I had an idea and I had to get it out. It doesn't matter how short of a chapter this was.
PLease pardon my over-use of the "..."s. It seemed appropriate.
Chapter 4
(InuYasha's Perspective)
I don't understand it. One minute he was seeming really... happy. The next, he was withdrawn and sullen. I... just didn't understand Sesshomaru. I let out a sigh and lied down on the bed. I was tired and I wanted more than anything to curl up in a ball and never come out of it. As if on cue, all the depressing thoughts I had been fighting all day rushed into my head.
My mother... and father... Father was dead, and there was nothing anyone could do about that. Mother was badly hurt... and I felt like, somehow, it was my fault; like I could have done something, like I should have done something. I felt like I should have known and I should have said something. It felt like there was a black hole that settled into my chest; like I was staring into a black abyss and it was slowly devouring every part of my soul. And all I wanted was to let it devour me and let myself be gone.
I quickly snapped out of it and threw on some clothes. Then I rushed out to Sesshomaru. He was watching Rin put her toys away and sipping a glass of milk. Sesshomaru gave me a glance and I said loudly, "Please take me to my mother!"
Sesshomaru nodded and set down his milk. He grabbed his jacket and we left without another word.
After what seemed like a small eternity, I was in my mother's room. She was conscious, but... the doctors said it was just as well that we arrived when we did. They didn't know how long she would last. I knelt beside my mom as unashamed tears ran down my cheeks. She looked horrible, but she cupped my cheek and laughed.
"Crying? How unmanly of you." She said in her weak voice. When I couldn't do more than attempt a smile, she sighed and looked deep into my eyes. "Oh, InuYasha... be strong. Everything will be alright."
"I..." I couldn't speak. My throat was too tight. "Mom..."
"Death is not the worst to happen to a person." My mom said. "Death is both an end, and a new beginning."
"I don't want you to go..." I said. There was a strong ache in my chest and I couldn't seem to pull myself together. My voice was as weak as hers. "I love you, mom."
"And I love you." She whispered. "I always have... and I always will." She took a wheezy breath. "Send in Sesshomaru for a moment."
I nodded and walked slowly out of her room. Sesshomaru looked down at me with no expression. I wiped my tears and said, "She wants you."
He nodded and headed in, closing the door behind him. I sat in a chair and cried.
-(Sesshomaru's Perspective)-
A cold, blindingly white, soulless hospital did not seem like any proper way to die. But there lay the kindest, most incredible woman I had ever met... ready to accept this fate. It hurt me to see her, pale and in pain, with no hope of escaping her pallid prison. I knelt beside Izayoi and saw, much to my surprise, fire and determination in her eyes. They locked fiercely with mine and she licked her lips.
"Take care of my boy." She commanded. I nodded and she took my face in both her hands. "That's not good enough, Sesshomaru."
I swallowed and said quietly, "I swear upon my life... I will protect and care for your son... my brother... with my very last breath."
She nodded and sighed. Izayoi rolled over to lie on her back and I stood, assuming we were done. Before I could move, though, she spoke again. "I know about you, Lord Sesshomaru. While your father was busy pretending you didn't exist, I was trying to think of ways to make your existence... a life." I flinched slightly and felt a pang of sorrow and guilt. Izayoi smiled slightly. "Please stop hurting yourself. You have someone who depends on you now. Do not abandon InuYasha as you have abandoned yourself."
It did not yet occur to me quite what she was saying. I simply nodded and said, "I won't."
Izayoi smiled again. "It's a pity I will never get to see you boys become men... Bring in InuYasha."
I let my brother in and we stood by her bed. Izayoi held InuYasha's hand and closed her eyes. We watched with heavy hearts as slowly the life began to drain from Izayoi. It took hours of silence and probably pain, before our loving mother used her last breath to say, "I love you."
It was at 10:34 pm on December 30th that Izayoi passed on. Inuyasha cried... but I couldn't find it in myself to let out a tear.
So... what'd ya think?
