InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Path You Follow ❯ Extreme Sibling Rivalry ( Chapter 1 )

The Path You Follow

Author's note: Hi hi hi! Here is chapter 1 and just to let you know, I tried my best while I was writing the fighting scene. I think it turned out okay, but if you don't like it then you've been warned: I don't have much experience writing battles and what not so forgive me if it seems generic and highly unlikely even for a cartoon. Also, this was written at 3 a.m. so if something doesn't sound right let me know because I'm going to post this and go to sleep which means I only gave it a quick review and may have missed some errors. Please please please review! I know, I sound childish but ever writer likes to get reviews, right? ^_^

Last time: I continue walking until we are both standing in the center of my courtyard. We face each other, and I draw Toukijin out from its sheath. My half-brother does the same with Tetsusaiga. My voice carries well, echoing against the stone surrounding us.

"When I win this battle you will agree to keep away from Kagome. Is that understood, hanyou?"

He answers with a growl and a nod as I lunge forward.

Chapter 1: Extreme Sibling Rivalry

~*~

Miroku, Sango, Rin and Shippou stood in the courtyard watching the two brothers trade blows. They seemed to be equally matched at the moment as their two powerful swords crashed against one another. The advantage started to tip towards Sesshoumaru when he put his demon speed to use. Inuyasha, although quick was no match for Sesshoumaru's quick elegant movements. It wasn't long before the elder brother was able to knock Tetsusaiga from the hanyou's hands. Now all Inuyasha could do was dodge Toukijin.

"I think Inuyasha has gotten faster." Commented Miroku from the sidelines. Sango nodded in agreement.

"Yeah," agreed Shippou, "but Sesshoumaru-sama is still faster then him."

The scene was nothing new to them; the brothers often fought out their frustrations with each other. Neither of them ever got seriously injured so they continued to let them fight, watching silently. After a few more minutes of dodging, Sesshoumaru was able to land a blow. Blood started to flow from the slash across Inuyasha's left arm. The hanyou put a claw to his wound and glared.

"Take this you bastard! Hijin Ketsusou!"

The attack was easily averted and Sesshoumaru sneered.

"Is that the best you can do, hanyou?"

Ignoring the taunt, Inuyasha sprang to his feet and made a dash towards Tetsusaiga, it lay a few yards away from him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sesshoumaru dashing towards him, he smiled. Stopping abruptly, he pushed forward on his right foot to leap towards his unsuspecting brother.

"Sankon Tet'sou!"

Sesshoumaru, not expecting the sudden change in Inuyasha's movement, or battle tactics was not able to completely evade the attack. Now both brothers were wounded, Sesshoumaru put a claw to his shoulder, where Inuyasha's attack had hit.

"I see you've finally learned to use that brain of yours, Inuyasha."

The taiyoukai's voice was calm, but inside he was seething. `I let that pathetic hanyou hit me?' He decided not to hold back anymore. During his musing, Inuyasha had once again gone after Tetsusaiga. `Can't have that now, can we?'

Just as the hanyou was about to grasp the hilt of Tetsusaiga, Toukijin was thrust into his shoulder. He grunted in pain as he fell to the ground with the blade still in his shoulder. Sesshoumaru was panting now, his jaw was clenched in anger as he raised the claw not holding Toukijin.

"It's time you learn to respect your elders," he whispered dangerously, Inuyasha glared.

Fights between the half-brothers had never gone so far before and Sango and Miroku were beginning to worry. Their concern increased ten-fold when Sesshoumaru's raised claw began to glow green, meaning he was preparing to use his Doukasou.

There was a gasp from behind the group of observers and an arrow whizzed past them. It barely missed Sesshoumaru's raised claw, but the purifying energy surrounding it burned the skin. The poisonous glow faded.

"Sesshoumaru, let Inuyasha go." He yanked Toukijin from his brother's shoulder.

