Chapter three

Long had it been since the lord of death had felt such anger towards anything let alone another living creature. For he was but an extension of the planets energy, he had no ill feelings toward any living creature unless they had caused undue harm to another. More often than not his children ended up disappointing him with their needless cruelty, they sadden him but rarely was one of his children's cruelty to such an extent that it caused him to be so enraged. This all-encompassing disappointment and disgust far surpassed that which he held for those of his children that bartered in slave-trading or needless abuse of any kind. He liked to think he had patients and understanding for his children because they were only so advanced and had evolved so little, they were still such a young species. Still so unknowing and still learning as they grew, so he forgave them much, but every now and then came one of his children so tainted by their own foolish beliefs that they failed to grasp any truth in front of them. Choosing to only believe what suited their purpose or hatred.

All souls were his children but not all souls were beloved children, some souls came to him tainted by darkness already and stayed as such. Some came to him colored with life and became tainted during their stay on the surface and some, some became so dark that they were no longer souls but dark murky energies that pulsed in erratic and destructive beats. These souls caused world chaos and pain, these souls caused famines and needless wars, yet it was not his place to stop a soul from living just his place to guide it into a proper container or to his or her proper resting place. He had no control over who landed where he just lead the way to where ever you landed yourself. Though he could not interfere with the free will of a soul he could guide one when given the opportunity, and since he was forced to return his beloved child he took this as an opportunity to guide a soul.

Oh and guide he would, rushing up to the surface world he passed through the cloud barrier that surrounded the underworld and flew through each layer of earth that protected his realm. He followed the piece of power, which had pulled his child from his hold, to a cold stone room that held chains and bars with no windows and no comforts but a broken up futon that looked far more diseased then comforting. Oh how this child continued to ask for his wrath and begged for his punishment. He could not interfere with one soul but he could take back his vessels and force the soul to return to the underworld. He would guide this child to his resting place and enjoy teaching him his mistakes, but to do so he would have to wait for his bargain to be completed because a god's word was binding (how asinine, in his ever so humble godly opinion, to be bound to a lesser being that did not have to keep their word to you) even if the being you were bound to asked for nothing but divine punishment, or a spiked boot up their ass. Honestly he was ok with fulfilling either of those roles, he would have to find a spiked boot of course but all things could be worked out giving the right motivation. Sighing with frustrated acceptance that the little prat may have had him beat in this round, but mark his words he would be the winner of this war by times end.

Turning in the cage he found himself in he looked for the source of his power that he had followed and found it strapped to the waist of the dog demon himself. Ignoring him for the moment he searched for his precious child, behind him was the back of the cell which seemed to be where his little inu-hanyou lay, once more battered to and beyond the point of recognition. He would be in such a heart breaking form for longer than the under lord cared to think about. Standing over him was the child's only living kin, the one that should have cared for him and protected him, but he had been unworthy from the start and the king of souls was so disappointed in him. Sesshomaru Lord of all the west. What a disgrace he was to his father's legacy. Not that Sesshomaru knew that (nor would he believe such if told even if it was a god that told him so) because he believed himself to be far superior to all that breathed. Though it was true he was powerful indeed and he would grow even more so, the lord of the west was a mockery to his father's great heritage. The great Touga Inu no Taisho had been a marvelous ruler and had brought an era of peace as well as change, and set up the path to a grand future for his son to follow. His son, in his arrogance and blind hearted, had neglected his father's work and gone off and done as he pleased. Though he could not lay all the blame at the young lords feet alone, for he had learned such hatred from his mother (Yet another one of his children who allowed themselves to be so tainted by arrogance and blinded by narcissism) the god of death certainly had much he could blame the foolish prince for.

Looking closer he could see a small green impish thing standing to the left of the almighty lord. The imp seemed to have no problem voicing his disdain for the young prince that lay beaten and batter on the stone floor. Well if the little pompous wanker wanted to know why the "vile taint to his precious lords blood line, was being allowed such gracious accommodations?" the lord of souls was all too willing to show him first hand. Honestly what was wrong with everybody on the surface?! Was it the drinking water?! Were people not listening about how they were NOT supposed to touch the soft spot on their children's heads?! BLOODY FUCKING HELL! It was not that hard to be decent and civilized. Taking a long deep, so deep his lungs threatened to burst, breath he calmed himself as best he could because he could not kill them… Yet.

