InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snowfall ❯ Honor Amongst Demons ( Chapter 8 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Katherine-Torrence 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Hentai / Adventure | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 10.12.2013 | Updated On: 10.12.2013 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 195 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Hentai / Adventure | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 10.12.2013 | Updated On: 10.12.2013 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 195 | Status: Work In Progress
::Author's Notes::
It has been so long since I've found the time to update all of this for you guys. I'm sorry for my neglect, life has given me some messed up punches and hurtles but I've overcome most of it. I'm hoping to get this going some more, maybe even revise some of the earlier chapters as well. I've become a bit better in my writing style and I hope to give this whole writing thing one more more. What does that mean for you guys? You'll hopefully be getting more chapters and hopefully an ending to this tale.
~~ Katherine Torrence~~
Chapter Eight: Honor Amongst Demons
"Sesshoumaru-sama sure has been gone a long time, Jaken-sama." The human child that followed the two demons sat upon the two-headed dragon's saddle. Her eyes were watching the clouds above waiting patiently for her lord to return.
"He is very busy, Rin." Jaken, the toad demon, retorted leaning against a tree, the campfire they had made before had long since extinguished.
"I wonder what could have been troubling him." Rin pondered for a moment but when Ah-Un raised up from where he lay she looked towards the forest. "What's the matter Ah-Un?" She jumped from the saddle and moved in front of the dragon, her eyes trained on the tree-line. Jaken by this time had moved from his spot and was closer to the young girl.
"Wolves." Jaken said only that word and instantly Rin ran and got behind him. The toad demon readied his staff, bound by his master's word to protect the girl.
"So you could smell us, little demon?" Two males came from the forest, the look of hunger in their eyes but they didn't seem the same ones that were from Kouga's tribe, that much Jaken good gather.
"You'd best leave us be if you know what's good for you, mutts." Jaken held the Staff of Heads tighter ready to unleash the flames from the old man if he had to."Mutts are we?" The one that was completely bald grinned. His scar over his eye made him a little more scarier than Rin would have liked, his furs were brown and gold in color and the grey armor he wore made him appear larger than he was. “Now, that's no way to talk to strangers, little toad.” The demon leaned down, that grin couldn't get anymore sinister than what it was.
“I'm warning you!” Jaken gripped the staff tighter shaking from the proximity of these two, their auras felt powerful and he feared he wouldn't get even a singed tail if he were to use the staff. He wasn't about to let Rin get hurt though, that would mean Sesshoumaru's wrath would be directed straight at him. He wouldn't have any of that now. “Go back to whatever cave you crawled out of!”
“Or what?” The one with bright green eyes and red hair smirked, his red tail twitching behind him as he crossed his arms. Jaken kept his eyes trained on the two in front of him that he didn't even feel the
third sneak up behind them. In a swift motion the third wolf had grabbed up little Rin by the collar of her kimono and had moved out of the way of Ah-Un, her scream was the only thing that gave away that he was there. He had his clawed hands upon her face as his smirk widened and her screams stopped.
“Well now, such a tiny little thing. She'd hardly be a meal.” The wolf looked to his companions. “Yet, you two went through all the trouble of finding her, don't want it to be a waste.”
“She'll still sate our appetite, Tairou.” The red-head laughed out, Jaken could feel rage bubbling up inside and fear from what the wolves were planning to do to poor little Rin. Ah-Un had moved to attack the man holding his friend, but the wolf just click his tongue shaking his head.
“Don't even think about it, dragon. Or she'll die before you even move another step.”
“Put her down, Tairou!” A female's voice came from the woods and the three demons' heads snapped to attention in that direction. The woman that came from the woods was nothing Jaken would have imagined, and he guess by the way the three attackers acted that she was their high authority, no this silver-haired beauty of a female must have been their pack leader.
“You know... I think I'll keep her.” Tairou grinned lowering Rin to the ground but his claws kept a tight grip on the little girl's kimono so she could not escape.. “I'm tired of taking orders from you, bitch. You've done nothing for this tribe accept weakening our numbers for two being that aren't even wolves!”
“Watch your tongue, brother. She is the rightful heir to our tribe and she's proven more worth than you're throwing away right now.” Another male similar in look to the girl's captor stepped up beside the female. His eyes were filled with anger and hurt all the same.
“So you will side with her, little brother?” Tairou grinned wickedly as he reached for his sword.
“I'm warning you, Tairou. Your hand touches that hilt and I'll cut it off!” The woman's voice dripped with malice as she stared hard in to the youkai's eyes. Tairou hesitated a moment but he grinned not a second later.
“Empty threats. You can't afford to lose not just one wolf of high caliber, but three? You'd be damning yourself on this quest... my lady.” He spat the words as if they disgusted him, Jaken wasn't quite sure what to make of this development, though now his only thoughts were getting Rin as far away from these damned beasts as he could. Tairou's hand fell upon the hilt of his sword and before he could even budge it from the sheath the demoness had completely disappeared from where she was standing. Her hand gripped the one Tairou had on Rin's kimono, the pressure breaking his grip on the human child. She looked down to her and she gave a smile.
