A/N: Thank you all for the great feedback so far! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far - those of you who are familiar with the original and those who aren't.

We're taking another turn in this chapter that will add some layers to the story that the original didn't have...I've created a series of family trees, so to speak, for Sesshoumaru's family and extended family. I've taken some liberties with the names of the Clans and Houses, so my apologies if they don't make sense in Japanese! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away, but I promise I will be expanding on them as the story continues.

Thanks again for all the love and support! It is incredibly encouraging! :D

Chapter Two

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Solaris seemed to float as he walked out of the meeting hall, and Sesshoumaru followed as elegantly as possible. His oldest advisor had long since had his respect and his ear, although there was little now for him to advise upon. Sesshoumaru trusted his opinions and understood that they were well-rooted in something very valuable—experience. Solaris was older than even his father had been at the time of his death, although even as a pup he'd had the forethought to restrain from asking such a personally probing question as his true age.

"Ah, but I've heard you ask me many times, in your thoughts." Solaris chuckled as he came to a stop by the sliding doors out into the garden.

"Are you always listening?" Sesshoumaru bit back cheekily, more chuffed by the banter than irritated.

"You will always be that pup to me, Sesshoumaru." Solaris said placidly. "You have grown into your name, indeed it is true…but when I look upon you I will always see your bright eyes, eager to learn and triumph."

"And that is what I intend to do now, you should know this." the taiyoukai said, turning and pacing along the covered veranda. "I will not sit idly by and let my freedom be taken away by this council."

"I would not suggested something I did not think would bear great fruit," Solaris said, turning his head to the sky in thought. "You are a pillar of a once-great race, and your distance from both your family and your species is worrisome. You need pack, Sesshoumaru."

"I have my pack." Sesshoumaru snorted. Rin, Jaken and Ah-Un were more than enough and best of all, they were mobile.

"That is not what I speak of, pup." Solaris frowned, turning to face his companion. "I have foreseen the weakness of the inuyoukai for many moons, and I spoke of such to your father. He too, was not eager to heed my words, for the world lay at his feet and he had both you and your mother waiting for him in the shiro. It was easy for him to forget that his first—and what would be his only litter—was just one, you. He did not think of death as inevitable nor did he anticipate becoming the alpha of both his house and your mothers. He chose not to lead as he should, and instead chose his heart over responsibility which lead to the birth of your brother."

Something twisted uncomfortably in Sesshoumaru's gut at the mention of his half-brother. "Are you implying that my brother is the reason for your supposed ruin of my race?"

"No, your brother is a testament to the power of the General's blood," Solaris shook his head, his beads and feathers clacking together gently. "But unless you act, the blood of your family, of your kind, will continue to disperse until there is nothing left of it."

"My father's Clan is not all who remain," Sesshoumaru pointed out. "My mother's Clan, the House of the Moon, still stands as a pillar, as you say. The many Clans within the House of the Moon have always been powerful, and many."

Solaris' face seemed expectant, so Sesshoumaru continued.

"There are the lesser houses amongst them, reaching far into the North—with the Kangetsu who lead them! And my father's house may be small, but their Clans can reach as far back as the Hatsumde, the first inuyoukai."

"You are not wrong, pup." Solaris soothed. "You come from very noble lineage. But let me ask you this—when did the Clans last gather? When were the inu united? When did the houses last come together?"

Sesshoumaru fell silent.

"The clans have been spread bare—from the North to the South, East to the West. The home of the House of the Moon once stood proud in the Central Lands, a figurehead for both inu and youkai alike. They were honoured for their abilities of foresight and magic. Now, the East has long since been barren due to the dragons and the North hasn't been heard from for centuries. The House of the Moon has become little more than legend, a memory of what once was.

"The First Clan, the Hatsumde, have been absent for centuries. While it is true that your father's Clan are direct descendants of the First, the Taisho and the Mafuyu-bi are all that have remained for many moons. They too, have disappeared into the annals of your history. The First Clan claimed great elemental abilities, all of which were passed down to the wealth of their sister and brother clans, a gift bestowed to nearly all inuyoukai. As it stands now, Sesshoumaru, you are the final child with their gifts, thanks to your father."

Sesshoumaru listened as Solaris recounted the histories of his lineage, and something akin to dread unfurled inside of him. When had the majesty of his people fallen? Where had they gone? As a pup he delighted in hearing of his icy cousins to the north, of the mysterious group within his mother's house who lived in seclusion for protection. How had his line—the responsibility of his lineage—fallen to him?

