Good evening everyone. Sorry this is up a little later than normal. I had to go into work tonight for something and got home late. Thank you for all the reviews from the last chapter. There was a lot of concern for Sang-di's welfare which made me glad that so many of you cared enough about his character to worry. In the epilogue, I mention that he's still alive, but thought it might be kind of mean to wait until then to let you all know that Tenseiga was able to bring him back.

Disclaimers are as before, with the addition of increased violence to our InuHanyou :-(

Not much else, so on with Chapter 27 . . .

Opening his hazy amber eyes, Inuyasha's vision slowly zeroed in on a shock of fiery red hair, haphazardly sitting atop Kaplow's head. Confusing his already dizzy head were the fox's eight tails as they twitched and flitted here and there behind the irritated Youkai.

"You are easily damaged, half-breed."

"Yeah," god's above but his throat felt like sand, "but somehow I keep on livin'." Seeing the twisted grin etching its way across Kaplow's face, Inuyasha knew that had been a stupid thing to say.

"We will soon see to that." Getting up, Kaplow stretched his tight body as he sauntered over to the hanging Hanyou before him. When he'd brought Inuyasha back, he'd been sure to bind the half-breed well and now had him shackled and hanging from a titanium beam running across the warehouses ceiling. Of course the chains securing the abomination were also made out of the same metal, impossible for Inuyasha to break on his best day, and today certainly did not qualify as his best. Smirking, Kaplow doubted even Lord Sesshomaru would be able to physically break those bonds.

Clicking a razor sharp claw along the edge of one of Inuyasha's cuffs, Kaplow's green eyes glistened with malice. "You know, little half-breed, you and I have something in common."

"I doubt that considerin' I'm fuckin' sane." Hissing, Inuyasha felt Kaplow's answering claws as they raked across his already battered cheek.

Ignoring the Hanyou's pain, Kaplow continued, "As I was saying, you and I have something in common. We have both been sentenced to death by the mighty Lord Sesshomaru and somehow, we have both managed to escape that fate."

Inuyasha's mind whispered, somehow I think you deserved to die, but his mouth wisely stayed silent.

Inhaling deeply, Kaplow's nose wrinkled in bitter distaste. "You reek of his scent. Although not yet fully claimed, it is clear that had I not intervened, you soon would be. You must enjoy pain, little half-breed, to even consider mating with a Youkai whom has caused you nothing but."

Narrowing his own amber eyes, Inuyasha fought down the sting the fox's words put in his soul. To an outsider like this, his own capitulation would seem masochistic, and yet the Sesshomaru he'd woken up to five hundred years later was all he wanted, all the Hanyou desired. No, he'd made his decision and Inuyasha wouldn't let this sadistic fuck screw with his mind. "I'd rather have Sesshomaru's dick up my ass than look at your pathetic face any day of the week."

Moving in closer, Kaplow's green eyes appeared lit from within. "But you haven't had his dick yet, have you? And, half-breed, you never will."

Hanging uselessly from the ceiling, Inuyasha could no longer feel his arms. He'd been in and out of consciousness and wasn't sure just how long he'd been lingering on the chain. What he did know was that his captor was becoming increasingly aggravated. Time and time again, Kaplow had beaten, cut, and generally berated him and all the while, he'd asked not a single thing. Not one question nor explanation as to why he was being tortured. And yet, Inuyasha knew the fox was holding back. Given his current condition and restraint, there was little he could do to protect himself. "Not that I'm complainin', but why haven't you killed me yet?"

"Why? Because you are the bait to lure in what I truly desire. To get what I require, for just a few minutes, I need the InuDaiYoukai alive." Shrugging his shoulders, Kaplow added, "Besides, what would be the point in killing you if Sesshomaru is not here to see it?"

Swallowing through his arid throat, Inuyasha watched as Kaplow moved closer, his head tilted to the side as if he was trying to figure something out. Finally, the fox questioned, "Why do you still refuse to call him?"

Sincerely confused, Inuyasha asked, "Call him? What the fuck's that supposed to mean?"

"You are both dog Youkai and although the two of you have not finished your mating, you are still closely bound. All you have to do is call to him, and Sesshomaru will answer. He will know where you are and gallantly come to rescue you. Did you truly not know this?"

