Curiosity Killed the Dog (Inuyasha Fanfic)

[Sesshoumaru]

(Yesh, I know the Prologue sux. I was in a phase...)

Random Writer's Block Story: Curiosity Killed the Dog [/u]




Prologue: [/u]


It isn't easy to teach someone a lesson, especially when they are stubborn. Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands was as stubborn as they come, so his lesson was a hard learned one. But it is guaranteed that he won't make the same mistake that he did the day he made this one.


Feel the pain & embarrassment of the Lord of the Western Lands [/i][/u]




Story: Start [/u][/b]

Ch 1:Sesshoumaru's Curiosity


Sesshoumaru was a refined demon, not like the filthy lower class. He was an excellent fighter, a gentleman in many ways, and a just ruler, despite his prejudice to humans. However, the taiyoukai was not a god, so he had his flaws. One in particular that could sometimes lead to his downfall was his insatiable curiosity. Whenever he was faced with a puzzle, he usually intended to solve it. This resulted in his taking in of the young human girl, Rin. It also resulted partially in the forging of the Toukijin. With this curiosity, he was able to delve into many mysteries, solve them, and therefore broaden his horizons, but apparently, he'd never heard the expression, “curiosity killed the cat.” As usual, this led to a fault in thought that was nearly fatal…


“Lord Sesshoumaru, what do you think of this?” Rin asked, proudly holding up a squirming fish from the pond.


“A fine day's catch for you, Rin. You always do well to provide for yourself, something I admire.”


Sesshoumaru himself was contemplating returning home for nourishment. Although he didn't eat “human food,” there were certain victuals in which he could indulge as Rin did. Fish wasn't on the list. As a growing youkai prince, he needed a large amount of high energy replacement human foods to satiate his appetite, or else he could also go hunting for substitution fresh, raw meat. Yes, that's what he would do tonight. Rin and Jaken would not object if he took Ah-Un with him to search for food. He was sure.


“Jaken, Rin, I am taking Ah-Un with me to search for food. I should return by the end of the day, or perhaps I may return tomorrow morning. Either way, you two are on your own for a while. Do your best not to annoy each other.”


“Yes, M'lord. Rin will behave.”


“We will await your return, Master Sesshoumaru,” Jaken said obediently.


Sesshoumaru boarded Ah-Un's back, then the little imp and Rin watched as he disappeared into the horizon.


“Master Jaken, where has Sesshoumaru-sama gone, if it isn't too bold to ask?”


Jaken sighed.


“Most likely, he has gone on a hunt. Even demon lords such as he need sustenance.”


“Sustenance?”


“Food, energy.”


“Oh.”


***


<<So,>> Sesshoumaru said in an animal dialect that only certain entities could understand <<Where do you think is the best place for a hunt?>>


-Milord there isn't much good meat in this forest, I must say,- Ah replied. -And perhaps we should take extra care that you are well fed.-


<<Hn. This must not have anything to do with the torpor state I lapse into when my metabolic rate slows to accommodate the shortage of food, must it?>>


~Perhaps it does, but we were also thinking for you as our master, ~ Un replied.


Suddenly, the taiyoukai took a whiff of the air and sensed someone familiar…


“Inuyasha!”


<<You were trying to steer me away, weren't you?>> he said accusingly.


-Yes, M'lord, for we fear this is not the best of times for a fight. You must gather your strength.-


~We apologize.~


<<Hn. You doubt my ability?>>


-Of course not. We know you are a powerful demon. However, there are times at which the strong must gather themselves.-


<<That is true. Very well, let us move further upwind…>>


Suddenly, Sesshoumaru scented a sweet smell; one he'd never experienced.


<<Do you smell it?>>


~Smell what, Sesshoumaru-sama?~


<<It smells sweet. It's obviously aberrant to these lands…>>


-Here we go,- Ah growled in half bemusement and half exasperation.


<<Follow it.>>


***


“Inuyasha, your ramen's getting cold.”


Inuyasha ignored Kagome, concentrating on the person he smelled. He knew it was his half-brother, but he didn't want to alarm anyone.


Keep your distance, you bastard. I don't want to fight now. Let me be in peace…


No such luck. Not with a person like Sesshoumaru. As the scent neared, he thumbed the Tetsusaiga.


“Guys, Sesshoumaru is headed this way,” he said softly. A growl rose in his throat.


Suddenly, the said demon burst from the forest astride Ah-Un.


“Ah, so the source of the scent is coming from your comrades, brother,” Sesshoumaru said.


“What the hell are you talking about, jackass?”


Quicker than the eye could see, Sesshoumaru snatched up Kagome's backpack and stood by Ah-Un as he began to root through it. As he was doing this, his stomach chose to let out an extra-loud groan of hunger.


“Oh, so that's why you're screwin' with Kagome's stuff. You're hungry,” Inuyasha said with a sneer.


<<Don't presume to think I would eat just any filthy ningen food. I merely scented something new. Something sweet.>>


“Here it is. You may have this trash back.”


