Chapter 10

A groan whispered through the house and Kagome looked up from the meal she was making to see Sesshomaru's eyes open. He lifted up a hand and covered them for a moment before looking around him.

"Where...?" he saw Kagome, who was walking over to him, and frowned, "How did I get here?"

"You're in Kaede's house," Kagome answered before turning away and staring into the fire, "Miyuki brought you here."

"Miyuki!" he looked around startled and then saw Miyuki was lying next to him; he put a hand on her cheek then flinched away. He looked up at Kagome who shook her head; Inuyasha walked in and a faint smile passed his lips when he saw Sesshomaru sitting up.

"I'm glad you're okay, brother," he said, Sesshomaru looked up at him shocked.

"You never call me brother! What happened?" he looked from Inuyasha to Kagome, waiting for an answer.

"When Miyuki brought you here you didn't have a heart beat and you weren't breathing," Inuyasha explained before handing some firewood to Kagome.

"How come I'm alive?" Sesshomaru suddenly froze and then looked at Miyuki, "did she do something?"

Kagome nodded and Inuyasha shrugged fending off Sesshomaru's next question before he asked it. Sesshomaru stood and pulled on his Kimono and then moved Miyuki into the centre of the bed so that she had more room.

"How long...?" He asked without turning to face them.

"A week," Kagome said gently as she walked up with a bowl of clean cold water and a rag.

"Let me," Sesshomaru took the rag and bowl from Kagome, made a cold compress and put it on Miyuki's forehead. He sat down next to her, took her hand and watched her with a furrowed brow. Kagome sighed and finished cooking the meal she had been making; she ladled it into three bowls and laid one next to Sesshomaru who didn't notice. She went to say something but Inuyasha put a firm hand on her shoulder and shook his head. She frowned confused before giving Inuyasha a bowl of food; who wolfed it down.

"Kagome would you give us a moment?" Inuyasha looked from her to Sesshomaru then sighed. Kagome nodded and walked out of the house, leaving the brothers alone.

"Sesshomaru..." Inuyasha started, staring at his brother's back.

"Inuyasha, am I cursed?" Sesshomaru's voice was gruff from neglect, he looked round at Inuyasha. Shivers clawed their way up Inuyasha's spine when he saw his brother's dead expression.

"His eyes are lifeless, just like that time."

"No, you're not cursed," He whispered sitting down next to Sesshomaru.

"But..."

"Listen! What happened to Miyuki wasn't your fault," Inuyasha took a shaky breath, "nor was Rin's death." Sesshomaru flinched and looked away.

"IT IS MY FAULT!" He roared, "I couldn't protect Rin. Not only did I fail to protect her I also failed to protect myself which led Miyuki to this," he stared up at Miyuki, who was stuck in the throes of her fever.

"The fever Rin had was brought on by a poisoned wound she had sustained while you were away, you couldn't have saved her," Inuyasha put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" Sesshomaru snarled swiping a claw at him. Inuyasha caught his hand stopping his attack; however this only frustrated Sesshomaru more.

"Calm down!" Inuyasha said firmly but by that time Sesshomaru had fallen into despair and had gone feral. He snapped at Inuyasha causing his to jump away, out of the house. Sesshomaru ran after him phasing as he did; he launched at Inuyasha with his teeth bared.

"Miyuki," a voice called to her, Miyuki opened her eyes and saw that she was lying in a meadow full of wild flowers. She sat up and looked to her side; there next to her sat a young girl with black hair and brown eyes.

Where am I?" Miyuki looked at the girl who smiled at her.

"You're in a dream of course," the girl laughed cheerfully before standing. She reached a hand down and helped Miyuki to her feet.

"Who are you?" Miyuki followed the girl to the edge of the meadow; they stopped in front of a grave.

"I'm Rin," the girl said looking sadly at the grave, Miyuki followed her gaze and gasped. Written on the head stone was a single word scratched into the rock.

Rin

Underneath the name was a claw mark and a blood stain. Rin knelt down and put her hand on the blood, a sad smile on her face.

"He swore never to fall in love again," she looked round at Miyuki, "I'm glad he broke his promise."

Miyuki blushed and looked away, Rin laughed and stood.

"Tell him I don't blame him for anything," Rin put her hand on Miyuki's shoulder.

"I will," Miyuki turned to leave but froze after an idea popped up into her mind, "Wouldn't it be better if you told him yourself?" Miyuki looked down at her. Rin started and stared at her.

"Would you..." Rin looked hopefully up at Miyuki who smiled and nodded.

"Go back to him," Rin smiled at her before the dream crumbled around her bringing Miyuki back to reality.

Kagome walked back into the house only to freeze when Miyuki opened her eyes, got up and walked past her out of the door. Outside Inuyasha was trying to calm a feral Sesshomaru. When Miyuki walked up to them they both turned and stared at her.

"Sesshomaru," she said, however it wasn't Miyuki's voice that Inuyasha and Sesshomaru heard; it was a younger, more innocent voice that spoke. Sesshomaru flinched and regained control of his rage. He turned from her and started to walk away; she reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his kimono.

"Rin," Sesshomaru breathed sensing her aura cloaking Miyuki.

"Look at me," Rin said softly, Sesshomaru turned slowly and looked down at her with tears in his eyes. Instead of Miyuki he saw Rin standing in front of him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you," he crashed to his knee, tears streaming down his face.

"Shhh, It wasn't your fault, I wasn't strong enough it's my fault. So you need to stop blaming yourself," Rin put a hand on Sesshomaru's cheek; he looked up at her with unbelieving eyes.

"Sesshomaru, do you remember the promise you swore in front of my grave," Rin watched as blood fled from Sesshomaru's face.

"I release you from that vow," Sesshomaru stared at her, "Miyuki is a kind and thoughtful woman. I think you will make each other very happy," Rin's presence started to fade, Sesshomaru reached out to her.

"Don't go!" he pleaded, Rin shook her head and smiled.

"Thanks to Miyuki I can now sleep in peace. I would like to stay here forever with you however it would mean that Miyuki wouldn't be able to have her body back," Sesshomaru gasped and snarled at the ground in frustration.

"I know that in your heart you love her and she loves you. I cannot break the bond between you and to be honest I don't want to," Rin said, he hugged Sesshomaru then took a step back.

"You can have your body back. Thank You," Rin closed her eyes and her aura faded. Miyuki returned to sight, she fell forwards unconscious. Sesshomaru caught her and turned her over in his arms so that she was facing him.

"Miyuki!" he shook her trying to wake her. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up at him.

"Hey," she whispered, he sighed in relief and smiled.

"Welcome back," he picked her up and carried over to the house they were staying in, past an astonished Kagome and Inuyasha. He laid Miyuki on the bed and turned to walk away but she caught the hem of his kimono stopping him.

"Stay with me," she stared up at him, a hint of fear in her eyes. He smiled gently, laid down next to her and wrapped his arms protectively around her. She snuggled into his chest and fell asleep. He watched her slumber peacefully for a few minutes before slipping off to sleep himself.

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