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"Petals and Metal"

Inuyasha hummed to himself as he balanced on the tree limb twenty feet off the ground. His bare feet kept the rhythm… left, right, left, right. He felt the branch begin to bend beneath his weight as he approached the narrow end.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm!" He stopped, narrowed his eyes, and looked for a suitable target. Spotting one, he crouched, bounced twice, and sprang into the air.

"Oomph!" He'd misjudged the distance, and his feet narrowly missed the limb of the next tree he'd aimed for. Well, at least I caught it… He dangled by both arms, his small claws digging into the young bark. "Rrr… ah!" He hauled himself up and sat on the branch.

GROWL

Inuyasha rubbed his complaining stomach. "Yeah, yeah… I know it's past time for lunch. But then Mother will make me help clean up afterwards, and do my chores, and take a bath, and won't let me out to play again." She's been telling me to not stay out after dark lately… I wonder why?

"Ah, she's just worried about nothing," he proclaimed. Saying it aloud made it feel truer. He began walking along the limb towards the trunk. He paused briefly before hopping to another branch five feet overhead. "Easy!"

The end of this bough, however, stuck out towards an open field. But from here, he could see another one, higher still, leading towards another tree. He backtracked, jumped to his target branch, and followed it outwards.

Hmm… pretty far… He hesitated only a moment before flinging himself headlong into open space. It was the longest jump he'd yet attempted. Once more, he just barely missed the branch and had to dig in with his claws.

"Oh… kay… think I've had enough for one day," he muttered. He struggled to heave his body on top, but even as he did so, the rotten bark beneath his claws flaked away. Inuyasha found himself grasping at thin air and plummeting toward the ground from thirty feet up!

How do I do that slowing-down thing Myoga tried to teach me? He tried to focus his demon energy like he'd been taught, but it was too little too late. The ground rushed up to meet him like a hungry predator.

xxxxx

"Inuyasha is late again," Izayoi murmured as she hung up the freshly washed bedding. "He's been missing a lot of meals lately. But, boys will be boys!" She paused in her work and smiled, remembering her own brother's childhood antics. Yamagata came home with cuts and bruises often, but Father believed such things toughened boys up to become strong men. He took it on himself to train Yamagata in martial arts and swordsmanship when the time came.

She filled a bucket with cool, clear water from the small streat that ran merrily along the side of the house. Inuyasha must be growing up the same way… only without a father. The closest thing he has to that is that pesky flea. And although he's been teaching Inuyasha a lot about his demon abilities and the nature of other demons, he's not exactly big enough for Inuyasha to wrestle with him.

She poured some water from the bucket into a kettle, set it over the fire, and boiled herself a quick cup of tea. As she sat on the front step reminiscing about her brother, gradually her mind turned to the future. I wonder what sort of person… what sort of man Inuyasha will turn out to be… will he be strong? kind? generous? Will he find someone to care for, like his father found me? She mentally sighed and shook her head. The odds are heavily stacked against him in that regard… but there's always a chance. I have to believe there is someone out there destined for him.

Izayoi drained her cup and scanned the horizon, searching for signs of her truant son, but found no indication of his imminent return. "That boy… Oh! I forgot the last of the laundry!" She set the cup inside the door and returned to her incomplete task.

"I guess since he has no father or brothers to wrestle with, and the village children shun him, he has only himself to wrestle with." She shook out the last sheet with a sharp snap. "As long as he's back by dinnertime…"

xxxxx

"Ooh…" Inuyasha came to hours later. The sky overheard was dark, broken only by a few sparkles of starlight through the thin clouds. He slowly moved one arm, then the other, then both legs. He flexed his fingers and toes, and took a deep breath to check his ribs. Nothing broken, he concluded. Must've just had the wind knocked out of me.

He sat up too quickly, and stars rushed to his head. He almost blacked out again, but the sharp pain in his belly kept him awake while simultaneously reminding him that he'd now missed both lunch and dinner. When the world stopped spinning, he slowly stood up, more wary this time. I'd better get back… Mother will be worried.

Glancing about, he realized that he'd been so caught up in tree-hopping that he'd lost track of which direction was the way home. "No sweat," he announced to the forest. "I'll just use my nose."

His sense of smell had sharpened a great deal lately. He could single out his mother's scent in the crowded market, or a single infested, rotting vegetable from a whole field. As he inhaled, he couldn't detect his mother's scent at all. Which means she's downwind, he concluded. The breeze was light, but steady, so he chased its heels as it threaded through the trees.

Several minutes at a light run brought him no welcome sight of home… just more trees. I must've been booking this morning! He tested the air again, allowing his canine senses to take control briefly.

"Whoof!" Inuyasha staggered back, holding his nose. "What's that hideous stench?"

