A Taste of Humanity
Disclaimer: Sesshomaru and all characters from Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, not me (Zukiko is mine though). This story is for entertainment purposes only; I make no profit from it.
A/N: Sorry for the delay! I've run out of spare chapters and have been super busy this week. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy!
Chapter 12: The Demon Lord Reborn
Sesshomaru awoke with a start. His senses felt on edge even though it was still dark. His dreams had been deeply troubling and he had no desire to return to them. Each time it would start happily, but mid-dream he would regain his demon powers and slaughter those he considered family and friends. The last one had his heart racing violently for he had hunted and killed his adopted daughter, Zukiko. He turned to see her peacefully sleeping beside Rin. He sighed in relief. He scanned the group, silently making sure everyone was alive and well. As he turned to check his brother, he heard him huff.
"I'm fine," his brother whispered, "it was just a dream." Surprised, he raised an eyebrow. His little brother chuckled. "I noticed your heart rate going nuts, plus your sigh was a bit loud seeing as my ear was right there." He watched the mentioned ear twitch as if in agreement.
"Sorry," he murmured. He didn't like feeling this way and part of him insisted he was being foolish.
"It's ok," Inuyasha assured him, "do you want to talk about it?" He sighed.
"It always starts out fine," he whispered, "we're usually all together, having a good time, enjoying each other's company, then…" he paused to shake off the violent images, "then I become a demon again, but it isn't me… I kill everyone." 'Pathetic,' a part of him hissed, 'you've become weak and pathetic… just like your father!' He shook his head. "No…" he insisted, but the voice seemed to laugh at him. He felt a weight wrap around him and he realized it was his brother. He looked up into his brother's eyes, noticing how they seemed to glow in the moonlight.
"You're not weak or pathetic," his brother stated, holding his gaze. Sesshomaru was startled by the intensity of his brother's gaze. "That's just not who you are, demon or human, it doesn't matter." He wondered how Inuyasha knew what he had thought and realized he must have spoken at least part of it aloud. He smiled and leaned against his brother. 'Even if I'm weak, I am not alone.' He relaxed, enjoying the closeness they now shared. Gazing at the moon, its thin sliver barely visible in the inky blackness, Sesshomaru waited for the sun.
The two brothers watched quietly as the grey dawn pushed back the starry night sky. Sesshomaru felt his stomach twist and flutter inside him as he waited for sunrise. Soft pinks and purples streaked the sky, followed by gold and blue. Birds all around them lifted their voices in song to greet the new day. Through the green leaves, he glimpsed the sun beginning its ascent into the sky. He felt his body jolt. Looking down, he saw his nails grow into claws. His markings on his arms reappeared as he felt a flood of energy pulse through his veins. He felt his poison return. His hearing, sight, and smell became crisp again as if a heavy blanket had been removed. His fangs grew back and the black hair that draped about him changed to silver. Beside him, his mokomoko once again draped over his shoulder. Yet with all the changes, he realized one thing had not changed. He had not stopped caring. He had not lost all he had gained over the seven days. He looked over at his brother and smiled.
"I have not changed," he confided in his little brother. His brother smiled back.
"I'm glad," Inuyasha admitted. They sat in companionable silence as the morning sun gently teased the others awake. Zukiko was one of the first, her tiny mouth yawning wide as she stretched. He watched her rub the sleep out of her eyes and look about. Spying him, she began running over to him. Halfway she stopped and tilted her head. He saw her nose twitching and her eyes narrow in confusion.
"Zukiko," he said softly, "I told you I was not human, did I not?" She nodded and smiled. Running the rest of the way to him she threw her arms around him.
"Daddy!" she rejoiced. He held her close, mindful of his claws. Burying his head into her neck, he breathed in her scent, memorizing it. He heard the others shifting about and looked up. Kagome was poking the fire in preparation for breakfast. He felt Inuyasha get up and watched as he helped Kagome with breakfast. A loud slap and plaintive cry informed him that Sango and Miroku were also awake. Ah-Un grunted and huffed as Rin gave him her usual morning scratch. Sesshomaru remained against the tree, contently watching his family and friends start their day. Rin walked over and offered a jar and spoon to him.
