InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Torn ❯ The Truth Unfolds ( Chapter 8 )

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Chapter Eight

 

The Truth Unfolds

 

 

 

(My thanks to Koga's Hentai Luver for beta'ing this chapter for me the first time around and for being able to actually give it a title. You go girl! I didn't have a beta for this edited version so all errors are mine alone)

 

 

 

“Wake up, Sunshine,” Kouga murmured into Inuyasha's ear and had the treat of seeing it flick back and forth.

 

Smirking, he tested the ear's response to his tickling breath. Again it twitched. The line of Inuyasha's body was pinned against Kouga as he spooned Inuyasha. He wasn't about to take advantage of the situation though. Inuyasha had been out of sorts last night, his mind overpowered by his demon blood. Today would be a day to distract his friend with some vigorous activity.

 

“Hey, mutt face, time to get up,” Kouga said a little louder while giving Inuyasha a shove.

 

“What!?” Inuyasha grumbled at being so rudely awakened.

 

“We've got lots to do today, so get your ass movin'.”

 

`Kouga? Where am I?' Inuyasha thought as his eyes slid partially open.

 

The scent of wolf permeated the air and the blur that greeted Inuyasha slowly solidified into rock walls covered in hanging furs. He scowled and tried to remember just how he had arrived here. The first thing that his mind managed to dredge up from the murky depths of his sleep induced stupor was dropping Shippou off at Miroku and Sango's. He followed the thread through his journey to Kouga's. The cliff. `Oh, that's right.' Rolling over and burying his face into the furs, he groaned as the memory of his demon's behavior washed over his brain.

 

“Hey, you alright?” Kouga asked, thinking that Inuyasha had suffered some injury that had not yet healed.

 

Inuyasha's words were muffled by the soft pelts beneath him. However, Kouga was able to decipher them.

 

“Go away.”

 

“Oh, no you don't. We're not starting this shit again. Get up. We're going hunting. If you hadn't noticed, I've been away so long that my pack is starving. And since it was because I was helping your brother, and you just happen to be here right now, I figure that you could at least help,” Kouga admonished.

 

With the mention of Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's half lucid world crashed down around his ears. One hell of a way to greet the day. Sleeping sounded really good; for a day, a week, a month, a year, if possible, the rest of his life. `Kagome should have just left me pinned to that damned tree.'

 

Inuyasha shivered when the covers were thrown back. It didn't take long for him to notice his nakedness, a reminder of his demon possession and the aftermath. But, Kouga wasn't going to relent. He had no choice. Today was starting no better than the day before. Another day to try to find another way.

 

Kouga sighed when Inuyasha rose and dressed without looking up and without making a sound. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have thought that his friend wasn't even breathing. He looked dead again. It's too soon to expect a full recovery, but damn, couldn't he at least show some improvement?' This was simply unacceptable. No one in his pack would be allowed to suffer like this.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kouga murmured, placing his index finger beneath Inuyasha's chin. He lifted Inuyasha's face and still, Inuyasha would not meet his gaze. “Look at me, damn it,” he growled.

 

`Why can't he just leave me alone? I'm no good for anyone. I don't deserve to be alive, just like Sesshoumaru always said. Just a fuck toy now. A whore. How much lower can I sink? A worthless hanyou. No one, nothing. Just in the way of those that should be living their lives in peace,' he thought while attempting to turn his face away.

 

“Look at me, Inuyasha,” Kouga insisted and gripped Inuyasha's jaw with his rough fingers.

 

Inuyasha raised his eyes to see concern in Kouga's expression; another person that he had burdened with his detestable presence. It wasn't fair to Kouga. The wolf prince had his own people to think about, so many responsibilities to fulfill. Kouga didn't need to be worried about a used up filthy rag like him. He had nothing to offer Kouga.

 

Kouga scowled at the emptiness in Inuyasha's eyes. “You fucking listen to me. We have things to do and you are going to enjoy doing them. Now straighten up. Come on,” he growled, turning Inuyasha around by his shoulders and giving him a shove toward the entrance.

 

~*~

 

It wasn't so bad. The physical exertion of hunting their quarry was invigorating. The earth seemed to welcome Inuyasha's bare feet. If only for a short while, Inuyasha's former self enjoyed being free to breathe in the world around him. The smell of grass crushed beneath his feet, moss-covered bark, and fresh clean air was a wonderful distraction. There was no Sesshoumaru; only the prey racing before him. It was like old times; taking care of his friends' needs. Being needed was a fulfilling thing indeed.

