Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

SURVIVE	By : ajj77sunhawk Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 26393 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Thanks for the reviews and the comments – etc. No time to type more, so hope you don't mind if I dive in.

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Chapter 6 : The Collar

Pain blazed through the half breed, the collar's influence seeping into his mind. The collar around his neck, whispered to him – promised him power, and end to his pain – to his torment – all he had to do was merge with its power and they could destroy all that caused him pain. The whispers were seductive, powerful. Like maggots they dug into his mind, going deeper and deeper into him. His claws dug into the earth as the agony consumed him.

Bankotsu shocked by the sudden change, moved towards the kneeling Hanyou.

"Stop!" a calm voice commanded. "We cannot interfere we must know if the Hanyou can separate himself from the collar or not. If he gives in to it, he will have to be destroyed along with the collar. This is a battle he must fight on his own." Sesshoumaru sank to one knee, beside the cloaked figure, he could see nothing of the Hanyou's features, only the blood on his back.

His voice low he spoke to the tensed writhing figure. "It is the collar and not you that I want destroyed. If you merge with the collar or if you allow it to control your body, I will have no choice but to destroy you as well. Do not force my hand, fight Hanyou." Lord Sesshoumaru's voice was calm without inflection or emotion, he had his duty to carry out. The energy of the collar, was abhorrent to him, he was tempted to destroy it immediately, but if he did so while the Hanyou was struggling with it, the Hanyou would not survive the collar's destruction. The Demon Lord's actions, while aloof and cold, actually gave the Hanyou a slim chance. Lord Sesshoumaru did not really believe the Hanyou could defeat the collar, but to him, every being that was willing to fight, should at least be given that chance.

The half breed had no idea what a 'Hanyou' meant, but he had no doubt the words were aimed at him. At the temple, when the priests had worked their magicks on him, his will had been locked, by the will of his owners though the collar. He was not allowed to fight against the priests in any way. All he could do was retreat and run. But now his owner was giving him permission to fight, his will was unhampered and it was all the edge he needed.

In his mind, free to act, his claws ripped at the maggots. He blocked his ears to the whispers and dragged the squirming dark energies out of the deeper reaches of his mind. Below the layer of the collar, his human and demon aspects – burst out of their sanctuary, claws and bare fists surrounded in bright energy, attacking the darkness of the collar, forcing it to stay at its designated level. The Half Breed aspect fought alone above, with the other two fought below. Still it was the first time all three aspects fought together, and there was a hidden joy and freedom in the battle, as they pushed the collar's influence back to its normal levels. For them the battle was long, and when it was over, the two aspects, retreated back into their sanctuary with heavy hearts – the half breed aspect had to face the world, and could not join them in their victory. They were one, but to survive they were separate.

The Demon aspect was especially joyous and hopeful, finally they were among honourable demons – finally they would be saved. The other two aspects knew of their demon aspects naive joy – and kept silent.

In the external world, only about 10 seconds passed. The collars energy had flared and gone erratic, it seemed to engulf the Hanyou and than just as quickly it was forced back. The energy of the collar was still awake and active but shocking to those who had witnessed it the energy was now confined to the area of the collar alone. The Hanyou was strong.

The half breed was in pain, his energy locked with the collar's keeping it in check. Every part of him that touched the collar, physical, emotional and spiritual, they all burned. Each movement ripped at him, but still he ignored it. Agonizingly he straightened, turned and knelt, and as he had been trained bowed his head low at his new owner, he was grateful that he had been allowed to fight the collar. Since Demons to his knowledge could not cleanse the collar, like Lady Kaede had, he was content to bear the pain, and do what ever he was ordered to do by his new owner.

He felt the touch of many Demons in his mind, stripping him. The half breed had no way to hide, it did not matter – at that level there was nothing to hide. Deep down his aspects cried out and huddled away from the invasions. Inu and Yasha both had been pushed into pup's sanctuary by the Half Breed, who had been expecting the mental rape. Still for them even under the barriers, it was harder to bear; it was very different from the humans touch and so many at once... the barriers shuddered, and amazingly held. The three aspects were safe, they were ironically grateful that they collar's overactive energy layer assisted in masking them.

The demons mainly probed because they were curious as to how the Hanyou had beaten the lust demon. They were stunned when they found no real memory of the encounter in the Hanyou's mind, there was simply him going to meet the demon – then the demon dying with his hand in the Demon's heart. There was no conscious memory of what had occurred between the two events. The Hanyou had no barriers, that in itself had some Demons, deliberately backing away, others were too surprised to move, and other weaker demons enjoyed the freedom and set about probing deeper.

