Good evening everyone. I received many great reviews from the last chapter. Most of you are feeling a little sorry for Sango having to stick around all by herself with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. I feel a bit bad for her as well, but she's a tough as nails slayer and I think she'll be able to handle it. Many of you are also wishing Sesshomaru would get his head out of his ass while at the same time wishing Inuyasha would budge a little and stop being as afraid of Sesshomaru as he is. While I agree, I also don't think that would really happen in just a few months. So . . . don't expect any miracles soon. That said, this chapter we get to kind of see a bit of a "kinder" side to Sesshomaru. Our prickly Lord of the West also comes to a rather surprising decision in the chapter as well. Oh, and many of you are concerned about what or who exactly is going to have to be sacrificed. On that, all I can say is that you will have to wait and see ;-)

This chappie kind of bounces around a little in the beginning, but hopefully the changes in storyline are made clear enough with the breaks and it will be easy to follow. Not much else to say tonight, so with that, on with . . .

Chapter 12 . . .

Chaos floated down to the battlefield, the ground soaked with the blood of so many foolish humans. All around, he could hear the agonized cries of the injured and dying. Littered amongst the corpses and those who'd been injured beyond recovery, the minions of death flitted to and fro, collecting their master's due. Ignoring the little imps, Chaos wound his way into the group of defeated men, their arms bound, their freedom all but a lost cause. Although the despair there was rich, it was not nearly so satisfying as the meal he was sure to have when the winning army moved on the town these men had been defending.

Weaving through the invading army, Chaos slunk, completely unnoticed, into the army commander's tent. Silently listening, Choas was not pleased to learn that the commander's council was recommending leniency upon the town. Unseen, Chaos eased closer, silently whispering into the commander's ear, planting the seeds of agony upon untold numbers of humans. Only when he heard the one leading the army state that there would be no mercy, that all would fall by the sword or be enslaved by it, did Chaos retreat from the tent.

Floating above the death and destruction below him, Chaos grimaced. Once, he'd been able to command the earth to his bidding. Volcanoes had erupted at the mere utterance of his voice. Earthquakes had rent the earth with a single stomp of his foot. Monsoons had drenched the earth with a shake of his fist. But those days were long ago and he'd given over far too much power to the only being he cherished and respected. Mother Earth had promised that even as he rested, the world would not do likewise. Mother Earth had promised that he would be well fed and entertained, that Chaos would be remembered and that she would use his power to create a world that was forever changing and growing, a world in perpetual chaos. But it now seemed as if his precious Mother Earth had forgotten about him.

Focusing his energy on the setting sun, Chaos marveled. Truly, Mother Earth was still astonishing – brilliant and beautiful, and it was those thoughts that drove the knife of pain deep into his soul. Of course the Earth still bled fire, still shook and split, the land was still covered by catastrophe's, but the occasions with which they occurred were much more infrequent than they once had been. Instead, the entire surface of the Earth was covered in creatures that changed and adapted to those catastrophes.

War and violence were ingrained within those creatures and for a time, that too had sated Chaos as he slumbered, but youkai were diminishing within the world and humans were taking their place. While it was true that humans were equally violent, they seemed to be set upon curbing such desires and over the centuries, their desire for peace was slowly winning and in the process, Chaos was losing even more power – a gnawing hunger beginning deep within his belly. But beyond that hunger was an even deeper sense of loss; that Mother Earth herself had forgotten about him, that she no longer found him important enough to sate.

As the wails of injured assaulted his senses, Chaos drank in the discourse and pain like the sweetest ambrosia. Weak-minded humans were easy to sway and he'd found one such human with an army to back him up. Chaos would use that human and his mindless warriors, laying waste to the surrounding lands and feeding on the pain and turmoil such actions created. He would feed, and feed well, using that energy to try and regain his corporeal body. And once he'd regained his true form and powers, not even Mother Earth would be able to ignore him.

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The days slipped by, the night of Inuyasha's third new moon swiftly approaching. In those intervening days, Sesshomaru did his best to avoid direct contact with his younger brother. Standing at the periphery of their makeshift encampment, Sesshomaru would hunt for fresh game, depositing what he had collected in front of the dwelling the slayer and monk had fashioned before retreating to one place or another, his senses focused on the surrounding area and ever vigilant for any signs of Chaos' return.

