Overcoming Adversity

(Edited for nit-pickers on fan fiction.net. Sorry for bumping again)

Inuyasha would have been out of the house sooner had his mother not demanded he remain for an extra five minutes to eat breakfast. He couldn’t tell her that it was crucial that he get out of the house and to the school as quickly as possible so as not to enrage his full youkai half brother into believing he had skipped out on his half of the bargain.

To make up for the five minute delay, he raced along the street, fingers wrapped around the sheathed blade of the sword he carried with him, his body moving in a blur that surpassed the speed of the cars struggling to escape the morning rush. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, the hanyou soared quickly through the air, not daring to slow down and walk along the sidewalk as he normally did, for fear that someone would find a teenage boy with an authentic sword a bit on the suspicious side.

It wasn’t long after he reached the school’s vicinity that he was able to sniff out the scent of his brother, and trail it to an alley nearby, where he found Sesshoumaru waiting, stiffly staring off into spare as if unaware…though Inuyasha knew otherwise.

“I’ve brought the sword,” he announced, walking up and thrusting it out, as if terribly glad to be rid of it.

Sesshoumaru stared at his younger half brother. There was something amidst, though he couldn’t quite place what it was. Inuyasha had outright refused on many occasions to hand over their father’s fang, now suddenly he was almost happy to be rid of it. It appeared to be the same sword, and still carried the powerful aura of magic, yet, something was wrong.

It didn’t smell the same.

He was able to sense that now. Willing to put it to the test and risk touching it, Sesshoumaru snarled and snatched the blade from Inuyasha’s hand, gripping the hilt and drawing it from the dark sheathe. “This is not the same sword.”

“It’s Dad’s sword.”

“I requested Tessaiga.”

“You asked for the sword. When we made our deal, I told you I’d bring the sword. I never said which one, and you agreed to it on those terms.” Inuyasha didn’t dare to breathe, and stared back at his brother, waiting for the inevitable fury that would emerge. This was it, Sesshoumaru was going to rage out, and tear him apart.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and waited.

Not a damned thing happened, in fact, he felt nothing more than a rush of wind, passing him, and when he opened his eyes, he found he stood alone in the alley, and that Sesshoumaru had left. But he had taken the sword which was all that mattered. His brother had been honor bound to uphold his own end of the bargain, and recognized when he had lost. Inuyasha smirked, unable to help but allow a wide grin of victory to curve the corners of his mouth.

“Today is a wonderful day,” he spoke aloud as he continued for the school building, wondering how his brother’s mood would differ from the snotty, aristocratic temper he previously showed.

***

Sesshoumaru saw red. However, the rage that steadily boiled inside him never showed on the outside, and he was able, through will and determination to not lose his inherie ane and become another worthless and poor youkai, to sit still and silent as if nothing at all were wrong.

“Hogosha-sensei? Are you alright?” a female student asked, noticing the way he simply stared forward and through every student in his line of sight. It was actually beginning to scare many of the teenagers, and their expressions almost made him believe his concealing spell had worn off a few weeks too early. But no, he still felt the dark miko magic laced throughout his own. His youkai traits were hidden, it was merely his expression that frightened them.

“Do not worry about me. Open your textbooks to Chapter 2. There will be no lecture today.”

It was hard not to see the many relieved faces throughout the classroom. Their teacher did not talk often, but when he was forced to, he had gone on and on, using so many large and flowery words that they wondered if perhaps he would be better suited to teach Tokashi-sensei’s advanced English class. His one lecture had made up for several days of near silence, and only the fastest writers had been able to keep up with him. Never mind that thnotenotes had also spanned more than three pages. No one should know that much about Japan’s history. Their new teacher had to be a machine!

The sound of twenty books almost opening in unison would have normally pleased Sesshoumaru, to see that they were learning quickly to obey him without question or hesitation, and that his intimidation tactics were successfulnfornfortunately, he was using every ounce of strength and will power he had to not tear the school apart and step on every little creature that attempted to scurry out of his path.

When lunch rolled around, his temper was actually beginning to subside.

Sesshoumaru never ate during the lunch period, preferring not to partake in the human food served in the cafeteria. He also dared not to have his servant venture out of his home. Jaken was practically useless to him in the human city, regardless of his own concealing spell.

