Disclaimer: I have not gained the rights to Inu Yasha since last night. I still do not own Inu Yasha or related stuff and it all still belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Since no one can truly replace her as an artist let us hope she remains the owner. (as around the globe countless authors are jumping for joy declaring one less competition!)

A/N: Thank you everyone who reviews! I would especially like to thank D-chan3, whose review inspired the creation of this chapter. I do not know what I will write, but this reviewer is the reason I am writing this morning. I had no idea where to go and this persons review helped me find the flow of the story. I'll follow it- let's hope it leads somewhere interesting.

A/N2: I also wish to thank I'm Nova, whose firm review is the reason I'm writing again after such a long pause.

Ch. 7 Transformation Situation

I have to stop him! But how? He doesn't even see me!

In a burst of bright light Sesshoumaru's body sped into the air, and vanished, in its place stood an enormous white inu.

Wow. He looks weird balancing on three legs.

Sesshoumaru wobbled slightly from leaning on a left paw that wasn't there. He stared at the missing arm as though lost.

What? When did that happen? Father?

Sesshoumaru looked further down, noticing for the first time how much farther the ground was from his face. His confusion pushed his rage to the background and he reverted to his more practical form. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, taking in the scents around him.

Sweat. Blood. Dog. Half-breed dog. Grass. Half-breed… Half-breed… He smells like us… the demon half, it's like father… Sesshoumaru opened his eyes calmly at the realization, Inu Yasha. The first thing Sesshoumaru noticed when he opened his eyes was that he was not, in fact, in the dojo. Second was his little brother, who was gaping at him as if he had randomly turn purple.

"Inu Yasha."

The first thing Inu Yasha noticed when Sesshoumaru opened his eyes was that Inu Yasha no longer saw two locations on top of each other, nor did he see his father's image where he himself should be. Is… Is he back?

Baka.

Keh, he's back.

It wasn't real… It's been a long time. I need rest, but Inuyasha… I mustn't think anymore. With this last thought, Sesshoumaru calmly sat down, legs folded, eyes closed, and forced his mind to a total blank.

A long time since what? What's his problem? First the freaky double vision, and now he's gone completely! Well, not gone, I mean, he's right there, but…

"Inuyasha! Are you ok?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you guys!"

Ha. He admits he is no match for me. Finally he accepts reality.

"Jerk! I heard that!" Inuyasha shouted irritably.

"Heard what?" Sango asked, confused.

"Sesshoumaru, he just—never mind. What am I supposed to do about that guy, he's got no survival instincts, he's gonna get us both killed!"

Fool. No one could live as a warrior as long as I have without strong survival instincts.

"Inuyasha," Kagome said softly, "I'm sorry we didn't help, but Myoga said not to interfere, or we could hurt you too."

Naïve. Myoga values his own safety above all else.

That's one thing we agree on.

"Inuyasha, can I have a word with you in private?"

"What for?"

"There is a time-sensitive matter I wish to discuss with you. This way please." Miroku walked deep into the forest, Inuyasha following irritably.

"If it's so time sensitive, why not just say it already, the girls can't hear us from here."

"It's not the girls I'm worried about, Inuyasha, I do not wish your brother to overhear."

"Good luck with that one. Whatever you say, I'm bound to think about, so he'd just hear it in my thoughts."

"There must be some way to get beyond his reach."

"I doubt it."

The monk is a fool. It is as you say, and even if it were not, I can hear him quite clearly from here.

"Sesshoumaru can hear you, Miroku."

"Oh? Are you certain?"

"Yes. According to him, you are a fool, and he can hear you easily from here."

"I see. Then we might as well go back. I was going to recommend we seal him, but—"

"Miroku, you couldn't even seal the Tokijin, which Sesshoumaru was able to repress. Any attempts to seal him would only get us all killed."

"It would be risky but—"

"No, better to just leave him alone." Last thing I need is for him to freak out on me again. Sesshoumaru. Silence. Sesshoumaru, I know you can hear me.

You can't hear what doesn't make a sound, fool.

You know what I'm saying, jerk! Now tell me what happened earlier, what was I seeing earlier?

A memory, damn, he heard that, no more thoughts.

What do you mean a memory? There has to be more to it, you didn't even know I was there.

I did.

Liar!

That's not gonna work, Sesshoumaru, you're gonna have to deal with whatever the hell it is you're not dealing with—What the!?! Inuyasha collided with the dirt, wincing at the pain pulsing from his thoroughly bruised cheekbone. Jerk! What was that for?

He can't read my thoughts if he's unconscious.

Oh yeah? Well the same goes for you, buddy! Ha! If I knock you out, you can't get us killed!

And that would answer nothing. Go ahead and try it.

"You asked for it!" Inuyasha shouted and charged.

"What are you doing!?!" Miroku cried out, shocked, "You'll just die along with him!"

"I'm not gonna kill him, just—" Inuyasha slumped to the ground unconscious from the force of the Tokijin's hilt crashing against his skull.

Now to get some sleep while he's still unconscious. It's more dangerous, but at least if I dream he won't learn anything. "Monk. You will erect a barrier around Inuyasha and myself. Remember that whatever harm comes to me comes to Inuyasha as well." Sesshoumaru dragged the unconscious half-breed to the shade of the nearest tree, then sat, leaning against the trunk to rest.

…end chapter…

OMG it's been over 10 months! 10 months! How does anyone put up with me? I'm so sorry this took so long, I just had absolutely no idea where I was going with this, and then for the longest time I haven't been in the mood to write Inuyasha fics for some reason, but the most recent reviewer beat me into writing, and I'm grateful, because I finally have a direction to go. Thank you so much I'm Nova, your review made a very important demand that has allowed me to continue.