“Tasuke will keep you and your friends safe.” The wolf turned her gaze to Tairou and instantly it became one of anger, a look she saw on Sesshoumaru only a few times. For some strange reason she wasn't afraid of the woman, she felt like she could trust her.
“Thank you.” Rin managed to speak before she quickly ran towards the demon that she had called Tasuke, Jaken and Ah-Un had made their way over to them as well. “Will she be alright?” Rin watched as the two others that had been talking with Jaken moved to square off with her savior.
“Don't you worry little one, she'll teach them a lesson.” Tasuke smiled to the little girl, his positioning shown that if any of the wolves were to come near them he'd protect the vassals in an instant.
“Last chance, Tairou.” Aiyuki moved her right hand over the hilt of Kageyoku.
“Go to hell, Aiyuki.” Tairou growled and was able to draw his sword, the blade connecting with Aiyuki's mid-section. The cut wasn't nearly as deep as he wanted it but her bleeding would slow her up for sure. Aiyuki had jumped back and away from the males, her growl becoming evident as her mid-section began to bleed.
“You only get the once.” She smirked to them and once again she had disappeared. When she came in to view again she was a few feet away from where she initially was standing. She wiped the blood from her sword and sheathed it, but why would her sword have blood? She hadn't even landed a strike upon them.
“You arrogant bitch!” Tairou growled towards the female demon. He took a step forward, his sword ready to end her but he wasn't exactly expecting his body to split right down the middle from head to groin. His two comrades in pieces on the ground next to him. Aiyuki sighed gently before she looked towards her loyal companion.
“Tasuke, I'm sorry.”
“Don't be, my lady.” Tasuke shook his head gently. “He was an idiot to defy you.” He looked down to the two next to being they had saved standing next to him. “Are the two of you alright now?” Rin looked up to the man and she smiled gently to him.
“Yes, thank you very much Tasuke-san.” She looked to Jaken and was giggling a little but seeing the little toad staring off in the distance she followed his stare. Her day got a little less scary seeing Sesshoumaru standing there, yet his facial expression was that of pure anger. “Uh oh. We'd better move back a little. My lord doesn't look too happy.” Rin gently took Tasuke's hand leading him in to the forest as if it was now her turn to protect him.
“This is not what it looks like Sesshoumaru.” Aiyuki turned around staring at the dog lord, her hand resting upon her stomach wound.
“You lead them here.” Sesshoumaru growled softly. He despised this woman, the mere thought she would put his vassals in harms way for her own gain made his blood boil.
“I didn't lead them here on purpose if that is what you're implying! They disobeyed my order to stay on the path we were going. Their hunger for humans was their own demise, I saw to that. If it had been any other human I would have acted the same!” Her hand came and rested on the hilt of Kageyoku once again.
“Lies.” Sesshoumaru retorted as his hand came down on the hilt of Tokijin.
“Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha's voice rang out in the clearing and both demons turned their attention towards the hanyou. “Back off!” The hanyou had his Tetsusaiga drawn, transformed and ready to fight his brother if need be. His companions standing close to him.
“No, Inuyasha.” Aiyuki turned toward Sesshoumaru, this time drawing out Kouyoku as well. She got in to a stance not even wincing at the wound that had created a puddle at her feet. “We have to settle this once and for all it seems. Just me and him. Tasuke, that is also a direct order to you not to interfere.” Aiyuki spared a glance to her now High General who was already trying to make a move towards her. When he simply nodded and stayed standing next to Rin and Jaken she returned her eyes to Sesshoumaru.
“You're a fool.” Sesshoumaru was gone in a flash and Aiyuki glared being able to catch his movement. She brought up both of her swords and quickly blocked the Tokijin between the two. The clash of their youki caused a big gust of wind to blow across to everyone.
“I will never understand your logic, Sesshoumaru. You advise me against fighting Naraku and now you're accusing me of trying to kill your companions.” Aiyuki glared in to Sesshoumaru's eyes her body shaking just trying to defend herself.
“It's obvious you will not heed any of my warnings. Any notion of what we were years ago that may still be running through your mind, you should forget it.” The tone he had was completely cold, void of any thought that his words would hurt her. Aiyuki let out a deep growl, her power surging enough to push Sesshoumaru back. The demon lord glared and simply sheathed his sword awaiting her next move. Aiyuki stood there staring at him, her tears staining her cheeks and her eyes full of the pain and sorrow he had inflicted on her. She gripped both of her swords tightly in her hands.
“Tell me why?! Why did you turn your back on me? Cast me away like I meant nothing?!” She shouted out, all of her emotions washed over her again, the tears threatening to fall as her blood continued to do upon the grass. All Inuyasha and the other could do was watch on the sidelines as per her request while she faced off with Sesshoumaru. Tasuke was none to happy to just watch but he knew if he interfered with this now he would die in seconds.
“Protecting that human wench and taking care of the hanyou she birthed.” Sesshoumaru glared at the ookami, staring her down with the hatred and contempt he held against her for so long. He had felt betrayed by her by what she had done, by not taking in consideration the feelings he had about the two that caused the death of his father.