Sometimes, when his annoying need to be near Inuyasha was too great, the InuDaiYoukai would hover above the dwelling, the scent of his little brother cloying his nose as it wafted into the night sky. But as the days passed, so did Sesshomaru's patience wane. Hating the feeling disturbing his normally stoic state of mind, the Lord of the West knew that he could not keep himself from Inuyasha for long. And yet, memories of his last verbal encounter with the hanyou kept him at bay. It seemed as if Inuyasha's mental state was far too fragile for further discussion or action and Sesshomaru was unwilling to risk the health of their growing pup. But far sooner than he wished, the Lord of the West knew something would need to change for it was disturbing his inner youkai far too much to be so distant from the one carrying his seed.

And so, Sesshomaru stood: silent and still, ever vigilant for any sign of Chaos' return.

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Climbing atop Kirara once more, Miroku gave the monks a smile and words of thanks for their seemingly endless hospitality. With a final wave, the monk found his body high above the surrounding forest, but although he was physically lifted, Miroku was far from mentally so. Leaning down to rest against Kirara's back, he spoke to the firecat. "I am afraid the next stop will yield similarly dismal results."

Mewling in response, Kirara kept to their current path, her own thoughts on the matter less than hopeful.

Leaning back, Miroku let the wind ease his mind and body. Although he'd been able to find some information regarding Mother Earth, the scrolls he'd read held less information than they'd already learned, both from Bakusen'O and Lady Kaede. And what scrolls he did find were written much more recently than he'd hoped to locate, their tales hardly first hand accounts of any direct dealings with Mother Earth. What Miroku suspicioned they needed was something truly ancient, some glimpse of information written centuries ago so that the details had not had time to be corrupted by common word of mouth. That is what he feared they needed, but finding such a document still in existence and legible after so much time would be near to impossible.

Leaning his head back, Miroku looked to the near cloudless sky and forced a smile upon his face. He had promised to do his best and find what he could, and by Buddha's will, he would do just that. His friend was counting on him and the monk knew how precious such relationships were. If need be, Miroku would visit every last known group of his kinsmen he could find, read through ever single scroll and fragment of a scroll, he would not rest until he had found all there was to possibly find upon the subject.

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Sango frowned as she stared down on Inuyasha's pained and panting form. It was the night of the new moon, his third since the night of conception. They'd all hoped this one would be better, and in a way, she supposed it was, at least, a little. But the pain was still there as Inuyasha's pup battled his dam's transformation.

"Inuyasha, is there anything else I can do?"

Head turning, Inuyasha saw Sango through a fuzzy haze, her body vague against the background of their dwelling. "N-no, I – " grunting, Inuyasha felt his human side try and take control again and couldn't form another word. Although he wasn't certain how far into the night they were, the hanyou was fairly sure he'd been going through this for a few hours, leaving the majority of the night remaining. Feeling his body stabilize again, Inuyasha panted, his skin flushed and sweating.

Dipping her wet cloth into a container of water, Sango wiped Inuyasha's brow again, the frown on her face far from gone. Returning the cloth to the water bucket, the slayer wished she could go and get fresh, cooler water from the nearby stream.

"Is this night similar to the last?"

Head snapping up, Sango tucked an errant strand of hair behind an ear before answering the Lord of the West. "In many ways. I'm not sure if it's better or not, but the last two times, by this late in the night, Inuyasha was passed out." Staring back down at her friend, Sango doubted Inuyasha was entirely coherent, but he wasn't unconscious. He also wasn't crying out nearly as often as he had previously. "I believe the time intervals between when his body tries to become human are greater in length. In other words, I think the pup is strong enough to hold only his hanyou form longer than before, but not yet strong enough to completely stop it."

Sesshomaru was pleased. "The pup may prove worthy after all."

Not quite knowing how to respond, Sango simply looked away as another whine escaped Inuyasha's throat. Reaching for the soaking cloth, the slayer thought again how much she wished the water was colder and took a hesitant glance towards Sesshomaru before finally asking. "Lord Sesshomaru . . . fresher, cooler water would be beneficial. If you wouldn't mind going and – "

"This Sesshomaru will stay with the hanyou while you are gone."

Blinking, Sango's eyes went wide, her gaze shifting from Inuyasha to Sesshomaru. "M-my lord, I don't mind staying, if – "

"You doubt my abilities to care for the hanyou?"

"I – " shifting, Sango wasn't sure that was the exact way she would say it. The slayer had no doubt Sesshomaru could protect Inuyasha from harm, but to care for him while he was in need of something more tender . . . and more over, to leave her friend in the care of a brother he so obviously feared and distrusted . . . but options at this moment were slim. Looking back down at Inuyasha, Sango wasn't sure if she was relieved or not to see that the hanyou really was barely conscious. Chewing on her bottom lip, Sango decided that with Inuyasha's current state, most likely he wouldn't even realize Sesshomaru was the one taking care of him.

