InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Whispered Dreams ❯ Between Brothers ( Chapter 7 )

* Whispered Dreams *

By: Youkai Yume

Yume: OMG! It's been sooo friggin' long! I feel so ashamed! Over a month (or two) since I came back to this fic!

CF: But Yume-high school exit exams! School started! HW!

Yume: Yes, the work is piling up! I barely have any time left. Okay, once again, the recap. Last time, Sesshomaru (now fully grown) tells Kagome that he's going away on a trip-

CF: (waves around plastic sword) FOR TETSUSAIGA! (laughs) engaurd, Yume-sama!

Yume: Hushies.

CF: (drops sword) Aw, you're no fun!

Yume: A few of you seem to think that this fic will somehow meld with the regular series-This fic is 100% AU. Meaning certain events like their father's fang will be played out differently.

CF: There is no modern day Kagome with Inuyasha….there is no Kagome falling down a well and collecting Shikon shards. AU!

Yume: Also, Bakasano, a tree demon that Sesshomaru visits in the Anime series will make an appearance in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the shirt on my back…and pants too, cuz I can't go around pantless now can I? Lol.

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Chapter 7: Between Brothers

The leaves and groves of trees were tainted with a light golden glow as the early rays of a morning sun tinted over the pink horizon. Silver hair whipped behind him, creating the illusion of a snow-white blanket. The demon lord allowed himself to enjoy the brisk morning breeze, relaxing in his seat on his twin-headed dragon, Ah Un's, back.

Behind him, a rather disheveled and airsick toad of a retainer clung on pathetically to his seat. Obviously very much uncomfortable with the height that they were traveling. Sesshomaru laid golden eyes to the rolling clouds that flew past.

He had always known Jaken hated traveling by air, but the little toad would never bring himself to complain, and the taiyoukai would never bother himself with any pity for the toad to care anyway.

A sudden vision of a girl with sparkling sapphire depths and a warm smile flashed in his head, and he felt a twinge of guilt. If Kagome knew about Jaken, he knew she would immediately feel compassion and had begged him to make traveling more comfortable for the retainer-despite the fact that he was almost sure she would've found him "icky."

Sesshomaru restrained a sigh that threatened to pass cold lips. `Kagome…' He thought with a sudden fondness. He had only left the young girl behind a few hours ago, but already he missed his best friend. `It will be most unusual not seeing her tonight…' He mused idly.

The demon lord had grown accustomed to always visiting the ghost of a girl so often that it had become a way of life…she was always there by his side night after night, sharing her warm smile and laughing her melodic laughter.

Yes, it would seem strange not seeing her for a while, as his travels would take days-possibly weeks before he would return. Pushing away his thoughts on Kagome, Sesshomaru narrowed golden eyes to cold, unfeeling slits.

He had a goal he needed to fulfill, an heirloom that he needed to collect left behind by his late father. His grip on the reins of the dragon tightened. He would get what he desired and conquer over one more obstacle before he would return to the awaiting welcome of his secret comfort.

`Tetsusaiga will be mine…'

* Flashback *

It seemed to be an exceptionally windy cold day despite the sun that filtered through the tree's swaying rooftops. The thick forest seemed to be whispering forgotten secrets as the demon lord made his way silently through the trees.

Golden eyes narrowed when he finally spotted the one particular tree he was looking for. Larger, and more aged than the rest of the forest, and yet still lush with emerald leaves. Sesshomaru stopped directly in front of it.

This tree had been here possibly since the beginning of time…and during that time it had seem many things, heard many things, and had a deep wisdom that surpassed all else.

"Bakasano," Sesshomaru called out to it, his voice void of emotion. Slowly, but surely, the bark of the tree began to twist and form into that of a face. It resembled that of a wary old man, the bark looking like wrinkled lines on it's face.

It's eyes stiffly opened, it looked as if in a bored manner up at the taiyoukai of the west.

"Lord Sesshomaru," The low, weary voice greeted in return. "I have been expecting your arrival," The willowy tree drawled in a somewhat booming voice that echoed into the surrounding forest. "Ever since the death of Lord Inutaisho."

Sesshomaru stiffened at the mention of his father's name.

"Then you know the reason as to why I am here," The demon lord replied coldly. He watched as the tree closed his half-lidded eyes, drawing in a deep breath.

"You are after your father's fang…Tetsusaiga." Bakasano looked at him once more, watching for an expression. Of course, there was none.

"I was told he had left behind heirlooms in the wake of his death. A sword forged of his own fang." The aged tree listened intently, studying the demon lord with a calculating and yet still calm look that would rival Sesshomaru's. "The fang that could slay a hundred demons in one stroke."

Bakasano did not move his gaze when Sesshomaru finished.

