Sesshomaru's Weakness

Summary: It takes more than ambition, strength, and tolerance to be a father. Ever heard the story of a demon caring for a human child? Strange circumstances have strange beginnings.

Part One: Admiration

There is a story, about a demon who was Lord of the Western Lands. If not for his poisonous claws, fearsome golden eyes that struck ice into the hearts of the weak, and deadly inhuman speeds, one might call him an angel. He wore pristine white robes, with only a spiked chest plate and hip guards for armor, for this particular demon battled quite often.

But war was to be expected for this demon. He cared for no one, felt only the pull of his sword's voice in his heart, the ambition of ultimate conquest. His golden eyes were not warm and compassionate like his father's, but hardened and icy, reflective like glass so that one could see the look of terror on their face as he cut them down with his claws. When he inherited Inutaisho's rule of the Western Lands, and all the people within it, and most of all... his battles.

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He had collapsed, dazed, beneath a tall oak tree after his latest battle with his despicable, ill-bred half-brother, Inuyasha. His pale, clawed hand gripped Tenseiga to his chest, and he gazed down at the blade with angry red eyes. How dare that mutt strike him down? And with a sword that was not even his? He growled lowly in his throat as the scene played over and over in his mind, screaming defeat and disgrace. He, the Lord of the Western Lands, full-blooded dog demon... had been defeated in battle by a pathetic excuse of his father's bloodline.

Slowly his wounds slowed their bleeding, and he hesitantly leaned back against the trunk of the tree to rest as the sun began its decent behind the western mountains. His eyes faded back into their golden hue and gently closed; with his nose inhaling the scent of the forest and all it's inhabitants every few seconds, his resting place was surely secure. And yet... an unpleasant scent reached him shortly after. His eyes snapped open.

A human girl dared to trespass upon his resting place? The thought, to him, was impossible, but even more impossible was the thought of him mistaking such a scent. A low growl started deep within his chest and moved up to his throat, growing in both volume and ferocity. It was a warning.

Sure enough, the bushes rustled softly to his right, and a small, human child peeked out from behind a tree trunk, her bright brown eyes staring at him wildly. Sesshomaru growled threateningly, his eyes flaring back into the piercing scarlet glare. The girl staggered back, gasping in terror, but she didn't leave. Her tiny, dirt-covered jaw set firmly in determination as she stepped toward him, her lips puckered into a frown. She stared at him, transfixed for a few minutes before turning and disappearing into the shrubbery once more. Sesshomaru stared after her and leaned back against the tree, closing his eyes. The sooner his injuries healed, the sooner he could leave this forest.

While he healed, the girl came back every now and again, never showing herself but making her presence known with snapping twigs, the soft pounding of her footsteps on the dirt, and rustling leaves. Then, just before night had fallen completely, the girl showed up with a small bamboo container of water. It sloshed and spilled as she set it down within his reach, and he stared at her coldly. She didn't smell of fear, and her face was completely composed as she came within his reach once again, to set down a small fish and a pile of dirty mushrooms. Just as she turned to leave, Sesshomaru pinned her with a glare.

"Mind your business," he ordered, no trace of emotion in his voice. "I don't eat what humans eat." She stopped, shocked by his voice. She turned, staring wide-eyed to see if he really had spoken, and he met her gaze evenly. When he said nothing more, she scurried into the bushes without a second look back. Sesshomaru was finally alone and able to get some rest.

She was not frightened. The thought bothered him, but not as much as it bothered him to be bothered by it. If that made sense. He sighed softly and stared out into the dark night. He could still smell her in the clearing. Her scent was not unpleasant like most humans. She didn't reek of urine and feces, of dirt, or of sweat. Her scent was actually floral, somehow, pure. Like cherry blossoms, or azalea.

Interesting. But the thought was only an echo of curiosity, and like all other impulses, it soon faded and disappeared. He closed his eyes once more and did not allow his thoughts to dwell on the human child.

The next morning, as he stared into the yellows and oranges of the rising sun, he heard the soft patter of feet on the grass. He could smell her long before she entered the clearing, and he could also smell the freshly picked vegetables in her arms. She stopped behind that same tree as before, as if waiting for him to acknowledge her.

"No thanks," he told her, not moving his gaze from the sunrise. She ran forward anyway, kneeling in front of him and offering the vegetables to him. He glanced at them momentarily. "I told you I don't need anything." She let the vegetables roll out of her hands and onto the ground, her head dropping in disappointment. Sesshomaru sniffed lightly and was surprised to smell fresh blood under her skin. He glanced over at her face, uncertain of what to think when he saw her.

Her right eye was swollen shut, her face and neck covered in purple and blue splotches. Who had done this to her? She reeked of men. Had she been attacked? Sesshomaru felt no desire to find out, and yet, even for humans, ganging up on a child was downright dishonorable. The thought heated his blood.