"That is ENOUGH!" Bakusen'O more than a little horrified, slammed his energy through the Hanyou's mind forcing all the Demons out. His old heart quailed at the his act, even as he dispelled the other, his energy moving so freely though the Hanyou was an invasion that could not be avoided. The Hanyou did not show any reaction to the invasion, but the old tree had touched deep enough to know that on some level, his good intentioned act had hurt more than all the other surface touches, put together. "What in the name of the Nine Hells is this?" The ancient tree used words he had not used in his long life – too shaken and distressed - to do other wise.

"It is the collar," Sesshoumaru said calmly, "Once the collar is destroyed and assuming the Hanyou survives its destruction, his natural barriers will reinstate themselves." At least Sesshoumaru hoped they would, he had probed into the Hanyou's mind as well, and except for the pain and flashes of torture, the deadness in the young one's mind worried him. He was hesitating because he had to wonder if the collar was all that was keeping the young one alive, sane even. If they removed the collar – would there be anything left?

"Do it then Lord Sesshoumaru, destroy that.. that.. thing!" Bakusen'O met the eyes of the Demon Lord and they both reflected a similar concern. "Death would be preferable." The ancient tree said firmly.

"Is death your preference Hanyou?" Sesshoumaru asked the kneeling form. "You will answer me!" he said flatly, when silence met the question.

It hurt to speak, to move, but the half breed forced his mouth to form the words, "There is no preference My Lord, do what best pleases my Lord." The voice was strained but soft, echoing the emptiness that they had seen within.

Somehow the way the Hanyou spoke, sparked a rage in the Demon Lord, he growled low as he bent and reached for the collar.

Clawed fingers grasped both sides of the collar, the half breed found himself dragged to his feet. His head was jerk back by the force, and he had a glimpse of the glowing red sharp eyes of his owner, teeth bared his owner growled, "Try not to die." And the Half Breeds world was once again consumed by pain.

But this was different. He was not the target of the energies, he was the battle field the war was being fought on. The Demon Lord's energies clashed with the collars', in his mind in his body, his other aspects retreated deeper, they were safe, the Half breed aspect was being torn apart by the collateral energies released by the battle. He defended himself as much as he could, and not once did he cry out for the battle to stop.

He understood, clearly, Lady Kikyo had been right.

They had not wanted him, they had not saved him. All that maneuvering had been to get the collar – so they could destroy it. He was unimportant, a pawn in a complex game. He would not interfere in what had to be done. The collar had to be destroyed, he approved wholeheartedly. Pawns were to be used and sacrificed, and he had served his purpose.

Still deep inside himself, his Demonic aspect cried in pain. The human aspect cradled the demon gently and felt his own heart break, as the usually brass and positive demon, was forced to face a reality they had tried to hide from him. Pup hidden deeper still, whimpered uncomfortably – uncertain of the turbulence above.

The energies tore at him.

Sesshoumaru glowed with power, he battled the energies of the collar, with a roar, he broke through the collar's last defenses, his muscles stretched, and the collar was ripped in two.

Dark energy blasted out in all directions, Sesshoumaru, both parts on the collar held firm in either hand was thrown back, to be caught by his Generals. Smoke filled the air, but they could all feel it, the absence of the dark energies of the collar, it had been defeated. A helper carefully held out two bags, and Sesshoumaru with equal care placed one half of the collar in each bag. Bakusen'O and another advisor sealed the bags with strong magic.

Only then did their attention turn to the broken figure on the floor.

Sesshoumaru waved everyone back, he glided up to the figure and carefully lifted the unconscious form.

"From what he has been through, I would like to honour him by having his last rites carried out on my property." Bankotsu said softly as he knelt beside Sesshoumaru.

"That is kind of you - but that action would be premature, he still lives." Sesshoumaru said not bothering to hide his surprise.

Very gently, Sesshoumaru removed the top of the cloak that hid the Hanyou's face from them. The gasps of shock came from all corners of the courtyard. The sliver white crop of hair and the two silky puppy ears on the top of his head, clearly proclaimed the Hanyou's heritage.

Bankotsu was the first to break the silence, his voice cracked and strained, "He eyes are pure gold as well."

"What kind of trick is this!" Manten's shrill voice rang out, "This is a human trick it has to be – there is no way that creature is a Shiro Inu Hanyou."

"Silence Manten!" Bakusen'O snapped, "It explains why the Hanyou is so strong, this is no trick!" Protests and arguments broke out among the generals and members of the court present, the implications of the half breed having the blood of the highest cast of Demons in the world would run deep.

