Hi everybody, I'm back with the next chapter. Enter Izayoi, Inuyasha's mother. She never thought that she'd have to deal with him but here he is in all glory…her step-son! How will she react? How will he? Well…here it is. Oh and:

I don't own Inuyasha or any of the Characters at all, just a bit of fun and no profit! Please read and review!

The Spring, The Moon, This Night

Chapt 4

She'd ordered everything done. Her own rooms had been prepared for him, her servants had been sent away from that section of the castle. Only her personal servant, her son and she would be there. She knew that this is what he would want. That this was the only way that he would accept anything from her. Even what would save his life.

She stood, waiting now, for something that she would never have dreamed would be. The eldest son of her Lord. So proud and so distant. Filled with so much distrust and hatred. Hatred she'd never believed that she'd have to face. To deal with. But here it was.

Lord Sesshoumaru.

She didn't dare think of him as her "step-son". She sighed as she stared out of her window. Moonlight filled the private garden that she'd had made for herself and her Lord. She wanted no interruptions, no distraction, nothing to interfere with the tiny sliver of time that she had to spend with him. Would he enjoy it, she wondered. Did Lord Sesshoumaru do such things as walk in gardens in the moonlight, or watch the sky as it changed when the sun set or rose? Her own little one did. He took such delight those things, and many others. So much like his father. How much is HE like his father, she wondered. Her thoughts were broken by a flurry of breathing and fuss coming from the doorway. "Mistress, everything is prepared, your room has been changed, and your clothes" and this she said with a deep and distressed groan, "your beautiful white things have been washed and…shredded into bandages. But Mistress…" here she paused, knowing what the answer to her request would be but still hoping it would not be, "…Mistress, please. Let me attend to him. Our Princess should not be forced to do such menial tasks…especially not for one such as him!" Then she bowed having some idea what was about to come.

"You will not speak of the son of my Lord, his eldest son in this way!" She said firmly. "I will see to him myself, and I will not have any interference with my wishes". Then her face softened, and she went to the old woman and took her hands. "Would you do any less for him? The son of the one that you cherished?" The old woman looked down at the beautiful hands now pressing earnestly against hers. She knew full well what her Mistress was feeling. And wanted to help her in any way that she could. So much had been taken away from this dear young woman, whose great beauty was only rivaled by the beauty that she held inside. She couldn't blame the great demon Lord for falling in love with her. But she could despise the sorrow that his love had brought to her life.

She smiled, gently covering those hands with hers. Her, Izayoi. Her pretty little Miss, she looked so fragile, so delicate but was the strongest person that she'd ever known. "Don't worry, Mistress, I'll see that everything that you wish is done, and done well." And with one last glance she left her alone in the room.

"MOTHER! MOTHERRR!" Shouted the little one as he tore into the room. "We got him and he'll be here in just a few minutes. I thought he was… but he's okay, but he's still bleeding real bad though!" He finished and sat down to rest, finally. He looked around the room and saw how all of the things had been removed or changed around, then he guessed why. He still didn't like the idea of this Sesshoumaru being in his house. Big jerk.

Reaching down to lightly kiss his forehead and stroke his ears his mother said, "Thank you for your help, Inuyasha. You were good and very brave to go to your brother. You've made me very happy, and very proud as your father would be, as he will be." But the stubborn little hanyo frowned and said very quickly, "He is NOT my brother. He doesn't want to be, and I don't want him to be either." Then he lowered his eyes and said quietly, "He called me a dirty hanyo mother. Before, when father asked him to come and see me. It made him sad. And if he doesn't want me I don't want him. I'll help him get better, and I'll do it 'cause you asked and I know father would want it, but NOT for him." And he looked up at her, to see what she would say. "Alright Inuyasha, I understand, and I'm still proud of you" she said softly stroking his cheek. "You can go to the kitchen and eat your dinner there tonight" she said knowing that this was one of his favorite things to do since he could be as messy as he liked and eat whatever he wanted. "But you must return here afterwards." He smiled and nodded turning to race through the halls to the kitchen.

