Serpents and Dog Demons

a/n : there is a rather hilarious and ridiculous typo in the previous chappie. I was going to correct it, but then went nah, its too damn funny. So now Im leaviing it on purpose. Thanks you to all those who pointed it out – its in the Jagan scene read carefully. Who knows maybe Ban did it on purpose... muahahahaha

Thank you all the reviewers. Sorry this is a short chapter. But still read and enjoy and review please.

Chapter 8 : The return of Inuyasha

Impassive and stoic the Lord watched from a distance, his scent and presence hidden from all. He had come by a couple of days ago, and the arrival of the Wolf Prince had distracted them long enough for him to hide his presence. Then he had seen the child, bouncing around the edge of the forest, his laughter ringing out, shocking and rebuking the Daiyoukai. The complex mix of emotions experienced when he had seen Inuyasha as a child defy explanation, they were like seething magma hidden under the deceptive crust of hardened rock. So many emotions pulled the Daiyoukai in so many different directions, so he had done, nothing. He stood and watched as a stranger picked up the young one, and his emotions got even more complex with the child had curled so trustingly into the strange man. A part of him wanted to rip the child from the man's arms, the other part reminded him, that he did not have the right to do that.

Sesshoumaru’s felt something approaching, it was still too far away, for the ones in the village to feel it. Its presence would shatter the current state of peace the village was in, put the child in danger. This was a stench that Sesshoumaru was familiar with, and without really thinking about it, the DaiYoukai was on the move. He angled his movement so it would not seem like he came from the direction of the village.

“Sesshoumaru, this day I have business else where. I am sorry to say I have no wish to fight you today.”

“This Sesshoumaru does not recall ever offering you a wish Naraku, I have decided that you are a burden this world no longer needs.” Armed with Tojikin the Daiyoukai attacked, forcing the baboon into battle.

Sesshoumaru would not destroy the laughter of the young one, and THIS time he would ensure that no one else did as well.

While Sesshoumaru was unable to kill the Baboon, he hurt and damaged the demon into retreat. The monster would take time to recover, and Sesshoumaru kept to the perimeter of the village just out of sensing range, guarding it from attack.

--**

So it was that Inuyasha's week as a child passed without any further traumatic attacks, the Miko now really keeping her distance. Ban was a little bit impressed that the Miko had not run back to her world, the girl may be an abuser and a royal pain – but at least she was not a coward.

It was the night of the new moon, Little Yasha had felt funny the whole day. He knew that he was goig to turn into a human, and he was scared. His lat human night alone in the forest had been beyond frightening, and the child could not help his fear. For around noon, Yasha did not actually cling to Ban, he just tried to stand really really close. After almost tripping over the child for the 3rd time, Band gave in and picked up the little one, tucking him under his shirt. For the rest of the day all anyone say was little Yasha's face popping out of top of the shirt, to grin and chuckle at the world. The cries of 'so cute' followed the embarrassed Ban everywhere.

At sunset Ban, Shippo and Little Yasha sat on the roof, and watched the last rays disappear down the horizon. A tiny human hand clenched Ban's shirt, the black hair human, was somehow smaller then the Hanyou. His violet eyes confused and totally dominating the tiny face. “Is hurts Ban'idou-Ojisama, my head hurts!”

Ban immediately gather the children and jumped down to Kaede's hut. The old Miko checked the child carefully. There was nothing physically wrong. “Inuyasha how does your head hurt, child?” The old woman asked the increasingly distressed child.

“Pictures in Yasha's head.” The child whimpered in distress. “So many pictures, peoples hurting Yasha, Yasha hurting peoples. Bad lady shooting Yasha, funny box jungle, so many pictures, in Yasha;s head.”

“The spell is losing its hold on the child. This must be a natural part of the process.” Kaede sighed.

“But he is hurting, give him some medicine.” Shippo said worriedly.

“Giving him anything now may be dangerous, little Kitsune. I suggest that you just get hi physically comfortable.” Kaede stroked the Kitsune comfortingly.

Ban released a relieved breathe, the child was in no danger. “Come on Fox, the three of us will go to the hot-spring.” Ban bent to pick up Yasha and held out a hand to the Kitsune.

“BanMidou a moment.” Kaede stopped him, she gestured for Shippo and Yasha to leave. The human reluctantly walked out with the Kit. Ban looking enquiringly at the woman. “One has noticed that you are very attached to the child. You may not know it but there is a chance that you could keep the child at this age and raise him as a son. I have found a spell that would allow it.” Kaede said softly. “Inuyasha has had a terrible childhood, we could give him a second chance.” The old Miko had a huge soft spot for the Hanyou and she would not have minded raising the little cherub herself.

Ban looked surprised at the old woman, we was tempted for half a second to say yes, but to his surprise the majority of his being yelled a vehement NO. Yes little Yasha was adorable, but Ban wanted the adult version back, he wanted his friend, his sparing partner, his travel companion, his.... there was more but it was just beyond Ban's conscious mind. In short all he wanted was to have Inuyasha back, flaws and all, he wanted the Hanyou back.

Ban shook his head. “We would be no better then Naraku if we stole Inuyasha from himself.” Ban rationalized his gut decision. He walked out, and scooped up the little human who giggled in delight. Holding Shippo's hand the three went to the hot-springs.

Yasha seemed more comfortable outdoors, so Ban leapt up to Inuyasha's tree and the two spent the night there, with the fire-rat robe as a blanket. The night was long and miserable for the temporary human. Memories and pictures chasing in his head frightening and overwhelming him. The Jagan master's hands firmly around him, were all that kept he child's sanity intact.

Finally the rays of the sun, cut through the darkness of the sweltering night. Ban leapt to the ground just as dawn broke, laying the sleeping Yasha on the grass. As the first ray hit the child, magic swelled around him. It blossomed and whirled, infusing the tiny body, making the sleeping Hanyou glow. Golden eyes opened, and light streamed out of the eyes, a veil of white hair was all Ban could see for a second, and the he was thrown against the tree but the soundless explosion of air that emitted from the Hanyou.

“Inuyasha” Ban cried out, he looked back and saw the now naked and adult form sitting on the forest floor breathing hard. A clawed hand grasped the firerat robe and Inuyasha dressed himself without looking at Ban.

Ban was a little worried, would Inuyasha remember anything? Would he be upset?

Inuyasha once dressed stood up and stretched, then he finally turned golden eyes to blue ones.

“The last week, it seems like a dream. I think I remember it all but its like the stuff that happened to me – happened but at the same time didn't. Does that make sense?” Inuyasha asked softly.

“Yeah,, it sorta does.” Ban matched Inuyasha's tone. “Are you mad at me?”

“You mean spanking Kagome?” Inuyasha asked thinking about it. “No, not really. I don't like seeing her cry, she did save me from my sleeping death, but I really can't get mad when if I think about it all I really wanna do is laugh.” Inuyasha chuckled, their eyes met and something between the two men broke.

Shippo was awakened to a strange sound, it harmonized and gave the Kit a boost of energy. He rushed out and watched and Inuyasha and Ban Midou laughed like children, the laughter was young, carefree and joyous. It rang across the village, creating a mood of joy.

Merry tears in his eyes, Inuyasha laughed, if it was a dream, it was a good one. But it had been real so it was so much better.

---tbc