Eyes swollen, but wide, Inuyasha thought back to something his brother had said, that all he had to do was call and he would come at lightening speed. But he'd never taken it literally. And then it hit him - that was what all the pain had been about, Kaplow was trying to get him to call out to Sesshomaru. Inside, Inuyasha could hear his Youkai howling in disgust and anger. He would never willingly jeopardize Sesshomaru's life like that. "You can beat me all you want, you sick jackass, but I'll never do somethin' like that."

Face hard, Kaplow's eyes narrowed in anger. "You are a pathetic creature, half-breed. So ignorant of your own heritage." Lips twisting into a sickening smirk, the fox added, "I suppose I should have expected such from an abomination like you. Sesshomaru should have destroyed you before you took your first breath." Shaking his head, Kaplow turned to the side, a gust of breath leaving his throat in a dramatic sigh. "Now that I am aware of your ignorance, along with you unwillingness to comply, I shall have to take another route to inform your brother of our whereabouts."

Swallowing hard, Inuyasha felt his heart sink. He'd been so stupid to come here willingly. At the end of the day, he cared little for his own life, not when it was weighed against that of Sesshomaru. Not that he thought his brother would fall easily, but Kaplow could do things Sesshomaru couldn't and that made him more than a little uneasy. Uselessly pulling on his restraints, Inuyasha felt exhaustion pull at his body while his mind wondered why in the hell Kaplow wanted to kill his brother. And, since he was literally just hanging around with nowhere to go, he asked just that. "What do you have against Sesshomaru anyways?"

Sneering, Kaplow's clawed paws lit with a green flame. "Youkai are such fools and we bowed down the greatest fool of them all. Weak and pathetic, none would challenge the great Lord of the West."

"I don't understand," Inuyasha answered, shaking drops of blood from his cheek as he turned his head. "From what I know, Sesshomaru helped save Youkai society from extinction."

"Lies! Ignorant lies! All he has done is enslave us to the humans."

Head dropping, Inuyasha thought back to what he'd seen and would hardly call Youkai slaves. On the contrary, they seemed to be living in the lap of luxury, advantageously blending in with human society and in their own way, fully dominating it. "How do you figure that?"

"It should be Youkai leading this world, not those filthy humans."

"But I thought there were too many of them. Humans breed faster than Youkai, it's a number's game."

"That is what they would like you to believe, but it is not true. Or, it would not be true if we had taken action when it would have done the most good. There was a time when we could have eliminated the human's from this world. Of course, a small population could have been left for feeding and labor purposes, but that is all that would have been required. An insignificant group, easily controlled and maintained. But Lord Sesshomaru thought the cost to Youkai too high. Many would have died in such an endeavor, but their deaths would have been worth the price."

Eyes wide, Inuyasha stared and wondered at how horribly calm Kaplow sounded as he spoke about what amounted to the slaughter of millions with the following enslavement of those unfortunate enough to survive. Keeping only a small breeding colony to be fed upon at will by those Youkai with a taste for human flesh. "T-that's . . . "

"And then, my father actually offered to assist Lord Sesshomaru and the other elders. Isan offered up all the fox Youkai's secrets, stripping our clan of our ancient ways in order to foolishly help Youkai assimilate into the human world." Stopping his pacing, Kaplow turned his tortured eyes upon the Hanyou. "Do you not see? Fox Youkai should be the ones in power. I should be the one to control the future of Youkai. Only I am strong enough, wise enough, to see the error of the past. Once Sesshomaru is gone, I shall rectify that mistake. It will take time to eliminate the human's from this world, but it is not impossible." Smiling cruelly, Kaplow stared out into the darkness surrounding them. Oh the things he'd learned since leaving his cave – the advancement of human science would be their own destruction. Voice thick with pleasure, the fox whispered, "One virus, just a small, insignificant particle to infect the human world. Your brother has started the perfect business to turn my dream into a reality."

"God's above, you're bat-shit crazy."

Straightening, Kaplow's tails danced behind him. "Visionaries are often considered mentally ill. It is only later that they are seen for the geniuses they truly are."

"Yeah, or the demented psychopath's they truly are."

