FicWad

Disclaimer: I am obviously not cool or smart enough to own such brilliant characters such as these. They are the property of Rumiko Takahashi and the companies that she works with.

Author's notes: (flails arms) I seem to be doing that action a lot lately. First off, I just want to mention something about the timeline of this story. I haven't finished watching the entire series but I have sort of picked random episodes to watch (mostly the ones with the most Inuyasha/Kagome angst of course) as well as the movies. So, if things seem out of place to you, it's probably because I watch things out of order and have no regard for timeline. Just assume that I meant to do it that way because it's probably true. If you have a concern about it though, let me know. As usual, I want to thank the lovely ladyhawk89 (thanks for telling me about the band of 7 thing!) and Silver Wolf Pups for the fantastic beta and encouraging words. Remember, italics represent thought and with that...on to the story!


"What would our father think of you now, you pathetic half demon? I am ashamed to admit we have the same blood running through our bodies," Sesshomaru plainly stated, narrowing his eyes in displeasure at Inuyasha.

Miroku, Sango, and Shippo had ceased crying at the abrupt and confusing entrance of Inuyasha's half brother, their heads sweeping back and forth to look at the two. Inuyasha growled, not loosening his hold on Kagome. In the back of his mind, he noticed how her head lolled around on her neck, unsupported. Her arms hung limp at her side, only showing signs of movement when Inuyasha carelessly nudged them with his legs. He wanted to cry and scream in frustration and rage but he resisted the urge. "I don't give a damn what you think Sesshomaru."

The silver haired demon smirked and stepped further into the darkened hut. "Of course not. All you care about right now is the dead human. Am I right?"

Inuyasha was barely suppressing his rage. Miroku and Sango watched uncomfortably as they saw a flicker of scarlet shoot into his eyes. "Between his grief and anger, we may very well see him turn despite Tetsusaiga," Miroku whispered to the demon slayer.

Sango nodded gruffly, trying to focus her muddled and foggy brain on the immediate threat. "I fear for Kagome," she confided to the monk. "Of what he'll do to her if he turns."

Miroku couldn't help but fear the same thing. Inuyasha battling his grief over the fallen priestess was one thing. He had been allowing his emotions to flow freely for once, embracing her body and crying despite his companions' presence. But the unexpected entrance of Sesshomaru had thrown pure, blind hatred and rage into the mixture. It may very well prove to be the undoing of Inuyasha, the monk thought numbly. And without Kagome here to stop the transformation... He abruptly stopped that train of thought and refocused his attention on the rivaling siblings.

"Why do you care about the lives of mortals, you bastard?" Inuyasha could hear the blood pounding wildly in his ears and feel his heart beating rapidly against his chest. He could feel the demon in him begging for control of his body, willing him to leave his human side behind for awhile, if only to rid himself of Sesshomaru's presence. The half demon reluctantly removed one of his hands from Kagome's body and placed it gently on Tetsusaiga. The menacing growl he had been hearing in his mind grew softer and he mentally tried to push it to the back of his mind.

Inuyasha watched suspiciously as his half brother walked freely around the small hut. He had barely spared a glance for Miroku, Sango, and the strangely silent Kaede but his eyes paused on the young fox demon who was trying hard not to burst into tears. The demon smiled wickedly, not bothering to hide his amusement and enjoyment at the situation. He turned slowly and gazed at the lifeless girl in his foolish brother's arms.

"No doubt this young one has lost yet another mother Inuyasha. And those three mortals, a companion. And you...what exactly did you lose?"

"You goin' somewhere with this?"

Sesshomaru smiled slightly at his brother's volatile temper and the flash of white teeth sent chill's down everyone's spines. Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head in irritation. "Do I ever waste my time with you, a mere half demon, unless I have a purpose?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Then hurry up and make it 'cause I'm gettin' tired of listening to you," Inuyasha's grip tightened on his sword. He was desperately trying to keep a hold of himself. He couldn't risk doing anymore harm to Kagome. She has already suffered enough because of my hands.

"My point is, this girl can live again and fulfill all the empty promises and lies she told to all of you." The demon's cold stare never left Inuyasha's amber eyes and he nearly laughed in glee as he saw the surprise and hope fill them.

"Could...live again?" Inuyasha stammered out, breaking his gaze with his despicable brother to focus on Kagome's pale, cold lips and her ashen eyelids.

"Tenseiga, while worthless to me in battle, can restore life to those who have fallen. Which you knew but seem to have conveniently forgotten in your, ah...emotional state. "

Kagome could live again! Inuyasha's mind danced wildly at that thought. How could I forget about Tenseiga? He buried his face in Kagome's hair, reveling in the soft, silky feeling it still possessed, even if her scent was gone. "I could have her back..." The eyes were glassy; emotions flickered blindly through the black orbs.

Miroku had never seen Inuyasha so mesmerized. His thoughts too, were flying violently around in his head but he couldn't help but wonder what Sesshomaru had in mind for them. The demon had only voluntarily brought back one human life and the relationship between Sesshomaru and Rin was still a mystery to them all.

"Yes Inuyasha, you can have the girl back. Of course it will cost you." Sesshomaru's arrogant smirk was back in place. "It's a small fee of course, considering how much you all value her life."

Inuyasha's head snapped up at his words and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "What do you want Sesshomaru? Just tell me so I can give it to you. I'd do anything to get Kagome back!"

"I was so hoping you would say that." I have you just where I want you Inuyasha. Golden eyes that matched Inuyasha's color but lacked his warmth shined brightly. "I want Tetsusaiga." You will either foolishly give up that sword or never see your precious priestess again, thus separating your companions from you.

As Sesshomaru expected, Inuyasha's eyes went wide and his grip tightened on Tetsusaiga's sheath. "Tetsusaiga?"

