Morning

I write, mostly on hotel paper

Knowing, that my thoughts will never leave this room

I'd be out of line telling you, leave her

So why lie, I'm only surrounded by you

By you

Lately, I can't be happy for no one

They think I need some time to myself

I try to smile but I can't remember

I know tomorrow there'll be nothing else

Extracted form Hotel Paper, Michelle Branch

His golden orbs stared at the pale moon above, polished by the dark sky surrounding it. The gentle breeze of the spring softly caressed his pale skin, freeing his silvery white locks in the air. The dark green grass that carpeted the earth murmured quietly as another wave of wind blew through the field. The small girl that slept soundly by him stirred lightly, while the toad demon let out a loud snort.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and leaned his back onto the thick trunk of the tree behind him. The rough curves and whirls could be felt through silk of his kimono. It was an old tree, no less, to possess such obvious and deep etched bark.

It was a quiet night, with an occasional chirp of a cricket to interrupt the stillness. Rin had fallen asleep as soon as stars came out, soon followed by Jaken, with Sesshoumaru only one remaining awake. It wasn't unusual for him to stay awake for so long, since he never slept much before and was a light sleeper. Yet tonight was different. Generally the fatigue of a day's walking would have weighed his eyelids now, but right then he still felt refreshed, with no hint of drowsiness whatsoever.

Aimlessly, he let his mind drift. Involuntarily, he let a small growl when he thought about his half-brother.

Inuyasha, the ever-so ignorant hanyou was his kin. Sesshoumaru balled his fist in the mere memory of his sibling. He despised Inuyasha, despite the fact he was the only family of his. Yet the hatred of his younger brother ran deep. However, it wasn't caused by the fact that his brother wasn't a pureblood demon like so many people thought. No, the revulsion ran much deeper… much darker…

It was late into the night. The crisp tingle of glass breaking could be heard throughout the manor, sending another eave of chills down the young dog demon's spine.

Silently, the elder son of the great demonic warrior, Tekakomaru, crept out of his blankets and tiptoed to his parents' bedroom, which was located a few hallways away from his own chamber. As quietly as he could manage, he pressed his elfish ear close to the thin paper door that was the only thing that muffled the noises inside.

"I can smell that wench's scent on you! Don't you even try to deny this!" the angry voice of Sesshoumaru's mother, Momoko, screeched. "I am not even dead yet! And you're already replacing me?"

"Quiet, Momoko, I don't want to discuss this." Came the familiar voice of his father. The words were sternly spoken, and Sesshoumaru could feel his muscles stiffen. Tekakomaru had only used that tone to the captured thieves that had been foolish to steal from the manor previously. Why would he using such harsh manner toward his mother?

"Why? Are you afraid that people will know you're lowering yourself to such a level that you're actually mingling with mortals?" Momoko spat out the last word like it was a bad taste lingering on her tongue.

"I won't allow you to talk bad of mortals, Momoko. Hold your tongue." The icy tone of Tekakomaru seeped through the fragile paper, chilling Sesshoumaru's heart.

"Why you-" Momoko started and was cut short by a curt slap.

Due to the dim lamp that was lit inside of the room, Sesshoumaru could see his parents' silhouettes etched on the paper doors, echoing their movements. And just then, Sesshoumaru had witnessed one of the shadows leaning to the other and smacked it hard across the cheek, sending her long hair loose from the bun.

He hit her.