Oh, my. She knew her little one well enough to know what he really felt. His little ears were bent forward, his voice quiet and thoughtful. He did want his brother. He wanted what he'd seen so many times with other children, with other families. And he had been, was still very hurt by what Lord Sesshoumaru had said. And in all honesty she wasn't pleased with it either. But she'd expect it. She'd just hoped, maybe foolishly, that her son would never know of it, much less actually hear it from his brother.

Just then she heard the sound of heavy feet and strained loud voices coming from the next room.

"Put him down before he wakes, he'll kill us all if wakes while we're here!",

"I will if you move over to the bed, we can't just drop 'em on the damned floor!"

"If it were up to me I'd drop him in the damned lake and leave him there!",

"You'll do what you're damn well told or you'll be out of this place and on the road looking for work and a roof over your head!" yelled the head caretaker as they finally, and carefully lay the adolescent Inu-youkai on the waiting bed. Izayoi, entered the room then, and acknowledged them solemnly. "Thank you for your work and effort on my behalf, I greatly appreciate the execution of this task." And smiled warmly at the caretaker dismissing them. Their heads bowed in respect and some bit of shame they quietly left the room, leaving her alone with the young, unconscious demon Lord.

She'd of course seen him before. Not close, but had at least seen him. Even at this young age he was intimidating. Forbidding. But now, he seemed so young. He was obviously horribly injured, his beautiful face, yes it was so much like his father's, was bruised and cut. There were tears and slashes all over his body. She had not expected to feel this. She'd steadied herself to do what she knew that she should do, what she had to do. But she never expected this.

"Mistress, I got the bandages and medicines, and I'll bring in the hot water and cleaning things. And the clothes, I cut 'em down and made 'em just like you said." She slowly moved closer to the bed just behind where her Mistress stood. Oh! He was… well, he was…just like his father. He looked just like him. A smaller version, but still. And tall. Even laying down she could tell. He obviously wasn't at his best like this, but still… "I uh…" she said shaking her head to get back to the matters at hand, "I'll come back with the rest of the things, and I'll send the little one up once he's finished his dinner and has rested a bit." She turned to leave, but stole one last glance at the young Lord, "So much like him he is, and so much like Inuyasha…" then she quickly left the room.

Yes. He was. So much like his father, and so much like her little boy. She could see them both so clearly in Sesshoumaru. So much so that she couldn't help the care and concern she felt growing in her heart for the young youkai. She wondered if he carried the same cares that his father did. The same loneliness and sadness. She touched his face where it was bruised and heard a low groan escape his throat. Then kneeling next to him she began to gently, slowly remove his clothing trying not to cause him pain. She would save him. She would not let him die.

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Pain. He was in pain. More pain that he had ever felt in his life. What was wrong? Why? Then he remembered, the Panther demon tribe. The attack. And then… and then the hanyo crashing through the woods like a … but then nothing. He opened his eyes. A room he didn't know. Sounds and smells he didn't recognize. Where was he? Though it caused him more pain he looked down at his body. These weren't his clothes. They were, they were his father's, but they'd been made smaller. Who would do this? Then he realized who it was. Where he was. And he tried to get up. To remove himself from this place. He would not be here, would not acknowledge her. Never. Then the smell came to him. He must be badly hurt, he did not notice it until now. He was here. Then again, moving his head slowly to the side he saw him, but kept his eyes almost closed so that he could study him.

He could see better now, and could see the kimono he wore. Fitting for the son of his father at least, he thought. And his hair, not quite like theirs. Not silver but a bright silver-white. Then he looked more closely. He was strong, even as he simply sat cross-legged beside the bed he could tell. His muscles weren't stretched long and taut as his were. The hanyo's muscles were rounded. Powerful, like his father's. Like their… And his eyes. They were just like his father's. Just like his own. Damn. Damn.