Maybe it was instinct… maybe luck… maybe he saw the shadow descending upon him from above. He never could remember. In any case, he narrowly escaped a gruesome death, springing aside just as a giant arm crashed down where he'd been standing. The intense gust of wind caused by the arm's sudden movement sent him spinning through the air.

He righted himself in midair and slid to a stop. Oh, crap… His feet seemed glued to the ground as he stared up at the brooding figure that had just tried to turn him into a hanyou pancake. The oni's head turned to face its prey and grinned maliciously.

Inuyasha shook himself. Come on, snap out of it… you can take him! Indeed, Inuyasha had fought a few battles thus far: minor demons, weasels and such, and even a good-natured scrap with a kitsune – until her parents showed up and unsurprisingly hustled their pure-blood child away from the hanyou. Inuyasha had always come out on top so far… though the fox had almost had him licked, he'd never admit it.

This was his toughest opponent yet. Inuyasha quickly assessed the situation. He may be strong, but he's slow… he's bound to think I'm scared… time for an ambush! "Come and get me, ugly!" he yelled as he bounded into the brush.

The ogre crashed after him, following the brief flashes of red like beacons in the dark forest. Then its target disappeared. The oni's nose was keen, but of course, Inuyasha had led his pursuer to be upwind of himself. He wrinkled his nose as he watched the oni from his perch. I don't want him to smell me, but I sure hate having to smell him! He bided his time until the demon was in the perfect spot.

"HRAH!!!" Glowing yellow blades extended from his claws as he catapulted from the branch. The foot-long blades slashed neatly through the right half of the oni's face, splattering its eye into greenish goop. Inuyasha skidded to a halt, his blood beginning to heat up with the thrill of battle. "Heh. Maybe I should come up with a name for that sometime, like Myoga suggested. Hmm…" As he stared at his claws, it came to him in a flash of inspiration. 'Iron Reaver Soul Stealer'… perfect!

He smirked as the slow – and slow-witted – ogre roared at the loss of its ocular orb. Then its head snapped around and the remaining eye flashed menacingly, even as its foot-long horns doubled in length and thickness. The oni roared again and charged, swinging its arms wildly.

How did it suddenly get so much faster and stronger? Inuyasha wondered as dodged the oni's wild attack. Something tickled the back of his mind. Oh, yeah… Myoga told me there are some demons who become more powerful the more they are hurt… this must be one of them! But as long as I can get back to a tree, it won't get me!

The injury had all but destroyed the oni's depth perception. But its remaining eye could see all the better, and the fiend quickly located the tree in which Inuyasha had taken refuge. Inuyasha didn't see the charge in time to ready a counterstrike, and barely managed to escape to another tree even as his previous asylum was smashed into splinters by the oni's newly empowered fist.

That tree was huge, but it smashed right through! No matter… I'm still faster! As the last wood splinters settled, Inuyasha prepared to strike again. I'll blind it for good this time!

"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" Again, the blades appeared at his fingertips… again, they slashed through the oni's eye in a spray of ichor. But this time, the oni's horns were a bit longer, and as the demon tossed its head and roared with primal fury, one of them snagged the hem of Inuyasha's robe!

Had the cloth been woven of weaker material, it would have torn, and he would have been shredded by the thrashing arms below; instead, Inuyasha dangled upside-down by his fire-rat hair robe.

I bet I look pretty ridiculous right now, Inuyasha thought as he crossed his arms and sulked. "Hmph!"

He instantly regretted vocalizing. The oni could no longer see, but it could hear even better than before. Its head snapped around, trying to locate the source of the sound, but even as the oni rotated its head, Inuyasha revolved as well. It still couldn't detect the slight weight tugging on its left horn, which was becoming longer and sharper still as a result of this new injury. But it could smell the hanyou nearby.

Inuyasha tried to formulate a plan as the demon began blindly staggering through the forest in search of his far-too-troublesome quarry. Let him walk into a tree and get knocked down? No, more likely the tree would fall… and if I happened to be between him and the tree, I'll be a goner. As the oni stumbled on, Inuyasha began to swing back and forth in time with its bobbing head. An idea came to mind. This is just like swinging on a rope! Now if I can cut the rope… I've got to time this just right!

Inuyasha waited until his oscillation was at the furthest point, then slashed at the horn with all his might; this time without foolishly announcing his attack. The blades made a soft schink as they dug deep furrows into the tough substance… but didn't cut clean through. The demon didn't feel it, and as branches were scraping against its other horn, it didn't pay it any mind.

Damn! It's too thick! Well, if I can't cut that… aw, man… Mother's going to kill me! Inuyasha brandished his claws again, waited for the out-swing, and slashed through the corner of his robe. He dropped silently to the ground as the demon stalked on, completely oblivious.

