/Sesshomaru's thoughts/

Chapter 15

When Inutaisho awakened his head was throbbing and he felt very groggy. The first thing Inutaisho realized when he became conscious was that he was lying down. The second thing was that he was no longer in the dungeon. He could no longer smell the stench of the bull demon. Neither was his senses being overwhelmed by the scent of dried blood, urine or semen. He felt fresh air fill his clogged lungs. He could feel his wounds starting to heal. Some of them burned as he felt a sticky substance over his skin. He winched in pain as a sharp ache made itself known to the silver hair demon. He could feel that disgusting worm boring beneath the flesh of his right leg. Suddenly the dog lord stiffened as he smelt the scent of three cat demons and a . . . No, it can't be. Is it a dog demon? Wait, it's a hanyou but the scent of this dog demon was so familiar to him. His mind was so tired and battered until he did not know who this person was but the familiar scent tickled the back of his memory. Slowly opening his one eye, he stared into a campfire. He noticed three strange looking cat demons sitting around the fire. They were speaking in a language he did not understand. That was strange. He could have sworn that he smelt a dog demon. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him.

He tried not to draw their attention to him but the pain fill groan that slipped from his lips when the worm began moving in his leg drew their attention. The female demon got up with a cup and brought it over to him. She smiled at him and slipped an arm under his shoulders helping him to sit up. She put the cup to his dry cracked lips and he drank the cool water greedily. Pulling the cup away she laid him back on the ground.

Then the two males began to say something. Inutaisho frowned as he began to wish he could understand what they were saying. The girl tied a piece of rope around his right thigh just above the squirming worm. Then she touched the red stone in her choker. "There is something in your leg preventing it from healing." She frowned down at him. "Do you understand what I am saying?" Quickly before he could answer. "Do not speak. Your throat is raw and will take a while for it to heal. Just nod your head."

Inutaisho nodded his head. The young female smiled. "Good. Now we are going to remove it but it will be painful. We tried cutting your leg open to remove it but whatever this thing is moves quick. It had squirmed its way up to your heart trying to get away from us. You nearly died. We stopped immediately and about an hour later it had returned to its former place in your leg."

The dog demon frowned. Understanding his silent question, the girl answered. "I have no idea why it returned to your leg." She seemed to think. Then stared down at him. "When the worm was put inside you. Was it still it still in its larve stage?"

Inutaisho nodded his head.

"I see and I take it the thing was put in your leg." Again the elderly dog nodded. "That explains why it returned to your leg. You might say your leg was its home and its instincts led it back." The girl sighed. "That thing has to be removed so you can start healing properly. I'm sorry but we are going to have to cause you some major pain to do it. So try to be as still as you possible can."

The dog lord nodded. Then she nodded to the other two. The red hair demon went to the fire and took out a red hot poker. He said something to the other and the boy held him down. "Ready?" asked the girl. Inutaisho nodded.

The demon raised the poker and jabbed it through the dog demons leg into the worm. Inutaisho released a blood curdling howl that sent the birds and other animals scurrying away in the forest. The other male demon threw all his weight onto the elder demon to keep him from moving. The female took one of her claws and slit opened his leg revealing the large slimy black worm that was clinging to the bones inside the dog lord. She picked up a brown pouch and took out a small green sack. Opening it and pouring the gray powder onto the worm. The thing released an awful screech and began to dissolve away. Removing the poker from his leg she took out a black pouch and poured a red powder into his wound to keep out infection. His own demon power of healing took care of the rest. As he laid there panting and sweating, the young boy removed himself from over the elderly dog demon. The girl said something and began to gently stroke his hair. His need for sleep was overpowering his throbbing tired body as he paid no attention to what the girl was saying. Sighing in contentment, he closed his eye and went back to sleep.

When Inutaisho opened his eye again he felt better. He couldn't figure out what happened. The last thing he remembered was being in terrible pain and being tortured by one of Ryuukotsusei's minions. Sighing, he closed his eye and was about to drift off to sleep when he remembered the three strange cat demons. His eye snapped opened wide and there they sat. Except, there was someone else with them. It was that scent again. The scent of a dog demon. It was driving him crazy. The scent was on the tip of his tongue but it just would not fall. Who could this young man be? And why does his scent seem so familiar?

