Chapter Fifteen: Releasing Pent Up Energy

Inuyasha raced to his brother's side as they cleared the trees after their test to their abilities. Rivendell stood nuzzled on the horizon and waited for their return. Sesshoumaru spared his brother a brief glance before his gaze shifted to the elven city once again. The youkai lord sensed his brother's uncertainty and waited patiently for Inuyasha to ask the question that sat on his lips.

Sucking in his breath, Inuyasha opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. Opening it once again, and closed.

Sesshoumaru almost smirked, as his brother resembled a fish rather then the inuyoukai he was now. "Ask your question."

Inuyasha snorted and nodded. "Will we ever find out what that thing is?" He mumbled remembering the tight fur surrounding his form securely.

"Father gave it to me."

"What is it?"

"It's a fur pelt."

"I know that, but you always wear it, doesn't it get hot? How do you control it?" Inuyasha muttered.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. Turning his head to his half brother he sighed. "It feeds off my youki, Inuyasha. It is now a part of me, an honorific symbol passed down from father to son, or father to daughter.

"Oh."

"It listens to me because it is a part of me, and it responds to my youki inside. Just like my other abilities."

Inuyasha nodded. "I thought it was a tail at first." He snorted. "But I know it comes off. What sort of fur is it made out of?"

Sesshoumaru sighed again and turned his head back to the growing city. "After my mother died, father had a fur pelt made out of the fur she had in her true form. This is a part of that."

Inuyasha stopped and stared. "Is that why you wear it all the time?"

"Partially. Also because it reminds me of father. He also had one."

"So, what was she like?" Inuyasha asked slowly.

"Who?"

"Your Hahaue."

Sesshoumaru stopped on the path and started at the bold question his brother asked him. He remained silent.

"You don't have to tell me, I was just talking. I don't know anything about you." Inuyasha amended, explaining the personal question.

Sesshoumaru nodded once and resumed walking. "My mother…" He trailed off silently thinking. "I don't remember much of her. I remember her strength and comfort, mostly. I barely remember what she looked like."

"But you do remember the moon, you said that was the only thing you received from your Hahaue." Inuyasha squinted at Sesshoumaru, amazed that his brother had even answered his question.

"I do, hai. She had it in the same place as mine." Sesshoumaru's hand lifted and softly brushed the crescent moon gracing his forehead. Turning to stare at his brother, Sesshoumaru stopped and gripped his brother's arm, causing Inuyasha to freeze in his place. Tilting his head slightly, the elder youkai scrutinized his younger sibling for a long moment, before explaining himself. "You hold more of father's features then I do." He whispered.

Inuyasha stared and blinked.

Sesshoumaru reached over his brother's shoulder and gathered the thick mane of hair into his hand and lifted it to a loose topknot in his fist. Sucking his breath in sharply, Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. "You could pass for the Daiyoukai." He whispered.

Inuyasha nodded, feeling the sadness wash off his brother, before it was masked and emotionless. "You miss him." He stated softly.

Sesshoumaru's eyes dimmed for a moment, and then flashed back to this reality. Releasing his brother's hair, the youkai turned away and walked down the path in silence.

Inuyasha stood rooted in place as he watched his brother's silent form vanish over the slight hill. Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha knew he had seen more in that small strange moment then anyone had ever seen in the youkai's life. Perhaps Sesshoumaru's little companion had once seen it, causing Rin to understand his brother.

Inuyasha had not imagined the immense sadness that had washed over him when Sesshoumaru commented on their father. Shaking his head, he thought back to when they had destroyed Sou'unga. Their father had risen from death to speak with them. Never before had Inuyasha laid eyes on his father, and he wondered what he had been like. What was Sesshoumaru's youth like? Had he witnessed battle at a young age? Time and time again, Sesshoumaru had said father had trained him. Had his father been ruthless and cold as his brother was?

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up surprised.

Elladan smiled gently. "You alright?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I was thinking that's all."

Elrohir walked up and gave them both a small smile. "Lord Sesshoumaru's mood changed. What were you talking about?"

Inuyasha glanced over at the other brother and frowned slightly. "I asked him about his mother." He shrugged.

"Was she not the same as your mother?" Elladan asked falling into step beside Elrohir and Inuyasha.

The youkai shook his head. "My mother was human, Sesshoumaru and I share our blood through our father."

"Was he like Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I never knew my father. He died the night I was born."

The twins shared a look and nodded in understanding. "Your brother knew him though?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I think he misses father. Maybe I remind him of chichi."

"Chichi?" Elladan raised a single brow.

