Serpents and Dog Demons

a/n : Man this is a fun story to write. I hope you enjoy reading it. Anyway Kagome bashing kindda starts taking off, and Inuyasha is turned into a ... anyway read and if you enjoy please review. Comments, slangs, suggestions welcome.

Chapter 5 : The Child Within...

The explosion tore through the walls of the fake palace. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and Sango sheltering them from the blow, as he jumped with them, out the window. Miroku and Ban with Shippo on his back jumped out the main door. The palace had had the scent of Naraku all over it. When they had gone to check it out, they had been led by shadow like creatures to the middle of the palace where explosions had been set off. Luckily Miroku had sensed it and the group scattered as the palace erupted in fire and smoke.

As soon as they were out, Sango saw Kohaku running away in the trees, she broke away from Inuyasha, swinging on to Kilala she gave chase. Shadows caught Inuyasha's eye, he pushed Kagome behind him and attacked the shadows. Kagome drew out her bow and moved to a better location to fire, she loosed an arrow and the shadows disappeared. Inuyasha turned just in time to see a puppet of the smirking Naraku fire a barrage of strange energy balls straight at Kagome's back. He didn't bother to yell a warning, moving with the new levels of speed he had achieved from his training with Ban, he managed to push the Miko down and blocked most of the attack with the Tessaiga. The few that struck him burned worse then acid. The parts of his skin unshielded by the firerat robe, was eaten by the acid.

Naraku's puppet's eyes widened at the new show of speed. This was the first time the group had met Naraku since Ban had joined them.

"Interfering Hanyou! Let's see what they do without you!" The puppet turned into a writhing mass of tentacles and lunged at Inuyasha. Knowing Kagome was on the ground behind him, the Hanyou did not try to dodge instead he swung the Tessaiga at the mass, cutting it in two. The mass disintegrated into a powder that splashed the Hanyou's face and body. The rest of the group ran round the corner just in time to see the disintegration of the mass and Inuyasha cough and splutter as the powder hit him.

"Is that poison?" Shippo yelled.

"I seem fine," Kagome who had been splashed by a little of the powder said after a few seconds.

"Keh! I thought the blasted thing was supposed to kill me, but its just made me sneeze. I'm not even sneezing now." Inuyasha said dusting off the rest of the powder, he winced as the acid marks burned his arms and neck creating huge wounds. Nothing a day's healing would not take care of, but damn they hurt.

Miroku gave them a quick once over and nodded "The acid did a number on you Inuyasha. The powder however seems to have no effect, maybe it is a failed attempt. That bastard has to have a few experiments, that are well, ineffective."

"Kukuku! A failure is it? True monk, oh well!" A smug voice said from the woods, "Then lets try something that we know works!"

"Naraku!" Inuyasha growled ignoring the pain, the group scattered as the real Naraku send an energy blast at the group. The evil half demon, with Kohaku standing vacant eyed beside him disappeared as the huge boomerang tore though the area he was standing in. "Dammit get back here coward! Blast that Naraku!" The slayer emerging from the forest screamed in frustration.

Miasma triggered by the energy blast began to rise coiling from the ground.

The was Ban's first run in with Naraku's Miasa, he assumed it was like the normal stuff, that he shrugged off as easily as Inuyasha did.

"Shit! The damn miasma is pretty thick! There is nothing else here, lets get out." Inuyasha said coughing slightly. Lesser demons began to emerge, they would have to fight their way out. Inuyasha led the charge with Ban taking the back. The demons were not powerful, but as always the lesser demons traveled in packs and the journey out was arduous.

When they finally made it to higher ground, everyone was exhausted. They collapsed, coughing and throwing up the miasma. Kagome quickly bandaged Inuyasha's most obvious wounds.

"Hey!" Shippo said suddenly, "BanMidou is not here! What happened?" The kit looked around, a little worried, he couldn't remember the warrior behind him.

