Authors note:

Celebrating my first complete week of writing! Woo!

I'm not a huge fan of writing fight scenes. So please forgive any ineptness on my part for this chapter.

I did change one scripted part where Sesshomaru is thinking to himself. In the anime he says "me, Sesshomaru" and I changed it to "this, Sesshomaru", because it just feels more genuine to me. :)

Chapter 7 - Lightning

Sesshomaru did not even attempt to sleep that night. His mind was too full, and he had no intention of potentially slipping back into dreams. Instead he stood at the edge of the clearing, watching in silence as the moon traced across the sky. Thinking. Somewhere behind him, Jaken and Rin were sleeping by the dying embers of the fire.

The sun would begin rising soon. The hunt for Tokijin would begin. He would assess if Kagura had been lying, or truthful. If she was being truthful, he would find it hard to believe that she was helpful without some ulterior motive. Whatever it may be, he would eventually learn her agenda. This Sesshomaru took orders from no one. Especially a female demon "incarnation", who deigned to use his personal name with no title - implying they were equals. Not to mention, a woman who believed he was submissive enough to jump to her beck and call.

Lord Sesshomaru.

The whisper of his name drew his attention away from silent contemplation. Turning, his eyes scanned the area, there was no movement, no scent of anyone but Jaken and Rin sleeping peacefully. For a long moment he waited, listening. It didn't repeat, and he began to wonder if he'd even heard it, or if it had been a figment of his imagination.

"Hm." He glanced back to the horizon, where the first yellow rays of the sun were casting away the shadow of the night sky. "It's time." He said turning back to his companions. Time to find his sword.

Concerned that Kagura may return, Sesshomaru elected to bring Rin. Although he gave her a stern warning to stay on A-un's back and remain completely silent. Smiling - as always - she agreed wholeheartedly. Sesshomaru mounted A-un, with Rin behind him, and Jaken holding onto the dragon's tail.

Tracking the scent from above, Sesshomaru followed the rather crude movements of Kaijinbo. In one matter at least, Kagura had been correct, the Tokijin reeked of Goshinke's demon scent. Mixing with the foul stench of Kaijinbo, made it quite easy to follow. Even from his lofty perch atop A-un in the sky.

It didn't take long for the demon lord to realize what the Tokijin had been tracking. His hands tightened on the leather reins. InuYasha. Of course, the reason for Goshinke's death. The sword wanted retribution. The scent of his half brother swirled in the torrents of wind, rising in the air. There must have been a battle. In all likelihook Kaijinbo would be dead. Good. Perhaps he would come upon InuYasha as well, he could discover the source of the change in his blood.

As they neared, the scents of Tokijin and InuYasha became clearer, along with other human scents. One was clearly the girl he traveled with, Kagome. The others were less known to him, peripheral humans in his brothers group. Slowing A-un, he lay his hand on the dragon's side, giving silent instruction. Knowing his master, A-un responded instantly, looking up at the sky with wide open jaws that radiated electric. Few knew, A-un was a thunder dragon. Though rarely did he use his power. Dark clouds radiating green lighting gathered within the visible sky.

"Rin." He cast his eyes back to where she sat behind him, watching the thunder around them in awe. "It will be loud. Remember, do not make a sound or get off of A-un's back."

"Yes my Lord!" She smiled brightly at him and shifted back, understanding silently that he would be leaving the saddle. In passing, he hoped they were high enough in the sky that her scent wouldn't reach the ground.

Sesshomaru shifted to look down through the gathering storm clouds. Far below, he could see InuYasha's red robe of the fire rat, like a beacon. It was the scent of Totosai though, that raised an eyebrow. Of course — the old swordsmith would have repaired Tetsusaiga and returned it to InuYasha.

A-un inhaled with his right head, an earth shattering boom issued forth as he aimed the green thunder directly at the Tokijin below, standing straight in the ground. It hit the sword, sparks and flares of lightning issuing in all directions and searing the ground in a perfect circle around the sword. Half a moment later, Sesshomaru landed just outside of the circle of charred earth, eyeing his new sword with thinly veiled interest.

"Sesshomaru." The voice was InuYasha's, though Sesshomaru hardly spared him a glance. "What the hell are you doin' here?"

"Just what I would ask you. I've merely come for the sword." Some condescending pride lilted his voice as he took a step nearer Tokijin. The demonic aura was strong in the sword, he could see the red demonic flames licking the metal. "It seems that the demon you killed was so bitter that it desired revenge even after its remains were forged into a sword."

The human's in InuYasha's group, mused together, almost all at once.

"What?!"

"How does he know that Tokijin was created from Goshinke's fangs?"

"It must mean that—"

Less than interested in their powers of deduction, Sesshomaru spoke. "I was the one who commissioned Kaijinbo to make this sword."

"Sesshomaru! You must not touch Tokijin!" The Lord's eyes spied Totosai hiding behind InuYasha as he spoke. "Even you will be possessed by the swords evil aura. Heed my warning I implore you!"

"Hm." Insufferable old man. Did he truly believe this Sesshomaru was so weak as to cow to the power of a demon sword? Irritation flared to anger deep within his chest and his eyes narrowed at the swordsmith. He was no child. He was the son of the greatest demon to live. He was the next Inu no Taishō. Tempering his anger, he reached for the sword in defiance. Demonic energy flared over the blade like blood.

Grasping it, Sesshomaru pulled it from the ground with ease. "Pathetic fool. Just who do you take me for?" The red aura around Tokijin subsided almost instantly, whirling away into non-existence. There was murmuring and disbelief from InuYasha's group, as he examined the blade. Despite his obvious flaws, Kaijinbo had made a powerful sword.