Grabbing the Hanyou's chin roughly within his hand, Kaplow painfully squeezed Inuyasha's jaw. "It is not surprising that one such as you thinks this way. When your brother is dead, half-breed abominations will be the first to be eliminated from this world." Turning Inuyasha's head roughly within his grip, Kaplow's eyes narrowed. "To think the Lord of all Asia would sink so low as to wish to mate with something as worthless as you. It is but another sign that Sesshomaru is not fit to lead."

Dropping Inuyasha's head, Kaplow wiped his claws across his pants as if to rid himself of the disease that was Hanyou. "I grow tired of smelling your stench, half-breed, you had best hope that your desired mate comes soon."

Both insulted and frustrated, Inuyasha could only glare. "Why? You're gonna kill me either way."

"True, but with me, you will suffer far greater injury than you ever felt at his hands." Staring off into the distance, Kaplow's face drew down into a deep frown. "Perhaps I overestimated your value to the Lord of the West. If he does not come, I will send you back to him, a piece at a time."

Squeezing his eyes shut, Inuyasha prayed Sesshomaru wouldn't come at all. On the one hand, that thought broke his heart, but on the other, he desperately wished Sesshomaru would stay the hell away and just forget about him. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he was the cause of his brother's destruction. Grasping at any kind of fragile hope, Inuyasha asked, "I ain't gonna call out to him, so how in the hell is he supposed to even know where I am?"

Still facing away, Kaplow turned his head ever so slightly towards the dangling Hanyou. "Oh, I am now well aware that you will not cooperate." Facing completely away from Inuyasha, the fox's voice quieted. "Truly, I had not thought all this would be necessary." Turning, Kaplow shrugged. "If you will not call to him, then I have no choice but to sacrifice another one of Tullic's followers. No doubt Sesshomaru will kill them as soon as the message is delivered." Sighing deeply, Kaplow stilled before his fox body shimmered into that of a scorpion Youkai. Looking down at his changed hands, Kaplow grunted, "I grow tired of this form. Tullic was useful, but mimicking his stench is becoming nauseating."

With fear gripping at his heart, Inuyasha pushed the emotion deep inside, willing his anger to the fore. "Sesshomaru would never lose to some second rate Youkai like you! You are nothin' compared to him and you damn well know it, otherwise you'd attack him outright. Instead you're hidin' behind this low bred half-breed – "

Pain exploded in Inuyasha's abdomen as Kaplow's magically enhanced fist connected with his flesh. "You would be wise to remain silent lest I be forced to dirty myself further with your blood, half-breed." Turning from his captive, Kaplow, now disguised as Tullic walked into the darkness surrounding the Hanyou's body, already dismissing Inuyasha from his mind as he wondered which of Tullic's insignificant followers to sacrifice.

Well, Inuyasha never had been one to keep his mouth shut when he should. Unfortunately, with that last blow, nearly all the wind had been knocked out of him and all he could do was hang limply from the rafters, hoping against hope that his brother would abandon him to his fate. All the years he'd spent wishing Sesshomaru would stand up for him, protect his Hanyou ass against the predators of the world, and now, when he'd gained that kind of support, Inuyasha hung there wishing for just the opposite. Once, Sesshomaru had told him that he had but to call and he would be there. Inuyasha wasn't really sure what that meant, but he'd be damned if he'd do it now. Sesshomaru would live – he had to. God's above, but he could no longer live in a world that didn't contain his jackass of a brother. No matter what the cost. No matter what the damage, he would find a way to keep Sesshomaru safe.

::::::::::

The last few days had been the worst kind of torture the DaiYoukai could ever imagine. Constantly his Youkai screamed within his mind, demanding they go at once to retrieve what was theirs and all that time, he'd had to reign the beast in. Of course he wanted nothing more than to give into his baser needs, to tear the city apart, steel beam by steel beam if he had to. But all their searching had come up empty. He could find Inuyasha's scent, but it faded into the stench of humanity and was lost to him. Growling low in his throat, Sesshomaru felt the nagging pull of despair. Why had the Hanyou not called out to him? Was Inuyasha so incapacitated that he could not do so? Was he unaware of such a basic ability, and if so, was Sesshomaru to blame for such ignorance? Or, was it something far worse? Something he could not say nor bring himself to believe.