He crouched motionless until the oni was long gone, and then sat up carefully. "Now which way is home?" he wondered. He took his bearings from the rising full moon, and set off in the direction he thought was most likely. Thankfully, it was not the direction the oni had chosen.

But, as a result of his inattentiveness to Myoga's more jejune discourses, Inuyasha had failed to learn one particular fact; had he known it, he would have been substantially more afraid. For some of the oni's blood had splashed on his robe, which meant that Inuyasha was now an unwitting walking oni snack. Oblivious, he wandered fearlessly through the wood, knowing the blind oni was far behind him.

Thankfully, Inuyasha had two points in his favor. First, onis are horrendously stupid… which he had recently verified through personal experience. Second, when onis smell oni blood, they are usually not expecting fast food.

xxxxx

Izayoi was frantic. I can understand Inuyasha missing lunch while distracted by play, but he's always, always home in time for dinner! Something must have happened to him… he's never this late. What do I do? She considered asking the neighbors to help her search, but rejected that idea. They'd just say they're too busy and laugh at me behind my back. No. I must go looking for him myself.

She retrieved a brush and inkwell and scribed a quick note of explanation – in case Inuyasha should return while she was gone. Still dressed in her work clothes, she grabbed a lit lantern and hurried out into the falling darkness.

Moments later, she returned. She quickly plucked the petals from one of the lotus blossoms she carried, and scattered them on the floor. She gently placed the other flower into a small basket and ran off into the night.

xxxxx

Two onis hurtled through the underbrush, tracking the aura of their demon brother's blood. They could tell the aura was neither far nor moving quickly. They grinned savagely at the prospect: they would soon either have a most enjoyable fight, or eat heartily.

They smashed through a thicket of bamboo and stared down at the aura's source.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Inuyasha turned and fled for his life, the onis in hot pursuit. The red-cloaked figure they hunted wouldn't make much of a meal… they'd probably be hungrier afterward than before the chase… but, after all: onis are dumb.

I missed lunch… missed dinner… fell out of the tree… first one oni… now two… and I'm completely lost. Can this day get any worse? Inuyasha ticked off the day's misfortunes as he dashed along. He was headed towards a clearing. Great, no ground cover… can't lose them in the trees anymore… "Whoop!" No ground at all!

Indeed, the ground completely disappeared scarcely ten meters before him. He stood on a bare rocky cliff jutting out over a winding watercourse; the river itself lay far below, having entrenched itself long ago during a cataclysmic upheaval, and the sides rose up sheer, with nary a handhold. He stopped to catch his breath and think. Where to now?

The ruckus raised by the onis warned him he had little time. Worse, his nose informed him that they had split up and were now flanking him. Can't run, too tired to fight even one of them… gotta hide. He looked over the cliff, and spied his salvation. He focused his demon energy, and this time, he was able to glide safely to a small sheltered outcropping below. None to soon, for the onis trailed the aura right to the edge of the cliff.

Inuyasha found himself hoping the onis would fall straight in. They weren't quite that brainless. However, they were puzzled that the aura now told them to go down. They roared and snarled at each other, debating what had happened in their crude tongue.

What do they want with me? Inuyasha speculated. And how are they tracking me so easily? He had barely enough room to crouch down. As he did so, he noticed discolored splotches on his robe. The other oni's blood… can they smell it? No… I could barely smell it. It's just a few spatters… but what have I got to lose now? Delicately, he used his claws to cut out the contaminated portions, releasing each one into the breeze. As he was working on the third spot, he heard the onis direct their attention downwind. Yes! That's it! The onis began stomping along the cliff, following the tiny scraps of cloth.

xxxxx

Izayoi rushed through the woods at a pace only a marathon runner or a desperate mother could keep up for long. And marathon runners don't usually call out at the top of their lungs every ten paces.

She first checked his favorite spots: an old oak, a cozy cave just right for someone his size; but her search turned up no signs of Inuyasha.

He hasn't been here today, she thought, testing the dirt floor of the cave. He never roams much further. Did he run away? No, he'd never leave me.

"Inuyasha!" She pressed on, dimming the lantern slightly to conserve oil. A while later, in the lantern's diffuse light, she spied a trail of recently broken bracken. Well, something has been through here tonight; the branches have not yet begun to heal.

Throwing caution to the wind, she followed the trail, hoping it would lead to her precious boy. Before long, the trail dead-ended before an abyss.

She called out for the thousandth time that night: "Inuyasha!"

xxxxx

Inuyasha continued his makeshift custom tailoring. He was almost through when his ears pricked up involuntarily. Did somebody call my name?

