On the Outside by SunsetMiko

The Confrontation

Chapter 17 - The Confrontation

*What Am I* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru had no idea what was going to happen when he walked into the school with Inuyasha by his side. It was a stressful experience like nothing he'd ever known before and he didn't know how to act. Would his popularity be enough to keep him afloat socially or would the stigma of the hanyou bring him down to the bottom rung of the school's social ladder? He was so confused by all his recent decisions that he wasn't even sure who he really was anymore, which only added to his stress.

Once Inuyasha returned home the night before, after walking Kagome to the shrine, the two had a long talk. Sesshoumaru apologized for blaming the hanyou for the destruction of his happy family. Kagome was right after all. It wasn't the boy's fault he'd been born. He didn't ask for their father to abandon his mate for another woman. Inuyasha was hesitant to believe in Sesshoumaru's sudden shift in attitude, but he decided to give his half-brother a chance. Even if it was all an act for Kagome's sake, it would be a nice change of pace.

*Love is Justice* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

The taiyoukai had thought long and hard about his feelings for hanyou in general. If it weren't for Inuyasha, he wouldn't have had a reason to hate them. His love for Kagome made it obvious that he wasn't against all human/demon relationships and the more he thought, the more he realized that it shouldn't matter what two people were if they were in love. You don't get to pick who you fall for and you shouldn't have to suffer without the person you desire just because they're a different species. Only then did he realize that his anger had blinded him. He had no reason to be against human/demon relationships, just as he had no reason to despise hanyou. They were products of love. How could that ever be a bad thing?

And so there he was, walking into school, with his half-brother by his side as if they were the best of friends. At first they merely got strange looks, which eventually turned into rude muttered comments. When they reached the taiyoukai's locker, his group of friends turned to him in shock.

*Responsibility Response* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"What the hell is this?" Hiten asked, his tone dark. "You bringing him to us for a little fun?"

Sesshoumaru silently reminded himself why he was doing this, squared his shoulders, and replied. "No, I have decided that my brother does not deserve the treatment he has received. He will no longer be abused. Anyone who does so will answer to me."

Every sound in the crowded hall stopped, so much so that you could have heard a pin drop. Long moments passed before the laughter began; wild, uproarious laughter that seemed to echo in Sesshoumaru's head.

"That's a good one, man. You? Protecting a hanyou?"

The taiyoukai shook his head. "It is not a joke. I am entirely serious. There is no good reason to persecute hanyou and I will no longer be doing so. I can only hope that you will join me."

The laughter began again.