Bowing his head, Sesshomaru felt his Youkai rise and was hard pressed to find the will to fight it. Floating above a nearby high-rise, he longed to unleash death and destruction to all those standing within his way, whether they truly deserved it or not. Crimson edging his golden iris's, Sesshomaru's lips pulled back in a feral snarl, only to stop as the scent of his little brother assaulted his senses. Never thinking twice, he condensed into nothing more than an orb of energy, speeding forwards.

When he rematerialized, Sesshomaru found himself staring down not at his brother, but an ugly centipede Youkai disguised as a human, a small piece of cloth soaked in Inuyasha's blood dangling from his hand. Unable to fully control his fear, the centipede's wide eyes stared up at the powerful InuDaiYoukai as he held out the piece of cloth. "L-lord Tullic sends h-his regards."

Grasping the stiff piece of cloth within two clawed fingers, Sesshomaru stared down at the offensive thing, noting the writing lying beneath the layers of his Hanyou's blood. Raising his golden orbs, he let the hate show through his eyes, his face never betraying such an emotion. Without a word, Sesshomaru raised his hand, his poisonous claws easily slicing through the centipede's neck, neatly decapitating the Youkai before him. Knowing they wanted him to find Inuyasha, there was no need to keep the treasonous creature alive.

Fist tight with rage, Sesshomaru stared out into the night. Now that he knew where his Hanyou was being kept, his Youkai was demanding they leave directly to recover him, however, there was more to consider. Although he did not know what exactly was going on, Sesshomaru felt fairly certain Kaplow had been masquerading as Tullic for some time now. Most likely Tullic's followers still thought their leader alive and simply working with the fox Youkai. Instead, the truth was more likely to be that Kaplow had killed Tullic long ago.

Gripping the fabric tight within his clawed hands, Sesshomaru knew Kaplow held little to no regard for human life and the fox had already compromised Youkai society enough. No doubt the ensuing battle would be difficult to hide without the aid of their own fox magic and to that end, they'd need to wait on Shippo's return. The day following Inuyasha's capture, Shippo had called to inform them he was on his way back, that had been three days ago, meaning Shippo would return within a few hours.

With that thought in mind, the Lord of all Asia rose into the sky yet again, heading in the opposite direction his heart demanded. Truly, it was only his faith in Inuyasha's own strength that allowed him to do this. The Hanyou would not be defeated easily. True, Sesshomaru now understood just how easily his intended mate was injured, but Inuyasha had never let that beat him in the past and there was no reason to believe he would do so now. His Hanyou was strong and more than worthy of the position waiting for him once he'd been retrieved.

Back to the wind, Sesshomaru watched as the sun began rising over Taisho Tower, the silver and glass of the building exploding in a kaleidoscope of color. It was a beautiful sight and he assured himself that the next time he saw it, Inuyasha would be safely within his arms.

::::::::::

Eyes fixed upon the door to his study, Sesshomaru waited. He had not entered the rooftop garden nor his or Inuyasha's bedrooms since the Hanyou had been captured. He would not do so until the time of his brother's return and so, he waited here, within his study. Shippo was currently on his way up along with the Wolf King. Knowing this, Sesshomaru had sent Jaken to fetch Lady Kadira. Soon, they would all be assembled and this terrible game of waiting would be at an end.

Hearing a tenuous knock upon the door, Sesshomaru's Youkai reached out, easily identifying Kadira and Jaken on the other side. "Enter."

Shuffling inside, both miko and kappa bowed as they entered the darkened room. For Kadira, the low light was difficult, but she understood that it would be of little concern to all others within this room.

"My Lord, I sense Shippo will soon arrive," Kadira stated.

"Both he and the Wolf King should be here within moments. Are you sufficiently rested to be of service to this Sesshomaru?"

"Aye," Kadira nodded, "whatever my abilities may be, they are at my Lord's service."

Nodding once, Sesshomaru quietly sat as both Shippo and Kouga entered the room. "Kouga's filled me in on what happened. I hate to say it, but I can't dispel another of Kaplow's Delusions, at least, not yet. The last one just took too much outta me."