"If you know so much about the sword already, then why did you seek me out, Lord Sesshomaru?" He questioned in a monotone voice. The Taiyoukai narrowed his gaze, as if drawing out the conclusion that he was amused.

"I need to know of the Tetsusaiga's whereabouts," Sesshomaru answered emotionlessly. Bakasano's eyes bore into his ivory form, studying with tired eyes.

"You seek to obtain such a devastating power?" He asked, his bark lips curved in a stiff frown. "With all of the strength you already obtain, I see no need for you to possess more…"

"There is no such thing as too much power," The demon lord snapped coldly. "Only complete domination." The tree demon closed his eyes from the demon lord, absorbing Sesshomaru's merciless and deadly aura…something that he had seemingly inherited from his father.

He could not help but wonder, that somewhere behind those golden depths was a ray of compassion-something that he had hoped the young demon prince had inherited from Lord Inutaisho as well. `Perhaps if he did then I could tell him of the other sword…'

"My patience wears thin, Bakasano," Sesshomaru interrupted the tree youkai's thoughts with his cold voice. If he could sigh, Bakasano would've.

"Lord Inutaisho had kept it well-guarded in a sacred shrine where he hoped would remain until its' rightful owner came to claim the fang." He said slowly. "Tetsusaiga is protected under a powerful spell."

"How do you know all of this? Did my father tell you?" Sesshomaru asked calmly. Bakasano chuckled.

"As well as I knew your father, he does not tell me everything. But the trees and forests hear many things, listening to the secrets that are carried by the wind. We are aware." Bakasano replied.

"The sacred shrine…" Sesshomaru started.

"Is near a village called Ookami, surrounded by forests."

Upon the mention of the village name, Sesshomaru's golden eyes flickered with recognition. It tugged at his memory like a child pulling at a parent's clothing to get attention. And it was then that the image of a young boy with silver hair so very much like his own, dressed in garments of the deepest red and cocky amber depths appeared in his head. The demon lord frowned.

`Inuyasha…' He thought with distaste. Ookami village was the same place his half-brother was rumored to be residing in now; alongside a powerful miko. `Do you know of father's fang as well?' He wondered if his younger sibling was out to seek the ultimate weapon of destruction as well, and it brought a flame to his gaze.

No one shall possess such a sword but him. Turning on his heels, he started to leave.

"I see, then it is time to claim what is mine," Sesshomaru said in a smooth, deep voice. Before Bakasano could say anything more, the demon lord had already melded into the dark, shadowed forests…

A deep frown was etched on the aged tree demon's lips.

"But the sword is not yours to claim…Sesshomaru-sama…" He whispered before returning back to his original state.

* End Flashback *

His golden eyes closed upon the ending of the memory. That had only been a couple of days ago, and immediately after, was the night of the full moon, in which he told Kagome of his plans. He felt a bit guilty for telling her on such short notice, seeing as how crestfallen she had looked when he had told her about Tetsusaiga.

She, like Bakasano, couldn't understand why he would want such a sword in the first place.

"It kills people!" She had exclaimed. "One hundred to be exact, in one swoop!" His lips thinned at the recollection of her voice. One hundred DEMONS he had corrected her, but she still didn't like the idea of it at all.

Sesshomaru knew she didn't like any kind of killing…he smiled at the side of her at having compassion for anything and anyone.

"It is my birthright, I must have it," He explained to her before he left. The demon lord felt a deep pang in his stomach when Kagome had shaken her head disapprovingly then, but still swallowed her protests and said that she wished him luck in whatever he set out to do.

Sesshomaru sighed. She always supported him no matter what. He was just silently glad that she was blissfully ignorant of the other harsh realities of his nature were. Again, Kagome had always managed to remain innocent throughout the years. And he wanted to keep her that way.

What would she think of him, if she knew how truly cruel and merciless he could be? Shaking his head of such thoughts, the Taiyoukai decided he'd never want to know.

His molten depths reopened to the world when familiar scents wafted into his nose. That of his father's, and that of his brother's.

A sea of green lay beneath him, and up ahead he could see a small, humble village with its' people bustling in the fields. Even farther, behind the village, his demon eyesight could see gates guarding a foreboding shrine. He smirked as his senses picked up strong magic coming from it.

`I am near…'

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Snowy, white ears swiveled from side to side as the young hanyou lay spread out in a relaxed manner on the thick tree branch. Amber eyes traveled lazily up the skies, and he draped an arm over his face to block some of the midday sun from his vision.

The leaves swayed lazily above him, and he let out a sigh.

`Nothing unusual happens around here anymore…' he thought, bored. Sitting up, he let out a yawn and stretched, looking down at the village below now and then.

It was strange, but the village people, who were frightened and condescending upon his arrival, had now gotten used-and even friendly-towards him since he came here one year ago.

