Chapter fifteen : The surprise

Sesshomaru's POV

So, how do you put back someone's soul in their body ? Sesshomaru asked himself. In his arms, his brother's soul was glowing even more now that it was close to its original body. It was ready to go back. But how to do it ?...

Trusting his instincts, he held Inu-Yasha's soul above the body, and then he just carefully set it down.

For a second, the soul stayed floating over the corpse, then it slowly begun to fuse with it, melting in the flesh of its rightful owner. There was a beautiful light, and when it disappeared, all that was left was Inu-Yasha's body lying on the couch.

Sesshomaru waited, holding his breath... And then the changes started : Inu-Yasha's cold and pale skin suddenly seemed to warm up, all the colors reappearing on his face as the blood begun to flow in his veins again. Sesshomaru could feel the smell of death completely disappearing from the air, replaced by the sweet and relaxing scent of life. He saw his brother's fingers jolt, his ears twitch and his eyelids tremble... And then he heard it, what he had been waiting for : quick and srong heartbeats, pounding in his sensitive ears like the most beautiful melody. Inu-Yasha's chest suddenly raised as air begun to fill his lungs. The hanyou started to cough, instinctively gasping for more air, little tears falling from his still closed eyes.

Finally allowing himself to breath, Sesshomaru smiled happily and helped his brother into a sitting position, rubbing his back soothingly, noting in the process that the large wound piercing the hanyou's torso had disappeared. When Inu-Yasha was finally able to breath normally, he opened his teary eyes and looked at Sesshomaru. This one just looked back, enjoying this bright sparkle of life that was back in his brother's golden gaze.

- Welcome back, Inu-Yasha... he whispered with a smile.

His brother just looked at him, silent. Sesshomaru was about to ask what was wrong when all of a sudden, Inu-Yasha threw his arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Pleasantly surprised, Sesshomaru just hugged him back. That's when he finally realized that he still had two arms. He wasn't sure how it was possible, but he had a suspicion that his father had something to do about it... Anyway, he wasn't gonna complain ! Returning his attention to his little brother, he heard him murmur softly :

- Thank you...

The demon Lord retorted with a grin :

- I think you said that before...

He was a bit startled by Inu-Yasha's answer :

- I'll never say it enough...

Loosening his hold, Sesshomaru moved back a little and observed his younger brother. Relief washed over him like the wave of a tsunami, as the reality suddenly hit him : he had done it. He had saved Inu-Yasha. Smiling, he told him :

- I'm just glad you're OK.

The hanyou smiled back. God it was good to be brothers again !... But they would have to work on that smiling thing. Seriously, their cheeks were almost hurting...

- Well little brother, Sesshomaru said, I think there is quite a few people outside that would be thrilled to see you.

No one's POV

It must've been a good twenty-five minutes now that Sesshomaru was in the hut. Kagome and the others were still waiting outside, wondering what could be going on in the small habitation, but decided not to intrude and to give the youkai Lord all the time he needed. Little Shippo suddenly stiffened, looking confused. Sango noticed and asked :

- What's wrong, Shippo ?

- It's weird, the small kitsune answered. I can't smell the scent of death anymore. Just a moment ago it was all around the hut, and it was strong enough for me to pick it up. But now, it's like it had completely disappeared !

The group exchanged questioning looks.

- What could that mean ? asked Kagome.

- I have no idea, answered Miroku.

Suddenly, the braided cloth that was hiding the entrance of the hut rustled. They all turned in swift motion to see Sesshomaru finally coming out with a strange look on his face. He didn't seem sad nor angry, his expression was as cold as usual. But there was just something in his eyes... they couldn't really tell what, but it was definitely there... it was weird, but it was like his eyes were smiling... like there was some kind of happiness in his golden gaze... It was very strange, to say the least.

They realized they were staring, and quickly lowered their heads. Miroku asked :

- I presume you are done, Sesshomaru-sama ?

- I am. However, I suggest you all come take a look inside. I think there is something you should see.

They threw him a puzzled look, but he just ignored it and waited for them to follow him. Standing up, they walked toward the hut. Just before they entered, Sesshomaru stopped them and said :

- I hope you're as tough as you look, humans, because it'll be quite a surprise.

Then, he let them pass. They were even more confused with his words, and a bit suspiscious too. Slowly, they walked into the hut, wondering what they would see... and stopped dead in their tracks.

For there, in the middle of the room, was sitting a very much alive Inu-Yasha.

Inu-Yasha's POV

The hanyou looked at his friends nervously. He didn't really know what to say. He decided to give it a try :

- Hum... Hi guys...

OK, that was dumb. But he wasn't expecting the reaction his two little dumb words caused ; Kagome practically fell to her knees, her hands covering her mouth and her her eyes wide. Little Shippo started to shiver like a leaf, while all colors seemed to drain from Miroku's face. Sango's legs wavered and she gripped Miroku's robe with trembling hands to prevent herself from falling. They all looked at him like he was a ghost... and to them, it was pretty much what he was.

Inu-Yasha was feeling very uncomfortable. He wanted to reassure them, to tell them that everything was fine now, but he couldn't fine the right words. He needed help... Just as if he had heard him, Sesshomaru suddenly entered the hut. The others didn't even noticed him. Inu-Yasha gave him a look that said : «Please help me !», but the older demon answered by a look of his own that seemed to mean : «No, they need you to speak, not me. Come on, I know you can do it, little brother.»

Inu-Yasha thought about it for a moment, and then nodded to his brother. Standing up, he walked toward his friends, whose eyes seemed to become bigger and bigger with each one of his steps. He stopped before them, and observed each of their faces with attention. Crossing his arms over his chest, he suddenly gave them his most beautiful smile and said with a hint of his usual arrogance :

- What ? I come back to life and that's all you have to say ? Not even a little "hello" or something ? I'm disappointed...

Kagome was the first to react. Standing up, she threw her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably, making them both fall to the ground. Inu-Yasha asked with a grin :

- What are you trying to do, wench ? Kill me a second time ?

She sobbed even more, and Inu-Yasha's expression softened. He brung her up with him in a sitting position, stroking her hair as he whispered :

- It's OK, Kagome. I'm here now. Don't cry.

That's when all his other friends decided to react as well ; they run toward him and Kagome, crying and smiling at the same time. They fell to their knees beside him, hugging him, gripping his haori, touching him as to see if he was real... Inu-Yasha just smiled, happy because they were happy...

He caught a glance of Sesshomaru standing in the back, a little smile on his lips. Inu-Yasha grinned at him and shook his head, as if saying : «Humans, they're so emotional !» He saw his brother nod, agreeing with him.