I do not own Inuyasha.
Where to now?
Sesshomaru's lunge moved him just out of the way of the dragon's talons, and closer to its belly. One of his fangs had already been shattered against the hard scales, but he would not make such a mistake again. He focused his claws on the seam of the dragon's scales looking for a place to pry them from the creature's body. An opening presented itself as the demon reared back, and he took it, slashing at the thin space. Sesshomaru focused his strength, rending the armored scale back. Something cut deeply into Sesshomaru's side, but he forced his way past the dragon's flesh, barely feeling pain. He would kill this demon who struck his father down, even if it killed him too.
Rin almost collided with a guard as she turned the corner of the hall leading up to the great chamber. Ahead, she saw Sesshomaru's mother, as well as other demons gathered in what looked to be mounting anticipation. Sesshomaru's growls and snarls combined with the sounds of rocks smashing. The floor tremored. Rin felt her throat tighten and she hurried closer to see.
It lay dying at his feet, the long body disintegrating slowly. The dragon's eyes locked on Sesshomaru's.
"You don't know what you have done. I would have killed them. The wretched humans will take everything." The dragon let out a final sigh as his head crumbled to dust.
The sky had turned dark, Sesshomaru noticed, and he no longer stood as a child. His wounds had healed somehow as well. The clamor of weapons rising behind him drew his attention. Sesshomaru turned to find himself standing at the edge of a cliff, staring at an unfolding battle. Thousands of demons rushed at an army of human soldiers. The soldiers in front fell quickly, seemingly no match for their stronger opponents, until… A loud percussion split the air, and Sesshomaru watched as demons were torn apart by fire and smoke. The humans began to gain ground, and advanced with swelling numbers. A great wail rose from the demons below. Sesshomaru suddenly became aware that he was not alone.
"You gonna try fight with them? I was looking forward to testing my swing on all those demons, but I can take you on first." Inuyasha stood with his Tessaiga drawn, facing Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru saw his half brother's friends move to join the fight below, aiding the human forces. Demons of every kind seemed banded in the struggle, dying together at the hands of one enemy. Sesshomaru's anger seethed within him.
"You would allow the humans to destroy our kind?" Sesshomaru fumed.
Inuyasha laughed mockingly. "They're not my kind. There's no place for demons in the future anyway. Face it Sesshomaru, all your power will mean nothing soon. Now if you're done talking, I've been waiting to kick your ass."
Inuyasha rushed forward, raising the Tessaiga. Sesshomaru drew his sword, the two clashing with force. His brother had grown stronger, and Sesshomaru felt the power of the Tessaiga driving hard against his own Bakusaiga. Sesshomaru twisted his blade, weaving to one side. Inuyasha jumped back, managing to avoid Sesshomaru's strike. The Tessaiga hummed as it cut through the air, seeking the fold of energy that layered itself between them. Sesshomaru would not succumb so easily to the wind scar, however, and he used the energy to change his momentum. Bakusaiga shown brilliantly as it sent its own emerald wave crashing forward. Inuyasha dodged, barely missing the destructive blow. He grinned at Sesshomaru.
"Is that all you got?"
Sesshomaru was so focused on his half brother, that he almost didn't hear Kaede's voice.
"This I would expect from Inuyasha. He is quick to his temper and not so smart when someone gets him started. But, ye Sesshomaru, I had thought should have learned something by now." The old priestess spoke, seated at the edge of the cliff.
Sesshomaru hesitated. Something in Kaede's tone caused him to falter. Inuyasha still stood ready to fight, but Sesshomaru sensed now that he appeared to be waiting for something.
"You are far from your village, old woman." Sesshomaru stated, wondering why Kaede should be there at all. From what Sesshomaru knew of Kaede, it was difficult to imagine a reason.
"It would seem as if that were so. But, sometimes it is easy to take things for granted." Kaede replied.
Sesshomaru's arm lowered slightly. Inuyasha turned from him and leapt lightly down the cliff. Sesshomaru walked to Kaede and stood, gazing down at the sight of his kind's slaughter.
"Is this what will happen?" He asked.
"This? It is not for me to say. What fate holds for any of us is something we only ever seem to discover after it comes to pass. I do know though, that each of us, demon and human alike, share a purpose here."
"I cannot allow for humans to destroy my kind. They are not meant to rule over demons, they are inferior and weak."
Kaede shook her head. "That is not for you to decide. Fearing what they may do, will not lead to anything but your own suffering. It is a difficult world we are all in."
"I do not fear humans."
"Oh? Then what is it you do fear?"
What Rin saw horrified her. Sesshomaru seemed to be unaware of where he was, shifted into his animal form and fighting against imaginary foes. His body slammed into a wall. He twisted, snarling and snapping his jaws. Sesshomaru appeared to be in pain, his eyes wild and red darted around, unreasoning. The other demons were enjoying the spectacle, as if it were nothing more than a mere amusement, which angered Rin. What were they doing to him? And how could he agree to be put into this position? Rin desperately wanted to run to him. Despite his terrible countenance at the moment and fearsome strength, Rin was not afraid of Sesshomaru.