"Unless…" she began, but he shook his head and took the jar. Opening it with far more ease than he had before, he began to feed his daughter. Around the fire, he heard tentative questions. He decided to ignore them since they were trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to not be overheard by him. 'I have not changed,' he thought, 'yet they exclude me now.' He focused on feeding Zukiko and tried to not feel disappointed. He finished the jar and set it aside. He noticed someone approach him and looked up. A smiling Rin held out her hand. At first, he thought she wanted to take Zukiko, but he realized she would normally have both arms extended. He raised an eyebrow to indicate his confusion and she chuckled.
"Come join us silly," she said, her smile growing as he took her hand. He let her lead him over to the group, Zukiko draped on his mokomoko. He sat in the space next to his brother and felt Rin sit on his other side. Kagome smiled at him.
"Rin told me you don't eat 'human food'," she began cautiously. "You're welcome to try though. Perhaps you've developed a taste for some human food?" She offered him a small bowl. He recognized the contents as food he had enjoyed yesterday. He took the bowl and sniffed it uncertainly. Finding the smell to be tolerable, he tasted a small sample. The flavors were far stronger than before, but not unpleasantly so. He took another bite and found it equally satisfying. 'Perhaps I have developed a taste for some human food.' As he ate, he noticed the conversation was relaxed and comfortable. He began to wonder what had prompted the earlier secrecy. Curious, he decided to ask.
"What was the whispering all about earlier?" he asked. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and chuckled.
"Too busy feeding your daughter to hear them, huh?" he chuckled and dodged the swipe aimed at his head. "Ok, ok, sheez. The girls were all whispering about how 'precious' and 'adorable' you holding Zukiko looked. I was just trying not to gag." He dodged another swipe aimed at his head, this time from Kagome sitting on the other side of him.
"You're so immature at times Inuyasha!" Everyone laughed at the indignant face Inuyasha made in reply to Kagome's accusation. Breakfast finished and soon they were packed and ready to continue on their way. Sesshomaru suggested rearranging the riding groups since he would run alongside with Inuyasha now. Kagome agreed and moved Sango with Rin on Ah-Un while Miroku and Kohaku rode Kirara. Zukiko insisted on 'riding' Sesshomaru's mokomoko and Kagome hopped onto Inuyasha's back. Inuyasha turned to him.
"We can go nice and slow since you're rusty," Inuyasha offered with a mischievous grin.
"This Sesshomaru will not be the one slowing us down, little brother," he replied with a matching smirk. Turning to Zukiko, he whispered, "Hang on tight daughter." She nodded and buried further into mokomoko. Within moments, the brothers were blurs of red and white as they dashed through the forest. Sesshomaru felt invigorated as he raced his brother through the trees. Though he was still stiff from his previous wounds, he was not slowed down by a full-grown adult like his younger sibling. Frequently checking on his tiny charge, he darted among the trees with wild abandon. 'This is… fun!' he realized, 'I am actually having fun!'
The brothers chased each other through the lush forest, neither keeping the lead for long. Soon, the trees thinned and they stopped at the edge of the forest. Sesshomaru felt invigorated from the playful chase and patiently waited for his half-brother to catch his breath. Ahead of them was a large field full of thousands of brightly colored flowers. He felt Kagome approach him and he looked down to see her smiling up at him.
"Many of these plants are important in medicines," she informed him. "Usually, Inuyasha would have to bring me here to restock." He nodded and returned his gaze to the field. 'Rin will like it here,' he thought, 'She loves flowers.' He watched Kagome headed into the field, looking for medicinal herbs and flowers in the field. After a few moments to contemplate and check on Zukiko, he heard the rest of the group approach. As expected, Rin squealed with delight as she caught sight of the field of flowers. He gave her a slight nod and she ran happily to the flowers. Zukiko cocked her head to the side and looked confused.
"Daddy?" He turned his full attention to the girl. "May I play too?" A small smile formed on his lips and he nodded. Setting her down gently, he watched as she went to join Rin who was making a flower wreath. He stood for a moment, taking in the peaceful sight. 'My family is happy here,' he mused. Kagome returned from her gathering and stood beside him. Pointing to the gently sloping hills to their right, she explained the plan.
"We can build along these hills," she stated, "on the other side is a river and small waterfall. Fish are abundant and there's a pool by the waterfall ideal for bathing." He nodded, content with the location. 'Rin can catch fish and the forest offers plenty of game,' he considered. 'She will not need to go far for bathing either.'
"I will scout the area," he told her, "be sure Zukiko knows I will return shortly." At her nod, he left in the direction of the waterfall.