Chapter 2 – Alone

Six months had passed. Inuyasha had seen the entire west coast of Japan. But everywhere he went was the same. Humans feared him and demons shunned him. However there was one person that was different. A human, of course, was grateful to the lad for saving his life. Inuyasha had stayed near that village for a while. Sitting in the sand, enjoying the salty breeze and cold ocean water.

He didn't have much contact with the villagers but that one human seemed to come by the shore twice a week to sell his produce. On his most recent trip he stopped to chat with Inuyasha a bit. he came to sit next to Inuyasha. The man was old and smelled of disease. Inuyasha thought he wouldn't live much longer and saw it as a reason to leave soon.

"It sure is a beautiful day" the old man said. Trying to start a conversation.

"Isn't it the same as it has been this entire month." Inuyasha said with a soft smile.

"Yes, but today is exceptionally good"

"Oh and why is that?" Inuyasha asked curiously. But the man only smiled. After a few more minutes of silence and staring at the waves the man tried to stand up. His old bones not being what they used to be. Inuyasha quickly stood and helped the man up.

"Thank you lad." He then walked away.

Inuyasha sat back down. Even though he had said that because of his demon side he couldn't stay still, there wasn't much for him to do. Hunting, eating, exploring and occasionally saving someone was the only thing he did. He was bored. He started to miss Naraku a little. At least he had given him purpose.. but he was glad for the peace and tranquility.

Inuyasha looked at the sun. It wouldn't be long before nightfall and today was the night of the new moon. He stood up and turned back to the forest, he needed to find shelter. However when he turned around he was shocked to find a certain person standing behind him. The salty wind blowing on shore had masked his scent well. Sesshoumaru stood there, calm and collected.

"It has been some time, little brother. " he said.

"Sesshoumaru. What are you doing here?" Inuyasha said, automatically gripping Tessaiga tight.

"Rin told me you haven't come by the village after you left, contrary to your promises." He said.

"Yeah? What's it to you?" Inuyasha said annoyed. Was his brother keeping tabs on him or something? "I don't see why you care. So leave me alone." He said as he walked passed Sesshoumaru. The sun was setting, he needed to find shelter.

"The old priestess is dead." Sesshoumaru said emotionlessly. Inuyasha stopped. Ears hiding against his skull. "s that so.. sure took her time" he tried to kid. He then quickly left for the forest.

Sesshoumaru followed him with his eyes before he vanished into the thick foliage. He turned to the setting sun. How times change, he thought. Inuyasha looked different. More mature maybe. Well that was expected with his age. Sesshoumaru was curious what Inuyasha was up to these days so when Rin asked him about Inuyasha he thought it was a perfect excuse to go find him. Rin was sad from Kaede's death. Luckily the demon slayer and monk had taken her in after that. She had gotten used to the village life and a certain male demon slayer visiting from time to time. When Sesshoumaru had visited she asked him if he had seen Inuyasha lately. She said he had promised to visit but hasn't and she was worried. When Sesshoumaru had responded without much interest she asked him, slightly upset, if he didn't care about his younger brother. If he wasn't worried. Sesshoumaru had not responded.

"Mh. Ridiculous." He said to no one in particular before he turned around in pursuit of Inuyasha. The boy had rudely walked away from him. Why was he so quick to get away?

- o -

Inuyasha sat in a high tree near the river. News of Kaede's death had saddened him. But he knew she was old and that it wouldn't be long. She had been a constant in his life. The baby sister of Kikyo. Now that he thought about it. He had loved her more than he ever did Kikyo. He owed her a visit, it was the least he could do to repay her.

The sun had set. His nails and fangs weren't there to help him tonight. His usually keen senses couldn't detect danger, and so he did not notice Sesshoumaru approaching.

"It seems you are full of mysteries, little brother"

Inuyasha turned around in shock and lost his balance. From that high tree it was a quick trip down landing on his back. His eyes blackening out for a second when his head hit the ground. Groaning a bit he quickly stood up to face the Daiyoukai.

"By God Sesshoumaru! Stop creeping up to me!" he said, but his face was full of fear. He tried to keep up a strong front. Sesshoumaru could literally snap him in two in under a second now. He could not outrun him. He needed to play this smart. Releasing his death grip on Tessaiga, Inuyasha stood straight. Black hair flowing with the evening breeze.

