InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Secrets of the Shinju (Part I): Sesshoumaru's Stolen Memories ❯ Sibling Rivalry ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Two

Sibling Rivalry

That night when they made camp, InuYasha pulled Kagome aside. "You stay far away from Sesshoumaru; I don't trust him for a second." He glanced back at his brother, who was standing near Miroku. He appeared to have asked the monk a question and Miroku was doing his best to answer it. Sango approached InuYasha and Kagome. "I will have Kilala stand guard tonight, just in case." InuYasha nodded and then walked towards Miroku.

Sango turned to Kagome, "Do you really believe he has lost his memory?" Kagome thought for a moment and then nodded her head "Sesshoumaru is too proud to put on an act like this. He would never stoop to traveling with us, not even to gain the Tetsusaiga." Sango thought about this for a minute and then agreed. "I wonder what happened to him. He doesn't appear to have taken any injuries that would explain his memory loss."

Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru thoughtfully for a moment and then walked in his direction. "Sesshoumaru, do you remember anything that has happened to you recently? Anything that could have caused your memory loss?" He looked at her then replied curtly "As of early today I did not even know my name, what would lead you to believe I would remember anything else, woman?" She stepped back and thought `well, he didn't lose his arrogance that's for sure' Still she stayed her ground, "sometimes when people suffer from amnesia they begin to get their memory back a little at a time, I was just wondering if you are beginning to remember anything at all." He stared at her for a few seconds and then shook his head. He then turned and walked away from the group.

`He is in torment, just like in my dream. Not knowing who he is; is probably driving him insane.' The group gathered around the fire that night to sleep, with the exception of Sesshoumaru who sat under a nearby tree. Kilala stood guard over them. Kagome woke hours later and noticed that Sesshoumaru was gone. She quickly stood and looked to Kilala. The animal looked in the direction from which they had traveled. "Kilala, I will be right back. Stay here and keep a watch over everyone else. If I need you I will call, ok?" The large cat looked at her and then sat on the ground again.

She found Sesshoumaru not far from camp. He stood looking up at the moon through the trees. She walked up beside him and stood for a moment before speaking. "Are you alright, Sesshoumaru?" He did not answer her right away, and then turned to look at her. "Tell me all you know about me." She stood there for a moment, trying to decide what she could tell him that would not involve telling him that he was traveling with enemies. "Your name is Sesshoumaru. InuYasha is your half brother." His eyes widened and he spoke "Yes, I could sense something between him and I. I take it we don't get along well. My feelings for him are not kind ones." She took in a breath and told him that the brothers had had differences in the past. For now that seemed to satisfy him. He again looked up at the moon, as if it held all the answers he needed.

"What else can you tell me?" he questioned. "You are a fierce Demon, which many fear. You hold the title of the Lord of the Western Lands." She could see his pride swell slightly. "Do you fear me, woman?" She looked at him seriously "At times I do; however, right now I would like to help you and hope you do not intend to give me reason to fear you." He glanced at her again, "as of now, I have no reason to put fear into you."

She stood there in silence for a moment and then they heard loud rustling from the way of camp. InuYasha lunged at Kagome and pulled her behind him. "I thought I told you to stay away from him?!?" Sesshoumaru stared down his brother, "I have no desire to harm anyone, yet…" He let the rest of the sentence hang there with a threat. InuYasha pushed Kagome back towards camp. "Kagome, he could easily kill you. Don't go off alone with him again!" He was furious. "InuYasha, Kilala knew where I was and she could have heard me if I needed her help."

Once they got back to camp InuYasha remained awake. Kagome decided to lie down again and fell back to sleep. A short time later Sesshoumaru re-appeared and sat under the tree again. InuYasha kept a watchful eye on him. He noticed that his brother kept glancing at Kagome. InuYasha wanted to know what exactly she had told him. Telling him too much could put all of their lives in danger.

They were up at first light and again began to travel. InuYasha kept Kagome close at his side, not giving her a chance to speak with Sesshoumaru again. She could tell Sesshoumaru had more questions he would like to ask her, but was unable. Finally they stopped for a rest and she and Sango went to the lake for a quick bath. InuYasha and Sesshoumaru sat contemplating each other. Miroku took Shippou and Kilala for a walk, promising InuYasha that he would stay away from the lake.

"What is it, brother, which makes me dislike you so?" Sesshoumaru asked in a hard voice. `So, Kagome told him that we are brothers…wonder what else she said' "Just a little sibling rivalry." InuYasha kept his reply short. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed and he continued "you do not have full demon blood in you, I can smell it. Do we share a mother or father?" InuYasha glanced up at Sesshoumaru "father". Sesshoumaru nodded his head, "I suspected so." They sat there in silence until Sesshoumaru again spoke. "The human you travel with, you have not claimed her as a mate. Why do you care if she is harmed?" InuYasha's head lurched upwards. "I need Kagome for something very important. Besides I wouldn't let you hurt her even if I didn't." Sesshoumaru looked at his brother and then asked "And the other humans you travel with?" InuYasha's eyes were burning with anger. "I won't allow you to harm any of them!" Sesshoumaru stared at his brother and finally added "Good, at least you have some honor, brother. It would be disgraceful if you chose to not protect your comrades." InuYasha sat there dumbfounded for a moment. Was that a compliment from Sesshoumaru?

When the girls returned to camp they began preparing to leave. Miroku joined them shortly afterwards with Shippou and Kilala. They would not reach the village until the next day, so again that night they had to prepare camp. Again Sesshoumaru separated himself from the rest and Kilala watched over them. InuYasha awoke during the night and saw that everyone was sleeping except Sesshoumaru. Again he was staring at Kagome, almost as though he were trying to figure out who she was. InuYasha gave Kilala a warning look and she seemed to understand. She stood and began to pace then sat down protectively near Kagome and Sango. They didn't wake again until morning.