Author's Note: This is the last chapter I have for you today; more to come, of course. This is mainly setting up for what will eventually become Sesshie's rock bottom. I did forget all about the flashback with Sara in the original version, so that's been corrected. This is also the last of the re-written chapters! Thank you all for the favorites, kudos, follows, and reviews!

~*Flame

Disclaimer: InuYasha & Final Act are all owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Viz Media & Madmen Entertainment.

Chapter Fifteen

I didn't know how long or how far I traveled in the orb. The burning pain radiating from my arm was no different than the burn from lack of air when traveling too long by orb. It wasn't until I grew light-headed, either from lack of air or blood loss, that I finally touched down and returned to my humanoid form. I could feel the blood stained silk of my sleeve stick to what was left of my arm as I gripped the stub, staunching the blood that continued to flow.

Surprised shouts echoed around me as I tried to push through the pain. I needed to find a safe place to rest and recover, something I clearly wouldn't find in the middle of the human army camp I found myself in. Had I not been so injured, I would have found a better place to land. But as it was, I had little choice if I wanted to stay conscious.

"You're an eyesore! Get lost." I growled at the humans surrounding me. In the condition I was in, I had no patience to deal with them. I would rather just pass through and let them live if I could. It was a gift few armies were given, and one they didn't seem to be willing to take.

"W-what did you say?!"

"He's injured!" Their voices were grating and making my mood all the worse.

"It matters not! Before we take Asano castle, tear this bastard to shreds!" The humans attacked en mass and with one snap of my whip, all of them were screaming their last.

"Mere insects!" I flicked away the human blood that dared land on me. More to impose fear in the few remaining humans than any other reason. I was already covered in my own blood; what damage would more do? One of the remaining samurai backed away in terror while I gutted another that dared come too close.

"W-What are you?!" I tossed the gutted corpse aside harder than I normally would have to help regain the balance I lost at the move. I only wanted to pass through what was left of the camp and find a safe place to rest. If this human could just let that happen, there was no need for his death.

"Move!" The samurai found his courage, gripping his katana over his shoulder, ready to strike.

"How dare you…!" He charged, and not even his blade was a match for my whip. With the last of the humans dead in various pools of blood, I walked through the rest of the camp and into the forest beyond.

Not too deep into the forest, I came across a tree nearly as large as the Goshinboku. It was at the heart of a clearing; roots large enough to shelter me from harm. Though it may have been too close to the samurai camp or the castle they were planning on attacking, I couldn't go any further.

I all but collapsed against the roots of the tree, pain coursing through my body. How could everything have gone so wrong? "Damn you, Inuyasha…" Even after all these years, he believed the lies of that whore. Throughout that battle, not once had I even attempted to seriously hurt him. Not until he took my arm, and everything that I held dear at the same time.

As soon as the Western Court learned of this, I shuttered to think of what they would do. Even if Mother had ever wanted to protect me from them, there was nothing she could do. Especially not as I had let Tessaiga slip through my fingers. "Give me… Give me the Tessaiga." It might be the only thing that would pacify the Western court.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken's panicked voice filtered through the trees as the only loyal creature in my life found me in this far away grove. "How I searched for you, Sesshoumaru-sama!" He ran up to me, stopping a hair's breath away from my feet. For the first time in a long time, I was pleased to see the imp.

"It's you, Jaken."

"Oh, that despicable Inuyasha!" He lamented, voice choking up with unshed tears. "He not only took the Tessaiga… he took your left arm, too!" The droning of my retainer's voice filled me with enough sense of security that I fell into a much needed sleep.


The grotto in the Dream Realm where I spent so much of my childhood was the same as it always was. How fitting. Everything in my life was falling apart and the only thing safe from change was this cursed place full of memories of time spent with Kagome.

What a fool I had been. I had always flipped between thinking Kagome differed from other humans, that she truly wanted a friendship between the two of us and being just as selfish and spiteful as the rest of humanity. In the end, it was far worse. She was beyond the selfish and spiteful scheming humans of this time. She had purposely used everything she had learned about me to betray me and what she called our friendship. If I wasn't so in control of myself, I would destroy this grotto, just as she destroyed any faith I had that she was any different.

