Chapter 7

Ichiro watched until the group disappeared from sight. Sensing them continuing to move away even after the trees had swallowed them from view, he slipped his knife away. He picked up Tenseiga with his free hand. As his hand brushed Tessaiga's scabbard there came a crackle and a sudden jolt. He frowned and tried again to pick up the sword.

"Very clever," he muttered as he received a second shock. He looked at Sesshomaru whom he still held and who was giving him an amused smirk. "Pick it up, pup."

Sesshomaru shook his head, his silver bangs swishing across the crescent moon on his forehead.

Ichiro raised the dangling pup to his eye level. He caught his gaze and held it for a long moment. "Do not defy me, pup. Pick it up." His voice was a low growl, full of menace. "And don't get any clever ideas about using it against me. I'll snap your neck before you get the blade clear of the sheath."

Sesshomaru swallowed hard and nodded his understanding. Ichiro lowered him and held him over the sword. He reached for it, half expecting a shock for his trouble. His hands closed around it without incident and he held it tightly as Ichiro straightened back to his full height. Satisfied, he turned and entered the hut. He raised the pup above his head so he was eye-level with a high shelf.

"Put it there."

Reluctantly Sesshomaru placed Tessaiga on the shelf. Tenseiga joined it. Ichiro set Sesshomaru down once the swords were put away. The pup immediately ran for the door. He rebounded off of an invisible barrier and was flung halfway across the room. He tumbled head over heels and ended up flat on his face in the middle of the floor. He scowled as he pushed his tail back from where it had fallen over his head. He climbed to his feet, brushing dirt from his clothes, trying to hide his embarrassment at the undignified position he had landed in.

"I wouldn't do that again," Ichiro said mildly, still gazing at his unexpected acquisitions. He had not even considered the swords when making his plans but they were a welcome bonus once he had seen them. He suspected the human girl had been lying about Tessaiga. After all, Sesshomaru had picked it up just fine. The swords were his by right and they'd be returned to him soon enough.

"There's an impenetrable barrier protecting this place. Not even that priestess or monk can bring it down. You cannot leave until I allow it." He pulled a small object from a hidden pocket and held it up between his thumb and forefinger. It appeared to be an oblong stone about two inches long. The surface was smooth and it was a light yellow color. The stone allowed them to pass unharmed through a barrier formed by another such stone. They were quite rare. "You see, I am the only one who may pass through the barrier. I will remove it when my work is complete and it is no longer needed. But for now I need you to stay put and your friends to stay away." He tucked the stone away once again.

"Give me! Let me go!" Sesshomaru growled. He lunged at the other demon with his claws outstretched. He was fast, even in his current state. The full grown inu yokai was faster, however, and sidestepped easily. He swatted Sesshomaru out of the air as he attacked again. He landed hard on the packed earthen floor, the wind knocked out of him.

"Tsk. You should stop that, Sesshomaru. You're only going to hurt yourself. It wouldn't do to have you damaged after everything I've done to get you here. I don't want to have to tie you up but I will if necessary."

Sesshomaru went still at his words. He glared up at the other demon as he panted, trying to regain his breath. Cold gold eyes met his own. He meant his threat. Sesshomaru glowered balefully at him but stopped his attacks. He was stubborn but he was no fool. He got back to his feet and turned his back on Ichiro, sniffing indignantly as he folded his arms across his chest, trying to appear as if he didn't care at all about the other or what he would do.

Ichiro smiled in amusement at Sesshomaru's antics. He was unsurprised by the pup's attitude. Scion of two great and powerful demon lines and therefore one of the most powerful beings alive; and groomed to rule his entire life, a certain amount of hubris was to be expected. Given his current age it was likely that the pup had thus far been spoiled rotten by everyone from doting parents to visiting dignitaries to palace servants. Being held against his will was not something he would have ever had to contend with until now.

"Father will come for me," Sesshomaru declared suddenly with the absolute certainly.