Sesshoumaru threw the backpack to the ground, pocketing a large Ziploc bag of foodstuffs before remounting his steed.


“I bid you farewell.”


And just like that, he was gone.


“Your brother never ceases to mystify me, Inuyasha,” Miroku said.


“Ah, the bastard just has this curiosity complex. Kagome, what did he steal?”


“…He stole Shippo's chocolate…” she said softly.


“WHAT?!?!”


The young kitsune pitched a fit at her words.


“That mutt! Those were mine!!”


“That's not what's scaring me,” Kagome said gravely. “Demon-dogs react the same way to things as normal dogs, right Inuyasha?”
“Yeah, so?”


“Chocolate makes dogs seriously sick.”


“So?”


“So Sesshoumaru is going to get ill off of it.”


“So?”


“So he can't rule his lands.”
“So?”


“So the lands will be in disarray and he could lose possession over the Western province.”


“So?”


“So we have to make sure he doesn't eat it, or at least help him if he does.”


“So?”


“Inuyasha, it doesn't even make sense to say `so'. I can't put it any clearer.”


“Read my lips, wench: I'm not helping that son of a b**ch!”

“Read my lips,” Kagome said annoyedly. “SIT!”

THUMP!!

“Oww…”[/font]

[Sesshoumaru]

Sorry I haven't posted in like...forever. And I was planning on posting links to it, but I thought that would be useless, since there would be no point to trying to create cliffhanging...hm...I like reviews, sorry...
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Ch. 2: Sesshoumaru's Sickness

::What is this?::

-We know not, M’lord,- Ah said, rolling his eyes.

‘After all, you’re the one who brought it back, if I may be so bold to say it.’

Sesshoumaru gave Un a dirty look, then pulled out a small, spherical object in a plastic pouch. The object was about the size of a human eyeball and a vibrant red. With no regard to the words on the wrappings, he tore them away and held the ball in his hand. He gave it a sniff, then popped the thing in his mouth. Immediately, its flavor began to rush through his mouth, the momentary sugar rush threatening to make him heave. His eyes then began to water profusely and he spat the thing out.

“Cough!! I need water!!”

Sesshoumaru ran through the forest until he found a stream, then plunged his head in and began to suck in mouthfuls of it. Even as he pulled his head up and shook himself dry, he could still feel the burn of the Fireball in his mouth.

“Ugh. Those objects are not good.”

The lord then made his way back to Ah-Un and the bag of candies. He rooted through the very large bag and was surprised to feel cold metal meet his soft fingers.

“Hn. What is this, now?”

He withdrew a can. This time being cautious, he read the words on the artifact.

“Coca-Cola...classic...hmm...calories 140...save $15 in advance with coke can to Halloween Horror Nights...wha...”

Unable to discern the meaning, he stared at the top. A small tab was pressed to the can. He carefully slid his finger under it, then pulled it up.

A loud “CLICK!” sound was made as the can opened. Smiling at his cleverness, he swilled the can around, only to hear sloshing.

“Ah. A liquid. As it is in this bag, perhaps it is for drinking.”

He put the can to his lips and took the tiniest sip.

-Is it good, Master?-

A smile came upon Sesshoumaru’s face.

::It is very good!::

He drank about half the can in one gulp, then decided to save the rest for later. He licked his lips. The liquid left an unsettled, tingly feeling in his belly, but at the same time, he felt pretty nice...

Suddenly, the taiyoukai felt some sort of bubble move up his throat and...

BUURP!

-M’lord, have you lost it? You usually have more manners than that...- Ah said playfully.

::It wasn’t on purpose,:: Sesshoumaru said in fascination, quite forgetting to excuse himself. Never had he felt a bubble of gas like that! To be sure, he was capable of executing the action, but it felt sort of strange to do it after drinking this substance...

::Let us explore further into the bag.::

Sesshoumaru next pulled out a small rectangle. This, this, is what he was smelling most of all. He examined the small rectangular prism, turning it in his palm and poking it with his claw experimentally. Finally, he slid his claw under the wrapping and was able to remove it.

Now what sat in his hand was a small, brown bar.

‘Is it poison?’ Un wondered.

::Decidedly not; this is what the wench often brings the kit as I gather it. From what I heard, I stole the brat’s treat. That is when we went out of earshot.::

Sesshoumaru poked at it with his claw, then put pressure on it. Surprisingly, his claw sank in a bit.

“It is not very firm,” he mused. He ran the single claw down the bar and a small corkscrew of it came away in his hand. “Nor is it very pliable. It merely comes away.”

He inhaled the scent and smirked. It already tasted delicious, especially to a youkai as hungry as he. He finally bit into the substance and his smile grew. The sugar was flooding his senses, pure pleasure to his taste buds.

Rapidly, he peeled the wrapper off of another and ate it.

-M’lord, are you sure this is a wise idea?- Ah said worriedly, ears pulled back in apprehension.

Sesshoumaru gave a small candy bar to each of the dragon heads.

