Warning: Still dark but not yet MA...the yaoi nasty will come soon...

The Yielding

Two

Sesshoumaru assessed the situation in an instant, nose wrinkling at the overwhelming stench of impotent fury in the red-eyed bastard whose chain he held. Who knew the boy could reek so strongly of power? Not dominance, he chuckled to himself, the boy never was and never could be alpha, but forcing him to remain in this state so long had definitely brought out a purity of aura he lacked by birth and by blood. Oh, the delicious irony of it: the strongest Inuyasha had ever been, entirely within Sesshoumaru's control.

The last of life gurgled from the bull guard, and Sesshoumaru took a moment away from his brother's fiery gaze to watch him die. Not as engaging as the use of his poison, but his claws were sharp and his anger that his servant had misrepresented Inuyasha's state to garner extra coin disgusted him. Petty creatures and their petty ways. Sesshoumaru was not petty. No, the grudge he nursed against his father's bastard offspring was lush: more toxic than poison, thicker than blood. Still, he had been a fool to turn over any part of the task to another. This was his birthright, his destiny. He would own it, completely.

He turned back to the beast, whose eyes had not strayed. "I will break you," he said, amber eyes flashing.

Inuyasha curled a lip. "Let me out, coward."

The word stung, though it should not have. Lord Sesshoumaru would do what he wished and relish his power. The taunt reached him because he had not yet fully indulged. First the guard and now the cage would be abandoned. He would prove his superiority. Inuyasha was so close to the end of life as he had known it. Soon Sesshoumaru would have his pet.

With casual grace, he unlocked the cage.