"I'm afraid not, little pup."

Sesshomaru whirled to face Ichiro, his hands clenched to fists at his sides. "He will! And then you be sorry!"

"You can have all the attitude you want," Ichiro said conversationally and with a slight chuckle. "I'd expect as much from you. You are very much your father's son." He patted the pup on the head as he walked by, earning himself another glare. "Now behave yourself. My preparations could only proceed so far until I had you in hand. I have quite a lot to do before we can proceed to the next step." He went to a bookcase that was pushed against one wall and took down a large leather bound volume. Placing it on a table, he opened it to a previously marked spot.

Sesshomaru glared at his back for another minute, bristling with rage and fear. He had never come across anyone as fast and strong as Ichiro except for his father. And his father wasn't here. He clenched his jaw as a soft whine escaped his throat. He would not show how afraid he was. He would make his father proud.

To distract himself, he looked around at his surroundings, sharp eyes taking in everything and not overlooking a single detail. The interior of the hut was small and cramped. Shelves lined most of the walls, overflowing with books and scrolls. Some held containers of varying shapes and sizes, the contents of which Sesshomaru couldn't even guess. A large table, where Ichiro now sat, was covered with more books and an oil lamp and several candles sat on one corner. A fire burned in the hearth. A cook pot and utensils sat beside it. A pile of what appeared to be blankets and bedding had been tossed into a careless pile in another corner.

He went to the door again. He stretched out a hand cautiously, mindful of how the barrier had flung him earlier. He felt the invisible force crackling around his palm. He turned away and spotted a window on the rear wall. He climbed onto a table, knocking several scrolls to the floor, and reached for it. He drew his hand back with a frown as he felt the now-familiar crackling. There were no other doors or windows. He discovered a number of cracks and gaps in the walls. Further exploration showed the barrier was protecting them as well. None of the spaces were large enough for him to get more than his forearm through. The entire hut was encased in the barrier's protective shell, rendering it a moot point, even if he could have fit.

He turned back to Ichiro. The other seemed completely absorbed in his book as he read and muttered under his breath to himself. His words were too soft for even Sesshomaru's keen ears to pick up clearly. Those he could hear he didn't understand. Sesshomaru flexed his hands, readying his claws. He crouched, his body coiling, ready to spring at his captor's throat.

"I wouldn't try it, pup," Ichiro said without even glancing at him.

Temporarily defeated, Sesshomaru dropped his hand back to his side and plopped down on the pile of blankets. It was as far away from Ichiro as he could get. He drew his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. Father will come, he thought as he wrapped his tail around himself. He would be brave and strong like Father and didn't need to cuddle into his tail for comfort so it was for warmth. Wrapping into his tail for warmth was okay. Even if the day was comfortably mild. He will come! He has to.

Miserable and suddenly feeling very small and alone, he buried his face in the fur of his tail. Father, where are you? Why haven't you come yet? He sniffled, the sound muffled by the fur surrounding his face, but refused to cry. He would not cry. But a few minutes later his eye betrayed him and his tail was soon damp with tears.

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A/N: I know, I know, I feel like such a terrible person after this chapter. I'll make it up with lots of pup cuddles and a new sword... uh, chew toy.

Just as an FYI: here's my reasoning for Sesshomaru being able to pick up Tessaiga without getting harmed. In one episode of the anime, Shippo is able to hold and even draw Tessaiga without any issues. I don't recall it ever being addressed as to how or why. I'm going with either (a) he's a child; (b) he's "good"; or (c) he has no hatred towards humans so while Tessaiga won't transform for him, it also has no reason to harm him even though he's a demon. Or some combination thereof. I always kind of had the impression that Sesshomaru's hatred towards humans was something that came about when he was a bit older, possibly not even until his father's death or at least his relationship with Inuyasha's mother. So as the child he is now he's not evil and he doesn't hate humans so Tessaiga doesn't reject him from picking it up.