Dropping her bow and the quiver of arrows on her shoulder, Kagome ran to Inuyasha's side. The hanyou grimaced and sat up, resting his weight on his right arm.

"Are you alright Inuyasha?" Her hands were gentle as she moved them near his wound to see the damage.

"Feh, I'm fine wench."

Sesshoumaru's head turned sharply, a look of warning on his face. Inuyasha frowned and looked away.

"I'm fine, Kagome. Thank you." She nodded and helped him to stand. The look on Inuyasha's face was one of utter exhaustion as she walked with him towards the castle.

"Woman," said Sesshoumaru from behind them, "where are you going?"

Kagome kept walking, not bothering to face the irritated youkai.

"Where does it look like I'm going, baka?" Anger was apparent in her voice and it sounded like she might start screaming at any moment. But when she continued her voice was level, if not laced with annoyance.

"Inuyasha's wounds need to be cleaned and bandaged. Wait for me in our room, then I'll see to your scratches; and don't even bother telling me it's nothing because I am going to check it."

Without waiting for a reply Kagome continued on into the castle while Sesshoumaru stood, stunned outside. He debated on whether or not to follow her instructions. On one side he had his pride telling him that he would not take orders from a ningen woman, the other more practical side knew that disobeying one of her commands when she was in a bad mood was not at all beneficial.

His ego was currently trying to reason with him, `She called you a baka, of all things! You are the great Sesshoumaru of the Western lands. It's bad enough that you let her live after such an insult but to follow her commands as if she were Kami-sama is shameful!'

Sesshoumaru thought that was a very good point until practicality spoke up.

`True, she is just a ningen miko with no power over a taiyoukai such as your self. But unless you'd like to sleep in a cold bed tonight, I suggest you follow her directions.'

As usual, practicality won out over his ego. That seemed to be happening a lot more lateyly. He had been through too much with Kagome to risk anything that might jeopardize their relationship. Which is why he was so uneasy about the relationship she shared with Inuyasha. It was something he could never have with her. They had traveled together, saved each other's lives countless times, known each other longer and he was Kagome's first love.

It didn't help any when Sesshoumaru had noticed small changes in his brother that occurred when Kagome was near him. The hanyou's eyes would soften, his tone would be less harsh and he tended to smile more around her. Inuyasha seemed to have a sense of devotion that his youkai brother did not possess. While Sesshoumaru had no qualms about letting Kagome walk at the forests edge alone, Inuyasha always insisted that she have an escort. She never left the castle walls alone; if Sesshoumaru was not with her then Inuyasha went, even if it was just to pick herbs for Rin's lessons.

Sesshoumaru pondered this as he walked towards his room. He recalled a time when Kagome had told him that Inuyasha had never really loved her. She had said that, when she looked, there was no love for her in his eyes. But how could she possibly tell for sure? He knew better then anyone else that emotions could be easily hidden with enough will power. The taiyoukai stopped in his tracks. Could it be then, that it isn't just friendly devotion that Inuyasha feels for Kagome, but actually love?

~*~

"You're lucky I got there before he used his Dokasou, otherwise the wounds would have been messy and you wouldn't heal as fast, ne Inuyasha?"

The hanyou nodded grudgingly and tried not to wince as Kagome cleaned the wound. She wasn't being as gentle as usual. Despite her rough ministrations Inuyasha could feel himself beginning to doze off. It was his natural reaction to a wound, his body was telling him to rest so that he would heal faster. Kagome watched, half-amused, as he seemed to battle with sleep. He would open his eyes to watch her working on his wounds only to have them drift slowly closed again.

"It's alright, Inuyasha. I'm done, sleep now." He barely managed a nod before falling into a deep slumber.

Sighing in exasperation, Kagome stood to leave the room. When she opened the door a startled Yukiko stood outside with a guilty look on her face. The young miko smiled knowingly and a faint blush formed on the other girls' pale cheeks.

