Author's Note: Alright, I figured that I should get another chapter up before a new semester of school starts so here it is. Thanks a lot for the support you guys! You make me feel as if I'm a good writer : ) lol anyway short lemon warning for this chapter so yeah enjoy or don't read that part if it's not your thing.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha D:

Chapter 11: The beginning of the End

(Inuyasha's POV)

"Oiy, enough with the hugging already Kabu!"

"Hey, don't reject my hugs Inuyasha-kun. They're special." The bear youkai pouts before squeezing the hanyou tighter.

"Ugh—"

"Ahem…"

"Oh! Ohiyo Sesshomaru-sama." Kabu greets boldly when he notices the Inu-youkai now standing a few feet from them. "I didn't even see you there."

Sesshomaru completely ignores the dear demon and instead turns his attention to his little brother. "A letter has just been sent to Kuma; holding the conditions for the ransom. It should arrive in a few hours and we should have his reply by the end of this day. If all goes well then you should be able to exact your revenge by midday tomorrow."

"Oh…" He can't ignore the way Kabu's head dips down sadly and how his smile completely vanishes. "Sesshomaru, if all does go well then there's no need for us to take any further action, right?." 'I can't stand by and let Kabu's village suffer because Kuma wants to be a damn idiot.'

"Inuyasha we already spoke about this—"

"I know." He interrupts impatiently. "I know we did but I just talked to Kabu about it. He's on our side so there's no reason to kill him or his people."

"And what if he is lying?"

"He's not."

"Inuyasha do not be ignorant." The demon lord's eyes narrow to hint at his irritation but the rest of his face remains detached.

"Okay look even if he is, there's no foe strong enough to take on the both of us and survive. We've proved that plenty of times so there's no need to be overly cautious. If he betrays us then he'd just be digging his own grave."

"…" The two young demons stare up at the elder in what he can only decipher as a silent plea. After a strained silence the Daiyoukai grudgingly murmurs his answer. "Very well."

"Arigato Lord Sesshomaru I will not forget this kindness."

Once again the Daiyoukai completely ignores the young bear demon and instead extends his arm out slightly. "Come Inuyasha."

The hanyou stares for a moment with an eyebrow arched in confusion. 'Am I supposed to grab his arm? I'm not some damn helpless damsel. I can walk by myself.' "Where are we going?"

"Just come."

Again the Inu-hanyou feels the strong sensation in his body to obey his alpha and mate and before he can stop his self, he finds his self walking away arm in arm with his aniki.

"Inuyasha do you like flowers?"

"Eeeh? Not really, I don't dislike em' but I don't particularly care about em'."

"Hn." 'Is he trying to small talk or something? I guess I could at least participate.'

"Uh…Do you like flowers Sesshomaru?"

"Absolutely not, I hate them."

'What the hell?!' He remains quiet as he half glares at the confusing demon man at his side from the corner of his eye. They walk on for a few minutes through the garden in silence before they come to an almost hidden gate Inuyasha had never noticed before. Before he can question anything Sesshomaru pulls the vine covered gate apart and motions for him to enter. When inside: he's met with hundreds upon hundreds of startlingly familiar flowers. Flowers growing form the ground, flowers on trees, flowers in bushes, just flowers everywhere. The whole area is in closed by gates and tarps; making it completely private and secluded. Everywhere his halcyon eyes land they are met with a mass of colors from white lotuses, pink Magnolias, cherry blossoms, yellow treasures, purple lilies, and much more.

"Wh…What is all this…?"

"Take a good look around." Sesshomaru responds from a nearby cherry blossom tree he's decided to lean against with his arms crossed tightly across his well-built chest.

'Why are these specific kinds of flowers so damn familiar? What is it about them?...!...These flowers were always around me when I was a child. My mother had them everywhere! In her hair, on her clothes, in our home…everywhere!'

Sesshomaru can see the realization finally light up the hanyou's golden eyes and speaks once again. "Welcome to Lady Izayoi's Garden."

"My…Kaasan's garden?"

"Yes. Father had this constructed here when he was involved with your mother. Apparently she liked flowers and these were some of her favorites as far as I can tell."

Inuyasha is overcome with shock. There was nothing in the world that connected him with his dead mother and now…there's all of this. His clawed hand reaches out and picks a perfect white lotus and he can't stop the smile that comes to his face when memories of his beautiful mother decorating her hair with these flood his mind. 'But…Sesshomaru hates my mother and for a while he hated me too or he still does, I don't know what the deal with that is…so then why? Why is this still here after all these decades? And so maintained too…'

"Do you…not like it Inuyasha?" 'Is that disappointment is his voice?'

"No, no it's not that! Actually I really like it…a lot."

