The Puppy Within by cassandra

The Curse

Laughter could be heard throughout the clearing as Inuyasha looked at the small white growling puppy in front of him.

Kagome glared at him. "It's not funny Inuyasha!" She yelled.

"The hell it ain't! So who'd ya piss off this time eh Sesshomaru? Or should I call ya fluffy instead?" Inuyasha said as he burst out laughing again. The puppy that was now known as Sesshomaru growled again.

Kagome sighed. "Sit." As Inuyasha slammed into the ground, Sesshomaru stopped growling and looked at Kagome as if in wonder of her neat little 'trick.'

"Now, will you please tell us what happened Rin?" Kagome asked the sniffling girl.

"Don't you dare you insufferable brat! You keep your trap shut! They don't need to know anything!" Jaken yelled. He shut up after Sesshomaru growled at him.

"Rin will tell you all she knows." Rin said as she sat down and began to explain what happened.

Earlier that day....

Rin, Jaken and Sesshomaru were patrolling Sesshomaru's lands in search of hints of Naraku when they ran into an old woman.

"So, you're the almighty lord Sesshomaru huh?" She asked looking him over.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "Who are you and how do you know who I am? Do not attempt to lie to me for I will know and then I'll kill you."

The old woman smiled. "My mistress was right. You really are a cold one aren't you?"

"You old hag! How dare you speak to lord Sesshomaru like that!" Jaken yelled waving his staff.

"Silence Jaken. Woman, you will tell this Sesshomaru who your mistress is and what business you have with me now." He demanded.

"You shouldn't be so demanding or disrespectful of your elders whelp!" The woman said glaring at him.

"I believe I asked you a question woman. Now answer me or I'll be forced to kill you." He growled begining to lose his patience.

The old woman sighed. "Fine! My mistress is your mother."

"My mother? What does that conniving witch want now?" He spat. It was no secret that he and his mother didn't get along. She liked to play games and mess with people. He thought her foolish for her childish ways and stayed as far away from her as possible.

"She wanted me to give you a gift and a little message." She said smirking.

"Gift? I have no need of such. Especially from that bitch." He scoffed.

"Oh but you will take it regardless. Here!" She yelled throwing a small glowing orb at him. On instinct he caught it and within seconds regretted it.

The orb absorbed into him and he felt a stinging sensation. He roared out in pain as his body began to feel as if it were on fire. His body began to painfully shift and change.

"What have you done to my lord you witch!?" Jaken yelled as he watched the mighty demon transform into a small puppy before his very eyes.

"I've only done as his mother asked. She wants him to learn a lesson."

"What lesson could she possibly be teaching him by turning him into a puppy!" Jaken yelled in defense of his lord.

She ignored him. "Pride and arrogance have been the downfall of a great many men Sesshomaru. They get you nowhere in life. You will be doomed for all eternity alone if you cannot humble yourself and allow others into your heart. When you love someone enough to give your life for them, then and only then will you be able to return to normal. Farewell young lord." The old woman said before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"And that's everything that happened." A sad Rin said finishing her tale.

"Ha! You're own mother did this to you? That makes this whole thing all the funnier!" Inuyasha said laughing.

"Miss Kagome?"

"Yes Rin?"

"Do you know how to fix lord Sesshomaru?" She asked looking into Kagome's eyes.

Kagome sighed. "I don't know how but maybe old lady Kaede can."

Inuyasha instantly stopped laughing. "Oh hell no! We ain't taking that bastard with us! Let him fix this mess himself!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Please Inuyasha! Lord Sesshomaru needs to be fixed! I don't have anyone else but him!" Rin said looking at Inuyasha with tears in her eyes.

Inuyasha sighed. He was such a sucker for girls who cried. It didn't matter their age. And no matter how rough he was with Shippo he truly did have a soft spot for children.

He sighed. "Fine we'll help. But I ain't doin this for him ya got that kid! I'm only doin this cause you need him to take care of you runt." He said crossing his arms.

"Oh thank you!" Rin said hugging him.

"Uh...sure kid." He said patting her head. He wasn't used to people hugging him and it made him feel a little uncomfortable.

"Don't you touch that worthless halfbreed Rin! You don't know where that filth has been!" Jaken yelled.

Inuyasha growled. "Why you! Shut the hell up ya stupid toad!" He yelled punching him in the head.

Rin giggled. "Lord Sesshomaru usually steps on him when he annoys him. If he bugs my lord too much then he gives him a kick that sends him flying far away."

"Is that so? I'll just have to remember that." Inuyasha said smirking evilly at Jaken.

Just then the forgotten Sesshomaru let out a loud growl. He was tired of just sitting around and wanted to go see this Kaede person in hopes that she could help him. He hoped so because there was no way in hell he'd be willing to sacrifice his own life for ANYONE.

"I think my lord wants to go now." Rin said.

Inuyasha snorted. "Well too damn bad. His royal fluffiness will leave when I feel like it!"

"Inuyasha! Don't make me say it." Kagome threatened.

"Ok. Ok. Calm down. Come on then let's get this over with. You'd better keep up Sesshomaru, cause I ain't carrying your ass!" Inuyasha said as he started to lead them out of the clearing.

Kagome giggled as Sesshomaru stuck his nose up in the air as if to say he didn't need to be carried.