Inuyasha walked into the study of the Northern citadel. He had been meeting with his uncle for months now, to give his uncle an update on how his brother was doing. He smiled thinking about what had happened. The miko was gone and his brother had turned from an already formidable ruler to one that was absolutely ruthless. He no longer held any emotion. He was all business now, nothing extra. He would work for days on end, never eating or sleeping until Kaeda told him to.

Knocking on the door he waited for his uncle to respond. "Enter…"

Slowly walking in, he sat down in front of his uncle. His uncle didn't look good, normally the happy-go-lucky personality was full of life and didn't really care too much about the North. The North had always been a very prosperous and self-sustaining people. But now as he looked down he saw that the North was drying up; the North was crumbling… "Uncle what has happened?"

Diachi looked up and sighed. "Oh… It's nothing you needn't worry about… Now how is Sesshomaru? Is he recovering?"

Inuyasha sighed; trying to look apathetic. "He keeps himself locked away in his study, refuses to eat or sleep. He is still acting like a self-centered brat; like his favorite toy was taken from him…"

Diachi sighed, rubbing his face with his hand. "Inuyasha you shouldn't say that. Sesshomaru was in love with her, and someone framed her."

Inuyasha growled. "They can't prove that! She is no longer here and they can't find the human that was involved! I say good riddance!"

Diachi growled, slapping his nephew across the room. "How dare you pass judgment on her Inuyasha?! She was the sweetest, most selfless person I have ever met! What makes you so bitter?!"

Inuyasha picked himself off the floor growling at his uncle. "Sesshomaru didn't fight for me when the South was up for grabs; he just sat there and let the council dictate our lives!"

Diachi had heard enough. "Sesshomaru was just going along with the plan!"

Inuyasha stood shock still. "What plan?"

Diachi cursed under his breath. He sighed. "Sesshomaru wanted the South to go to you from the beginning. He saw how you took charge in leading the attack, and knew you were ready; I thought, and still think you are ready. The council however, are not that trusting. They wanted to see if you were in fact ready. They devised a plan that in five years, if you continued to exhibit leadership, that then you would be given the South. Sesshomaru tried his hardest to give you the South, this whole ruse is the council's doing; not Sesshomaru's…"

Inuyasha had to sit down. Sesshomaru…didn't betray him? He wanted him to have a chance? Kami! What had he done?!

Kagome was heading back to her hut for the night. The taijiya village wanted her to have Sa'ri's old hut but she didn't feel right in taking it. The old miko gave her life to save hers and also she felt that since she betrayed the West, in her own eyes, that she didn't deserve the splendor of a nice hut. Walking to the edge of the village she saw her hut, or what you would call a hut. It had enough shelter to be called that. The fire pit was just big enough for her to cook a small stew for herself, since she didn't entertain much…

Feeling the breeze pick up, she shivered slightly. Looking up to the sky she saw clouds rolling in. "It's going to rain tonight…" And with the constantly falling temperatures, there was the possibility of ice mixing in. Sighing she almost ran to her hut; it seemed that winter was coming very early this year.

Finally making it, she took some branches and placed them in the pit. Finding her flint she created a few sparks; smiling when they took root in the dry leaves she had already there. After making sure the fire wouldn't go out, she pulled her futon from its place in the corner. Sitting down she cleared her mind, calling upon her center and entering her sanctuary.

Opening her mind's eye she found herself in a garden in the spring; the sakura tree was in full bloom, she felt the heat of the sun on her skin and she giggled. Bringing her arms out, she twirled loving the sights and smells. Coming to a stop after feeling herself become dizzy she saw what she was looking for. Smiling she walked up to the being under the sakura tree. It unnerved her so much that she found a large white dog in her sanctuary one day.

She was almost scared of it when she first saw it, approaching slowly, she saw it open its eye and she paused, hoping not to spook it. Where had she seen the dog before? It sighed in its assessment of her and she continued to approach it. Finally making it up to the large dog, she raised her hand and barely touched its head. It made a sound and startled her but it didn't seem bothered. Finding more confidence she petted the large beast again and she smiled when it let her.

Now it was a daily thing for her, to find the large beast waiting for her under the sakura tree. Petting the beast, she sat down beside it and did her meditation. Breathing in and out she processed her life and went over every detail to hopefully find reason in everything. She sighed as she, once again, found no answers. Feeling the slight weight in her lap he opened her eyes to find the beast's muzzle in her lap waiting for attention. Smiling she scratched it under the chin and giggled when it made a noise of appreciation. Sighing she stood up. The beast looked at her and whined. She frowned. "I'm sorry… I have to go back."