"Well, ain't that fuckin' great," Kouga muttered while pushing his way inside and standing next to the old miko. Kadira didn't miss the appraising gaze the Wolf King gave her and she smiled at his concern.

Ignoring the wolf, Sesshomaru's golden eyes hardened, as he nodded. "This is as expected, Lord Shippo of the Asian fox clan."

Eyes downcast, Shippo gave a slight bow in acknowledgment. Frustrated with waiting to retrieve Inuyasha, Sesshomaru had seen no further gain in leaving Isan alive and in trust of the fox clan. Consequently, two days ago, the Lord of all Asia had passed judgment and ended the long life of a Youkai whom was once extraordinarily powerful only to be cowed by time and a broken heart. As anticipated, prior to his execution, Isan had named Shippo as his heir and Sesshomaru had wasted no time supporting the decision, making the orphaned fox leader to his clan.

Ignoring the hesitant acknowledgement, Sesshomaru proceeded to outline the coming events and the Youkai and miko's roles. "Lord Shippo, I shall engage Kaplow tonight."

Surprised, Shippo felt slighted. "My Lord, I may be weakened, but I can still fight that traitor. As a fox Youkai, it should be I that – "

"You would deny this Sesshomaru his rightful vengeance for taking what is his?"

Green eyes blinking, Shippos' tails fell. "No, I only – "

"Fox magic or no, this Sesshomaru shall defeat Kaplow himself. You will maintain a barrier around the ensuing altercation. This will leave me unhindered. Do you understand?"

Nodding, Shippo understood all too well. To some, his role would seem small, but in reality, containing that much raw Youkai energy was going to tax his body to the limit, especially considering he still wasn't one hundred percent after what he'd had to do to discover Kaplow's escape. "I understand and will not fail."

With that settled, Sesshomaru looked to Kadira. "No doubt Kaplow plans some form of trickery. I do not know the full scope of his plans, but it is wise to expect more of the same from him. Jaken shall stay by your side and keep attackers at bay, what I need from you is your sight."

Bowing her head, Kadira doubted her own usefulness. "My Lord, I shall do my best to serve you."

Seeing the miko's hesitation, Sesshomaru answered, "Your doubts are foolish, miko. Trust what you feel and see, that is all this Sesshomaru asks."

Slightly mollified, Kadira nodded and smiled.

"Well, we know what the little toad and old wench are gonna be up to, so what about me? If you think I'm stayin' behind then you better think again. I ain't leavin' the mutt to whatever that bastard has planned." Fang peeking through a twisted smile, Kouga cracked his knuckles. "Besides, I ain't had a chance to kick this much Youkai ass in ages."

"Do not worry, Wolf, you shall get your chance. I will be forced to keep my attention on Kaplow so you may maim all other Youkai to your hearts content. There is no way of knowing how many opponents you will face. Do you wish to bring assistance?"

Claws raking against the side of his cheek, Kouga finally nodded. "Jallial and Maliona, my oldest pups would be good back-up. It'd be good trainin' for 'em too."

"That would be acceptable. Lady Ayame is to stay behind along with your other pups as well as Shippo's kits and mate, Lady Kelneri. They are to remain well hidden as I will not willingly give Kaplow more ammunition to use against Inuyasha."

Eyebrows crinkled in confusion, Shippo asked, "What is that supposed to mean? How could my mate and kits – "

"According to Bakusen'O, this is how Kaplow apprehended the Hanyou. The fox used images of Ayame, the wolf pups, you lying upon the cave floor defenseless along with visions of the priestess Kagome's youngest heirs. Seeking to protect those he viewed as more vulnerable, Inuyasha willingly surrendered."

"Damn it," Shippo hissed. "I'm not a weak little kit anymore, I can more than take care of myself. When is he gonna learn to take care of himself and say to hell with the rest of the world?"

Blinking once, Sesshomaru knew the answer. "Since this is doubtful to ever be the case, it is evident that this Sesshomaru will need to make a few things clear to the Hanyou."

Swallowing hard, Kouga thought the ass whipping the mutt was sure to get from his intended mate was most likely going to hurt a hell of a lot more than anything he or Shippo could ever put Inuyasha through. Well, on second thought, it would probably only hurt to begin with.

