Intervention Thy name is Bakusen'O!

by lunamist

Determined to undue the damage Sesshomaru has wrought, Bakusen'O takes a dying Inuyasha into his protection until the Lord of the West comes to understand his brother's worth. Centuries later, Inuyasha has been released into his brother's care. Soon Sesshomaru comes to understand, a sibling relationship is not what his Youkai has in mind. Ah, but how to woo a battered Hanyou?

6. Chapter 6

Wow, what lovely reviews I received over the last chapter. I loved hearing what you guys thought, but boy do I ever feel the pressure. This chapter seems to be highly anticipated and I hope it delivers. There were some questions in the reviews about why Inuyasha didn't seek out his friends help when Sesshomaru was after him. In short, that was about 50 years after the defeat of Naraku and thus, his human friends had already died . Most of this is explained in a bit more detail sprinkled throughout later chapters, but I hope that helps for now. As stated in an earlier AN, the main bunch of the story takes place about 70 years post Kagome jumping threw the well, so lets say sometime about 2060. Oh, and one more thing, I too am sorry for Bakusen'O. He'll get some lovin' later on, but he's going to be sleeping peacefully in his forest for a bit.

Disclaimers: Same as other chapters. Oh, and a new one . . . with Inuyasha waking up, count on lots, and lots, and lots of foul language. Yippie!

Now, on with Chapter 6 . . . our Hanyou's awake!

Inuyasha felt as if his whole body was on fire. Everything throbbed and ached in ways he'd seldom experienced. And, not only that, but his mind felt as if it were in a deep fog. Everything from the sounds he was hearing to the smells he was scenting were a mixture of confusion. Through the throbbing pain, he thought he heard a whimper and only after several occurrences of said sound did he figure out that the noise was coming from him. Normally, upon this realization, he would have put an end to such an obvious weakness, but given his current state, the Hanyou just couldn't. In his waking mind, Inuyasha was driven mostly by instinct, and instinct was making him afraid. Very afraid. Although confused, the one thing the Hanyou's Youkai knew was that it was in a very vulnerable position. Hurt, in pain, unconscious, confused . . . all of this was bad and would only get them killed that much faster. As his muscles cramped and knotted again, Inuyasha's body clenched in protest and a deep whimper bubbled up from within his chest. But then . . . then he heard it – a sound so foreign and yet so very instinctually calming. The sound of power and protection. The sound of someone watching out for him. The sound of safety.

Relaxing, Inuyasha's conscious mind tried in vain to regain some form of control. Something was wrong about hearing such a sound. Something that ought to be sending off warning bells, not lethargic acceptance. Never before had anyone offered such aid. Not since his mother's death had the young Hanyou felt any sense of safety from another being. Pushing the foggy vale from his eyes, Inuyasha's conscious self clawed its way free, knowing such promises of protection couldn't be anything but false. After all, he was a Hanyou. A useless, hated, half-breed. Powerful creatures didn't want to help him, they wanted to hurt him.

Feeling another agonizing clenching of his muscles, Inuyasha let out a howl, his body practically convulsing with the strain. Inside his mind, he struggled past the fire burning in his body. Pain was something he was used to. Pain, once acknowledged, was something he could control. Forcing his body to relax, Inuyasha embraced the pain; accepting it into himself like a second skin. And once he'd done that, he boxed it up and pushed it down. Just like a switch being flicked, the Hanyou opened his eyes, only to find himself staring into the burning twin sun's of his greatest nightmare - Sesshomaru.

"F-fuck . . . n-no . . . " Inuyasha's broken words burned through his raw throat, his anxiety and fear only escalating. "No . . . no . . . "

Sesshomaru felt his heart rate accelerate even more. All around him he could feel Inuyasha's raw terror. Normally such an emotion would thrill his Youkai, but the last thing he wanted to feel from his little brother was fear, especially this much of it. "Inuyasha, calm yourself."

