CHAPTER 2:

Leave Out All The Rest

Yamidoragon lay completely still as he stared up at the sky. How many hours had it been? He thought he had slept a bit. The moon had set, and now the sun was rising. He watched the different colors change as they filtered through the sky. He supposed it was beautiful, but the fact that Hikari would never see another one herself pierced through his heart and left it in tatters.

The silence was crushing. It left him with only memories of her voice. The sound of her laughter. And then later the sound of her pleas. Then finally, her screams. If only he had listened, or had been stronger. He forced himself to look over at Hikari's still form and didn't bother to fight the tears. And Sounga…. It lay purposefully silent, almost as a joke, when before it had been screaming at him.

He hated that sword more than anything else. His uncle would surely find that hilarious. He could practically hear Kai in his head telling him "I told you so" in a mocking tone. But his earlier thought was wrong. He didn't hate the sword more than anything else.

He despised himself.

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Touga was resting in his room, still badly wounded from his battle with Ryuukotsei. He thought over what he had allowed to happen. He saw again when his firstborn son had given in to Sounga's power. Priestess Hikari and himself had been in danger. Yamidoragon had given himself to the sword of Hell willingly to protect them. He shouldn't have had to. He should have been to defeat Ryuukotsei himself.

Why was he agonizing over his failures in that battle? That wasn't when he had screwed up. He never should have entrusted a sword like that to his son. Yamidoragon, forgive me. And who knows what you're doing now? Or what you've already done.

Just then, a gust of wind blew through his window. He sniffed the air as he caught the familiar scent. Blood? Hikari's blood. Touga frowned and sat up painfully. Priestess Hikari…. It wasn't just blood he was smelling. It was the smell of death. A lot of death. Mixed in with his son's scent.

"Yamidoragon…." Touga said softly. As injured as he was, he had to go. He was getting a really bad feeling.

My son…. I'm coming.

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Sesshomaru also smelled the scent and immediately left just in time to see his father leaving as well. They were both in their true forms, so they couldn't speak to each other with words. But no words were needed. He knew his father was badly wounded, but he also understood that neither of them could abandon Yamidoragon.

Whatever had happened, he knew that it was somehow the fault of that now-dead human priestess. What had his brother been thinking when he had chosen a human for his mate?

He ran beside his father, heading toward the scent of the only brother he known so far. Especially since he had no plans to claim that yet-to-be born half-breed as his brother.

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Yamidoragon opened his eyes slowly as he sensed them coming. Father and Sesshomaru. He felt overwhelming relief. They could end this. They had to. He couldn't live forever bound to an immovable shell. The rest of his soul may have been trapped in Sounga. But at least the part of his soul still within him could move on to the Netherworld.

Let me join Hikari in death. Please…. That's all I wish for now.

His father and Sesshomaru stopped on either side of him and untransformed. Sesshomaru looked over at Hikari's body and let out a growl. Yamidoragon looked over at his brother. "No. Bear her no ill will, brother. I beg of you. If this is anyone's fault, it is my own."

His father shook his head. "No, it is mine," he said sorrowfully. "Forgive me, son. I never should have given you Sounga."

Yamidoragon closed his eyes. He'd really failed. He'd broken his promise to his father. All he had ever wanted was to make his father proud. He would never get his wish now. He was nothing but a disappointment. But he was glad they had come. He was glad he got to see them one last time. Truthfully, he didn't think they would bother. The rest of their kingdom would most likely rejoice at his demise. He'd been nothing but cruel to those around him, even before the sword had possessed him.

I dreamed I was missing

You were so scared

But no one would listen

Cause no one else cared

"What happened, brother?" Sesshomaru asked.

"You're always to the point, little brother," Yamidoragon responded. He explained everything that had happened. "Listen to me, Sesshomaru. I know you hate half-breeds. I think you got that from me. But please, even if you don't accept them, protect Inuyasha and my bloodline."

Sesshomaru said nothing. He wore no expression, and his golden eyes also expressed no emotion. "Is that your final wish?"

Yamidoragon nodded as best he could. "My final wish of you. Promise me."

Sesshomaru hesitated, but then he nodded. "Very well, then. I'll protect them with my life. You have my word. But I can never accept them."