Inuyasha who was lying flat in exhaustion and from the pain, sat up with a jerk. "Dammit! That blue-eyed jerk!" He growled picking up his sword.

"Inuyasha you are badly hurt. You cant go back in there. Ban-san is a warrior I sure he doesn't need your help. He will probably be out in a minute." Kagome said grabbing on to Inuyasha's arm.

"Keh! BanMidou is not used to the miasma, I ain't waiting!" the Hanyou didn't hesitate further, he yanked his hand from Kagome's grasp and plunged into the valley before Kagome could stop him. His body hurt, and his senses strained in the Miasma, still Inuyasha did not stop, he could not, he would never leave one of his own behind. He back tracked fighting the demons that came at him.

Then he saw it. On his knees, Ban was fighting off monsters in a clearing created from trees that had been brought down by the battle. But he was far from his usual form, His movement were slower, and he could not seem to stand. Every time he attempted to, his feet seemed to give way.

"Wind Scar!" The demons around the Jagan Master were disintegrated as Inuyasha blasted the Demons attacking his friend. As soon as there was a small break in the demon attacks, Inuyasha ran to Ban to help him stand.

"Inuyasha!" Ban's eyes widened as the silver haired youth, helped him up. "You came back, to save ME?" There was a wealth of surprise in Ban's voice, he was used to saving people, after all he never lost a fight, so no one ever thought to come back for him. Given enough time he would have won this as well, having the obviously hurt and exhausted half demon come back to save him, gave Ban the strangest feeling. He allowed Inuyasha to slug him onto his shoulder. His ankles were useless, the Miasa had paralyzed his body. Ban had managed to push the paralysis to below his knees, when the wave of demons had attacked him.

"I'm sorry puppy," Ban said softly into the soft thick hair, "I didn't mean to cause you trouble, but this fucking Miasma is different, it took me by surprise."

"Keh, you ain't trouble BanMidou, in fact you should eat more, you are actually lighter then Kagome." Both males chuckled at that, as Inuyasha, with Ban secure on his back, rushed out of the valley. Another wave of demons came at them, and this time, Ban released the Jagan. Inuyasha watched in amazement as the demons, froze! Then trapped in a nightmare, the demons began lashing out, mindlessly attacking each other. Inuyasha watched contemplatively for a second, then sped off. Inuyasha wondered at what kind of mind was able to give demons nightmare.

"Thanks Inuyasha, you saved me." Ban said softly into velvet doggy ears just as they exited the Miasma. Inuyasha went bright red. Whether he was blushing from the praise or from the feel on Ban's breath in his ears, even Inuyasha could not tell.

"If I can, I.. I..I'll always save you!" Inuyasha mumbled going even a darker shade of red, as he tightened his grip on Ban. The Hanyou felt, Ban's lips smile against his shoulder and his hair was playfully tugged by Ban. "Meh! What arrogance, as if I need that much saving!" Inuyasha turned, golden eyes met blue in understanding.

Outside of the miasma, Ban felt the numbness leaving his feet. He began to pull free, but the hanyou sped up and tightened his grasp further. Immediately Ban relaxed against Inuyasha's back and rested his head on the shoulder once again, just for the 20 seconds it took for them to get to the group's camp. The hanyou had carried many people before, but carrying Ban, having the lean body against his felt different. He was saving Ban, but somehow it was Inuyasha who felt secure and safe. Feeling the warmth on his back was soothing, fulfilling even, and while he could not explain it, Inuyasha was reluctant to let his friend go.

"Inuyasha, BanMidou, what happened, are you two all right?" Miroku ran up to them, and Inuyasha gently released Ban, keeping a close eye until Ban steadied himself.

"Out of that fucking Miasma, I am fine." Ban growled, he would not get so careless ever again, "Inuyasha though, needs seeing to. His wounds are still raw, I want to look at those injuries." Ban said as he reversed their positions and he began leading Inuyasha back to the camp. The Hanyou complained incessantly, but he went along, in truth too exhausted to fight back.