But Inuyasha wasn't paying any attention to the words coming from his brother's mouth. Instead, his brain was firing as quickly as possibly, desperately trying to remember how and why he was in this position. Bits and pieces of memory filtered through his head in no particular order - only clips and snippets of information. But soon enough the pieces began settling into some type of coherency, but instead of calming the Hanyou, the knowledge only brought more anguish.

With a grimaced howl, Inuyasha pushed against the hands holding his wrists while his whole body twisted and turned underneath the unyielding DaiYoukai. All the while his beaten body screamed in protest. But if Inuyasha had learned anything over the years, it was how to ignore pain. "God's damn-it! That fuckin' tree lied!"

"Inuyasha, you must - "

"Get the fuck off me asshole!"

Beneath him, Sesshomaru could feel Inuyasha's skyrocketing heart rate, his shallow breaths almost to the point of hyperventilation. And beyond that, the fine sheen of sweat breaking out across the Hanyou's already exhausted body. The boy was pushing himself too far and for Inuyasha's own protection, it needed to stop - now. Growling deep in his throat, Sesshomaru let his Youkai flare with power. "You will be still!"

The suffocating aura of his brother's powerful Youkai was like cold water on the Hanyou's heated battle for liberation. Instantly, his body stopped while his eyes remained wide with fear. Unconsciously tucking his puppy ears deep within his hair, all Inuyasha could do was stare in terror while his lungs ached for air. But no matter how high his anxiety ran, he refused to whimper his submission.

With his brother's body no longer battling below him, Sesshomaru reigned in his Youkai but wasn't nearly foolish enough to yet release his hold. "This Sesshomaru commands you to relax."

Despite his fear, Inuyasha's response was quick and resolute. "You don't command shit from me!"

Sesshomaru only sneered. "Never the less, for your own well being, you will cease this useless struggling."

"-Keh, since when did you give a damn about my well being, asshole."

If he'd had a free hand, Sesshomaru would have been pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. It wasn't that he'd forgotten how obstinate his brother could be, nor was he really that angry regarding Inuyasha's defiance, although, admittedly his little brother was the only living creature he'd tolerate such outright disrespect from. In his minuscule heart, Sesshomaru had come to find these traits desirable, but now was not the time. Especially when they would only cause more harm to the Hanyou. "There is much you do not understand, Inuyasha. But whether you believe my intentions or no, you must be aware of your own body's condition."

Inuyasha barely heard a word uttered from Sesshomaru's mouth past his brother speaking his given name. Normally the iceprick would call him anything but his given birth name, but just now . . . realizing there was little else he could do in this situation, the Hanyou willed his body to relax. "I've stopped fightin' so you can get the hell off me."

Sesshomaru studied his brother, noting the decreasing heart rate as well as the regulation of his breaths. "You shall remain where you are?"

Narrowing his eyes, Inuyasha could only glare up at Sesshomaru. He'd only been awake for a few precious minutes, but in that time he'd had the opportunity to evaluate the state of his body and had come to one horrible conclusion - he was extremely weak. And, unfortunately that little burst of energy he'd just wasted fighting with his brother had just about sapped any reserves he might of had. "Don't see as I've got much choice."

Taking a final appraising look at the Hanyou, Sesshomaru allowed his fingers to relax, pulling away his hands as he sat back on his heels. When Inuyasha made no further attempt at escape, the DaiYoukai removed his body fully from his brother, standing up in one fluid motion beside the bed.

As soon as Sesshomaru's body cleared his own, Inuyasha took a deep and cleansing breath. Expanding his lungs that much hurt like a son of a bitch, but it did help calm his frazzled nerves. Without thinking, Inuyasha brought his arms down to his chest, rubbing his freshly aching wrists between each hand, all the while missing the deep scowl littering his brother's face at having been the cause of yet another wound to the half-breed. Still, Sesshomaru kept his silence while allowing his little brother to calm himself further. He didn't have to wait long. "So, where the fuck am I? This whole room reeks of your scent."

Sesshomaru's frown quirked up into a smirk. "As it should considering you are in this Sesshomaru's home."