"It means father, chichi, Chichiue." Inuyasha shrugged.

"How did your father die?" Elrohir asked, his own thoughts seemingly lost.

Inuyasha furrowed his brow slightly. "I heard stories. I am not really certain if they are really truth. My mother was in labor and father was on his way to get us." Sighing, he tried to recall what he had been told. "From what I heard, my father saved both my Hahaue and myself from the burning mansion, and told her to flee. He died in that fire, fighting a man who tried to kill us."

The twins glanced at one another sadly and nodded.

Inuyasha shrugged. "I have never talked to Sesshoumaru about it, but after what I just witnessed, I am kind of curious. He would know what happened. Sesshoumaru keeps saying that it was my fault and my Hahaue's that father died, I think that's why he hates me so much. He blames me and my mother for chichi's death."

Elrohir nodded, and gritted his teeth together. "Our mother passed over the sea a few years ago."

Inuyasha heard the bitterness in the normally soft, and calm voice and stared at the twins. "Passed over the sea?"

Elladan nodded. "She was attacked by orc's, raped and injured emotionally."

Elrohir hissed and clenched his fists in anger. "Stop it!"

Elladan nodded and placed his hand on his twins shoulder. "I'm sorry."

The younger elf nodded but shrugged off the hand and walked faster, leaving Elladan and Inuyasha on the path alone.

Elladan sighed softly. "He was closer to our nana then I was. He spent most of his youth reading with her, and listening to her tales. I loved her, but his bond with her was stronger then mine, so it affected him more."

Inuyasha nodded in understanding. He knew what it was like to loose someone dear. "My Hahaue died when I was still a pup. She died from a sickness to the lungs, leaving me alone and frightened."

Elladan nodded in sympathy. "Where did you go?"

Inuyasha gave a cocky smile. "To the woods. I became wild and reckless. I still am, I suppose. I think it was a few months later when I met Sesshoumaru. I was ill with sadness, alone, hungry, and injured. I remember I was huddled against a tree, crying, when I felt a powerful energy step up beside me, and I remembered hoping that who ever it was would kill me quickly and release me from my anguish. It turned out to be Sesshoumaru. He had gathered me in his arms and carried me for days. It had taken that long to realize that I wasn't dead and that the one who carried me smelt like family. He had a stronger scent of my own, and I was confused."

Inuyasha laughed. "I remember looking up at the youkai and staring at him long and hard, trying to figure out who he was. His eyes were the same as mine, and so was his hair. At first I thought he was my father. Even though mother had told me that my father had died saving us. When I called Sesshoumaru father, he had dropped me, and then stared at me like I was pasted with thousands of fuda's."

"Fuda?" Elladan asked.

"Uhh…it's like a sticky kind of paper that monks in my time use to ward off or destroy youkai." Inuyasha laughed. "Sesshoumaru had grabbed me by the back of my clothes and snarled at me, correcting my mistake. He let me travel with him for a few years until I left. Once again alone."

"Why did you leave?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I wanted to make my brother proud. Every time I failed in battling youkai, or being cold hearted, I knew I had disappointed my brother. I was too emotional, too human. I was so ashamed of my being a hanyou, that I hid myself on my human nights, even from Sesshoumaru. I trusted no one. I went out in search of more power to make him proud. I kind of forgot why I had left in the first place."

Elladan nodded and smiled. "So what happened then?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I lost track of how many years had passed. I got better at fighting, staying alive, and then I realized that my human night was coming and that was when I met Kikyou."

Elladan raised a brow. "Kikyou?"

Inuyasha nodded. "She was the first woman I fell in love with. She was the one who sealed me to Goshinboku. Then I met Kagome. I tried to kill her at first, because I thought she was Kikyou. It's a long story."

"Maybe Sesshoumaru was angry at you for leaving without telling him." Elladan supplied. "Maybe he doesn't hate you at all, but rather is picking up where he left off in your training."

Inuyasha frowned and stared at the elf. "No, I'm pretty sure he hates me. He taunts me about my hanyou blood all the time, calling me weak and worthless."

"Perhaps that is how he protects his emotions. Maybe he wants you to realize that you are able to handle yourself alone, and protect yourself. Perhaps he wants you to see just how much more you can be."

Inuyasha scoffed. "You barely even know us. How would you know?"

Elladan shrugged and smiled. "Call it perspective and possible understanding."

The arrived at the gates leading into the elven city and caught sight of Kagome, Rin, Sesshoumaru and Elrohir. In front of them stood Elrond and Glorfindel looking like they were angry. Even Kagome looked furious, and Inuyasha flinched.