‘He was not lying, Ah! These little edibles are quite scrumptious!’

-I agree, Un, but still...-

::Desist ruining my fun!:: Sesshoumaru said, downing another chocolate.

-Ah, well...-

The left dragon head rolled his eyes once again.

-However, I would like meat, so Un, if you would please...-

‘Very well...’

The two-headed dragon took off, leaving Sesshoumaru to his contention. Once they were out of his earshot, Un smiled.

‘I have never seen Sesshoumaru-sama so happy since we entered his service.’

-Indeed,- Ah agreed. –I’m glad he is happy.-

Back on the ground, Sesshoumaru had finished the bag of chocolate and the can of soda, and was starting to feel full of energy.

“Ineedtodosomething!” he said in one breath.

“MaybeI’llgoslayayoukai! Yesthatisit! Iwillslayayoukai!”

He began to bound at superhuman speed to the closest living thing. Unfortunately for him, that was Rin and Jaken.

“Haa!!”

He tackled Jaken and they rolled a ways away until Sesshoumaru stopped, squatting on the squealing imp.

“L-l-lord Sesshoumaru?!” he stammered.

Sesshoumaru had a smile on his face as he let Jaken up.

“What has happened, milord?”

“Wellitslikethis. Iatesomebrownstuffanditmademeallhappy,canyouandRinplaywithme?” the taiyoukai said quickly.

“P-play?!?!”

“I’ll play with you, Lord Sesshoumaru!” Rin said. She tagged his shoulder.

“Hn?”

“Tag, you’re it!”

Sesshoumaru gave her a puzzled look, then tapped her back.

“You’re it.”

“No, Master Sesshoumaru, you are!”

He shoved her back softly.

“You!”

“You’re it!” She said, running away.

And so this game of tag went.

After about an hour, Ah-Un had returned and the sugar rush that Sesshoumaru had gotten wore off so he decided to get back to traveling. What was more is that he could smell Inuyasha.

“It seems he wants his bag back. Oh, well.”

Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Jaken piled onto Ah-Un.
::Go as fast as you possibly can to the north. Inuyasha I know is not familiar with those lands. If we wind circles, he is bound to get himself lost. His nose is nothing to mine.::

‘Affirmative, M’lord.’

The dragons spent an hour and a half winding circles and whatnot around the Northern lands. They were about to complete a particularly intricate figure eight when Sesshoumaru began to feel unwell.

::Ah-Un...let’s stop...:: he said, feeling his stomach jolt.

Ah-Un began to dive and he moaned.

“Are you okay, Master?” Rin queried.

“I am not feeling my best,” the taiyoukai groaned.

He pressed his head into Ah’s neck. The dragon felt his discomfort and nuzzled him.

-We are nearly there, Sesshoumaru.-

::I am not sure that I will make it there...::

As the dragon’s claws finally touched the ground, Sesshoumaru tumbled off Ah-Un’s back and fell on his tail-side shoulder with another groan. His stomach felt ready to explode. His face started to flush out as a fever began to plague him.

“Rin, leave me...please...”

“Yes, my lord. If that is what you wish...”

“Jaken, accompany her...”

“Er...very well...”

Sesshoumaru rolled until he was on his knees.

“What is happening to me?” he wondered in dismay.

-Milord, I did try to warn you...-

Sesshoumaru felt like a fool. Once again, his curiosity had gotten his better. He was sure that his bastard brother would get a hell of a kick from his predicament.

Just as he finished the thought, he began to get sick. Un whimpered and Ah shook his head in sorrow as wave after wave of nausea passed through Sesshoumaru’s body, causing him to expel the chocolate he had previously eaten. After a few minutes, he finally stopped and collapsed back onto his side, completely exhausted and still feeling ill and faint. The last thing he saw was Ah-Un’s face as the dragon licked him softly.

:: I am very sorry that I did not trust your judgments. I suppose this is due punishment...:: he said in a low dog whimper.

[Sesshoumaru]

Since I've been so lazy lately...TWO CHAPTER BONUS!! ^___^
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Ch. 3: Sesshoumaru's Dream

Kagome was wringing her hands fervently. She hoped just as fervently that Sesshoumaru had not muddled himself into the substance she knew was toxic for someone like him. In truth, she knew not why she cared; only that she did.

“Kagome, this is bullshit! My brother doesn’t wanna be found, so let’s make his wish true!” Inuyasha said in exasperation. The Northern Province was not too familiar to him. Oh, if only Sesshoumaru had headed back to his lands. His scent would be easier to track. However, in the north, tracking a scent was annoying, since the hanyou was not familiar with the geographical terrain. It didn’t help that his brother had the power over him to fly.

“Inuyasha, we can’t...just leave him to die. I feel responsible...”

“Number one: if you are, that should be good, right? Number 2: It wasn’t your fault he was practically stumbling over himself in starvation and decided to take your stuff...”

“Excuse me, Inuyasha, but that was MY chocolate!”

Shippo was in a towering temper at the loss of his snack, and he wasn’t too keen on hiding it. Kagome tried to apologize, but that didn’t improve his mood much.

