Author's Note: Goodness, it's been far too long since I've updated. I got sucked into NaNoWriMo last fall and haven't really come up for air since. I'm excited about the next chapter; so I don't expect it to take as long to get out. I believe someone mentioned in a review that they didn't understand the point of this story since it follows the same storyline as the source material. That's a fair question. This is more of a companion story, at least for now. Thank you all for all the wonderful reviews, favorites, kudos, and follows!

~*Flame

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

Chapter Eighteen

A dull hum blocked all sounds around me. For a moment, an odd pressure tickled my mind just before my hearing returned. Kagome's eyes shifted to the side as if just noticing something. Her lips pressed together in a firm line before shifting her aim slightly to her right.

"Sesshoumaru, next it's your arm. I'll shoot your left arm off!" Ah, no longer after my heart, was she? I knew she didn't have it in her.

Weak…

My eyes narrowed at the voice, accented once more by the odd pressure in my mind. Distracting as it was, I didn't take it as a threat. At least not yet. Perhaps it was the lingering soul of the human whose arm I possessed. I looked down at the arm in contemplation. Besides, a voice was nothing to fear.

Inuyasha jerked his gaze back toward me, his eyes focused on the arm as well. "I can see it…" The disdain in Kagome's voice was music to my ears. She may have hated my treatment of Inuyasha upon our first meeting, but this, using the Shikon against them? That was a step over the line in her eyes. "The shard of the Shikon!" She released her arrow, aiming for the shard. I flashed stepped to the right, avoiding the projectile. She was going to be a pain if she kept attempting to reclaim the shard.

Kill her…

I snorted, refusing the listen to the voice and lower myself to her level. Killing one so weak was shameful; but that didn't mean I couldn't incapacitate her.

Inuyasha's shout to stop followed me as I leapt toward Kagome. My right claws extended, prepared to grasp her bow and melt it, effectively putting her out of commission for the rest of our encounter. Kagome lowered her bow, eyes wide as she saw me flying at her. I could see the fear and confusion on her face before her gaze darted to Inuyasha trailing behind me.

"I'm the one who'll fight you!" Inuyasha shouted, sending blades of his youki toward me. I twisted just enough to see if the attack was something I could block before destroying her bow; it wasn't. I barely had enough time to dodge most of the attack. As it was, I felt a portion of it hit, the side of my cheek splitting open, nearly from ear to chin, stinging more than truly hurting.

Inuyasha landed in front of Kagome, protecting her from attack as I landed far below, back where I had started. I frowned, an unexplainable feeling tightening my chest as she stood behind him, bow gripped tightly in her hands. Why was it that in all the times fighting me the only times he could ever land a blow on me were to protect or avenge her?

He claims her…

I felt my beast rattle against its cage, unhappy at the thought of Inuyasha caring for Kagome as he once did for Kikyou. Was this why she betrayed me? For the affections of my brother?

… Yes… She accepts him…

I smirked. If that were the case, showing her the error in her ways will be all the sweeter. "You act pretty swiftly when it comes to that girl." I saw her narrow her eyes at me after my lack of using her name. I knew how much she hated being called anything other than her given name.

"Inuyasha!" She leaned in closer to my brother, as if they were far enough away I couldn't hear their conversation. She should have known better.

… She never cared about you…

"There's a Shikon shard in his left arm." Gritting her teeth, almost as if excited by the idea of shooting at me again, she prepared to aim her bow once more. "If I aim for that…"

"Enough, Kagome!" Inuyasha interrupted while partially glancing behind him at her. "Sesshoumaru's not one to be easily beaten. You take care of Miroku." She took a step back, as if surprised he was concerned over the other member of their party. "Medicine from your time may save him!"

I don't know why I was surprised by Inuyasha knowing of her origins, but I was.

… You're not special to her…

It felt as though the only secret we had was ripped away and spread far and wide. It shouldn't have mattered. She wasn't supposed to matter. Grinding my teeth, I thought back to my time in the pit, forcing myself to go numb once more and keep my focus on the task at hand. The pressure in my mind pulsed as I settled into the deadly calm I was known for.

