Truth in Blood

**Bibi11 Thanks for the sentiment, but when I call for a vote I stick to results, makes it more satisfying when readers are surprised by HOW I keep to the vote. Thanks for all the lovely reviews, maegerakawaii and Tina (Hugs n kisses back). I love the reactions, but daily updates so its not really evil... Sefmar: Unfortunately wrong fic for Inu kicking Sesshy's butt; see Sacred trees for that.


Review read and enjoy:

Chapter 15 : Fate of a Hanyou?

Blood splattered across Sesshoumaru and Kouga's faces.

Inuyasha had been fishing rather successfully by the small lake, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. He was very glad the wind was cooperating and blowing the scent of that god awful sticky cream away from his nose. As relaxed as he was, the triangular pointed ears on his head swiveled around, picking up sounds from all around.

Inuyasha suddenly jumped to his feet, deer were braying in the distance. Their pitch and tone were familiar, Inuyasha was moving even before the thought fully registered, he headed to the sound, and saw his two yearling friends running in panic. "Shippo!" Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat, as he raced to the clearing, and cursed the stench of the cream, that handicapped his senses.

As he approached he knew, what ever was in the clearing was powerful, very powerful. Inuyasha was not one to run in without a plan, unless Shippo was in danger. Then his own safety was moot. Inuyasha heard the sound of a whip breaking the earth, he heard Shippo whimper, he heard the question, Shippo's response and another crack of the whip.

Inuyasha ran faster and faster, his lungs were straining at the effort, his blood pounding in his ears. His only concern, get his little brother to safety. He broke into the clearing and never even noticed the demon guard he knocked out. He saw only the whip aimed at Shippo, his timing had to be perfect.

In the split second it took for Sesshoumaru to snap the whip down, Inuyasha had placed himself between Sesshoumaru and the Shippo.


The energy whip cut down, lashing into his back, splitting skin down to the bone. Without pause Inuyasha ignoring the sheering attack gathered Shippo into his left arm and shot off. His blood now pouring freely, Inuyasha sent a scythe of blood out at the Demon standing between him and the Forests. The demon ducked, and Inuyasha barreled into the forest, skillfully blending and disappearing into its thick depths. The smell of the sticky cream masking his scent for now.

Kouga wiped the blood from his face, sniffing it. “And you thought you'd be disappointed.” he said absently staring at the spot the being had disappeared into.
Sesshoumaru was standing shock, still, the smell of blood strong all over him.
“What a waste, Lord Sesshoumaru, you have wasted all this time for a useless Hanyou. Shall we call for the guards to exterminate it?” The lead of the guards said, helping his fellow up.

Sesshoumaru blinked in surprise, then his eyes narrowed. The Hanyou was too powerful, his Guards were made up of relatively powerful Demons, yet they sensed nothing. His blood filled the air but they smelled nothing. Sesshoumaru took a deep breath, the scent made him a little dizzy. It was intoxicating. “And those ears!” Sesshoumaru said not realizing that he had spoken aloud.

“Rather unique, I don't believe I have seen anything like them before.” Kouga said his voice still absent as he too took deep breaths.

Sesshoumaru snapped out of his daze, realizing the biggest threat was standing right beside him. He glared at the Seraph. “It is not a Seraph, it was just a Hanyou.” Sesshoumaru bit out, hoping to nip the Seraph's curiosity, he was doomed for disappointment.

“Sesh, Sesh, we both know that is not true. Hmmm.. um.. hmm yes well, it is definitely more demon. Tell you what, I'll leave now, and you go catch him. It may be best I am not closely associated with you at the moment. I will just leave now.” Kouga said casually.

Sesshoumaru was not fooled. The Seraph was up to something. His eyes narrowed on the Seraph. “What do you seek do Kouga? What are you planning?” Sesshoumaru asked flatly. The two rivals never really lied out right to each other, and always answered direct questions, that was the basis of the trust and respect between them.

“The peace treaty between our people needs strengthening, there has always been talk of extra.. err... bonds. But I have not been interested, in any of demon blood.” Kouga smiled his feral grin, “Until now that is. I think I would be willing to strengthen the bonds, if I get that one.”

Sesshoumaru growled. “The Hanyou is my prey, Seraph.”

Kouga grinned back, “By all means go catch him, Sesshoumaru.” The Seraph was suddenly in front of the Demon Lord, wings flared, his blue eyes shone with challenge. “We both smell the blood, we both know what we want. The question is, if the Seraph council backs me, and it was you who spilled his blood, which of us will hold him?”

Energy swirled between the two. Sesshoumaru knew that Kouga was right, a council claim was something even he could not refuse, not without declaring war. Still there was a secret in the heady blood that he was sure Kouga was unaware of, and that would give the Demon Lord the edge. The challenge was not to capture the Hanyou, it was to hold him. Both Lords glared at each other the gauntlet was thrown.