Much to Kagome's irritation, Ban unwrapped all her bandages, washed the Hanyou's wounds with his own special concoction that he had created from his knowledge of chemistry, herbology and the books on local fauna Kaede had provided the him. The slave Ban placed on the wounds eased the pain while healing them, immediately they gave Inuyasha some relief. The concoction was obviously so effective that the others asked for some as well.

Kagome's nose was further put out of joint, when Sango began praising its effectiveness and commenting that it was better because they could make it in their world without having to bring it in for a different time. The Miko tried some her self, and her wounds (slight as they were) felt immediate relief. When she could find nothing to criticize about it, her irritation grew. She was the most effective healer of the group, because she supplied them with 'modern' medicine. She never thought to find out how the medicines were made, so that she could teach her friends to make something similar themselves.

Even with the slave, the group were rather beat-up, and without argument, they made their way back to Kaede's village, half a day's journey away. There were too exhausted to risk sleeping out in the open and running into more danger. It was early evening when they got there and everyone was beyond tired. They gathered in Kaeda's hut, as she prepared them a large meal.

Ban was inspecting the powder that had coated the Hanyou. Something about it disturbed him, he left Kaede's hut for his own, to see if his books could shed some light on the matter. It took him about half an hour to find the reference that he needed. The information in the book on powder of that consistency, had Ban frowning in concern, as he read further, the ground beneath him shook. Kagome had 'sat' Inuyasha. Ban suddenly felt a release of power, A blow to his witch senses that left him reeling for a second. A wave of powerful dark magic had been released nearby. Ban glanced at the book and comprehension dawned, cursing their stupidity, the Jagan user, leapt to his feet and rushed to Kaede's hut.

Two minutes ago in Kaeda's hut, Inuyasha was sitting a little listless in a corner. He felt really tried, and as much as he hid it from the others he was hurting all over. The powder seemed to make him itch once again and he could not get comfortable. "Inuyasha you seem uneasy, I think I better check your wounds, Ban-san's potion may be good, but its definitely not sterile, so it could have caused an infection." The Miko said in a suspiciously hopeful voice.

"Keh! Leave me alone. Its not the wounds ok. And BanMidou knows what he is doing."

"His name is just Ban for goodness sake, and he sure as hell did not know how to deal with the Miasma, let me look at those wounds now. I'll clean off the stuff he put on it, and use some proper antiseptic on the wounds." Kagome insisted grabbing her medicine bag, pulling out the antiseptic and bandages. "Then I'll rewrap them for you."

"Kagome, look, for the final time, it is not the wounds, they are fine. BanMido did a great job, he wrapped them better then you could. So leave me alone." Inuyasha said warding off the girl.

"BAN MIDOU IS BETTER THEN ME! Why you.. why you.. you.. ungrateful JERK! SIT BOY! SIT BOY! SIT BOY!" The infuriated Miko yelled out. Inuyasha was slammed to the earth three times, the cloud of dust covering his prone form.

"My, he does take a long time to learn doesn't he." Miroku said not even bothering to turn.

"Well he did sort of ask for that one." said Sango. Kaeda shook her head and just snorted.

"Even I know not to say stuff like that you stupid Mutt." Shippo said, turning to look at the settling dust. His eyes widened in shock, as he was stunned into silence.

A soft pained sniff emerged from the dust, the whine of pain had them all spinning around. As the dust settled it was not an almost full grown Hanyou that emerged, instead a small figure just a couple of centimeters taller then Shippo, but with a slighter build stood shakily against the wall. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth, a hand was wrapped around his waist. Clothes many times his size lay in a heap around him, an over sided red robe encompassing the small frame. The child's other hand however, formed a claw ready to attack. Golden eyes filled with tears, glared fearfully at the room full of creatures, white hair was matted and dirty as the doggy ears twitched in agitation.