“Hogosha-san?” a soft voice whispered from the doorway. The sound of footsteps approached, with an almost imperceptible delay. The youkai turned, and saw Rin standing in front of the desk, balancing a tray that held a steaming mug of freshly made tea. “One of the students mentioned you seemed to be ill. I thought you would like some tea.”

“Do not concern yourself with me. I need nothing.”

Rin ignored him and gently laid the tray down on a bare spot of wood.

“I told you, I need nothing.”

“You may change your mind.” She smiled warmly at him, then turned around slowly, tenderly keeping her weight off of her left ankle as much as possible.

“You are injured.”

Rin blinked, and found herself turning around again to face the white-haired sensei. “It’s nothing too painful. Silly and clumsy me…I slipped and fell,” she murmured, adjusting the story a little. Truthfully, she had fallen while running into the school, and felt like such an idiot for being frightened of two teenage boys that she refused to tell anyone why she had fallen.

That wasn’t what was important, though. What mattered was that this intimidating figure, that had not shown an ounce of compassion for anyone, had pointed out she was injured. Maybe he hadn’t asked if she was okay, or openly shown any concern for her well-being, but he had pointed it out nonetheless, with enough of a tone to his comment to appear inquiring about how it happened.

“I see.” This human walked on an injured ankle to bring me tea… “Do not worry about me. I will be fine.” He turned around again, ending the conversation by facing the window to resume his silent contemplation, aloof nature resurfacing.

Rin smiled at his back. He was opening up little by little, soon, he might even be a friend. Without bothering him further, she limped from the room and across the hall to her own classroom.

***

Tryouts hadn’t even begun, and already, observing students were piling into the bleachers, girlfriends and best friends anxious to root for the jock in particular they wanted to see make the cut. The football coach had done a double take when Inuyasha walked onto the field, permission slip bearing his mother’s name and ready to be handed over.

The tests themselves for tryouts were rather easy. His only competition when running laps were Miroku and Naraku. His human friend was able to almost keep pace with befobefore tiring out and running at an easy lope, just fast enough to kaheaahead of the other students trying out. On the other hand there was Naraku, who had the suspicious scent of a hanyou, and was an annoyance that he couldn’t seem to smoke no matter what. They were neck and neck for quite a while before Inuyasha managed to pull ahead at the last moment, completing the lap by touching the finish line at perhaps a half second faster than his dark-haired opponent.

“Amazing!” the coach cried. “The speed that you two young men possess is incredible!” He had to get both of them on the team. How many touchdowns would his team score with speed like that carrying the football across the yard lines?

As it turned out, Inuyasha had shit for throwing skills. A football in his hands was a deadly weapon that never arrived to its proper destination. Miroku made up for his failure, and never missed a single goal.

“Wonderful. This’ll be the best team the school’s seen in years!” the enthused coach cried, slapping Miroku heavily on the back.

Receiving throws wouldn’t have been difficult at all were it not for Inuyasha’s long claws. He had jumped up for the football, tucked into a roll and took off running for the score line, only to discover his thumb nail had punched the football during the catch.

The coach was impressed with the moves that all three of his obvious future star players displayed.

Sango and Kagome cheered in the stands the entire time, and it wasn’t even an real game. The team wasn’t even complete or official for that matter. Watching their men show off had been almost exciting, that and the fact that they both secretly were anxious to see the boys clad in tight football pants.

When tryouts ended that day, three students had obviously secured their positions on the team.

Two sweaty, and excited young men approached their girlfriends, or girlfriend and friend, grinning from ear to ear.

“Where’s my congratulatory kiss, Sango?” Miroku teased.

“Pig. Humph.”

Kagome pinched her nose, turning her head slightly. “You two SMELL.”

“Hey!” Inuyasha had half a mind to stuff her head under his arm pit. “You don’t smell so fresh yourself either, wench!” It was a comment that luckily went unheard, or ignored. Occasionally, Inuyasha forgot his canine nose, and the fact that the subtle scents of a woman’s body went unnoticed by others without his sensitivity of smell. If Kagome had taken his comment to heart, he would have had quite a time explaining why he could smell what evidently no one else was able to. Blood. Why do human females have to bleed so damned much?

“We merely smell like the very masculine men that we are,” Miroku cut in, making a poor attempt to save his male pride.

