Ice and Snow, Mind and Heart

Chapter 9: Demon's True Nature

Sesshomaru frowned, and Yuki continued as she watched him carefully: "You could have easily killed me before, but you let Totosai carry me away. Why?"

Sesshomaru just looked back at her coolly, and Yuki stared into his eyes intently. The question had been bothering her since he'd let her escape, and his words now only served to further confuse her. He clearly had no qualms about killing her, and yet his actions so far said he was disinclined to take her out. Why?

"You would question this Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru asked, his brow arching. "I may have shown mercy once, but do not expect such kindness again."

"And yet, you have yet to attack me." Yuki observed. His eye twitched irritably, and she suddenly understood.

"It's Rin, isn't it?" She realized, and for a brief instant a scowl appeared on Sesshomaru's face.

"You won't kill me because of Rin." Yuki murmured, knowing she was right.

Sesshomaru growled and he suddenly launched at her, his poison claws extended. Yuki swiftly blocked his claws with her swords, keeping him back as he pressed closer but she stood her ground as he hissed angrily: "You dare to look down at me, half-breed? I can still kill you in an instant."

"I never said you couldn't." Yuki returned. "I said you wouldn't. Because you do care about Rin."

"I have no such sentiment, and least of all for a human." Sesshomaru snarled, and Yuki snapped back: "What is it with you and your brother? There's nothing wrong with doing a good deed or having someone to care about, demon or otherwise!"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at her, but suddenly they both stiffened.

Yuki's head whipped around sharply, a dangerous move in her current predicament, but Sesshomaru didn't take the opening as he too focused to the East.

"Inuyasha." Yuki gasped, and Sesshomaru noted: "His blood has changed."

Yuki glanced at Sesshomaru uncertainly as he glanced down at her with emotionless eyes. She could smell another demon near Inuyasha, and the poison it was emitting. Her gut was telling her to run towards him, but she hesitated when she was faced with Sesshomaru, who could potentially make the situation worse.

Both of them stiffened once more as they heard and sensed Inuyasha easily dispatching the other demon, but something was wrong. Inuyasha's movements seemed... wild.

Yuki's eyes widened in alarm however, when the scent of human blood reached them and she whipped around to face the East completely. Her swords skid off Sesshomaru's claws, and she took off for Inuyasha. But Sesshomaru was faster as he blew passed her, heading in the same direction.

"Sesshomaru, please don't kill him!" Yuki yelled after him as she chased him towards the village.

Of course, the dog demon didn't reply, and Yuki flinched as she heard Inuyasha's ferocious snarls and almost manic laughter while the smell of human blood thickened in the air.

'It can't be.' She thought in horror. 'Was this what Sesshomaru meant?'

She heard Kagome yelling for Inuyasha to come back, and Yuki's heart sank. Please, no.

She broke through the trees and came to a halt just at the edge of the forest, behind Sesshomaru as the demon watched his younger brother. Inuyasha himself was directly in front of Sesshomaru, watching him with animalistic caution. His eyes were red and purple lines marked the sides of his face but Yuki's eyes widened as she saw the blood covering Inuyasha's hands.

"Yuki?" Miroku blinked while Kagome gasped, clutching the old Tetsusaiga in her hands: "Sesshomaru!"

"Why are you with him?" Sango asked, while Miroku wondered: "And what is he doing here?"