Inuyasha not more then six years old stood blinking at the group. Distrust, fear and pain emanating from the child in powerful waves.

"I..Inu.. Inuyasha" everyone stammered in shock. Seeing the frightened and pained face Kagome instantly softened, her anger forgotten, she came forward reaching for the child. "Oh you poor thing, you are hurt. Little boy I'll help you."

"Ahhhh." Sango just managed to yank Kagome back as the child seeing his aggressor coming towards him again, raked out with small but sharp claws.

"Who you? Keep away, keep away!" The child cried out.

"Inuyasha don't you know us? We are your friends Inuyasha, you are safe here." Miroku said softly trying to comfort the child as he, Shippo and Kaede moved forward.

"No Hurt Yasha!" The child cried and to their horror small claws on his right hand dug into his left forearm drawing blood. The little Hanyou hurled the blood at the approaching strangers. Strangers who had sat and laughed as he was slammed into the floor one time by the Miko's words.

The group was forced to dodge the sharp needles of blood that sprayed at them. They saw the child glance at the entry, and Sango quickly blocked it. Having Inuyasha run would be a disaster. The little Hanyou seeing his escape cut off, whimpered softly, positioned himself in a corner and took a defensive stance.

The door burst open as Ban rushed in. He caught the whimper of the frightened child as he took in the scene. He stared at the tiny and obviously frightened and hurt child that was desperately trying to be brave and think of a way to escape.

Shit! Ban cursed silently. He had no children of his own, but Kazuki had adopted abused children, and a memory flashed in the Jagan user's head of how Kazuki would calm a frightened child. His eyes fell on the player that Kagome had got for Shippo. "Stay back all of you. He is frightened, you are making it worse." Ban said as he grabbed the player and flipped through the songs, finding one that he thought would suit the child he put the player on loop.

"We have to.." Kagome began.

"Shut up, Bitch!" Ban bit out, "He is more scared of you then the others, you want to help? Stay the fuck out of my way." Ban growled and shoved her away.

The little Hanyou watched this with wide golden eyes, leaking tears. The man was not a friend of the lady who had hurt him. But little Inuyasha did not know the man, so he growled in warning when the man came closer with a strange device.

Ban knelt in front of the child, far enough so that only if the child reached out would their hands meet. "Hey kid, you are safe with me, I promise." The little Hanyou snorted not daring to believe the assurance. "Damn, this worked for Kazuki, and your mom sang to you. I sure as hell hope it works here, ok kid, listen to the music, listen to the words. They are true I promise." Ban said as he pressed play on the player. He was going to feel real stupid doing this, but music worked better on children then words. And Disney were the fucking experts on children.

The Hanyou's watery eyes were wide as strange soothing music filled the air. The others feel back a little stunned as they watched. The song ended and the child still looked very tense and suspicious, Ban had looped the song, and this time as the music filled the air, his soft husky voice joined in, enforcing the words.

Come stop your crying

It will be all right

Just take my hand, Hold it tight

Ban sang softly as he stretched out an open palm towards the child, not touching, not coming too close. .

I will protect you

from all around you

I will be here

Don't you cry

Mesmerizing blue eyes met gold. And the little Hanyou could see the strength and promise of protection in the glittering blue depths. Gentleness, warmth, acceptance and the promise of safety was telegraphed to the child as Ban sang the next verse with a gentle smile on his lips.

For one so small,

you seem so strong

My arms will hold you,

keep you safe and warm

This bond between us

Can't be broken

I will be here

Don't you cry

Ban sang the next two verses softly, gently. He allowed his demonic aura to expand our and cocoon himself and the child. Without real words his aura promised safety, it wrapped around the little Hanyou in a wave of caring, just a the words wrapped around the little one's heart.