Inwardly, Inuyasha felt his heart stop, his gut sinking at that statement. True, he'd kind of figured that must be the case, but it was a little more than disconcerting hearing those words said out loud. Basically, he'd just found out he was at his sadistic brother's mercy. Swallowing down his fear, Inuyasha did what he did best and hid it. "Surprised you'd bring me someplace like that knowin' how much I'd stink up the place with my Hanyou smell."

Although completely confident that he'd be able to turn his brother's opinion of him around, Sesshomaru wasn't exactly sure how he was going to accomplish that little miracle. The Lord of the West had never been particularly found of lies and deceit. In fact, the only creature he'd ever knowingly lied to was the one currently laying in the bed before him. It may have been true that in the beginning he'd found his brother's scent disgusting, but that fact hadn't been true for centuries, even when he was beating the ever-loving shit out of the Hanyou and claiming otherwise. Frowning to himself, Sesshomaru finally found the wisdom in Bakusen'O keeping the Hanyou from him for this many years. He may have meant Inuyasha no harm for more than a century or two, but only recently did he come to begin to understand what the half-breed meant to him. Now, he simply needed to admit this to Inuyasha. Unfortunately, the DaiYoukai thought the act would be anything but simple. Taking in an inaudible breath, Sesshomaru answered, "Your Hanyou scent is pleasant to this Sesshomaru."

In an instant, Inuyasha's head snapped to the side, his amber eyes staring up at Sesshomaru in unmasked disbelief. "Who are you and what the hell have you done with Sesshomaru?"

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru answered, a sigh almost audible. "There is much you do not understand."

A sad and broken laugh was Sesshomaru's response. "Oh, this half-breed understands plenty, Sesshomaru. You made sure to teach your lessons well."

The silence greeting Inuyasha's remark was a surprise to the Hanyou. He'd more likely thought Sesshomaru would voice his many reasons for those lesson's. All the while expounding upon Inuyasha's mixed heritage and his unworthy human ancestry. At the very least he expected some type of agreement. What he hadn't thought he'd see was the blank face his brother wore. It might be a subtle difference, but Inuyasha could tell that this particular look wasn't one of malice. It was more like Sesshomaru was thinking . . .

For his part, Sesshomaru was thinking; thinking about all the times he'd thought the Hanyou did need a lesson. A painful lesson. In his ancient mind, Inuyasha had been brash, arrogant, uncouth, and an all around stain on his father's name. At the time, the DaiYoukai had thought the only way to cure the half-breed of this was to beat it from him. To prove how utterly weak and pathetic the Hanyou was. But this wasn't ancient Japan, and they weren't standing in a field, swords drawn and ready to shed blood. Instead, Inuyasha lay on a bed in his home atop the tallest building in all of Tokyo in the modern era. And far from thinking the Hanyou inferior, Sesshomaru now saw unlimited value in his sibling. In that instant, Sesshomaru knew he had to put the past where it belonged . . . in the past. But where to start? Remembering one of Inuyasha's first words upon waking, Sesshomaru decided to start there. "Inuyasha, you believe Bakusen'O lied to you?"

Desperately, Inuyasha's brain tried playing catch-up to Sessohmaru's new line of questioning. Only after a few minutes of deep thought did he finally catch on to who Bakusen'O was. "You mean that old tree?"

Sesshomaru only nodded which angered the Hanyou. "-Keh, of course he lied. Just like every other pure Youkai I've ever met."

Unfazed by his brother's outburst, Sesshomaru continued. "And why do you believe he lied?"

Screwing his face up into a heated glare, Inuyasha's voice was acidic, "What do you mean? Of course the bastard lied! That tree said he'd protect me . . . keep me safe from your psychotic ass."

"The tree did not lie. Bakusen'O kept his word - "

"Bullshit! If he had then I wouldn't be here with you breathin' down my neck. Would I."

Taking a deep and calming breath, Sesshomaru continued ignoring his brother's expected hostility. "What exactly did Bakusen'O promise you, little brother?"

