Yay! A new chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Three

"I didn't know how you took your tea, so I made it like mine." Moria placed a clay cup in front of Inuyasha.

"Thanks."

"You don't look much different now then you did when you were a child. I still remember walking Rina half way so that you two could play." Her dark lavender eyes reflected the past as she smiled.

"I remember." He admired the clay cup. Unsure of what to do next.

Moria glanced at him, noticing how uncomfortable he seemed. "How have you been Inuyasha?"

"Alright." He murmured. "You?"

Moria walked back over to the stove, pouring herself some more tea. Inuyasha declined her offer of some more for him. She sat back down, both hands on her warm cup. "Getting by. After two years you'd think I'd be over Hajime's death." Her dark lavender eyes reflected off the liquid. "Kantari's been helping a lot. It's a relief to have him around, but I know that he'd like to be traveling."

Hajime Ryusaki was a man of strength. In his younger days, Inuyasha thought his best friend's father was the strongest person alive. Never did he think Hajime would meet the fate shared by all humans. Now he thought of it as a stupid idea.

Though he couldn't remember much of Rina's older brother, he knew that Kantari must have taken after Hajime's strength.

"It was a long time after letting go of Rina did we see her again." Moria broke the silence. "She was twelve or so when we saw her again." She sighed. "It seems that when one is given the chance to fly alone, they change."

Inuyasha took in a breath. "We were given information from a dying soldier that you were killed in a surpise attack in one of the bigger towns." Inuyasha paused, glancing in Moria's direction. "I had no idea that you were alive, nor that Rina even held connections with you until last month."

The cat demon nodded. "We never could find who sent that informent."

Kantari walked in. From the looks of him, he'd been working since sun up. He glanced at Inuyasha, speaking to Moria. "We've gotten the last house up before winter sets in." He dried his hands on a towel. "None of the families will have to double up this time."

"That's good dear." Moria smiled. "I don't know if you remember Inuyasha. Your father and you were always so busy."

Kantari looked the dog demon up and down. "Rina wouldn't stop talking about him. How could I forget?"

Inuyasha averted his gaze not liking the tone of the last sentence.

"Rina told me of the tragidy that occured between you two. She was sad for a long time afterwards."

Inuyasha could hear a tone of dislike laid in his direction. "After the surprise attack I thought she was dead."

"Kikyo tell you that?" Kantari shot.

"Kantari." Moria sighed.

"Look." Inuyasha began agitatedly. "I was a scared kid then, alright. I did go look for her, but not like I should have done."

"I'll be sure to tell Rina that the next time I see her."

"That's not going to happen." Inuyasha sighed, pulling out three objects from his kamono. "Hajime's sword, Moria's necklace, and your dagger." He check from his mind. "They were given to her from that soldier. I'm giving them to you...from her."

Moria looked away.

"Rina told me..." Kantari faded. He cleared his throat. "She told me about the threats of a battle."

"They're over now." Inuyasha quietly stated.

/He chose death for her over life for you./

/I know./ Her voice was low and sad. A month earlier she was wondering if Inuyasha could ever love her. Now she found that he's been pinned to a tree and apparently for life.

/You can't change his decisions. He's a fool you know./

/I realize this. And he's not a fool./ Blue eyes reflected his own gold ones.

/Rina please./ His tone was almost begging. /Please let him and everything in your past about him go. Make room in your heart for someone who'll truly love you, like the way you're suppose to be loved./

/How will that be Sesshomaru?/ She turned from him. /He's been in that same position for almost fifty-four years. I didn't know it. I should have been out looking for him./

"It wasn't your job to find him. He was a fool. A fool for believing that human miko. A fool for not caring. A fool for not going to look for you." Sesshomaru muttered under his breath. He was standing atop a small hill. Little did he know that several miles to his west, in Rina's family town, Inuyasha stayed.

A hand was placed on her shoulder. /Rina I want to help you./

Her brow raised. /The great Lord Sesshomaru offering assistance./ She turned back to him. They were very close to one another. /Why am I not surprised by this?/

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. He remembered the moment vividly. Her pleading blue eyes, deligate figure.

He held her against the wall, taking his right hand and caressing her check softly. /I'll love you in the way that you need, only if you'll let me./

She looked down.

He wouldn't have her looking from him so he raised her head to meet her eyes with his own. /There's nothing left for you back there./ His voice was hushed.

Without another comment he took her lips with his own. He took it in a neutral way when she didn't respond nor tear away. When he pressed harder he could feel her body tense.

/Sesshomaru.../ She barely was audiable when they broke away.

/Shh. No need for words./

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. "That stupid half demon. He hurt her more deeply then he could ever imagine."

Thanks to those who are reading. I know there are some out there, though no reviews are left. I continue to salute you and provide you with stories from my heart.

Romi