Kagome had already left Inuyasha's side by the time my gaze returned to their spot above me. She must have gone to take care of the Houshi as requested; not that it really mattered. She was off the battlefield, and no longer a factor I needed to account for at the moment. Her short contribution wasn't enough to sway the final outcome of the battle.

I looked down at Tessaiga in disgust. No matter how much of my youki blended with the residual human energy from the arm I pushed into the blade, it remained dormant. "The transformation was stopped by a mere human's arrow." Closing my eyes and lowering my head, I felt a rueful smile twist my lips.

… You're too weak… You'll never be good enough for the West…

Even after all this, I was rejected. Whatever Kagome's reiki had done was more than just putting Tessaiga to sleep. It snapped it from the confused state the human arm put it in, preventing me from using it any further. Not without forcing it past its guard. I was not father's heir, and thus, unable to wield his fang without challenge. "I guess the Tessaiga won't take to me."

I could hear Jaken behind me, muttering to himself, but choose to ignore him. Even if I wasn't lamenting over the clear slap to the face Father left to me, there was still Inuyasha to deal with. He hadn't moved from the spot he had leapt to when defending Kagome, but I knew it was only a matter of time before that changed.

Already he was staring at me, a determination fueling his gaze I could feel even with my eyes closed. "I've figured it out, Sesshoumaru." I opened my eyes to look at him with suppressed amusement. Figured it out, did he? What finally made things click in that simple mind of his? The fact I had an arm when I shouldn't, that I could suddenly hold the fang, or was it Kagome practically spelling it out for him?

… She shares your weaknesses…

"Why a youkai like you is able to wield the Tessaiga." I lifted the near useless fang out of habit to protect my vulnerable center. "That left arm is a human arm! You are using the Shikon shard to connect the arm to yours." The answer was Kagome. He never would have made the connection, let alone take the time to look at the borrowed arm, were it not for her.

… He's inferior… Yet, she chose him…

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, clearly preparing for an attack. Anyone with eyes could see the muscles in his legs bunching in anticipation. "If I lop off that arm, you won't be able to even touch the Tessaiga!"

… He mocks you…

I wanted to roll my eyes at the absurdity of this encounter. Why would he announce his intentions to his enemy? All that does is make things far harder on him and far easier for his opponent to counter. Had I still cared enough to train the whelp, this would be the first thing I could correct. For now, I just smirked at him, excitement rushing through me. Even with a dormant Tessaiga he was no match for me.

… Kill him…

"On top of that…" Inuyasha started speaking before rushing at me. "I'll be able to get another Shikon Shard! Two birds with one stone!" I snorted, running to meet him halfway. He was foolish to think today would end in anything less than his defeat.

"If you think you can touch my left arm, try!" I dodged his sloppy attack, countering with my own Dokkasou soaked claws. He barely dodged, my claws slicing through his robe and grazing his flesh. I gave him no time to gain his barrings, snapping at him with my whip repeatedly. He dodged each attack, putting more pace between us with each movement.

I paused for a heartbeat as he flipped over my head, using a large boulder to spring off of. His next attack, arm outstretched, claws extended, was child's play, and easily dodged. It left him completely open.

… Kill him…

Using the opening, I punched his smug face, the tips of my claws digging into his flesh for added insult. The surprise in his eyes was nearly laughable. The force of the impact sent him skidding away, the earth forced to part. Smirking, I straightened as Inuyasha lay in the dirt, groaning in pain. The feeling of his blood beneath my claws sent an unexpected thrill through me.

A low whistle reached my ears only moments before my shoulder guard shattered.

…Vile human… Betrayer….

I frowned as Kagome's arrow fell to the ground, pieces of the chest piece following. I didn't bother to look at her; I refused to give her the satisfaction. Especially when she admitted to the cheering kit she had been aiming for my arm. I should be grateful she hadn't been practicing as much as she should. Instead, I was annoyed. Did she want me to retaliate against her? The only thing that stayed my hand was shadows of the centuries of misguided loyalty. Shadows that were fading each time she showed her true colors.

… She never cared… She played you like a fool…

More chucks of armor fell to my feet as I stared at Inuyasha, growing tired of the whole situation. I wanted to finish this and be on my way to present Tessaiga to the Western Court. "Inuyasha… make her stop."

… Kill her…

He had already focused his attention on her, calling her name in surprise. His continued distraction was shameful.