"Exactly? You wanna know his exact words? Cause I was a little preoccupied with dyin' at the time, so forgive me if this lowly Hanyou can't remember exactly what some fucked up demon tree was whisperin' in my head."

Although he wasn't certain of Inuyasha's and Bakusen'Os precise discussion, Sesshomaru knew what the tree had told him it had promised the Hanyou. "Bakusen'O did keep his word. The tree kept you safe within its branches for well over five hundred years, long enough for this Sesshomaru to understand the value of his brother."

Cracked lips opened, then closed, only to repeat said motion again and again as Inuyasha struggled for comprehension. There was so much in that singular sentence for the young Hanyou to digest. Five hundred years? That just couldn't be right, could it? And . . . and what did Sesshomaru just say? Something about understanding Inuyasha's value? No. No, that just couldn't be right. " . . . I . . . what did you just say?"

Sesshomaru couldn't help the deep sigh bubbling up within his chest, he could however contain it there. "To you, the memory of our last fight - "

"Last fight? Is that what you call it? How about sayin' when you beat, tortured, and poisoned my Hanyou ass."

" - is fresh," Sesshomaru continued as if he hadn't heard a word Inuyasha had spoken. "But to this Sesshomaru and the rest of the world, a little over five centuries has past. All the while, Bakusen'O kept your body preserved within a protective barrier."

It was probably foolish to take his eyes off his brother, but Inuyasha couldn't help doing it as his head turned to the side, amber orbs fixed upon a far wall, his sword, Tessaiga visibly sheathed as it casually lay atop a tall dressing table. Within his wrecked body, the Hanyou's chest continued moving ever up and down, betraying none of the anxiety racing through his heart. Think, I have to think, Inuyasha scolded himself. Upon waking, he'd barely had time to contemplate the exact nature of his injuries, but now . . . now he took the time and what he found was troubling. Inuyasha could sense what had been healed and he knew well the wounds corresponded to what his brother had done to him. To the best of his knowledge, he figured the worst of it had been mended, but his body was far from one hundred percent. To be honest, he'd already been pretty debilitated before the last throw down with Sesshomaru. Constantly chased and hunted, he hadn't had time to eat, let alone rest and heal from the myriad of constant injuries to his body. And now it seemed all that mistreatment was finally catching up with him, leaving the Hanyou at the mercy of the one being he both feared and respected above all others. Still, five hundred years - you'd think that would have been more than enough time to heal the damage done. No, Sesshomaru had to be lying. Had to be playing with him again, just like a broken toy. "If it's been five hundred years, why do I still feel like shit?"

"Bakusen'O was only able to preserve your body, not heal it. The tree kept you within a barrier. You were only released three days ago."

Grimacing through the pain, Inuyasha pulled his body up against the pillows behind him, not fully sitting, but no longer completely lying down. After catching his breath, the Hanyou shook his head, still not believing a word his brother said. "I'm in Hell." Nodding and speaking to himself as if to confirm his theory, Inuyasha's eyes took on a lost look. "Has to be it. Nobody coulda healed both my wounds and the poison." Twisted laughter racked through the Hanyou's body. "That's it. I gotta be dead and now I'm in Hell." Looking directly back up into Sesshomaru's narrowed eyes, Inuyasha spat, "That's why you're here. That's my Hell, to be stuck with you . . . to hear your voice . . . to . . . " Inuyasha's voice choked and grew hushed. "You'll just hurt me, then let me heal, and then you'll do it all again . . . just like before . . . just - "

"You are not in Hell, little brother."

But Inuyasha only hung his head. "Says the Youkai who hates my guts. No, I gotta be, that's the only explanation - "

"It is not the only explanation." Dropping a knee onto the bed, Sesshomaru reached a hand forward, ignoring the flinch as he cupped Inuyasha's chin and lifted the Hanyou's head up to stare into his eyes. "This Sesshomaru gives you his word that you are very much alive. Bakusen'O was able to slowly remove the poison from your system and absorb it into himself, but that was the extent of his abilities. Upon your release, I had a phoenix Youkai heal the worst of your wounds and moved you to this home for further recovery."