“He’d better not have eaten it! And if he did, I hope it gives him a stomachache to end ‘em all!!” he spat.

“I’m with you, kid,” Inuyasha said.

Kagome sighed.

“Look, Inuyasha. If you don’t want to come, I’ll just take Kirara with me and find him myself.”

“Like hell you will!!” the hanyou spat in irritation, ears flattened to his skull.

“Sorry, boy. Sit!!”

Inuyasha plummeted into the ground. Kagome quickly took Kirara and fled.

As the spell wore off, Inuyasha cursed.

“Sango, what did ya do, hand her Kirara?!”

“More or less. Look, Inuyasha, if you wish to catch her, go now before Kirara’s scent fades. Like it or not, she’s kind-hearted.”

“Grr...Damn her!”

Inuyasha took off.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sesshoumaru was deep in horrid, fever induced dreams, tossing and turning madly, moaning and groaning. Anything horrible that he had ever experienced was being relived, only ten times worse...

He was in a meadow, doing what he did best apart from fighting—sitting in contemplation and maybe slight meditation. He smiled as he stared at the evening crescent moon. It was waning, he noticed, something he never could notice anymore. Rin was at his side, peacefully drawing pictures of the bright pinpricks on the billowing black tapestry that was the sky. Slowly, he felt his eyelids droop in pleasant contentment.

Why can’t it be this way all the time? he wondered.

As the lord finally began to drift away, he felt the ground tremble beneath him. Instantly, almost impulsively, he leapt gracefully to his feet, trying to scent what his instincts told him could not be good.

Suddenly, great fires sprung up from the ground.

“Master Sesshoumaru! Rin is scared!!”

He felt his heart begin to race as he heard the girl’s frightened cry.

“Rin! Where are you?! Tell me!!”

“Help, Master!!”

Despite her cries, Sesshoumaru found it nearly impossible to discern them from the roaring flames. Already the smoke was overtaking him and causing him to stumble. His powerful senses were of no use to him now.

Coughing violently, his teary eyes made out a silhouette in the flames.

“Rin!!”

He ran through the fiery walls, feeling the flames burn at his skin, consuming him. His breath came in ragged gasps as he came to his young ward. Blood was dripping from his burns, yet he still kept her as the first priority in his mind.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, it hurts!” Rin said piteously, clutching a burn on her arm. Her face was streaked with tears and blood, her free hand still clutching the cinders barely recognized as flowers.

“Come, I shall take you away.”

He yelled in pain as a burst of flame charred his face. The lord wrapped his tail tightly around Rin, hoping that it would not be burned any further, lest he lose full function of it.

For an eternity, it seemed, he ran through wall after wall of burning inferno. Eventually, he found his way out and deposited Rin to the ground out of what was left of his tail. He made to go out as well, but the flames manipulated themselves into an arm which wrenched him into the core of the hellish fire.

Fully afraid of the flames by now, he screamed. Surely death was imminent. He huddled up as his skin was eaten away and his hair was dissolved to dust. He clawed at his face, trying to make the pain go away, but not able...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Just as suddenly as the fire had appeared, he fell through into a lake of water which caused a shock through his body...

The Western Lord took a sharp intake of breath, eyes flying open. His breath was sticky and cloying in his throat and just like in his dream, he was unable to breathe well through his nose. However, this coolness was much preferred to the burning fires. He looked up to find a rag on his forehead.

“Wha.......what is...going on....?”

He felt the heat begin to once again overpower the cool, damp cloth on his head and began to squirm.

“It burns...” he whispered, tossing madly in a vain attempt to cool himself.

“Calm down, boy. I’ll change the rag.”

Sesshoumaru ceased his thrashing and was rewarded by another waterfall of coldness.

His slight pleasure was not to last. Once again he felt nausea overcome his senses and he began to throw up. Someone turned his head to prevent him from choking, but he did not, at the moment, desire to know who. Look at where curiosity had gotten him already.

As he came at peace once again, coughing every once in awhile, he felt someone remove his swords.

Who dares remove Sesshoumaru’s swords so freely?! He thought in indignation. It didn’t last. Why am I complaining? Whoever this is has been helping me. However, I feel not any better. It is only blocking out the sickness...not healing it...

His eyes rolled in his head as he began to feel faint, but someone tapped him awake. He growled weakly, still feeling faint. The same person twisted his right ear.

That did it.

Sesshoumaru bolted straight into a sitting position, eyes glowing red and fangs gleaming in the light.

“You...” he said in a growling rasp. “My brother’s wench...”

“I prefer Kagome!” the girl said softly, but with a slight edge.

“You have been...ohhh...”

Sesshoumaru’s golden eyes rolled back and he fainted at that moment.

Whether it was in amazement, sickness or both is best forgotten as it is not even known.