Heaving his shoulders, and taking a deep breath, he mumbled. "Here we go." Taking a step forward, the girl's eyes landed on him, and he froze swallowing nervously. Kagome stormed up to him and glared up into his face, and a sudden thought sprang to mind when her mouth opened to utter the one word he hated hearing.

Without thinking it through, Inuyasha closed the distance between their faces and he firmly planted his mouth over hers, and smirked at her sharp intake of breath. Kagome jerked and then froze. She then relaxed and accepted the kiss, and Inuyasha smirked even more until her hands touched his chest, burning right through his fire rat robe and his breath left him in a rush of shock and surprise.

He stepped back and blushed a brilliant red and looked down at the ground.

Kagome remained silent and blinked, a blush also covering her cheeks. "Wow." She finally breathed. "I should get mad at you more often."

Inuyasha glanced up and gave her a shy smile. "Maybe you shouldn't." He whispered, and swallowed nervously as the two elves approached them.

Elrond stood and waited for his son's explanation.

Before either of them could utter a word, Inuyasha noticed Kagome stiffen and whirl around with a gasp of shock. "What? What is it?"

"Inuyasha!" She exclaimed breathlessly. "I sense a jewel shard!"

Inuyasha's mouth dropped open in surprise and startled he sniffed the air. "Where?"

The elves frowned at the anxiety that flooded through their guests and all turned to where Kagome was looking. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and released a soft growl, he too sensed the power of the jewel.

Kagome lifted her hand shakily towards the Bruinen. Inuyasha released a loud snarl and bolted, and Kagome gaped. "Wait for me!" She called.

Inuyasha stopped and lifted her onto his back, and Sesshoumaru glanced at Rin. "Remain here." Without another word, he raced towards his brother. By the time the elves sprang into action, and followed on horses that Glorfindel had gathered, Inuyasha and Kagome had already crossed the bridge, with Sesshoumaru hot on their heels.

Elrond stood beside Rin who stood waving happily, and he watched the amazing speed the two youkai possessed. The horses would never be able to keep in stride with their pace.

Kagome lowered her mouth to Inuyasha's ear and whispered. "It's growing fainter."

"Are you sure it's a jewel shard?" He growled, the pent up energy shouting with joy as it was released.

"Hai." Kagome nodded. "There's no mistaking it." She turned her head to Sesshoumaru who glided gracefully beside them. Far behind them they heard the sounds of hoofs hitting the earth and both youkai glanced at one another with a smirk.

Inuyasha cursed. "Dammit, what's a jewel shard doing here?"

Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose and soon they descended the mountains with ease, hopping over rocks and broken trees heading towards the river. Several anxious chirps and whistles surrounded the area, and Inuyasha noticed they were elves.

They broke through the trees in due time and saw a flicker of pink in the air across the Bruinen, and they skidded to a halt. "Keh! I smell youkai!" Inuyasha growled, his hackles rising.

Elves stood on the banks of the river, staring at the pink light in the sky, and Kagome rushed over after dropping to her feet. "Do you have a bow and arrows?"

The elf blinked and handed her his weapons and turned once again to stare at the light in the sky.

Kagome squeaked when Inuyasha hauled her up and practically threw her onto his back as he crouched and leapt over the massive river in a single bound. Sesshoumaru also bent his knees and lifted himself into the sky, hopping over it with ease. They rushed into the forest and raced as fast as their power and feet could carry them. Soon they broke through the trees into a large valley.

A loud crackle filled the air, and Inuyasha cursed as a bolt of power rammed into the earth near where he had just stepped. Dodging the attack easily, he turned his direction and felt Sesshoumaru's aura flare. Turning his head slightly, he saw Sesshoumaru easily avoid the attacks and lifted himself into the air effortlessly.

Inuyasha skidded to one side, leapt and hopped over another attack, and skirted side to side as the attacks came faster. On his back, Kagome squeaked and yelped at the speed of the once much slower hanyou had had. Cursing, Inuyasha bolted to a small group of trees and lowered Kagome to her feet and he snarled. "Stay here. Where's the jewel shard?"

Sesshoumaru slashed at the air where he felt the power emanating from, and dropped to his knees as the air wavered. There was no scent, and certainly no youkai present but the shimmering light marked a jewel shard somewhere in the area. Then it dawned on Sesshoumaru. "It's a barrier." He snarled, and circled the wavering light.

Inuyasha smirked and joined his brother.