“I did it as per your father's dieing wish! I did it because he meant a lot to me and any family of his I'd protect with my life!” She clenched her fists tightly not even wincing as her claws bit in to her palms. “That includes you, Sesshoumaru! You, who wanted nothing more than to best your father! Would you like I got to the underworld and fetch him for you?!” Sesshoumaru glared and his poison whip was quickly unleashed, wrapping around her neck. Aiyuki fell to her knees trying to keep the thing from completely cutting off her air supply.
“Watch your insolent tongue, Aiyuki.”
“Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha stepped forward intending on stopping this once again but Aiyuki quickly gave him a glare before turning her attention back towards the dog demon before. Her eyes caught on something hidden near the neckline of his haori and her eyes widened slightly.
“E-even... after a-all these... years?” She slowly stood up and stumbled over towards him. Her fingers gently brought the pendant out and the whip vanished from her neck as he stared at her. “You... still have this?” She looked up at him and he showed no emotion once so ever as he looked in to her eyes. She just couldn't tell what he was thinking the way he held himself composed like that. It was almost insulting but now wasn't the time to address it.
“You threw it at my head.”
“You threatened to kill me if I didn't leave.” She stared in his eyes but could no longer hold a straight serious face. She let out a soft chuckle and shook her head gently. She was taken by surprised when she watched him remove the necklace from around his neck and carefully place it around hers. Once again he was giving her the token that long ago meant the world to her, embodied the feelings she had for him and he had for her. Her eyes widened and she looked up at him completely confused. Weren't they just fighting? Wasn't he livid with her?
“You did save Rin.”
“She had your scent. Same with that little demon, Jaken. I couldn't have one of my own killing them.”
“He was your High General was he not?”
“Yes, he was. Not even the highest ranked of my court are allowed to over rule my authority and not pay.” She bowed her head gently before she winced and grabbed her stomach. Her knees gave out from under her but she was not falling to the ground. Sesshoumaru had scooped her up in his arm carefully and was kneeling to the ground with her.
“Anuie!” Inuyasha couldn't help but shout out and rush over to them, he was done with the watching and waiting routine. Sesshoumaru looked at him with a cocked brow.
“Anuie?” He asked quizzically while his younger brother simply glared right back at him.
“Don't start fighting you two.” Aiyuki winced, her completely covered in her own blood as Kagome and the others rushed over. “He's been calling me that ever since he could speak, Sessh.”
“You'd better not die on us.” Inuyasha looked to her being absolutely serious and all she could do was laugh softly.
“What good would I be dead? Besides, I've been revived by Tensaiga once before.” She muttered softly as her eyes closed having become too drained to keep them open. It was silent for a moment and she was just too still for the hanyou's taste.
“Aiyuki? Aiyuki?!”
“She's fine, she's just lost a lot of blood. A little rest and she'll be fine.” Tasuke had come up and was staring at his lady for a moment. Kagome was working quickly to wrap the wounds and stop the bleeding. She looked up at Sesshoumaru with a serious tone, the human girl always very brave even when around someone so dangerous as he was.
“She won't be able to move tonight. I'll have to keep a watch over her until her wound closes.” Sesshoumaru just gave the girl a nod before his eyes moved from her to Inuyasha and then back to Aiyuki's face once more.
“We're staying until she is fully healed. Shouldn't take more than a day.” He then looked towards the trees. “Jaken.”
“Y-yes mi lord?” The toad demon came out from the trees in a quick haste, Rin and Ah-Un taking that as the queue it was fine now had followed after him but at a much more leisurely pace.
“Help with what ever is needed. We stay for the night.”
“Aye mi lord.” Jaken quickly followed after Miroku, Shippou and Tasuke to gather firewood, even if he didn't much care for the company of Inuyasha and his friends he wasn't about to go against his master's orders.
“Lord Sesshoumaru, she's burning up.” Rin looked worried as she kept her small hand upon Aiyuki's forehead. After all the woman had just saved her life, she didn't want to see her in pain or sick.
“Come on, Rin. We'll go get some herbs to help break the fever.” Kagome smiled gently to the young girl and offered her hand. Rin had always liked Kagome, she was strange but she was a nice woman, someone that could be trusted no matter what. Rin took her hand gently and followed her in to the forest.
“I'll come with you.” Sango smiled softly and followed the girls deciding this was perhaps an opportune moment for the brothers to have a somewhat neutral ground to bond on. Inuyasha stayed there staring at Aiyuki, his eyes filled with worry and fear that something may happen while she was trying to heal.
“You could have killed her.” Inuyasha spat out as he stood up from his brother. He walked over grabbing Aiyuki's swords with the sleeves of his haori so they wouldn't activate and harm him. He brought them over and carefully sheathed them for her before he sat down again.
“I didn't. These wounds were inflicted long before I returned.” Sesshoumaru spoke as if it should have been obvious to the hanyou. Inuyasha looked to him with a glare just full of anger and hatred from the elder brother.