"So, are you done looking at me now?" asked the small hanyo as he sat looking very deliberately away from his older brother. He tried to sound bored and uninterested but he was obviously angry, and very agitated. And Sesshoumaru couldn't resist adding to his discomfort. "You hold no interest for me little half-demon wretch." He sneered. Then watched as the tiny hanyo's face grew red and angrier and his ears (those ridiculous ears) flatted, twitching wildly against his head. Grinding his teeth the little thing stood and walked over to the door muttering under his breath trying not to show just how angry he was. Inuyasha rarely cursed even to himself and never out loud but he couldn't help himself this time, and before he left the room to tell his mother that his brother (ugh) was awake he growled "You ASS!" under his breath then stalked angrily through the door.

And despite his pain Sesshoumaru, this Sesshoumaru laughed. Ah yes. If he had the misfortune to have to lay eyes on that hanyo again he would enjoy eliciting that reaction from him. Every time!

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He must have been asleep, or unconscious again. He opened his eyes. Still here. He was still here, but the boy was gone now. He relaxed and tried to take a deep breath. Still so much pain. And he could smell his own blood. Not as much as before, when he was outside by himself in the wood, but he was still bleeding. Badly. But now there was another smell. Like, it was like some strange flower, warmed by the sun. And the sea. Strange. What would…then he realized.

Her.

She was here, in the room with him. His heart began to pound, he could barely hear over it. What would she do? Had she…had she touched him? Had she…his mind raced through all that must have happened while he slept. The bandages fastened over his wounds. His clothes, his clothes had been changed again. She…she had…she had touched him. Bathed him and bound his wounds. She had touched him. If he had been able to he would have killed her. Would have drawn his claws though the flesh of her neck. Torn at her until she…he turned and his eyes finally found her.

How could she just stand there? Even a pathetic weak human had to know how angry he was. Was she fool enough to stay in the room with an angry Inu-youkai? Did she not have the sense to leave him? But he stared as she stood by the window. Looking out of it. Did she not care that he was angry? Even in this state he could still manage to…

Then she turned and walked over to him. Slowly, deliberately. Then kneeling beside him she bowed and said quietly. "I ask that you forgive me, Lord Sesshoumaru. I could not allow you to remain injured without doing all that I could to help you. These are my own rooms. No one other than my son and my personal servant have been here. And no one will unless you wish it. It was I who attended you, I would not allow anyone else to do so. I knew that you would not approve." After saying this she moved over him and placed her hand on his forehead. She touched him while he was awake. She dared touch him. He scarcely know what to do! This filthy human wench has…but despite his obvious anger and disgust she continued to touch him! Her hand moved over his face, then down his body checking each of his wounds, and them finally she straightened his clothes and pulled a blanket over him! How dare she treat him like that bastard she….he would kill her! As soon as he could move without tearing himself to shreds he would slay her!

But again she ignored his anger and stood slowly. She crossed the room lowering the lights. Then she turned and bowed again. "Goodnight, Lord Sesshoumaru, I will come later to make sure that you are well." She said this and walked to the door, but before she left she turned back to him, "I am sorry that I so angered you in my presumption, I am trying my best. If you wish you may slay if you feel better tomorrow." then she turned and left the room quietly sliding the door closed.

She. Did she just? Did she just make a joke? Joking? This human bitch is joking with him??? He was beyond angry! But... he couldn't help remembering her face when she said it. How her mouth turned up with only the slightest hint of a smile. How her eyes were sparkling at him.

Damn her. Damn her and her hanyo bastard!

In spite of himself he felt his eyelids grows irresistibly heavy. He could not keep them open. "Slay me tomorrow" she'd said. He'd show her. He'd…but, he couldn't finish his thought. In spite of his anger, in spite of her presence he felt safe. He felt his muscles release themselves. He felt himself relax and he drifted off into the first peaceful dreamless sleep he'd had in a long long while.

Whoa! Well being the mother of that boy she'd have to have a sense of humor! What'll happen next? Will Sesshie kill her? Will Inuyasha kill him? Will they all live happily ever after? We shall see…