Chapter 11

The eastern horizon was just beginning to lighten when the group broke camp and headed back in the direction of Ichiro's hut. They did not speak as they travelled. There was nothing left to say; their plans had been made and there was no turning back. They also didn't want to alert the inu yokai of their coming. While he may be able to smell or sense them there was no point in making it easier for him by being too loud.

They traveled about two-thirds of the distance back to the hut before stopping to wait. Myoga had taken off the night before to keep watch and would return when he saw Ichiro beginning to put his plans in motion. Hopefully they were close enough to foil him. They all knew there were any number of things that could go wrong with their plan. Ichiro had been a step ahead of them from the very beginning. They could only hope that Myoga's spying had finally given them the edge they'd so desperately need.

Inuyasha's ears twitched as he glared in the direction of the hut. He hated waiting around and was anxious to move. He glanced around at his companions to distract himself while they awaited Myoga's return. Sango was making certain the leather holding straps on Hiraikotsu were in good shape and secure. Miroku was eyeing her rear in a way that Inuyasha knew would end in the monk receiving a handprint across the face sooner rather than later. Shippo and Rin were playing quietly with Kirara. The twin-tailed demon cat was greatly enjoying the attention. Kagome was trying to study one of her schoolbooks; Inuyasha still didn't understand why she bothered. She had gotten angry when he had suggested she skip her studies and simply remain in this time until they found all of the Shikon Jewel shards and defeated Naraku. He hadn't dared broach the subject again. Her schooling was important to her so he wouldn't argue. Even if he didn't understand it. Jaken sat near the grazing Ah-Un glaring and muttering under his breath.

Sesshomaru hates humans. Why does he let a little human girl travel with him? He wondered as his attention was caught by a soft giggle from the children.

"Maybe you should wait here when we go after Sesshomaru, Rin," he said.

She looked up at him with her large brown eyes and shook her head. "I want to help Lord Sesshomaru!"

"Look, kid, it's going to be dangerous. If you get hurt, Sesshomaru will kill us all for certain. You should stay here where it's safe."

"No!" she cried. "Please, Lord Inuyasha! Don't make me stay behind! I will stay out of the way, I promise."

He was about to press the issue when Kagome's hand fell on his arm. He glanced at her. "She can stay back on Ah-Un. We can't just leave her all alone in the middle of the forest," she reasoned.

Inuyasha wanted to protest that his brother seemed to do just that on a regular basis. At least, he never saw the girl when Sesshomaru came to pick a fight. Then again, knowing Sesshomaru, he probably had a secret hideout of something where he stashed the girl. Spiteful bastard. He let it drop, not wanting to be corrected about his assumptions of his brother by a little girl or an obnoxious imp.

"Alright," he relented. "But make sure to stay back. And keep Jaken with you. I don't need to worry about stepping on him in the middle of the fight."

"What!?" Jaken squawked angrily. "How dare you –" Inuyasha's fist to the top of his head silenced his protests.

"Where the hell is Myoga?" Inuyasha muttered.

#######

Despite his declarations that he wasn't tired the previous evening, Sesshomaru had dropped off to sleep quickly once night had fallen. He was sore and bruised from his attempts at escape. His injuries were minor and would heal by daybreak but he was still worn out physically and mentally. The demands of his tired body had won out over his determination to not sleep in the end.

Ichiro found Sesshomaru curled up on a blanket and still sound asleep when he awoke at dawn. His dark blue clothes blended in with the dark blanket on which he lay. The pup's hair and tail, the latter tightly wrapped around him, showed clearly as streaks of silver against the dark fabrics. His mouth hung open slightly, exposing the tips of his tiny fangs. The magenta stripes on his eyelids were clearly visible now that his eyes were closed. He appeared to be an innocently sleeping child, nothing more, nothing less. Certainly not the powerful demon he had been. And would be again shortly, Ichiro thought with a smile.