A small nod of recognition and an evil smiled playing over Sesshomaru's lips were the only movements he made. "You said you would do anything to get her back. I'm sure your companions feel that it is a small price to pay."

For the first time since his half brother had entered the hut, Inuyasha's eyes traveled to his group of friends in the corner. Kaede's face was hidden in the shadows but Shippo's eyes were hopefully bright and greedy at the thought of Kagome being resurrected. Miroku and Sango blushed when his eyes met theirs and they quickly averted their eyes, but it had been too late. Inuyasha had already seen the hunger for Kagome's return in their eyes.

If I give up my fang we could all have Kagome back. But...how can I give this up after all we have been through? His thoughts wandered to all the times Tetsusaiga had saved them. How could I give it up when without it I could lose control of my mind? But wait! Kagome's always been able to bring me back to myself. What if I don't need Tetsusaiga anymore? The half demon knew that he was not thinking rationally. But how could he go on without his Kagome?

"I'm waiting Inuyasha. Contrary to yourself, I do not find it necessary to linger in one place too long. I do have more important things to attend to."

Inuyasha stared up at his brother's tall form. "If I do decide to give it to you, how the hell do you intend to take it? It's not like you can hold it."

Sesshomaru smiled. "Easily remedied." He turned his head slightly and barked out "Rin!"

The group turned their heads expectantly and waited for the dedicated young girl to appear. "Yes Lord Sesshomaru?" She smiled happily up at him, hoping she would be able to assist him. She waited patiently for his answer and looked around curiously at the hut. She waved when she saw the young fox demon sitting mournfully in the corner.

"You see Inuyasha, that problem is solved. Now tell me your decision."

Kaede stood up for the first time since Inuyasha had entered the hut to find Kagome dead. "Inuyasha, I advise ye to think this over carefully. What if ye give up your Tetsusaiga and he fails to revive Kagome? Or if she comes back damaged?"

"Damaged?" the half demon asked in desperate tones. He couldn't think about Kagome being damaged, not when he was holding her dead body in his arms. It was almost too much for his mind to take and he fought his inner demon harder.

"Aye. I have heard tales of humans who have so longed for their loved ones to return from the dead that they do anything they can to achieve that goal. And when they do, they find their loved ones have...changed." Kaede's eyes sought Inuyasha's and she could not keep the pleading out of her voice. "Inuyasha, our loss is terrible and Kagome will be missed but ye must think about this. Do ye want to hurt her even more?" Miroku and Sango's once greedy eyes had turned quickly to dismay and guilt. None of them wanted to see Kagome damaged. /Perhaps she is better off dead, even if I am lost without her/, Inuyasha thought sadly.

Sesshomaru whipped his head around to the old hag that was speaking. "Silence. I am no mere sorcerer or player of tricks. I am the great Lord of the Western Lands, this Sesshomaru. I do not damage those that I bring back." The venom in his voice was clear, his sharp tone cracking through the air like a whip. "This child that you see before you was dead when I came upon her and look at her now."

Rin looked up at her Lord and smiled gratefully at him. Inuyasha caught her smile and saw how she radiated happiness and life to those around her, even his heartless, cruel brother. He turned his eyes back to Shippo who was nodding slowly, probably unaware of his motions, silently agreeing with Sesshomaru. Even Miroku and Sango's eyes had lightened with hope again as they looked at the girl standing faithfully by her demon protectors side.

If I do this, then I give up my inheritance, my father's fang and his trust in me that I would guard it faithfully. But I will get Kagome back. Maybe this time...perhaps this time I can do things the right way. He glanced once more down at the priestess in his arms, fully taking in her lifeless body, her deformed color, the terrified look upon her face. He had decided.

Standing carefully, being sure to sweep Kagome up into his arms as gently as possible, he turned to Sesshomaru and nodded. "I'll do as you ask. Just...make her live again."

"I thought you would never agree brother." Sesshomaru's smile was one of delight and it chilled Inuyasha to his bones. "First the sword."

Inuyasha carefully made sure Kagome was balanced against him, her head resting lightly on his shoulder; before he reached down to remove the sheath from his robes. He fingered it slowly, not wanting to part with such an important piece of his heritage, but knowing he didn't have a choice. For Kagome. He grabbed it roughly and thrust it in front of him, turning his head into Kagome's hair to hide the tears that were forming.

"Rin, remove that burden from Inuyasha and then return to Jaken." The young girl happily did as her Lord commanded, practically skipping out of the hut in her joy of being able to assist him.

The demon watched as his half brother's shoulders shook and he wondered briefly if he was going to transform into his full demon self. But Inuyasha merely turned his head back to Sesshomaru and gruffly said, "Do it. Bring her back to me."

Sesshomaru removed Tenseiga from its sheath and focused on the sword as it pulsed in his hand. He could feel the energy flowing around the sword and he concentrated on the dead girl's limp form in Inuyasha's arms. The hut was silent and the tension of the companions eagerly awaiting their fallen comrade's return was crackling the air. Shippo was still choking back sobs, trying in vain not to get his hopes too high in case Sesshomaru, with all his devilish bargaining, had wasted too much time. Inuyasha had sweat drops dripping down his face and between his shoulder blades. His muscles were strained with the effort it was taking him to hold back his demon self. He was also emotionally and mentally exhausted from his fight with Kikyo and from grieving for Kagome. He waited impatiently for her revival, perfectly prepared to break Sesshomaru's neck if he failed in his task.

"I see them."

The full demon took a long stride forward and sliced through the air, cutting down the underworld creatures that were invisible to all but him. He replaced his sword gracefully and stepped back to watch. Everyone waited on baited breath.