'Cause you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on

Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart

No matter what they say

You'll be here in my heart, always

Ban hummed the rest of the song, singing along to the chorus only, even he could not remember all the words from one hearing. He then let the player die and he sang the first five verses, over again. As he sang the little Hanyou's tears dried up and he watched the strange man though wide and still afraid eyes. Ban repeated the verses again (with a sinking feeling he would be singing this a lot as long as Inuyasha was a child) and the child responded, slowly he reached out to the open palm. Little claws just grazing Ban's long fingers.

The tension in the room, among the five sitting and watching the scene unfold was tremendous. They were silent, watching the child slow relax, and the focus solely on the man sitting on from of him. Ban was singing the verse for a forth time, when Shippo, could not stop himself. He sneezed loudly, breaking the silence. The sound seemed much louder then it was in the quiet room.

Little Inuyasha jumped at the sneeze, and with a fearful cry, suddenly threw himself into Ban's arms. The loose still adult robes the child wore almost falling off him. Ban left the pants on the floor, but wrapped the top around the slim frame, as his arms closed around the little boy protectively. Ban sat with the whimpering child in his arms, rocking him gently and singing directly into satin soft ears. Thinking of how else to calm the child Ban, nodded at Kaede, as he stood and in long strides went out of the hut. He walked to the tree Inuyasha usually rested in and leapt up into the branches. He sat there hoping that the familiar position would calm the little Hanyou.

After about five more minutes of soft singing and awkward sniffs from the child, Inuyasha finally stopped crying. The white haired head rested on Ban's chest, the child finally calmed down. He played with a button on the shirt, staring at it as if it held all the secrets of the universe.

"So you think Yasha st..strong?" The little one finally asked, still not looking at Ban.

"Yes, I think Inuyasha is one of the strongest people I know." Ban said sincerely, gentle hand stroked the wild fall of hair.

"Yasha is Hanyou! Weak! Dirty!" The child choked out angrily, looking down.

"Well, I'm a Hanyou too, and I am neither weak nor dirty." The small face jerked up to stare at Ban, trying to see if he was lying. Slowly, deliberately, Ban let his Demonic blood rise, his eyes became bright blue, as the pupils elongated into a diamond shape, the whites of his eyes got a red tinge to them, and his canine teeth elongated, and his fingers became claws. "There is a full demon pup, in that house, and if he had been hurt as much as you have, he would be crying a fountain of tears and making a huge fuss. You hardly cried at all." Ban smiled.

Tears welled up again in golden eyes, and the little one buried his nose into Ban's neck, breathing in the mixed scent of human and demon, the child whimpered in pleasure. He was not alone, there was another Hanyou who felt strong and beautiful. Ignoring the pain in his side Inuyasha threw his arms around the slim neck and held on tight.

"Inuyasha what do you remember?" Ban asked his voice low and soft, as to not alarm the child.

"Yasha member bad-lady say something funny, and Yasha fall down really hard one time. Then no one help, say Yasha bad." The child whimpered. "Yasha not bad, why everyone say Yasha bad? Mommy said is wrong to hurt people, but people say it ok to hurt Yasha cause Yasha is a EvilDirtyHalfBreedBastard. What does that word mean?" Innocent eyes, with a hurt soul looked at Ban. The Jagan Master had the urge to find ever single child abusing bigot around and yank out their poisonous tongues, and strangle them with it.. slowly.

With effort he controlled his temper.

"That word means that some people are stupid, and you can ignore stupid people. It is not alright to hurt Inuyasha and you are not bad, you are good and beautiful." Ban said. "Your mother said so right, and she does not lie."