"How did you get yourself in this predicament?" Sesshoumaru asked. Inuyasha, trying not to antagonize him, gave as normal a response as he could under the circumstances.

"It's a half-demon thing" Sesshoumaru stayed quiet, which basically said he is not satisfied with the answer. So Inuyasha continued;

"All half-demons have a certain day they turn completely human. Mine's the night of the new moon. We usually don't share this information as it shows our weak point. But I guess that doesn't matter now anyway."

"Why not?"

"It's not like I can outrun you now or stand a fighting chance. Beside you've already seen it so there's no point in hiding it.

"I don't see how that is different from any other time" Sesshoumaru said.

"Fuck you" Inuyasha said back. "Look. Just what do you want from me?"

"You have changed." Sesshoumaru concluded.

"Yeah no shit! We just went over that!"

"No, not just that. At the shore I noticed it too. It seems you have grown up a little."

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about." Inuyasha denied.

"Perhaps not." His frown deepening from Inuyasha's behaviour.

"Tell me, Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru said, "What will you do now?"

"Seriously Sesshoumaru, what do you care?" Inuyasha sighed. He looked back at the tree he had so recently been evicted from. He had to climb back into it again. He had chosen this tree because it was high and hard to climb. With a single jump in half-demon form it would be easy. His human form would not have such luck. Better find another tree. Sesshoumaru did not answer.

"I guess I'm going to find another tree is what I'm doing." He said as he walked away.

"This is the second time you've turned your back to me today, little brother. Do you think it wise to walk into the forest in your condition?"

"Back off Sesshoumaru" Inuyasha yelled back. "I've been doing this for a long time. Besides if you hadn't come, I'd still be in that tree, safe. Now, I've got to find shelter before any demon catches my scent."

"Oh they caught it some time ago. We are surrounded" Sesshoumaru deadpanned. Inuyasha cursed under his breath. "so what are you going to do now?" he asked Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha wasn't stupid. If they were surrounded, the only reason they hadn't attacked yet was because of Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha's life was in Sesshoumaru's hands. If the dog-demon didn't feel the need to kill Inuyasha himself and left, he would be a meal for the surrounding demons.

Sesshoumaru suddenly appeared behind Inuyasha and grabbed him at the back of his collar. He jumped and before Inuyasha knew it, he was back in the tree. Then Sesshoumaru disappeared. Though not completely. Inuyasha could hear the groans of pain and strikes of claws through the forest. Was Sesshoumaru destroying the demons ..for him? After a little while it quieted down. Sesshoumaru had not returned. But the demon blood now surrounding Inuyasha would be sufficient to mask his human scent. So he was safe for now. But why had Sesshoumaru protected him? Better yet, why had he not killed him? It didn't make any sense..

The sun would come up in a couple of hours. As soon as he was half-demon again, Inuyasha decided to head back to Kaede's village. He would pay his respects and say goodbye. For good this time.

- o -

A few days later, Inuyasha arrived at the village. It was in de midst of summer. The sun was blazing and there was notably less refreshing wind in these parts. Inuyasha figured when this was over he would go back to the sea again. The ocean breeze and cool water were perfect in this weather.

Inuyasha had run since dawn without any breaks. The sun now high in the sky did little to help. His skin covered in sweat Inuyasha decided to freshen up at a lake nearby. After undressing his top half, Inuyasha waded into the water. Lifting his hair over his shoulder, Inuyasha lowered himself into the water. after washing his body, he went on to his hair. He had noticed that the salty water made his hair tangle easier. After soaking it in the water, Inuyasha went to sit by the edge and combed it through with his claws. If he did go back to the shore, he'd have to find a place where there was also a lake so he could wash his hair in it.. Inuyasha thought. Maybe if he could find a good place he could build a home for himself. A place he could find shelter even on the moonless night.

When he was through combing his hair, Inuyasha dressed himself and started walking. The sun drying his clothes before he had even reached the grave. Kaede was the village priestess so it wasn't strange that she had a tombstone with lots of flowers. A lot of villagers would have come by to pay their respects. Kaede had helped so many people in her village. Inuyasha could only hope Rin was up to the task of taking over. But from what Inuyasha had seen, Rin was a good apprentice and Sango could help her in a lot of ways.