“Would you have killed her?! Even if she held no malice towards you?” His fists clenched waiting for the demon to answer him. Sesshoumaru looked to the ookami he held to his chest and he stayed silent for a moment even though the answer was obvious with in his heart.
“No.” He spoke quietly and his grip on Aiyuki tightened as if he was holding her protectively. Inuyasha watched the motion and his brows furrowed before he crossed his arms. He never would understand the way his brother thought, but his answer was given.
“You still love her, even after all the shit you've both been through.” He wasn't teasing, just being blunt at this point as he was most famous for. “Look, I'm sorry that I was the cause for the rift between the two of you. If I had a damn word in any of this I wouldn't be here.”
“Don't be foolish.” Sesshoumaru looked at his brother. “There is a purpose to everything, Inuyasha. As much as I despise you, despise that our father was weak... you do have some purpose in all of this.” The words seemed to have completely floored the hanyou, but he wasn't going to speak much more on the subject. He only despised him for the mere fact that he was proving his worth even as only half-demon. He was actually becoming stronger and could one day equal in the strength that even Sesshoumaru himself possessed at that moment, but the demon lord would never try and boost his little brother's ego in such a manner. He would simply be the challenge he needed to get stronger. Sesshoumaru looked down at Aiyuki when she had winced in pain, yet what he saw caught him completely off guard. The tears that fell were not something he was expecting, he had seen her shed them before from his calloused words but not while she slept, at least not since the last time she had come to him on the anniversary of her parents' deaths. Those times when she would sneak in to his room and find comfort in his company while she slept in his arms. When he could make her nightmares disappear by his mere presence and simply enjoy having her there with him.
“Sessh...” Aiyuki spoke softly in her sleep as she curled a little closer to his hold. The way she spoke his name always puzzled him. She was never formal, unless to be insulting. She only used the full of his name when she was trying to get the point across, and yet here she was using that short version that only she used. Something with in his heart wrenched from the forgotten memories that had flooded back to him. He could not fathom why he had been so cruel to her, why he had forsaken her over his anger that he had with his father. It was not her fault that fate tore the family, it was not her fault that the great dog demon had died during a battle over a human female. It was never her fault and yet he had treated her as if it had been.
“She still loves you.” Inuyasha looked up to his brother, seeing the turmoil with in the demon's eyes . The inner war of what was and what is between him and Aiyuki. Sesshoumaru looked from Aiyuki's face and in to his brother's eyes. He could see with in them the same emotion that was waging with in his own emotions had been there the entire time for his brother as well. “Look.. love no matter what it is fucking sucks.” Inuyasha looked away not being able to really stare at his brother knowing they were having some kind of moment. “All you've got to know is that she loves you and it's never changed for her. I've been through some fucked up shit for women... knowing one died, came back and completely hates me and wants me dead.” Inuyasha gripped his hands tightly as if the emotions swelling inside of him were eating him from the inside out. “Then there's Kagome... the spitting image of the one I used to love. She's not the same but she is.” He shook his head. “I owe Kikyo... but I owe Kagome too. I don't know if the day will come when I have to choose but that's my own fucked up reality.” Inuyasha then looked back to his brother again, it seemed as if the younger was the wisest at this moment, yet Sesshoumaru didn't speak, he was letting the hanyou rattle whatever was on his mind. After all it did have some bearing on his own situation. “The fact is... Aiyuki still loves you with all of her heart and I don't think she will ever stop loving you.”
“I know.” Sesshoumaru offered the faintest of smiles as he looked back to Aiyuki once more. He carefully wiped her tears from her cheeks and moved her bangs to the side as well. His heart ached as he stared at her features, she had become stronger and even more beautiful than he could remember. She had become one hell of a woman and he was damned if he was going to let her slip from him again. Inuyasha sniffed the air and looked up at the darkening sky, standing up he looked to his brother.
“It's going to rain. We should find a cave to take shelter. It would be better on her if she were dry.” Inuyasha watched as Sesshoumaru stayed there a moment. Tilting his head to the side he wasn't sure what was taking him so long, the rain wasn't going to simply just pass by.
“You'll have to carry her. I can not.” Sesshoumaru looked up at his younger brother and it wasn't anger towards him for his missing arm, it was as if his honor had been damaged by admitting he wouldn't be able to even do that for her.
“Ah... right...” Inuyasha bent down and gently scooped Aiyuki up in his arms, mindful of her wounds. “I'm sorry about--” He didn't even get the full apology out before he felt a fist on the top of his head. He winced but it hadn't even been a hard hit, more like a playful smack. He looked up to Sesshoumaru who was now on his feet, his eyes hidden by his bangs.
“You got stronger. Don't dwell on the outcome.” He simply said before leading the way to find shelter. Inuyasha stood there dumbfounded for a moment, taken back by this different side of Sesshoumaru.
“He... doesn't hate... you, Inuyasha.” Aiyuki quietly spoke out from her dreams as she continued to sleep in the man's arms. Inuyasha looked down to her and chuckled softly, giving his head a gentle shake.