[Sesshoumaru]

Ch. 4: Sesshoumaru's Question

Inuyasha soon caught up with Kagome, only to find that she was changing the cloth on his brother’s head tenderly. She had already removed the taiyoukai’s armor and was softly rubbing a wet cloth on the dry, burning hot skin, for Sesshoumaru was a Dog and as such did not have sweat glands.

“Kagome! What the...?”

“Shh!!” the girl snapped. “He’s sleeping.”

“So what?” Inuyasha yelled. “Why do you have to help this ingrate?”

“Just be quiet!” she replied, giving the hanyou a look that radiated a hundred thousand sits.

“Feh.”

Kagome turned away and commenced rubbing Sesshoumaru’s belly with water. This caused an action she did not expect. The youkai lord’s leg began to twitch weakly, thumping involuntarily on the ground as she increased the speed of the rubbing. Kagome found this extremely cute.

Quite suddenly, Sesshoumaru’s eyes snapped open and he gave her a look of weak reprove.

How dare this ningen filth even contemplate trying to pleasure herself at my expense! He thought angrily. However, the anger soon dissipated as he turned onto his side and began to clutch his stomach. He feared that he would be sick again...

“Just hold still! I’m trying to cool you down!”

Sesshoumaru didn’t have the strength to snarl. For that matter, he had not the strength to keep his mask of indifference up.

“What can you do onna?” he said thickly. “Are you a healer?”

“No...but I can get you special medicines from my lands. I swear upon my honor that they can help you. Unless you’d rather stay sick and die or have to get your stomach pumped.”

“Hn.”

Sesshoumaru didn’t enjoy thinking of any of the three options set before him. However, he seemed to prefer the one that didn’t involve pain, which he guessed, was the special medicine.

“Fine, onna. You will not be compensated, however.”

“I don’t need compensation. I just want to make sure you stay alive.”

He almost said why, but he literally bit his tongue to prevent it. No more curiosity.

Sesshoumaru began to shiver softly, his breath short and shallow.

“Inuyasha, you stay here with him. Wait for Sango, Miroku, and Shippo. And whatever you do, don’t kill him. He’s having a hellish nightmare of a time as it is.”

Inuyasha merely “feh’d” and sat cross-legged next to his brother, nose upturned.

“Hello...little b-”

“Spare me! I don’t wanna hear your voice!” Inuyasha spat.

Sesshoumaru growled, but there was little he was able to do in his condition, so he merely curled into as small a ball as he possibly could and shivered more violently.

“I feel so cold, but my body’s so hot...” he murmured.

Inuyasha kept his nose up, not feeling the least bit of remorse.


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Kagome piddled around her house, finding it difficult to be sure on what she should bring.

“Well...” she said, hands on her hips.

She reached for a bottle of Advil, then snatched up the Pepto Bismol. She then grabbed about 12 Cup-A-Soups for Inuyasha and a bunch of cooking supplies.

“Well, if Inuyasha can’t appreciate my cooking, maybe his brother can...wait. What am I saying? This is Sesshoumaru we’re talking about here!”

She stifled a laugh and grabbed some beef cubes from the fridge.

“Oh, and maybe I should get him some mouthwash so that his breath won’t be so stinky,” she added, remembering how she’d found him in the first place. “I’m glad that dragon didn’t decapitate me when it saw me. Real glad.”

She threw her supplies into her enormous backpack and prepared to head into the well, grabbing a few last-minute things before departing.


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Sesshoumaru suffered another night terror as he slipped into unconsciousness. Only this time, he had not hero or heroine to save him from the burning fever.

“Hmm...ngh...”

Inuyasha’s ears twitched. He turned to his trembling sibling.

Wow, he looks so pathetic that even I wouldn’t think to slay him, Inuyasha thought offhandedly. But you should never trust an enemy.

Kagome burst through the brush moments later.

“Whew! What a run!”

Sesshoumaru suddenly cut her off with steadily rising moans, which soon became yells that shook the trees.

“Aaaaghh! Don’t...damn it...Wind Scar...hurts...”

He bolted straight up gasping, eyes wide. His head pounded painfully.

“I...I...” he stammered.

What’s the matter with him? He’s actin’ like a ninny! Inuyasha thought in surprise.

The taiyoukai turned away and became sick once again. This time, tears stung at his eyes, not just from reflex, but very partially from sadness. However, it still tugged at Inuyasha’s heart, despite his loathing of this particular person.

“Hey! Stop crying!”

Sesshoumaru gave Inuyasha a look of reprove.

“Feh! It takes a real man to cry, you big baby!”

Inuyasha stomped off.

“But...”

Sesshoumaru was still too weak to prove any challenge to his half-brother.

“Hn.”

He leaned forward.

“Look at me, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

With a growl of annoyance, Sesshoumaru looked up.

“I’m going to give you some food, but you need to try this. You may get sick again, but we have to try.”

Kagome poured a small cupful of Pepto for the demon and held it out. He drank it, shuddering. It came up, as she predicted.

“I’m sorry.”

Sesshoumaru continued to shudder, unable to rid himself of the awful feeling in his gut.

“Okay, I’ll just make the stew, and see if you can stomach that.”