The demons witness the standoff in confusion, were pushed back, when at a unknown signal. Both Lords sped off. Not after the Hanyou (not yet at least) but back to their home cities. The trees shook with the force of their passing.

**

Shippo buried his face into his brother's chest, small hands held tight to Inuyasha's shirt. He could smell the thick blood in the air, and he knew his Nii-chan had spilled his own blood for him again. He cried harder, as he felt Inuyasha's hand in his hair, stroking him and soothing him. He wanted to be strong, strong like his Inu, but he had been so scared, the kit whimpered and pushed closer, almost wanting to get inside Inuyasha's skin, so desperate did he feel. And he was scared, more scared then he had been in a long time. The Demon and Seraph had wanted his Inu, and Shippo knew Inu would protect him.

The kit wanted to scream, it was not fair. Someone, anyone, had to protect Inu. His Nii-chan was so good, so pure, so strong and so kind, so very kind. But all everyone saw was a lowly Hanyou. A creature to be feared, ignored, beaten and hunted. Shippo hated, absolutely HATED the disguise his Nii-chan had to use when he entered the towns. His Nii-chan was a Hanyou, and he was beautiful, kind and strong. But he had to hide because to the rest of the world he was different, he was poor, just a street kid. A chimney sweep, nothing better then a servant.

Shippo wanted to shout to the world that his brother was the one who saved people, that his brother was the biggest hero around, but he didn't. He couldn't. He was a child of the streets too, and he knew the power of blind discrimination. Some people would never see beyond the claws, fangs and doggy ears, so blinded by prejudice were they, they would destroy those that were unlike them, and never admit the world was much poorer for their actions.

Shippo was scared for his Inu, more afraid then he had ever been.

Inuyasha took Shippo to some caves with hot springs. This was not his favorite place, the cave stank of sulfur, but it masked his scent. In that way it was the best place to hide. The blood loss was making Inuyasha dizzy, the whip had done more then cut him, Inuyasha felt something foreign in his blood. It was a small amount, but it was spreading slowly.

Inuyasha sat on a boulder, the crying Shippo in his arms. “Little bro, I need your help now, come on! Stop crying I need your help.” Inuyasha said knowing that, the plea for help more then anything would dry the kits tears. Inuyasha knew his brother well, the kit sniffed but stopped trying to bury himself in his brother. Inuyasha removed his plain shirt, winching as the drying blood separated from his skin. The kit quickly went around and helped pour hot water on the wound. It was healing, very slowly, but it was not a pretty sight.

Shippo slowly helped clean the wound, Inuyasha did not make a sound as the kit cleaned the wound, his mind racing through various scenarios. He knew he was not being chased, at the moment, but the instincts that kept him alive, were telling him that this was a short reprieve. He reached into his pouch, and pulled out some herbs he used against poison, he was not sure if it was effective, but he hoped it would work on what ever it was in his blood. He would have to find more herbs once they left the cave. He needed to get Shippo to safety.

“I'm not leaving you Inu Nii-chan. So you can totally forget that.” Shippo said softly but firmly. “I know you made plans with the hunters, but I'm not leaving you.”
Inuyasha was a little surprised, “How did you find out?”

'I didn't know for sure until just now. I just know you.” Shippo said leaning his fore head on Inuyasha's arm.

“If the Lords come for me, you are leaving me Shippo, I will deal with them.” Inuyasha said firmly.

“No, I won't go.” Shippo said his lip trembling.

Inuyasha placed Shippo in his knee and looked at him seriously. “You know if they come after me, I am probably dead don't you?”

“No don't say that. Please don't say that!” Shippo shook with the force of his emotions, but Inuyasha refused to let him look away.

“Shippo, we are street kids, death is a normal part of life. We both know it comes. I'm a Hanyou, we both know that means that for me to have survived this long is a miracle in itself. We have to accept that.” Shippo shook his head at Inuyasha's words, he didn't what to accept that. “Little brother, my death will not destroy me, your death would. I want you to grow up strong, live long and have kids of your own. You have to have em, When I die, and my soul enters the circle, I intend to be reincarnated as your son or grandson, so then I get to ride on your shoulders.” Inuyasha said trying to make Shippo relax.

“No, I don't what you to die, you are all I have.” Shippo cried.

“That is not true Shippo, you have good friends among the hunters, they will be your family, you will not be alone, no matter what you will not be alone. I promise.”
Inuyasha said his voice a little thick. Shippo was shaking his head, and Inuyasha finally pulled the trump, “Shippo if you were not safe with the hunters, I would be worried about you and not myself. Then I will probably make more mistakes, I have more chance of surviving if I know you are safe.” Inuyasha lied, it was the one lie he was good at, lying to save those he loved.

It took a bit more convincing, but Shippo finally agreed. Holding his brother tight,

Inuyasha released the signal to call the hunters.

They had very little time.


--tbc--
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