 

Kouga noticed the gradual changes in Inuyasha's demeanor and decided that he would keep Inuyasha busy until the hanyou collapsed from exhaustion. And that he did, this day and the next, and the next until an entire week had passed. Inuyasha seemed to be more alive, more interested and involved in the daily activities of the pack. Nevertheless, Kouga still did not trust Inuyasha's moods or motives.

 

He was pleasantly surprised that Inuyasha had not fought him about the sleeping arrangements. Night after night, they shared Kouga's bed. On a couple of mornings Kouga had awakened to find Inuyasha cuddled up against him and had taken the liberty of caressing Inuyasha's long, white mane. However, he had not tried to seduce his friend. He couldn't have Inuyasha bolting like a scared rabbit.

 

And while Kouga's thoughts were constantly tied up in occupying his friend, his senses so attuned to Inuyasha's moods, he had completely failed to recognize the well-concealed scent of a golden-eyed, demon lord whose vision was filtered through a purple haze.

 

~*~

 

Sesshoumaru had also watched Inuyasha step away from the edge of death, had watched Kouga's gentle yet firm treatment. Kouga had done well in protecting and providing for Inuyasha's every need. And what had he, Sesshoumaru, done? Destroyed his brother, driven him away, and broken him. After all the tender care that Inuyasha had given him, he had thrown it away like it was dirt beneath his feet. He was not worthy of Inuyasha's love, did not deserve him.

 

But oh, how he longed for it! And that longing hollowed out a gaping cavern of emptiness within his heart, leaving his body only an empty shell to harbor what little was left. How could he have known? It wasn't as though his mind had allowed him to see what his heart desired. Inuyasha had wormed his way through the maze of defenses that Sesshoumaru had built around his heart.

 

And now…

 

`It is too late.'

 

Dark, tainted blood dripped through Sesshoumaru's fingers, plopping to the ground in large, heavy drops. His claws dug into the palm of his hand as he stood with the certain knowledge that the wolf was more worthy than himself. He would never feel the caress of Inuyasha's fingers against the skin of his back, would never feel his brother's legs wrapped around his waist. But what couldn't be worse was being denied waging a battle to make the grumpy hanyou smile with his eyes. Those eyes, the shimmering, golden, sunshine eyes that sparkled up through a curtain of black lace when they were younger.

 

”Just say it, Sess!”

 

“Die, brat!”

 

The giggles of a certain hanyou child echoed through the halls of Sesshoumaru's mind. Lately, the memories were coming in smaller and smaller snatches. That wasn't the only oddity. He would find himself in the midst of a stand of trees or in a field and have absolutely no recollection of how he had arrived at his destination, nor did he have any idea where he had been intending to go. At times, he would wander, completely unaware that there were others with him until the long silences alerted him that something was not right. It was a chore to dig around in his mind for the realization that there was a human child that required his care and protection. And sometimes, he couldn't even remember her name or the name of the toad servant that had accompanied him for decades. Or had it been longer? It didn't matter. Nothing made sense.

 

Time was unimportant.

 

What was important?

 

He had forgotten.

 

The rough bark of the Goshinboku didn't complain as he rested his back against the old tree.

 

`What is it about this tree that attracts so many?' Sesshoumaru thought, sighing as his eyes drifted shut. Even the portion of the tree with the bark completely worn away from the fifty years Inuyasha had spent pinned against its trunk didn't jog his memory.

 

“Master Jakken,” Rin whispered.

 

“Yes, Rin?”

 

“Don't you think that Lord Sesshoumaru looks ill?”

 

“Don't be silly. Lord Sesshoumaru does not get ill! Stupid girl.”

 

Nevertheless, Jakken had noticed. His lord had been acting strangely and the demon's scent was off somehow. Being a toad demon, he didn't exactly have the sharpest of senses.

 

“He's too skinny and pale. And he looks lost most of the time.” Rin crept up to Sesshoumaru and knew by his soft, shallow breathing that he had fallen asleep. She studied his face for any information of what might be affecting him. It was obvious to her that he had been crushed when Inuyasha had left. But this was different, worse.

 

“Rin, he's likely to slice you in half if you startle him,” Jakken warned.

 

Rin spared him a quick glance from the corner of her eye. “Sesshoumaru-sama would never hurt me, Master Jakken.”

 

She turned back just in time to see thin trickles of purple, nearly black, liquid run in tiny trails from Sesshoumaru's tear ducts and right nostril.

 

“Master Jakken!” she nearly screamed.

 

A low growl was her only warning, but it was enough and she fell back and rolled away just as deadly claws swiped the air where she had just been kneeling.