"Excellent."

"I'm just wondering why you brought me here."

"This Sesshomaru simply thought that it would be something that would please you. Was I wrong?"

"No you're not wrong, I'm very pleased…I meant…why is something like this still here?"

"Explain." It's hard to tell what the demon man is thinking by his detached tone and stone face. For some reason it is more unreadable and stoic than usual.

"Well…I know you hate my mother and you hate me. It doesn't make any sense that you would keep and maintain something that is a constant reminder of your hatred and your Father's weakness. I would think that you would have completely destroyed this as soon as the old man died."

To his alarm his older brother actually heaves a very audible and heavy sigh before staring up at the tree above him. "It bothers me that you think This Sesshomaru so childish and temperamental."

"Temperamental?! Hell yes you are temperamental." The hanyou retorts hotly. How can he stand here and deny that after all the times they've clashed, verbally and physically?

"Contrary to your belief; you, Rin, and the late cretin Naraku are the only ones in this world that can break my façade and get such a rise of emotions from me. Otherwise when dealing with everyone else I am completely calm, even when I'm killing someone."

'Hmpt. I guess that's true. He even met Koga and dealt with Jakotsu without losing his mind.' "Whatever, you're changing the subject. How can you say you wouldn't do something like destroy this when you tricked me with the UN mother?"

Another sigh. "I do nothing without reason. I will admit that I probably should not have done that but I did it in order to retrieve the very sword at your waist. I will also admit that I went about it in a spiteful way. But what is done is done and there is nothing more to it."

"Keh."

"And to erase your curiosity." He continues; ignoring the Daihanyou. "I was and am very nomadic. I forgot all about this garden and had no knowledge that it was still being maintained. When I found out about it, it was after I had met Rin and a servant was simply asking me if I wanted them to continue maintaining Lady Izayoi's Garden."

"And what did you say?"

"Naturally I scoffed and told them to do as they wished. I will not lie…if they had come to me any time prior I would have told them not to waste their time on something so foolish but I'm different now from when I was then."

"…"

"That being said." He continues. "Hate is a very strong word. To hate one must care a great deal about the person and situation. When I was younger I will admit what I thought I was feeling was hate. But now I know it was nothing but resentment, immense anger, grief, and jealo-…" 'Was he about to say jealousy?' "In any case now I can reveal that I did not hate your mother because I could care less about her. As for you, I did not exactly hate you as a being because I did not know you nor did I care for you. I simply despised the human blood that courses through your veins. But I think Rin and…what we did last night proves that I no longer care about that." 'Leave it to this guy to make something that should sound nice sound like that but…I am strangely happy to hear that.'

"Hmm…one more thing…" Something had been bothering Inuyasha from the moment his aniki had showed up when he was talking to Kabu.

"What is it?"

"Why the hell is your face so god damn blank and stiff?!"

"Inuyasha I'm always like this." He responds bluntly.

"No it's never this bad! What gives? Are you alright? You look like there's something stuck up you a—"

"Enough." His rigid face finally shows the signs of a scowl as he finally leaves his post against the tree and makes his way over to his Otouto. "The reason I've been like this is because…" His baritone voice trails off as his mouth comes within inches of his mate's sensitive ears. "I've been trying to control myself."

"C-Control yourself?" He shivers as his deep voice resonates through his body. When he tries to restore some space between them his back slams into another cherry blossom tree behind him and Sesshomaru only gets closer; effectively trapping him. "Control yourself from what?"

The Inu-youkai's doesn't respond instead he buries his sensitive nose into the hanyou's silver locks and takes a long whiff of his intoxicating scent. 'It must be that Cream Peach scent from my bath. Geez, I didn't know he liked it this much.' "Ano…"

"Inuyasha I want you. Now. I can no longer wait."

"Nani?" His face reddens when he feels his brother's cold hands roam into his kimono and hakama to caress his chest and nipples. "W-Wait a minute!" 'No way, this is not gonna' happen again Dammit!'

"Get rid of these." He growls sensually before completely pulling the hanyou's clothing off; leaving them in a crumpled heap at their feet.

"S-Sesshomaru!"

"Inuyasha this time I won't hold back since you're no longer human."

"Bakayaro, I'm still sore from last ni—Mmmm~" The Daiyoukai silences him by pressing their lips together softly at first and then passionately. His tongue slides past his lips when the hanyou gasps for breathe. Inuyasha's eyes close in bliss when the Lord's hands roam down to his crotch. 'Kuso…my body is responding. Kami, it feels so good…why the hell do I even fight?' They hanyou thinks to his self; forgetting his pride in the intense pleasure rocking his body.His hands instinctively begin to pull off Sesshomaru's troublesome armor and before long he's sliding off the remainder of his aniki's clothing. Suddenly the demon lord stops his ministrations and puts two fingers by the hanyou's mouth. "Suck."