“You smell like two egotistical jerks in need of showers. Go clean up and we’ll go celebrate your new spots on the team,” Sango said, giving the human boy a gentle shove in the shoulders toward the school direction.

“The coach hasn’t even made up his mind yet,” Miroku pointed out.

“We both saw the look on his face. He wants you mor more than we do!” the older girl joked. Inuyasha scowled.

“I know!” Kagome cried, startling Inuyasha who stood beside her.

“What!”

“There’s a new skating rink on the corner of Mein Street and Umi Road. Let’s go there.”

Miroku brightened immediately after the stinky jokes. “That sounds great!”

“You only want to look at the girl’s skate and help them up when they fall!” Sango yelled, her face turning red, and pulse racing so hard Kagome could have sworn she saw the vein jumping on her forehead.

“I can’t skate…” Inuyasha muttered. “How about somewhere else. Maybe the movies?”

“We’ve been to the movies on our other two dates, Inuyasha.”

“Dates?” Miroku asked, lifting both brows.

“So they’re dates now? What happened to them being friendly outings, Kagome?” her cousin ribbed her.

“Ugh. You two know what I mean!” A change in subject was in order, and Kagome whirled around to face the silver-haired hunk quickly. “I can teach you to skate. It’ll be fun.”

Fun? Falling on my face and making an ass of myself is going to be fun? “Fine. I’ve got to run home first and let Mom know I’ll be out. I‘ll meet you there!” Before Miroku could offer his cell phone, Inuyasha had taken off running.

There was no way in hell he was cleaning up in the locker room. While he trusted Miroku and knew the guy would not openly look, an accidental glance was possible, and Inuyasha always hid his ears at all costs.

***

Rin always stayed behind on Wednesdays, but the pain in her ankle was becoming nothing short of unbearable. Were she not paid by a meager teacher’s salary, and so ridiculously low on money, she may have called a cab to ride her home. Luckily, the distance was not too much, and she could arrive home with one cut through the dark alleys and side streets, rather than going completely around.

Thankful that she had no homework to grade this evening, and nothing to carry but her own person as she limped along, Rin made her way through the school parking lot, gingerly walking on her sore ankle. A walk that would normally take half an hour, seemed to have doubled in length. I’ll never get home at this rate, she thought, wishing she had splurged a little and spent the thousand yen a cab ride would have cost her.

Rin squeezed between the fence as usual, entering the small side street, that could hardly be called a st. T. This was her normal route home, and every day for the past year and a half, she had walked this way to reach her small apartment, yet today, there was a chill to the air and a foreboding presence that tempted her to turn back and walk in the light where other pedestrians were sure to be.

But I want to be home now. I’ll have to walk another hour for sure if I take the long route in this condition.

Stubbornly, she proceeded forward, reaching the curve in the alley where light from neithnd ond of it reached. She was preparing to run forward and ignore the pain in her ankle when a shadow flew past her, a blur of motion that caused her to give a startled cry.

The shadow whizzed past again, moving in speeds that were nearly too quick for Rin’s human eyes to focus upon. “What do you want with me!?” she cried, assuming some supernatural presence had come for her. She was never the type to believe in demons, ghosts, or apparitions, but there was nothing else that this thing could be. No human could move with such unnatural speed.

Rin did the only thing a human in her position could do. She turned to run back towards the school. She had to warn the others, she had to let the students and other teachers know there was a monster nearby, but most of all, she had to save her new friend. Opening her mouth to scream out in terror, Rin ignored the stabbing pain in her ankle, and sprinted down the alley. The cry that would have emerged from her throat never touched the air, cut off as her body made contact with the nearby wall. Her ribs snapped, and the sharp fractured tips pushed into muscle. A strong hand grabbed the back of her head, yanking handfuls of her chocolate brown locks. Another face first slam into the wall was all it took to kill the small human female, who was thrown unceremoniously to the ground, a small trickle of blood pouring from the corner of her mouth, the flesh of her forehead bruised and bleeding.

Her lavender-haired killer turned and walked away, more victims to stalk, one more task to perform for his master.

***

Sesshoumaru had had enough. By the end of the day he was still quite ready to tear something apart, and thought he would if he remained behind in the school any longer.