Kagome turned her head as several elves arrived on horseback and stood now on their feet staring at the two brothers circling the pink light in the large field. Before Elladan could dismount from his horse, as he exited the forest, a bolt of bright white light flew to him in a rush and he hissed leaping off the saddle quickly. The horse fled and several of the horses joined in with the other out of fright.

Another burst of light licked the earth towards him and he felt himself knocked over by an incredible force and he gawked at the youkai standing in front of him scowling.

"Don't just stand there, baka!" Inuyasha growled, turning around and flexing his fingers at the pulsing light.

Elladan hopped to his feet and drew his sword, but suddenly the sword was gone from his hands in a flash, and he stared down at his empty hand pondering where it went. Lifting his gaze, he saw a blur of white, and then felt a surge of power, and then he saw Sesshoumaru near the pulsing barrier wielding his sword. Blue surrounded his blade and Elladan blinked stupidly for a moment.

"Syouryuuha!" Sesshoumaru's deep baritone voice snarled, and flicked the blade towards the barrier. In a flash of blue, the sword erupted with the power, and Elladan stepped back seeing the shape of a dragon lift behind the youkai and then the earth rumbled as the blue lightening licked towards the pink light in the air, mere inches above the green grass.

Inuyasha darted to the barrier right after the blue light from the dragon strike had struck it, and stuck his hand into the pulsing light in a moment of stupidity. Immediately, Inuyasha was flung back from the barrier and landed in a crumpled heap on the ground, before he flipped to his feet, growling loudly.

Sesshoumaru turned to face his brother and growled. "Baka!" He turned away from the rash Inuyasha and once again swung the blade towards the barrier.

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose and yelled into the sky. "Where is Tessaiga when I need it?"

No one answered.

A flaring light shot past his nose and he yipped and jumped back at the purifying power that singed his nose. Slapping his hand over his nose, he blinked in Kagome's direction and narrowed his eyes. "Watch where you're aiming that thing!"

He turned his head in time to see Kagome's arrow embed itself into the barrier and both pink aura's flared and angrily sizzled against one another. The light in the sky wavered and a soft chuckling reached Inuyasha's ears.

He gasped and crouched lower to the ground and snarled angrily, knowing that laughter anywhere. "Naraku!"

The elves all frowned and aimed their arrows at the shimmering light, but they gasped and stepped back as a menacing laugh filled the air. The anger that flared from the youkai brother's caused them to step back more, and shudder. This was nowhere near the power the elder youkai had displayed in the dining hall earlier that day, this was much more and then some.

His hair lifted from around his body, and his stripes became jagged on his cheeks. The eyes snapped red, and he snarled and a light lavender light seemed to surround him. Inuyasha winced at the power, but walked up to stand next to his brother and he also growled.

The light shimmered and both brothers got a good look at the power that the barrier held contained within. Before Inuyasha knew what hit him, the light flared out and seemed to grab him in a firm embrace and the electricity shot through his veins in an agonizing, mind-shattering surge of white heat that exploded over his senses, numbing him to all else but the pain that seized every fiber of his being. It felt like molten iron seeping through his blood. The young youkai couldn't hold back the sharp cry of pain that fled from his mouth. His body refused to move, and he was held tightly, arms and legs sprawled out like he was bound to four horses and was being pulled in all directions.

Another cry was ripped from him, as the surge of power intensified, before it seemed to shut off and he fell limply to the ground in a crumpled heap. Hot hands touched his back and he choked back a yelp as the heat filled his body again at the gentle touch. The smell of singed hair and clothing filled his nose and it took everything in his power not to retch in disgust. Finally his brain caught up with his pain rattled body and he groaned.

"Inuyasha?"

The voice was soft but he wasn't able to tell who it was. Frowning and finally blinking open his eyes, Inuyasha rolled onto his back and bit back another sharp yelp. His gaze focused and he rolled his eyes lazily to the side. Shouts and more sizzling sounds reached his ears, and Inuyasha was not able to stop the jerk his body made at the mere memory of being held in the lights grasp.

'Was it Kagome helping him?' He turned his head more to the side and saw a black boot and groaned. 'Nope, not Kagome.' He mentally thought and chuckled. "Shit, that hurt." Inuyasha wheezed.

Sesshoumaru glanced down at his brother and almost rolled his eyes, but instead he followed the elves as they attacked without fear. Their aim was amazingly precise and he allowed a small smirk to cross his lips. The elves were extremely talented when it came to graceful swings of their blades, and they seemed to almost float over the ground.