"What's with those bruises on your face?" The inquiry came out as more of a demand, and she looked up at him, surprised. She didn't answer, and it hadn't occurred to Sesshomaru that maybe she couldn't speak, either. He looked away. "If you don't want to talk, that's fine."

She stared in shock for a moment, and then grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. A few of them were missing, probably from the beating she had recently endured. Sesshomaru blinked slowly.

"What're you smiling about? I only asked a question."

But it had been more than a question, it had been attention. He had noticed her injuries, looked at her and known that she felt pain. She must have felt as though someone cared. Sesshomaru watched her scamper off once more, and found himself eager to heal and be rid of the nuisance. She made him think of things he had no reason to feel. Feelings he did not want, nor did he need.

Later that day, his time of healing was completed sooner than he thought, and he left the clearing before the girl could return. The path led him to his warhorse, the twin-headed dragon named Ah-Un. They raised their heads and growled in greeting, and on his saddle sat Jaken. His grating voice rose in volume.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Would you have let me die that time?! Lord Sesshomaru!"

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, the dog-demon plucked two rocks from the dirt path, flinging one easily into Jaken's head. The imp shrieked and dropped to the ground, rubbing his head. He jumped back up onto the saddle without a second thought, this time facing his Lord. "Lord Sesshomaru! Were you testing your sword on me?!"

The toad probably did not want the truthful answer to that question. Sesshomaru raised a silver brow. "Weren't you looking for me out of concern?"

"Err…well…Lord Sesshomaru, I'm so glad to see you well." With a sharp flick of the wrist, the second rock flew out of Sesshomaru's hand and into Jaken's forehead. He stepped past the dragon, preparing to leave, when a gust of wind blew past them, carrying a mixture of unpleasant scents. Wolves... and blood. The smell of this blood was thick, and it was familiar.

That girl... He turned on his heel and stalked back into the forest immediately, following the scent. As the smell of her blood grew stronger, realization settled on him. She was not alive. He followed the path past the clearing and saw a small bundle covered in a pink kimono lying in the street. Her battered, bloody body was curled in a defensive ball, her kimono torn and stained with her blood and the scent of wolves.

Something settled in the dog demon's chest. Guilt? For what? It was not his job to protect the girl. And yet she had taken care of him. Not for a reward, not because she was told to. She was not like most humans. She was pure. Caring.

"What is that? Oh..." Jaken had finally reached them, and waddled up to the girl slowly. "She's a goner. Must have been attacked by wolves. She's been bitten to death." He seemed to notice the recognition in his Lord's eyes, the way he looked down at her. "Lord Sesshomaru, do you know this human?"

Sesshomaru wasn't listening. His thoughts had wandered to her smile, her silence. She had not been afraid. She did not quake in fear, shout in anger, scream and run from him, take advantage of his weakened state and run to get villagers to kill him, a demon. She was courageous child, more courageous than over half of her species. Was that good, or bad? He was a demon lord who prided himself on the ability to instill fear in others.

No, he thought. That matters not. I am honorable. She tried to sustain my life, though unnecessary. I will return the favor. Tenseiga pulsed strongly in agreement at his hip and he unsheathed it without a pause. Jaken stuttered.

"L-Lord Sesshomaru?"

The blade throbbed in his hand and began to glow, and a new scene entirely faded into sight. Surrounding the small girl was a gang of small demons, carrying chains and hand-held scythes as they collected her soul.

I see... I can see them. He frowned. "They are from the Netherworld? Should I try it...?" The power of Tenseiga... the power to resurrect and heal.Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed in concentration. What a perfect opportunity to test the sword's power. The demons turned to him and chattered in fear. He sliced through them as easily as if they were made of air, and they crumbled into dust that evaporated in the breeze. Swiftly, he sheathed his sword and knelt beside the girl, scooping her up into his single arm. He waited, until suddenly a gentle thumping replaced the silence that rang in his ears. He gasped.

Her heart is beating once more. She is breathing... Incredible.

Her eyes shot open, staring up at him in delighted surprise. Sesshomaru gazed back, confused by the rush of emotions that danced in her eyes. Wonder. Admiration. Happiness. Gratefulness. Loyalty. He released her and stood, turning away without a word. Jaken sat once more in Ah-Un's saddle as they departed, and when Sesshomaru had reached no further than twenty feet away, he heard the gentle patter of bare feet on the dirt path, echoing after his own.

Hmm... Tenseiga, huh? It made me save a human.

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A/N: Ta-dah! Could be better, I'll admit. But this first part is kinda boring. The next parts will be better. Stay tuned! And if you could please leave a little review? It's comforting to know when people enjoy my writing. =] Thanks for reading!