A healing sword. What use have I for a sword without the ability to destroy? he thought repeatedly. The note that had tumbled out of the sheath had his brother’s scent lingering on its creased surface, but the handwriting bore his father’s strong and graceful lines and curves

It was never my intention to become a father again, Sesshoumaru, but as the fates would have it, I was blessed again with a second child. You were always intended to be my sole successor and heir, and wielder of Tessaiga, but recent developments have led me to believe that my first decision would have been devastating in more ways than one. While there is no doubt in my mind that you possess the power and strength to unlock the secrets of my sword and use Tessaiga’s full potential, I must give that sword to your younger brother. I know that you are hurt and angry, Sesshoumaru, but soon my reasons will become clear to you. Tenseiga is a weapon of my own fang, crafted to protect you as Tessaiga will surely protect Inuyasha’s mind and body. It lacks the destructive power of its brother, just as Inuyasha lacks his brother’s destructive power, however, it is by no means weaker or of less value. As a healing sword, Tenseiga cannot destroy, but it can save one hundred lives with one stroke. Use it well, and it will always guard over you, my son.

Sesshoumarowlrowled audibly, a low rumble that vibrated in his throat and upper chest. The dog demon rose from his chair, throwing his coat over his shoulders and ensuring that Tenseiga was not in the view of humans who would find the practice of carrying a sword odd, especially in modern day Japan where such was illegal.

Sesshoumaru closed his classroom door behind him and stalked down the halls to the school exit to leave. Every day, he walked home, preferring not to drine one of the vehicles that most teachers did. Driving was something he had learned to do three decades ago, he simply preferred to move with use of his own two feet, now that it was all but impossible to use Ahun in current civilization.

No sooner had he stepped out the doors into the wide open air did a rush of wind, one of the many cool breezes that announced the coming of autumn, pass by and assault him with the scent foul scent of youki. A scent so horrible he almost reacted outwardly to show his disgust and lost his calm, emotionless expression. Another demon near the school? He was slightly put out, no, rather offended that another demon even came to his chosen territory without paying respect to him, Lord of the Western demon colonies.

Sesshoumaru sniffed once more, striding forward with intention of causing great harm. Laced with the youki, almost hidden beneath its stench, was the faint smell of blood. Flexing his claws, he followed the trail, his nose alerting him to another scent, that of the human female that had spent the last three days forcing friendship upon him. A dark brow raised beneath his white bangs, and he entered the ally, hopping effortlessly over the chain link fence.

The scent of blood invaded his nostrils, becoming stronger the closer he drew to his target. Already, he knew that the demon had sensed him and fled as the fading scent alerted him, but the youkai itself was no longer a concern. It was the blood that bothered him.

He found her laying belly down on the filthy ground, eyes wide and staring, face battered with bruises and nose crushed. One glance told him there was no longer any life inside her.

Why would a youkai go out of its way and make an appearance in human society merely to kill one human girl barely into adulthood?

-Thump Thump-

His thoughts were interrupted by the pulsing of magic at his s It It echoed and thudded as if possessing a heartbeat and will of its own. Several times, the lingering youki of his father pulsed in the sword, until Sesshoumaru was forced to draw it, the gleaming blade showing his own reflection briefly, before the scene before him shadowed, the shape of three figures descended upon Rin’s corpse.

So it is true. The blade pulsed again, emitting a cloud of youki and power, as if commanding him to act. So these imps are minions of the underworld…Let’s test it… Tenseiga‘s strength. A mighty swipe of his sword cleaved all three imps into halves that quickly disintegrated. Tenseiga’s power cascaded over the dead female, and the light slowly faded, the thumping that had insisted he draw its blade quieted. Still holding the sword in one hand, Sesshoumaru lowered into a crouch and slid his free hand beneath Rin’s shoulders, staring intently at her bruised face. Before his very eyes, he saw the worst of the bruising fade away, and heard her heart slowly begin to beat again within the once silent chest cavity. Rin gasped out loud, sight returning to her eyes, air rushing into her lungs.

The blurred image above her slowly came into focus, inteintense golden eyes peered back down at her. She was captivated and awed into a state of speechlessness. He’s an angel. He saved me. I should be dead, but he saved me. Is this what an angel looks like? Never before had she seen a creature so beautiful, so perfect and flawless. Her fingers tingled, hands aching to raise so that she could brush one of the magenta stripes on his cheek, or run her thumb over the crescent moon centered at his forehead.