Inuyasha's glassy eyes widened. Sesshomaru gave his word and that was no small thing for a DaiYoukai. However . . . "Why should I believe you? I mean, if you don't wanna kill me, then what do you want?"

Sesshomaru felt his whole body still. Truly, it was a good question; one he himself held little answer for. He thought he knew part of it, but honestly, the Lord of the West had to wonder if this was all. Staring down into the large, amber orbs before him; orbs filled with immeasurable pain, Sesshomaru could only answer as truthfully as possible. "What this Sesshomaru wants is to have his brother by his side in whatever capacity you are willing to accept."

Pulling his head back and out of Sesshomaru's hand, Inuyasha could only glare in disbelief. "Yeah, right. Even if that many years have past, I'm still nothin' but a lowly Hanyou. Time don't change what I am and it sure as hell can't change what you are."

"That may be true, but it can change ones opinions."

"What? You sayin' you don't care that I'm a half-breed anymore? That's pretty rich comin' from the Youkai who did nothin' but hate me all my life."

Leaning back and away from the bed, Sesshomaru walked towards a large plate window. Night had long since fallen, turning the glass into a mirror, reflecting the DaiYoukai's troubled eyes. "There is much you still do not understand, Inuyasha. Much that is difficult to explain."

"-Keh that figures," Inuyasha scoffed.

"Perhaps if it is stated another way, you would understand. It is not that I do not wish to explain, but more like I am still trying to figure it out myself."

Gripping the sheets tightly between torn claws, Inuyasha could only stare at the back of his perfect brother. "You've never been unsure about a damn thing in your life, Sesshomaru. You expectin' me to believe that now you're . . . what? Confused?"

Sesshomaru turned his head, ever so slightly towards the Hanyou. "This Sesshomaru is certain about many things. He knows that he wishes his brother's companionship, his forgiveness, and his presence by his side. Of this, there is no confusion."

Blinking rapidly, Inuyasha could only stare. Deep down, he wanted to believe all that his brother had said. God's he'd been longing to hear such words since he was a pup, but this was Sesshomaru he was talking about - his beautifully perfect sadistic brother whom seemed to live for nothing else but to make his life a living torture. Releasing the sheets from one hand, Inuyasha brought his fingertips up, rubbing his forehead as the deep pressure of a headache built. Letting out a pain filled sigh, the Hanyou felt tired down to his very bones. An exhaustion reaching so deep that he no longer cared if this was all some kind of contrived scheme to hurt him further, nor did he care if he'd actually died and this really was Hell as he'd first thought. "Sesshomaru," Inuyasha's voice was thick with emotion. "I don't . . . I mean, how do you expect me . . . Fuck, I just can't think about this right now."

Despite his weary state, Inuyasha still jumped when he felt his brother's slender fingers combing through his hair. "Forgive me. You are still in need of rest and healing."

Having nothing to say and still trying to wrap his head around the idea that Sesshomaru was actually petting him, Inuyasha only stared up at his brother, confusion evident upon his face while his lips remained firmly sealed. "Kadira will be in soon with a healing tonic. Please drink it and do not give her any trouble."

"Who the fuck's Kadira?"

Inuyasha wasn't sure, but he thought he actually saw the edges of Sesshomaru's mouth tilt up in a smile. "We shall have to work on your language, little brother."

"Bullshit, I - "

"To answer your question, Kadira is a human miko healer. She is the only one in this household whom I have allowed within this room besides myself."

"A human?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "In time, I'm sure she will be more than willing to tell you her story and lineage."

Vaguely, Inuyasha wondered if he should be paying more attention to what Sesshomaru was saying, but the feel of his brother's claws lightly stroking along his scalp was making his eyelids droop. Seeing the effect his actions were having, Sesshomaru reluctantly pulled his hand away. "Please try and stay awake until Kadira arrives."