 

The momentum of Sesshoumaru's arm carried him forward and he found himself propped up on his hand coughing up thick black bile. It wasn't the first time this had happened. However, it was the first time that his companions had observed it. He hadn't been prepared for the physical exertion that tended to bring on these episodes. Now he would not be able to avoid their questions, their attempts to help him. He needed no one's help. The only thing that he needed was to be left alone.

 

As he stared into the black sludge that his body had just rejected, it was not lost on him that the poison was settling deeper into his veins and organs. He knew this, had known it for days now. `I am the strongest youkai living. Why isn't my condition improving?' He gazed at the black liquid that had infected him and it seemed to swallow his entire vision.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru!” Rin and Jakken gasped in unison as Sesshoumaru collapsed to his side.

 

With their small statures, there was little in the way that they could do to make Sesshoumaru comfortable except to roll him onto his back. Rin grabbed a cloth from her pack that rested on the back of the two-headed dragon, Ah Uhn, while Jakken fetched some water.

 

“His skin is so cold,” Rin commented as she dabbed the liquid from Sesshoumaru's face. Regardless of her treatment, the liquid continued seeping from the sides of his eyelids.

 

“Master Jakken, Ah and Uhn will take me to get help while you protect Sesshoumaru-sama,” Rin called as she ran to the two-headed dragon.

 

“Rin! Come back here, girl! Sesshoumaru will kill me if anything happens to you!”

 

“Sesshoumaru can't hurt anybody right now. Take care of him or I'll be the one beating you up!” she called back. “Who should we go to, Ah Uhn? Jinenji might have a potion to make Sesshoumaru well, but without Inuyasha, he might not get better at all.”

 

Ah Uhn snorted and took flight toward the north with Rin astride his back.

 

 

~*~

 

 

“Inuyasha-saaaamaaaa,” came a call from the sky as a shadow flew across the fields. “Inuyashaaaa!”

 

“What the hell?” Inuyasha scowled as the sun blinded him when he looked up.

 

It was a miracle that such a large, lumbering beast could defy gravity, but Ah Uhn managed it with ease, lighting gently in front of the hanyou. Hakkaku and Ginta, who had accompanied Inuyasha to the river, took a step back, leaving Inuyasha to deal with the dragon.

 

“Inuyasha! Lord Sesshoumaru is sick. We need your help. He's all cold and has purple stuff coming out of him and…”

 

“Whoa, slow down, Rin. Tell me what happened, but slow this time okay?” Inuyasha said as he lifted her down from Ah Uhn's back. He couldn't tell her that he didn't give a shit about what had happened to Sesshoumaru, but he could lend an ear and see if there was something that he would be willing to do for her. After all, she needed Sesshoumaru.

 

Rin swallowed and tried to find a good place to start. “After you left, Sesshoumaru started acting weird. I think he kept getting lost and couldn't remember where he was. And he got skinny real fast. And then, today, purple stuff came out of his eyes and nose and then he coughed it up too. Now we can't wake him up. And he's really, really cold. And, and…here. I brought this for you to look at,” she said, pulling the stained cloth from her pocket.

 

“And he tried to hurt me today. Lord Sesshoumaru would never hurt me, Inuyasha-sama,” Rin whispered with pain and tears in her eyes. “Not before. Why would he do it now? I think...I think he doesn't know who I am! He has to be really sick and I'm afraid. Is he going to die?”

 

These were the thoughts that had plagued Rin as she and Ah Uhn had made their way across the countryside. Would Sesshoumaru forget her? Would he die? He was her father. She couldn't let him die. She loved him with all of her heart. Determination had ingrained itself in her bones. Her father would not die. It was not allowed.

 

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose and hissed, “Naraku's poison. We didn't get rid of it.”

 

`I should just let him die. It would serve the bastard right. But Rin needs him.' Then it dawned on him. “Rin, you said that he tried to hurt you. What did he do?”

 

“Oh, I don't think he really didn't meant it. He woke up too fast, I guess. But he's never done that before. He always knows who I am,” she said quickly in defense of her father.

 

“What happened?” Inuyasha pushed for details.

 

“I woke him up by accident and he tried to attack me, but he didn't know it was me. And I'm okay. Really. See?” She twirled around in front of Inuyasha to demonstrate that she had not been hurt. “Can we go get some medicine from Jinenji? I know that he can help Sesshoumaru-sama, but I don't know if he will get better if you're not there. Please, Inuyasha, I don't want...my father to die,” Rin said, choking on the last words.

