I do not own inuyasha, please read and review.

Just to note; I do not recall anything in the anime or manga saying a human would take on a youkai or hanyou's life span if they married one. That idea was invented by fans I believe. Also yes, Inuyasha's kids have youkai blood, but 25% isn't much, they are still mostly human.

I meant this chapter to be longer, but just couldn't. There will be at least one more.

Sesshomaru cradled Chihiro in his arms as the sun rose and the mists on the land began to lift. The child had cried herself to sleep a while ago, leaving him alone with his thoughts. It was a gorgeous morning, but he couldn't see the beauty of it. All he could think of was his precious Rin, that he'd never see her smile or hear her voice again.

He didn't look around when he heard his brother approach. "Sesshomaru, you probably already know, but Rin... Well..."

"She died in the night." Sesshomaru replied softly.

Inuyasha was silent for a long moment before adding "We figured she was with you." He meant Chihiro. "Her mom needs to get her ready."

Sesshomaru nodded but made no move to stand, he just sat staring straight ahead.

"I can take her for you if you need some time." Sesshomaru nodded and closed his eyes as his brother came around to take the child. He didn't want his brother to see his eyes. He and Chihiro now shared a new secret, she alone would ever know that he'd shed tears last night. She had witnessed them, then wiped them from his cheeks, shaking her head as though to say "You mustn't!"

"Do you want me to come get you?" Sesshomaru shook his head, he'd hear them when it was time for the burial.

It was just past noon when the grave had been dug and the town gathered. Rin had touched all of them. One alone was absent, Sesshomaru stood hidden in the tree line. He could see and hear everything, but he could not bring himself to join them.

Inuyasha and Shippo both glanced at his hiding spot a couple of times, they knew he was there. They could smell him. Chihiro glanced his direction too, whether because she'd seen where his brother looked or just knew him that well he didn't know.

Rin's tiny form was lowered into the cold ground. Then covered in earth as her people recited prayers and sang songs. One by one they laid gifts on her grave and wandered off to grieve, some alone, others with family and friends. Only once the last person had left did Sesshomaru emerge from his hiding place.

He'd never picked flowers before in his life, but he knew Rin would have liked the ones he now laid on her grave. Bright golden Buttercups and delicate white Queen Anne's Lace. Then he wasn't sure what to do, so he sat down and stared, looking at the gifts people had left.

The sun sank below the horizon then rose from the opposite one. Still Sesshomaru did not move. The sun was near setting once more when he heard his brother approaching, he didn't even acknowledge his brother as he settled into the grass beside him.

"I wish I could tell you the pain goes away." Inuyasha told his older brother. "It doesn't, but it gets easier to deal with. If you just think about her being gone you're gonna make yourself crazy, you gotta remember the good stuff and just keep going. I don't give a rat's ass if you do go nuts, but your grand kids need you."

"Is Chihiro coping?" He'd been so wrapped up in his own grief he hadn't thought about how she was doing.

"For the moment. Shippo's keeping her busy. He's been trying to teach her to whistle. It's hard since she can't hear when she succeeds, but I think she's getting the hang of it."

Inuyasha stood and walked away, pausing briefly at his wife's grave. She'd died of old age too. At least she'd seen Shippo get his second tail when he turned 100, she'd been so proud of him. Another 50 years and he'd be a man, perhaps start a pack of his own. Inuyasha hoped the kit would decide to stay close.

Sesshomaru stayed by the grave through the night. He thought about Rin, she wouldn't want him to fall apart over her. He thought about Inuyasha's words. About his grand children needing him to be strong. At dawn he forced himself to his feet and returned to the village.