He sighed, remembering the day when he had left the castle of the Western Lands. He had been locked in a sparring match with his elder brother then, and though it was nothing more than that, it was still as if he was fighting for his life.

Sesshomaru showed no mercy. Not even to his own brother. The memory brought a growl to his lips. How the demon lord had looked down at him as if he was a speck of dirt, utterly beneath him. It was always like that, even when their father was alive…

How he hated that look…as if Sesshomaru hated him for everything-he didn't even do anything! And yet to this very day, he still didn't understand why his brother had still raised and taken care of him as he did. Even when he was scolding the pup for doing something he considered to be utterly stupid, there would be some flicker of kindness-yes KINDNESS in his eyes…

The hanyou growled once more. But that didn't stop him from being condescending to him still. It was if the demon lord would always be better than he in everything. He could never be quite as graceful as Sesshomaru, not as skilled as Sesshomaru when it came to battle, not good enough for anything!

When he lay there, fallen with his sword knocked out of his hands, sprawled on the floor, and panting as he gazed up at his brother who stood triumphant over him…

Fists tightened by his side. The taiyoukai had said nothing to him then, just looked at him as if he had once again, proven his point.

Not good enough.

He had decided then, that he wouldn't be a lurking in Sesshomaru's shadow once more. He would be his own person, not set by limits and reminded everyday at how imperfect he was next to his oh so perfect demon lord of a brother.

The hanyou had left that day. Smirking to himself as he imagined his brother's golden eyes watching his back as he left over the horizon of the Western Lands.

"Inuyasha?" A soft voice broke his reverie, and he turned amber orbs down to rest upon the young miko with long, ebony hair and deep chocolate brown eyes. "Is something troubling you?" The maiden asked.

Shaking his head, he jumped down from his perch beside her. He couldn't help but feel warm when he was beside her, all of his bitter thoughts seemed to melt away. It was one of the reasons why Inuyasha decided to give up being a drifter and nestled here…in Ookami village near HER.

"No, Kikyo. Just thinking about my past, that's all," Was his reply. The priestess only nodded, taking her seat underneath the tree and motioning him to sit beside her. Hesitantly, the hanyou kneeled next her in his `doggy' sit.

Kikyo found it rather cute when he did so, but she'd never say anything about it.

"Your past…you have never told me much about it," She started, brown eyes gazing off into the distance.

"Well, there's not much to tell, rather than I used to live with my brother who was a jackass beyond compare…" He mumbled. Kikyo only smiled at this, and stared at Inuyasha intently.

"He must have a heart if he raised you," She reasoned.

"Feh."

Kikyo still wore her smile, and pretty soon, her brown orbs closed in deep contemplation.

"I would like to say that today seems like just like any other ordinary day, but…" Her expression grew serious. "I cannot help but feel, as if something is coming. Or rather someone."

Inuyasha quirked an eyebrow at her, and suddenly his whole frame went rigid as a familiar scent was carried by the winds. The young miko looked curiously up at him as he stood up quickly, his amber eyes shining with an unreadable emotion.

"Inuyasha?" She stood up as well. "What is it?"

As if on cue, he turned his gaze upwards, where the once cloudless sky was now streaked with a silver wisps clouds. A growl emanated from Inuyasha's throat when he saw the form of a two headed dragon, and someone riding it.

"Sesshomaru…" He muttered. `What are you doing here, brother?'

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The proud Taiyoukai felt a sense of victory when he landed at the steps of the shrine. Already, he could sense a strong barrier preventing intruders from entering it. He vaguely wondered if it would keep him out.

"Let us make haste, milord!" Jaken squeaked, jumping off of Ah and Un. In an effort to prove that he was useful and had plenty of initiative, the little toad charged straight in, unaware of the barrier that lay before them.

The demon lord found it quite amusing when his retainer hit the barrier with a flash and a loud "zap" before stumbling backwards in a rather disheveled state.

He let out a rather pathetic whimper as he lay swirly-eyed on the ground. Sesshomaru mentally sighed and stepped over the toad, approaching the barrier. His eyes never left the gates of the shrine. Upon his close proximity, the barrier flickered a bluish glow, but not in such threatening or fierce light as it did Jaken.

This intrigued the demon lord, and he brought up a tentative hand to touch the barrier.

"No, milord! It'll…" Jaken, who was now standing, trailed off when he saw Sesshomaru to be having no trouble at all.

Golden eyes narrowed when the barrier hummed under his fingertips, as if it was accepting him. Without hesitation, Sesshomaru took one step towards the barrier, and was mildly surprised that it let him pass without harm.

Without a single emotion flitting across his perfect features, the demon lord did not hesitate to proceed to the gates.