 

“Shh, we won't let your Sesshoumaru-sama die,” Inuyasha murmured as he swiped away the tears forming around the edges of Rin's eyes. “Come on.”

 

Inuyasha easily lifted Rin and spun her up over his shoulders where he carried her. He didn't smell the scent of tears and safely assumed that she had been comforted. `She's a brave little thing. What the heck did she mean about me needing to be with that bastard?'

 

“Why do you think that Sesshoumaru will not get better if I'm not there?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Because he was so sad when you left. And sad people don't get better. They don't want to get better. Lord Sesshoumaru is strong and this should not happen to him. He didn't get medicine. So, I don't think he wants to get better. But I know that he would take medicine for you. He would do anything for you.”

 

Inuyasha chuckled bitterly. “I doubt it, Rin.”

 

“He's just sick right now and isn't himself. I don't think he even knows who he is sometimes,” Rin mused.

 

That hit home.

 

Even Inuyasha knew what that felt like. Waking up and not knowing what had just happened, not recognizing his friends, not knowing who he was. Oh, he was very close friends with that feeling. Possession by his demon blood was no fun. He never knew if he would one day wake up and find that he had slaughtered those most precious to him. The thought made him clench his jaws together.

 

`Is this happening to Sesshoumaru? Not that I care. But…maybe he wasn't himself when he killed me. It's possible. Maybe he didn't really want to do it. Maybe...maybe it wasn't his fault.'

 

“Rin, what did you mean when you said that sometimes Sesshoumaru looks like he's lost or doesn't know who he is?”

 

“Well, sometimes, he'll just stare at me for a long time, then he'll leave and when we find him, he just looks around like he doesn't know how he got there. And sometimes he looks at me like he doesn't know who I am. And sometimes when he looks at me it's scary, like he's someone else.”

 

Inuyasha felt Rin shiver involuntarily and correctly deduced that Sesshoumaru had probably been contemplating killing her. He had seen that expression on more occasions than he cared to remember. `So he even thought about killing Rin.'

 

“Rin, did he ever give Jakken the scary look?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Why didn't you run away?”

 

“I love Sesshoumaru and want to be with him forever. I will never leave his side. He needs my help right now.”

 

So simple, so pure and innocent. Why couldn't everything be so easy? She was just like Kagome. `Hm, she's Sesshoumaru's version of Kagome.'

 

`Kagome…' Inuyasha thought and reaching up fondled the earring. `I hope she is doing well.' He was surprised that he hadn't thought of her much lately, but then again, Kouga had kept him rather busy.

 

“Well, Rin, we'll try to help,” Inuyasha said, steeling his resolve for a task that could prove to be very emotionally painful. Perhaps he would find that Sesshoumaru had been under the influence of Naraku's poison that night. Or, he would find that he really wasn't wanted by his brother.

 

`Not that it should matter now,' he sighed to himself, feeling that old familiar resignation.

 

Dealing with Sesshoumaru so soon efficiently twisted his guts, but he had to be strong for Rin. She was more important. Why couldn't he have continued living like he was, forgetting the fact that Sesshoumaru had ever existed, that he had ever had a brother, someone that he loved, someone that he needed to have love him in return? He didn't want to need Sesshoumaru's love. `Damn.'

 

“Can we go faster, Inuyasha-sama?” Rin asked. “Sesshoumaru-sama is really bad sick and I'm afraid to take too long.”

 

“Okay, but you've gotta promise not to scream,” he said, sliding her down his back so that she could grip his waist with her legs.

 

It was familiar, racing death with someone on his back. Despite the fact that it was Sesshoumaru that needed saving, he smiled as he sprinted to his top speed.

 

“Hey! Wait for us!” Ginta and Hakkaku complained as Ah Uhn took to the air.

 

 

 

~*~

 

 

Kouga watched the red and white figure streaking toward him and noted the bundle that Inuyasha carried on his back. He knew exactly what that meant.

 

`Damn, it's too soon. He's not ready to deal with Sesshoumaru.'

 

Then a very unwanted thought occurred to him. `Sesshoumaru is sick and Rin came to get help. He'll find out that Sesshoumaru was poisoned. Fuck! I could lose him to that worthless bastard of a brother. And I've worked so fucking hard just to watch Sesshoumaru crush him again. I don't trust that bastard and I can't be there to watch out for Inuyasha twenty four hours a day. Fuck, fuck, fuck!'

 

“Yo, what's up, dog breath?” Kouga asked as nonchalantly as possible while Inuyasha skidded to a halt and squatted down to allow Rin to slip from his back.

