Chapter 13

"Inuyasha." It came out a low growl. "What are you doing?"

"Getting you decent," Inuyasha snapped, relieved in spite of himself. If Sesshomaru recognized him and was annoyed that meant he was back to normal. He hoped. "What does it look like?"

Sesshomaru didn't deign to answer. He climbed to his feet. His eyes landed on the cowering Ichiro and narrowed further so they were no more than glittering slits. "So," he said in a low, dangerous voice that sent chills down the backs of everyone, "you thought to entrap me with your pathetic spells?" Despite his bare feet and disheveled clothing, he radiated power and menace.

"Inu no Taisho…" Ichiro whimpered. "I beg you… I didn't mean…" He looked up at cold, impassive face above him and let out a low whine of fright.

Sesshomaru's lip curled in disgust at the cowering figure at his feet. He turned his back on the wretched sight. Ichiro relaxed, thinking he would be spared. A split second later, his head rolled away from his body, having been severed by the green whip that shot from Sesshomaru's hand.

"Pathetic," Sesshomaru spat as he walked past the astonished humans. He paid them no heed. He stopped beside Ah-Un. He began tossing everyone else's belongings into a pile on the ground beside the dragon.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You're okay! I'm so happy you're back to yourself again!" Rin cried happily. He nodded once, acknowledging her greeting. He frowned slightly as he noticed Tenseiga was not among the rest of his belongings. He looked towards Inuyasha. Sure enough, the familiar blue-wrapped hilt was sitting at his hip beside Tessaiga. He stifled a low growl of displeasure upon seeing Inuyasha in possession of his sword.

Seeing Sesshomaru's angry gaze on him, Inuyasha reached instinctively for Tessaiga. His hand brushed Tenseiga's hilt and he suddenly realized that was what Sesshomaru was looking at. He walked over to his brother, keeping Ah-Un between them. He held Tenseiga out towards Sesshomaru. "You lost this."

Sesshomaru took the sword without a word. His eyes lingered on Tessaiga for a brief moment before he turned his attention away from Inuyasha. Tenseiga was placed with Tokijin on Ah-Un.

"Jaken, we're leaving."

"Yes, my lord!"

Jaken grabbed Ah-Un's reigns and began following Sesshomaru away from the hut.

"Wait a moment," Miroku said, much to everyone's surprise. They counted it lucky that Sesshomaru was leaving without starting a fight with Inuyasha. They wondered why he would risk changing that. He motioned towards the hut. "Even though his plans failed, the knowledge Ichiro acquired and gathered is still dangerous. Too dangerous to leave lying around for someone to find."

Gold, slit-pupil eyes regarded him coldly for a long moment. Without a word Sesshomaru turned and strode back to Ah-Un. He unwrapped and drew Tokijin before returning to stand in front of the small structure. He held his sword sideways in front of him. Blue energy crackled along the length of the blade and swirled around him. He swung.

"Dragon Strike!" His voice resonated with the demonic energy that surrounded him.

The hut exploded. Everyone dove for cover as debris flew everywhere. Sesshomaru alone remained unmoved. As the cloud of debris began to settle, he turned and walked away once again, his bare feet making no sound as he passed. He stuck the sword back on the dragon and continued walking away.

"Bye, Shippo! Bye, Lady Kagome!" Rin called cheerfully, waving. "Thank you for your help!"

"Hey! Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled.

Sesshomaru halted. "Do you really wish to fight, Inuyasha?" he asked in his quiet voice. He sounded almost weary.

"No. But what was that all about?"

Sesshomaru snorted softly. "I do not owe you an explanation." He continued walking away.

"The hell you don't!" Inuyasha stood in front of him, barring his way. "You're not the only one who was caught up in this mess you know! Considering I just saved your ass, the least you can do is tell me why I bothered." Looking up at the other, Inuyasha noticed a slight tension around his eyes, a slightly drawn look to his face. He's exhausted! He thought, stunned by the realization. He had never seen his stoic brother show the slightest bit of weakness. It was very subtle, but there. No wonder he wasn't attacking them. I suppose it would be too much to hope that the arrogant bastard is actually grateful for once.