The cliff had vanished, and Sesshomaru realized that he was in some kind of cavern. It was damp, dark, and the scent of an old enemy permeated the cave. Sesshomaru gritted his teeth. Naraku was there.
Naraku's laugh rang in his ears as the demon appeared before him.
"Did you believe me dead?" Naraku sneered. "I have been biding my time, growing stronger. Not that you could ever defeat me, and I see that you are alone now. Without your troublesome brother to interfere, I will easily be able to absorb you and take your power."
Sesshomaru drew his sword. "I am glad Inuyasha did not kill you, that means I will have the pleasure of taking your life, Naraku."
At first, Rin thought he had heard her. Sesshomaru was still, staring down at her as she spoke. Relief was quickly replaced with shock as he moved to attack, and she realized almost too late that she had not been able to break through. Her reflexes saved her as she leapt and rolled under the sweep of Sesshomaru's large paw. Rin moved as fast as she was able, to avoid being hit. She was grateful that Sesshomaru did not seem to be able to focus on her movements very well. Perhaps it was an effect of whatever spell he was under, she thought. Rin struggled to think. What could she do to wake him up? He would kill her if she stayed in the chamber any longer, but Rin could not just leave Sesshomaru as he was.
Jaken paled when he saw Rin run up to Sesshomaru, and he thought his heart had stopped when Sesshomaru, in his true demonic form, lunged at the girl. What was Rin thinking? Jaken had to do something. A human truly would not stand a chance against his Lord, even if Sesshomaru was not fully aware of what he was doing.
Naraku dodged Bakusaiga, and shot a tentacle out at Sesshomaru, wrapping it around his leg. Another lashed forward and grabbed Sesshomaru's wrist almost simultaneously. With his free hand, Sesshomaru sliced his claws at Naraku's grip. It was as if they hit only air. If he could strike Naraku with Bakusaiga, anything it touched would disintegrate. Sesshomaru would not allow him to escape, he would cut his opponent until nothing but dust remained. From somewhere deep in the cave, Sesshomaru heard Jaken shouting. Annoyed, he attempted to ignore his servant, and keep his focus on the fight. Jaken, however seemed to have other ideas. Sesshomaru was honestly taken by surprise when Jaken sent a blast from the Staff of Two Heads barreling at him. Jaken was attacking him? And, even worse, he was doing it while Sesshomaru was battling Naraku. The betrayal stung. He was right not to trust others.
Naraku's grip tightened. "I told you that you were no match for me… Now I will assimilate your body into mine." More of Naraku's tentacles took hold of Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru wrenched his sword arm free at last, whipping the blade at Naraku. Jaken's staff hit him again, and Sesshomaru turned to face his betrayer, no longer intending to wait until finishing Naraku off.
"Lord Sesshomaru, you must stop at once!" Jaken cried. "You will never forgive yourself, or me for that matter!"
Sesshomaru didn't know what Jaken was talking about, but rage had filled him, and the desire to tear the imp apart was overwhelming. "You have betrayed me Jaken."
"No, no my Lord. You must trust me! I am your faithful servant. You must stop trying to fight! If you don't, Rin will die!" Jaken wailed.
Sesshomaru looked back at Naraku, who stood smiling wickedly at him. This was his chance to destroy the demon, but Jaken's words now troubled him. Was Rin truly in danger? It didn't make sense that killing Naraku could hurt Rin, but if Jaken were telling the truth, he had to heed the warning. Sesshomaru sheathed his sword, preparing, against his greater inclinations, to flee. Naraku's face contorted and shifted strangely. Sesshomaru hesitated as his surroundings shifted. He found himself back in the great chamber, rubble strewn across the floor, and himself in natural form. Where Naraku had been, Rin stood, with a look of fear on her face. Jaken was present as well, holding up his staff defensively. Sesshomaru let his body change to his human seeming shape, and fell to his knees, the anguish of what he had almost done overtaking him.
Rin saw the change happen, and relief swept through her. Jaken had done it! She ran up to Sesshomaru excitedly, and threw her arms around him. He flinched at her touch.
"Rin, I didn't…" he started, but she interrupted him by raising her lips to his.
Sesshomaru didn't care about anything in that moment except that Rin was alive. His arms wrapped around her, drawing Rin tighter against his chest as their kiss deepened. Now, it was over, Sesshomaru thought to himself. He would not lose her.
Sesshomaru's mother watched with curiosity while the other demons murmured about the human her son embraced. Sesshomaru had taken after his father even more than she had thought. It didn't matter, he had passed the tests. Secretly she felt a touch of pride. She would let him enjoy his moment for now. There would be plenty of pressures for Sesshomaru to face soon enough. The daiyokai turned to leave, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.