 

Inuyasha took a deep breath, knowing that Kouga was not going to be happy about the fact that he was going to run off to help his brother, again.

 

“I'd rather we spoke privately, Kouga,” Inuyasha said hesitantly, not sure that Rin should overhear what could turn out to be a heated argument. “Rin, would you mind waiting with Ah Uhn while I have a very short talk with Kouga? We'll hurry, I promise,” he reassured her.

 

Rin nodded then turned and trotted out to the field where Ah Uhn had landed. She knew well that Kouga might turn out to be an obstacle, but she was going to do her best to save Sesshoumaru.

 

“Rin needs my help, Kouga. Sesshoumaru still has Naraku's poison in his body and he's pretty sick. He's all she's got,” he said, though he knew that Kouga was well aware of Rin's need for Sesshoumaru.

 

Kouga stood there studying Inuyasha's features, trying to discern any emotions that Inuyasha might have concerning this new development. Things could go downhill fast if Inuyasha got his hopes up. Right now, all he could see was a need for understanding, not a lingering hope.

 

Inuyasha watched as Kouga didn't even seem to be surprised or affected by the fact that Sesshoumaru was still poisoned. Why hadn't Kouga seemed surprised? Then hit him, hard.

 

“You knew. You knew, didn't you?” Inuyasha gasped.

 

“I will go with you,” Kouga stated, not responding to the question. “Let's pack,” he said, turning to go to his chambers.

 

“Hold on just one minute! You knew and you didn't tell me!?” Inuyasha yelled, grabbing Kouga by the shoulder, spinning him around.

 

“What does it matter,” Kouga spat. “He hated you then and he probably still does.”

 

“How could you!? How could you betray me like that?” Inuyasha demanded.

 

“Betray you!? Sesshoumaru's the one that killed you! Not me,” Kouga retorted, placing his hands on his hips.

 

“I can't believe you. It could have been the poison. It could have affected his mind. You saw what it did before. He wasn't acting like himself at all. He tried to kill Rin, Kouga. And from what she said, he's considered it several times. You put everyone around him in danger. Why would you do something like that!?”

 

“How was I supposed to know he would go crazy? I just wanted to get you as far away from the bastard as I could. And don't say that you didn't want to go. Don't you dare,” Kouga growled.

 

“But he was poisoned. You would have let him die? Rin needs him.”

 

“I was thinking about you, no one else. Besides, there was no reason why Sesshoumaru couldn't fight off the poison. He had already regained most of his strength. And if he didn't, we could take care of Rin.”

 

“You bastard. You fucking bastard.”

 

Inuyasha found himself flat on his back with Kouga straddling him.

 

“You listen to me, you stubborn idiot. I saved your fucking life by getting you away from him. Not telling you that he was still poisoned may not have been very smart on my part, but you're alive and that's all that matters to me. You are all that matters to me now, Inuyasha.”

 

Kouga's intense gaze bore through Inuyasha, leaving him no room to argue with Kouga's assertion. “I still can't believe you didn't tell me, Kouga. How could you not tell me?”

 

“It was easy, Inuyasha. If I had told you, we wouldn't have left. What would he have done to you next? I didn't want to wait around to find out. You were more important to me than him. You still are, but I will help him for Rin. Only for Rin.”

 

 

 

~*~

 

 

“Sesshoumaru.”

 

He could never mistake that deep resounding voice, always so commanding of one's attention.

 

“Father, where are you?” Sesshoumaru asked the darkness.

 

“You must be strong, Sesshoumaru, for those whom you love.”

 

“He does not love me,” rang off the inner walls of Sesshoumaru's mind.

 

“You are wrong, Sesshoumaru. His love is your strength. He will come for you.”

 

“I need no one in order to be strong,” Sesshoumaru growled. “My strength is my own.”

 

“Then why have you allowed this poison to consume you? This is the one thing that I had hoped you would learn. Nothing makes us stronger than our love for one another. Love him and let him love you. You have allowed this poison's contamination to run too deep and cannot defeat it alone.”

 

“Leave me be, father,” Sesshoumaru groaned as his aching body began to weigh heavily upon him.

 

“Let him love you…”

 

The voice drifted away as Sesshoumaru opened his eyes to find Jakken staring at him.

 

“Oh, Lord Sesshoumaru! I was so worried about you!” squawked the toad above him.

 

“Jakken,” Sesshoumaru hoarsely ground out. “Stop your noise before I do it for you.”

 

“Yes, me Lord!”

 

“Where is Rin?” Sesshoumaru asked after noticing the absence of his ward.