"I just wanted to see if Inuyasha-sama was okay. . . I heard what happened from Rin-chan and Shippou-chan and thought you might need some help. . ." Yukiko bit her bottom lip nervously, avoiding eye contact with Kagome.

"Well, he's fine. I just finished dressing his wounds and he fell asleep. You can go check on him if it'll make you feel better." Kagome shrugged and walked past Yukiko who nodded.

`Now for Sesshoumaru.' Thought Kagome.

"Kagome!" someone called from behind her, she turned to face the voice.

"Hai, Rin-chan?"

"Will Rin have lessons now?" She had almost forgotten about the little girls lessons. Kagome looked at Rin thoughtfully.

"It shouldn't hurt to miss lessons this once. Besides half the day is gone already, why don't you and Shippou go outside and play?"

The young miko-in-training cheered and ran off to go find Shippou. Smiling at the young girls energy, Kagome continued her stroll to the chamber she shared with Sesshoumaru.

~*~

Sesshoumaru paced back and forth on his balcony. `Should I tell Kagome that I think Inuyasha loves her? If I do, is there a chance she will choose him over me? I haven't officially claimed her as mine yet, so she could. . .' these were some of the thoughts plaguing the mind of the great taiyoukai of the west at the moment.

He was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't hear the door open and shut as someone entered the room. It wasn't even until two small arms were wrapped around his waist that he realized the other presence in the room.

"Kagome," he whispered. Before he could say anything else she spoke.

"Gomen, Sesshou." The nickname stopped him from speaking; she seldom used that name for him. But whenever she did he was secretly pleased, although if she were to use it in public he would be irritated.

"I didn't mean to call you a baka. I just. . . I don't understand why you get so angry with Inuyasha. I wish you two wouldn't fight so much."

Sesshoumaru remained silent; he wasn't about to admit that he was jealous, not even to Kagome. While he loved her more then life itself, he would never admit to feeling an emotion such as envy, especially not when it involved Inuyasha.

They stood silently for a while, neither moving. Kagome rested her cheek against his back with her arms still around his waist. His soft, platinum colored hair tickled her skin. But the smell of blood reminded her that he still had a wound to be treated. Reluctantly, she released him but she didn't get very far because he turned and caught her in an embrace.

Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her shoulders and tangled his fingers in her ebony locks, holding her head against his chest. He placed a kiss atop her silky hair and buried her nose in the crook of her neck. Taking in her scent he smiled against her skin, pleased to find the dominant smell on her was his own earthy aroma.

"Sesshoumaru, your arm. I have to check it."

"It's nothing," he replied. Her not-so-elegant snort broadened his smile.

"I told you not to say that to me."

"That eager to get me undressed?"

"That, Sesshoumaru-sama of the Western lands, is the first intelligent thought you've had all day."

He pulled away from her slightly to place a gentle kiss on her lips. Anything else would have to wait because as soon as their lips met there was a knock on the door that was followed by Jaken's voice.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, there is a messenger from the Eastern Lands here to see you."

The taiyoukai opened the door to look at his very nervous servant.

"Jaken, tell him I'm not interested in anything he has to say."

"Ano. . . Sesshoumaru-sama, I did tell him that."

"Well, then what is the problem?"

"He refuses to leave until he speaks with you face to face."

Putting on his stoic persona, Sesshoumaru looked back at Kagome who still stood in their room. The look he gave her was a promise that they would finish what they had started later and she nodded at him. Stepping on top of Jaken, Sesshoumaru made his way down to the courtyard to speak with the messenger. Leaving Kagome to help Jaken up and apologize for his behavior. He was convinced he would never understand ningen women.

~*~

There was a gentle hand against his cheek that woke him from his sleep. Slowly, Inuyasha opened his eyes, grabbing the slender wrist before it was pulled away. His vision was hazy as he lingered between sleep and consciousness. He made out long black hair that framed a kind face with gentle eyes.

"Kagome?" The woman stiffened at the name and Inuyasha breathed in her scent. It was dark in the room, and he was glad of it because it hid the blush that started to tint his cheeks.