Inuyasha pushed himself up and winced at the singed feeling coursing through his body. Never before had he felt that kind of pain, even when the four war gods had held him in a similar bolt of lightening did he feel that much pain. Groaning softly, Inuyasha stood up and glanced down at himself and almost laughed. Smoke rose from every inch of his clothes and arms. Even his feet were smoking. Rolling his eyes skyward, the youkai took a shaky step forward, refusing to give up. If Naraku was here, then he was up to something, that something could even be his involvement in their being in this time in the first place.

Snarling furiously under his breath, Inuyasha was about to take a flying leap towards the barrier, when a firm hand held him back. Inuyasha glanced at the hand and frowned his question.

"The barrier is holding everything at bay. Use your nose, Inuyasha. Naraku's presence is here, but he is not." Sesshoumaru explained. "It is the same with the jewel shard. It's almost like a test."

Inuyasha gasped in surprise. A flaring yellow light filled the pink barrier and the whole flickering light wavered slightly. Suddenly, something flew out of the barrier with such force that neither youkai was able to focus on it due to its speed. A sharp yip filled the air and Sesshoumaru blinked, as his brother was rendered unconscious from the blow. Turning his head back to the pulsing light, it vanished, and his mouth dropped open in surprise.

Glancing down at Inuyasha, he watched the small line of blood that trickled down from his hairline to the bridge of his nose and then over it down his cheek. Beside the hanyou stood the one thing that could help them against this foe. Pulsing happily on the grass beside Inuyasha sat Tessaiga.

----------------------------------------------------

Inuyasha groaned. He remembered something slamming into his head, and then he saw stars. Blinking open his eyes slowly, now without the presence of those stars, he lifted his hand to his head. The dull ache reminded him that he had been hit in the head with something.

Silver hair entered his line of sight and he winced. Silver hair, gold eyes, black hair red and white. 'Huh?' He thought. Since when did those colors look rather pretty? Words mingled into one another and he furrowed his brows, as his brother's voice and Kagome's both seemed to interlace. Shaking his head furiously, he tried to break the voices apart and it made everything worse, as the grew in intensity and seemed to echo now. "Shut up! Stop talking." He moaned harshly.

Silence filled the air and Inuyasha sighed in relief. He blinked again and stared at the silver to his left. 'Oh hells, I know I am not seeing three Sesshoumaru's. Kami forbid.' Blinking rapidly, trying to convince his eyes that there should be only one of his irritating brother, the three merged together and formed a single youkai. Sighing in relief, he cursed under his breath. "For a minute there, I thought you had multiplied into three Sesshoumaru's."

"What, care for me that much that you now with for others to torment you?" Came the reply.

"Keh." Inuyasha groaned after as the sound reverberated through his head.

"Are you alright, Inuyasha?"

"Kagome?" Inuyasha whispered, hoping that didn't shake his brain so much.

"Hai." Kagome's soft voice soothed his ringing head.

"How's he doing?" Another voice echoed into the room.

"He's awake." Kagome answered the new voice.

Inuyasha frowned. He knew that voice, but from where? "Uhh…"

Elrond leaned over and peered down at the youkai youth lying on the bed. "How's the head?"

Inuyasha grunted, and then snorted. "Feels like a hundred youkai are fighting a battle inside it."

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "With what hit you, I can see why."

"What the hell hit me anyway?" Inuyasha moaned, closing his eyes firmly.

"This." Something cold pressed into his hand, and Inuyasha's eyes snapped open instantly, recognizing the familiar handle and soft pulsing.

He sat up far too quickly and his world spun around. Sesshoumaru gripped is shoulder tightly, and helped him back down. "Baka, stay down."

Inuyasha frowned, lifting his hand to his view. There in his hand sat Tessaiga. A slow smile drifted across his face. "Ha!"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "It hit you, hilt first, in the head."

Inuyasha nodded. "I knew I didn't see stars for nothing."

Sesshoumaru lifted his head and watched Elrond walk to the corner of the room and crossed his arms staring at them both warily.

"I must say this is most disturbing." The elf muttered. "Never before in my life have I felt such evil and malice."

Inuyasha scoffed. "That's Naraku for you."

Kagome frowned. "The only reason why Naraku has so much power is because he has the sacred jewel shards." She whispered and ran her fingers over the small vial around her hidden bottle. "He is always after more, so he can restore the jewel and use its evil power."

Inuyasha scoffed again. "He is only a hanyou."

Sesshoumaru frowned and narrowed his eyes. "Just like you. Right now, in this place you are youkai, but what happens when we return home? You may once again be a hanyou."