 

“She took Ah Uhn to get help for you, Lord Sesshoumaru,” Jakken said, wringing his scrawny little hands together in anxiety.

 

Groaning inwardly, Sesshoumaru sat up and rubbed his temples. Something oily clung to his fingertips and when he drew them away to look, he found them smeared in the blackening liquid that had been leaking from his tear ducts.

 

`Damn.'

 

“Jakken, you will stay here,” Sesshoumaru instructed as he rose from the ground. “Do not allow Rin to follow when she returns. Take her to the monk and the slayer,” he stated as his emaciated form shuffled deeper into the forest.

 

“But…but.”

 

A precisely aimed stone smacked Jakken on his head.

 

“Yes, me Lord,” Jakken sighed.

 

 

~*~

 

 

“Where is he, Master Jakken?” asked Rin as she jumped from Ah Uhn's back.

 

“I don't know, Rin, but he told me to take you to Miroku and Sango. I fear that he does not plan to return.”

 

“Stupid idiot,” Inuyasha scowled.

 

“Well, looks like we'll have to hunt him,” Kouga said, sniffing the air.

 

“He'll kill you both,” Jakken huffed. “He wants to be alone.”

 

“Master Jakken, Sesshoumaru-sama is too weak to hurt anyone.”

 

“What do you call this!?” Jakken squawked, pointing to the receding lump on his head.

 

“Pffft! That's nothing,” Rin scoffed.

 

“Rin, you and Jakken stay here with the dragon. Kouga and I will find Sesshoumaru and bring him back so we can take him to Jinenji,” Inuyasha instructed before sniffing the air and heading deeper into the shadows of the forest with Kouga right behind.

 

“Do you think we'll be able to get him to come with us?” Kouga asked as they leapt over a fallen tree.

 

“I'll drag him if I have to.” Inuyasha sniffed. “The scent is getting stronger. Damn, I hate that smell. Even from hell, Naraku is getting his way,” he growled.

 

“You might know that Naraku wouldn't let us off easy,” Kouga replied as they wove between the thickening wall of trees.

 

“Where the fuck is he? He's right here, but I don't see him,” Inuyasha asked himself aloud, slowing his pace.

 

“Look up, mutt face,” Kouga said, point his finger straight up where Sesshoumaru reclined on a fairly large tree branch.

 

Inuyasha looked up just in time to receive a splat in the middle of his forehead.

 

“What the hell?”

 

Even before wiping it away, he knew what had attacked him. The scent of Naraku's poison assaulted his nose, nearly gagging him. He didn't waste any time leaping to the branch that was cradling Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru didn't stir as the branch slightly swayed under Inuyasha's weight. His head was tipped forward, poison dripping from his nose and onto his lap. The pristine satin clothing was once again stained in the areas of his former wounds.

 

“Damn, his wounds have rotted open again. This is bad, Kouga. Even if we hurry, I don't know if we can do anything for him.”

 

`And it's your fault,' Inuyasha thought, avoiding looking at Kouga.

 

It was difficult, but Inuyasha managed to balance the tall lord in his arms before leaping out of the tree. Upon landing, Sesshoumaru grunted and fluid spilled from his mouth. A lump rose in Inuyasha's throat at the thought that he may not be able to save his brother this time. If his brother died, he would make sure that Kouga paid, and dearly.

 

Inuyasha's scowl was enough to warn Kouga to keep his distance. He trailed behind, keeping his silence. `I don't want to go with him, but if Sesshoumaru dies, he's going to need someone; and I'm the only one he's got right now,' Kouga pondered. `Damn Sesshoumaru for not taking care of himself. Why would he do this? It's as though he came out here to die. He did tell Jakken to take Rin to Sango and Miroku. Was losing Inuyasha so hard on him that he broke too? That's hard to believe, but that's exactly what it looks like. Would losing Inuyasha break me? No, I'm not near that attached to him.' He sighed. `We are only friends after all, very good friends, despite my desire for him. Can't help it, he's sexy as hell.'

 

Inuyasha slowed his pace. “Kouga, Rin shouldn't see Sesshoumaru like this. But, I'm not sure what to do about her.”

 

Inuyasha was right. Rin might `officially freak out'; one of Kagome's occasional phrases. Ah Uhn would definitely be needed to transport Sesshoumaru, but then Rin would be left with one less protector. That meant that either he or Inuyasha would take the dragon's place. That settled it. Inuyasha definitely wouldn't be left behind and there was no way in hell that Kouga was going to take Sesshoumaru anywhere. Inuyasha interrupted Kouga's thoughts on the subject.