"Your father's house, the Taisho Clan, were honoured with the gift of the wind. Your gift of poison is an unprecedented honour, likely tracing back to the Hatsumde themselves. The Mafuyu-bi were gifted as well, but they have been lost to the ice and snow of the Northerns Lands. Whether you like it or not, Sesshoumaru, you are the key to the survival of all your family's history."

For a long moment, Sesshoumaru remained silent, thinking over everything Solaris was saying. It was true that poison didn't run in any of the lines from his father's side or his mother's. It had been suggested that Sesshoumaru had actually stolen the ability somehow, although those who were familiar with elemental gifts knew that was not the case. No—there was a much more twisted explanation.

Sesshoumaru had been born with a littermate, a fraternal sibling in his mother's womb. Inu often bore large litters, and although his mother was both spiritually and magically powerful, her body was oftentimes weaker as a consequence. When she'd conceived, she'd been warned that her litter would be small. He'd been told—although sometimes he felt like he remembered—the events that led up to his birth.

It was not clear which of the siblings had carried the gift of poison, although Sesshoumaru had always favoured his sibling in that regard. At some point during the last stages of pregnancy, Sesshoumaru's youki had dominated his siblings' so completely, that he killed the pup. All traces of ability were drawn into the healthier body of Sesshoumaru, and during birth the other pup was stillborn.

There still must be members of the clans, Sesshoumaru grimaced internally. I refuse to accept the idea that a race as proud and powerful as ours has vanished without even a whisper.

Solaris' invisible stare followed Sesshoumaru as he unknowingly began to pace. A chuckle welled up in his throat, but he quashed it in favour of waiting to hear what he suspected would tumble out of his young student's mouth. As if rehearsed, Sesshoumaru turned to face him, a cool mask of determination on his face.

"We are not all gone." he said stoutly. "I will prove it."

"That is not the matter at hand, Sesshoumaru." Solaris replied respectfully, inclining his head.

"A mate?" Sesshoumaru wanted to scoff. "I need no such thing."

"Even after all we have discussed?" Solaris was surprised. "Have I not proven to you how important such a person will prove to be?"

"If I can prove that the inu have yet to pass quietly into their next lives, I will not bear the burden of—of repopulating my species." the inu replied with derision.

"You are still a stubborn pup." Solaris shook his head. "You seek to twist the rules of the game because you cannot win with how they currently stand?"

"There is no challenge too great for this Sesshoumaru," he replied stubbornly. Of course that bird knows… Sesshoumaru internally grumbled.

"Aye, there are no secrets from me." the elder smiled. "You fear you will never be satisfied with a mate, for she will never be your equal."

"I don't want an equal," the young lord snapped petulantly. "I don't want a mate!"

"Oh how many traits you have inherited from your father!" Solaris said firmly. "You have spent little time at court, or around females of any race. Clearly your father's charm was one thing you did not inherit. Mayhap a lecture on the finer points of wooing and mating is necessary?"

Sesshoumaru realized the bird was goading him, but his ire, long since irked, came undone in front of his teacher.

"I could get any female I so desired." Sesshoumaru folded his arms into his haori, holding back on a string of expletives that would have made his brother blush. "That is not the issue. No—it is because none of these wretches that seek to throw themselves at my feet are worthy of my attention." he concluded with a sneer.

I will never debase myself for a woman, I am no lovesick puppy.

"Your pride will be your downfall, my lord." Solaris had undoubtedly heard his thoughts. "May I offer a word of advice?"

"Of course," Sesshoumaru all but growled.

"I think, my lord," the youkai paused for brevity. "You need to learn to love."

Sesshoumaru was finally silenced by his teacher's words, and stared blankly at the bird who simply smiled serenely.

Learn… to love?

A rustle of feathers snapped Sesshoumaru from his thoughts and he turned to see Solaris take to the air. Soundless as always, his teacher disappeared to wherever he kept his roost until he was summoned again.

"What a preposterous notion." the taiyoukai spoke aloud to the parting silhouette of his teacher, turning on his heel to gather his things and take his leave.

The words seemed to echo in his mind however, leaving a heavy feeling sitting in his stomach. For the first time, Sesshoumaru felt the pressing urgency of time, and couldn't shake the feeling that he was fighting a battle he would not win.