A Sliver of Temper

Elrond stopped, turning around after placing the sword back in its rightful place. Giving a firm glare at both brothers', he turned and gracefully descended the stairs, without another word.

Glorfindel watched Elrond leave the hall and glanced up at the youkai brothers' silently. Nodding once to them, he stated before following Elrond out. "I would suggest getting some rest."

"Keh!" Inuyasha scoffed. "Who needs rest?" He opened his eyes and saw the elf leave the room. "Hey!"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, and peered back at the sword silently. Feeling heated eyes on him, his golden gaze swerved to meet his brother's.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "Would you mind explaining this?" He asked waving his hand towards the sword.

"Why do you presume I would know why this sword is here, rather then in the underworld where it should be?" Sesshoumaru snarled.

"Because you know everything!" Inuyasha snorted. "I don't understand this. That Elromund guy says that this is a narsuzil, or something, and yet by the look of it, this is most definitely Sou'unga." The younger brother huffed out of breath from his tirade, only to Sesshoumaru's annoyance, continued on with the next breath. "I mean really. How can a sword that was destroyed be here now of all places? Unless…" Inuyasha's face dropped looking much like a trapped animal.

Sesshoumaru waited calmly. After a moment of seeing his younger brother's face change from that of a trapped animal, to an ashen gray, to completely white, Sesshoumaru smirked. "Unless what, little brother?"

Inuyasha swallowed visibly. Blinking rapidly, the youkai shook his head. "No, it's impossible! This can't be right! I refuse to believe this! Just what the hell is going on?" He raged.

Growing tired of his brother's ramblings, Sesshoumaru turned and strolled out of the hall calmly, leaving his brother there looking much like a cornered beast then a youkai. "Are you coming, Inuyasha?"

"Hell no!" Inuyasha growled. "We can't just leave this sword here!"

"We will and most certainly avoid it's presence, Inuyasha."

"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha snarled. "Have you not thought about this at all? I mean, I travel to the future with Kagome. But where are we now? Hey! Are you even listening to me?"

Inuyasha raced after his brother's disappearing form, and quickly caught up with him.

"Look, if we have gone back in time, it means that our era has not occurred yet, but we are here, and now further from Kagome's own. Sou'unga is here, and we have to destroy it!"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, not missing the panic in his brother's words. Turning the corner, they came across a long row of doors, the halls lit by candles, showering everything in a calming glow. "We cannot interfere, Inuyasha. We also can't allow anyone to know we have come back in time, just like I'm certain Kagome doesn't inform anyone that she can travel between dimensions."

"Well if we destroy the sword then we won't have to worry about it later, right?" Inuyasha stated with a grin.

Sesshoumaru frowned. "Change history, you mean? I think not!" Gripping his brother by his shirt, he pulled Inuyasha so they were nose to nose. "Do not even think of doing such a thing! You could change the whole out come of our time, and that of Kagome's. If in changing history, you could more then likely not be born, or possibly make it impossible for Kagome to ever meet you. Perhaps you would never be freed from that seal. Or maybe never stumbling across the priestess who sealed you in the first place."

Inuyasha gulped visibly. "You do have a point there." Wrinkling his nose, Inuyasha struggled in his brother's firm grip. "All right! All right! I won't go near that blasted sword."

Nodding once, Sesshoumaru released his brother and continued on down the hall as if nothing had happened. His brother was right. Smirking, Sesshoumaru would probably never meet his little ward, and he realized that there was something more to his brother then he let be known.

Catching the scent of one of those elven people, Inuyasha frowned, and thought silently. 'Sneaky little bastards.' Realizing that they were being followed, Inuyasha raced towards Sesshoumaru quickly. "We're being followed."

Sesshoumaru nodded calmly. "We have been followed since we arrived here, you idiotic excuse for an Inu. Are you really this stupid? Or is it because you now lack that human blood?"

"But I didn't smell them until now." Inuyasha protested.

"That's because you allow your emotions full control over you. Start concentrating on everything around you, rather then be so rash."

"Easy for you to say." Inuyasha mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest with a huff.

Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru pushed open the doors to their room and pulled his brother inside. "Now you foolish half breed! Cease your pathetic ramblings, and listen for once."

Inuyasha stumbled into the room as his brother pulled him and released him suddenly. Turning around he scowled. "I thought you said I'm not a hanyou anymore?"

"Be silent, Inuyasha! Because of your mindless rattling, not only have we been overheard, but we have also been silently scrutinized. I have detected a fell presence ever since we arrived here in this time, and I know you felt it too back at that hut."

