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The absence of his left limb made him wary and irritated. He will not admit it out loud but he felt inferior because of it. His perfect image was mutilated and the worst part of it - not only he could see his feebleness.

Lesser yokai did not bother Sesshomaru, fearing him even more, since the demon dog became more deadly and short-tempered after the accident. If somebody asked them, they would tell that he was always a spoiled brat. He could not stand a challenge and the thought of losing was unthinkable for him. However, unlike other pup's tantrums, his ended in pools of blood and piles of corpses. Moreover, they'd say that Ino nu Tashio was not proud of his son's behaviour. He considered him being week and defective. In his views Inu's first instinct was to protect, not to destroy. The dog General often showed his displeasure with Sesshomaru's deeds and did not hesitate to scold him in front of others. As a result, the world got rigid and numb Killing perfection.

However, if somebody had the guts to ask the Western palace court about Sesshomaru's uprising, they would get an entirely different picture. Despite his father's harsh words the little Inu admired him. He wanted to become stronger. He wished to become like him. The problem was Ino no Tashio's mate. She was beautiful, smart and cunning – perfect Lady, bad mother. Servants would tell that she did not hold any interest in children; Sesshomaru was a burden for her. She stated so on his first birthday and continued declaring it till the day she died, which was on his eighteen birthday. Thus, she did not allow him to show his affection towards her and did not give any back. He was prohibited calling her mother, smiling in front of her; and any physical contact between them was unheard of. Therefore, the West got aloof Lord, without a basic understanding of love and compassion; and, thus, well-bred demons, also, were reluctant to mingle with his business and did not dare to point out his flaws in fear of being killed or worse.

The only being who dared to mock Sesshomaru was infamous half-breed, Naraku. The filthy hanyo was after Sihikon no Tama in which he himself had no interest. However Sesshomaru knew that this mad half-breed presented a threat to his lands, so he decided to examine him closer. During his examination he was tricked and almost got possessed by Naraku. Daiyokai tried to kill him, but failed. Thus, feeling even more disgraced than before.

Rin did not really understand why her Lord was in such bad mood, but tried to do everything in her power to get him feel better. She became more obedient and studied harder, as her accomplishments often made him smile, if only with his eyes. She brought him his favourite white flowers and refrained from bickering with Jaken. However, her attempts were futile, as with each passing day, her tenshi became gloomier, until one day he just left, leaving her behind in his castle.

Sesshomaru was livid. His body and pride was injured. He craved revenge and the only being that came into his mind was the week human Miko that travelled with the half-breed. She was the reason for his downfall and should be dealt with.

He found her in the hot springs. For a human that possessed such power, she was sure careless and ... beautiful. He was not the one who will lie to himself. Of course she was a mere human woman that was in all ways beneath him, but her body was a picture to look at. She had long legs and a slim waistline. Her midnight hair cascaded on her back, hiding curves that suited seducer more than priestess. Sesshomaru found her image appealing and in some corner of his mind entertained a thought of keeping her alive, just for the sake of indulging himself in her beauty. However the thought was banished, as the realisation dawned on him. This Sesshomaru will not desire a mere human miko.

He leaped from his hiding point, startling her. She was half-dressed and that infuriated and mesmerized him at the same time. Confusing onna. He took a step closer and raised his claws to deliver a blow that will end her life, however, her voice stopped him.

- Why are you angry?

Her words, for a lack of a better description of his emotion, flabbergasted him. Sesshomaru thought that she would scream for half-breed or, perhaps, plead for her life. However he was not anticipating that, so he froze in middle-shock.

Kagome had always been a curious girl. Why else in the world she would be wandering around the land that was settled five hundred years before her own time or put up with all the crap that her dog-friend put her through? Fine, maybe there was another reason. She also was very „lucky "and quick-to-act girly. That's why Shikon no Tama is scattered across the land now and she is obligated to mend it.

It was a very stressful task for a girl that was brought up in the comforts of the 21st century. Kagome did not mind camping, travelling or nature. The view amazed her. However bloodthirsty demons, spider hanyos and stunning, deadly half-brothers were another issue entirely.

Almost a year has passed since she set her foot on this land and she already had her skin marked with scars, head full of nightmares and a broken heart. Inuyasha was an admirable person, but he sucked as an object of affection. Kagome learned that a hard way. She did not hold any grudge against him or Kikyo, but it still hurt and tasted bitter. Thanks Kami, she had her friends and little Shippo. They always made her smile and feel needed, protected.

She raised from a hot-spring feeling uneasy, as if somebody was watching her but sensed nothing. Kagome dried herself out and started to put her clothes on, when a figure clad in white appeared from the tree line, effectively startling her. The girl was horror struck, as there before her stood Sesshomaru, the only being Kagome was truly afraid of. She did not understand him. Everybody had a purpose and reason for things that they have done. However the Lord of the West seems to possess an entirely different logic. Kagome did know that pleading would not work and probably he would slice her throat before she could even muster a sound, so she started mentally preparing herself for death.

Time froze as well. Adrenaline flow in her veins, making everything move in slow motion. She noticed that Sesshomaru was not his usual self. His movements were harsh and did he shake his head right now or she sees things? He got close and raised his handsome, elegant claws to strike her and then Kagome recognized it in his eyes – anger.

- Why are you angry? – she asked, curiosity getting the better of her, as it did in stressful situations or any other situation for that matter. Kagome could not hold her mouth shut if her life depended on it, literally.

The Dayokai stopped. The shock evident in his amber orbs. She was glad that her mouth bought her time.

- INUYASHA! - Kagome screamed on top of her lungs, praying to every Kami for him to hear.

However, her outburst broke the ropes of shock that held Sesshomaru in place and he struck her, slicing her skin, like butter. She yelped, hitting the ground. The pain was unbearable. She felt as if her innards were melting. Her mind could not process the agony and blackened, leaving her numb body beneath Sesshomaru's feet.

He looked at her, indifferent to her sufferings. For a moment, he deemed her interesting. However in the end, she has been just a nuisance that he got rid of. Feeling no regret, he formed a cloud and flew to his palace where Rin undoubtedly was waiting for him.