"Heya old hag" Inuyasha greeted. "I heard ya finally hit the dust. I promised I would visit so here I am. Sorry I'm a bit late though.." Inuyasha went behind the stone to sit with his back against it.

"I can't believe you're really gone. You were a little runt when I first met you. Always warning me to stay away from Kikyo. I thought you were jealous, but you were just protecting her weren't you? You had every right to. Even though I really wanted to change for her, as soon as she was gone I was back to my usual self. I was mad. I hated the world for leaving me alone again. And then you showed up. 50 years later, to me you were suddenly an old hag. But thanks to you I didn't kill Kagome. Putting these damn beads on me.." Inuyasha said as he held the beads of subjugation. Then something hit him. Kaede put those beads on him. She was gone now. Inuyasha took hold of the necklace and slowly lifted it up. Over his head. It came off. Inuyasha didn't know if it was because of her death or that maybe she had broken the spell a long time ago. When it became apparent Kagome would never come back again. It didn't matter. They were off now. He was free. He felt a pain in his heart as his last connection with Kagome was gone. He held the necklace tight in his hand.

"Thanks for all you've done. Now take a good rest. I'll sing for you"

Inuyasha sang the lullaby his mother always sung to him. Softly the words spilled out. Inuyasha remembered when he sang this song for his mother, the day she died. He was quite a bit younger, the song wasn't very good. But it had all his feelings in it. This would be the last time he would sing it to anyone. He did not want, no, he could not lose anyone else.

This time Inuyasha could smell Sesshoumaru coming. But he did not stop. He finished his song. He refused to acknowledge his brother standing there. It did not matter if Sesshoumaru heard him. He had already before. Besides after today he would probably rarely if never see his brother again. The song was done. A silence fell.

"Will you refuse to acknowledge my presence, little brother?" Inuyasha did not respond. "With your song, she is sure to rest well in the netherworld." Sesshoumaru said. Inuyasha looked confused and turned around.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Inuyasha asked. This time Sesshoumaru did not answer. He said exactly what he thought. No more words were needed.

"Look Sesshoumaru. I don't know why you keep popping up, but it stops today. I'm going to the village to say goodbye to Rin and the others. And then I'm gone. I won't come back here anymore."

"Why are you leaving? Isn't your pack here?"

"Yeah well it was fun while it lasted. But they are still humans. I can't stay with them forever."

"I'm glad you finally decided to stop living with humans."

"Well I didn't have much choice did I?! They were my friends. Besides it's not like I had demons to play with growing up! But I've buried enough humans already. I'm sick of it. Besides you're one to talk with your visits to Rin! What happened to humans are weak and disgusting?!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Rin is different."

Those words had stung. Sesshoumaru was willing to accept one human child, found on the road. But he could not accept his own flesh and blood. Ears against his skull, Inuyasha covered his eyes with his bangs. He was sick of this. He had to get away or he would get mad. Mad with loneliness. With a soft "whatever" Inuyasha walked away. He walked closer to the village but as the house came in sight, Inuyasha changed his mind. He didn't want to see anyone. He didn't want to say goodbye anymore. He just wanted to be alone. So Inuyasha ran. And he didn't look back.

-o-

Sesshoumaru watched the Hanyou turn around and run away. At first he didn't understand it. But after he contemplated Inuyasha's words. He figured why the boy turned around. Sesshoumaru sighed. Now he had to go tell Rin that Inuyasha wouldn't come. He could already picture the girl. With her big, sad eyes. But he couldn't blame the hanyou. If he had gone to the village the humans wouldn't have accepted it. They would have tried to convince him to stay, and the farewell would be more painful. If he left now. He could expect them to live long healthy lives and he wouldn't have to know when they died. Protecting himself from pain that has yet to come.

Sesshoumaru remembered the conversation they had. Inuyasha's ears hid in his hair when he had told him Rin was different. It had always been obvious that Sesshoumaru liked Rin to some extent. So why did it come as a surprise to the hanyou now? Sesshoumaru did not know why the hanyou looked so sad when he left. He hadn't even been that sad when he sang to the old priestess. And oh how beautiful that song was. Sesshoumaru was once more mesmerized by the beautiful voice Inuyasha could produce. The song was full of sadness and sorrow but it was a beautiful goodbye for the departed. Twice now he had heard the Hanyou sing, but both times it was with sadness in his voice. Sesshoumaru wished he could hear the song again, but this time he wanted it to be ..happier? The great dog-demon was surprised by his own thoughts. Not only did he not find it ugly, the demon had come to actually like Inuyasha's singing. His voice reached down deep inside the Lord and stirred up feelings he hadn't felt in a long time.

