I own nothing but my own fictional characters.

"talking"

'thinking'

"Memory"

"Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind."

C. S. Lewis

Regrets Chapter 10

The pre-dawn light shown through the shoji screen, turning the white paper a pinkish hue. The older Brother shifted to turn over to face away from the incoming light. His movement was halted by a smaller body. Sesshomaru gently lifted the covers to find what was halting his retreat from the sun. His eyes softened when he saw the Inuyasha had migrated from his own bed to the lord's bed sometime in the night,

'I didn't even feel the little monster climb in bed. I wonder if he had a bad dream or something.'

Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around the small child as he turned to lay on his back with Inuyasha laying on his chest.

'I remember waking up in this same position with father when I was a pup.'

Sesshomaru was so lost in his past memories he didn't notice that Inuyasha had woken up.

'Onii-san is lost in thought again, this is my chance to tease him.'

Inuyasha crawled up closer to Sesshomaru's face, catching Sesshomaru's attention.

'What is he up to now?'

Inuyasha slowly inched closer then suddenly lunge forward and licked his Onii-san's left cheek before scrambling away. Sesshomaru was stunned for a few seconds before throwing the blankets aside to give chase.

"Inuyasha that was gross."

Inuyasha just giggled and continued to run for his life.

"That's what you get for spacing out and ignoring me."

Sesshomaru huffed as Inuyasha ran through the door way leading to Inuyasha's connected room. Then diving under the bed and scooting clear to the middle. Sesshomaru was far too big to fit under the bed and his arms were too short to reach the giggling child.

"You will have to come out eventually Inuyasha. I can be a very patient man when waiting for my prey."

Sesshomaru smiled evilly. Inuyasha shuddered then quickly wiggled out the other side and made a mad dash for the door to the bathing area. Sesshomaru was hot on his heels once he realized what the pup was up to. Inuyasha barely made it the edge of the pool before he was snatched off his feet, then pined to the ground by his Onii-san. Sesshomaru but weight on Inuyasha's legs and held his hands down with his knees. He slowly leaned down to be face to face with the terrified but giggly child.

"No fair Oii-san you are bigger than me. I don't have a fighting chance."

Sesshomaru once again smiled evilly to the child.

'Oh no I have crossed the line and now he is really mad at me. He's going to through me out or beat me like Ojii-san.'

Sesshomaru suddenly licked Inuyasha across his forehead then blew raspberries against his neck and exposed tummy, tickling the poor child. Inuyasha was laughing so hard tears were rolling down his face. Sesshomaru pulled back also laughing to let poor Inuyasha catch his breath. Sesshomaru began to stand pulling Inuyasha up with him dusting him off and standing him up right. Inuyasha looked away trying to hide his fear of the older male. Sesshomaru noticed the fear.

"Inuyasha I know you where kidding around as was I. I would never intently hurt you."

Inuyasha shifted to look at him and replied.

"I know it's just sometimes something's remind me of living with Ojii-san and the old insecurities surface. He reached up and wiped Sesshomaru's cheek with his sleeve.

"Well Onii-san what is on the agenda today?"

Sesshomaru smiled and picked him up.

"Well first a bath is in order."

Inuyasha barely had time to realize what Sesshomaru meant before being tossed into the spring clothes and all.

"Onii-san that was mean. I still have my night clothes on."

Sesshomaru just laughed. Reaching over he pulled Inuyasha's night shirt off and threw it aside, then began to undress as well and climb in. Inuyasha was small enough to be able to swim in the hot spring. Swimming to Sesshomaru side and sitting beside him on the seat.

"So really Onii-san what are we doing today?"

Sesshomaru grabbed the shampoo oils to begin their regular bathing routine of Sesshomaru washing Inuyasha's hair then the pup washing the older demons hair.

"Well the shrine for your mother's ashes should be finished today so we will retrieve her urn from the local shrine to lay her in her permanent resting place. Then I have finally got around to seeing the person I wanted to inquiry about a companion for."

Inuyasha squealed in joy.

"Really we can finally put Oka-san to rest? She will finally be safe?"

Sesshomaru tipped Inuyasha back to rinse his hair.