Inutaisho struggled to sit up and hissed as a shooting pain went up his right leg. The conversation in the cave died as the three cat demons turned their attention to him. The young demon with his back to him stiffened. Maybe . . . "I see I am no longer in the dungeon of the palace." He began to gently massage his throbbing leg until the pain was just a dull ache. He turned his attention back to the strangers. Although it was obvious he was no longer a prisoner Inutaisho did not knowwhat else to say to these four young people who risked their lives to save him. No one said anything. "I take it you four rescued me." Still no one said a word. The three cats stared at the other which he guessed was the dog demon. "I thank you. What do they call you so I might thank you properly?" He heard the demon with his back to him tell the other three something in that strange language. Then the female touched a red stone in the silver choker again. It flared bright red and she said, "I am Ashanta." Now that the fog has cleared from his mind he could see that she was very pretty. "This is my mate, Sethos. And my two brothers Zaine and Kumo."

"But you know me as," he stood up and turned to face his father removing his haiks and letting his long silver hair fall down his back. Inutaisho gasped when he saw the two dog ears sitting on top of his head. As he turned to face him, the dog demon paled as though he had seen a ghost. He knew that there has not been many dog hanyous. But he did know that his youngest was the only hanyou to have those cute dog ears. "Inuyasha."

Father and son stared at each other for a long time. "My," the dog lord began to say hoarsely, "my son. My Inuyasha. . . You're alive." He held his arms opened to his son. Inuyasha went to him and hugged his father tightly.

"Yes it's me father." He pulled away from his father to stare into misty amber orbs.

The elderly demon gently caressed the soft face of his youngest afraid that he might awaken and realize that it was all a dream. Raking his claws lovingly through the long silver locks, he pulled the young demon to him and fiercely kissed him on both cheeks. And then pulled his son into a desperate hug. Tears flowed from both Inutaisho and Inuyasha's eyes. After eleven long years, he was finally home.

So, for the next five hours, Inuyasha told his father about everything that happened to him since Yin took him from his home. He began with how the dragon had killed a wild boar and splashed its blood all over the trees and ground. And using some sort of spell the dragon had made it seem like the blood they smelled was his. Then how he met Shirow and Usagi on board the ship. He was sold as a slave to a disgusting human. He looked away in shame when he told his father how after being beaten he accepted the slave name. Then what happened on the ship.

"Strange thing about that, I don't remember what happened after that human tried to force himself on me," said Inuyasha scratching the side of nose. "When I woke up, I was sinking into the ocean and then these merboys saved me."

"Merboys?" Inutaisho asked cocking a brow.

"They live in the ocean. Half fish and half human." He went over to the carcass of a deer he and Zaine had caught. He tore a hip from it and handed it to his father. "Please eat father. You need to gain your strength." He hated seeing his father like this. He remembered his father as always being a strong and powerful demon. But this creature before him was nothing like he used to be. What Inuyasha saw was nothing but skin and bones.

He looked up at his son and smiled. He took the leg and sunk his fangs into the fresh meat. Meat always tastes better if it's uncooked and fresh. Once he was finished Inuyasha gently pushed his father back to lay down. "You should rest and heal some more. The healing balm Ashanta put on you will help. Besides. . ."
Inuyasha smiled and leaned down to kiss his father on the forehead. "We have all the time in the world to get to know each other."

"Okay son," he said holding on to his youngest hand tightly. Inuyasha let him hold his hand until his father fell asleep.

xxxxx

Ryuukotsusei began to destroy the inside of the palace in a fit of rage. His toy had been taken out from under his nose by a couple of dirty cats and a worthless human. Which according to his men was no mere human after digging their comrades out of the earth.

While the dragon raged Naraku stood in the background smirking. This could all work out in his favor. The fool was filled with so much rage he could make a mistake and get himself killed. That pleased the demon to no ends.

The dragon turned to face Naraku. His gray eyes were like a raging storm. "And you!
That worthless bitch you have couldn't stop one little cat demon that looks like she just stop wearing diapers two days ago!" He stomped towards Naraku and grabbed him by the collar of his haori. "Well Naraku, what do you have to say for yourself."

The dark hair demon pried the hands off of him. Smoothing out the wrinkled material, Naraku turned his gaze upon the dragon. "We have scouts out looking for them but it is like they never existed. Plus Kanna can't even find them with her mirror."

Ryuukotsusei snorted. "I wouldn't trust anything your people do."

Naraku narrowed his eyes dangerously at the dragon. "I would trust Kanna's mirror if my life depended on it."