"Without the collar, I can scent him clearly." Sesshoumaru said his voice cutting through the chatter. "There is no doubt he is a Shiro Inu Hanyou." Everyone watched with mixed emotions as the Demon Lord's claws, very gently stroked the fur of one of the pointed ears. The downy fur was infinitely silky, almost addictive to the touch. His mind reached for the Hanyou's and found it to be intact, burned, unconscious – but intact. Also much to Sesshoumaru's relief, the natural defenses of the Hanyou seemed to be asserting itself. It would take time to form, but the Hanyou would most probably recover, his thoughts intact and protected. He would be vulnerable until then.

"None of you are to speak of what you have seen!" He ordered flatly, as he stood with the unconscious body limp in his arms. Without another word he himself, carried the unconscious Hanyou into the palace. He could not put the boy in the sick bay, his mind was too vulnerable. The boy needed to be isolated for a time, also it was best the young one be kept away from prying eyes until the questions of his origins were answered.

The Demon Lord, took the unconscious body, to an almost deserted turret tower. There was a small room with high windows in the back of the tower. The Demon Lord thought it was suitable as above the tower there was a water tank, and a small pipe feeding into the room, which would give the healers access to clean water.

He placed the boy gently on the bed, and summoned a healer with low levels of mental ability. The Demon Lord cursed the timing as their resident Healing Hanyou was not in around. Still the boy was damaged but not in critical condition, and it was probably best for his body to rest and heal on its own.

The healer that came up, was a rather timid Badger Demon, that with her low levels of power was more of a nurse than a healer. She was given orders to not talk about her patient, and serve him until he awakened. The nurse nodded eager to serve.

The Hanyou's needs taken care of for now, Sesshoumaru went to the council chambers where the council was gathered to hear Bankutso's report. The update of what had occurred left them all grim. Privately Bankotsu reported to Sesshoumaru of the likelihood of the Shikon No Tama being in the City of the West. Highly coded messages were sent to the Demon King, and the next day, Lord Sesshoumaru, General Bankotsu and Bakusen'O were summoned immediately to the court of the Demon King, for extended planning and discussions.

Commander Kagura, a trusted wind demon, was left in charge of the General administration of the Palace, Sir Jaken as always was in charge of the Children, Bankotsu's partner, General Jakotsu was in charge of defenses, and Hachiemon a raccoon demon was in charge of miscellaneous matters, including caring for the Hanyou. Sesshoumaru made it clear that other than the nurse, no one was to touch or approach the Hanyou.

Things went fine for the first three days, the Hanyou had yet to emerge from unconsciousness. On the night of the third day word reached the palace of a collapsed mine in the South of the state, up to 200 workers were trapped. This was seen as a state emergency, senior staff had to go to represent Sesshoumaru, as Hachiemon had family in the area, he was the logical representative. He delegated his duties to the other courtiers, and since he could only give the care of the Hanyou to those who were present during the breaking of the collar, he was in a bind. The demon he chose had to have limited mental abilities. He was rather relieved when one of the courtiers who happened to fit the bill volunteered for the task, so he did not have to tell them that he was searching for someone with weak demon energy. He gave Sesshoumaru's instructions to the volunteer and left.

On the fifth night, the nurse as usual went to serve the unconscious Hanyou. Only he was slowly surfacing to consciousness, and he had begun to dream. His body jerked and twisted rather violently, in his sleep.

The badger was so surprised she jerked back in shock, stepped on her own tail, and fell backwards. She rolled violently down the stairs, it was a few hours later when she was found by a patrolling guard passed out with a concussion at the base of the stair case. She was quickly taken to the medical bay for treatment.

The Council demon whom the badger had been reporting to was told of the situation, and he assured everyone not to worry, and that the situation that required the nurses services had changed. He urged them to see to her care and not concern themselves with matters they were not assigned to. The healers shrugged and left.

A satisfied smile crossed the councilor's face. He had been right, the Hanyou was dangerous, violent and obviously a fake. He would not disobey any order from Lord Sesshoumaru, but he had to make sure the Hanyou would not attack other members of the court. If the Hanyou was as strong as they said – this would not hurt him, but if he was the weakling that the councilman suspected be was – then he would expose the Hanyou and emerge the hero. Manten smiled as he admired his fine looks, and long curling locks in the mirror, Yes! This was his time to show how truly valuable an asset he was to the Demon Lord.

On the 7th night Inuyasha's eyes finally opened, and while he no longer wore the collar, not much else of his world seemed to have changed. In some ways it was a lot worse.

-tbc-

what do you think? Saw it coming? Do I actually need to say that things are going to be NOT good in the next chapter? Review please! At least tell me how much you hate me... I feel kindda down myself at the moment! *sigh

On the other hand NaNo word count 20k! Yes!
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SURVIVE