Chapter 6

Sesshomaru wasn't sure weather it was chance, or intention that Matyeo left out the tiny detail that they would be rendezvousing with his half demon brother, but either way he was thoroughly pissed. In fact, the second Inuyasha and his wayward group of misfits darted across his line of sight the western lord had cracked his whip clean across the dragons face.

"Stupid hatchling!" Sesshomaru growled angrily as he landed "stupid…stupid hatchling!" Matyeo himself followed suit shortly afterwards, having just remembered in that instant how dysfunctional the western dog clan really was. Inuyasha meanwhile had a similar reaction to that of his brother, however his was more bark and less bite.

"What the hell did you bring him for?" the half demon hollered in Matyeo's direction. Now being persecuted by both dog brothers The dragon youth let out a heavy sigh of frustration. Then, only after he mentally reminded himself for the umpteenth time why it was he remained so devoted to this clan of demons did he dare form a reply.

"Because he wanted to help in the search, just as you did" the dragon youth mumbled before adding in frustration "heaven forbid you two actually agree on something." Matyeo ignored the scowl he received from Inuyasha and just barely avoided another whip strike from Sesshomaru.

"Spare me your mumbling and tell me where you found Shura's mount." To this Matyeo didn't have an answer and with Inuyasha still fuming it was up to one of his friends to answer…which Kagome finally did.

"Over there in that river." The girl informed him. Without a second glance, Sesshomaru started in said direction. He was followed by his accomplices: the dragon servant, his passenger, and the imp, who in turn were trailed by Matyeo, Kirara, Sango, Miroku, Kagome, and Shippo. Following last was Inuyasha. It may have been true he and his elder sibling both had a common goal this time, but that didn't make them any less hateful of one another. He would help find Shura, but for her sake, not Sesshomaru's, and he would make sure to do it as far away from his brother as possible.

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The atmosphere of the search was a tense one with few words spoken between anybody. In truth the only sounds that could be heard during the few hours that passed were the insistently grumbling stomachs of Rin and Shippo. The situation didn't really deter anyone; the two children remained quite out of nervousness and never once complained. Only after Matyeo collapsed from near exhaustion did everyone finally decide to stop and take a rest. Even Sesshomaru, though positive his child was somewhere in that forest, had to force a light nap. The continuous strain on both body and mind had depleted nearly all his energy reserves, and with only faint scent trails as a guide he could not afford to be careless due to something preventable like sleep depravation.

As everyone rested Rin could bear the pangs of hunger no more and thus headed into the forest with her ever faithful companions Ah and Un in search of edibles. At the same time, Kagome pulled a few items of her modern food ration from her backpack and passed them to her company. Then, ever true to her kind nature, she also offered food- stuffs to Sesshomaru and Matyeo. Nether demon responded, Sesshomaru for obvious reasons and Matyeo because sleep had out competed hunger in what was obviously a close struggle. Even from where she sat, Kagome could hear the dragon youth's stomach growling in almost rhythmic intervals with his snores.

"Poor guy," Kagome muttered softly as she picked up her food offering and slowly started to walk to where the dragon was sleeping hunched at the base of a large, sturdy tree "he must have been traveling all night." Noone really protested her actions, though Inuyasha was careful to keep a vigilant watch. Dragons were an unpredictable species, especially when they were hungry. In truth Kagome was not oblivious to this fact either; her intention was to simply leave the food, not wake the sleeping demon. She almost succeeded too, having come within a hairs-breath of Matyeo's dozing form before a stray twig blew her cover. Kagome froze out of reflex when the demon's finned ears twitched at the noise. Then his eyes opened.

"Sorry," Kagome squeaked in a half whisper "I didn't mean to wake you." Matyeo stared at her for a moment with an unreadable expression. Then much to the girl's relief, the dragon's lips curled into a light smirk before widening to a large, o shaped yawn that exposed purely fangs and the tip of a forked tongue.

"No worries milady," Matyeo reassured her as he worked the kinks from his neck and shoulders "I'd rather it be your face that greets me from sleep, then one of those surly dog brothers…" Kagome couldn't resist a giggle. It was the first time any of them had laughed in a while. Remembering her intention, the girl extended the box of nutritious edibles at arms length. Perplexed by the assortment of strange smelling items, the dragon cocked his head. Only after Kagome explained what it was she held did Matyeo accept graciously.

"They'res plenty more," the girl assured Matyeo as he proceeded to take curious nibbles of everything "Why don't you come and sit with us?"

Seeing no harm in the invitation and unable to ignore his still rumbling stomach, the dragon agreed. Moments later he was seated beside Shippo, and despite his efforts to remain polite, effectively devouring twice the amount of food as the young foxling. Only after the meal was concluded did the dragon realize the extent of his gluttony and extend a heartfelt apology along with a promise to return the favor.

"Its alright," Kagome reassured him with a half smile "You looked like you needed it anyway." To that Matyeo nodded in silent agreement. As much as he hated to admit, it was not the first time his stomach had caused him untimely embarrassment.

Now satiated, the dragon took a moment to scan the area. He was quick to notice that two of the gatherings members were missing.

"Where is the little one? Sesshomaru's foundling?" he posed the question with a hint of concern. His inquiry was met with bewilderment from Inuyasha and company. They had only first noticed the child that afternoon but in the ensuing tenseness hadn't really considered her significance or the fact that she was willingly following in Sesshomaru's band.

"I don't know. Guess she wondered off." Kagome at last responded after neither her nor her friends spotted the girl in the vicinity. She was about to inquire further on the topic but was cut off by Miroku who had taken the opportunity to pose a curious observation of his own.

"Speaking of Sesshomaru, I couldn't help noticing his rather barbaric attitude towards you…"

"Yeah you're a dragon lord right?" now it was Inuyasha who cut in "Why do you let him push you around?" the half demon asked with a buried note of resentment. Sesshomaru's bullying on him was bad enough, he hated to see it happen to others too, no matter who they were.

"I'm afraid it's…a bit complicated," the dragon at last answered reluctantly. There was a pause and everyone could see Matyeo's discomfort "I…owe him a great debt and until I repay it, he has no reason to respect me." Now Inuyasha was fuming. Owing a debt was one thing, but being exploited and humiliated for it…that was just not fair.

"What debt could be so important that you'd give up your pride?" the half demon snapped a bit gruffer then he should have. Matyeo lowered his golden eyes, now feeling the same creep across his person. Being treated like a cowering servant by a demon equal in rank was not something he enjoyed but such was the way of things. He after all, had no control over a pact appointed on him at birth…

A scream sounded startling everyone. The cry came from deep in the forest from the throat of a young girl. It was followed immediately by a the duel calls of a frantic lesser dragon. Sesshomaru was already out of sight, having darted into the forest before the shouts even faded. Matyeo and Inuyasha were running close behind him, themselves also blessed with demon reflexes.