"I need to speak with Kelneri. She's more than capable of protecting our kits," Shippo announced proudly, and it was very true. Kelneri was more mischievous than he and one upped her mate on a daily basis. As a fox of five tails, her magic was nothing to sneeze at and what she lacked in power, Kelneri more than made up for in cleverness.

"So, what about Kagome's family?" Kouga asked. "They're in a lot more danger than either of our families."

Instead of Sesshomaru, it was Kadira who answered. "They are currently being watched and protected by my kin. Holy barriers have been erected around the shrine and home they live within. No Youkai can pass without being purified."

At that thought, a collective shiver went through every Youkai but one.

"It is settled. You have one hour to inform your mates and offspring of their roles. We shall meet in this room at that time." One by one, Sesshomaru watched them leave and as soon as the last one had gone, he went to a bookshelf on the far side of the room, one that held some of the oldest tomes of his collection. Placing his hand on one insignificant looking book, the Lord of all Asia let loose a trickle of his Youkai, immediately releasing the seal on the wall as it moved to the side, revealing his swords. Lying before him, buzzing with need, lay Bakusaiga, Tokijin, and Tenseiga. Picking each up individually, it was Tenseiga he held for the longest time. With his skin touching the hilt, the pain radiating from the sword was palpable. Hearing Tessaiga's cry, Tenseiga answered that pain with it's own. Gripping the sword tight, Sesshomaru prayed to the gods that it would be unnecessary tonight, but should his brother fall, this sword would be his last and only hope for salvation.

Needing nothing else, Sesshomaru closed the secret door, walking to the bank of windows along the wall. Staring out into the darkened night, he knew that come sunrise, he would either be a walking corpse or a freshly mated Youkai. How could all his long years come to this? Never would the Lord of the West have imagined that the fate of his very life would hang in the balance of one seemingly insignificant InuHanyou, and yet, that was exactly the cost should said Hanyou perish.

Placing the palm of his hand against the cool glass, Sesshomaru whispered, "Be strong, little brother. This Sesshomaru is coming to bring you home."

::::::::::

Staring up at the unassuming building before him, Sesshomaru's hand snaked forwards, easily feeling the barrier before him. As expected, his hand could pass through, while those backing him up could not.

"Shippo, is this beyond your abilities?"

Stretching both hands forwards, Shippo's green eyes closed in concentration. "No, but it will take time."

Able to wait no longer, Sesshomaru easily walked through the barrier, only to hear Kouga's cry's of protest. "Damn-it! He said it would take time, not that he couldn't do it, you impatient bastard!"

Ignoring the pleas, Sesshomaru continued walking forwards, his silvery hair floating behind him. "Inuyasha has waited long enough. You will join this Sesshomaru when Shippo has released this barrier."

"Gods above," Kouga cursed while jerking a clawed hand through his dark brown hair. "Shippo, get to work."

"What the fuck do you think I'm doing?" Shippo asked, the strain of his current activities making his temper flare.

"Lord Kouga," Kadira coaxed, "it will do no good to pester him. All we can do is sit, wait, and be ready when the time comes."

Stopping his pacing, Kouga sighed. "Yeah, I know you're right." Glancing up, the Wolf King caught the large steel door close as Sesshomaru dropped from sight. "Why couldn't he have just waited?"

"Dad," Kouga's oldest pup, Jallial spoke while placing a hand on his father's shoulder, "If that were mom in there, would you have waited?"

"-Feh," Kouga grunted, his hand ruffling through the short shock of dark hair sitting atop his son's head. "How did you get so damn smart?"

With a wicked grin, it was Maliona that answered, "I think it was all that time we spent with mom."

"Fuckin' brats," whispered Kouga, but the smile flashing across his face was anything but upset. Blue eyes glancing back towards the building, the Wolf King felt his mood darken once again. He'd thought the time for waiting was through, but here he was again, pushing down his Youkai as they all stood . . . waiting. "Just a little while longer, mutt. Just hang in there, we're comin'."

