Authors note: I have a super busy week of work this week. Ive already written several chapters ahead, so hopefully it won't delay getting them posted. If for some reason I am late posting a day this week, I'll let everyone know on X. Lots of love to you all!

Chapter 14 - Understanding

Fortunately, he knew exactly how to bait his little brother. There was little doubt in Sesshomaru's mind that InuYasha would respond. Even in this state. Turning to face the snarling demon, the yokai inclined his head slightly.

"You are nothing more than a murderous demon."

InuYasha growled like a feral beast, there was no spark of intelligence in the red eyes. The half demon rose from his crouch claws still dripping blood.

"Come after me, InuYasha. I wish to test your strength transformed as such."

Successful in his taunting, InuYasha cracked his knuckles and raced toward Sesshomaru, snarling. He watched impassively as his half brother leapt into the air, intending to slash him from above. In one smooth movement Sesshomaru drew Tokijin and pointed it at InuYasha. Speaks of light shot from the blade, holding aloft with power and slicing, but not mortally injuring the half demon.

Unable to move out of the beam of light, InuYasha swung his fist at Tokijin, knocking the blade away. In doing so, sliced long cuts along his hand and all the way up his arm. The smell of his demon blood filled the air, as InuYasha leapt back into a crouch.

Sesshomaru was surprised by such an insipidly idiotic move. Had InuYasha lost all his senses? He acted like a mindless beast.

"That was foolish."

The half demon charged him again, slashing with his claws. The moment he arrived, Sesshomaru had already leapt over the attack. Turning and aiming Tokijin again at his brother, Sesshomaru loosed more beams of light, blowing the snaring InuYasha back, bleeding profusely.

"Stop already! InuYasha!" Cried Kagome, who Sesshomaru now noticed, was holding Tetsusaiga.

InuYasha you feel no fear. You know no pain. The demon blood coursing through your veins has taken over your soul. You don't even know who you are. And you will continue fighting until you die. I came in your pursuit to see if Bokuseno's words were true.

Sesshomaru couldn't permit such an unworthy death, for a son of the great Inu no Taishō. Even as such a half demon as he was, InuYasha was Toga's son. Toga who had sacrificed his beloved blade to prevent this very event from happening.

InuYasha rushed him again and again, slashing wildly, alternating hands. Sesshomaru hovered just above the ground, smoothly dodging each attempt with ease.

"Now little brother. I understand."

Taking a great leap, Sesshomaru removed himself from proximity to InuYasha's claws. He would need to subdue his brother. Incite his anger to such a degree, that Sesshomaru could knock him unconscious, so that the girl could restore the Tetsusaiga to him.

"You are not a full fledged demon. All you are is a half breed. Know your place in the world."

It worked. InuYasha leapt to rush him again.

"A half demon, should act like one." Never again, must you transform InuYasha. For it will spell doom for your soul. "On your knees!"

Swinging Tokijin, Sesshomaru prepared the energy necessary to knock his brother unconscious — but not kill him. As InuYasha leap, predictably, Sesshomaru held Tokijin in a defensive pose. Instantly white light shone, searing the entire clearing where they stood. Brighter than the sun. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, focused on his mission, determined not to kill his brother.

InuYasha could not withstand the power of the Tokijin. Bolts of lighting seared him, with a mighty blast, it threw him backwards like a puppet. Several yards away he fell to the ground, as limp as a rag, eyes open and staring. Sesshomaru took a breath, feeling the instant drain of energy.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome cried from behind him.

Slowly, he approached his brother, watching for signs of movement. There was none. Sniffing the air, he could smell InuYasha still — he was not dead. In the back of his mind, Sesshomaru hoped his father would have been proud.

"Please stop!" The girl raced around him, dropping to InuYasha's side and throwing herself over his body in protection. With a fierce protectiveness, she glared at Sesshomaru with tears in her eyes. Reminding him yet again if Rin's fearlessness. While not frightening, Kagome's reaction was interesting. This human girl would risk this Sesshomaru's wrath, to protect InuYasha?

"He has finally been brought down." Did she not understand? InuYasha would have ripped her heart out, had he not intervened.

"Don't come any nearer!" Kagome insisted, hands on InuYasha's bloody chest.

How tedious. She truly didn't understand. She believed that InuYasha would not have harmed her. Foolish girl. Must he explain everything?

"If you wish him to stop, use the Tetsusaiga to reverse the transformation."

Finally, it dawned on the human. Her eyes widened with a gasp, as she stared up at the yokai lord.

"Otherwise he will continue to fight when he awakens."

From behind, the other two humans ran up, standing between himself and Kagome protecting InuYasha's fallen body. For the first time, Sesshomaru gave the two newer group members his full attention. One was a monk — an odd type of monk. The other some sort of slayer, based upon her weapon, he assumed she slayed demons.

"You could have finished him off earlier if you wanted to. Instead you merely held him off with your sword." The monk said, seemingly incredulous. "Why did you stop at that?! We all know that you despise InuYasha! I can't believe you've developed feelings for your brother."

Sesshomaru regarded the monk silently. Yes. He had despised his brother. Believing he had been swindled from his birthright. But now… things were different. He understood his father's wishes. That didn't mean he cared for InuYasha, not in the way the monk meant. And he would never reveal his change of motivation to anyone. It was none of their business. Better to let them believe he was as black hearted as ever.

"I will slay him, eventually. Why kill him now, when he does not know himself? There would be no point." A point of honor, they would believe him. Most humans were simple creatures, believing what they wanted to see, rather than watching for truth.

Turning, he walked away, feeling drained but relieved. InuYasha would be safe. For now. The Tetsusaiga would keep him. To their extent, his friends would also protect him. The girl, Kagome, she could bring balance to InuYasha's life.

Now, he would return to Rin and Jaken. The day grew short, he had a long journey ahead and he needed to rest.