Decision made, the slayer stood from her position, quickly grabbing the bucket of water. With a quick bow, Sango stated, "I will be back soon," before giving Inuyasha a final glance and heading for the nearest stream. To ease her conscience, Sango promised herself that she would make this the quickest trip ever to the stream.

Alone with Inuyasha, Sesshomaru wasn't entirely certain what he was meant to do. Eyes fixed upon the sight of his little brother as Inuyasha lay upon the dirt floor, the hanyou's breath little more than fleeting gasps of air; Sesshomaru could do little more than stare. Moving further into the room, the hanyou's thick scent surrounded and filled him, easing something deep within his soul and calming his youkai. At least, it was calming until a barely audible cry rent the room, Inuyasha's form twisting in pain as black briefly flowed into cottony white.

Without thought, Sesshomaru kneeled, lifting Inuyasha's body and resting the hanyou's head on his lap, mokomoko maneuvering so that it cradled more of his little brother's weary flesh. Within his lap, Inuyasha shifted, his mouth parted so that small fangs peaked through. Still panting, the hanyou unknowingly blew out intoxicatingly sweet puffs of breath straight into his elder brother's waiting nose. Breathing deeply, Sesshomaru's chest rumbled with pleasure. Deep down, his current actions were soothing a need the InuDaiYoukai never comprehended before.

Kneeling there upon the hard earth, Inuyasha's head resting within his lap, Sesshomaru allowed a single hand to begin kneading through the hanyou's hopelessly tangled locks of hair, the tips of his claws finally settling at the base of a puppydog ear. In that moment, Sesshomaru doubted he'd ever known such a level of contentment.

It was this scene that Sango returned to, the slayer standing speechless at the opening of their dwelling as her eyes took in a sight that seemed far too surreal to believe. Not only were Sesshomaru's actions unbelievable, but also so was Inuyasha's response to them. Although the hanyou was still barely conscious and most likely not fully aware it was Sesshomaru cradling his body, on the most basic of levels, perhaps it was even more instinctual than anything else, Inuyasha's labored breathing had become more calm, his face more relaxed, and if anything, the hanyou was leaning into the touch instead of away from it.

Opening her mouth, Sango had so many words upon the tip of her tongue and yet nothing came out. Instead, the slayer continued standing there for several minutes, her brown eyes blown wide and unblinking as she drank in the bizarre sight before her.

Having become aware of the slayer's return earlier, Sesshomaru waited for the woman to come into the room, but quickly noticed she'd made no motion to do so. Finally looking up, the Lord of the West's face was as apathetic as always, but if one were to look close enough, they would have noted a softness to his eyes, a much gentler light than the gleam they normally reflected. "Have you procured what you needed?"

"W-what?" Shaking her head, Sango felt as if she was coming out of a fog. "Oh . . . yes." Quickly darting forward, Sango nearly spilled the water in her awkward haste. "I . . . I found the stream just fine and this water should be colder and feel better to his skin."

Receiving no answer, Sango knelt beside her friend but hesitated applying the newly soaked cloth to his skin. Glancing between Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, Sango didn't know exactly what she should do but finally offered, "Since I've returned, you . . . well, I guess you don't really need to – "

A low growl rumbled from Sesshomaru's chest as crimson briefly filtered into his eyes. "This Sesshomaru is fine. You will wipe the hanyou's skin."

Quickly nodding, Sango took a moment to steady her hands before doing as told, her motions sure but careful so that they would not be interpreted as anything more than they were.

Forcing his muscles to relax, Sesshomaru wondered at the visceral response he'd had to the very notion that he should give up his place and allow the slayer to hold the hanyou within his arms. Keeping only a peripheral watch on the woman's actions, Sesshomaru thought on his actions and reluctantly accepted what these past few months had been telling him. How it could be, the InuDaiYoukai didn't know, nor did he know how he would convince Inuyasha of what must be. Staring down at the flushed face of his little brother, a half-breed that was currently cradling the life he'd seeded, Sesshomaru knew that he would never be able to allow another to touch the hanyou. He'd always thought of his father's bastard child as a mistake, but it now seemed as if Inuyasha had a purpose after all – to be his mate.