But what was he to do? Walk up to his younger brother and ask him to sing for him? Sesshoumaru sighed again. He went to say his goodbyes to Rin and left to find Inuyasha, again. He didn't really have anything better to do anyway..

-o-

Inuyasha had run for four days. He had reached the shore again. He had been here before and stayed in a cave. He figured he could use the cave again. It was high above the ground and properly hidden with bushes. In the opening you had a nice view of the sea. Inuyasha climbed his way up there and hid himself away. He needed rest. After the emotional and physical exhaustion of the last four days.

Inuyasha had slept for two days. When he woke up he got back to his usual routine of hunting, eating and swimming. Killing some demons along the way as the days went by. Inuyasha had no purpose other than living. He kept to himself, stayed away from the villages around him. He didn't want any trouble with the humans.

Before he knew it, two months had passed. Inuyasha lived in the cave now. It proved to be a good hideout on the nights of the new moon. Within a small corner of the cave lay some furs, to sleep on. Not far from it was a circle of stones in which Inuyasha kept a fire going. The rest of the cave was bare. Inuyasha did not have any belongings, other than Tessaiga and the Firerat. The beads lay in the corner somewhere between the furs.

Sesshoumaru had been around the area twice in that time. But Inuyasha avoided him. He kept hidden in the cave and hoped Sesshoumaru wouldn't find him. And he hadn't. Why Sesshoumaru had showed up so many times this past year was a mystery to Inuyasha. Maybe Sesshoumaru was bored just like him. But Inuyasha wasn't about to become Sesshoumaru's chewing toy. So he kept away. Inuyasha had had enough of him anyway. After it became apparent that the Daiyoukai would never accept him, no matter how strong he had become. Inuyasha just gave up. Sesshoumaru may share the same blood as him, but they were not brothers. Inuyasha was ashamed it had taken him so long to realise it. Or maybe to accept it. He had always hoped that someday Sesshoumaru would see how strong he had become and that he would acknowledge him as his little brother..

The days of solitude had changed him. He never pretended to be the brash Inuyasha again. And he found himself singing more and more often. At night, when he sat by the fire, he would sing to himself. He wouldn't have to worry about anyone hearing him in the cave. No one ever came near it. Inuyasha started to really enjoy singing. It made him feel less alone. As if his mother was with him. Old memories of her and Kagome would fill up the cave. And Inuyasha would eventually fall asleep against the wall.

One night, Inuyasha felt dirty from the salty water he had been in earlier. So he decided to take a trip to the hot spring that was conveniently located near the cave. Inuyasha had picked this place well. After getting fully naked, Inuyasha entered the spring. Sitting near the edge, he relaxed in the hot water. But he couldn't get as relaxed as he wanted. Inuyasha lowered his hand to his cock. Slowly trying to awake it. But no matter how much he thought of Kagome's legs or Sango's chest, He couldn't get an erection. After a few more strokes of nothing, Inuyasha gave up. It would seem luck was on his side for once, for if he had continued. He would not have noticed Sesshoumaru approaching. It was too late to run away though. Sesshoumaru had impeccable timing as always.. Debating with himself if he should quickly get dressed and risk being seen naked, or staying in the spring covered by quite clear water. Inuyasha was out of time as Sesshoumaru reached the spring. Inuyasha sat, stiff as a bone, not daring to look up at Sesshoumaru. How humiliating being seen by him!

"I think you've sat in there long enough little brother, you are turning red." Sesshoumaru said.

"Fuck Sesshoumaru! Can't a guy bathe in peace here?!" Sesshoumaru did not respond. In fact, he did something Inuyasha had never, ever expected. Sesshoumaru started to undress. Inuyasha dared not look at Sesshoumaru as he removed his armor and Mokomoko.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Inuyasha yelled. Sesshoumaru calmly continued undressing and entered the spring. When Inuyasha heard the water stir, he quickly looked up in shock. Sesshoumaru sat at the other side of the not so big spring. His hair over one shoulder, Sesshoumaru had his eyes closed. Inuyasha stared at his brother with a mixture of awe and shock. He had never seen his brother without armor before. So this was a very strange sight to see. But he was more bothered by the fact that he was sharing a hot spring with the Daiyoukai.