Sesshoumaru stared back at her, silent. When it seemed she had made enough of a recovery to stand, he removed his arm from beneath her, and stood, turning his back to her. The concealing spell has failed. One wave of youki from Tenseiga was able to abolish it.

Rin rose shakily to her feet, and found the expected pain in her ankle was no more. Her brown eyes quickly shifted to the sword in his hand, then scanned the alleyway for signs of a struggle besides her own. The monster’s corpse was nowhere in sight, the alley was vacant but for her and her angel.

“Hogosha-sama?”

“You should return to your home and tell no one of what you have seen.”

“My angel,” she murmured softly, in a voice so low that only his youkai ears would have heard it. Sesshoumaru stiffened, though he made no move to turn and face her. It was Rin who walked around him to gaze once more into the depths of his cool amber eyes, and marvel at the exquisite features of his true, youkai form. “Thank you…” she whispered. “Even if you aren’t an angel, then it doesn’t matter, but you saved me, and I owe my life to you.”

Sesshoumaru turned silently towards the street, and when no verbal objection came to her following, Rin found herself trailing behind him. “If you wish to come along,” he spoke over his shoulder, “You will watch carefully. I will not slow down for you.” And then, it seemed at if he disappeared.

Rin desperately wanted to know more, about what happened to her, and how she had been returned to life. She stumbled out onto the side walk, eyes turning slowly over the rooftops and through the crowd. A split second glimpse of silken white directly ahead told her which direction to run.

***

Inuyasha refused to budge from the seat he had perched on to slip into his rented skates. For the past five minutes, Kagome had put up a valiant effort to coax ashaasha to his feet and out on the floor to join their friends. Each time she tried to pull him up, he locked his fingers beneath the edges of his seat and held on until she gave up.

“Inuyasha, you’ll never learn if you just sit there!“

“Who said I wanted to learn?“

Miroku and Sango zipped past, laughing as they tried to out do one another, both zipping out onto the rink on identical roller blades. “Come join us, Inuyasha!” Miroku called.

“Come on, please?” It was her expression that did it. The pouting lips, poked out and looking so pitiful and pleading…plump and enticing. One lap around the rink couldn’t hurt too bad…

“I’ll do it…on one condition,” he said, holding up a finger. “A kiss.”

Her lips had parted for argument, though she found she had no real reason not to. How many dates had they done on? And how many times had he been a perfect gentleman? Hadn‘t he played with her brother, ate her mother‘s cooking, and respected her grandfather? “Well…alright,” she agreed, trying not to give it any thought. Kagome leaned forward, meaning to press her lips against his in a quick, chaste kiss. Before she could draw away and lean back, Inuyasha’s hands had her by the waist, and held her still before him. Much like the first time they kissed, sweet and gentle. There was no tongue down her throat, or groping of her behind (as Mu wou would have done).

Inuyasha released her, and grinned sheepishly before trying to stand. The wheels of one skate turned, and he wobbled for several seconds before Kagome slid an arm around his waist to steady him. “Be careful. Don’t try to go too fast on your first try.”

***

Skating wasn’t as bad as Inuyasha imagined it would be, but it was still something he found he was unable to look forward tong ang again. By the end of the night, he was able to move and stand on his own, balancing better than Kagome had her first time skating.

“You’re better already!” she exclaimed. Miroku and Sango agreed, and the compliment, combined with Inuyasha’s desire to show off for ‘his girl’ prompted him to take off down the rink. “Inuyasha, wait! I didn’t teach you how to brake!”

-Thud- “Ahhhhhh!”

Miroku, Sango, and Kagome winced.

***

Kagome peered over at the grumpy Inuyasha, and couldn’t’ help but giggle at the look on his face. “Oh come on, are you ever going to stop being angry at me?”

“Braking was the first thing you should have taught me!”

“Inuyasha, you’re not even hurt. Your nose looks perfectly fine now. It doesn’t even seem like you hit the wall as hard as you did,” the girl attempted to soothe. Up front, Miroku snickered silently, and parked the car near the shrine.

“Is your grandfather home, Kagome?”

“He should be. What’s up, Miroku?”

The teen drew a thick envelope from the inside of his jacket. “My father wanted me to give this to him after tryouts, and I just remembered. Dad told me he called last night, worried about something.”