Inuyasha did nod at that, and sat on the plush bed that seemed much like the one in Kagome's era. Flopping back on it, he closed his eyes. "This is wonderful." He muttered.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. Sighing audibly, the youkai shrugged out of his armor and placed in on a chair in the corner. Fingering his fur, he roamed around the room allowing his eyes to fall on certain objects speculating what they were. He stopped at an oak desk and peered at its surface.

Snorting, he had come across such furnishings before, but none as elegantly etched or polished as this one. Frowning slightly, he lifted his hand and allowed a clawed finger to run across the smooth surface for a moment, and then moved to the small oval object lying on the top. Glancing at the bronze stand, Sesshoumaru picked up the item curiously, sniffing at it. Turning it over, he gasped slightly as he saw his reflection.

Inuyasha sat up hearing his brother's gasp and he felt a smirk lift the corners of his mouth. "That's a mirror."

Sesshoumaru nodded, not moving his eyes from his own reflection. Blinking, the youkai placed the mirror down and turned to face his brother. As though looking for an explanation.

"What?" Inuyasha shrugged. "Kagome has one she carries with her. I used it before when I changed into my human form. I used it here too. Strange that here they have these things, but in our era we don't." Inuyasha mused to himself.

"We do have these things." Sesshoumaru muttered. "Naraku's underling has one. The pale girl."

Inuyasha nodded remembering. "Kanna. I remember. The scentless one."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "Indeed." Moving to the next object that caught Sesshoumaru's attention, he picked up the small vial on the desk and sniffed the contents slowly. Wrinkling his nose, he placed the small vial hastily back onto the desk, and snorted through his nose.

Inuyasha flopped back down onto the bed and stretched lazily. "Hey, Sesshoumaru?"

The youkai's hand froze before picking up the next object in his line of sight, and he glanced over his shoulder waiting.

"What do you make of all this? We haven't really talked about what happened."

"Talking is pointless." Sesshoumaru stated.

"Keh!" Inuyasha scoffed, lifting his head off the fluffy pillow. "To you maybe."

Shaking his head, he lifted the next item, and scrutinized it carefully for a moment. It was a round and colorful piece of glass. Frowning, he lifted it carefully to his nose and sniffed lightly. There was no scent. Lifting a finger, he placed it into the jar and touched the surface and blinked surprised when his finger sunk into the soft stuff. Holding his finger up, he stared at the substance that covered his claw.

Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru placed the stuff down and allowed his poison to melt the stuff on his finger, and snorted as it bubbled for a moment before evaporating. "Does it bother you that we are here, Inuyasha?"

"Not really." Came the muffled reply. This caused Sesshoumaru to turn around and stare at his brother, who had his head buried in the pillow.

Shaking his head, the youkai walked over to the window and tried to stick his nose outside, curious about the lack of air in the room, however his nose came into contact with something solid and he bit back a curse, holding his nose. Blinking, Sesshoumaru stared at the window, lifting his finger to what had caused the strange barrier. His finger came into contact with the window and he frowned.

Snickers reached his ears, and Sesshoumaru glared at his brother who had witness the incident. "I did that when I tried to enter Kagome's room in her era. But I didn't just hit my nose." Inuyasha sat up and shook his head. "I actually cracked her window, having flown into it so hard."

Sesshoumaru snorted at the mental image of his brother flying into the window and stopping abruptly. Shaking his head clear of the ridiculous image, Sesshoumaru rubbed his nose and turned his attention away from the offending thing. He walked over to a large opening in the room, leading to the outside, but hesitated at the frame he saw separating the room from the outside world. Lifting his hand, he nodded as his fingers came into contact with the same barrier his nose had at the window. "Do you know how to open these things?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking for a handle or something to pull shove or push.

Inuyasha stood, and walked over to him and pursed his lips. "I know Kagome's window slides, so maybe it's the same." He lifted his hand, placing his claw into the small crack and slid the glass door open, allowing a light breeze to enter the room. Grinning triumphantly, he glanced at Sesshoumaru who remained silent.

Nodding his thanks, Sesshoumaru stepped over the wooden frame and stood on the balcony staring out at the mass amounts of trees and waterfalls that surrounded the valley. Talking a deep breath, he felt a smile curl the corner of his lips. "Inuyasha?" He whispered.

"What?"

"What does this place feel like to you?"

Inuyasha walked out of the room, and stood beside his brother curiously for a moment before responding. "It feels peaceful. Calm, refreshing."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "I believe that these elves are one with nature."

"We already knew that." Inuyasha glanced over the stone edge on the balcony and stared at the ground below. "I wonder what Kagome is doing right now?"

Sesshoumaru smirked knowingly, staring at his younger brother. "What are your feelings for the girl?"

Inuyasha righted himself, and blinked at him. "Keh, nothing."