“No, I guess he doesn't.” He smiled and readjusted her carefully in his arms as he followed behind his brother. The two siblings not saying another word as the others caught up with them to get under cover before the rainstorm would begin.
It has been so long since I've found the time to update all of this for you guys. I'm sorry for my neglect, life has given me some messed up punches and hurtles but I've overcome most of it. I'm hoping to get this going some more, maybe even revise some of the earlier chapters as well. I've become a bit better in my writing style and I hope to give this whole writing thing one more more. What does that mean for you guys? You'll hopefully be getting more chapters and hopefully an ending to this tale.
~~ Katherine Torrence~~
Chapter Eight: Honor Amongst Demons
"Sesshoumaru-sama sure has been gone a long time, Jaken-sama." The human child that followed the two demons sat upon the two-headed dragon's saddle. Her eyes were watching the clouds above waiting patiently for her lord to return.
"He is very busy, Rin." Jaken, the toad demon, retorted leaning against a tree, the campfire they had made before had long since extinguished.
"I wonder what could have been troubling him." Rin pondered for a moment but when Ah-Un raised up from where he lay she looked towards the forest. "What's the matter Ah-Un?" She jumped from the saddle and moved in front of the dragon, her eyes trained on the tree-line. Jaken by this time had moved from his spot and was closer to the young girl.
"Wolves." Jaken said only that word and instantly Rin ran and got behind him. The toad demon readied his staff, bound by his master's word to protect the girl.
"So you could smell us, little demon?" Two males came from the forest, the look of hunger in their eyes but they didn't seem the same ones that were from Kouga's tribe, that much Jaken good gather.
"You'd best leave us be if you know what's good for you, mutts." Jaken held the Staff of Heads tighter ready to unleash the flames from the old man if he had to."Mutts are we?" The one that was completely bald grinned. His scar over his eye made him a little more scarier than Rin would have liked, his furs were brown and gold in color and the grey armor he wore made him appear larger than he was. “Now, that's no way to talk to strangers, little toad.” The demon leaned down, that grin couldn't get anymore sinister than what it was.
“I'm warning you!” Jaken gripped the staff tighter shaking from the proximity of these two, their auras felt powerful and he feared he wouldn't get even a singed tail if he were to use the staff. He wasn't about to let Rin get hurt though, that would mean Sesshoumaru's wrath would be directed straight at him. He wouldn't have any of that now. “Go back to whatever cave you crawled out of!”
“Or what?” The one with bright green eyes and red hair smirked, his red tail twitching behind him as he crossed his arms. Jaken kept his eyes trained on the two in front of him that he didn't even feel the
third sneak up behind them. In a swift motion the third wolf had grabbed up little Rin by the collar of her kimono and had moved out of the way of Ah-Un, her scream was the only thing that gave away that he was there. He had his clawed hands upon her face as his smirk widened and her screams stopped.
“Well now, such a tiny little thing. She'd hardly be a meal.” The wolf looked to his companions. “Yet, you two went through all the trouble of finding her, don't want it to be a waste.”
“She'll still sate our appetite, Tairou.” The red-head laughed out, Jaken could feel rage bubbling up inside and fear from what the wolves were planning to do to poor little Rin. Ah-Un had moved to attack the man holding his friend, but the wolf just click his tongue shaking his head.
“Don't even think about it, dragon. Or she'll die before you even move another step.”
“Put her down, Tairou!” A female's voice came from the woods and the three demons' heads snapped to attention in that direction. The woman that came from the woods was nothing Jaken would have imagined, and he guess by the way the three attackers acted that she was their high authority, no this silver-haired beauty of a female must have been their pack leader.
“You know... I think I'll keep her.” Tairou grinned lowering Rin to the ground but his claws kept a tight grip on the little girl's kimono so she could not escape.. “I'm tired of taking orders from you, bitch. You've done nothing for this tribe accept weakening our numbers for two being that aren't even wolves!”
“Watch your tongue, brother. She is the rightful heir to our tribe and she's proven more worth than you're throwing away right now.” Another male similar in look to the girl's captor stepped up beside the female. His eyes were filled with anger and hurt all the same.
“So you will side with her, little brother?” Tairou grinned wickedly as he reached for his sword.
“I'm warning you, Tairou. Your hand touches that hilt and I'll cut it off!” The woman's voice dripped with malice as she stared hard in to the youkai's eyes. Tairou hesitated a moment but he grinned not a second later.
“Empty threats. You can't afford to lose not just one wolf of high caliber, but three? You'd be damning yourself on this quest... my lady.” He spat the words as if they disgusted him, Jaken wasn't quite sure what to make of this development, though now his only thoughts were getting Rin as far away from these damned beasts as he could. Tairou's hand fell upon the hilt of his sword and before he could even budge it from the sheath the demoness had completely disappeared from where she was standing. Her hand gripped the one Tairou had on Rin's kimono, the pressure breaking his grip on the human child. She looked down to her and she gave a smile.