… He's a slight against your blood… Make him pay…

"Even tainted by that woman's blood, the blood of a once mighty youkai flows through your veins. Don't stoop to accepting human aid when you're on the verge of death." My taunt had its desired effect.

"Don't try anything, Kagome!" He scoffed, before shouting to the Miko. "Sesshoumaru is ruthless!" Her response was to notch another arrow and aim for me once more.

… She will never choose you… You're not strong enough… Kill her…

"Don't worry! This time I'll hit my target!" I had truly hoped she had learned better since our last encounter. Has being in this time not yet shown her caution? She loosed the arrow, fiery determination in her eyes as it soared toward me. Yet she had forgotten so much of our time spent together in the Dream Realm.

… Not forgotten… Ignored… Never cared…

With a graceful lift of my arm, I caught the arrow between two fingers, the spark of her reiki caressing my skin only moments before Dokkasou melted the offending object. She lowered her bow, awestruck by the counter. After all the times she helped me master Dokkasou, one would think she would have expected this. Just more proof our time meant so little to her.

There was a pulse from the Shikon in my arm, the pressure in my mind pulsing in response. Between one heartbeat and the next, Tessaiga was forced into its transformed state. It glowed, bending to a will against its own, a groaning hum of displeasure emanating from the blade.

… Kill her…

I glared at the Miko, the sting of her continued betrayal too much.

… Kill her…

How many centuries had I wasted by her side?

… Kill her…

How long did she expect me to be blind to her true nature?

… Kill her…

I was done playing her fool.

… Kill her…

"Do you not understand…" I raised Tessaiga over my shoulder, foot sliding as I adjusted my stance. "How to stop?" I released a Kaze no Kizu toward her and the kit, focusing on the kitsune's developing youki to launch the attack. The earth split, giving way to the overwhelming power of the fang.

Inuyasha cursed.

The kit ran.

Kagome stood her ground.

The last thing I saw before the explosion of power was Kagome covering her face in a pitiful attempt at guarding, and Inuyasha leaping in front of her to take the brunt of the attack.

Tessaiga flickered, displeased with my use of it. Not that I cared. It would fall in line, given time. As the light from Tessaiga's attack faded, and boulders settled into their new homes, I felt my lips twist into a smirk. Meters from where they had been, rested Inuyasha and Kagome. The hanyou hovering over the Miko's unmoving body. Not even the remaining shadows of what I had thought was friendship squeezing my heart could distract me from my near victory.

… All shall kneel before us…

I lifted the fang, ready for whatever attack Inuyasha planned next. He looked at me, rage in his eyes. Before he could make a move, the Houshi dragged himself over to the two. I had thought Naraku's insects had done their job. Clearly, the puppet master had underestimated their toxin.

… It is no matter… All shall fall to our might…

The two of them spoke, the Houshi no doubt planning to release his Kazana once more as he gripped the prayer beads around his hand. Had I cared, I could listen to what they were discussing, but it wouldn't matter. Soon, they will fall, just as Kagome had.

… Kill them… Let their blood soak the earth…

Inuyasha stood, tossing a rock into a pile of rubble, stirring the once sedate Saimyoushou. I had heard the buzzing, but hadn't expected Inuyasha to have realized the hidden threat.

… He will still fall to our claws…

They may not have killed the Houshi upon their first appearance, but they were enough to stay his hand from another attack. That left only Inuyasha to face me. Unlike other times, the gravity of the situation wasn't lost on him. He knew the ending of our battle was neigh.

… Kill him…

As he gave his companions his final orders, I gripped the hilt of Tessaiga tighter. He may think he was giving them a chance to escape, but they were in no condition to survive for long. Not that they had the option.

… Kill them…

"As if you can run." I lifted Tessaiga higher, reminding them of the threat before them.

… Kill them…

"I can destroy you all in a single stroke!" Tessaiga glowed in protest as I prepared to end this once and for all.

… Kill them…

"As if I'd let you!" Inuyasha ran at me, taking the brunt of my downward swing for his companions. It was a distraction, really. A way for him to get close to the human arm attached to me. I wasn't a fool.

