Chapter 1:

"But why can't mommy play wif me?" a very sad looking Sesshomaru asked his father.

"Because she needs her rest…remember she's very sick." The young DaiYouki's father said

"When is mommy going to get better? I wanna play wif her." Sesshomaru whined while looking up at his father who was currently fixing his lunch. He crossed his arms over his small chest and stomped his foot in order to display his displeasure

"I don't know little man, tell you what, maybe if we let her sleep she will get better faster so we have to be real quiet ok?" Touga whispered to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru clasped his hands over his mouth and nodded his head. The sooner mommy got better the sooner she would be able to play with him.

Sesshomaru motioned for his father to crouch down beside him so he wouldn't have to speak too loudly "Daddy can we go to the park today?" little Sesshomaru whispered in his father's ear. "I wanna play wif Kenji"

"OK Sessho, we can go after we finish lunch ok." Touga smiled down at his son who had the cutest expression on his face. You would have thought someone had given him the key to an ice cream factory.

After they finished their lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Sesshomaru raced to get ready. Kenji was his absolute best friend in the world and they did everything together. Touga walked into Sesshomaru's room just in time to see him fall over. He had attempted to put a sweater on and it was currently stuck on the little inu's head. He pulled and struggled before finally crossing his arm over his chest and giving up. Just when he was about to call for his dad he felt something tug on the sweater then his father was kneeling in front of him. Sesshomaru smiled. "Thank you daddy." He smiled before resuming his 100 mile an hour pace to get ready. He grabbed his shoes and raced over to his dad. "Can you help me please?" Touga took the shoes from his son and began lacing them up.

"There you go little man, are you ready to go?" Sesshomaru nodded his head and ran to the front door.

"Can I ride on your shoulders pleeeeeeeeeeeease?"

"Alright, alright. Here. We. GO" Touga scooped up Sesshomaru and swung him on his shoulders. He began gliding down the street so it felt like he was really flying. Sessho's childish laughter filled his ears and Touga smiled relishing in the fact that Sesshomaru was so happy.

When they reached the park Touga put Sesshomaru down and as soon as his feet hit the ground he took off running towards the Play set. A boy with short blue hair was playing on the slide, he was about the same size as Sesshomaru and his eyes were a piercing grey.

"Hi Kenji." Sesshomaru called to him as he was running across the park.

"Hi Sessomawu." Kenji jumped up and they both ran to go play on the slide.

Touga smiled at his son then walked over to a nearby bench. He closed his eyes and appreciated his much needed break. Ever since his wife had fallen ill it seemed that nothing was relaxing anymore. He watched his son go down the slide while remembering what it had been like before Izaiyo had gotten sick.

Flashback

"Higher mommy higher" Sesshomaru begged his mother as she pushed him on the swing set at the park.

It was been a perfect autumn day and Sessho wanted to play with his mother at the park. Touga had decided to take a break from all his work as lord of the western lands and spend some much needed time with his family. He stood behind Izaiyo with his arms wound tightly around her waist. HE stuck his nose in the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply. Her scent was amazing no it was more than that; it was too good for words. It was comforting yet strong and it smelled of fresh ocean waves and citrus fruit. A smile formed on his lips as he enjoyed the relaxing sound of his son's happiness and his wife's prescience.

End Flashback

Those had been one of the happiest days of his life. He missed the time he spent with his family. Sesshomaru had just turned three years old and it would be a whole year in just two weeks. It had taken a toll on both him and Sesshomaru when they learned that Izaiyo was sick, both emotionally and physically. His once snow white hair was beginning to dim until it showed subtle hints of black and his golden eyes were surrounded by dark circles that seemed they would never go away no matter how much sleep he got. Sesshomaru had become quieter. He was still very talkative and playful but at the same time he seemed different more thoughtful. Touga would sometimes find him sitting in the gardens by himself staring at the sky as if some great answer were hidden in the clouds. He would often ask when his mother would be better again but the truth was Touga had no clue. He had consulted many doctors and when they had failed to give him the answers he needed he had consulted many priestesses as well. They all said the same thing, that they had never seen anything like it before. Her symptoms were normal nothing extreme but they were in no way connected. She was always tired and when she was awake she would experience coughing fits that wouldn't cease until she had eventually vomited all of the contents of her stomach. They had long since given up on solid food and kept her to a strictly fluid diet. She would complain of sharp pains in her stomach and her joints. She had been left so weak that she could hardly stand for more than a few seconds and when she tried to walk her legs would only carry her a few steps before giving out on her.

If was so hard for Touga to cope with this. No matter how sick she got she always managed to care about everyone but herself. When she was awake she would often scold him for not sleeping enough and letting his work get the best of him. She was always smiling no matter what, no matter how much pain she was in she would break out in the most amazing smile when Sesshomaru walked into the room. Little Sesshomaru would always be the first one, other than Touga, to know if she was awake. He would bring books and try his best to read them for her. He knew how much she loved to read; in fact they had built her her own library in their mansion just so she could. Sesshomaru did anything and everything he could to please his mother. He would sit by her bed even if she was asleep and just keep her company. Touga walked in on this display a couple of times, and each time you could see the sadness hidden behind the little youkis eyes as he tried to keep a brave face.

The whole family had been affected by this but it was definitely obvious that Sesshomaru had taken it the worst.

Touga was brought out of his thoughts as a shrill cry reached his ears from the playground. He shot up hearing that it was Sesshomaru. His eyes searched until he saw a ball of silver hair lying on the ground. He was holding his ankle and not letting anyone come near him.

"Sesshomaru what happened?" Touga asked in a worried tone.

"It hurts Daddy" Sesshomaru exclaimed between sobbing and gasps of breath.

"Mr. Sessho's dad we were running and his foot got stuck." Kenji said breathlessly.

"Here let daddy have a look at it." Touga carefully removed the small child's hand from around his ankle. It seemed to be fine no broken bones but it was very red and had begun to swell up.

"Well it's not broken but you seemed to have twisted it pretty bad. Don't worry it'll be all better in a little while." Touga looked at Kenji and asked him in a calm voice. "Sessho's going to be ok but he has to go home and get some rest, where is your mommy?"

Kenji pointed in the direction of the swing set where his mother was playing with his younger brother

Once they reached them Touga explained what happened and apologized to Kenji for shortening his play date and promised him the could do it another day.

The whole way home Sesshomaru cried silent tears as he tried to ignore the pain in his ankle. His small body shivered as they flew above the city.

By the time they had gotten home Sesshomaru's ankle was already almost healed and the swelling was going down. He had fallen asleep part from the pain and part from just plain exhaustion. They reached the house in a matter of minutes and Touga to Sesshomaru directly to their healing wing, just to make sure that nothing serious was wrong. Once he was reassured that everything was ok he walked to Sesshomaru's room and began getting him ready for bed. He had had a very exhausting day and it didn't seem like he was going to be coming out of his coma like sleep anytime soon. Touga gently laid the small bundle on the bed and began unlacing his shoes. He carefully removed the child's sweater and proceeded to tuck him in.

Touga was on his way out the door when he heard a small mummer from across the room.

"mommy" was the soft whisper that escaped the small youkai'a mouth as he slept.

Touga's face twisted into one of sadness as he realized he could not comfort his son in the way that he truly wanted. He slowly shut the door and treaded to his bed room where he fell into a dreamless sleep for which he was grateful.