Reaching up a hand, the Hanyou rubbed bruised knuckles across his sleepy eyes, angry with himself for having fallen so quickly into complacency as he watched his brother glide from the room. Swiveling his ears towards the open door, Inuyasha heard Sesshomaru's soft voice, but try as he might he couldn't make out what was being said. Regardless, soon enough a stout elderly woman entered the room, her gray hair almost as silver as his own. Narrowing his eyes, Inuyasha warily watched as the ancient human scuffed her way across the room while balancing a small glass between her gnarled hands.

Bowing as low as she could, Kadira's eyes crinkled closed with the expanse of her smile. "Lord Inuyasha, it is nice to see you finally awake."

Still cognizant of Sesshomaru standing at the end of the bed, Inuyasha kept the DaiYoukai within his field of vision while appraising the newest addition to his room. Although the woman was physically frail with age, her miko powers were far from suffering the same condition. "You Kadira?"

"Indeed, I am one and the same. It pleases this old woman that you know her name, my Lord."

"I ain't no Lord just like you ain't some harmless old woman," Inuyasha replied, all the while eyeing the cup Kadira was carrying with a skeptical eye.

Chuckling good naturedly, Kadira could only smile, her brown eyes warm with affection. "Ah, but I am an old woman. As for the harmless aspect . . . " Kadira shrugged her shoulders, "perhaps not so to some, but you have no reason to be wary."

"Riiiight," Inuyasha drawled out before sniffing dramatically while staring pointedly at the noxious liquid Kadira was carrying. "I hope you don't think I'm drinkin' that shit."

"It is only a healing tea."

"Tea don't smell like that."

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru's cool voice cut through the Hanyou's thoughts, immediately flattening his ears in the process. "The drink is to aid in your healing, nothing more."

"And just why should I believe that?" Truly, Inuyasha doubted his brother would try and poison him, at least not by tea. Claws ripping through his gut maybe, but not hot fluids. But the Hanyou just couldn't accept Sesshomaru capable of anything other than malice.

Stepping around the bed, Sesshomaru ignored the way Inuyasha's body automatically pressed deeper into the pillows behind him as he self-consciously tried becoming more invisible. Finally coming to stand behind Kadira's small, bent form, Sesshomaru stood, golden eyes fixated on the Hanyou before him. "It matters not what you believe, Inuyasha. One way or another, this liquid is going down your throat." In an instant, Sesshomaru's voice went from an icy wind to smooth as honey. "The only question here is if you will drink it on your own."

Inuyasha's eyebrows went up, his fatigue momentarily forgotten. "I'd like to see you try and make me drink that shit, asshole."

Keeping his golden eyes firmly affixed to his little brother's, Sesshomaru reached over, easily snatching the cup from Kadira's hands and emptying its contents into his own mouth. Beside him, he barely heard the small gasp coming from the miko's lips as he moved forward, long, slender arms reaching around either side of Inuyasha's shoulders while his hands rested on the bed. Below him, Inuyasha's mouth gapped open in utter shock and horror as his mind wrapped around just what his bastard of a brother was about to do.

"Oh hell no! Don't even think abo - humph" Eyes wide, Inuyasha struggled as his brother's lips descended upon his own, but the sheer magnitude of what was happening didn't fully hit him until he felt a warm gush of fluid flow into his parched cavern, the warm liquid easily sliding down his throat until all that was left was the odd feeling of Sesshomaru's tongue as it wrapped its way around the inside of his mouth, making sure every last drop had been swallowed.

Inwardly, Sesshomaru was barely aware that he was leaving his mouth attached to his brother's for just a fraction of a second longer than need be. Nor did he care to analyze why such action had caused a distinct warmth to spread throughout his own body, the bulk of which was un-expectantly settling into his groin.

Finally pulling back, Sesshomaru was profoundly amused by the look of utter shock on Inuyasha's face and he certainly didn't miss the pink tingeing his little brother's embarrassed cheeks. But the Hanyou's inaction was short lived and soon enough Inuyasha began sputtering while running the back of his hand fiercely across his lips.