… Kill him…

Taking the opportunity, he gripped the wrist and melding point on my arm, trying with all his might to dislodge it. I watched him, wondering how long he would keep trying before giving up. With the Shikon driving the bonding, it was nearly impossible for him to remove the arm without my will.

… Kill him…

He turned back to glance at his companions. "W-what're you doing? Run!" Finally, they listened to him. It was touching really, him sacrificing himself for the others.

… Kill him…

"It's enough to make me cry…" I mocked, lifting my clawed hand, angled to spear him at a moment's notice.

… Kill him…

"Trying to gain time to help your friends' escape?" I plunged my arm into his back. Hot blood coating my fingers as I pared his entrails with my claws, not stopping until I felt the cool air once more. He grunted in pain, eyes wide as I smirked and pulled my hand from his body. Steam rising from his hot innards in the cool night.

"If you have any last words, I'll hear them now." Even near mortally wounded as he was, the whelp had the audacity to smirk back at me.

"What, Sesshoumaru?" Nearly every word was punctuated with a struggling breath. "Haven't you realized it yet?" I frowned, only then seeing the dark and decaying blood dripping from the human arm. This whole time he had been working his claws in to the flesh of the wrist, the unfeeling dead flesh giving no warning to his actions. It wasn't the arm or the shard he was after.

… Weak…

"Why you…" He twisted the wrist, the dead flesh parting where he had weakened it.

"I'm taking my sword back!" He pulled Tessaiga toward him, gripping the hilt as he threw off the dead arm like the garbage it was.

… You're weak…

"Oh no!" Jaken ran to my side from across the battlefield. "Without that left arm, Sesshoumaru-sama cannot touch the Tessaiga." I wanted to knock him away for his irritating and unnecessary comment.

… Do it… Put the imp in his place…

Growling, Inuyasha struggled to hold up Tessaiga, as injured as he was. With a gasp, he took a knee, the tip of the fang sinking into the earth, keeping him from falling down completely.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" I could hear the joyous smirk in my retainer's voice. "That damn Inuyasha has finally lost consciousness." Jaken moved forward, closer to the hanyou.

… Yes… Distract the fang…

"Don't get any closer." Jaken looked back briefly before returning his gaze to Inuyasha as Tessaiga started to shake. A stream of youki flowed from the blade, forcing Jaken to dodge.

… Kill him…

"W-why?" He backed up, returning to my side. "He didn't swing the sword!" He didn't have to. Even unconscious Tessaiga was protecting him from any who dare come in striking range.

…Kill him… Before he stricks…

I turned from the battlefield, knowing when things are a lost cause. I've wasted enough time here. It was time to face the consequences of my failure.

…No… Kill him…

"We're leaving, Jaken. As the Tessaiga is beyond my reach, there's no sense in staying."

"Oh, already?" He sounded surprised at the abrupt change. "Certainly." Forcing out my youki, I wrapped it not only around myself, but Jaken as well. I solidified it into a cloud, taking us high into the air and away from the ruins of the battle without a second look. The buzzing of the remaining Saimyoushou following in our wake.

… No… Return… Kill him…

Minutes passed, and the insects continued to follow. Jaken, fidgeting on the cloud, grumbled about the entourage. "How far are these damned bugs going to follow us?"

… Forever…

The shard in my arm pulsed in response.

"Hn… Ultimately…" I started parting my haori to get better access to the lifeless appendage. "Their goal is this Shikon shard. They're waiting for me to get rid of this arm." The silken fabric fell to my waist as Jaken gasped in horror.

"The joint of the arm! It's extending toward your body!" I looked down at the ugly sight. Tricky thing, this Shikon. Though the flesh was clearly burning, there was no pain. Had I succeeded in taking the Tessaiga, it wouldn't have been under my control for long.

"I'm about to be eaten by this arm." I ripped the burning dead flesh from my stump, tossing it into the air for the Saimyoushou. In a flash of smoke and flames, the Shikon shard revealed itself; one of the bugs collecting it before it fell to the earth below.

The moment the shard left my flesh, it was like a fog lifted from my mind. Frowning, I straightened my haori and urged my youki cloud to follow the Saimyoushou. I did not appreciate being controlled, even the little I was. I had expected a trap; the arm attempting to take over my flesh was no surprise. But the mind fog and the sinister voice… I would show the puppet master I wasn't one to take lightly.