"Step aside, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said quietly.

For a fleeting moment Inuyasha considered refusing. Deciding it wasn't worth it, he moved. Sesshomaru walked past without another word.

"Hey!" Inuyasha said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Kagome came up to him and placed her hand on his arm. "I'm just glad you're back to normal and that's over with," she said. She smiled as he looked at her. "Though you were an adorable pup!"

He snorted and stared at his brother's retreating back. "Arrogant bastard." His hands dropped to his sides. He took a look at the scattered debris that now blanketed the area. Nothing recognizable remained of the hut or its contents. Sesshomaru's Dragon Strike had obliterated everything thoroughly.

"Let's get out of here."

######

Sesshomaru led the way through the unfamiliar forest. Jaken led Ah-Un while Rin rode on the dragon's back. They were both surprisingly quiet, perhaps sensing his desire for silence. He hadn't bothered donning his boots or armor, deciding that being barefoot and disheveled was less undignified than rummaging through Ah-Un's saddlebags looking for the rest of his clothing. His footwear was more for aesthetics than protection, anyway. Tokijin and Tenseiga remained on the dragon as well. His claws were more than sufficient to deal with anything they may come across here.

If he was honest with himself, the armor was heavy and he was weary. He was just as glad to leave it off for the time being. His transformation to a pup and back again and everything that had occurred in between had been exhausting. The demonic power he had summoned for his Dragon Strike had almost completely drained him. It was sheer willpower that kept his shoulders back and back straight as he placed one foot in front of the other.

The grass was soft and cool beneath the soles of his feet. He was able to see the appeal of walking barefoot over it as Rin and Inuyasha did. He frowned slightly, an expression so subtle most wouldn't even notice. His younger half-brother was a sore subject at the best of times. These past days had certainly not been the best of times by any stretch of the imagination. He, Sesshomaru, son of the great Inu no Taisho, and heir of the West, had been turned into a helpless pup. Humans had cared for him. He had sniveled and cried in the arms of the old priestess. Human women had fawned over him, petting him and tugging on his tail. The memories filled him with revulsion. He forced the thoughts down before he changed his mind and turned around to slaughter all those who had witnessed his humiliating transformation. Though he vowed that if he ever heard the faintest whisper of a rumor about what had occurred, he would raze the countryside to exact his revenge.

######

They had just set up camp for the night when there came the sound of a loud slap. Inuyasha held Myoga, who had been helping himself to his blood, in his palm. "Oh, what are you doing here, Myoga?"

"I came to see how you fared, Master Inuyasha. I assume that you were victorious. Not that I ever doubted you for a second."

"Of course you did," Inuyasha said dryly.

"Master, I'm wounded."

"Yeah, yeah."

"What happened to Ichiro?" Myoga asked.

"About what you'd expect – Sesshomaru killed him."

"Lord Sesshomaru was returned to normal as well I take it."

"Yeah," Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest. "He's back to his usual arrogant self. We should have left him as a pup. At least he had personality."

"Master Inuyasha –" Myoga scolded.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"Sesshomaru also destroyed Ichiro's hut and everything inside of it," Miroku added. "That knowledge was much too dangerous to leave for someone to find."

"I agree," Myoga said. He shuddered. "Everything my master had accomplished could have been undone had Ichiro succeeded."

"Speaking of their father, it looked like Ichiro thought Sesshomaru was his father right before he killed him?" Shippo commented. "That was weird."

Myoga shook his head sadly. "Not really, Shippo. You see, other than his markings, Lord Sesshomaru looks a great deal like his father. Even his clothing is very similar to what his father wore when he was alive. His father also wore his hair up in a high pony-tail. The resemblance between them is quite striking."

They looked at Inuyasha. He returned their stares. "What? It's not like I would know."

Everyone was quiet for a few moments.

"So, what do you remember about being a pup, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, breaking the silence that had fallen.

"Huh? Nothing," he said.

Kagome regarded him through slightly narrowed eyes. He's lying, she thought but didn't say anything out loud. He would talk to her when he was ready, she was certain of it.