Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. I write the characters according to my own views about them. In addition, I write them how I think they will react in the situations I place them in. So please refrain from leaving reviews stating they are OOC, since each person interprets such things differently.

Chapter 1

Things Have to End to Begin

Sitting against a wall in a small hut, amidst hostile village, a hanyou pup of fifty years holds his mother's head in his lap. His sadness is trying to conquer him.

'She's dying and there is nothing I can do.'

The hut was warm, but an airy breeze, made its way thru the tiny window. Unlike the breeze blowing in, his mother's life was slipping out. He is desperately trying to rationalize this ending.

'She is only human; it is not possible for her to live forever.'

His mother has lived seventy years, a blessing for a human. He should be grateful for having her so long. Neither illness nor disease is the cause of dying, just old age.

Trying to speak, she called his name, straining against the oncoming death.

"My love for you will not die with me.'

"Mine won't either, but I will be so alone once you're gone."

She took one of her last breaths. Raising her tired eyes to her son's face, she gives him so hope.

"My son you will not be alone, someone will give you all the protection and comfort you need."

Her voice is starting to fade now she can fight no longer. Sensing this, Inuyasha lowers his head to give his mother, one last kiss.

"Inuyasha, you will experience great happiness," was her last promise.

As her breath stopped and her eyes closed, Inuyasha's mother left the land of the living.

Dragging a makeshift sled behind him, Inuyasha left those nasty humans behind. They had bluntly refused, when he asked for their help. The villagers even beat him for his mistake.

'She had been human too, regardless if she had me.'

The gash on his honey colored cheek continued to bleed. He felt lucky he had no internal bleeding from all the kicks in the stomach he had received. Wiping the blood away, he endured his tiring trek thru the forest. There was a clearing in here, which will give his mother's grave seclusion.

'I can't trust they won't be spiteful', suppressing his rage.

'They would probably dig her up and burn her, to rid their village of a bad omen...me.'

Finding the clearing he had been searching for, he stopped and drew in tattered breaths. Between the grief, the beating, and the lugging of his mother's body, Inuyasha was exhausted. Dispensing the need to fall flat on his face, he picks an ancient oak tree to act as her grave marker. He begins to dig, wanting to give his mother a proper burial. Inuyasha glanced at the sled, his head starting spin with sorrow.

'She deserves more than I can give.'

The night air and gleaming moon made Sessohomaru's walk enjoyable. Not many things were any more since his father's death. Continuous assassination attempts, minor nobles trying to obtain his power, made him want to kill the whole lot of them.

'Humph, there are many who would love to take over their titles.'

That thought did bring him quite a few possibilities, to rid himself of those trivial creatures.

He continued to try to clear his mind, while retaining a subtle watch. Some of his 'faithful' subjects might make an appearance. Before he could start to another mind rant again, a scent caught him off guard.

'What is that half breed doing out so late?'

His little brother was his father's mistake, which should not make the pup his problem. Still, he did not like him in the forest at night. Sniffing the air again, he could tell his brother was also alone. He followed the scent trail, determined to give Inuyasha a firm scolding.

He approached a cluster of trees where the scent was strong. Stepping around them, he quickly drew back. He felt his heart plummet; he did not want to believe his eyes. There in the clearing was his little hanyou brother, wrapping his mother in mourning cloth. Waves of anger started to rip thru him.

'Why is he alone? Where are those pitiful humans?'

With all their talk of being caring and compassionate, they are allowing a pup, a child to accomplish this task alone. A small sad smile came on his face.

'He is grieving, yet he is doing his best to honor his mother.'

Moving his gaze back to Inuyasha, he sees the pup is finished. He notices how hurt and fatigued his little brother is. It makes his heart break just looking at him. He could not stand seeing his brother completing this travesty alone.

Deciding to make his presence known, he stepped away from the trees. Before Inuyasha notices him, one thought rang true in his head.

'No pup or child should have to bury their own mother that is beyond cruel, it's savage!'

Inuyasha was finally finished wrapping his mother. He decided to arrange wild flowers into the bindings, since his mother favored sweet smelling plants. As he set out to accomplish this task, his senses went on high alert. An enormous aura full of power consumed him, but it was strongly familiar.

He turned his head, allowing thick white hair to drag across the ground. Lifting his innocent, yet sad golden eyes, he met eyes like his own, but they were older and wiser. His eyes went half-mast. His older brother just staring at him, with a non-descript look on his majestic face.

He knew what he desired, no needed, but in the past visits, his brother made it clear touching was not acceptable. Therefore, instead of dealing with rejection that would likely come from his action, he just gave his brother a troubled gaze.

Sesshomaru noticed the other's misery; he did after all forbid the pup from touching him. He would not be able to give his little brother the comfort he obviously needed, without taking the initiative. With that in mind, he stooped and opened up his arms, letting the pup know, it was ok.

Not wanting to seem ungrateful, Inuyasha rushed into those powerful arms. Burying his head into his older brother's chest, he did not think he had ever felt so protected. With Sesshomaru holding him close, Inuyasha allowed himself to cry.

Nuzzling his little hanyou's hair, Sesshomaru took deep breath of his scent. His little brother's scent held his sorrow, his pain, but he also smelled his pure yet wild nature. Feeling all those woeful tears flow onto his robes, Sesshomaru felt a strong urge to keep Inuyasha safe. Unconsciously, he held his little brother tighter.

Inuyasha knew he still had an extremely important responsibility. Looking into those normally ice cold eyes; he saw a multitude of emotions. Feelings he did not perceive his older brother capable. This revelation made him never want to leave those strong arms.

"I have to finish," he said softly.

He started to move towards his mother's body. Choking back tears, he knew once she was in the ground, she truly was gone. A gentle hand stopped Inuyasha suddenly.

"I will take care of this, just pray for guidance for her soul. She needs to know where to rest."

With that, Sesshomaru walked over to the body and picked it up with consideration. Inuyahsa walked him to the hole he dug, watching as his older brother lower her body. As Sesshomaru covers the grave with earth, Inuyasha began his prayers.

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