Inuyasha nodded slowly. "Hai, and have you hate me once again."

Sesshoumaru raised a single brow. "Who is saying I do not despise you now?"

Inuyasha crossed his arms. "Yeah, well, it's not like I care. All I care about is having Tessaiga here now." He grinned.

Sesshoumaru sighed and stood up. "Can you even use the sword and its power, Inuyasha?" He mocked, turning his back so he faced the door.

Inuyasha grinned and unlatched the sword from the hilt. "Want to find out?"

"Baka!" Sesshoumaru turned and glared daggers at his brother. "Soon enough. However we must now figure out why Naraku is here, and what is new game is."

Kagome nodded. Elrond stepped forward and shook his head. "I am uncertain as to what to say regarding all of this. Mithrandir will be here within a day. He is being accompanied by the elves of Mirkwood."

Inuyasha and Kagome shared a brief look but nodded.

Sesshoumaru turned around and was about to say something when a wave of fear washed over him. It wasn't fear from his own body, but rather fear from another. He growled low and froze.

Inuyasha glanced at his brother and looked around. Suddenly it dawned on him. There was a member of their party missing. "Where's Rin?" He accused the elf, who was now watching Sesshoumaru with a wary expression.

Elrond shook his head. "Fear not, she is in the gardens."

"Alone?" Inuyasha raged, standing up.

Sesshoumaru turned his glare to the elf and was about to stalk through the door.

"She is not alone, Inuyasha." Elrond said calmly, although his eyes were still locked on Sesshoumaru. "She was accompanied with several of my guests."

Sesshoumaru curled his lip.

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose. "Those humans?" He growled.

"Yes and elves."

Sesshoumaru snapped. His whole body stiffened in rage. "Baka! She does not trust her own kind!" Without another word, Sesshoumaru was out the door in a flash, leaving the remaining members of the room in a stunned silence.

Immediately, Elrond dashed out of the room, knowing exactly what the youkai was capable of, and if that little girl was harmed or injured in anyway, he knew there would be blood shed on his lands.

"Glorfindel!" He shouted as he ran down the halls.

-----------------------------------------

Sesshoumaru was a blur of motion as he jumped out of the window and onto the ground. Immediately he picked up Rin's scent, and followed it into the gardens. It was only mere minutes until he arrived at a small area, and he growled low and menacingly at the man kneeling beside Rin.

The human male had his fingers brushing against her cheek and his other hand was wrapped around her arm, holding her in place when she had made to move back out of his reach.

Rin was terrified. Sesshoumaru could smell the fear rising off her in waves, and he snarled a warning at the human who dared touch his pup.

The man jerked and stood up quickly, releasing Rin immediately upon seeing a strange looking elf standing there angry. He knew what the elves were like. The man also knew that they were extremely skilled in battle.

Rin turned around so quickly that she almost stumbled. "Lord Sesshoumaru!" She cried out and flung her arms around his knees.

Sesshoumaru grunted and wrinkled his nose, glaring at the human who dared lay a finger on his Rin. He remained silent and still as the man shook from the intensity of his glare. Another scent reached Sesshoumaru and his eyes slid to the side and he growled in warning.

"What is going on here?" The lady who emerged from the pathway was Galadriel. She stopped and stared at Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru snarled softly, and almost shuddered when Rin clutched his knees harder in her desperate grasp. She was terrified of both this human male and this lady. Narrowing his eyes, Sesshoumaru allowed his golden gaze to slide from the male to the elven woman slowly and warily.

The elf knew what he was capable of, so why was she standing there preparing herself for battle? He bared his fangs at her and gnashed them together, snapping his jaws in warning.

Rin trembled. "Lo-lord Sess-sho-maru?"

His eyes traveled down to the tiny girl clutching onto him desperately. "Hai?" He asked gently.

"That is the lady who hurt you, earlier." She whispered.

The man turned and fled when the eyes left him. The evidence of his being there, lying on the ground where he had stood.

"She came to Rin." Rin whispered.

Sesshoumaru knelt down to the girls' level, so he could hear her words clearly. They were so softly spoken that without his remarkable hearing, he would not have heard anything in the first place. The soft whispers of air that came out of her mouth and the forming of the words on her lips were the only evidence that she had even spoken.

"She spoke to Rin, she touched Rin." The little girl mouthed, and flung her arms around his neck. "The man saw Rin running and he touched Rin too. I want to go home, Lord Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru released a loud snarl of rage. More commotion filled his hearing and Inuyasha, Kagome, Elrond, Glorfindel and the twins broke into the small area.

