Beyond 11

Sesshoumaru tossed more wood on the fire causing sparks to hiss and pop, although they didn't disturb the boy sleeping with his head cushioned on his arm, the only softness of his makeshift bed on the floor. The older brother observed the younger; Inuyasha had always been a tad slighter of frame as a human and with his eyes closed at any time he looked far more innocent and childlike than normal. There was still the roundness of face that was to be expected in a pup not yet out of adolescence, but strangely nothing of the harshness of his life was written on it. Only in Inuyasha's eyes could that be read at times.

From the angle Sesshoumaru now stood, he looked down on Inuyasha's face and saw with a start that he had many similarities in profile with Rin. It was not so noticeable face to face; the girl's face had always been alight with smiles rather than Inuyasha's scowls, however in repose the likeness was undeniable, but only when Inuyasha was human. Sesshoumaru supposed that it was not so very remarkable though, there could easily be shared blood somewhere, and Izayoi had been a local princess. He sat back down again and noticed the youth shiver as a cold draught ruffled his hair. Without second guessing himself, the youkai lord fluffed up his fur and let it coil behind Inuyasha, creating a warm pit with the fire, to keep the cold at bay.

He was amused rather than affronted when the boy's dormant youki was enticed by the youki aura in the living fur and moved towards it. It was instinct in him to search out the immense strength. Sesshoumaru indulged Inuyasha further by wrapping the tail around him and thereby keeping the human's feet warm as well; leaving the youkai time to ponder over his overtly protective behaviour. On reflection, it was not only the Daiyoukai who was acting uncharacteristically; Inuyasha too had surprised his brother. While he had expressed concern and sorrow for Sesshoumaru's mother on the loss of her first children, Inuyasha hadn't shed the tears the older brother had expected.

Sesshoumaru had thought that the pup would have been unable to hide his sorrow, especially as he couldn't have pups of his own; perhaps the news hadn't really sunk in to his obviously tired brain. It would be a kindness and probably a necessity to allow the boy his sleep, especially if he wanted to carry on talking in a peaceful manner in the morning. Meanwhile Inuyasha was oblivious to his brother's train of thought; in his dreams he felt truly warm, comfortable and safe for the first time in many years and subconsciously he was making the most of it.

As the first ray of sun crested the horizon, a wave of youki pulsed through the sleeping human and awoke him; Sesshoumaru watched as Inuyasha's hair bled silver and his ears appeared on top of his head. As usual Inuyasha was very hungry, the transformation taking a lot of energy and for once there was food enough to satisfy his stomach. The remains of the boar were most welcome and delicious and even Sesshoumaru enjoyed some of the more rare portions. After a short while though, the older brother noticed that the younger's ears were flattening to his head, a sure sign that the pup was disturbed. He concluded correctly that Inuyasha had remembered their conversation of the previous evening and was not as unaffected as he'd seemed at first.

"I regret not being able to tell you of the news when I first heard of it…the time was not appropriate."

"Feh! It don't matter to me when I heard it, the kids are gone; I'm surprised he didn't bring 'em back with Tenseiga though."

"Tenseiga was not formed at the time, or no doubt it would have been used. And that is a shame as you say."

"I didn't say it was a pity, I don't care about them; I'm just sorry for yer Mama that's all." Inuyasha's ears were by now flat on his head, proving his agitation to his astounded brother. Sesshoumaru had never thought that he would ever hear such callousness from the often too soft hearted pup.

"You care not…you have no regrets about what happened to our siblings…?" Sesshoumaru was shocked, and for once it was not a reaction he could hide from his brother. Inuyasha began to bare his teeth in response as his brother's youki rose and an involuntary snarl rumbled in his throat as he reached for Tessaiga. The youki died down suddenly as Sesshoumaru took stock of the effect he was having on Inuyasha, noting that the hanyou watched him with wide, angry, suspicious eyes. But the elder of the two could also hear the faster heartbeat, the tang of fear in the scent and with a new mature outlook he understood the younger boy.

"You assume they would not have treated you well." He stated quietly and without rancour.

"They wouldn't; I'd 'a had three of you wanting me dead and one of you at it was bad enough. I wouldn't have stood a chance. Still I can see why you'd a liked full blooded siblings…you wouldn't have to be scrapin' the dregs at the bottom of the barrel by having only me to help you out now." Inuyasha didn't try to stop the sneer in his voice, but Sesshoumaru understood well; after all, he had known the boy since he was whelped.

All Inuyasha had ever wanted was to belong; to be part of the pack, and even when his mismatched pack formed around him, he still yearned to be accepted by his brother. It was a feeling that even Sesshoumaru knew, he too was a pack animal and when he wasn't wandering he'd always had the Inu court around him, most of whom his father had selected. The Daiyoukai had mourned for his siblings and lost opportunities, but he acknowledged Inuyasha's right to be sceptical.

"I see you still hold no high opinion of me Inuyasha; you think I only ask you from necessity?"

"Makes sense; Feh, three of you…nothing could stand against that, you wouldn't have needed me." Inuyasha was feeling very defensive.

"I can only hope to prove to you one day that I have changed towards you; and you are mistaken, I alone was brought up to be ruthless and intolerant, in order that none would question my rule. It is the reason Father left me Tenseiga, to teach me compassion again, once I was old enough to discern its value." Sesshoumaru was completely sincere, Inuyasha could tell and his ears fell even further and for the first time, the older brother gently touched them trying to encourage them to perk up. Inuyasha just looked at him in amazement and the youkai realised what he had done.

"Your ears should stand proudly, you have no need to be ashamed of your thoughts, and you are entitled to doubt me."

"I don't anymore and if you're right then of course I am sorry not to have known our brothers. I always wanted…" Inuyasha stopped speaking and stood up, moving to the mouth of the cave; "Isn't it time to go…yer Mama will be waiting for yer."

Sesshoumaru joined him and tentatively put his hand on his brother's shoulder; he felt Inuyasha tense and then relax as he accepted his brother's touch.

"She is waiting for both of us Inuyasha and so is someone else." He was silent until Inuyasha turned to look at him, the unasked question easily seen in his eyes.

"The twins, they were not both boys…we have an older sister. Our brother was murdered by poison; our sister though was only damaged. She was ten years old but she acts younger, and is quite unable to mature any further mentally."

"A sister, alive? And you only found out not long ago? Why? I don't understand."

"Most of that is Mother's news to tell; she has not fully explained even to me…or perhaps especially to me."

"Have you met her, does she know about me, is she like you, is she nice…?"

"I can answer one question at a time Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru interrupted and proceeded to answer all of them. "I have met her, she resembles My Mother and yes she is kind. At the moment she doesn't know about you but that will change soon; but do not expect much, as I have said, Aimi has the mind of a very young pup. Our brother was named Katsurou."

"Feh, you all have better names than me" Inuyasha sulked.

"Father wanted you and everyone to know your heritage…there was to be no doubt about whose son you were." Sesshoumaru responded quickly; not voicing his opinion that as their Father had not actually seen Inuyasha, he didn't know at the time how the pup would look. He might have been unrecognisable as a dog hanyou. However Inuyasha was far from stupid, and could follow the thought for himself, he knew that hanyou didn't always show their youkai traits, but wisely he left well alone.

"It is time to go Inuyasha; time to leave the past behind, for all of us…if you are willing."

"I'm willing to try Sesshoumaru…but I can't promise." Inuyasha said, not willing to commit himself any further, he'd been burned too many times.