Chapter 1: Remembrances

8 years later, Sesshomaru walked along that same hallway. It was morning now, and the sun was shining brightly. Sesshomaru was always the first to breakfast and the first to leave. He had much better things to do then sitting around in the dining room.

Abruptly, he stopped and raised his head. 'What is that delicious smell?' he thought to himself. It was the most enticing, unique smell he had ever come across. He needed to know what it was.

So Sesshomaru followed the scent down the hall and to a door. He reached out to slide it open and stopped. What was he thinking? This was Inuyasha's door! But his nose didn't lie. It was definitely coming from in there. Sesshomaru growled in frustration to no one in particular and continued on to breakfast. He would investigate the source of the smell later.

Inuyasha yawned and stretched his arms. Another night of exploring in the forest had taken its toll. He had stayed out for hours after the sun had set, and he would have been out all night if his father hadn't made him come in. He would be 13 in only a few weeks, and he wished everyone would stop treating him like a little kid. As usual, his father Myoga, and Sesshomaru were already at the table. And as usual he took the seat to the right of his father and directly across from Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha was about to start eating when he stopped dead. It was Sesshomaru.

Staring.

At him.

Inuyasha looked to make sure that there wasn't someone behind him. There wasn't. He looked harder. Perhaps there was an insect on the wall. Inuyasha was sure that it would be more likely to occupy his older brother's attention then him.

"Is there anything wrong Inuyasha?" Inu-taisho asked. Immediately Inuyasha spun around and tried to act casual.

"No, of course not." Inuyasha replied. Then he noticed that everyone at the table was looking at him funny. He was getting really weirded out. Inuyasha looked back to Sesshomaru, this time meeting his eyes. Fiery gold met ice gold for a moment before Sesshomaru looked a way.

But as the meal progressed, Inuyasha could constantly feel Sesshomaru's gaze return to him, and it was getting really creepy. Finally he had had enough.

"Will everyone quit looking at me that way!?!" he exclaimed. "What, did I sprout another head or something?" For a few moments there was silence.

"You mustn't blame them Master Inuyasha." came the voice of Myoga the flea. Inuyasha looked down to see him sitting on his hand. "You may not have realized it yet, but you have just entered your first heat."

"Wha- H-heat?" Inuyasha gasped. "But I'm not old enough!"

"It is… uncommon for demons to reach their heat at such a young age, but it's certainly not impossible." Inu-taisho explained. "I hope you realize that you must be extremely careful. Youkai will be able to smell your heat scent from miles around. And they will be extremely attracted to it. Even humans will feel the affect, although most won't understand why."

Inuyasha gazed down at the table thinking. "So… how long is this supposed to last?"

"About one week, two maximum." Myoga replied. "You should be safe as long as you stay within the castle grounds."

Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru, who was yet again staring at him. The second their eyes locked, a wave of memories flooded over him like a tsunami.

'-when the time comes you will take him whether he's willing of not.'

'I swear that I will take Inuyasha as my mate when he reaches his first heat.'

Inuyasha's eyes slowly widened until they were the size of saucers as he stared, terrified at his brother, who narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Inuyasha didn't notice though, he was too shocked. He was not quite as naïve as he was all those years ago. Inuyasha now knew what the two youkai had been discussing.

"Master Inuyasha, is anything bothering you?" asked Myoga, breaking his trance.

"Uh, uh, no, um, um," Inuyasha stuttered, shaking slightly and gulping. "I, uh, just need some fresh air, that's all."

He got up and tried to casually walk out of the room, but his distress was clear.

Inu-taisho watched as his son exited the room. In that very instant, Inuyasha's fear scent became overwhelming. He couldn't possibly know anything, could he? No definitely not. The matter was kept strictly confidential. Sesshomaru stood and exited the room, deliberately going the opposite way that Inuyasha had left. The great inu youkai sighed. What was he going to do with those two?

Meanwhile, Inuyasha ran as fast as he could into the castle gardens. When he was sure no one was around, he collapsed against a tree and started hyperventilating. 'I can't believe this!' Inuyasha thought frantically. 'Sesshomaru, my MATE!?! What could father had been thinking? We HATE each other! And although I would never admit it, I'm scared of Sesshomaru! He's ten times more powerful then I am. Alright, calm down, as long as I stay away from him, I'll be fine. Oh, who am I kidding…?'

Inuyasha sighed and looked around the peaceful garden. He realized that the tree he was leaning against was his mother's favorite tree. A large sakura tree that was in full bloom. There was a small river next to it with a shimmering waterfall. The water was so clear that you could see the fish swimming lazily in the shallows. Water lily's dotted the surface. A gust of wind ruffled Inuyasha's silver locks and at the same time blew a horde of petals down from the tree. They floated down and settled on the soft, lush, emerald colored grass, in the flowing water of the river, and on Inuyasha's head. He absentmindedly brushed them off. Jasmine and honey suckle were scattered throughout the grass, swaying in the breeze and openly spreading their petals to the hot sunshine and hungry bees and butterflies. Inuyasha yawned and slowly closed his eyes.

As Sesshomaru left the dining room, he mentally smacked himself, something he didn't do very often. How could he have not have recognized a heat scent? And why couldn't he stop himself from staring at Inuyasha? The effects of a demon's heat were so annoying. Not only does one in heat release an irresistible heat scent, but they are also considerably weakened. There were changes in Inuyasha's appearance as well. His features were must softer, his hair was smooth and silky, his skin practically glowed, and his golden eyes, while beautiful normally were now positively breathtaking.

Sesshomaru was angry. Angry at himself, angry at Inuyasha, and angry at his father for putting them both in this situation.

"Is there anything I can do for you Master Sesshomaru?" asked a timid maid. Sesshomaru merely snarled at her. She gave a frightened gasp and hurried away. The youkai growled and gazed out a window that overlooked the castle gardens. He had hardly ever been there himself. A spot of red and white caught his eye. He looked closer and saw Inuyasha under a sakura tree. Sesshomaru wondered idly how he would react when he learned that they were set to be mates. He would most likely refuse. But even though Inuyasha was very strong for someone so young (not to mention being only half-demon), Sesshomaru would have no trouble overpowering him.

The one thing Sesshomaru was still confused about was the fact that he was so attracted to Inuyasha. He had seen demons in heat a million times before and had no difficulty controlling himself. So why was he now?

Sesshomaru glared darkly down at the young hanyou. What was he doing down there anyway?

He had nothing better to do, so he opened the window and jumped outside. The youkai didn't even flinch as he landed gracefully on the lawn outside the gardens. Sesshomaru proceeded over to the tree to find Inuyasha fast asleep at the foot of it. His arms were strewn carelessly by his sides and his head was resting on his right shoulder. Sesshomaru had never seen his little brother asleep before… he looked so peaceful. He leaned down and stared intently at him.

Meanwhile

Inuyasha was in an enormous kitchen that seemed to go on forever and ever. His father was chasing him around on a blue horse (which wasn't exactly scary but really weird) while Myoga was sitting on his hand saying "Never touch food that glows" over and over again. Inuyasha got fed up with it really quick. "Why would I touch food that glows!?!" he shouted at Myoga, but the little flea was no longer there. Instead there was a flower that seemed to have sprouted out of his hand. Inuyasha wildly flapped his had and the flower disappeared. He sighed in relief. Suddenly the kitchen dissolved around him and he realized that he had woken up. 'Stupid dream.' He thought to himself, not opening his eyes yet. He was still sleepy. Suddenly he became painfully aware of another presence very close to him. His eyes snapped open to see Sesshomaru leaning down and staring at him.

Niko Mane: So, you like? PLEASE read and review! It really means a lot.