"Ya, buts mommy, mommy is gone. Yasha tries to wake her up, but mommy no gets up. Yasha called healer, and healer said mommy died. Mans puts mommy in the ground, mommy no wakes up. Then many mans came calling Yasha EvilDirtyHalfBreedBastard, they hits me with stick and stones. Yasha runs, Yasha runs really fast, so mans cant catch me. Yasha hide in forest, is dark and scary. But me gets hungry. Yasha came to village to get some food. Please, Yasha can't remember then, head feels funny. Then bad lady hurt Yasha." The little Hanyou choked out his story, trying to hold back another flood of tears, when Ban's hand tightened around him, and stroked his heaving back, the child to his mind was comforted for the first time since his mother died, the flood gates reopened. And Ban's neck was soon wet with tears. Ban was not the best person in the world in comforting others, so he just held the child, stroking the small body, humming the song softly and rocking him, until he calmed down once again.

"Wait, who you? Are yous my family?" The child asked suddenly. "You don't smell like family?" The Hanyou said sniffing Ban again.

"I am Ban Midou, and no, we are not related by blood?"

"Oh! ... ok, thank you Ba'idou for helping Yasha." The Child said his bangs hiding his now stricken eyes. "Yasha go now, not cause more trouble." He whispered as he tried to pull away. Only his mother had ever accepted him, and the little child could not really comprehend being accepted by a stranger.

"Inuyasha, I'm not a family member, I'm a friend. I'm your friend! And you are not going anywhere, let me take care of you okay, little one. Your mother would have wanted you protected, she sang to you remember, that is why I sang just now." Ban gently lifted the small head to look into wide golden eyes.

"You..you knew my mommy? She asked you to care for Yasha?" the child asked almost breathless, yearning for a sense of connection.

"I have seen your mother, I have seen her love for you. Her dark silk hair and loving eyes as she rocked you to sleep. And yes she wanted you cared for more then anything." Ban didn't hesitate on the slight bending of the truth. The child did not need to know that he had seen this in Inuyasha's dream.

Inuyasha's smile lit the night sky, he hurled himself at Ban once again. With a chuckle Ban caught the child, who whimpered slightly at the pain in his side. Immediately Ban began to check the injuries, he had not dared earlier, until the child trusted him a little. The puppy ears swiveled about as Ban slowly removed the robe like top, his eyes narrowed at the bruising on the side where the child had hit the ground. Ban pulled out some bandages that he had grabbed as he left the hut, and gently wrapped the thin chest. To his utter relief the wounds from the acid had disappeared when Inuyasha had reverted to childhood. Meaning that all the wounds the puppy suffered from now was from the 'sitting', luckily nothing was broken. "Is that better Inuyasha?"

"Hehehe! Mommy calls me Yasha, Ba'idou-sama can call me Yasha, if you want." The little pup said shyly.

"Yes I want, and you can just call me Ban." The child looked worried, his mother was a princess and had been very particular about being polite. Little Inuyahsa was more then willing to be polite – to people he liked. He didn't want to accidentally insult his new friend.

"errr.. That's no fits,.. Ban'idou-ojisan? " The child asked tentatively. Large golden eyes blinked innocently at Ban. Ban felt his heart catch.

Ban ruffled the silky white hair. "Meh.. Ojisan? Im not old enough to be your Oji-san." Even as he said it the golden eyes began to fill with tears. Damn, Ginji as a Chibi was cute, the word cute was an understatement when applied to the cherubic puppy eared half demon. Ban had very little resistance against Chibi-Ginji's teary gaze, he could not imagine what this one would do to him. "Okay, okay at least call me Ban-Ojisan." Ban huffed he was such a sucker, he griped at himself, as Inuyasha beamed at him again.

A growl suddenly filled the air, surprising them both. Ban chuckled as the child went red and clutched his belly. Holding the little one securely Ban hopped off the branch. "Let's get us something to eat." Ban said as he put the child down and walked back to Kaede's hut.

-tbc-

So what happens in the Kaede's hut? Lets just say a certain Miko finds bad habits are hard to break, so she gets a good lesson. *smirk! I was very nice to Kagome in Sacred Trees, kindda gonna let loose here. This is what I wanted Inuyasha to have as a kid, a real protector. Suggestions and requests are welcome.. Copy right for song is Phil Colline I dont make money off it.