowning deeper, he whispered. "You are not hurt?"

She shook her head, and grinned widely. Her lord Sesshomaru had never held her hand before and she was so happy that she found it hard to contain the excitement. Rin giggled, which made his mouth twitch slightly.

Kagome watched the odd sight amused, and turned her eyes when Inuyasha walked up to them, his gaze locked on Rin and Sesshomaru. "What is going on?" Inuyasha frowned.

Kagome looked back at the twins, who were also watching the two closely. "I'm not sure."

"I have never seen him show any signs of emotion, and yet…" Inuyasha crouched down.

"I think you two should be careful." She whispered to the twins, who glanced at her confused. "Sesshomaru is not acting like himself at all, and I don't know what he will do."

Elrohir frowned confused. "I do not understand."

Inuyasha sighed. "Where we are from, Sesshomaru is ruthless, heartless. He shows no mercy or fear. But this place has changed him somehow. He doesn't know emotion, so what ever is going on with him will make him unpredictable."

Elladan looked over his shoulder.

Kagome sighed. "He is very protective over Rin where we are from, and mixed with these emotions he is feeling will only fuel his anger. I think he is feeling jealousy. When I first met him, he was black hearted. Then he changed somehow, I think Rin has changed him. Now this place adding emotions to his usual calm and stoic nature…" She shook her head.

Elrohir nodded, and sat up a little. "I see. I have a younger sister." He whispered.

Elladan grinned. "Rin reminds us of Arwen, when she was that age. I think perhaps we should go to Imladris. Perhaps father can help them?" He turned his gaze to his twins.

Elrohir nodded. "We can get ada to send for Mithrandir."

Kagome stood up, and called for Rin. The little girl glanced over her shoulder, and then up at Sesshomaru.

He frowned, but nodded. Her little hand slipped from his, and he lifted it looking at it. It felt cold now. Sighing, he took a shaky breath, lowering his hand to his side again. Kagome approached him cautiously. "Sesshomaru?"

His frown deepened.

"Will you let me look at your arm?" She asked from behind him.

Turning his head slightly, he wondered if perhaps allowing her to do so, would give him ample excuse to ask her about his strange feelings. Growling low in his throat, she took that as a warning and backed up. "You may, yes." She walked over and they both sat down in the grass. Reaching her hands out, she rolled up the sleeves of his hakama, and winced at the torn flesh.

"Are you alright?" She asked, not referring to his wounds.

He frowned. "You tell me."

"You know I'm not talking about your injuries right?"

Sesshomaru took a deep breath. So that had been her reason for coming. An excuse in her own right. Smiling at how smart this girl was, he lowered his head, allowing his hair to fall forward. "I do."

"What are you feeling?"

Groaning, and keeping his eyes on her hands as she wiped away the blood on his arm, he frowned. "I don't know how to describe it."

"Do you know what jealousy is?" She whispered. They were well out of ear shot, so the others overhearing them was virtually impossible. Looking up with only her eyes, she saw his shake of head. "Let me see." Taking a deep breath she frantically tried to think up a way to explain it. "I know how protective you are over Rin. Letting her fall into danger is one thing you never allow. Jealousy is a feeling of possessiveness. It isn't a good feeling." He nodded, sighing. "Elladan and Elrohir, being nice to her, are making you angry isn't it?"

His eyes narrowed at that. "Angry, and…" He paused thinking. "I feel…" Sesshomaru was at a loss for words.

Kagome smiled lifting her head. "Lonely?"

He looked at her sharply.

"You are so used to having Rin to yourself, that now you feel lonely because she is being entertained by someone other then yourself. Jealousy is a part of that. They aren't trying to take her away from you. I think they find her laughter and innocence lifting. Do you understand?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. "What is happening to me?" He whispered.

"It's happening to us all, Sesshomaru." Kagome began wrapping his arm in the gauze that she carried in her bag. "My feelings for Inuyasha are stronger now."

Sesshomaru looked at her, eyes widening. "What are your feelings for the hanyou anyway?"