"Yes she will finally be safe. Now let's finish and we will go after my morning meeting which will be starting in an hour so we must hurry."

"Sesshomaru can I wear my fire rat robe?"

Sesshomaru picked him up and put him on the edge while grabbing a towel wrapping it around Inuyasha.

"Yes you can wear the fire rat robe. Now let's finish up then I will help you dress."

Inuyasha sat in the Library anxiously waiting for Onii-sans meeting to be over. He had just finished his lunch meal which was checked and inspected by a maid, Sewa. The Dowager lady trusted her deeply and put her in charge of Inuyasha when Sesshomaru was unable to look after him. Sewa's husband was also Inuyasha's new tutor, Chishiki. Chishiki decided to give Inuyasha his Number one student the day off since he had been working so hard on his studies.

The lady had returned home two weeks after the incident in the library. Inuyasha had accidently reviled the ladies mischief towards Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru was furious but it soon passed with Inuyasha's begging to spend time with the lady. After that Sesshomaru began to trust him to the lady to look after and to teach. Inuyasha's first project with the lady was his rooms redecoration, his room was now his favorite color, red. The next project was the design of Lady Izayoi's shrine.

"Inuyasha are you ready to go?"

Sesshomaru's voice suddenly cut through his musings of how much had changed in such a short amount of time. Inuyasha ran to Sesshomaru's side grabbing his hand and pulling him down the hall.

"Of course, I have felt like I have had ants in my pants all morning waiting for you."

Once Lady Izayoi's ashes were gathered they made their way to the recently built shrine right in the middle of the royal gardens. Inuyasha demanded that he carry his mother's urn himself. Once in the shrine Sesshomaru quickly opened the compartment to place the urn and moved aside so that Inuyasha could place Izayoi's urn in her new and final resting place. Once Finished Inuyasha took the flowers from Sesshomaru that they had cut earlier placing them next to Izayoi's headstone.

"Onii-san is taking great care of me, even his Oka-san is nice to me. I hope you like where I decided to make your shine, you loved to spend as much time as you could in the gardens. Also Keibo-san has hired a real tutor for me, so no more sneaking lessons. I have learned how to write and read a lot better now. Well Oka-san Onii-san has a new friend for me to meet I will come and visit as often as I can, bye."

Inuyasha stood and left the shrine.

"Come on Onii-san we shouldn't keep your friend waiting"

Sesshomaru turned to follow Inuyasha, but hesitated to say a few quick words. Turning around Sesshomaru couldn't believe his eyes there stood Izayoi. She was transparent but there she was as beautiful as the first day he saw her with his father. Sesshomaru bowed slightly, opening his mouth to apologize for every hurtful word he said to her and for the incident that once would have happened with the un-mother. She raised her hand to stop him from talking.

"It's alright Sesshomaru you were hurt and angry and felt that your father was abandoning you and your mother, naturally you would take it out on the other woman. I knew and understood that I forgave you long ago. I can't thank you enough for what you have already done. Also nobody else might not know or remember but you being mean and harsh to him in the forgotten future was your own way teaching him to fight and take care of himself. Your father might not have told you enough but he is very proud of you."

As Izayoi spoke to Sesshomaru she walked closer to an immobile Sesshomaru. She stopped in front of Sesshomaru reaching up she cupped his cheek and gently pulled his face to her level and kissed his forehead right over his crescent moon marking.

"I wish our relationship could have gotten to the point of you calling me Keibo. But we all must let our regrets go including you dear. Now you better go before Inuyasha comes back, there is no need to give him hope that I will return to the plane of the living."

She leaned closer to his ear and whispered to him.

"Be patient you will find your beloved fiery wind sorceress. I will push her soul towards yours be patient."

Then she disappeared as if she was never there, leaving Sesshomaru to think that it was all a dream.

"Come on Onii-san"

Inuyasha's yell broke the spell. Turning and shutting the door Sesshomaru quickly walked to catch up with Inuyasha to lead him in the right direction. Catching up the small excited boy, Sesshomaru swept him up onto his shoulders.

"I never got to ask you why you crawled into bed with me last night? I do not mind in the lest I am just wondering."