Mother was right, humans were only good for eating. Too bad it was a lesson I learned far too late. Though, it was also probably the last lesson of Mother's I would get. Grasping my shoulder, I ground my teeth in frustration. It was only a matter of time before I lost everything I had ever worked for. The Western Court would see my new crippled form and cast me aside. The West had no need for anything but perfection, and Mother would agree. The only question was how they would cast me aside and what would become of me then. It was a fate I would do anything to avoid.

Regardless of the looming threat, my life had changed dramatically now that I was down an appendage. Though, I suppose I should be grateful it was my left arm and not my right that Inuyasha stole from me. There were many things I would need to relearn how to do one handed, but swordsmanship wouldn't be one of them. Attacking in general was something I could focus on last really, as it was my right hand that was dominant.

But things like balance, blocking and, most embarrassing of all, dressing myself, I was at a loss. How in the world was I supposed to shed my armor with one hand? I suppose Jaken wouldn't mind expanding his duties for a while, but that was the last thing I wanted to do. I had spent the last few decades trying to convince the imp to leave my side. Now, I doubted I could survive long without him. Not until I became fully proficient with my remaining arm.

If only there was a way to grow back what I had lost, or even create a false or temporary one. But aside from stealing from another, there wasn't much that could be done. Though, perhaps that was exotically what I needed to do. If I could obtain a new arm, the Western Court might never know of what has happened and could not punish me for this slight against the West. It wasn't as though I attended court for them to see with their own eyes that something was off. And as long as any who saw that something was in fact wrong were killed, there was no one who could alert them.

I smirked, pleased with the plan forming in my mind. It was devious, but I'd much rather try such things and avoid the loss of all I held dear. But that wouldn't solve my current problem of the lack of an arm. I would still need to retrain myself on how to live in my new state.

Balance was my biggest concern. Even while dispatching the humans before coming to rest, I could feel the loss in more than just pain. The use of my whip was more than just a convenience. I wasn't certain I could defeat the whole army without coming to more harm with just my claws alone. The one human I had gutted when he had come too close was a challenge in a way I hadn't encountered before. When the body slumped to the left by the momentum of his attack being stopped by my own, I had nearly lost my footing. It had taken nearly twice the effort to toss him to the side. It wasn't an issue with strength, but it was an issue of muscle memory.

Turning to the steam, I figured it would be wise to start off small. As a child, I had leapt across the small rock path to challenge myself when dodging rocks tossed by Kagome's hand. But now, they would serve me to relearn my new center of balance. I leapt across to the first stone, nearly toppling to the right as I landed on the small area. I would have to lean just a bit to the left to compensate for the now heavier right side. Perhaps I could even adjust the arm guard on my armor to assist with this. Not that it did much good to me now.

I was preparing to hop to the next stone when the last person I wanted to see disturbed this critical training.

"Hey you!" Kagome's enraged voice echoed through the clearing and I couldn't stop myself from grinding my teeth in irritation. What did she think she was doing here? It couldn't have been more than a few hours since our encounter. Did she purposely seek me out here?

Pivoting on the stone, I just glared at her, daring her to come closer. She wasn't deterred; stomping over to the edge of the stream to glare just as hard back.

"What is wrong with you?" I said nothing, not willing to give her more fuel to use in her next betrayal. "I'm talking to you!" Did she honestly think things would go back to normal? I snorted, turning away from her.

"Keep the grotto." I didn't bother hopping to the rest of the partially submerged stones, instead landing on the other side of the bank. I only wobbled a bit, far less than before, but still more than I had wanted to show before her.

"Don't you dare run away from me!" I did pause, but didn't turn back around. If she was so determined to say her peace, so be it. Let her say what she would before we never again had to face the other. "What the hell happened today? Why didn't you tell me Inuyasha was your brother? How could you be so cruel?"

"That is none of your concern." I had debated ignoring her questions completely, but a small part of me still held what I had thought was a real friendship dear. I hoped it wouldn't be long before that small part would die. No good would come for caring for this woman.