Floating over to stand over inuyasha, the poor boy looked like a disfigured lump of flesh, scares and what seemed to be pockets of collected fluids that bulged here or there. The boy was sad to look at for sure but he was not and never would be pitiful, because even when the kid asked for deaths embrace he never active sought it out. He fought on even when he wished to simply lay down and given in, he would fight to the bitter end and give in when he knew there was no other way out but to die. It was admirable that even in his darkest moments he stayed strong, the boy may not see it and he may never feel so but he was strengths physical representation made whole. All the gods had seen people give in and take their own lives in a desperate attempt to escape and none ever blamed or condemned them for such an act. It was a select few however that always seemed to come about and impress the gods with their tenacity by refusing to take their own lives and press on until it was taken from them in their fight. These few also broke the gods hearts because such strong and hopeful beings should never suffer such long argues atrocities. They held no fear of death because they saw death as their reward for trudging on through life, to them death was not a cures or an ugly truth. No to these souls who fight "Satan's fire" death was the prize given to those who had earned their peace. These poor souls sought to earn their deaths because to them they were even too unworthy to die before he himself came for them.

How much did you have to hate yourself to not even allow yourself to escape life by your own hand? You left it up to fate! To decide when you had suffered enough! As if this was your punishment for some horrendous crime and though you may not remembered what you did you trust the gods to see that you paid your tab in full before taking you back. By the lord's graces, it was painful to watch and yet no one god ever took one of these souls because they could not bring themselves to take their chance at finding happiness. For in death you may be free of worldly pains but the soul. The soul held scares all their own that took too long to heal if not given something to sooth the ach. So these souls, these poor cherished souls, were left on the surface till they met their end from an others had. In the hopes that they found a balm to sooth their pains just a bit, any small reprieve to them. So that when they did finally find rest their soul could use that balm in the underworld to heal the scares it had collected.

Sometimes one of the gods would take one of these wounded souls still colored with life, even after what they had been made to endure. They would take one and keep them, guide them and give them a new place to live. Mother Nature herself had taken some of these souls and given them new containers to house their energies in and had given them a job away from the surface world for as long as they liked. The soul collector had done the same on multiple occasions. When the soul felt like living once more the gods with sorrow filled hearts granted their requests and held out hope that this time round would be better. Often times such was not the case and the gods were forced to watch their beloved souls struggle and battle to live out life once more. Sometimes though, sometimes these souls found a place to belong and thrive and live. This was too rare an outcome though, Inuyasha was one of these such cases.

Inuyasha. He was one such soul that held such strength and justice that he would never take his own life, no matter how tantalizing the thought, not because he thought it wrong to do so but because he knew he would one day die and so waited for his time to come naturally. He would wait no matter how long it took because he could not bring himself to just give up, no matter how beaten he was. No matter the suffering, no matter the anguish, not matter how much he said he gave up and lost hope his soul held on. It held hope close and locked behind iron walls and fought for another day to see if tomorrow would be the day life got better. This was the kind that made it hard not to interfere. The soul collector may not be able to interfere with a soul's free will but he could torment a soul to "try" and guide it to a better path. This he would do for his little warrior, he would help make this point on a better life for him. He would do so even if it meant he had to kill all the others and replace them to do so. He could not kill the whole world but one measly little country was no problem for him, and no loss for Mother Nature. A state was an even simpler matter to accomplish.

The god of death was brought out of his musings by the deep rough growl that came from his right side, he was once more filled with such rage that he transformed.

"Disgusting half-breed. I did not think it possible for you to become more hideous and useless, yet here I stand corrected."

Sesshomaru stood over his half-brother with a look distain as he used his foot to role the lump of flesh onto its back. The god of death could take now more and so made his presence know he floated to the other side of inuyasha so the wall was to his back and he could look this laughable lord in the eyes. He wanted Sesshomaru to see him in all his godly glory, for he would be a fool to continue to think himself better than even the gods. Teeth not only sharpened and elongated, to such lengths they appeared to be talons made for shredding rather than teeth made for chewing, also dripped deadly grey acid onto the floor with a hiss. Body made larger ad wider with nor substantial form and hands that grew to the size of the walls inclosing them, with claws for finger nails. Antlers that seemed to mold into horns that lengthened to a sharp sturdy point to insure penetration into anything would be swift and true. Followed by eyes as cold and blue as the ice upon the highest mountain tops held a hollow gaze that was all the more frightening. For the eyes of the dead held nothing inside, so no hope of leniency would ever be found. This. Was deaths anger.

"Foolish son of Touga. You incur much of my wrath."