"Wait for me, Milord!" Jaken squealed, and ran after him only to once again, get stung by the barrier.

Ignoring his retainer's wails, Sesshomaru walked past the front gates, but before he could actually pass, a deafening cry sounded from overhead.

The demon lord calmly stepped aside, avoiding huge, crushing talons as it crashed into the earth below. Golden eyes were narrowed when he examined the otherworldly creature. `A demon?'

It was a large bird-hardly a bird really, since it didn't have any feathers, or flesh…only a skeletal shell of menace.

`A guardian…' He should've known his father wouldn't just let him pass so easily. No matter, it was still only a pile of squawking bones. The giant skeletal bird gave a piercing cry at him before lunging at the demon lord, it's beak wide open with glistening teeth.

Sesshomaru managed to dodge it with ease, moving past it in a silver blur and in seconds was standing on it's large back.

"Child's play," He noted to himself with a note of disappointment in his voice. Drawing out his golden youkai whip, he lashed down at his prey beneath him, sending the massive bone structure to crack and crumble beneath him.

It gave out a deafening cry of defeat, before it turned into ashes, carried by the cold wind that came with the rising of the moon.

Sesshomaru looked down at the ashes stoically before continuing into the shrine. `A waste of energy…' He scoffed mentally in his head at his father's poor choice in guards for such a precious keepsake.

The shoji doors slid open for him easily, and golden eyes perused the darkened room of the shrine. It was simple, not very extravagant at all, with only a few misty candles lighted here and there. The smoke weaving gray wisps of smoke throughout the room, giving it the effect as if there was a haze in the interior of the shrine.

But Sesshomaru paid no heed to the room. No, he was much more interested in the item situated at the far end of it.

With silent steps, he glided across the floor, molten depths flickering in anticipation and a thin smirk curved at his lips when he stood directly before it.

There sheathed in a rusty and worn scabbard, placed upon a magnificent threshold, was Tetsusaiga.

With slender fingers, he reached out to touch it, to claim it…

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"Inuyasha, why are we pursuing that demon?" Kikyo asked, clutching onto his hoari as he carried her on his back, speeding through the forest. The hanyou growled.

"If I know Sesshomaru, he's up to something. I doubt he was just passing by on a leisurely stroll," He barked. His brother always had a reason behind his actions. Always.

Though, there were those occasional times when he was living with the demon lord that Sesshomaru would disappear night after night, walking in the woods. Doing what, Inuyasha never knew, and every time he asked his brother about it, he would only receive a grunt of annoyance and a condescending look.

"I have my reasons," Was what he would always say. Turning his attention back to the winding path before him and following the scent of Sesshomaru, Inuyasha couldn't help but let out a scoff.

Why would it be different now? Sesshomaru always had a reason for everything, and anything else would only be wasting time.

Though, the half-breed couldn't help but wonder, somewhere in his random thoughts, if Sesshomaru still disappeared for nights on end into the woods…

"Inuyasha…" He was brought out of his thoughts at the voice of the woman behind him. "Is this…where he went?" She asked, pointing at a cryptic shrine with a pile of broken bones of a demon lying in a heap in front of the gates.

His brother scent was strong here…Averting his amber eyes, he let them trail over to where a two headed dragon knelt patiently on the side. On top of it was…

"Jaken?!" He sputtered. The toad looked up suddenly at the mention of his name, snapping out of his state of moping. His eyes bugged out even more when he recognized the owner of the voice.

"L-Lord Inuyasha!" He fell off of his perch on Ah Un with a thump. "W-What are you…"

But before the toad could finish, Inuyasha had sped up the steps, carrying Kikyo and passing through the barrier without even knowing it.

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His fingers were just mere inches away from the sword's hilt. Sesshomaru could practically feel the sword's pulsating power. But before he could touch it…

"SESSHOMARU!" A gruff and familiar voice shouted, echoing off of the walls of the room. Golden eyes narrowed and a sense of annoyance fell over him when he laid eyes on the intruder that stood in the hallway.

"Inuyasha." He greeted, his voice calm and deadly as amber met gold in the darkened room. A reunion between brothers.

[END CHAPTER]

Yume: Arg…so late for everything! So ashamed! Oh, it's way too late, no review responses for today, though I'm truly grateful to all those who DID REVIEW! MUCH LOVE! ^^

CF: Yume, don't make this a habit…

Yume: I'll try not to. And I'll try to update more often as well. OH!

CF: Remember when we asked you all to nominate?

Yume: hehe, well, now it's time for theVOTING TO BEGIN! So please VOTE for our fanfics for an award on "A Single Spark: A Kagome and Sesshoumaru Site"

CF: KAP-KING! Thanks sooo much! ^^

YumE: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! No flames.

Ja Ne! ^_~