The Saimyoushou lead us to a clearing; the baboon pelted puppet waiting for them. "That Sesshoumaru… he failed." I flashed behind the puppet, surprising it. Feeling my presence, the puppet leapt forward, bowing in mock respect. "Oh, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken growled the name of the puppet's master while coming to my side.

"You tried to Kill Sesshoumaru-sama with that arm!" Jaken pointed an accusatory finger at the puppet.

"Oh, no such thing!" It held up the Shikon shard, the moonlight gleaming off the crystalline surface. "Just a little something so that I can get back the Shikon shard that I loaned him." I lowered by head looking at Naraku in a new light. He was far more cunning than I had given him credit.

"Quite well prepared, aren't you?" Lunging forward, I sliced my claws through the puppet, separating the head from its body. The head twisted in the air before landing in front of Jaken.

"That's what you get for threatening Sesshoumaru-sama." He kicked the baboon head away.

"It's a puppet." I finally enlightened Jaken. Surprised, he waddled over to the body, moving the pelt from the ground and revealing the emptiness the destroyed puppet left behind.

"Sesshoumaru-sama…" A haunting voice nearly identical to the puppet's echoed through the trees. How narcissistic; creating a puppet in your own likeness. I looked up, waiting to hear what else the puppet master had to say.

"Please hold back your anger. I may call on you again when the opportunity to kill Inuyasha arises again." I snorted, looking back down at Jaken as he continued to search for the source of the voice. Clearly, he didn't know me very will if he expect to use me again in the future.

"A disagreeable wretch, is he not?" It's something I would need to deal with later. For now, it was time to return to the Shiro in the Sky.


My youki cloud dissipated as my feet touched the base of the stairs leading to where Mother held court. Knowing how he would react to any kind of chastisement to my character, I left Jaken on the ground far below. My punishment would be harsh enough without the added insult of my retainer speaking out against the Western Court.

The handful of guards lining the ramparts eyed me as I ascended the steps calmly and gracefully. With each step I felt my stomach sink further, yet I continued to hold my head high, keeping my fear and trepidation from my face. I looked every bit the heir I was, hoping it would show that even crippled, I could still complete my duties for the West.

As I crested the top of the steps, there was no missing Mother as she sat upon her throne in the center of the court. On either side of her, the Western Courtiers sat on plush pillows. All eyes watching as I slowly made my way to the center of court.

"Mother." I bowed my head in respectful greeting, coming to a stop before her dais. For the first time in my life, Mother allowed a hint of emotion to color her features; distaste. Steeling myself, I waited for her to speak, schooling my own features.

"Finally decided to respond to our summons?" One courtier on my right sneered. Not bothering to acknowledge him, I continued to stare at Mother.

"And it looks like the rumors are true." Another growled to my left, having the audacity to swing her fan through the air before her, catching on my empty sleeve. Forcing myself not to react, I kept my gaze steady.

"What is the West to do with such a failure?" A voice behind me sighed. "We should have washed our hands of the folly long ago." Unable to stop myself, I clenched my jaw.

"This wouldn't have happened if that traitor hadn't filled his head with nonsense." A snort to my left. "Wasting time chasing after Tessaiga with nothing to show for it."

"That's not entirely true. He lost an arm. That's something to show. He's clearly too weak to protect the West, just as we've always known." My fist clenched at the malicious laughter that sprung up around me. Yes, leaving Jaken below was the correct decision. He wouldn't have kept quiet, no matter how true their words were .

With a graceful lift of Mother's hand, all laughter ceased. I could practically feel the attention of the Courtiers shift to her as we all waited for her to finally speak. "They are not wrong." My chest tightened at her agreement. "You have neglected your duties, ignored our council, and shown weakness to our enemies."

"I am still able to protect the West." Mother's eyes narrowed. "If anything, it will prove our strength that we can hold them back with a fraction of our power."

"Yet, they will come to test our defenses, putting the people of the West at risk. What do you think will happen when the Panther tribe hears of your… condition?" My blood ran cold as the memories of our last encounter washed over me.

"I'm afraid you've left us no choice, Sesshoumaru." Her tone was colored with a hint of weariness. "From this day forward, you shall no longer be heir to the West."

My heart stopped.