"Gomen, Yukiko, I thought you were Kagome." It didn't seem to comfort her any, as she still sat rigidly in her seat. Inuyasha released her wrist and brought the hand to her chest, encasing the wrist he had held with her other hand, as if his touch had hurt.

"Did I hurt you?" she shook her head in a negative answer before standing to leave.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," she said. "Gomen for waking you. Oyasumi nasai, Inuyasha."

She left the room in a hurry, with her heart beating rapidly and the wrist he had touched still held to her chest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's note: Here is an alternate beginning scene. It's the first one I wrote, but I opted for a more serious tone.

Kagome watched from the balcony of her room as Sesshoumaru lunged towards his half-brother. Panic seized her and she did the first thing that popped into her mind, thinking `Oh, Kami, he's going to kill me for this,' she yelled.

"Osuwari!"

Inuyasha cursed, falling face first into the earth and creating a crater in his image. In less then a minute Kagome had joined them in the courtyard. The fact that she went straight towards the prone form of the hanyou did nothing to alleviate any of Sesshoumaru's anger. He towered above her as she knelt next to Inuyasha and apologized.

"Gomen, Inuyasha! It was the only thing I could think of to get you two to stop fighting. I can't stand it when you two go at each other's throats. We're all supposed to be friends here, not constantly fighting." Tears started to glitter in her eyes and although the reason for them was unknown to both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, they both felt guilty. She sniffled while trying to hold her tears in.

On the sidelines Rin, Shippou, Sango and Miroku sat on the steps leading into the palace. They watched intently as Inuyasha tried to comfort the upset miko.

"Feh, stupid wench. . . We weren't really gonna hurt each other. . ." however, he wasn't doing a very good job.

Sesshoumaru on the other hand looked down at her uneasily; his eyes went from the group on the stairs to Kagome and back again. It would appear he didn't know how to handle the situation.

"Well, that was kinda anti-climatic." Responded Shippou as he yawned and took Rin's hand. The two children ran off into the garden to play a game. Miroku and Sango stayed seated, wondering how things would work out. They both nearly fell over when the confused youkai lord spoke.

"Kagome, stop crying." It didn't seem to have the desired effect. More tears poured from her eyes as she covered her face with her hands.

`Well, it always works with Rin.' He thought dejectedly.

"You baka, don't tell me what to do. I can" sniffle, "cry as much as I want to," sob, "you jerk!"

The taiyoukai looked taken aback for a moment. Inuyasha glared at him.

"Good job Sesshoumaru, now she's gonna sit here and cry all day."

"Hanyou, do not speak to me in that disrespectful tone of yours. I can still kill you."

"Hah, you can try!"

Miroku, already getting bored with the situation, let his hand slip towards Sango. Just before he touched her very tantalizing bottom, a pal connected with his face.

"Don't even think about it, houshi."

"Sango, I wouldn't even dream of touching you without your permission."

She glared and turned back to the antics of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru who had both drawn their swords, again.

With tears still streaming down her cheeks, Kagome stood and faced the two brothers. As suddenly as they had appeared they stopped. An almost ferocious glare came upon her features. Both demons stopped whatever insults they had been yelling.

"WHAT DO YOU TWO BAKA'S THINK YOU'RE DOIING?" Kagome screamed and both brothers thought the same thing.

`Uh-oh.'

~*~THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO DID REVIEW~*~

Aira: Wow, you were actually waiting for this? Sorry it took such a long time.

spirit element: Don't worry, I wouldn't kill Inuyasha. I love him as much as I love Sesshoummaru.

tessa3: I'm glad you liked it, I thought people might find the prologue boring or confusing. I guess I shouldn't have worried about it so much. ^_^

Helen: Thank you for being my first and -as of right now- only MediaMiner reviewer! Also, thanks for pointing out the spelling error I'll try to catch that in the future.