 

“Well, I'm taking Sesshoumaru to Jinenji, which leaves you to take care of Rin,” Inuyasha said. “You need to go on ahead of me and get her out of here.”

 

“My thoughts exactly, Inuyasha,” Kouga replied. “I'll take good care of Rin. May kami-sama be with you,” he called as he sprinted away.

 

There was no question about it. Not only was Sesshoumaru a mess, but his old wounds needed dressing. Once again, Inuyasha was put in a position of ripping the regal clothing from his brother. Near panic etched Inuyasha's face as he stripped away Sesshoumaru's clothing. The skin beneath it was puffy and chalk gray, the color of death.

 

`You're not dead yet, Sesshoumaru, and I'll be damned if you die while I'm around.'

 

Once Sesshoumaru's wounds were dressed, Inuyasha mounted Ah Uhn. “Alright, dragon. Let's see just how fast you can fly.”

 

For such a thickly-proportioned beast, Ah Uhn more than pleased Inuyasha with its speed. His hair whipped wildly behind him and he was almost tempted to tell the dragon to slow down for fear that Sesshoumaru would be jostled. However, Ah Uhn's strides were surprisingly smooth. Leave it to Sesshoumaru to obtain such a powerful yet graceful beast.

 

”It seems like we've done this before. Hmm? Sesshoumaru? I don't know what is happening, but I'll help you. No promises beyond that. You hurt me in the worst way possible and I can't...”

 

Inuyasha looked at the strangely colored sky. On rare days he felt as though he could touch it, the colors so radiant and oddly hued. Today they were the palest blue at the horizon, deepening as his eyes rose to stare off into the distance. It was a painting so marvelous that it was distracting him.

 

”You know, I should thank you. You should see the sky. It's beautiful, amazing, and I would have never noticed had you not shoved my face into the dirt. From down there, the only thing I could do was look up. At least something good came out of it.”

 

Inuyasha spoke in hushed whispers. Why was it so easy to talk to his brother when he knew that there would be no answer? He could save Sesshoumaru the uncomfortable need to respond and himself the pain of harsh rebuttals. `He can't backtalk me that's why.'

 

Something tickled his chest. Sesshoumaru was lightly clutching the cloth of his haori, amber eyes barely opened to slits.

 

“You...came,” Sesshoumaru rasped then coughed up vile liquid.

 

“Shh, save your strength, Sesshoumaru,” Inuyasha murmured, tenderly resting his lips on Sesshoumaru's forehead.

 

The great lord appeared so vulnerable and weak. Not just physically. It was more than that. His features appeared resigned, even in his half lucid state. Inuyasha felt as though he were holding in his arms someone else entirely. It was difficult to equate this person with the cold, hard, and powerful demon that had so casually snuffed out his life.

 

“It is...beautiful...,” Sesshoumaru choked then swallowed.

 

Inuyasha furrowed his brow, wondering just what Sesshoumaru was talking about. “Oh, the sky. You noticed, eh? Well, you were up in the trees,” Inuyasha smirked, but his eyes did not shine with humor.

 

“Like you...,” Sesshoumaru sighed.

 

“Up in the trees?”

 

But Sesshoumaru didn't answer. His neck had gone limp again and his face had fallen into Inuyasha's chest. Inuyasha lifted his head and tipped his nose into the clean rushing air, dispelling the scent of Naraku that clung to Sesshoumaru and allowing his mind to be cleansed as well.

 

 

~*~

 

 

The hanyou, Jinenji, towered over Inuyasha, his extremely large blue eyes examining the demon lord resting in Inuyasha's arms. Inuyasha glared at Jinenji's mother.

 

“Well!? Aren't you going to do something?” Inuyasha huffed impatiently.

 

“He sure does stink, doesn't he, son? I can smell it and I'm just human,” commented the old woman.

 

“Tell me somethin' I don't know. Oh! Like how to get rid of the poison!” Inuyasha exclaimed.

 

“Patience, Inuyasha,” soothed the ever gentle Jinenji. “Give him to me,” he said, reaching out a hand large enough to nearly cradle Sesshoumaru.

 

Inuyasha allowed Jinenji to take his brother from him, but watched intently to be certain that Sesshoumaru was handled with the utmost care. Jinenji appeared to listen to Sesshoumaru's chest before tipping Sesshoumaru's upper body forward then he gave a gentle tap to Sesshoumaru's back. Of course, it was gentle by Jinenji's standards, but not quite by Inuyasha's.