Again, before he can think instinct takes over his body and he opens his mouth submissively. Sesshomaru watches with lust as his Otouto lubes his fingers up with his saliva by sucking and licking vigorously. When wet enough, he pulls his fingers out and reaches down and presses at his mate's entrance. When Inuyasha simply buries his red face into his neck, he proceeds to push both his fingers in. "Inuyasha relax, If you don't it will be painful." The hanyou nods and wills his body, with much effort, to relax and trust his mate. After a moment he can hear the slight squelching sound of Sesshomaru's fingers sliding in and out of him expertly.

"Hah…mmm."

"Good boy." The Inu-youkai practically purrs before nibbling at his sensitive puppy ears. His fingers slide out for the last time and Inuyasha arms wrap around his neck as he pulls the hanyou's legs around his waist. His body is now completely pinned between the tree and Sesshomaru's body. With one thrust he's buried deep within his mate and he relishes in the sweet noises coming from his little brother.

"Aaah Sesshomaru, Nngh, hah move."

"Really?" That comes as a shock.

"Yes! Come on mmm yes harder!"

The Daiyoukai has no problem with obeying his mate's every command. He moans in pleasure when he feels his claws dig into his back and returns the delicious pain by sinking his fangs into the hanyou's neck.

"Nnnnnngh! You-hah-really love, mmm, doing that you ba—Aaah—stard." He only smothers him with love bites all over his neck for a response. After what feels like an eternity of relentless pounding the demon lord pants out. "Inuyasha, Ngh, I'm going to—"

"Me too!" The brothers kiss as they climax together and stay in their embrace for a while after before Sesshomaru finally sets him down lightly.

"Ugh, dammit Sesshomaru I just took a bath Teme!" The Daihanyou grumbles embarrassingly as they both dress hurriedly.

"Hmpt," Inuyasha's eyes grow a bit wide as he watches the corners of his brother's mouth twitch into a very small smile. "Well you can come take one with me then." His barely noticeable smile doesn't falter as he reaches his arm down to help the hanyou up.

"…"

"What do you say? Then we can go eat lunch."

The hanyou shakes his head to rid his self of his dazed stupor before grasping the Inu-youkai's hand. "You know I've never seen you eat anything. What the hell do you eat? Fish? Rice? Soup?" He questions as they sneak away quietly to avoid being seen my any meddlesome servants.

"Inuyasha…" Sesshomaru closes his eyes as they approach his private springs. "I do not eat human food."

"Then what?" He questions impatiently as he strips his clothes off before jumping into the steamy water; casing a rather impressive splash.

Sesshomaru follows behind with an opposite approach; by stepping gracefully into the clear water. "Other youkai…humans."

'…!' His eyes widen comically as only thoughts of Rin rush to his mind.

"Inuyasha obviously I do not eat much humans anymore and honestly I do not actually eat that often. Unlike your body, I can go weeks without eating anything."

"Whatever." The brothers are left alone throughout their whole bath much to the hanyou's surprise. Not one servant tried to come and help them or serve them. After they redress Sesshomaru offers his arm again, which Inuyasha reluctantly takes again, and they head to the dining hall. When they have a seat they are instantly bombarded by servants and different trays of food. Most of the choices were rare looking pieces of meat that the Hanyou wasn't sure which animal…or thing it came from. A lot of it was still bloody and he thanked Kami that there was plenty of fish, fruits, and vegetables. They were only alone for a few minutes before Kabu and Lady Kazuna suddenly made an appearance.

"Oh my, look who has decided to grace us with their presence." Kazuna mocks sarcastically before taking a seat across from her son. Kabu follows with a smile and takes a seat across from Inuyasha.

"Mother." Sesshomaru greets coolly and Inuyasha can only suppress a snicker as he watches his mate's face return to its' usual stoic façade.

"You two must have been really busy. I have not laid my eyes on you since the ceremony. You would think that you two were trying to sire an heir by the way you have been going at it."

"GACK!" The hanyou chokes angrily as Kabu breaks into a fit of giggles. Sesshomaru however looks less than amused and remains completely emotionless.

"Yes well we've been busy mother."

"Shouldn't you be handling the situation with Kuma instead of indulging yourself all day?"

"It is being handled and please do refrain from questioning the way I rule mother. That is a capital offense."

"You're handling it already?" Her smile completely disappears. "And you've taken action without letting me know?"