"Inuyasha!" The voice was faint, but distinctively that of his…

Mother! She can't be out here!

"Inuyasha!" The voice was definitely his mother's, though he'd never before heard it sound so panicked. Gee, I wonder why…

Unfortunately, the onis had heard her as well. He could feel their stomping feet returning on the cliff above, hear the echoes resounding from the opposing cliff. I've got to get her out of here! He looked up, analyzing the stony face above. It's too high to make it in a single jump, but if I can bounce off that ledge, then that one… his eyes traced a zig-zagging path upwards. Let's go! His legs bent like compressed springs, and then…

"Hup… hup… hup… RAH!" He burst over the edge of the canyon, landing lightly a few feet from the rim.

"Inuyasha!" Izayoi ran from the edge of the woods towards him, oblivious to the danger.

"Mother, watch out, onis!" He dashed between the advancing ogres and his mother, and turned to face the foe. "Get away, Mother, I'll buy you some time!"

The demons roared, recognizing their earlier prey by sight.

'Two kills from one chase!'

'A tasty human, too! We will feed well!'

They charged.

Izayoi rushed to her son; the lantern fell to the bare earth and shattered. Clutching his fatigued but struggling frame to herself with one arm, she retrieved the lotus blossom from its basket with the other. Holding it before them, she quickly recited the spell. The blossom rose into the air, the outer petals separating and hovering about the center; and a luminous sphere enveloped mother and son.

In a brilliant flash, the oni's prey disappeared. Momentarily blinded, the two demons collided with one another and tumbled to the ground. Though it had not yet been officially formulated, Newton's First Law of Motion was still in effect. It kept them rolling: right over the lip, into the gaping maw, and onto the jagged rocks below.

xxxxx

Inuyasha and Izayoi reappeared in their humble abode. The protective bubble around them burst with a small pop, releasing a load of dirt, a filthy little boy, and his mother onto the immaculate floor.

"Ow… what happened? Mother? Mother!" He sprang to her side.

"Inuyasha?" She raised her head wearily. "Are we back?"

"Yes, Mother, we're home… how did you do that?"

She crumpled again, secure in the knowledge that they were safe. "I'll explain later… I'm just so glad you're safe." She smiled, reached up, and gently rubbed his cheek. "You were so brave, Inuyasha!"

"Oh, Mother… I'm sorry to have worried you… I won't do it again, I promise!" He hugged her neck.

Izayoi sighed and patted his back. "I can't help but worry about you, Inuyasha. That's just what I do. Now… can you help me to go to bed? I'm too tired to move much; that spell I just used is very draining."

"Of course, Mother."

Behind a screen in her bedroom, she slipped out of her work clothes and into a silk nightgown. Then, for the first time, Inuyasha helped his mother get into bed. It would not be the last.

No sooner had her head touched the pillow, but she was asleep. "Good night, Momma," Inuyasha whispered. He sat on his haunches for a while, watching over her. On impulse, he brushed her raven hair away from her smudged face, and gently kissed her forehead. She stirred, but did not wake as he slipped out of the room.

As tired as he was, tonight he could not bring himself to sleep. He sat on the doorstep, mulling over the day's events as the moon finished its journey.

"I need to become stronger… strong enough to protect Mother. I can't just play around any more," he decided, pounding his fist into his palm. "The next time Myoga comes around, I'm going to shake him until he tells me how to be stronger!"

xxxxx

When Izayoi woke up, the sun was beginning to shine through the westward-facing doorway. She found her son asleep on the doorstep. "Wake up, sleepy-head… you haven't eaten in nearly a day," she reminded him. He refused to stir, though his ears twitched slightly at the mention of food. "I just need to start another part of your face twitching," Izayoi thought out loud.

An hour later, Inuyasha awoke to the aroma of a veritable feast. His stomach nearly preceded his feet into the main room, where his mother was ladling miso soup into two bowls. "Mother!"

"Good afternoon, Inuyasha!" She beamed. When he tried to say more, she shushed him. "We'll talk later… let's just eat for now, ok?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Itadakimasu!"

A/N: Yay! I finally managed to use the word "jejune"! If you couldn't gather from the context clues, it means "insubstantial" or "uninteresting"… like many school lectures we've all heard, no doubt. If you are a Harry Potter fan, think of Professor Bimms (the ghostly history teacher). Read the previous chapter to learn about oni blood. This story is really an expansion on an anime canon event – I forget which episode. I have not seen it in quite a while, so it must be in season 5 , but I have tried to maintain as many details as possible. I prefer to leave attack names in English… just more used to it, for one thing. I might change that when I introduce the kazana (hint, hint!). Finally, itadakimasu is the Japanese phrase traditionally spoken at the beginning of a meal; it literally means, "I will receive".