“Tasuke will keep you and your friends safe.” The wolf turned her gaze to Tairou and instantly it became one of anger, a look she saw on Sesshoumaru only a few times. For some strange reason she wasn't afraid of the woman, she felt like she could trust her.
“Thank you.” Rin managed to speak before she quickly ran towards the demon that she had called Tasuke, Jaken and Ah-Un had made their way over to them as well. “Will she be alright?” Rin watched as the two others that had been talking with Jaken moved to square off with her savior.
“Don't you worry little one, she'll teach them a lesson.” Tasuke smiled to the little girl, his positioning shown that if any of the wolves were to come near them he'd protect the vassals in an instant.
“Last chance, Tairou.” Aiyuki moved her right hand over the hilt of Kageyoku.
“Go to hell, Aiyuki.” Tairou growled and was able to draw his sword, the blade connecting with Aiyuki's mid-section. The cut wasn't nearly as deep as he wanted it but her bleeding would slow her up for sure. Aiyuki had jumped back and away from the males, her growl becoming evident as her mid-section began to bleed.
“You only get the once.” She smirked to them and once again she had disappeared. When she came in to view again she was a few feet away from where she initially was standing. She wiped the blood from her sword and sheathed it, but why would her sword have blood? She hadn't even landed a strike upon them.
“You arrogant bitch!” Tairou growled towards the female demon. He took a step forward, his sword ready to end her but he wasn't exactly expecting his body to split right down the middle from head to groin. His two comrades in pieces on the ground next to him. Aiyuki sighed gently before she looked towards her loyal companion.
“Tasuke, I'm sorry.”
“Don't be, my lady.” Tasuke shook his head gently. “He was an idiot to defy you.” He looked down to the two next to being they had saved standing next to him. “Are the two of you alright now?” Rin looked up to the man and she smiled gently to him.
“Yes, thank you very much Tasuke-san.” She looked to Jaken and was giggling a little but seeing the little toad staring off in the distance she followed his stare. Her day got a little less scary seeing Sesshoumaru standing there, yet his facial expression was that of pure anger. “Uh oh. We'd better move back a little. My lord doesn't look too happy.” Rin gently took Tasuke's hand leading him in to the forest as if it was now her turn to protect him.
“This is not what it looks like Sesshoumaru.” Aiyuki turned around staring at the dog lord, her hand resting upon her stomach wound.
“You lead them here.” Sesshoumaru growled softly. He despised this woman, the mere thought she would put his vassals in harms way for her own gain made his blood boil.
“I didn't lead them here on purpose if that is what you're implying! They disobeyed my order to stay on the path we were going. Their hunger for humans was their own demise, I saw to that. If it had been any other human I would have acted the same!” Her hand came and rested on the hilt of Kageyoku once again.
“Lies.” Sesshoumaru retorted as his hand came down on the hilt of Tokijin.
“Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha's voice rang out in the clearing and both demons turned their attention towards the hanyou. “Back off!” The hanyou had his Tetsusaiga drawn, transformed and ready to fight his brother if need be. His companions standing close to him.
“No, Inuyasha.” Aiyuki turned toward Sesshoumaru, this time drawing out Kouyoku as well. She got in to a stance not even wincing at the wound that had created a puddle at her feet. “We have to settle this once and for all it seems. Just me and him. Tasuke, that is also a direct order to you not to interfere.” Aiyuki spared a glance to her now High General who was already trying to make a move towards her. When he simply nodded and stayed standing next to Rin and Jaken she returned her eyes to Sesshoumaru.
“You're a fool.” Sesshoumaru was gone in a flash and Aiyuki glared being able to catch his movement. She brought up both of her swords and quickly blocked the Tokijin between the two. The clash of their youki caused a big gust of wind to blow across to everyone.
“I will never understand your logic, Sesshoumaru. You advise me against fighting Naraku and now you're accusing me of trying to kill your companions.” Aiyuki glared in to Sesshoumaru's eyes her body shaking just trying to defend herself.
“It's obvious you will not heed any of my warnings. Any notion of what we were years ago that may still be running through your mind, you should forget it.” The tone he had was completely cold, void of any thought that his words would hurt her. Aiyuki let out a deep growl, her power surging enough to push Sesshoumaru back. The demon lord glared and simply sheathed his sword awaiting her next move. Aiyuki stood there staring at him, her tears staining her cheeks and her eyes full of the pain and sorrow he had inflicted on her. She gripped both of her swords tightly in her hands.
“Tell me why?! Why did you turn your back on me? Cast me away like I meant nothing?!” She shouted out, all of her emotions washed over her again, the tears threatening to fall as her blood continued to do upon the grass. All Inuyasha and the other could do was watch on the sidelines as per her request while she faced off with Sesshoumaru. Tasuke was none to happy to just watch but he knew if he interfered with this now he would die in seconds.
“Protecting that human wench and taking care of the hanyou she birthed.” Sesshoumaru glared at the ookami, staring her down with the hatred and contempt he held against her for so long. He had felt betrayed by her by what she had done, by not taking in consideration the feelings he had about the two that caused the death of his father.