Kagome made a rich soup over an Ah-Un-produced fire. After several tries, she goaded the taiyoukai to take a few gulps. He cringed, nearly gagging, but the soup stayed down.

“Good! You’re improving!” she said softly.

Sesshoumaru kept his head bowed.

“Sesshoumaru...”

“Hn.”

“Is that a what?”

“Hn.”

“Okay...um...you’re being very quiet. Usually we can’t get you to shut up, you know?”

Kagome laughed a bit.

“No offense, of course.”

“Hn. I have no need to ask anything,” he said, but Kagome could tell.

“Curiosity sometimes can be bad, but you might as well ask at least one question. I know you’re dying to.”

“Fine. What is my brother’s problem? Why doesn’t he like crying?”

“Well...Sesshoumaru...I guess that since he was little, he sometimes cried. Well, a lot, actually. I suppose he just grew out of it. He expects others to do so, especially you. You’re technically an Ice Prince to him.”

“I see.”

Sesshoumaru bowed his head and stared at his meal.

“You cook acceptably, onna.”

“Thanks!”

[Sesshoumaru]

Ch. 5: Sesshoumaru's Fight

The night didn’t treat the taiyoukai well. His fever flared up again and he woke everyone up with his strangled yells. Inuyasha, forever the grouch, yelled at his brother to be quiet. Kagome was more sympathetic. She slept near him, being sure to change the cooling cloth on his head every once in a while so that he could rest. It didn’t always work, for she fell asleep often, so when it was time for the gang to move out, Sesshoumaru was extremely fatigued and Kagome needed to be carried on Ah-Un so that she could rest. Sesshoumaru soon retrieved Jaken and Rin and had more than half a mind to leave his brother to his own devices when the said hanyou blocked his path.

“What do you want, half-breed?”

“You ain’t going anywhere. After all that time we wasted on you, you aren’t gonna go and chalk up your own death.”

“I am quite capable of defending myself, Inu...”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes flickered and he nearly passed out.

“Like I said, you’re staying. Kagome wants you to, and she finally made me agree. I’ll be damned if after all the torture I went through you just walk out!”

Inuyasha drew the Tetsusaiga.

“Pass here and I’ll give your other side a matching stub of an arm.”

Sesshoumaru made to pass Inuyasha defiantly. This was what the hanyou expected. He turned the Tetsusaiga broadside and hit Sesshoumaru squarely behind the head. The lord’s eyes widened and blood flew from his lips (Inuyasha wasn’t particularly gentle). He then collapsed into unconsciousness.

-You dirty half-breed!!- Ah roared. –How dare you assault our master, especially when he is ill!!-

Shove it up your ass. He ain’t strong enough to leave, and you know it. All I’m doing is on account of Kagome, not him. I’m, unfortunately, trying to help him. So play on a little faith, eh? Inuyasha yipped in annoyance.

“Er...Miroku, did you catch that?” Sango whispered to the monk.

“No,” Miroku replied. “It must be a special animal dialect.”

Without further question, the group walked on.


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“Now would be a splendid time to attack the brothers”

A strange voice pervaded the silence in the darkness.

"Kiryu, Seiryu, take your leave and don’t disappoint me.”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Around midday, Kagome woke up. She noticed Sesshoumaru unconscious on Ah-Un’s back and noted the blood.

“Inuyasha, sit.”

THUMP!

“Oi, wench! What was that for?”

“You hit him, didn’t you?”

“Sure as shit! I won’t let him go after what you forced on me!”

Kagome gave him a look of reprove, and then turned away. The demon didn’t look so bad anyway.

“Men. They act so macho...”

Suddenly, she sensed a presence closing in.

“Inuyasha...”

“I sense it too...” he replied.

Kagome readied her bow, Jaken tightened the grip on his staff, Sango gripped the Hiraikotsu, and Miroku got ready to remove the rosary from his hand if necessary. Inuyasha had already drawn the Tetsusaiga.

“Ah-Un, guard that little girl. I don’t want to hear my brother gush over her.”

Ah-Un nodded an affirmative.

“Hyah!!”

Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga at the trees. From the small layer of forest leapt two dragons in human-form. One wore a red kimono and the other wore a green kimono.

“Who the hell are you.”

“We are Kiryu and Seiryu of the dragon clan under the rule of Ryurikusanotsussei!”

“Ryurikusanotsussei? Sounds like he’s related to Ryukotsussei...was anyway,” Inuyasha said with a snicker.

“We’ve come to avenge Ryuriku’s 'tousan!”

“Hn. So then Ryurikusanotsussei is Ryukotsussei’s son? Feh. If Inuyasha was able to defeat him, I can certainly defeat the son.”

“Huh?”

“Inuyasha, step aside.”

Sesshoumaru was awake and battle ready. He flexed his claws, cracking the knuckles. Without hesitation, he leapt forward at Kiryu.

Just as his claws were about to hit, an invisible force field of some kind hit him in the stomach, pushing him away from his prey.