::::::::::

Kouga didn't know just how right his words were, for Inuyasha had little choice but to remain hanging where he was. Arms and shoulder's dead to the world, he had no idea just how much time had passed, but one thing the Hanyou was absolutely clear upon was that he had to figure a way out of this mess and the first step in that was getting the fuck out of those chains. To that end, he'd been continually rubbing his shackled wrists raw, reopening bloody wounds again and again. As faint as it was, Inuyasha could smell the miniscule amounts of his brother's poison still lingering within his blood. Bakusen'O had taken most of it, and what was left wasn't even enough to cause a fever, but he was hoping beyond hope that over time, it would be enough to weaken the titanium cuffs locking him in place.

At first, he'd been afraid Kaplow would smell it, but the fox couldn't seem to get past his general disgust at scenting Sesshomaru so strongly upon his body. Consequently, when Kaplow was around, he took shallow breaths and unless he wanted to hurt Inuyasha, he stayed his distance.

Head bowed and hanging low, Inuyasha knew his body was wearing down, but he'd been through worse, much worse, and he knew the only path was to push through the pain. And that was something the young InuHanyou had far too much experience with.

Roughly pulling his wrists against the shackles, Inuyasha barely felt the warmth of his blood as it leaked anew. The building had been silent as a grave, but there were signs of life beginning to stir, and that was troubling. All too soon Inuyasha both felt and smelled Kaplow moving closer.

"Ah, good to see that you are awake."

Narrowing his amber eyes, Kaplow's apparent good mood instantly put the Hanyou on alert. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

Smile never leaving his face, the fox's grin only broadened. "Well, it seems as if my poor hospitality is about to come to a close."

Fuck, fuck and double fuck, Inuyasha did not like the sound of that. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

"Can't you feel it?"

"Feel what, jackass?"

Tail's swishing merrily, Kaplow took a moment to think and soon enough the smile was back. "Perhaps you can not. He is still on the other side of the barrier."

Swallowing through his parched throat, Inuyasha guessed who Kaplow was speaking of, but asked anyways. "What in the hell are you goin' on about?"

Green eyes narrowed in malicious glee, Kaplow strutted forwards, just enough to tip the young InuHanyou's head in his direction. "Your prospective mate, little half-breed. Sesshomaru has finally come to retrieve his whore."

Truly, Inuyasha wanted to roll his eyes. He'd been called a lot of things in his day, most of them having at least some legitimacy to them, but to accuse him of being a whore . . . well, that was just stupid. Somehow, he doubted the psychopathic fox in front of him cared much either way. Brushing off the insult, the Hanyou narrowed his focus down on the important part, Sesshomaru had come. His arrogant, possessive, jackass of a brother had finally shown up and Kaplow was as giddy as a kid with a new toy. As fear began creeping into Inuyasha's veins, he furiously tamped it down. "Sesshomaru is gonna wipe the floor with your pathetic ass."

"Oh, little half-breed, you do not sound nearly as sure of yourself as you'd like to. Besides, what makes you think I would be foolish enough to attack your brother head on? I am well aware of how powerful Sesshomaru is."

"You weak, twisted asshole. What the fuck are you up to?" Twisting in his restraints, Inuyasha knew he had to get free. Sesshomaru was strong and in a fair fight, he had no doubt who the winner would be, but his elder brother was also surprisingly quick to temper, especially when it came to his Hanyou sibling. Although Sesshomaru accused Inuyasha of not thinking things through, the Hanyou was beginning to believe it was a shared trait and wondered if their father had suffered from the same malady.

"Do not concern yourself. Soon you will be nothing more than a corpse, just as you should have been centuries ago." Having nothing further to say, Kaplow turned on his heel and began walking into the perpetual darkness that always seemed to be surrounding Inuyasha's chained prison. Watching the fox walk away, Inuyasha's breath suddenly caught as his very pissed brother's Youkai flared through the building, bringing with it the heavy scent of InuDaiYoukai. In response, Inuyasha's own Youkai whined with need. Pushing the thing down, he refused to goad Sesshomaru's already precarious temper. He would not be the cause for foolishly getting his brother killed. Oh god's above, Sesshomaru. Please don't do anything stupid.

On the heels of that thought, Kaplow returned, only . . . now there was a scorpion Youkai with him? What the fuck? Growling low in his throat, the Hanyou didn't miss the vicious looking blade held within the scorpion's hand.