The four teens each opened their respective car doors and climbed out, trekking up the shrine steps. “That’s strange. I wonder what those two old men are up to.”

At the top of the steps, Kagome ran forward towards the doors of the house and called inside. “Jii-chan! Mom! I’m home and I brought my friends!”

Her grandfather appeared at the door so quickly that Kagome nearly fell off of the steps. “Jii-chan, don’t scare me like that! Miroku is here and he bro--”

“Kagome, look out!”

Everyone turned around to see a figure rushing out of the darkness, descending with inhuman speed for Kagome’s direction. The collision never occurred, as Inuyasha put his own body in the path of the demon, protecting both girl and grandfather from the attack that might have claimed both of their lives.

Inuyasha skidded back several feet and growled, flexing his clawed fingers out. It’s a demon, but what the hell is he doing here?

“Miroku! The package!” the elderly man yelled. “Hurry!” The youth sprinted up the steps, thrusting the package of unknown content into the old man’s hands. It was ripped open, revealing a stack of written sutra and talismans. “Demon, be gone!” Kagome’s grandfather cried, flinging one of the sheets of parchment at the demon as it raced towards them again. It made contact with the broad surface of the demon’s torso, and erupted into flame, singing and burning its target. The demon recoiled, but wasted no time in pursuing its target again.

I can’t stand by and watch them get slaughtered…not when I can protect them…I can’t keep this secret any longer, Inuyasha thought grimly,kingking away the scarf over his ears and running forward towards the lavender haired monster. “Sankon Tessou!” he snarled, claws flashing as he swung for the other youkai’s body. His narrow miss was enough to force the demon back, and Inuyasha turned briefly to the others. “Get in the house!”

Juuroumaru charged, knocking the wind out of the distracted ou. ou. The old man stepped forward with another holy card, flinging it towards the dangerous demon threatening his family.

Miroku rushed to Sango, and tried to get her out of harm’s way, tugging her onto the porch and towards the door of the shrine. “Come on, Sango, it’s not safe out here!”

“We can’t just leave him alone to fight that thing!” she argued.

Kagome’s grandfather pushed her back with one hand, attempting to keep his granddaughter safe behind him. As the hanyou fought, he threw scroll after scroll at the demon, who seemed to possess limitless strength and stamina.

Inuyasha was thrown back, colliding with the sacred tree. By the time the hanyou stood again, it was too late. He saw Kagome’s slender body sailing through the air, her grandfather laying still on the ground and unconscious, the rest of his sutras and scrolls fluttering in the grass. Inuyasha sniffed and could smell the distinct scent of her blood on the wind, pouring from the gash in her side. Along with her body, a glittering object flew with her.

“Kagome!” Mrs. Higurashi screamed, atting ing to rush out to her daughter, only to be held back by Sango and Miroku. After hearing screams and ordering Souta to stay in the house, Mrs. Higurashi had ran to the doorway to see the fight unfolding before her. It didn’t matter that a demon was fighting a boy with dog ears in her yard, what mattered was that her baby girl was hurt, and laying on the ground bleeding.

Inuyasha growled. He didn’t know what the purple marble was that the youkai cut from Kagome’s body, but it had just signed its death warrant. As he rushed forward again, he saw that the lavender-haired demon was already missing a hand, which lay on the ground scorched and useless several feet away. He hadn’t done that, and neither had her grandfather…her Kagome done it?

“Sankon Tessou!” The jewel on the ground distracted the demon, and Inuyasha scored a direct hit to its shoulder. His claws slid through flesh, rending muscle and tn frn from bone. The limb fell to the ground.

Miroku pushed the two women back. “Keep Mrs. Higurashi here, Sango,” he told her, darting forward and scooping up the nearby scrolls that had fallen inches from Grandpa’s hand. While Inuyasha’s claws kept it busy, he prayed to the heavens above that his idea would work, and threw a single scroll.

A/N: You guys don’t know how glad I am that most of you are being so polite, rather than overly critical as some choose to be when they read. Whether good or bad though, I’m just going to keep on trucking and write as if everything said were something good. The sweet reviews are the ones that make me write so quickly, and stay up longer at night to finish a chapter for, and it’s the sweet reviews that I’ll -continue- writing for, unphased. You guys are great, and I’m glad you’re liking the story so much.