"Why do you insist on lying? I know you have feelings for her, but what are they?"

"Why are you suddenly so curious about me and Kagome?"

Shaking his head and looking away, Sesshoumaru followed some elven children racing about the courtyard below. "I am merely seeking conversation. I have not had much desire to speak up until now."

A knock at the door interrupted them, and both brothers turned around staring into the room. Huffing at his brother's stillness and refusal to answer it, Inuyasha stalked into the room and jerked open the door, revealing two wet girls.

Rin bounded into the room happily, racing out onto the balcony to Sesshoumaru. Kagome grinned and followed. "These rooms are nice." She stated, looking around.

Rin piped up from outside. "You should see ours. They are so pretty." Kagome and Inuyasha walked out onto the balcony, and peered at Sesshoumaru, while Rin stood by his side in awe at the sight. She stood on her tiptoes, her little hands placed on the edge, to pull herself up.

Seeing this, Sesshoumaru scooped down and picked the girl up in one swift motion. Rin giggled and gasped when her eyes caught the entire valley without the solid wall in her way. "Wow."

"Simplicity in its entirety. Such splendor, is it not?" Sesshoumaru smiled gently.

Rin grinned from ear to ear nodding. Kagome and Inuyasha glanced at one another, and stood beside them, also staring at the awesome sight. "You should see the view from our room. It faces the other side of Rivendell."

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the little girl in his arms, noticing the wet strands. Moving his eyes to Kagome, he also noticed her hair. Frowning, he asked simply. "Why are you two wet?"

Rin giggled, and clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oh it was so much fun, Lord Sesshoumaru. Kagome and I went swimming. Ro and Dan took us."

Inuyasha frowned, but so confused at the names he tiled his head to the side. "Who the hell are Ro and Dan?"

Sesshoumaru growled warningly. "Inuyasha, you will not talk such when you are in Rin's presence, understand?"

Kagome shook her head at Inuyasha when he opened his mouth in a retort. "The twins, silly. Poor Rin was having so much trouble saying their names, that they shortened them for her."

Sesshoumaru nodded at this, relieved that it was only the twins, and not some new comer who had shared his or her company with his Rin. Shaking his head again at the word that seemed to pop up whenever he thought of the girl, Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes in defeat.

"So they just said come swimming, and you just decided to go along?" Inuyasha scowled.

"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" Kagome asked, seeing the jealous rage flash in Inuyasha's eyes.

"So now you're overjoyed to swim with males, when in our time you call me or even Miroku a pervert, whenever we accidentally stumble across you and Sango bathing?" He stressed the word accidentally with a flourish.

"I wouldn't call spying on us, accidentally, Inuyasha!" Kagome placed her hands on her hips and stuck her nose to his. "You have to learn to trust me, you know."

Sesshoumaru and Rin glanced at one another and both shrugged. Rin grinned and whispered in his ear. "There they go again."

Sesshoumaru smirked and nodded, turning away from the two arguing idiots, and proceeded into the room quietly. He set Rin onto her feet and she wandered around the room curiously. Rin and Sesshoumaru lifted their heads towards the balcony when a loud 'Sit!' followed by a crashing thump, alerted them to the extent of the argument.

Kagome stormed into the room and shot over her shoulder. "I had my nagajugan on, you idiot!"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, and almost rolled his eyes, but a knock at the door caught everyone's attention. Kagome walked to the door and opened it, revealing the dark haired advisor, Erestor.

"Hello." Kagome announced in a very friendly manner. Sesshoumaru noted that this must have been the way she answered the door in her own time.

"I wanted to inform you that, Lord Elrond has called a meeting regarding your presence here. He has requested that you follow me to his study."

"Oh." Kagome said softly. Turning around, she glanced at Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha who walked into the room rolling his shoulder.

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru shared a look, and the younger brother shrugged. "Keh!"

Sesshoumaru stood up and walked to the door, announcing to everyone that they were leaving. Rin followed, but Erestor shook his head firmly. "This matter is for the adults alone. The little girl is to remain behind."

At this news, Sesshoumaru stopped and remained still. "I think not."

Erestor insisted. "She will be well looked after. The twins have agreed to watch over her while you are in audience with their father."

"Rin will remain by my side, or we will not be holding an audience with your Lord." Sesshoumaru ground out between clenched teeth.

Kagome knew that it would take only great danger for Sesshoumaru to leave Rin behind, and she placed her hand on his shoulder. "If you like, I can stay behind and keep an eye on Rin."

Erestor shook his head. "Lord Elrond has requested that you three will take up the meeting with him. The girl stays behind."

Faster then the eye could follow, Sesshoumaru had Erestor by the throat and against the wall, slamming him against it roughly.