"Of course it's my concern!" She shouted, and though my back was still turned, I could hear her hopping across the steam to join me on the other bank. I wanted nowhere near her. Could she not tell? "My only friends in this time tried to kill each other! Tried to kill me!"

I leapt over to the other bank the second before she landed beside me. This time, compensating enough not to wobble at all during the landing. At least she wasn't preventing me from learning how to maneuver as I first thought she would.

"You were never in any danger from death." I snapped. I had already told her as much before I transformed into my true form. More evidence that she doesn't listen to me. She growled, spinning on her heels to face me. Unlike before, I didn't turn around. Not until she was done having her say. There was no need for her to accuse me of cowardice again otherwise.

"Semantics! You don't do that to your friends!" How could she still claim friendship after her betrayal? Did she think me a fool?

"I wasn't the one who betrayed this imaginary friendship first!" I shouldn't have let her goad me into responding. I should have just walked away as I had first planned. She could have called me a coward all day long should she wish to. Her opinion shouldn't have mattered. Yet, seeing the hurt look in her eyes, the crash of the waterfall covering any of the whispered words her moving lips uttered would haunt me for years.

Turning, I started walking out of the grotto and in search of a new haven. "Sesshoumaru!" She shouted. The sound of her hopping across the stream in rapid succession made me want to walk faster. But I would not run. "Stop!" She had landed on this bank, and still I walked toward the treeline. I was already past the boulder she had spent so many years on while I trained when she did the unthinkable.

She tackled me.

Still unused to my off balance body, her tackle took us both to the ground. Her arms wrapped around my waist, pinning the empty sleeve of my haori to my side. We both laid there silent and unmoving, neither knowing what to say or do. But Kagome was never one to let silence reign.

"I never betrayed you."

"Lies!" I bit out before I could stop myself. Jerking, I forced her off and stood, dusting off what I could with my one hand. Kagome stood slowly, and I caught her eyes locked on the empty sleeve; on my deformity. It was all too much.

"Sesshoumaru…" She reached out, as if her touch would make everything better. It took everything in me not to flinch away, but I did allow myself to turn from her. She wanted to play the fool, let her. I wanted nothing to do with it.

"You knew why I needed Tessaiga. You knew how the Western Court views me. Yet you still wanted to see me humiliated."

"Tessaiga clearly wasn't meant for you." I snorted, not really caring. "Besides, you can protect the West and have been without Tessaiga. Why was it so important now?"

"It's not. Not anymore." It was a whisper, one I didn't care if she heard or not. I had wanted Tessaiga so I could not only protect the West, but protect her whenever I could. None of that mattered anymore. I continued past the trees, planning to never return to this area of the Dream Realm again.

"Sesshoumaru!" Her voice called after me, all the pain I had felt at her betrayal now coloring her tone. It was better this way. I could finally focus on what I needed to and get an arm. Then, the West could have my full attention until the day I joined Father in the Underworld.


The pain in my arm had dulled into an annoying itch. It wouldn't be much longer before the stub was completely healed. If I were honest, I'm surprised at how quickly it took to get to this point. It had only been a few days and yet this horrific injury had finally healed enough to the point I could leave this grove. It was probably for the best, all things considered. No one, outside of Jaken, Kagome, and Inuyasha, knew of the injury, so there was still a chance to avoid the censure of the Western Court. I just needed a new arm.

It was impossible to know if any arm would work, but if I were quick and quiet, there would be time for testing. And Jaken, ever loyal Jaken, would relish the chance to aid me in this quest. It was an opportunity I wouldn't deny him, not after his vigilant guard of my person as I slept and recovered. Even now he stood guard at my feet, though it was no longer needed.

The sound of rushing hoofbeats disturbed our silent grove before I had a chance to inform Jaken of our new quest. I kept my eyes closed as the smell of humans encroached on our temporary territory. One of the horses whinnied as they came to a stop. I was debating allowing Jaken handle the intruders until the sound of the humans surrounding the tree reached my ears and the sour scent of gunpowder filled my nose. Jaken was no match for the human's firearms and I would not reward his loyalty with death.