The western lord stood firm and rigid as he stared at the king of death his eyes held wide but never wavered and showed no fear. Though inside he could feel even his demon watch in trepidations and warning him to tread carefully. This was a being that could and would devour them quite easily if provoked passed this show of power. He would never admit to it but this god shook the very core of his strength it has been some time since his all-powerful lord had found a being greater than or equal to his strength. He took some comfort in the knowledge that the king of souls could not harm him while under the effects of a contractual agreement. So with assured arrogance the lord spoke.

"I see you have finally shown yourself to this Sesshomaru lord death. Prey tell what happened to our agreement? The deal agreed upon suggested that I would get the half-breed back whole yet he has not awaked or drawn breath for the three days and nights it has taken this Sesshomaru to carry him here. Explain."

With a smile that was feral and chilling the soul collector not only showed the lord his darker half but explained it as well. Waving his right hand he made a smoky circle that shown clear in the middle until it shinned and showed a picture. In the picture it revealed lord Sesshomaru,

Standing in the dungeon over his recently deceased little brother. Not but five feet away lay a beheaded corps and even further was the head. Skull caved in for good measure. Eyes colored red showed the demon was still under the surface of the paper thin skin that held together his human-ish façade. The sword of life held within his left arm still glowing from its use, watching his little brothers' body for sings of movement. He saw smoke starting to rise from the corps in grey black puffs and formed a small round shape that seemed playful and cute. It held blank round holes for eyes and jagged smoke teeth for a mouth, still it seemed playful. Turning up its hollow eyes to look at who ever tried to summon the inu-pup's soul back its eye sockets furrowed into confusion then into suspicion.

"To what do I owe the displeasure of your presence little demon lord?"

Snarling at the condescension and disrespect coming from this, this, THING! Was it preventing him from getting back what was rightfully his? If so he would destroy it, to be sure.

"Oh yes, to be sure, I am sure. However before your adorable attempt at disemboweling me little lord of the western lands perhaps you would like to explain to me what it you want with my small pup here?"

Could the wretch hear his thoughts? Well even so that mattered little, what did matter was that this beast was demanding anything from this Sesshomaru and calling the mongrel his. Snarling again the west lord lunged for the smoky critter. Only to be held in the air by an invisible force.

"Only a fool would attack a god! And then there is you who so boldly attack the god of death himself! You are a prat above the rest, but I will answer your questions,"

Staying very still less he invoke any further action from the now revealed god, Sesshomaru lifted his head to better see this god. He cared not if this was a god, he had the sword of life and it could not be denied since it held the power of a god and a demon.

"I have asked no questions to be answered."

"You have not voiced any little demon but you have many floating inside your mind. I have already answered one of your many questions. I will answer a few others that I deem necessary to be informed about. The others are of no importance to this matter."

Dropping his hold on the demon lord, death watched as he landed with fluid grace and grabbed for his sword. Eyes still red Sesshomaru was prepared for anything.

"So it seems it is true that fools do not learn easily. Listen well young jester for I will not speak twice. The honyou is mine and I refuse to hand ward."

Full out roars were the responses that death received for his words and he once more had to restrain the lord of the west.

"LISTEN!"

Stopping from the sheer power in that voice Sesshomaru stilled then spoke in a gravel filled voice.

"The half breed is mine by right and no one not even a god can keep him from me! You are the god of death yet I hold the sword of life which hold your power as well as demonic power. By contractual right you cannot refuse its power!"

In his rage the soul collector lifted the lord and slammed him with such force back onto the ground that a crater was made. Hissing as he spoke the venom was thick in his voice.

"I am well aware of those facts young lord. Though I must adhere to those rules does not mean I must do so as you like."

Teeth clashing and body pushing from the hole he had found himself in was the only response the lord could give.

"I will not give the pup back to you just as you like. I will give you back half of him."

Jumping from the hole the demon lord froze. Half? He could not be serious could he? For sure he would be getting what he demanded but not what he needed. The half-breed was worthless to this Sesshomaru without him being whole.

"I will have him returned whole or I will tear you limb from limb."

Laughing loud and hard the soul collector spoke.

"You will take what you are given or you will retract your request."

"He is mine!"

"NO! He is MINE! As you all are mine. I will give you half."

Looking into the hollowed pits, the demon lord quailed his anger, it was getting him nowhere. Eyes fading back to gold the lord stood stoic and ready.

"I refuse half. What must I do to regain him whole?"

"Tell me young lord, why is it you wish to have your vile mongrel brother back? He is dead now as you always wished so why bring him back? To what purpose?"

"That is none of your concern lord of the afterlife."

"Oh little lordling but it is. Tell me why you seem to need him back so badly that you would argue with death?"

"I need his seed not the half-breed himself."

