As the Western Lord stepped into Edo the first thing he saw was his brother. Fighting down the urge to grab the half-breed and kill him, he ignored him completely. Spying the other members of Inuyasha’s pack, he made his way over to the monk and exterminator. They were like family to her so he felt they had a right to know what had transpired.
Seeing the youkai approaching, Inuyasha growled a bit. It had been a bad week … no, bad was too mild of a word …horrific would be a more apt description, and he sure as hell didn’t need Sesshomaru coming around to add to the insanity. Snarling, he spit out one of typical greetings, “What the fuck do you want, asshole?”
Stopping, Sesshomaru shot the hanyou a gaze that had such malevolence in it that Inuyasha blinked and took several steps back; a short flash of fear showing on his face.
When he was sure he had the hanyous undivided attention he said, voiced like a silken dagger, “I’m not in a magnanimous mood today Inuyasha so I would suggest you not add to it with your usual stupidity.”
Not one to let his brother get the best of him in anything, he sneered, “Keh. Like I care.”
Shooting him another look, he then turned and stepped over to where the monk and slayer were standing, both eyeing them warily. “Kagome’s been hurt.” He told him in his usual blunt manner.
Eyes growing big, Sango looked up at him, “What happened? Is she alright? Where is she?” She asked in rapid fire succession, voice quivering a bit
An uncharacteristic lump formed in his throat and he couldn’t force himself to say anything. Instead he just shook his head and handed her the note she had left.
Quickly, she read it over then put a hand over her moth as she began to shake and tears began to fall.
Having read the note over her shoulder, Miroku held the crying woman and looked at the Western Lord; face an open book full of fear, concern and panic. “At least tell me she’s alive! Where is she?”
“I don’t know her condition at the moment. The ookami prince found her. He’s taken her to get some assistance because her injuries were beyond what either he or I were equipped to deal with. She was alive when he left with her. That is the best assessment I can give you.”
Inuyasha had slid over by them and was listening in, a look of abject horror on his face. Although he didn’t see the note it took no great leap in logic for him to figure out that she had tried to kill herself. “Kaede’s the best healer there is. Why didn’t you bring her here?”
The mere sound of his voice made Sesshomaru want to strangle him but he resisted then answered, “Her injuries were beyond the healer’s skills so he has taken her elsewhere to get her the help she requires. He assured me he would come to Edo when he had news.”
Knowing what questions were to come and knowing he wanted to answer none of them, he then turned and headed to the edge of the village to wait for Kouga’s return.
That first 24 hours of the wait was the worst. Sesshomaru kept expecting to see Kouga show up with the news that she was gone. But the wolf demon didn’t make an appearance. As 24 stretched into 48 hours, hope took hold of him. By the 72-hour mark he was fairly sure she was alive. All he had to do was to wait for the ookami to return and confirm it. That wait was becoming almost intolerable. He had to know one way or the other.