Leaving the pup to his slumber for the moment, Ichiro retrieved the box that held the orb from its shelf. He carried it outside and set it down on a low alter reverently. His fingers trailed over the rough wooden lid as he smiled. Centuries of study and effort and meticulous planning was about to yield results. Using Inu no Taisho's own heir, he'd effectively rule the western domains. Soon, very soon, his people would rule supreme, back in their rightful place. Sesshomaru may not be Lord of the West yet but that simply gave Ichiro plenty of time to cement his place by the young lord's side. Even with the new memories he expected some resistance. Sesshomaru was extremely strong willed and refused to take orders from anyone on principle. It was simply part of his stubborn loner nature. Learning to handle and manipulate him would take some practice. But he'd have a few centuries yet to iron it out. In the end, he was confident he would succeed. The young daiyokai already commanded great power of his own and his power would only continue to grow as he matured. There was no doubt the boy would surpass even his immensely strong father. And by the time Sesshomaru took up the reigns his father had left behind he'd be firmly under Ichiro's influence.

Eyes glinting with anticipation, he returned to the hut. He retrieved the Barrier Stone from its hiding place and shook Sesshomaru awake.

"Come pup. It is time at long last."

The pup snarled at him, refusing to move. He smiled and held out his hand to him. "Come now, Sesshomaru. I seek only to aid you. Our goals align. You seek to surpass your father and I can help you do so. You will become the greatest ruler the inu yokai have ever seen!"

Sesshomaru growled and swiped at the outstretched hand, scoring a hit with his claws. Ichiro sighed as he looked at the three gashes Sesshomaru had drawn. The blood was already beginning to clot. Fortunately, it seemed he was unable to use the poison Ichiro knew he possessed. Or would possess. He cuffed the pup on the side of the head. The blow sent him sprawling. He climbed to his knees, shaking his head to rid himself of the ringing in his ears.

"Don't be so foolish as to try that again, pup."

Sesshomaru raised his head to glare at him from beneath his bangs, his eyes full of hate. "Father will kill you," he whispered hoarsely.

"I think not. Inu no Taisho is long dead."

"You lie!"

"Do I? I have no need to lie, pup. Do you think your father would have allowed his precious son and heir to wander in the wilderness so far from home with nothing more than a handful of humans, a half-breed, and a couple of weak demons for protectors? Would he have tolerated my holding you here? Foolish pup, your father has been dead for two centuries."

"Liar!" Despite his protest, an icy tendril of fear worked its way down Sesshomaru's spine. What if the other inu wasn't lying? He hadn't picked up his father's scent at all recently. The human woman, Kagome, hadn't known where his home was. Why would his father have sent him out with someone who couldn't get him home? Why hadn't he come to rescue him? Why hadn't his companions come for him? He was confused and suddenly very frightened. He bit his fang into his lip hard enough to draw blood to keep a whimper of fear from escaping. No, Ichiro was lying! He had to be! The alternative was too terrible to contemplate.

"Soon you'll no longer have any need of those weaklings. You're going home, Lord Sesshomaru, to take your rightful place as head of our clan." He snatched the pup up by the scruff of the neck. He struggled for a moment before realizing it was a futile effort to try to break free. Low growls rumbled from his chest.

Ichiro carried him outside. He set Sesshomaru on the ground beside a low wooden table that held the box with the orb and the large heavy book he had been reading from the previous day. The pup tensed and looked around, ready to run.

"I wouldn't advise it. The barrier surrounds us now. You're not going anywhere. However, I cannot risk you damaging yourself. Not now when I am so close. Soon enough it'll all be over and then our real work can begin! Behave or I'll tie you up for your own good."

Sesshomaru glared. He had no doubt the other yokai would do exactly as he said. How dare this cur threaten him! Didn't he know who he was? His shoulders slumped. Of course he did. That was the entire point. He inched back until he felt the warning crackle of the barrier directly behind him. He crouched down, as far from Ichiro as he could get. He had the feeling he was not going to like whatever was coming next.

As Ichiro began chanting, reading from the large book in front of him, the surrounding forest seemed to go unnaturally still. It seemed to the frightened pup that it was holding its breath, awaiting what was to come. He jumped when the silence was broken by the caw of a large crow. The bird left off from where it had been scrounging for worms and grubs and took flight. Sesshomaru's golden eyes followed its movements as it glided away, longing to go with it.

#####

A large crow swooped down into the middle of the group. Myoga hopped onto Inuyasha's shoulder. "Ichiro is beginning!" he cried.