"You f-fuckin' bastard! cough, cough . . . what in the hell was that?"

Easing off the bed, Sesshomaru's face was once again schooled into a placid mask of false indifference. "That, little brother, was a lesson in what your stubbornness shall gain you."

Coughing and hacking for all he was worth, Inuyasha's amber eyes remained large and round. "What? Tryin' to drown me is what happens when I don't do what you say?"

At this, Sesshomaru lost his battle with his apathetic facade and despite his best efforts, the Lord of the West found his eyes narrowing. "Let us make one thing clear, Inuyasha. While it is true that I no longer wish you harm, I will do anything and everything necessary to make your well being my top priority. Even if said actions are not to your liking, this Sesshomaru will make sure you are kept safe even if it is against your will."

Clamping his gapping mouth shut, Inuyasha felt an odd sensation deep within his gut. And, for the life of him, he couldn't figure out if he found his older brother's words comforting or horrifying. Either way, one thing was certain, the Hanyou felt his eyelids becoming increasingly heavy. So much so that it was clear there had been more to that tea than a simple healing brew. "Bastard, you did drug me," Inuyasha managed to slur out through lips which felt heavier than they should.

But instead of Sesshomaru, it was Kadira who responded. "The tea is a healing one, but your body still requires rest. As such, there was a sleeping tonic as well. Forgive me, I meant no deceit."

Shaking his head, Inuyasha tried in vain to dispel the drug induced fatigue pulling at his body. Inside, his Youkai was screaming in terror. The Hanyou was in a place that couldn't be trusted. It wasn't safe to be so vulnerable. Ignoring the screaming pain resonating throughout his body, Inuyasha rolled himself over and began crawling across the bed, his mind set on somehow reaching Tessaiga. But all too soon his actions were stopped by strong hands gripping his shoulders.

"Inuyasha, cease this activity," Sesshomaru pleaded. "There is no need for alarm."

"L-let me g-go . . . b-b-bastard," Inuyasha huffed, his body falling limply onto the silken sheets gathered below him. Turning his head to the side, the Hanyou could just make out the outline of his brother's body, the magenta stripes streaking across Sesshomaru's face standing out against his alabaster skin. "N-need to g-get away."

Feeling Inuyasha's body still under his hands, Sesshomaru allowed his grip to loosen while one of his hands pushed the silvery white layers of Inuyasha's hair aside, allowing him to see the Hanyou's troubled face. "There is no where for you to go, little brother. Please, be still, you are safe here."

Inuyasha's final words tore a hole through Sesshomaru's already diminished heart. "H-Hanyou . . . nowhere s-safe f-for a Hanyou . . . "

And with those deafening words, Inuyasha lost his battle with consciousness and faded back into the slumber of sleep. Silence enveloped the room as Sesshomaru sat on the bed, his hand cradling his brother's face while guilt ate at his gut. But soon enough the DaiYoukai pulled himself out of his reverie as he lightly lifted and turned Inuyasha's body so that he was once again laying on his back; warm covers tucked up to his little Hanyou chin. With that task done, the Lord of the West stood, easily noting by the deep sadness on Kadira's face that the miko had heard Inuyasha's last bit of utterance.

"You require rest. I shall stay with the Hanyou for now."

Kadira could only nod her head. "Shall I come and relieve you in a few hours, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"You may do as you please, Kadira."

"Then you may expect me slightly before sunrise, my Lord." Bowing once more, Kadira retrieved the now empty cup and scuttled from the room. Shutting the door quietly behind her, the old miko shook her head, her eyes sad as she wondered just how many of the stories her ancestor's had told her were true. From what she'd just seen and heard, Kadira had a sinking feeling that word of mouth had done little to inflate the reported trauma Inuyasha had suffered throughout his life. And, going by this theory, then Lord Sesshomaru's treatment of his brother was most likely also accurately described. Sighing deeply, the miko could only mutter, "I believe you have your work cut out for you, my Lord."