Inuyasha lowered his head to rest his chin ontop of Sesshomaru's head.

"Oka-san and I always shared a futon so it will take a while to get use to sleeping alone. Sorry if I woke you up. Who is this friend we are meeting that resides in the forest."

Sesshomaru chuckled and quickly ran a finger up the soul of one of Inuyasha's feet tickling him

"Hey"

"You are showing off some of your new vocabulary, very nice Inuyasha. This friend like you does not like the hustle and bustle of the castle life, so she lives out here in the forest. Now I need you to be on your best behavior until she gets use to you she doesn't trust very easily."

Inuyasha nodded his head. Sesshomaru put Inuyasha down on the ground and took his and lead him to a giant of a tree.

'Onii-san's friend lives in a tree?'

Sesshomaru motioned for him to stay as he continued forward.

"Naminé, I have brought somebody close to me to meet you. Please come out."

Inuyasha leaned closer to see where this Naminé person came from. He suddenly saw a canine muzzle poke out of the ground, then it clicked there was a den under the giant tree. The giant dog climbed out to face Inuyasha. Naminé stood one foot short of Sesshomaru's shoulder.

"Naminé this is my little brother I was telling you about his name is Inuyasha, Inuyasha this is Naminé. She is one of the few Tengu left."

Naminé walked closer and bowed to Inuyasha.

"Very nice to meet you Young Master"

Inuyasha was shocked to hear her speak plain Japanese. Bowing back he replied.

"Um, HHELLO."

Naminé turned to the lord and asked.

"Is this about what we discussed the other day my lord?"

Sesshomaru nodded. She turned back to her den and gave a quick summoning bark. Sesshomaru moved back to stand next to Inuyasha. Inuyasha heard quick little yips and yelps in reply. After a few seconds 6 little Tengu pups came scrambling out to their mother. Inuyasha gasped seeing all the little babies tripping over each other and fighting with each other. Inuyasha looked up to his brother then back to the pups.

"Can I play with them Onii-san?"

Sesshomaru chuckled and replied.

"I don't mind but you need to ask Naminé."

Inuyasha turned to Naminé.

"My I play with yours pups?"

Naminé nodded.

Inuyasha walked slowly over to the pups. They stopped their rough housing to look at the new strangers. As Inuyasha walked closer one by one all the pups but one ran to hide behind their mother. The one that stayed was the smallest of the pups. Inuyasha slowly kneeled to its level.

"Hello my name is Inuyasha what is yours?"

Naminé smiled in amusement.

"They do not know human speech yet young master. It will be some time before they do."

Inuyasha glanced at her and nodded that he understood. He held his hand out for the pup to sniff. She sniffed then licked his hand. The pup then noticed movement on top of the new strand two legged pup's head. Canine ears, he had canine ears just like her and her litter mates. She lunged to chew on his ears as she does with her siblings.

Inuyasha let out a pained yelp and backed away from the pup and ran back to his brother. The female pup had torn a small hole in his ear. The female backed off and hunched down scared and sorry for hurting the two legged pup. She whined and yip in apology, her mother growled angrily at her. Then gave a sharp bark telling her to get back away from the scared child. Sesshomaru gently examined Inuyasha's hurt ear, the hole was small it would heal with no scar. Sesshomaru knew the pup was just reacting to instinct to playfully chew on his ears as a greeting, but Inuyasha's ears were more sensitive than normal.

"Inuyasha I am sorry I thought you would enjoy seeing the pups and playing with them since there aren't many children in the palace. I was also hoping we could find a companion for you."

As Sesshomaru went pick up Inuyasha the female pup came crawling over on her belly whimpering in apology. Then to the surprise of everyone the female spoke her first human word.

"I sorry"

Inuyasha turned back to the pup not sure if he should forgive or stay angry/ scared.

Inuyasha put his hand out again and again she licked it, she quickly stood on her back feet with her front paws on his chest to lick his wounded ear. Inuyasha automatically wrapped his arms around her in a reflex. She laid her head against his head in comfort and again said

"I sorry"

Inuyasha setter back down on all fours then sat down on the ground. She immediately pounce on him playfully nipping at him. She ran from her and hunch down on her front feet and yipped at him to come and get her. Inuyasha instantly jumped to his feet to give chase. After the tension had lessened the other pups joined in on the play fighting remembering to be careful with the two legged pup. Sesshomaru walked over to Namine and sat on a rock next to her.