Fully realizing the possessive nature of his own youkai, Sesshomaru knew no lesser title would suit. But for him to claim Inuyasha as a mate, the hanyou would have to willingly submit to him and Sesshomaru had little doubt as to how likely that scenario would be. Inuyasha's stubbornness would no doubt be a huge deterrent to his plans, but so would the hanyou's fears and anxieties.

Forcing his eyes away from the hanyou, Sesshomaru stared at the slayer's motions. For a human, this woman seemed at least tolerable and more useful than most. Inuyasha trusted her and that was important, especially since the hanyou's trust was so difficult to earn.

Still staring at the human female, Sesshomaru made a decision. "Slayer, you will aid this Sesshomaru."

Hearing Sesshomaru's voice, Sango almost dropped the cloth in her hand. Snapping her head up, Sango was confused as she answered, "Am I not already doing so?"

"I have need of your aid in other areas."

"Oh," Sango muttered, whatever her next words were to be was interrupted by Inuyasha's tightening body, his mouth clenched tight as the new moon tried once more to claim his human half. Within a few minutes, the worst of it had passed and the hanyou had settled once more into Sesshomaru's lap. With the latest episode temporarily over, Sango absently asked, "What more do you request of me?"

Despite the fact that he'd brought up the subject, Sesshomaru found the slayer's voice grating and interruptive to the rare position he now found himself within. Pulling Inuyasha a bit snugger onto his lap, the Lord of the West didn't even bother looking up when he answered, "We shall discuss it when I wish to do so."

Blinking once, Sango felt a rare flare of anger flush her face but quickly pushed the emotion aside. Getting angry and in Sesshomaru's face probably wasn't the smartest idea, least of all when the powerful InuDaiYoukai seemed even more on the verge of giving into his instincts. Swallowing down her pride, Sango gave a clipped, "As you wish," before returning to her task, desperately trying to keep her mind on the singular objective of giving as much comfort to Inuyasha as possible. Dipping her rag into the water bucket again, Sango wished Kirara and Miroku were here with them. Since meeting Inuyasha and his rag-tag pack, the slayer had regained the sense of family and friendship she'd thought lost to her forever. And now part of that family was scattered to god's only knew where, the ache of their absence pulling hard at her heart.

Another gut twisting whine from Inuyasha pulled her from her musings and Sango once more settled her attention on her hanyou friend. Teeth pulling at her bottom lip, the slayer did all she could, which in her mind was precious little, to sooth Inuyasha's pain. Watching Sesshomaru's deadly claws gently kneading over the hanyou's scalp; Sango was amazed to realize that, in his own way, the InuDaiYoukai was doing the same thing. Never in her life would she have ever thought the frigid Lord of the West capable and, more importantly, willing, to offer such comfort to another living creature, let alone his younger brother.

Wisely keeping such thoughts to herself, Sango was relieved when the sun's rays finally filtered over the horizon and with those first shards of wondrous light, Inuyasha's body finally eased, the hanyou's mind falling into blissful slumber.

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Sesshomaru was pleased that the half-breed's recovery was a full day less than the last night of the new moon. Given this, it was not unreasonable to believe that the next new moon would be less exhausting and the following even more so. His pup was strengthening as it grew and that was also a good sign. Sesshomaru felt a growing pride that his seed truly was proving worthy of the chance he'd given it.

From places unknown and less than desired, visions of his mother, the Lady Shayou invaded Sesshomaru's peace of mind, a growl slipping from his throat as he thought of his mother's anticipated reaction to the events currently unfolding. In truth, Sesshomaru couldn't truly recall the last time he'd seen the youkai whom claimed to have given birth to him, but what he did remember was that the encounter had been similar to every other he'd ever had with Shayou – none of them fond or pleasant memories.

When he was younger and more foolish, Sesshomaru had thought on the reasons behind his conception and birth and eventually come to terms with the fact that the act had most likely been one with little true affection. Lady Shayou was a pure InuYoukai female, both powerful and ancient. It was little wonder that his father, Lord Inu no Taisho, would chose her to reproduce with and Sesshomaru knew for a certainty that his father had not been disappointed in Sesshomaru's power and ability. No, Sesshomaru's ability to kill had never been the source of Inu no Taisho's disappointment.