“Urgh!!”

It was Seiryu, specifically his tail.

Sesshoumaru clutched his stomach, unable to stop coughing.

“You...will...pay...”

Inuyasha smashed the Tetsusaiga against a rocky cliff edge, causing a landslide.

Kiryu and Seiryu easily dodged.

“Sesshoumaru, you okay?” he snarled.

The taiyoukai did not reply.

“Keh! Dragons, leave us! Can’t your master fight fair?” Inuyasha spat.

“All’s fair in love and war,” Kiryu said. So saying, the brother dragons used their tails to constrict their dog enemies.

Unable to breathe, Inuyasha found it equally hard to fight. He tried to move his claws into a favorable position, but it was not to be so. Kiryu transformed and opened his jaws wide to rip Inuyasha in two.

He didn’t quite make it.

Sesshoumaru had torn through Seiryu’s tail after a few seconds, just in time to free his little brother. Any longer and he felt his head would have exploded. He was now in full transformation and despite his handicaps, he was doing very well for himself.

However, Seiryu still had his tail, however torn, to use. He lashed out with it, whipping Sesshoumaru heavily in the chest.

HROOWWWRRR!!!

Sesshoumaru collapsed for only a moment, but it gave his opponent ample time to lash at his only front leg, rendering it nearly useless as the bone split in half. Wracked with pain, the taiyoukai reared back on his haunches, hackles raised and exposing his enormous fangs. Using his remaining legs, he sprung forward and bit into Seiryu’s neck, severing the jugular vein completely.

Before dying, Seiryu sunk his fangs into Sesshoumaru’s shoulder. It wasn’t a strong bite at all.

Inuyasha didn’t get a chance to vanquish Kiryu. The dragon unfurled his hidden seventy foot wingspan and took to the air.

“We shall kill you, sons of the Inu no Taisho. The clan of Ryukotsussei will have its day!!!” he called, sneering.

In a flash, he was gone.

Sesshoumaru demorphed from his dog form and groaned. His chest hurt so that he could hardly breathe and his arm was badly broken. He knew that his youkai blood would heal him in a day or two, but the pain was still very real and very intense. What was more, white-hot pain had started to spread from the bite on his shoulder to the rest of his body.

“Sesshoumaru, are you all right?” Sango asked as he began to stumble drunkenly.

“That bite must have been to poison him,” Miroku added.

Sesshoumaru’s eyes rolled in his head and he had trouble keeping the latter from rolling as well. Still stumbling, the lord’s hearing began to fade.

“...homaru....okay....ans....me, damn it...”

“Hn?”

“...op walking....stu....bastard...”

He fought to make sense of the jumbled words as he fell to his knees.

“Poison...damn....use Myoga...now...”

Sesshoumaru fainted, falling for an eternity in a graceful arc.

[Sesshoumaru]

Ch. 6

Sesshoumaru was back into his hellish nightmares from the fever, except this time, no one could wake him up...


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“Sessho-sama, can I play with you?”

“NO!”

“Sesshoumaru...”

“But Father...”

The Inu no Taisho gave his eldest son a hard look.

“Oh, all right...”

Sesshoumaru grabbed his little brother’s hand and practically dragged him away. The hanyou child didn’t care. He was just happy to be with his brother. In truth, Sesshoumaru didn’t mind taking care of his sibling. They loved being around each other. However, Sesshoumaru had a place he wanted to go, but it was a place for 70 year old youkai, not 7 year old hanyou.

“Where are we going, Sessho? Huh? Where?!” Inuyasha asked.

“Well, uh...let’s just go to our meadow. You can play there.”

“’Kay!”

As they arrived, Inuyasha began to hop in excitement. He broke away from his brother and hopped around on four legs, sniffing out bugs and little creatures.

The taiyoukai-to-be settled down onto the grass, tail twitching in amusement at his brother’s shenanigans. His tail was about half of its full grown length, so he needn’t drape it around his shoulder except for formal occasions in which he didn’t let it drag.

Soon however, he grew bored and jumpy for training battles. He transformed for Inuyasha to ride him after awhile, but even that was boring.

“...Inuyasha.”

“Yeah?”

“If I take you...to a youkai training field, do you swear you’ll stay with Ah-Un and stay away from danger?”

“Sure! Whoa, a real youkai training ground? Cool! You’re really that strong?”

“I have to be. I’m the Prince of the Western Lands.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that when I’m older, I’ll be the one who gets to be the big boss of the lands.”

Sesshoumaru’s chest swelled with pride as he said this.

“You’re so awesome, nii-sama!”

Sesshoumaru bent down invitingly so that his brother could ride with him. The hanyou quickly accepted and gripped his brother’s shoulders tightly.

Sesshoumaru began to speed through the forest. His speed, even at such a young age, was incredible. (AN: I think Sesshy should be about 12 in human years. That sound okay?)

“Okay, let’s get Ah-Un first.”

Sesshoumaru ran into their forest.

::Hey Ah-Un!!:: he barked.