"Weren't you the one who said he wasn't a hanyou anymore?" Kagome smiled.

"You love him, don't you?"

Kagome nodded, tying the end of the gauze and peering at her handy work.

"I…I…" For the second time in his lift, Sesshomaru found himself speechless.

"Your welcome." She grinned. "If you find yourself, feeling anything, don't hesitate to ask me. I will keep what ever you say a secret to keep your pride intact."

He smiled at that, nodding. "I find myself smiling; normally I smiled out of anger and irritation. But now it is different."

"Happiness." Kagome stood up and brushed her knees. "I really need to have a bath." She looked at her dust covered arms, and shuddered. "Don't fight what you are feeling, Sesshomaru. When we get back to our era, then you can, but here it seems to feed off us fighting it."

Sesshomaru growled. His hair still covered his face. "You are a smart girl. Tell me something."

Kagome knelt down again, looking at him.

"What is the purpose of physical contact?" He didn't lift his head, but his eyes met hers.

"Comfort. Knowing that something is there, when you need it to be." She shrugged. "There are many forms of contact. That fur you wear. You seem relieved when you touch it knowing it is there."

He nodded. "When she held my hand, I was surprised because she had never held my hand before. I think Rin is confused and frightened by what is happening."

"She is seeing another side of you, which you had locked up. She loves you regardless of how you act, Sesshomaru. You are like a father to her."

He lifted his head sharply. "Father?"

"You protect her like a father would, you comfort her in your own way, when she is frightened, and you show her safety. That is nothing less then a father would show his child. A father's love is never ending."

Sesshomaru sucked in his breath. "I see."

Kagome stood again. "Can you smell any hot springs around here?"

Sesshomaru looked up, his hair falling away from his face. Sniffing the air, he shook his head.

"Figures, how about water?"

He nodded. "I hear a waterfall in that direction." He tilted his head to their left and she smiled.

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Elrohir looked at Kagome and Sesshomaru, and then turned his head to Inuyasha, who was crouched next to the twins. "What happened to his arm?"

Inuyasha looked at him confused. "Which?" He grinned.

"His left arm, I thought it was broken, but he said it was gone. I was told to ask you about it." Elrohir sighed.

Inuyasha felt his grin widen. "I cut it off."

Elladan and Elrohir felt their eyes widen dramatically. "Why?" They asked in unison.

Inuyasha shook his head. "Long story."

Elladan frowned. "Why do you two hate each other so?"

Elrohir nodded, shifting against the tree he was leaning against. "You are siblings."

Inuyasha shrugged. "That is something you will have to ask him. He hates me because of my mixed blood."

The twins looked at each other.

"My mother was human." Inuyasha lifted his gaze to look at Sesshomaru. "He despises the fact I inherited our father's blood. To him I am only a weak half breed."

The twins nodded in understanding. "What is the significance of those markings on your faces?"

Inuyasha frowned. "I'm not sure. I think my father had them, maybe it's a dog thing."

"Dog?" Elladan muttered.

Elrohir shook his head. "Why does he have a crescent on his forehead and you do not?"

Inuyasha bit his lip. "I think he inherited it from his mother. Father only had one stripe on each cheek, like I do. But I think his mother had two. I really couldn't tell you for sure though."

Elladan grumbled again. "Dog?"

Inuyasha grinned. "That's right, dog. We are what they call inuyoukai."

"Which means?"

Inuyasha paused, wondering how he was going to get through this one. Kagome walked over and smiled. "Inuyasha is Dog like."

Elladan raised his eyebrow, and Inuyasha sighed relieved. "I see, and Sesshomaru means what?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Killing perfection. How about your names?"

Elrohir raised his own brows at Sesshoumaru's name. "Elladan is Elf man, and I am elf knight."

"Man?" Inuyasha glanced at Elladan.

"We are half elven. What does youkai mean?"

"Uhh."

Sesshoumaru walked over and snorted. "Demon."