Looking out toward the setting sun, Sesshomaru barely noted the brilliant magenta lighting up the horizon, his mind far away from his current position and instead of seeing the majestic sight before him, Sesshomaru was remembering an even more impressive sight – that of his father, the Great Dog General, Lord of the West, Inu no Taisho. Sesshomaru could see his father now as clearly as that day so long ago, the day of Inuyasha's birth and the death of one of the most powerful youkai to have ever roamed the planet. Already injured from his fight with Ryukotsusei, Inu no Taisho had stood on that cliff, overlooking the vile village the hanyou's mother dwelled within. His father had stood there, knowing full well that he was most likely going to his death and in those final moments, Inu no Taisho had been disappointed not in his son's physical abilities, but in Sesshomaru's very soul.

Magenta striped eyelids closing, Sesshomaru could almost smell the bitter scent of his father's opinion regarding his son's choices in life. At the time, Sesshomaru had thought his father a fool, but centuries of reflection had allowed the current Lord of the West to identify what he'd been feeling and name it for what it truly was – jealousy.

Hand squeezing into a tight fist, Sesshomaru could admit the feeling, but found it difficult to do more than that. On that day, standing atop that cliff, Sesshomaru had understood what the still unborn half-breed had meant to his father, what that pathetically weak life indicated. While Sesshomaru had been conceived for the sole, cold reason of passing along power, Inuyasha had been created out of passion and desire. Sesshomaru was a being of necessity while his younger, inferior half-breed brother was a being of want. And in that moment of realization, Sesshomaru hated the insignificant creature about to be born into the world. He'd hated Inuyasha with a passion that he felt for little else in life and he'd made sure the half-breed had known of this hatred, had known that he was little more than dirt upon the booted heel of his perfectly pure older brother.

And then, there'd been Tessaiga.

Eyes opening, Sesshomaru found his golden orbs staring not into the fading sun, but the first twinkling of stars as they began lighting the sky, the sliver of the crescent moon barely noticeable within the darkness of the night. Head tilted ever so slightly to the side, Sesshomaru heard the rustling of a nearby animal, the breeze of the evening gently shifting through the surrounding leaves that still clung to the autumnal branches. The fact that it was getting steadily colder was but a passing thought to the InuDaiYoukai. The surrounding temperature had little effect upon his youkai body. Sesshomaru had never wondered if his younger brother was the same or if his more fragile body was affected by the cold. Having never truly experienced such a feeling before, it was difficult for the Lord of the West to contemplate what such a thing would mean for Inuyasha.

Frustrated, Sesshomaru hated how much his thoughts now revolved around the half-breed. It seemed as if this was his fate in life – to always and forever be tied to his father's second child. And as much as that thought should enrage him, Sesshomaru found he could summon little of such a harsh emotion. Neither pleased nor displeased with how things were turning out, Sesshomaru was simply in a quandary as to how to tame the wildness that was so deeply seeded within Inuyasha's soul.

And thinking of the stubbornness that was his little brother, Sesshomaru turned, his silent footfalls taking him back to the shelter that housed his half-breed brother and the growing life within. Walking ever closer, it was easy to see the wisps of smoke coming from an opening atop the structure. Sesshomaru guessed that the fire that had once been solely used for the purposes of cooking now had the secondary function of keeping the slayer, and perhaps Inuyasha, warm.

Pushing the flap of animal skin away from the doorway, Sesshomaru quickly glanced around the small room. To the side, against the rocky outcropping of the wall, Inuyasha laid, only the tips of his ears and the white of his hair visible beneath the fur the slayer had lain across his younger brother. Seeing how the hanyou snuggled into the covering left Sesshomaru with at least a partial answer to his earlier musings for it appeared as if his younger brother was affected by the cold, at least to a degree.

Taking a moment to fully analyze Inuyasha's state of health, Sesshomaru was content to find the hanyou's respiratory and heart rates easy and without strain. Instead of two days of unconsciousness, Inuyasha had only taken a day to re-awaken, his eyes opening this afternoon and his body well enough to begin ingesting food, something the Lord of the West was all too eager to supply. Having fed well earlier in the evening, it appeared as if Inuyasha's body was once again resting as the hanyou desperately tried regaining his strength.

With Inuyasha peacefully sleeping, Sesshomaru didn't even bother looking in the slayer's direction when he ordered, "Come with me."

Having been watching the Lord of the West carefully, Sango wasn't completely surprised by the request, but still took a moment to collect herself before nodding and standing. Shooting a final look in Inuyasha's direction, Sango decided that, given Sesshomaru's abilities, he was most likely more aware than she regarding Inuyasha's overall condition and if he thought it okay to leave her friend alone for a time, then she would trust his opinion.