"We must hurry, the Lord of the West is moving closer."

Moving up next to the dangling Hanyou, the Youkai with the blade locked eyes with suspicious amber. "This is the Lord of all Asia's intended mate?"

"Silence," Kaplow answered before looking at his accomplice. "You are doing a great service, Heli. By pretending to be Tullic, Lord Sesshomaru's attention will be fully on you and the threat you pose to that Hanyou."

Looking slightly dubious, the Youkai masquerading as Tullic looked skeptically at Kaplow. "And this is what Lord Tullic wants?"

Inuyasha didn't miss the flash of irritation flick through Kaplow's eyes. "Yes, I believe he told you this himself. You want to keep Tullic safe, help him take control of the Asian lands, don't you?"

Squaring his shoulders, Heli nodded. "I will do my best to aid my Lord."

"Wonderful, now, be a good Youkai and hold that knife at the half-breeds throat." Smirking up at Inuyasha, Kaplow added, "With the death of his intended mate imminent, Sesshomaru will have no choice but to comply with my wishes."

Eyes wide, Inuyasha tried to calm his rising panic. "Oh hells no! I won't – " grunting, pain radiated out from his abdomen all the way through his body as Kaplow slammed his fist into his already tender gut. "I said silence!" Without a further word, a thick gag was placed in the Hanyou's mouth, something he immediately began chewing on.

Hanyou sufficiently silenced, Kaplow turned towards the Youkai pretending to be Tullic. Truly, these Youkai were fools. He'd killed the real Tullic months ago. It wasn't that he liked pretending to be the ugly scorpion, but the disguise had given him unprecedented access to the elders and the Lord of all Asia. By pretending to be Tullic, he'd not only gained the support of a whole group of Youkai (pathetic as they may be), but he'd gained knowledge of how the DaiYoukai worked along with time to plan his strategy. Learning of the pharmaceutical company the Lord of all Asia owned had been music to his sadistic ears. It would be the perfect revenge. He would use that company to create the seeds of humanities destruction. And, he would do this while pretending to be the InuDaiYoukai known as Lord Sesshomaru. All he needed was a taste of the Youkai's power, to touch the powerful Lord and absorb his essence into his magic. Once done, Kaplow would be able to mimic Sesshomaru's body, scent and Youkai. Eventually he would reveal his true form, but not before eliminating all those whom stood in his way.

But to do this required touching the deadly Lord Sesshomaru for a period of time. And as all knew, this would be next to impossible without finding ones head severed from their body. At first, he'd thought to impersonate the Hanyou in order to get closer access, but there was a very good chance that despite copying the half-breed exactly, Sesshomaru would not be fooled long enough to get what he needed. Not to mention the fact that once he had absorbed enough of the DaiYoukai into himself, Sesshomaru would need to die and die swiftly. No, this was a much better plan. Sesshomaru would not risk the life of his intended mate. He'd stand there and let Kaplow rip the flesh from his bones before he'd let harm come to his little half-breed abomination.

Even so, Kaplow was taking no chances. Sesshomaru was well and truly walking into a trap. Upon the floor in front of the Hanyou, he'd placed a circle of binding. Sesshomaru would walk into it willingly and be trapped – unable to move an inch. Since it was magic of his own making, Kaplow would be able to move within the circle, but no other would. Once he'd gotten what he needed, he would kill both the Hanyou and DaiYoukai. Smiling as he walked to his hiding spot, Kaplow felt giddy with anticipation. All those long years he'd hung, suspended in motionless agony as time had marched on. All that time he'd had to build his hatred – he was on the cusp of liberation.

Well, no surprise, Kaplow's fairly fucked up in the mental stability department. Sorry, I know many of you wished for Isan to live, but he committed severe treason and in the Youkai world, that just doesn't fly.

I know it's not looking good for our Inu's, but as I've stated many times - I believe in the happy ending and this story is no different. If you feel so inclined, please leave a review. I truly appreciate them all and the time you take to write them. To the reviewer who was afraid Inuyasha would not be able to keep his virginity until mating with Sesshomaru - no worries in that department.

Until next week . . . lunamist