The beast continued to whine, standing up he walked to the bridge and sat down in front of it; effectively blocking her way to exit her sanctuary. "Please don't do this. I will be back soon…"

'Do not leave me again…'

Kagome gasped. "I didn't know you could speak… You know I will return tomorrow…"

The great beast sighed. 'I know you will return. But I get so lonely here without you…'

Kagome smiled sadly. She knew what loneliness was and she hated it just as much as the next person. "I'm sorry…" She felt tears prickle her eyes as she gazed into the eyes of the great beast in front of her. It reminded her of something, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember what… "Think of it like this. You are always here, so you never are really without me…"

The great beast's eyes widened somewhat. It would seem that he never thought of that. Standing up, he pounced on her and licked her face until she was laughing. She hadn't laughed that hard in ages! Glancing up she saw the beast hassling and wagging its tail in happiness. 'I am so glad that I found you! My master never comes and visits me anymore!'

Kagome found this odd but paid it no mind. The beast moved out of the way and she stood up; scratching the dog behind the ear. "I will return soon, but remember that you are always with me…"

The great beast licked her face again and yipped making her jump slightly. 'And I will anxiously await your return…'

She watched him bound back over to the sakura tree and lay back down; its great eyes watching her as she left her sanctuary.

Kagome returned to reality and found that I was indeed storming and feeling the cold seep into her very bones she sighed. Building the fire back up she took the holey quilt that she found in the old hut and settled down for the night; hoping that tomorrow her questions would be answered.

He sat in his study going over things and he was starting to feel the fatigue. He had not slept or eaten in weeks. Hearing the clinking of ice against the window he looked out and saw that it was raining and ice have mixed in. Sighing he found his list of suppliers to the West and found that some of the crops had not been harvested yet. 'Damn…' He said a quick prayer to Kami to help his people have enough food for the upcoming harsh winter.

Standing up he made his way to his bedchambers. Many servants still walked around doing their last duties of the day. Walking into his chambers he was instantly reminded of her. Her scent still had not left the room and it clinched his heart. Now in his right mind, he did see his uncle's side of the story, and ultimately hers. But was it the truth? There was still so much that was left unsaid and untold; he doubted everything… Now that he knew the potion had worked, he knew that she was dead somewhere. He gasped as a pain in his chest stopped him short. 'What is this pain?'

Rubbing the pain away he looked at his bed and sneered. It would be detrimental to him and his health if he laid down in the bed that she slept in. Growling he went into the sitting room. Sitting down on one of the futons he relaxed his tired body, closing his eyes and disconnected from the outside world.

Opening his mind's eye, he looked around, breathing in the sweet smell of the sakura tree, hearing water trickle in the little stream, and feeling the spring sun heat his cold skin. Standing up he made his way to the tree. Looking around his sanctuary, not finding his beast he sighed. Sitting down next to the tree he rested. This was the only place that he could find that didn't remind him of her.

Letting his mind wander, he was not ready for the sudden appearance of not his beast, but of a small cat that dropped into his lap. It was raven black and had blue eyes. He had come to find this cat in his sanctuary for quite some time; but never really remembered when he first saw it. Sighing he began rubbing the cat, making it purr. He smiled slightly. The cat reminded him of something, but couldn't remember what it was.

He rested for what felt like days but he was sure it was only a few hours. Picking up the cat he placed it on the ground next to him and started to walk away.

'Don't go…'

Sesshomaru gasped and turned to the cat again. "I didn't know you could speak little one…"

The cat came up to him, rubbing itself on his shoes and pants. Sighing he crouched down petting the small feline. 'Please don't go… I am so lonely here…'

Sesshomaru sighed. "I must return to reality little one. I have an entire nation to govern…"

The cat meowed sadly. 'Please don't leave me… I promise to do all that is expected of me! Just give me a chance.'

Sesshomaru picked the little cat up and gazed in its eyes. There was something very familiar about those eyes; but for the life of him he couldn't put his finger on it. "I will return to my sanctuary little one. But this place is a part of me, and you will always remain here. No need to be lonely, fore I am always with you…"

He saw the little cat's eyes widen and it licked his hand with its scratchy tongue. He chuckled at the little feline's antics. 'Thank you! I promise to be good! I cannot wait to see you again! I love all of the cuddling! You were always the best cuddlier!'

Seeing the little cat run to the sakura tree he smiled, then he frowned. Was he ever happy? Thinking back, yes, he was, very recently. What had gone wrong to make him throw away his happiness? Turning from his sanctuary, crossing the bridge back to reality.

Opening his tired eyes, he first smelt raw meat. Looking down he saw a platter full of meat. His mouth watered. He grabbed a steak and swallowed it whole. Had food every tasted this good?! One steak became two, then four, then six! He was so full after cleaning his plate that he didn't care if his bed smelled like her. Walking blindly to the soft silk, he fell into a deep restless sleep that consisted of a woman that he still very much loved…