Unbeknownst to Kadira, Sesshomaru's own thoughts were winding down a similar dark road as he stared down into the slumbering face of his little brother. With a deep frown upon his own lips, the DaiYoukai wondered once again how he was going to convince the Hanyou that he had indeed changed. That far from wishing him harm, Sesshomaru only sought to protect and nourish Inuyasha. But along with that thought came a more confusing one, was that really and truly all the Lord of the West wanted for his brother? Or, more precise, was that all he wanted from his brother. When Inuyasha had first been released into his care, Sesshomaru felt a deep and unquenchable gratitude at having been given a second chance. At the time, he thought his desire for the Hanyou stemmed from a sense of kin and duty along with a surprising longing for the blatant disregard Inuyasha held for the great Lords station in life. The Hanyou had always been disrespectful, but along with that disrespect came an unvarnished honesty that the DaiYoukai had found severely lacking in his life since the half-breed's concealment within Bakusen'Os branches.

But now . . . now he wasn't so sure his motives were at all as pure as he'd originally intended. Taking a deep breath, Sesshomaru allowed Inuyasha's scent to permeate his entire being, feeling the scintillating joy of it down to the tips of his clawed toes. Having the Hanyou before him: smelling, feeling, tasting those precious lips, the DaiYoukai could feel the stirrings of something much deeper. Something he'd never thought himself capable of feeling. Something as of yet, he would not dare name.

Releasing a deep breath, Sesshomaru moved once again towards the plate glass window covering the outer wall of the bedroom. Staring back at his own visage in the mirrored glass, for the first time in untold centuries, the Lord of the West gave his figure a critical eye. And it was not vanity nor pride that confirmed what he'd already known, but an unrelenting honest appraisal. For Lord Sesshomaru was the same as he'd been for over nine centuries: sensual, deadly, cold - essentially, he was perfection made whole. Perhaps only his father, the great Inu no Taisho had held more appeal. For as long as Sesshomaru could remember, Youkai had wanted to mate him, none of them the least bit worthy of such a station. In truth, he could easily claim any he wanted and they would come to him willingly, but the Hanyou lying on the bed behind him was a different matter entirely. To Inuyasha, Sesshomaru's perfection as an InuDaiYoukai was exactly the problem. For that very same perceived perfection was at the root of the Hanyou's tortured life.

Laying a hand upon the cold surface of the window, Sesshomaru felt a true smile twitching the edge of his lip. It had been a long time since he'd had this kind of a challenge. And perhaps an even longer lapse of years since he'd had anything nearly so worthy of his attention as his little brother. With a smile threatening all the more, Sesshomaru found himself looking forwards to the coming days for the first time since the death of his father. Turning his head ever so slightly so that he could stare directly at Inuyasha's sleeping form, Sesshomaru felt his confidence grow. He was Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western lands, InuDaiYoukai, and ultimate Youkai ruler of all of Asia. This Sesshomaru knew nothing of failure and refused to consider its possibility now. One way or another, Inuyasha would come to accept Sesshomaru's new view on their tumultuous relationship and they would both explore the possibilities of what their combined futures held, whatever that may be.

Content with his new revelations, Sesshomaru returned his gaze to the mirrored glass, his golden eyes piercing his own reflection as he stared into the artificially glowing city laid before his feet. There he would stand vigil, waiting for either the dawn and Kadira's return, or the Hanyou's awakening. Either way, the Lord of the West found both his mind and Youkai oddly peaceful knowing that his little brother lay sleeping in a bed not three feet away. Taking another deep breath of Hanyou scented air, Sesshomaru allowed the briefest of relaxation into the set of his shoulder's, and should anyone have been around to see, they would have been amazed at the depth of emotion smoldering within his golden orbs.

Whew, another one done and posted. As promised, that one was a little longer. I hope you all enjoyed it and as always, I love hearing what you guys think. If you have the time and/or inclination, I would appreciate your reviews.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and until next time . . . lunamist.