"Seriously Sesshoumaru, you're starting to creep me out!" Inuyasha tried again. Sesshoumaru opened his eyes towards Inuyasha, making Inuyasha blush.

"I felt filthy after slaying a particularly nasty demon, so I decided to take a bath. I did not realize I needed your permission." He said.

"Well sorry your highness, but I like to bathe alone!" Inuyasha yelled. He then quickly stood up and got dressed. He hoped Sesshoumaru had the decency to turn his eyes away. As soon as he was finished, Inuyasha ran away. He quickly left for his cave, mindful to not leave a trace behind. He didn't want Sesshoumaru to follow him. What the fuck was that just now? Inuyasha couldn't comprehend it. It was just weird and fucked up. He wanted to rid this memory from his mind as soon as possible.

As he arrived at his cave, he made a fire and sat by it. Sesshoumaru had been acting strange lately. If Inuyasha didn't know any better he would say Sesshoumaru was looking for him. 50 years ago when Naraku hadn't happened yet, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru rarely met. But after Naraku, he only sometimes saw him when he visited Rin, but Sesshoumaru made a point not to appear in front of Inuyasha. He saw no point to it. So why now? Sesshoumaru really was strange. You can never read what he is thinking. Why in God's name had he entered the hot spring? Inuyasha wasn't comfortable with nudity. He only felt comfortable with Miroku after a while. But Sesshoumaru was nowhere near his comfort level.

Inuyasha thought back to that scene. He had never seen the Daiyoukai naked before. Sesshoumaru's hair lay over his shoulder. Shining silver hair over pure white skin. His chest and arms defined with muscles, but not too much. Magenta stripes covering his forearms and hips. Sesshoumaru was the epitome of beauty. Inuyasha started feeling warm and uncomfortable. His hand slipped into his hakama. Grabbing his stiff cock, he began stroking it. Remembering Sesshoumaru's white skin as he got even more comfortable. Laying on his back, his hakama on his ankles. Inuyasha stroked furiously, his precum making it more slick and hot. He tried to imagine what was underneath that water. Strong abs and a belly button. With a line of white fur making a path to his erect cock and heavy balls. Inuyasha's back arched as he fucked his hand, harder and harder. His thrusts became irregular as he was losing his mind. Using two hands now, Inuyasha rubbed as hard as he could as he rode himself to completion. White ribbons of cum shooting out of his cock. Inuyasha lay on the cold ground, harshly panting.

After a few moments Inuyasha returned to his senses. Sitting straight up he stared at his hands. The cum sticky on his fingers. The realization that he had thought of his brother while satisfying himself mortified him. No longer wanting to think about it. Inuyasha jumped out of the cave and entered the sea. He had to wash himself again..

-o-

Why he had entered the spring, Sesshoumaru didn't know. But he didn't regret it. Seeing Inuyasha blush because of his nudity had made Sesshoumaru's day. They were both male, what was there to be embarrassed about? When the wet puppy hurriedly exited the spring, Sesshoumaru did not bother to look away. Except for the obvious, Inuyasha's body was much like a human's. Slightly toned skin without the stripes he himself possessed. Inuyasha was slim and seemed to possess a slight feminine beauty. Sesshoumaru caught himself staring at the two dimples above Inuyasha's ass. But before he knew it that ass was fully dressed and running away.

Sesshoumaru was bored.

Naraku had been defeated, Rin was safe in the village and at home people were waiting for him to return. Sesshoumaru had always been a wanderer. Staying home at the palace, giving orders and doing paperwork never really appealed to him. Not to mention that everyone at the palace was so goddamn boring. Whereas Inuyasha was very interesting. Sesshoumaru felt that he learned something new about the puppy every time he saw him. Inuyasha was the only adventurous thing in his life right now. Was he obsessed? Yes, probably. Did he care? No. He was Sesshoumaru. He could do whatever he wanted.

The Daiyoukai had been so happy to find Inuyasha after two months of searching. The fact that Inuyasha was hiding was obvious. The question was from who? Sesshoumaru sighed. He got up and dressed himself. He had to go find the half-demon, again.

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