Yamidoragon sighed in relief. "Thank you, Sesshomaru." He looked over at his father. "Father, it happened again. I had another premonition."

"Of Inuyasha?"

Yamidoragon shook his head. "One of my descendants, I believe. His name and appearance confuses me. In some of dreams, he is called Demion, in others, Saika. His future…." He didn't know how to explain the images he had seen. "He is evil, Father. But he can be saved. I can sense it."

Touga nodded. "How? I will do my best to do so."

"I… I don't know," Yamidoragon responded. He wished he did. "Neither of you underestimate him. Though he won't be a full demon, you must not underestimate him. And Father, you must have his demonic side sealed. He cannot be allowed to unlock them. Ever."

He could see that Sesshomaru was already putting the information out of his head. He didn't see what trouble a half-breed could possibly cause. Let alone one whose powers would be bound. They didn't fully understand the depths of his descendants evil and power.

After my dreaming

I woke with this fear

What am I leaving

When I'm done here

"Father, please end my life," he requested. His father gasped in shock. "You must. Please. I can't continue to survive like this." He offered a small smile. "Besides I will be reunited with my love." He nodded and Yamidoragon looked at Sesshomaru before he even asked. "No, Sesshomaru. You must not ever use Sounga. I want that sword destroyed after my death. Father, please see it done."

So if you're asking me

I want you to know

When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I've done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me

And when you're feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest

Touga nodded. "As you wish." He unsheathed Tetsusaiga. "I'm so sorry, son. I have failed you. It should never have come to this."

Yamidoragon was surprised by his father's tears. He'd never seen them before. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't keep my promise to you. I wasn't able to make you proud of me. But don't worry. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha will. I've seen it."

Don't be afraid

I've taken my beating

I've shared what I made

Sesshomaru scoffed. "Even in death, brother, you have to go out perfect as possible."

Yamidoragon smiled. "You know it."

I'm strong on the surface

Not all the way through

I've never been perfect

But neither have you

Inuyasha…. Uncle…. I am not long for this world. And Inuyasha, I've seen your future. Being a half-demon will not slow you down at all. I wish I had gotten to know you. But you already make me proud to call you my brother.

So if you're asking me

I want you to know

When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I've done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me

And when you're feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest

Sesshomaru frowned. "Are we certain there is no way to fix this?" His father shook his head sadly. "Well, at least we're here to see you off. You were a great demon, brother."

Forgetting

All the hurt inside

You've learned to hide so well

Pretending

Someone else can come and save me from myself

I can't be who you are

When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I've done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me

And when you're feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest

When his father struck the blow, he actually went peacefully. Except, it all stuck with him as his final moments passed quickly. His failures as a son, a brother, a nephew, a mate and a father. His failures as a great demon. Most of all, the rage and hatred and bitterness toward himself and Sounga.

Forgetting

All the hurt inside

You've learned to hide so well

Pretending

Someone else can come and save me from myself

I can't be who you are

Damn it all.

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Many years later

"I knew they could do it. They destroyed Sounga and I am finally reunited with the rest of my soul."

"I'm happy for you, my love. Oh look, your father went to speak with your brothers."

"Inuyasha deserved to finally see him."

"Are you going to see them? The opening is still open."

"…. I cannot, Hikari…. I'm not worthy enough to speak with any of them."

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Yamidoragon was at rest with Hikari in the afterlife when he felt it. He gasped as he began to get yanked back to the world of the living. What was going on? He didn't want to go. He wanted to stay with Hikari. There was a sudden glow of black light. He recognized the glow but not the taint.

The Sacred Jewel! Why…. Who was doing this?

Hikari also felt the Jewel and tried to stop what was happening to no avail. Yamidoragon cried out as he was ripped from her and forced back into his mortal body. His body was nothing but bones now. The pain of going back into such a body was unbearable.

He screamed in pain and agony as his body began to reform.

He heard laughter through his screams. "Welcome back to the world of the living," a cocky voice said to him. "Master Saika demands your service."

Saika?

He kept screaming in pain and agony as he waited to fully form. Apparently, he had work to do once again in the world of the living.

Don't worry, my love. I will return you once I'm finished here.

THE END. OR IS IT? LOL! REVIEW PLEASE. I HOPE ALL ENJOYED!