"Ah. I see so it is for his seed you seek him out. Has it finally come to your notice that you two are the only dog demons left of pure power?"

Not responding at all to the death lord Sesshomaru waited for the outcome. He need not explain himself to any being.

"I see. Very well young lord. I will give you all of him back."

Raising a disbelieving brow for when something seemed to easy it was a trap.

"And in return for my generosity you will go through a trial of my choosing and making as a form of repayment."

He knew it. So in order to acquire the filthy disgrace whole he must pay a toll. Was he worth it? Lord Sesshomaru could rule the west lands for centuries and be fine, however once he finally passed on who would the lands go to? He needed an heir of his own so the lands stayed with the inu-demons, it was decided.

"Agreed."

Purring in pure satisfaction the lord of death nodded once before fading away.

"Agreed. The contract has been made. If you should break your end the pup shall be given back to me."

"Understood."

"Take your brother with you foolish lord. In three days' time I shall return to start the trial."

Vanishing as if he had never been death was no more. Sesshomaru was left with the corps of his father's down fall and a ruined castles, taking stock of his surroundings once more Sesshomaru scoffed at the headless corps once more. To think his half-breed brother and his group of merry men could not defeat a powerless patch work demon such as Naraku. What a failure to fathers sacrifice.

Looking back to the Demon lord Death chuckled dryly. He waved his hand again to dispel the circle and answered the lord's question.

"So it was not. I will return him as was agreed upon however I am not so trusting as to hand him over to you before I start your trial."

Smiling serenely Death watched as Sesshomaru sneered in distaste for being made to barter for something so unworthy of his time. He had hopped death would have given him inuyasha and come back in three days for a favor of sorts. That not being the case Sesshomaru knew this trial would be one he would find wholly unpleasant, all he needed was his seed then the half-breed could die again for all he cared. Though he supposed having the half-breed longer was not such a bad thing, he could be kept in the dungeons for breeding purposes. For once the monstrosity would be of use and having him in the dungeons meant he would not be out and about making a mockery of this lord Sesshomaru. Seeing the possibilities to housing his unworthy brother longer than planned, Sesshomaru was a little less bitter about not being able to gather his brother's seed at naraku's castle and then leaving him there. Face relaxing back into a stoic mask the demon lord waited for his trial.

Smiling at this Death bent down to inspect the youngest inu-pup, his body still held the injuries given to him by naraku. Death's heart clenched and his stomach dropped because he would not be healing these wounds permanently. No he was taking these away to be replaced by older wound from his past. He only hoped that this trial was not the last straw for the pup. That going through this trial did not break him and cause him to finally seek out death rather than just waiting for death to come to him. Starting from the top of inuyasha's head death ever so gently stroked his hair then glided his hand all the way down his body.

As his hand moved inuyasha's body changed and morphed. Now instead of hair that was clumpy patches too short to run ones fingers through, in its place were long silver locks that looked matted by blood. His ears that normally sat up top his head proud and animated now sat damaged and what looked to be cropped. As the hand moved it seemed the same thing happened all over inuyashas body for indeed it was whole but it would still be injured. Once done Death stared the mighty lord down and spoke with authority and clarity to insure no misunderstandings.

"Once I leave the pups heart will beat once more and the trial will begin. I have kept the pup with me these last three days to give his soul a chance to rest and heal, now I give it back. Your trial, Demon lord of all the west, is to heal inuyashas body and right the wrongs done upon his soul. For ever wound you heal it will disappear to be replace by another. Starting with the oldest wounds and working your way up you will see the life which the half breed has been made to lead."

Snarling once more Sesshomaru argued.

"That was not the deal!"

"THE DEAL! Was a trial if My choosing, if I chose for you to retrieve a cursed sword or gather a hundred souls for me it would have be my choice to do so. However I chose this, give up now and he comes back with me. I have no problems with either out come."

Snapping his teeth together lord Sesshomaru stared hard and thought on it. Who said he had to heal the mongrel? Once death left this Sesshomaru could simply gather his seed and leave the half breed to rot in the dungeons. Nodding his head in understanding he allowed Death to continue.

"Very well than Demon lord. For every wound healed a new one will take its place. The proses will continue until the half demons soul has healed. Also young lord to insure you fulfill your trial as agreed upon the young princes seed will only be gathered once consent is give from a trusting soul."

"I REFUS!"

How dare this god put such limitations on this Sesshomaru? He the lord of the west would not be forced into such an atrocious act.

Laughing darkly the god of death slowly disintegrated until nothing was left leaving behind parting words of finality.

"So it is agreed."