Grabbing a nearby fur on her way out, Sango followed the silvery mane of Sesshomaru's hair while the InuDaiYoukai walked a short distance away, just far enough that she suspected they would be out of Inuyasha's hearing should the hanyou awaken.

When Sesshomaru stopped, Sango walked a few paces further and to the side of the Lord of the West. Not sure if she should say something or not, Sango simply stood and waited, her patience rewarded quickly as Sesshomaru stated, "The hanyou trusts you."

Sango had been wondering what it was that was on the Lord of the West's mind, but his opening statement did little to answer that burning question. Unsure exactly what Sesshomaru was getting at, Sango simply answered, "I'd like to think so."

Sesshomaru easily disregarded the watered down answer. In his limited experience with humans, he'd found them to be confusingly irritating when it came to such things. Like youkai, some humans boasted of their strengths and attributes while others modestly downplayed them. From his observations, it was easy to see that the hanyou did indeed trust the slayer, as well as the monk, priestess and firecat. "The half-breed's trust is not easily obtained."

"No," Sango shook her head, "I suppose it isn't."

Piercing golden eyes shifting ever so slightly, Sesshomaru's irises glinted in the darkened night. "You will aid this Sesshomaru in gaining the hanyou's trust."

Shocked and more than a little hesitant, Sango felt her muscles go rigid below her clothes. "My lord, I do not know if such a thing is possible."

Instantly Sesshomaru felt a flare of anger surge through his body but quelled it quickly and uttered a coldly clipped, "Explain."

"I – " reaching up, Sango pulled at a strand of hair, her gaze shifting away from Sesshomaru's ethereal body as she contemplated her answer. "Trust is not something that is given easily and it is lost rapidly. Inuyasha and I have fought side by side for many years. We have protected each other with our lives. We have bled for each other and on the rare occasions he has allowed it, I have offered him whatever comfort I might be able to give." Sighing, Sango decided in this instance, bluntness might serve her best. "You have done little to obtain anything close to trust from Inuyasha. In fact, I'd say that your actions thus far have done just the opposite."

Such words were not unexpected and Sesshomaru knew better than any exactly what his crimes had been, although the extent of such damage was lost upon him. "Regardless, earning the hanyou's trust is essential if we are to mate."

Mouth opening and closing, Sango gaped, the air in her lungs coming out in a choked, "Mate? You want to mate with Inuyasha?" In all her years, Sango would have never thought to hear those words pass Lord Sesshomaru's lips, especially in regards to Inuyasha. "Unless what I have been taught is wrong, it is my understanding that forming a mating bond is not necessary for procreation nor the claiming of offspring."

"You have not been misinformed."

Having that confirmed did little to quell Sango's confusion. Head down, Sango thought over the matter, her mind scrambling through the litany of information she'd ever learned regarding youkai mating. Eyes going wide, the slayer felt her stomach drop as realization hit her. "Inuyasha . . . he'd be the submissive in such a mating, is that right?"

"Considering the hanyou is currently carrying this Sesshomaru's offspring, that would be a correct conclusion."

Mouth dry, Sango felt her heart sink. "Then, if you mated . . . you'd be the dominant?"

Remaining silent, Sesshomaru felt no reason to answer such an obvious question.

Sango took the silence for confirmation and narrowed her eyes. "It is also my understanding that the dominant mate can exert influence over their submissive mate – that you could control Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru could easily see where the slayer's mind was going. "That is why a dominant can only take a submissive mate if the submissive willingly agrees. To become my mate, Inuyasha must willingly do so. It is impossible for me to mate him should he deny me."

"And that's why you need to gain his trust so badly?" Sango fought to keep the disbelief and pain from her voice, but found the emotions leaking through regardless of her efforts.

As always, Sesshomaru was less than pleased to be questioned by any, let alone a mere human female. "This Sesshomaru's reasons are of no concern to you."

Taking in a deep breath, Sango shifted the fur throw around her arms. "In this instance, Lord of the West, it is very much my concern. While I may respect your position and power, make no mistake that my primary allegiance is to the brother you have hardly admitted a relation to."

Eyes locked on Sesshomaru's icy exterior, Sango knew her words were less than welcome but at the same time, she knew that she needed to make Sesshomaru understand her position. "You asked me to be one of Inuyasha's guards because you believe I would willingly give my life for his and you were not wrong in this regard. As long as he will allow it, I will protect Inuyasha to my dying breath, both physically and mentally. You ask me to help you gain his trust, but what you fail to acknowledge is that I do not trust you either. While he does not speak that openly about his childhood, I have had enough glimpses into Inuyasha's past to know that he has suffered more than any living creature has ever deserved and much of it was either by your direct hand or through your neglect."