“I did it as per your father's dieing wish! I did it because he meant a lot to me and any family of his I'd protect with my life!” She clenched her fists tightly not even wincing as her claws bit in to her palms. “That includes you, Sesshoumaru! You, who wanted nothing more than to best your father! Would you like I got to the underworld and fetch him for you?!” Sesshoumaru glared and his poison whip was quickly unleashed, wrapping around her neck. Aiyuki fell to her knees trying to keep the thing from completely cutting off her air supply.
“Watch your insolent tongue, Aiyuki.”
“Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha stepped forward intending on stopping this once again but Aiyuki quickly gave him a glare before turning her attention back towards the dog demon before. Her eyes caught on something hidden near the neckline of his haori and her eyes widened slightly.
“E-even... after a-all these... years?” She slowly stood up and stumbled over towards him. Her fingers gently brought the pendant out and the whip vanished from her neck as he stared at her. “You... still have this?” She looked up at him and he showed no emotion once so ever as he looked in to her eyes. She just couldn't tell what he was thinking the way he held himself composed like that. It was almost insulting but now wasn't the time to address it.
“You threw it at my head.”
“You threatened to kill me if I didn't leave.” She stared in his eyes but could no longer hold a straight serious face. She let out a soft chuckle and shook her head gently. She was taken by surprised when she watched him remove the necklace from around his neck and carefully place it around hers. Once again he was giving her the token that long ago meant the world to her, embodied the feelings she had for him and he had for her. Her eyes widened and she looked up at him completely confused. Weren't they just fighting? Wasn't he livid with her?
“You did save Rin.”
“She had your scent. Same with that little demon, Jaken. I couldn't have one of my own killing them.”
“He was your High General was he not?”
“Yes, he was. Not even the highest ranked of my court are allowed to over rule my authority and not pay.” She bowed her head gently before she winced and grabbed her stomach. Her knees gave out from under her but she was not falling to the ground. Sesshoumaru had scooped her up in his arm carefully and was kneeling to the ground with her.
“Anuie!” Inuyasha couldn't help but shout out and rush over to them, he was done with the watching and waiting routine. Sesshoumaru looked at him with a cocked brow.
“Anuie?” He asked quizzically while his younger brother simply glared right back at him.
“Don't start fighting you two.” Aiyuki winced, her completely covered in her own blood as Kagome and the others rushed over. “He's been calling me that ever since he could speak, Sessh.”
“You'd better not die on us.” Inuyasha looked to her being absolutely serious and all she could do was laugh softly.
“What good would I be dead? Besides, I've been revived by Tensaiga once before.” She muttered softly as her eyes closed having become too drained to keep them open. It was silent for a moment and she was just too still for the hanyou's taste.
“Aiyuki? Aiyuki?!”
“She's fine, she's just lost a lot of blood. A little rest and she'll be fine.” Tasuke had come up and was staring at his lady for a moment. Kagome was working quickly to wrap the wounds and stop the bleeding. She looked up at Sesshoumaru with a serious tone, the human girl always very brave even when around someone so dangerous as he was.
“She won't be able to move tonight. I'll have to keep a watch over her until her wound closes.” Sesshoumaru just gave the girl a nod before his eyes moved from her to Inuyasha and then back to Aiyuki's face once more.
“We're staying until she is fully healed. Shouldn't take more than a day.” He then looked towards the trees. “Jaken.”
“Y-yes mi lord?” The toad demon came out from the trees in a quick haste, Rin and Ah-Un taking that as the queue it was fine now had followed after him but at a much more leisurely pace.
“Help with what ever is needed. We stay for the night.”
“Aye mi lord.” Jaken quickly followed after Miroku, Shippou and Tasuke to gather firewood, even if he didn't much care for the company of Inuyasha and his friends he wasn't about to go against his master's orders.
“Lord Sesshoumaru, she's burning up.” Rin looked worried as she kept her small hand upon Aiyuki's forehead. After all the woman had just saved her life, she didn't want to see her in pain or sick.
“Come on, Rin. We'll go get some herbs to help break the fever.” Kagome smiled gently to the young girl and offered her hand. Rin had always liked Kagome, she was strange but she was a nice woman, someone that could be trusted no matter what. Rin took her hand gently and followed her in to the forest.
“I'll come with you.” Sango smiled softly and followed the girls deciding this was perhaps an opportune moment for the brothers to have a somewhat neutral ground to bond on. Inuyasha stayed there staring at Aiyuki, his eyes filled with worry and fear that something may happen while she was trying to heal.
“You could have killed her.” Inuyasha spat out as he stood up from his brother. He walked over grabbing Aiyuki's swords with the sleeves of his haori so they wouldn't activate and harm him. He brought them over and carefully sheathed them for her before he sat down again.
“I didn't. These wounds were inflicted long before I returned.” Sesshoumaru spoke as if it should have been obvious to the hanyou. Inuyasha looked to him with a glare just full of anger and hatred from the elder brother.
“Would you have killed her?! Even if she held no malice towards you?” His fists clenched waiting for the demon to answer him. Sesshoumaru looked to the ookami he held to his chest and he stayed silent for a moment even though the answer was obvious with in his heart.