 

“Hey! What are you trying to do, beat him to death!?”

 

Jinenji ignored Inuyasha and repeated the treatment. Sesshoumaru, though still unconscious, coughed and sputtered, the poison spattering Jinenji's arm as it flew from his throat.

 

“It is in his lungs, Inuyasha. They must be kept open. He will drown in it otherwise,” Jinenji said softly as he handed Sesshoumaru back to Inuyasha who proceeded to sit down and clean Sesshoumaru.

 

“I can make an elixir that will help to make him stronger, but I do not wish to attempt to treat the poison. If I were to try the wrong substance, it could kill him. This poison is powerful and I'm not willing to risk it. It would be better to simply help him fight it,” Jinenji explained.

 

“Help him fight it? Without something to get rid of the poison? How are we supposed to do that?” Inuyasha scoffed.

 

“Spiritual nourishment, Inuyasha. We all need it. Even if I had something to treat this poison, it might not have saved him. Can't you feel how weak his heart is?”

 

“Well, duh. He's sick!” Inuyasha exclaimed, exasperated. His frustration was driving him beyond the limits of sanity. While this idiot procrastinated, Sesshoumaru was dying in his arms.

 

“No, Inuyasha. I think you know what I mean. Is there anyone that could anchor him to this world, someone he loves?” Jinenji asked, remembering the little girl that had previously visited him to gather flowers that would save Jakken, Sesshoumaru's servant.

 

“He's a full-blooded demon, Jinenji. He doesn't know how to love,” Inuyasha bit out, shoving his pain as far down into his gut as possible.

 

Jinenji didn't miss the flash of emotion that blinked across Inuyasha's golden eyes. “The girl, Rin. Where is she?” he asked quietly.

 

“I didn't think that she should see Sesshoumaru like this. A friend of mine is taking care of her.”

 

“We will bathe him and clean his clothing while you retrieve her.”

 

“I'm not going to leave him,” Inuyasha insisted.

 

Jinenji gazed at Inuyasha. Though the tender beast seemed naive, he understood Inuyasha's heart. And though he wouldn't have normally separated Inuyasha from Sesshoumaru, the dying lord needed any and all that he loved.

 

“You must bring her, Inuyasha. She may be able to hold him to this world.”

 

Inuyasha understood what Jinenji meant and though he knew the hanyou was correct, he found the idea of leaving Sesshoumaru almost too much to bear. It had to be done though. And that was that.

 

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

Much thanks to my readers and reviewers. You all are such an encouragement.

I Lurv You All

 

MM.ORG

 

Nikkie23534

Hi Nikkie! Thanks so much for sticking with me and reviewing. Oh wow, awesome scores! Thanks! I'm so glad to hear that my editing has made a difference. More depth was what I was aiming for. Thanks for letting me know that I managed that.

 

wbk

Thank you so much for the detailed review. Yeah, I didn't want emo Inuyasha to drag the story down. Also, Kouga is too self-confident to allow Inuyasha to wallow. It's kind of weird that Takahashi had Kouga tell Kagome to stay with Inu after Kikyou died again. He was concerned about Inuyasha's seeming depression. Cool. I must think like she does because I've done stuff like that since my first fic. Thanks for letting me know that what I did worked! ^_^

 

AFF

 

Pumpkinpi

Thanks for the review and I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. Seizures and med adjustments kept me down, but I'm much better now!

 

Vyperbites

Hi! Thanks for the review and I'm so sorry it took so long for an update.

 

ladytokyo

Hi! Thanks so much for reviewing. It's awesome to see my readers get so worked up about what is happening. It means I did good! ^_^ I hope this chapter helps clear up a couple of things and that you are enjoying it as well.

 

aleabeth

Hi! Good to see you around. Oh, you are so right about broken hearts. Who's behind door three!? LOL Thanks so much for reviewing and sorry it took so long. I'll try to have more up on Y! Gallery soon.

 

Jen Bean

Thanks so much for the awesome review! If I can move readers to tears, I've done my job. ^_^ Thanks for letting me know. I think I cried when I wrote it. LOL

 

nm1716

Thanks for reviewing. Sorry it took so long to update. Seizures had been giving me a lot of trouble, but I'm better now. ^_^

 

silver

Thanks for reviewing! All of my stories have happy endings. ^_^ Hope you like this chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

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*Disclaimer*

 

Inuyasha and all associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I make no profit from this story, nor do I intend to. My only goal is to occupy my demented mind with delusions of actually owning a life-sized, anatomically correct Sesshoumaru.<i

 

 

 

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