Head turning toward the structure holding the hanyou's fragile body, Sango took a deep breath before turning to face the InuDaiYoukai before her. "I am both pleased and relieved that you are willing to at least give the pup Inuyasha is carrying a chance, that you are here to protect them, but I hold no illusions as to what you've put Inuyasha through in the past and I have even less reason to believe that you will treat him any different in the future. I know the opinion of a human is of little importance to you, but it has been my observation that part of your continued ire with Inuyasha is that he has remained untamed. No matter how many times you berate or beat him, Inuyasha always challenges you. No matter how hopeless his situation might be, your younger brother never gives up or gives in to you and you, Lord Sesshomaru, can not stand that about him."

Growling low in his throat, Sesshomaru felt his fangs lengthen ever so slightly before reigning in his temper. "You believe I wish to mate with Inuyasha only as a way of controlling the half-breed?"

By now Sango could feel the blood pounding through her veins, vibrating through her head in a staccato rhythm. "It is not inconceivable."

Behind him, Sesshomaru could feel mokomoko's fur stand on end, his irritation feeding through his body and into the fluff at his back. "I have no wish to use such a method to tame the hanyou. To resort to such tactics in order to obtain the half-breed's compliance is beneath this Sesshomaru and you will not speak of it again if you wish to retain your futile life."

Brown eyes blinking, Sango ignored the threat to her person and concentrated on the vehemence with which Sesshomaru had spoken. If Sesshomaru had kept his stoic façade while speaking, she might have thought the words insincere, but there was a passion behind his voice that was rarely heard. And yet, knowing that only confused her more. "If that is not your goal, than what is?"

Hands momentarily fisting, Sesshomaru forced his body to relax, his mind clearing of the animosity clouding his thoughts and judgment. Eyes closed, the InuDaiYoukai searched for the words that would accurately define his motives, but such words were difficult to find when he hardly understood what was going on within his mind and youkai.

How did he convey the simple need now raging through his body – the need to utterly possess Inuyasha so that no other could ever have the opportunity to feel the hanyou's flesh? How could he admit that simply being within the half-breed's presence was no longer enough? How did he tell the human female before him that in his mind, Inuyasha had, and would always belong to him and only him?

Having few if any words to describe the intensity of his desire to claim Inuyasha, Sesshomaru simply turned, eyes staring forward and into the darkened sky as he answered, "The hanyou is mine and no one else's. I shall never allow another to claim him."

Standing there, huddled deep within the fur draped across her shoulders, Sango took in those few words and found her brain ready to explode with the implications of Sesshomaru's answer. Although the words had been preciously few, Sango imagined the meaning behind them to be an endless cavern of implications. Feeling the need to test her thoughts, Sango asked, "And if he did desire another?"

In an instant, Sesshomaru's golden eyes turned crimson. "There will be no other."

"But, if there was – "

"They would be dead before they could touch his skin."

"Oh," Sango whispered, the frigidness underlying Sesshomaru's answer sending chills down her spine.

Clearing the red from his eyes, Sesshomaru turned to the slayer once more. "Are your questions sufficiently answered?"

Pulling in on herself, Sango thought that they probably were, or at least they were as answered as she was going to get. Sighing, the slayer tightened her hands down upon the fur gripped within them. "I don't wish for him to be hurt any more than he already has."

Sesshomaru let loose a rare grunt of disbelief. "As long as one is living, there will be pain."

Giving a frown, Sango nodded. "While that may be true, there should be just as much, if not more, happiness to balance the pain out. Would you not agree?"

Happiness? Sesshomaru hardly knew how to process such an emotion but thought he could pinpoint when Inuyasha felt such a rare emotion. And, if Sesshomaru was correct, the hanyou exhibited more signs of that fleeting emotion when he was with his human pack mates, especially the monk. Teeth grinding together, Sesshomaru reluctantly thought back to Inuyasha's facial reactions when the monk was around and how annoyingly irritating he'd found them. It was not that he disliked the half-breed feeling such an emotion, but it was more like he hated the fact that his younger brother felt that way around such an insufferable human instead of him.

In that moment, Sesshomaru realized he had little idea as to how exactly to make Inuyasha feel happy or any emotion even remotely related to that elusive feeling. Not really sure how to answer the slayer, Sesshomaru stuck to the emotion he knew all too well – pain. "I've no desire to increase the hanyou's pain, to do so would be counterproductive to the Sesshomaru's goals."