The dragon suddenly stepped into Naraku's personal space and leaned very close to him. "Believe me when I say. Your life does depend on it." He raised a finger and jabbed it into Naraku's chest. "Find Inutaisho and those bastards Naraku or you just may find yourself in the dog lord's place." Ryuukotsusei turned, slammed the door opened and stormed out of the room.

"Hmph," grunted Naraku. "Oh someone will suffer dragon, but it won't be me." He turned to his left slightly. "Kanna."

The small girl with white hair holding a mirror stepped out of the shadows.

"Have you found them?"

"No Lord Naraku," she said in her deadpan voice. "The spell that is being used to hide them is strong. Not even my mirror can find them."

"Well, it doesn't matter," Naraku said smiling. "This works perfectly into my plan anyway."

xxxxx

Sesshomaru stood out front in the courtyard before Yoko and the others. "Well, have you found them?"

"I'm afraid not, my lord," said Yoko.

"It's as though they have disappeared from the face of the earth," said Shirow.

"My wolves were able to pick up their scent for only a short distance before it disappeared completely," said Koga. "Whoever these demons are. They are very skilled at hiding their scent."

"It's been over three days since they took my father away from Ryuukotsusei," said Sesshomaru sighing. "I wonder what it is they want from him? If they are people we can trust. Why haven't they contacted us?"

'I don't know Sesshomaru," said Master Rei. "Until they show themselves, all we can do is wait and hope that they are taking proper care of your father."

Sesshomaru sighed and turned away. "You should get some rest. Soon, we shall be going to war."

They bowed to the demon lord and left. Rin remained behind. "Lord Sesshomaru, you are so stressed. Is there anything I can get for you?"

He turned to face the human female. /Little Rin. How you have grown from a smart little child to an intelligent you woman./ He sighed. "Rin. You have been with me for ten years. Lin gave you to me to be my translator and you have served me well."

"It has been an honor to travel and to serve you, my lord," said Rin.

"Rin, I give you your freedom. You do not need to be here when the battle begins."

Rin smiled. "And where would I go? My parents are dead and I know no one else. I can only guess you do not want me to get hurt in this battle but you have asked for help to defeat the dragon. Since you have given me my freedom. Then I choose to stay here and fight by your side."

"Such loyalty," said Sesshomaru. "You may stay but first, I wish to ask you something."

"By all means."

"Once this is over and the west is back in my hands and we have found my father. I would like you to be my mate."

Rin stepped back gasping in shock. "Why?"

"You are strong and loyal. You would be a good mate."

"Is that all, my lord?" asked Rin frowning. "Is there no other reason why you want me to be your mate."

"No," he said in his emotionless tone. "What other reason is there?"

Rin arched a brow at his answer. Then she smiled while shaking her head. "I would be honored to be your mate but . . . You should wait, my lord. Think about this and after the battle if you still want me to be your mate. I shall give you my answer then." She bowed and left him standing in the court yard alone.

xxxxx

It had been a little over a week since Inuyasha rescued his father and the two have been getting to know each other. The tall demon was leaning on his son shoulder limping around around the cave.

"So, how are you feeling dad?"

"You're here and alive," he smiled at his son. Ashanta had wrapped a blanket around his body like the women in their Pride wore their dresses. "I'm feeling much better." He pulled his youngest into his arms holding him tight.

"What about your leg?" asked Inuyasha. "Not only was it broken but it had that disgusting thing clinging to your bones preventing you from healing properly."

"Well, it was causing me great pain," he said. "But thanks to whatever it was Ashanta did.She had killed the repulsive thing. Now, my own demon powers will heal me. My leg should be fine by this evening."

"That's good." Inuyasha continued to help his father walk around the cave getting the feeling back into his numb legs.

"Does your brother and mother know you are alive?"

"Not yet," said the hanyou. Seeing that his father was getting tired. Inuyasha guided him back to the blanket and sat him down. Inuyasha sat next to him. "When we arrived here in Japan. It was from some of the villagers that I had learned what had happened to you. I'm so sorry dad." He leaned his head against his father's shoulder.

Inutaisho frowned. "Why would you be sorry?"

"If I hadn't gone with Yin. You, mother and Sess wouldn't have had to suffer the way you all did."