The dragon strode out.

-Hello, Master Sesshoumaru. How are you?- Ah asked. The dragon was older than Sesshoumaru by a large margin, having been born thirty years before, and had since been his pet, steed, and keeper.

::I found a great place to train!:: Sesshoumaru told the dragon.

‘Are you sure your father approves of your bringing Inuyasha?’ Un asked.

::Well...let’s just say that what Father doesn’t know won’t hurt anyone.::

Ah-Un rolled its eyes and allowed Sesshoumaru astride.

“All right!” Sesshoumaru cried. He pulled on the reins. Ah-Un reared back, then began to fly, as per the young demon’s instruction.

As they arrived, Sesshoumaru turned to his brother.

“Remember your promise. The youkai here are medium-level to me, but they’re way over your head.”

“Mm-hm!” Inuyasha nodded.

Sesshoumaru leapt to the center of the clearing, the ground burning his bare feet.

“Ouch! Inuyasha, throw me my boots!”

Inuyasha did as commanded and Sesshoumaru put the footwear on, ready for battle. He thumbed his sword.

“Come out! I know you’re there!” he yelled.

A young cat demon withdrew from the woods. Her hair was a beautiful light blue, as were her eyes.

“Tauron, what are you doing here?” he hissed, eyes turning red.

“Nothing but training, Sesshoumaru. Care to fight?”

“To the death, hairball!”

Sesshoumaru let poison drip from his partially developed claws. Tauron wielded her new staff. With a yell, she threw it into the ground, causing ice to spread from it. Sesshoumaru yelled loudly as the ice crept up his leg. “It hurts!”

He shivered violently but with a spray of poison, he burned the ice away. Unfortunately, he burned his pant leg in the haste he took to get rid of the ice.

“Darn it!”

Suddenly, flames enveloped the exposed leg.

“Aaagghhh!!”

Tears stung at his eyes as he felt the skin burn.

“Karon!”

The fight was now unfair, but as it was stated before, all’s fair in love and war. Both cat demon children took turns attacking him until he screamed his loudest, blood pouring from his body in torrents.

Suddenly, an enormous—no, gargantuan—white figure tackled the cats.

The Lord of the Western Lands didn’t kill them. He merely pinned them under his giant paw, snarling in their faces with his hackles raised. The girls shrieked, and as he removed his paw, they ran away.

^Sesshoumaru!^ he barked angrily. ^Take your brother home and don’t you dare move from your bedroom after that. I’ll be there shortly!^

Sesshoumaru bowed his head submissively and took hold of Ah-Un’s reins. With a heavy heart and much fear, he limped home. Already, the wounds were beginning to heal, but he knew he would have earned new ones by the night due to his rash actions. He knew he shouldn’t have taken Inuyasha.

The young youkai left Inuyasha in his bedroom.

“Sessh...did I get you in trouble?” the hanyou asked fearfully.

“No, Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru said sadly. “I got myself in trouble.”

He ruffled Inuyasha’s hair softly, then retreated to his room. His father soon joined him.

“Sesshoumaru, come here!”

Sesshoumaru got to his feet, shuffling to his father with his head down.

“I am very deeply disappointed in you!!” The Inu no Taisho snarled. “You know taking Inuyasha into that sort of danger could seal his fate! How stupid is that?!”

Sesshoumaru didn’t say anything.

“ANSWER ME!” he roared, clouting his son on the head.

“It’s really stupid. I-I’m s-s-sorry, Father, I just wanted to train to be strong like you,” Sesshoumaru stammered, clutching his head.

The Inu no Taisho sighed. He wrapped an arm around his son.

“...Sesshoumaru, being strong does require training, but not at anyone’s expense. Tauron, Karon, Shuron, and Shunron were all in that forest. I know you could smell them. That kind of fight is suicide. They, like you, are strong in the ways of fighting.”

Sesshoumaru began to sob.

“Now, then. Don’t cry so. You are making me feel guilty when I know I should not.”

“I don’t mean to. I just...I’m sorry.”

“Look, you really scared me today. Next time, trust your instincts. I knew they lead you away from that fight, not into it.”

“...”

“Go to Ayumi, she shall help you.”

“Hey, dad?”

“Yes?”

“You know how you said you were scared?”

“Hn.”

“I think those cats were even scareder.”

“That’s because nobody messes with your dad!” The lord said proudly. “And as a future lord, you must train correctly so that you’re ready.”

Sesshoumaru nodded.

“Okay.”

His ears twitched as he heard Inuyasha, but he paid no heed to it, too absorbed with his reaction.

“Blasted ears!” he groused, folding the points down and covering them.

“Sesshoumaru, stop that. One day, the tips of your ears are going to fall of and you’ll look like a human.”


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“Guh!!!”

Sesshoumaru gasped, breathing heavily.

“That dream...it seemed so real...” he muttered.

“Sesshoumaru-sama. Are you alright?”

The lord turned his eyes to the voice, only to find he could not see the person.

“Wha...what is going on?! Why can I not see?!”