Hello! ^.^

So, this is the rewritten version of Eternal. I didn't abandon Live and Remember; its next chapter is scheduled to be published next week. Until then here we have the prologue of Another Now. Please, read & review! ^.^

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Enjoy reading!

Hirana08

Past Story

Sesshomaru was sitting in the study with other yokai-tribe leaders. They were discussing about the ongoing war between the Eastern and the Northern lands. However, Sesshomaru didn't pay attention to the report of the generals. His mind was now somewhere else. His amber gold eyes seemed to be lost in that small blue chunk of sky that was visible through the window of the study. But to Sesshomaru it meant much more. He heard everything that was happening in the garden: birdsongs, the silent humming of his beloved mate, children's laugh and the clash of two wooden swords. He could see the whole scenario in front of himself – it was so relaxing. However, it was nothing but imagination.

"Oyakata-sama! Sesshomaru-sama!" he heard someone calling his name.

"Ho… How dare you!" Jaken got upset. Very upset. "You are in front of the Great Dog Demon! You have no permission to call him…"

"Jaken, shut up" told Sesshomaru.

"Yes."

"So… Oyakata-sama, what do you wish to do?"

"We owe nothing to the North."

"But Oyakata-sama…"

"This is a matter between North and East. I won't interfere."

"Are you sure, Sesshomaru?' asked Inuyasha who was sitting next to him. "I know you as someone who…"

"I have no intention to get involved in a useless fight. I have had enough of useless sacrifices." Then he turned to the other demons. "You are all dismissed."

They bowed and left the room. Only Inuyasha stayed. "Tell me, since when did your ice-heart get so… sensitive?"

"I assume you have some business somewhere else."

"No, I don't."

"I assume you DO have business elsewhere."

"Fine, I'm off!" then even he left. It was strange for Sesshomaru to have him as a frequent visitor at the Western Castle but he couldn't help it. The Western lands belonged also to Inuyasha even though his words didn't worth too much. Since he was neither the next heir nor a full-fledged demon.

After the conference ended, Sesshomaru heard footsteps closing to him. There were two of them and they ran. Something appeared on his face for a very short while. Something, which seemed to be a smile. A happy, faint smile. Then scents approached him: a familiar scent mixed with wooden and blooming cherry. Soon the door flew open and two kids rushed into the room.

"Dad!" They screamed in choir and ran straight to Sesshomaru.

Both of them were boys, who were holding each a wooden sword, which was quiet similar to Tenseiga. The taller one had long black hair, pulled up in a high ponytail and amber gold eyes. He had two magenta stripes on his face, a Prussian blue crescent moon on his forehead and elf-like ears. The smaller one looked just like him except for his white hair.

"I told you to knock before you enter" said Sesshomaru coldly.

"We're sorry, Dad…"

"So… what was that rush earlier?"

"I beat Tsuyosa in sword-fighting!" told the taller one

"Just because I let you win!" Tsuyosa shot his tongue at his brother.

"Tsuyosa, you are being impolite." Sesshomaru's voice seemed very strict.

"Dad…"

"Is something wrong, Kosaku?" Sesshomaru turned to the elder brother. He was so much like him but his kind heart… that came from his mother.

"Is it true what Tsuyosa said?"

"Why? What did he tell you?" Sesshomaru sometimes had the feeling that his younger son becomes more and more similar to Inuyasha day by day. He always tried to minimize his time with his nephews, though. He didn't want them to take over his manners.

"He told me that once you gave up your strength for a human."

Sesshomaru looked at his sons. However, no one could tell what he was thinking. Whether he was reminiscing about the past or trying to come up with an answer… It was all a mystery. Even for his sons.

"Tsuyosa, where did you hear that?" asked Sesshomaru.

"Uncle Inuyasha said something like that…"

"And how many times I told you not to listen to him?"

"Sorry, Dad."

"Then… it isn't true?"

"Jaken!" Sesshomaru called the imp demon, who was standing on the corridor and talking with a kind of guard.

"I'm here, Oyakata-sama" Jaken lowered his head. "What can I do for you?"

"Where is my wife?"

"She suddenly felt unwell in the garden, that's why she was escorted to her chambers. We are waiting for the doctor, now."

"Fine." Sesshomaru turned back to his children. "Kosaku, Tsuyosa, follow me."

Sesshomaru walked slowly on the corridors of the castle. Sometimes he looked back whether his sons were still following him. He even slowed down his steps when he felt like he was going too fast. Then Sesshomaru stopped at a door. The servants opened for him and there was a beautiful garden along with the blooming cherry trees, fast brooks and small ponds.

"Do we have to fight again?" asked Tsuyosa after the servants closed the door behind them.

"Do as you wish" said Sesshomaru. "I came with another purpose."

"And what is it?"

The Great Dog Demon let his spirit to be swallowed by the calamity of the garden. It was like he let go of his strict Lord personality and something other took over in him. "To remember..."

"Dad…" Kosaku began to speak with a slight tremble in his voice as if he was afraid of his father. "About we talked earlier…"

Sesshomaru looked at his son but he didn't say anything. He just sat down on the porch and then he whispered three words into the wind: "It is true."

"But how is that possible?" asked Kosaku and he sat down next to his father. "I mean… I read a lot of books but there is nothing about such…"

"There are things that exist even though they aren't mentioned anywhere. And you may never know what you are really able to do for someone until you realize how important he/she is to you."

"Please, Dad, tell us what happened!" Tsuyosa sat on his father's left and looked at him with his begging eyes.

"I'm curious about this, too" said Kosaku.

"This is your mother's duty."

"But I'd like to hear it"

"Besides Mom is not well, and we don't want to bother her."

"So you bother me instead?"

"Please, Dad! Please, please!"

"You are unable to touch this Sesshomaru."

"But, Dad! Please!"

"Well…" Sesshomaru looked a kind of embarrassed but when he saw the interested faces of his children he decided to go on. "It began a long ago in a human village…"

To Be Continued

Author's Words

So how was it? I know it's different but trust me, it will be good. Reviews are really welcomed, and I will try to answer all of them. (and I always do answer them)

Well… until next time!

Bye,

Hirana08

Next time: Sacrifice (16/08/13)