Moments In Time

by Paige Darke

Series of short stories, oneshots and ficlets. From all different characters. Some are canon, some are AU, some are completely random. Past, present, only one particular arc in chronological order. They go up in the order I write them.

32. Fighting

As time passes, the humans change, both themselves and the world around them. Since it is not in demon nature to be changing, or even very accepting of change, most vanish into the remaining empty spaces or slip into deep sleep and many even die.

Sesshomaru has struggled to keep demonkind alive, but it is a losing battle. In the end, he wishes only for his survival, and that of those closest to him, although he keeps fighting for the other demons. He still cares for their race, and he will do whatever he can.

He would have given up long before now, and simply retreated into the wilds as many of the other demons have, if not for those closest to him. Inuyasha would hunt him down, call him a coward, anything to start a fight against what he sees as running away, and he doesn't want to deal with the aggravation. Besides, without him,Inuyasha would probably be dead within a year, and he has learned to tolerate his brother, if not precisely care for him.

It is for Kiare he fights, for Kiare he holds onto everything they've worked for. In a way, he admits, if only to himself, it is merely to keep her by his side. He fears for her when she leaves, because she is a wild, reckless creature, and without him to back her up, she might do something foolish and get herself killed.

Things have changed between them, and he's not entirely sure if he likes the way they're going. He has found himself watching her, more and more of late, noting the little things about her that he already knew but seem so new and strange to him now.

And more often than ever, he finds himself remembering the one time they had shared together, the one time he had allowed her to give herself to him, and wishes for it again, under less tragic circumstances, without the death of his child over his head. He finds himself fighting for control over impulses that he had thought completely restrained, and is torn between giving in and cursing her.

He knows, if he asked it of her, she would come to him, and share his bed. He does not have the courage to do so, and it angers him, because he is not a coward.

So he watches, and he waits, and he realizes, with something almost like dread, that he is falling in love with her.

And that he fears more than anything, because he does not want to hurt her.

End