"Just what the hell are you doing here?" Inuyasha raged to Galadriel.

She had not moved, and her aura surrounded her in silent rage. Suddenly blackness swirled around her body and Kagome gasped, taking a step back in fear.

Inuyasha stepped in front of Kagome and his hackles rose. Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around Rin and pulled her against his chest, and stood up.

"Should you approach Rin again, I will kill you without a second thought." Sesshoumaru snapped. "Challenge me again, and your death will be painful and agonizing." He flicked his wrist in Galadriel's direction, slapping his whip against her legs. The green whip cut through her dress and blood instantly flew out as he retracted the whip. The elf gasped and her legs failed her.

"The only reason why I do not take your life now, is because of the request from Lord Elrond. However, elven blood has been spilled on elven soil, and if you do not wish for more, stay away from me and mine. This includes my pup!" Sesshoumaru turned and walked away without breaking a sweat.

Inuyasha and Kagome stood there staring at Sesshoumaru retreating figure and they gaped. Had Sesshoumaru just called Rin his pup? Blinking, Inuyasha smirked and turned back to Galadriel who was being aided to her feet by a member of her guard.

"You certainly have not made yourself very popular with my brother." Inuyasha growled. "However, it is nice to see his anger directed somewhere else, besides focused on me."

Kagome stepped forward, but was stopped by Inuyasha's arm as it flung out to hold her back. "I suggest that you stay away from both Sesshoumaru and Rin. He protects her and if anything should happen, he will not hesitate to kill you, or anyone who may be in contact with her. You don't know anything about the youkai from our home. If they have vowed to protect someone, nothing will stop them." She explained. "Nothing. Not death, not pleading. Youkai have no fear."

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose as Galadriel glared at them both. He flexed his claws.

"Inuyasha protects me." Kagome continued. "Sesshoumaru protects Rin. He also is very ruthless. If Rin is harmed, he will kill not only you, but also anyone and everyone who is in the area without a single thought. That includes Inuyasha and myself. Consequences be damned."

Inuyasha snorted. "What consequences? He is the ruling lord of the western lands. He is a Daiyoukai, a general of war. Do not mistake his threats as simple words, elf. My brother means what he says. He fears nothing. Not you, not death itself. You haven't even begun to see his true power, or his true self. Don't make the mistake of having him angered anymore then he already is."

Galadriel listened and lifted her finger. "We also have power here, demon. Not only the three elven rings, but the nine rings given to the race of men, the seven rings given to the dwarf lords."

Elrond continued as she paused. "The one ring to rule them all." He whispered.

Glorfindel breathed. "Sauron, the balrog's."

"Keh!" Inuyasha stood and wrapped his arm around Kagome's shoulders. "You have obviously seen much in this place. However come to our lands, witness Naraku, the youkai, the constant war of power there. Witness the power of the jewel of four souls. Then this place would seem like a comforting solace compared to the lives we live."

Kagome fingered the bottle under her shirt and pulled them forward. "The Shikon Jewel shards." She whispered. "Where youkai live, it is constant battle. A fight for survival and dominance."

The elven guard who stood in front of Galadriel barked out a short laugh. "You think that your lives are hard? Come visit Mirkwood. The spiders there are thrice the size of us, they are unrelenting, and kill without thought. Go to Mordor and see the devastation there. Go pay a visit to the orc's. See what the dark lord did there."

Inuyasha scoffed. "Thrice the size of us? Keh! I am bigger then that in my true for, Elf!"

Kagome nodded. "Sesshoumaru is even larger then that. He would tower over these trees, and snap you in two."

"My true for is still the size of a puppy." Inuyasha made to turn around but he froze when he saw the elf notch an arrow aimed at him. Narrowing his eyes, he waited to see what he would do.

"The consequences are this, the Lady Galadriel has been injured by your brother, and thus restraints are in order." The elf held still and silent, not shaking or moving in the slightest. Kagome had to admit, even holding a notched arrow for that long would have made her arms falter from the strain.

Inuyasha snarled low. "You think that a single arrow would cause me harm? There is only one type of arrow that would injure me, elf." He snapped.

The elf loosened the arrow before Elrond could utter his command to stand down, and watched horrified as it sailed through the air towards Inuyasha.

Kagome gasped, but Inuyasha smirked and lifted his arm. He took a flying leap towards it and the arrow snapped in half as it came into contact with his fire rat robe. He twisted in mid air and was at the elf's side instantly, gripping him in a throat lock just like he had seen his brother do on occasion. Lifting the now struggling elf off his feet, he grinned flashing his fangs.