"Hm. I see the sword has chosen me as its master. Draw your sword InuYasha. There is something I wish to verify."

"Something about me?" Came the sarcastic growl.

Sesshomaru didn't bother to respond, simply watched, knowing that his half brother could not resist the opportunity for battle. The hot headed half demon would accept.

"Don't do it InuYasha!" It was the girl, Kagome, standing beside him and clinging to his robe who whispered her urgent plea.

Something about the girl's wide open brown eyes, briefly reminded Sesshomaru of Rin. For a moment he focused on her, for the first time really. Her scent was vastly different. Kagome smelled of softness and artificial flowers. Rin smelled of nature and lilacs. No... it was something in her eyes. The wonder and wholehearted belief in InuYasha.

"Would you let go of me?" InuYasha said, before Totosai interrupted him.

"Do you honestly think you can defeat him?"

"Heh. I can't exactly tell him to come back when I've finished training."

"Precisely. Come at me little brother." The hesitance on his brothers part was surprising, InuYasha was usually so eager for a battle. What did Totosai and Kagome know? What made him hesitant to fight? "I will make it easy. I shall come for you." Sesshomaru's body blurred with speed as he held Tokijin ready, intent on having his lingering questions answered.

"You're going to regret this Sesshomaru!" InuYasha pulled away from the girl and drew Tetsusaiga.

Sesshomaru leapt, aiming a slash at InuYasha. It should have been easy to parry with the Tetsusaiga. Yet InuYasha instead, held the Tetsusaiga in a defensive posture. Green energy from Tokijin slashed against Tetsusaiga's blade, blowing InuYasha backwards.

"Aw damn it to hell." InuYasha growled as he stood to his feet. Clearly struggling.

Just as I thought. His scent is but that of a half demon. When he defeated Goshinke, his blood changed for sure. What could it mean? I must witness his transformation with my own eyes.

"What, have you altered your combat strategy? Usually you charge at me blindly with great haste." Why was he so hesitant to battle?

"Hnn. Whatever you say." Goaded to action finally, InuYasha ran for Sesshomaru, Tetsusaiga over his shoulder and slashed at him with one mighty swing. Unfortunately, though powerful, the swing was clumsy. Sesshomaru lifted Tokijin and blocked the Tetsusaiga with one smooth movement. Sparks and energy flared between them. InuYasha held the block, panting heavily.

"Ah. Tetsusaiga has become heavier, I see." Sesshomaru finally understood, now with the Tetsusaiga's weight leaning against Tokijin. When Totosai repaired the Tetsusaiga, the bonding agent must have made it much heavier.

"It's a lot heavier you stupid jackass." The blade was now too much for the half demon to wield. He simply wasn't strong enough. That was why InuYasha was hesitant to battle.

"Hm. The sword is too heavy for you. You're better off without it." With a flip of his wrist, Tetsusaiga flew out of InuYasha's hands. Spinning and landing blade first in the dirt. InuYasha was thrown backwards head over heels, landing on his back by his discarded blade.

InuYasha growled as he struggled to his feet. "Damn it all." Sesshomaru watched impassively as Miyoga jumped to his master's shoulder, begging him to take hold of Tetsusaiga. He waited. It was only a matter of time now — InuYasha's pride was in the balance. "Don't need it." He ran for Sesshomaru with a war cry.

Satisfied that he would finally get the battle he desired, Sesshomaru raised Tokijin toward the sky, then lowered the blade at InuYasha. Hot red demonic flames engulfed the blade, pulsing before shooting green energy from the tip. It hit the half demon straight in the chest, white light enveloped InuYasha sending him flying backward yet again. Somehow he still landed on his feet, panting heavily.

This was hardly a battle. What more could he do to get InuYasha to engage? Perhaps a direct threat to his life. Sesshomaru could deduce no other way to force his transformation.

"I've seen all that I needed." Pointing the sword at InuYasha again, he stepped into a run, preparing for what appeared to be a killing blow. "Die!"

InuYasha's group cried out warnings, afraid that Sesshomaru truly intended to kill his brother.

Suddenly Sesshomaru's eyes widened as the scent blew into his nose simultaneous to the wind abruptly shifting direction. That scent again. InuYasha sank to his knees in a feral pose. When his head lifted, the half demon's eyes were glowing red, teeth bared, purple streaks across his cheekbones.

That's it. He's transformed. A thrill of excitement and danger flashed through Sesshomaru, perhaps now he would see InuYasha's true potential.

He was but five steps to his brother, when fire raced between them, cutting him off from the battle instantaneously.

"Totosai."

From the other side of the fire. He heard the cries of InuYasha and the jumbled words of his friends. None of which seemed to make sense.

"InuYasha!"

"Kagome now!"

"Sit!"

"Ahh!"

Sesshomaru stood in silence watching the fire blaze. It didn't last long, and eventually it died back to a bleak burnt smolder. The ground covered in ash. InuYasha and his friends were long gone. Yet Sesshomaru remained, staring at the place where his brother had crouched beyond the flames.

"But my Lord why did you not go after him? He was in the palm of your hands." Jaken couldn't possibly understand the thoughts in his mind. There was no response from the yokai, as he continued to gaze across the burnt expanse. "Master Sesshomaru?"

To think that he made this Sesshomaru tremble with fear for even a moment. InuYasha. In that instant…

Half demons were not supposed to be able to transform into full demons. Something, was terribly wrong. It troubled him more than he liked to consider. Turning, he headed back toward A-un, where Rin was patiently waiting.