Shaking her head, Sango wished with all her might that Miroku and Kirara were here with her as she was now at a total loss as to how to proceed. "Lord Sesshomaru, even if I wanted to help you, I'm not sure I can. As I said before, trust is not something that is easily gained and once it's lost, it is even harder to obtain, and I believe you lost Inuyasha's trust a long time ago."

Never even blinking, Sesshomaru continued staring down at the slayer until Sango finally blew out a deep breath and continued. "Okay, I'm not making any guarantees, but I guess a good place to start would be to basically keep doing what you're doing."

Sesshomaru's eyelids narrowed the barest fraction. "That does not appear to be working."

"Well, not quickly, but I've noticed that Inuyasha isn't as upset when you're around. He doesn't instantly try and put more distance between the two of you. Of course he still calls you some rather . . . colorful, names, but I doubt that will ever change."

"I care little about the hanyou's insults."

"That's probably good." Shaking her head, Sango really thought on the matter before speaking further. "There's no quick and easy path here. If you really want Inuyasha to trust you, then be someone he can trust. Be there when he needs you, not when you need him. Don't disregard his abilities or his ideas just because he's half human and don't force him into any situations that he finds uncomfortable." Eyes cast down, Sango chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, hating what she needed to bring up next. "On the night of your pup's conception, Inuyasha . . . I don't really know how to say this, but to say it. Inuyasha went through a terrible mental and physical trauma. I know you had no control over your actions, but to be honest, I'm surprised Inuyasha can even look at you let alone be in the same small space together."

Suppressing another growl, Sesshomaru felt a fresh wave of rage sweep through his body when he remembered that night and how disconnected he'd been from his body, how he'd had to watch and yet was able to do nothing to stop his honor less actions. "Chaos will pay for what he did to this Sesshomaru and the hanyou."

Sango nodded. "Yeah, I hope so and I think that will help Inuyasha, but it won't erase that night."

Sesshomaru thought he understood and answered a simple, "No, it will not."

Silent for a few moments, Sango thought on her friend and memories of catching Inuyasha speaking to his abdomen and the pup growing within when he thought none were watching and listening came to mind, bringing a smile to her face. "When I first learned that Inuyasha was carrying and how it happened, I thought fate and the gods were extraordinarily cruel."

Staring into the slayer's mirthful face, Sesshomaru knew her words did not match her expression. "And now?"

"Now," Sango sighed, "now I'm not so sure. I don't know why, but I am constantly amazed at Inuyasha's strength and capacity for forgiveness. Such a thing would have broken a lesser being and although I believe it might have been a near thing with Inuyasha, in the end, he doesn't care how his pup was conceived, only that it exists and that he will do whatever he can to bring it into the world. The pup is damn near draining his physical body dry, but in other ways, it is healing him more than any of us could ever do." Looking straight into Sesshomaru's piercing golden eyes, Sango made sure she had the Lord of the West's full attention when she asked, "Do you understand what I am saying? Do you understand what losing that pup will do to Inuyasha? If you're truly serious about wanting to gain his trust and mate him, then I can think of no better way than to prove you will do anything within your power to keep that pup safe. Even . . . even if it isn't everything you expect it to be, you can't . . . "

Understanding, Sesshomaru listened as the slayer's words came to a choking end. He'd claimed he would only allow the pup to live if it proved worthy of such an honor. But now it seemed as if the slayer was asking him to do so even if (on the rare chance) the pup proved inferior. It was not a prospect he'd given much thought to. Turning from the human female, Sesshomaru began striding away, essentially dismissing her as he answered, "You ask much of this Sesshomaru."

Standing, Sango felt her limbs shake with exhaustion and frustration. With Sesshomaru out of earshot, the slayer whispered into the night air, "What does that mean?" before shaking her head and turning around, her tired feet taking her back to the small hut and the hanyou lying within.

Well, well . . . seems like Sesshomaru has even more work ahead of him. He'll be struggling through that for a few chapters. Also, for those of you not reading the Perfection story, I'd like to thank Araiht for giving me a name to use for Sesshomaru's mother, "Shayou". I really liked the name and in my mind, that's what she will be called in all and any future stories I write where she is mentioned. Thanks again, Araiht!

Next update won't be for a week and should go up next Tuesday. It may be that it will go up early as I think I have another work related function to go to that evening - Ugh. As always, I enjoy hearing what everyone thinks. Hope you all have a good and safe week.

lunamist