"You challenge me?" Inuyasha snarled. He gnashed his fangs inches from the elf's face and watched in amusement as the guard flinched and inched his head back out of the way.

The elf gasped for breath and his hands hung onto Inuyasha's arms tightly. A burning sensation filled Inuyasha's vision and he dropped the elf and scrambled back cursing. Galadriel now stood in front of the elf and faced Inuyasha.

Elrond stepped forward. "Enough! Back down!" He raged.

Galadriel either didn't hear him or ignored him. He faced Inuyasha without a single trace of fear in her eyes. "I have dealt with demons before. I have killed. I have even killed my own kind!" She cried out. Her hands rose above her head and once again black surrounded her silhouette.

Inuyasha felt the anger boil up inside him and his memory recalled what his transformation had been like. Concentrating on his true form, he felt his body shift and change, and the aura surrounding him swirled in a blanket.

He snapped his jaws at the now much smaller and now frightened elf. Hands gripped his fur at his side and he glanced down. It was Kagome. She waved for them to leave and he tilted his head to the side, relishing in the power flooding through his body. Inuyasha felt free.

The tempting body of the elven woman stood inches from his fangs and he grinned wanting to feel her bones crush under the power. Another aura filled the air and Inuyasha turned his head.

The elves stepped back and fearfully put as much distance between themselves and the large towering dog that stood in place of Inuyasha. The white fur gleamed in the light and the red eyes seared through the soul. Elrond swallowed and placed himself in front of his twin sons who stood there stunned and shaken. Glorfindel had already retreated and his body shook with remembrance of his battle with the barog. True, the demon dog in front of him was nowhere the size of what the fire dragon had been, but the power was more intense.

All heads turned when Sesshoumaru reemerged from the paths. He calmly approached his brother and ran his clawed hands over the soft fur at his brother's underside. "Transformed? Naruhodo. What will you do Inuyasha?" He asked, facing the Inuyoukai in his true form. Sesshoumaru glanced at the elven woman and her guard both warily watching them.

Inuyasha knew this being. It smelt like him, and was not against him. He felt the calming aura of his alpha male, and submitted, by licking Sesshoumaru's cheek.

Sesshoumaru snarled and stepped back, wiping his face clean of drool. "Enough!" He barked. "Change back."

Inuyasha understood exactly what Sesshoumaru was saying, but he shook his head and whined lowering his face to the youkai.

"Ah, I see." Sesshoumaru turned to face Galadriel. "What should I do, Golden lady? Should I allow him to snap your bones between his jaws? It would be clean and painless."

Galadriel glared at Sesshoumaru. He smelt the fear off the elves, and he also saw the fear swirling in her blue eyes. Smirking, he turned away and faced his brother.

"Iie, Inuyasha. Change back." Sesshoumaru commanded softly. "Another time. You have successfully raised their fears. Perhaps they learned from this and will leave us alone." He whispered into the lowered ear.

Inuyasha stood up to his full height and towered over them all, before he was surrounded again in a swirling pink aura and he changed back. His breath came in gasps and he felt his brother's hand on his shoulder.

Thunder rolled in the sky and everyone lifted their heads confused. Had they been so distracted that they had missed the approaching storm? The earth under their feet shuddered and the two youkai brothers snarled. The wind picked up and whirled around them angrily. Black clouds filled the skies and lightening flickered in the distance.

Elrond shook his head. "Let's go indoors." He commanded and turned immediately. He headed towards his house and sighed. Things had spiraled out of his control and he felt helpless. The elf hoped that Mithrandir arrived sooner then was planned. They all needed help.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha followed behind the elf lord, and Glorfindel fell in step behind them, keeping a wary distance.

No one seemed to notice Kagome staring at the sky, except Elladan and Elrohir who stood to the side waiting. They were the only three left in the gardens.

Kagome stepped forward and frowned, feeling an intense feeling fill her soul and the jewel shards flared to life in a deep pink hue. Elladan and Elrohir shared a look and stared at the girl whose eyes grew distant and hazy. It seemed like she was under a spell as she watched the dark clouds rolling through the sky angrily.

They froze when her whispered words entered their ears.

"Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul."

The shards flared to life swirling around her in power and she gasped. What the hell had she just said? She wondered staring at the shards in her hands now turning an angry black. Horrified, she dropped the shards to the ground and gaped stupidly when a dark menacing laughter filled the air. The shards lifted off the ground and floated in front of her face, and she stared at them, eyes wide and unbelieving.

"Oh Kami." She whispered.