"I am sorry my little chiisana hana hurt the young master. She is my only daughter so she has had to learn to stick up for herself with her brothers. She is the first pup I have had that has spoken Human words before their first year"

"Its fine Inuyasha has held no grudge so all must be well between them. I think Inuyasha found the one he wants as a companion. Huh that is something to think about. Maybe she has a connection with Inuyasha like a familiar."

Nomine nodded.

"It will be chiisana hana's decision."

"I agree if both don't mind then so be it. Well it is getting close to night fall I had better get Inuyasha back for dinner or his maid my mother put in charge of him will be very upset with me for having him out past dinner time."

Naminé laughed and asked.

"Whose ward is he?"

"I ask myself the very same thing all the time."

Sesshomaru stood to look for Inuyasha and the pups.

"Inuyasha it is time to go."

A few feet away near a small pond he heard a groan of disappointment. Inuyasha slowly made his way back to his brother with chiisana hana in his arms. Sesshomaru took the pup from him and set her on the ground. The all but chiisana hana ran back to their mother for their nightly meal. She leaned up and gave Inuyasha's already healed ear a lick before she to ran to her mother.

"Inuyasha would you like chiisana hana as your new companion? She will have to want to coma and live with us if not you can come and visit her any time."

Inuyasha beamed up to his brother.

"Really if she wants to and it's okay with her mama she can come with us?"

Sesshomaru nodded.

"Her mother is talking to her right now about it."

Nomine walked over to them with chiisana hana next to her.

"She said she would love to go with you and be your friend young master."

Nomine Turned to her daughter and licked her good bye and yipped and barked to her telling her she could come and visit any time she likes. Inuyasha suddenly grew worried.

'She will be leaving her family and miss them she might be too young to leave her mother'

"Are you sure it is okay for her to leave when she is so young?"

Nomine's expression lighten to compassion.

"Yes young master in the next two to three week my pups will begin to wander further and further from my den to start a new life of their own. I know she will be in safe hands with you and it is her decision. Female pups usually wander off first so it is not unusual for to be the first to leave."

Inuyasha beamed bowed then picked up chiisana hana.

"Thank you for letting us be friends"

Inuyasha turned to head back talking with his new friend. Sesshomaru bowed to Naminé.

"Thank you Inuyasha has rarely had friends in his short life this is truly a gift you have allowed. I know after the recent loss of your mate it is hard to part with your pups."

Nomine nodded then turned to herd the rest of the pups into the den for the night.

Sesshomaru pulled the cover up to Inuyasha's chin then sat on the bed next to him. Inuyasha yawned then asked.

"Where's Hana? Is she allowed to sleep up here with me?"

Sesshomaru cocked his eye brow.

"Hana?"

Inuyasha looked sheepish.

"Well her full name is quite the mouth full so I asked her if it was okay to just call her Hana. She said that it was okay."

Sesshomaru shook his head in amusement then bent over to pick up the pup and place her in bed next to Inuyasha.

"Good night Inuyasha, good night Hana."

Sesshomaru blew the candle out then slide the screen half way.

'I knew the second that we stepped back into the palace that those two would be the best of friends. Hana had to sit next to Inuyasha during dinner. Then when they were soaking in the hot spring she swam around with Inuyasha. All though it was quite comical to see both of them shake dry. Well at least Inuyasha has found a friend."

Noticing the time and realizing he was not going to be sleeping that night he decided to light a candle and get some paper work done. Most of his paper work involved the execution on Zurui and her husband. He was going to make an example out of the both of them and show that he meant business about his brother living there and the palace being his home. Sighing sesshomaru turned back to the papers at had and signed the paper for the executions and reminding him self that he needed to take Inuyasha away from the palace for the day before, of and after the execution. Sesshomaru smiled.

'I could take him to see mother at her palace in the sky."

So with that thought in mind Sesshomaru began his letter to his mother and planning what to show Inuyasha first at his mothers palace.