“No.” He spoke quietly and his grip on Aiyuki tightened as if he was holding her protectively. Inuyasha watched the motion and his brows furrowed before he crossed his arms. He never would understand the way his brother thought, but his answer was given.
“You still love her, even after all the shit you've both been through.” He wasn't teasing, just being blunt at this point as he was most famous for. “Look, I'm sorry that I was the cause for the rift between the two of you. If I had a damn word in any of this I wouldn't be here.”
“Don't be foolish.” Sesshoumaru looked at his brother. “There is a purpose to everything, Inuyasha. As much as I despise you, despise that our father was weak... you do have some purpose in all of this.” The words seemed to have completely floored the hanyou, but he wasn't going to speak much more on the subject. He only despised him for the mere fact that he was proving his worth even as only half-demon. He was actually becoming stronger and could one day equal in the strength that even Sesshoumaru himself possessed at that moment, but the demon lord would never try and boost his little brother's ego in such a manner. He would simply be the challenge he needed to get stronger. Sesshoumaru looked down at Aiyuki when she had winced in pain, yet what he saw caught him completely off guard. The tears that fell were not something he was expecting, he had seen her shed them before from his calloused words but not while she slept, at least not since the last time she had come to him on the anniversary of her parents' deaths. Those times when she would sneak in to his room and find comfort in his company while she slept in his arms. When he could make her nightmares disappear by his mere presence and simply enjoy having her there with him.
“Sessh...” Aiyuki spoke softly in her sleep as she curled a little closer to his hold. The way she spoke his name always puzzled him. She was never formal, unless to be insulting. She only used the full of his name when she was trying to get the point across, and yet here she was using that short version that only she used. Something with in his heart wrenched from the forgotten memories that had flooded back to him. He could not fathom why he had been so cruel to her, why he had forsaken her over his anger that he had with his father. It was not her fault that fate tore the family, it was not her fault that the great dog demon had died during a battle over a human female. It was never her fault and yet he had treated her as if it had been.
“She still loves you.” Inuyasha looked up to his brother, seeing the turmoil with in the demon's eyes . The inner war of what was and what is between him and Aiyuki. Sesshoumaru looked from Aiyuki's face and in to his brother's eyes. He could see with in them the same emotion that was waging with in his own emotions had been there the entire time for his brother as well. “Look.. love no matter what it is fucking sucks.” Inuyasha looked away not being able to really stare at his brother knowing they were having some kind of moment. “All you've got to know is that she loves you and it's never changed for her. I've been through some fucked up shit for women... knowing one died, came back and completely hates me and wants me dead.” Inuyasha gripped his hands tightly as if the emotions swelling inside of him were eating him from the inside out. “Then there's Kagome... the spitting image of the one I used to love. She's not the same but she is.” He shook his head. “I owe Kikyo... but I owe Kagome too. I don't know if the day will come when I have to choose but that's my own fucked up reality.” Inuyasha then looked back to his brother again, it seemed as if the younger was the wisest at this moment, yet Sesshoumaru didn't speak, he was letting the hanyou rattle whatever was on his mind. After all it did have some bearing on his own situation. “The fact is... Aiyuki still loves you with all of her heart and I don't think she will ever stop loving you.”
“I know.” Sesshoumaru offered the faintest of smiles as he looked back to Aiyuki once more. He carefully wiped her tears from her cheeks and moved her bangs to the side as well. His heart ached as he stared at her features, she had become stronger and even more beautiful than he could remember. She had become one hell of a woman and he was damned if he was going to let her slip from him again. Inuyasha sniffed the air and looked up at the darkening sky, standing up he looked to his brother.
“It's going to rain. We should find a cave to take shelter. It would be better on her if she were dry.” Inuyasha watched as Sesshoumaru stayed there a moment. Tilting his head to the side he wasn't sure what was taking him so long, the rain wasn't going to simply just pass by.
“You'll have to carry her. I can not.” Sesshoumaru looked up at his younger brother and it wasn't anger towards him for his missing arm, it was as if his honor had been damaged by admitting he wouldn't be able to even do that for her.
“Ah... right...” Inuyasha bent down and gently scooped Aiyuki up in his arms, mindful of her wounds. “I'm sorry about--” He didn't even get the full apology out before he felt a fist on the top of his head. He winced but it hadn't even been a hard hit, more like a playful smack. He looked up to Sesshoumaru who was now on his feet, his eyes hidden by his bangs.
“You got stronger. Don't dwell on the outcome.” He simply said before leading the way to find shelter. Inuyasha stood there dumbfounded for a moment, taken back by this different side of Sesshoumaru.
“He... doesn't hate... you, Inuyasha.” Aiyuki quietly spoke out from her dreams as she continued to sleep in the man's arms. Inuyasha looked down to her and chuckled softly, giving his head a gentle shake.
“No, I guess he doesn't.” He smiled and readjusted her carefully in his arms as he followed behind his brother. The two siblings not saying another word as the others caught up with them to get under cover before the rainstorm would begin.