"Don't you dare blame yourself." He pulled the young half demon into his strong embrace. "Ryuukotsusei and I have been enemies for centuries. Even if you weren't tricked into following Yin into the forest. I'm pretty sure that bastard would have found some other way to get a hold of you. Although I would never have stooped so low as to hurt my enemy's young child but then, Ryuukotsusei has always been a worthless excuse for a demon." He kissed the top of his son head. "I'm just so happy to see you are alive and very strong from what I can see." He smiled. "I can't wait to see your brother and mother faces when they see you are alive."

"So, where are your friends?"

"Sethos and Zaine went hunting. While Ashanta went out to try and find you something to wear," said Inuyasha smiling. "Although I think they went to give us some time together."

"Do you think its wise for them to be out in the opening?"

"You need not worry about those three. They can take care of themselves. Besides, the spell Ashanta cast over them will make them look like any ordinary demon."

Inutaisho raked his claws through his son's long silver tresses. "I can see you care for them very much."

"Yes. When I had no memory they were the only family I had along with the Ethiopian dragons. The dragons accepted me into their clan and taught me their language and magic." Inuyasha felt his father stiffen. "Don't worry father. These dragons were nothing like Ryuukotsusei or Yin. They were very nice and loving. Even after my dragon mother was killed, they still called me one of their own. Dragons are very intelligent, loyal, wonderful singers and great poets."

"Well, if you consider them to be friends. Then I shall call them friends as well."

"I think you would really like the Dragon Father," said Inuyasha laughing. "He tends to prattle on about nothing like you would do."

"Hey, is that anyway to treat your old man." He tighten his grip around his son. "Anyway son, what kind of language was thay the four of you were speaking?"

"It was lion. When I went to live in their Pride. It was grandmother Xhosa that taught me how to speak their language."

"So how is it they can speak Japanese if you had no memory of who you were?"

"It was a gift from the Dragon Father. After my two dragon friends had dropped us off in China. Tano gave them those necklace they wear." Inuyasha stretched his arms over his head. "According to them, the stones have a spell over it which allows the person who wears one to speak any language that is heard by the wearer. Without the stone, we can speak ten different languages."

"Amazing." Inutaisho said beaming with pride at the accomplishments of his youngest son. "What say, we leave out tonight to go see your mother and brother."

"Do you know where they are?"

"Only one place they could be," said Inutaisho. "The Forest of Lost Souls."

"Okay, as soon as the others get back." After Inuyasha said that the three cat demons walked into the cave carrying several rabbits. Ashanta had a handful of cloth in her hands.

xxxxx

It was night as Sesshomaru stood out in the courtyard looking up at the moon. He sighed as a cool breeze picked up and blew his long silver hair behind him. Just then his mother walked out. She was wrapped in a white fur. He sniffed as he turned to face his stepmother.

"Is that father I smell?" he asked her.

She smiled at him and took it from over her shoulders and wrapped it around him. "Yes, it is. It was after you had left to begin your journey. I asked Yoko to take me to the place where your father fought Ryuukotsusei."

The young lord tensed. "When I left you in Yoko's care. I didn't mean for him to take you out into danger like that."

"Please don't be angry with him." Izayoi wrapped her arms around her stepson. "I just wanted to be close to him. Anyway, when we got there. His fur was everywhere. So we gathered up as much as we could and brought it back here. With the help of the servants we stitched his fur into this boa. And a witch place a spell over it so it would remain like this for centuries to come. I have slept with this for eleven years. It was like having your father beside me. Now, I want you to have it."

"Are you sure?" he asked stroking the soft fluffy fur.

"I'm very sure," Izayoi said smiling. "Besides, it looks wonderful on you. It will make you even more attractive to the female demons." She giggled, and kissed him on the cheek. "Anyway, I no longer need it. Your father will be home soon and we will be a family once again." She turned and left him alone. The fact that his stepmother was happy made him want to smile but of course, he didn't.

He sighed. /A family? No mother, we will never be a complete family again. Not without Inuyasha./

Sesshomaru slowly made his way through the gates and walked into the forest. A second later he heard the shuffling of tiny feet following him. Turning, he saw Jaken running out after him. "What is it Jaken?"

"Nothing my lord, I just thought you might like a little company," said the toad demon in a meek voice.