"Who are you men?" This must have been the first humans to arrive since Jaken took up guard. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sounded so confused.

"Youkai, prepare to die!" The voice of who I assumed was the leader came from directly in front of me.

"W-what?!" Jaken was growing enraged at the human's audacity, but I could not allow him to engage with them. Not while those firearms were in play.

"Jaken…" My throat felt raw from lack of use, but I paid it no heed. We would stop for some water first chance we got, but not before.

"Yes?" He almost sounded surprised, likely unaware of my conscious state.

"Get out of the way."

"Y-yes, but…" His concern was noted but unneeded.

"Get out of the way!" He didn't question further, and I heard his distinctive flat footsteps follow my orders and move out of the way of the surrounding humans.

"Rifle squad, step up front!" So the humans thought they could shoot me? How many youkai had they encountered before? What made them think such attacks would work against me? Even injured as I was, they posed no threat. This tactic would only work against lesser, weaker, youkai that held no humanoid form.

The humans followed their leader's commands, preparing to attack. The scent of gunpowder grew stronger as they set fire to their fuses, allowing them to fire when ready. It was only then I opened my eyes for the first time since coming here to recover. How fitting that the first thing I see are humans attempting to kill what had never personally caused them harm. The banners behind the leader were different than the ones in the camp I had annihilated. So there was no reason for them to attack.

I sat there, patiently waiting for the right moment. The humans with the firearms aimed them at me while waiting for further instruction from their leader. As if trying to pacify the rapidly escalating encounter, the gentle music of a flute whispered on the wind. The tune was sad, as though upset over the decision of the humans to attack. The leader whispered a name, one I didn't recognize or care to remember before he focused once more on the task at hand.

"It matters not! Rifle squad, fire!" The leader ignored the plea of the flute and on command all the firearm ladened humans attacked.

The clearing filled with smoke from all the rifles shooting, the flash of all the gunpowder igniting so bright most had to shield their eyes from the mini sun. The thunderous sound nearly deafened those unprepared for the explosions. But though it all I focused on my heartbeat; waiting.

Thump-thump. Jaken screamed my name.

Thump-thump. The flute abruptly stopped its sorrowful tune.

Thump-thump. I snapped my whip back and forth in front of me.

Thump-thump. Every rifleman screamed in pain as I returned their bullets to them.

I continued snapping my whip back and forth, lengthening its reach with each swipe. The remaining humans around the tree I had used for security fell screaming, many dying.

"T-the rife squad!" One man next to the leader exclaimed in shock as the leader's horse reared back in fear. Sadly, he seemed to get the beast under control rather quickly.
"Why that youkai…!" Silence once more filled the clearing as the smoke began to settle. It was only then I stood, facing the human leader, Dokkasou glowing in threat around my sharp and extended claws, poised and ready to attack. I just stared at the leader, needing to be on my way more than I needed his blood on my hands. The humiliation he had suffered at the loss of his men would be enough to satisfy the slight against me.

It seemed to work. The leader backed his horse up a few steps, utter terror painting his face. Now that most of the humans, and all of those with firearms, lay dead, Jaken returned to his position by my side.

"You foolish humans!" The humans that hadn't fallen to my whip were retreating, each step away provoking Jaken all the more. "Don't think you can get away after defying Sesshoumaru-sama!" I let him have his tirade, lowering my clawed hand once the leader called a retreat. His soldiers all but ran to comply. Jaken turned back to me, excitement shining in his eyes. "Sesshoumaru-sama, just leave the rest to me, Jaken." He said before turning to do just that.

"Let them go." He froze mid-step at my command. Turning his head to look at me, confused. I only looked off deeper into the forest as a response. We had other plans that look greater precedence. Though, I wondered about the flute for only a moment. Were they part of the group of humans that didn't agree with the leader? Not that it mattered in the end.

"An arm." Jaken walked closer, ready for any command I would give him, completely focused on the new task at hand. "I need to obtain a new arm."