"I answer to no one now Kaasan, you should know this. I may do whatever I please and there is not a single thing you can do about it. I have let you rule as you see fit and now I am taking responsibility like you have always wanted. Maybe now in your eyes I won't seem like such a foolish pup." His eyes narrow dangerously as he recalls their argument when he had come back from the bear demon territory. The damn near identical demons stare each other down; completely oblivious to the scene next to them. Kabu had gotten up to help the chocking hanyou with the Heimlich maneuver.

"Very well son…you are right." Kazuna snarls after a tense stare down with her only son. "Do as you wish."

"I intend to."

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken runs into the room suddenly just as Kabu got Inuyasha to spit out whatever he had been choking on.

"What Jaken?"

"I have word from Kuma."

"Already? Impossible."

"He was not in his territory Milord. He is in a camp nearby with at least fifty soldiers, some of which are our own captured men." Sesshomaru holds out his hand indifferently and Jaken hands him the unopened scroll before bowing in the presence of so many royal youkais. The Daiyoukai stands after scanning the contents of the scroll quickly and starts reading out loud, not necessarily for his mother or for Kuma's own little brother, but more to inform his mate.

Sesshomaru,

I, Kuma, Lord of the Southern Valleys, do NOT acknowledge threats. I would not pay this ransom even if you threatened to take Kabu's life. And since you've shown such disrespect and cowardice I've decided that your time is up. My troops and, I personally, shall attack your village tomorrow at Dawn. I am being gracious and giving you and your few remaining soldiers time to prepare for your destruction. I will cleanse this world of the remainder of your pathetic race. You will rue the day that you ever crossed this lord. I will do what my Father could not. Enjoy your last few hours with that hanyou mate of yours and worthless weak mother.

Lord of the Southern Valleys

-Kuma

Inuyasha puts a hand on Kabu's shoulder as the bear youkai hides his face in his hands. He can't help but wonder what his mate is thinking when all he sees is his usual stone face. Everyone remains quiet; waiting for the demon lord to say something. When he finally does break the silence everyone stares on in shock.

"Heh, heh, heh, heh, ha…hahahaha." 'He's laughing?!' "What a sad, sad, dead fool! Pfft hahahahaha." The look in his eyes is absolutely bone chilling and deadly.

"M-Milord?" Jaken dares and just like that Sesshomaru snaps back to normal as if nothing happened.

"Jaken prepare our men for war." His baritone voice booms out with monotone.

"There's only…eight Inu-soldiers left Milord."

"Then prepare them!" He snaps at the imp who scurries to do as told. "Mother."

"Yes my son?"

"Prepare to leave to somewhere safe immediately."

"As you wish." She responds with a sarcastic bow before leaving the room.

"Inuyasha."

"Hm?"

"Prepare to avenge the old miko's death."

"R-Right!" The hanyou's hand absently mindedly tightens around the hilt of Tessaiga.

"Kabu."

"Huh?! Uh, yes Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Heh, Inuyasha may have taken a liken to you but do anything foolish and you will lose your head. Is that clear?"

"H-Hai…"

A small smirk tugs at his lips as he stares at the broken bear youkai. "And if the mood strikes you feel free to join the fight against you precious aniki—"

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha snaps before throwing him a glare.

"Hmpt."

"Come on Kabu." Inuyasha pulls his friend up and leaves his mate alone in dining hall. He wonders down the hall for a moment before finding Sora and Momo with a handful of flowers.

"INU-KUN!" Momo screeches suddenly; scaring the daylights out of her half-brother. "Inu-kun we picked you some pretty flowers."

"Uh." He smiles politely before taking the bunch from the pink little demon. "Thanks a lot Momo."

"You're welcome Inu-kun." She looks so proud of herself.

"Why don't yah' find me a nice vase? Then I can put em' in my room."

She gives a comical gasp before saluting. "Yessir!" With that she's just a pink blur as she runs past the older youkai.

Sora shakes his head as he watches his hyperactive sister disappear around the corner. His smile however disappears when he stares into the sullen faces of his new friends. "Ano…is there anything I can help you with Lord Kabu? Master Inuyasha?"

"Yes." Inuyasha answers quickly before pushing the zombie-like bear youkai forward. "Keep him company until dawn…yah' know cheer him up or something. Take him around town like when we first met, get his mind off things."

"Oh okay no problem…wait!" He adds when he sees the hanyou turn away. "May I ask what's going on?"

"…" Inuyasha spares a glance over his shoulder before continuing to walk away. "We're going to war." The last thing he hears is his friend's audible gasp before he disappears around the corner.

Author's Note: Well that's it for that chapter. How will this little war go? You'll just have to wait till' the next chapter to find out. Please let me know what you thought and review! Pretty please with Momo on top? (=^_^=) Ha, anyway thanks for reading. : )