Sesshomaru turned, positioning the boa across his left shoulder and walked away neither accepting or refusing the toad's company. Taking it as a yes. Jaken followed his silent lord.

xxxxx

Hours later Sesshomaru came to a stop beneath a tall tree. While the young demon settled on a branch in the tree. Jaken had made a fire beneath the tree and sat quietly waiting. With one leg dangling off the branch, Sesshomaru leaned against the tree and stared up at the moon. He continued to stroke the fur. He sighed as he let his thoughts run rampant in his head. Every since his father was rescued over a week ago. For some strange reason, he has been dreaming about his little brother. He has been trying hard to seal up the cracks that kept appearing every time he dreamed of his brother. But every time he sealed one crack two more would appear. /Why? After all this time am I thinking about Inuyasha. He is forever lost to me./ He sighed staringdown into the flickering flame of the campfire and smirked. /Is this your way of letting me knkow that I shouldn't close my heart off, otouto? Do you still love me so much that you are trying to tell me I should live and be happy. Even if it's without you/

Suddenly the breeze blew a familiar scent to his nose. Sesshomaru bolted upright and sniffed the air quickly.

"Is something the matter, Lord Sesshomaru?" asked Jaken staring at his lord worried.

"That smell . . .By the seventh level of hell could it be." He jumped down and took off into the woods.

"Wait for me, my lord!" Jaken yelled and began to put out the fire.

Some time later Sesshomaru stepped out of the forest into a clearing. There were five cloaked figures sitting around a fire. One of the figures looked up when he stepped out of the shadows. Then the cloaked figure stood up and walked over to stand facing him.

Sesshomaru silently prayed that the scent he smelt was not the boa and that this person really was his . . . "Father?"

The person raised his hands and pulled the hood down. Sesshomaru felt his body tremble. "Father!"

"Hello son," said Inutaisho smiling. He grabbed his eldest son in a huge hug crushing his tall frame. But the younger demon did not care one bit. He had his father back. He wrapped his one arm around his father and held him tight.

They stayed locked in each other's embrace for a while before Inutaisho pulled his son back to look at him. "What happened son?" He raised a hand and traced the scar that broke the moon on his forehead. "Did that bastard Ryuukotsusei do this to you?" He stared down at his son's missing arm. "I know about your arm, but . . ."

"No father," said Sesshomaru trying hard not to let his emotion cloud his voice but it was no good. His voice cracked with emotions. "This wound happened after I left Japan."

Suddenly he noticed the other figures standing up. He narrowed his eyes as he could smell the scent of cats and a . . .hanyou But this was no ordinary hanyou. It was a dog demon. He almost smelled like . . .No, I shouldn't hope. It would only tear my heart out if I am wrong.

"I owe you all thanks for rescuing my father," Sesshomaru said bowing to the strangers. Then three of the figures removed the cloth from their faces. It was like what was reported to him. Three strange cat demons. He had never seen demons like these before. What he found strange was that he was told that one of them was a human. Unless. .. of course, the hanyou. He would have a period of weakness where he would be human. /So, this is the 'human' that rescued my father and buried the wind witch beneath the Earth./

Then the female touched a red stone in the collar around her neck. "If you want to thank me, how about a kiss. You are so angelic looking," she said smiling and salivating overhim. Then she was struck across the head by the red head cat and the hanyou. "Why did you do that?"

"Stop flirting with him," said Sethos.

"Besides, he's already taken," roared the hanyou. Sesshomaru cocked a delicate brow at hearing that statement.

"I am Sethos, prince of Egypt. This little minx here is my mate, Ashanta and this is her brother Zaine." Sesshomaru bowed in respect to the foreign prince. Then he turned to the hanyou that still remained hidden behind the cloth.

"And you hanyou. What do they call you?"

"Well, in Africa I am called Kumo, but here in Japan .. . " He raised his hand and removed his haiks and face cloth. Sesshomaru gasped as he stared at the long silver hair and the silky dog ears sitting on top of his head. He has to be dreaming. There was no way that this could be . . .

"Inu . . . Inu-Yasha." Just then the wall around his heart shattered into a million pieces. Sesshomaru felt his heart pounding in his ears. Every emotion he had sealed away came crashing down on him. "My . . .otouto."

"Yes, it's me niisan," Inuyasha said smiling. "I'm glad to see you remember me."

Then the young demon lord did something he thought he would never do in a million, no, a billion years. He fainted.

Author note- I know that this was definitely not something the ice prince Sesshomaru would do but since this is an AU and OOC fic. You guys have to give me a little leeway. Please. I hope eveyone like this chapter because it was by far the hardest I've written. I think I must have reread it about twenty times to make sure i got everything.