All rights to Inuyasha are reserved by Rumiko Takahashi

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It had been one hell of a week in Inuyasha's opinion.

Most of the group was now sleeping but he and Miki still sat by the campfire in silence. He was unsure of why Miki remained awake but he was simply to conflicted to even try to rest.

'All right. Maybe I'm just looking at this the wrong way. Focus.'

'Question one. Should I give Kikyo the potion thing that will make her human again? …Of course, easy decision.'

'Question two. What should I do about Kagome's visions? …Nothing, I can't do anything about it so why even try, easy decision.'

'Question three. Should I do what the creepy girl said about taking Sesshomaru's job? I want to know where Naraku is but I don't want to have to watch over some stupid artifact for the rest of my life. No, okay that one was a little harder.'

'Question four. What should I do about Sesshomaru? He wants to kill me. But all I have to go on is what the creepy girl said. I don't think I want to kill him…for now. I have no idea what's motivating him to do this. He's somehow linked to what's been happening lately. And if I kill him he won't bother me anymore…but if I do I won't be able to ask him any questions. Oh, and I hate him…crap, this one's hard.'

Inuyasha was ripped from his thoughts by voice from across the campfire. "So, are you going to fight him?"

"That goes without saying. The question is am I going to kill him."

Miki smiled and began laughing to herself.

"What's so funny about that?"

"Oh, just an old joke I remembered."

"…An old joke about killing my brother…I'd love to hear it."

"When people joined the guardians back in the old days you discarded your old life. You left your name behind, your family behind, and even your ideals behind. The role of the guardians was a peace keeping one. We acted as enforcers of the law, soldiers, judges and juries, and even as investigators. Over time many of us began to see things that made us question what we believed or even what we thought was right. Hell, I once had to bring a woman in who had suffocated her child while it was sleeping because she felt it would be quicker and less painful than letting the child starve to death. Having those kinds of experiences made one a little more pessimistic than most."

"…Not quite seeing what you were laughing about yet."

"Well, with most of us being so pessimistic the debates that happened rather frequently at the western castle turned out to be a little depressing. But the one debate that came up the most frequently was if there were any real and constant truths in the world. I'll spare you the details and say that most of the time the answer was no. But after the Coalition's war with Dimear a joke started up during a debate about constant truths that changed the answer to yes because the joke couldn't be disproved. The joke was that there were, at the very least, two constant truths. The first being that your father could never lose, he could only be fought to a draw."

"And the other one?"

"The other one was that Sesshomaru could never be killed."

"And that's your reasoning for why I can't kill my brother. Because some guardians were impressed that my brother survived a war?"

"I think your severely underestimating the scale of this war's casualty rate and the number of times your brother came out of battle alive."

"Well, why don't you explain it to me."

"Sesshomaru was an officer of a militia that faced the overwhelming force of a fully battle trained army nearly three times it's size. Not only did he survive but took charge of the militia almost instantly and then fought the opposing army to a standstill. He and his militia were then charged with holding the front line until the entirety of the Coalition's war machine could be moved to the area. He held out for nearly four months until the opposing army received a massive amount of reinforcements and slaughtered all but four of his men. He was then put into a reconnaissance team which most at the time considered a death sentence since the casualty rates for reconnaissance teams was one hundred percent. Then he was put onto the first wave of the assault on the city of Dimear of which only two percent of our forces survived. He was captured by the enemy in the battle, tortured for a year, and then officially executed which he somehow survived. He then survived six years behind enemy lines in a war zone of a city that was on constant alert because eventually they realized that there was something or more accurately someone killing off random patrols. That was until I found him and took him out of the city. Which was after he tried to kill me and my entire squad of guardians. Of which he managed to kill all but myself and two others."

"…"

"That is why I laugh when you tell me you haven't decided if you're going to kill Sesshomaru. That is why I don't believe that woman when she said that Sesshomaru is dying. It's because it's impossible to kill him. Trust me, I've tried."

"So what should I do? Not fight him?"

"No, whether or not to fight him is your decision not mine. But if you do fight him just remember what he's been through."

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Sesshomaru watched the sunrise alone…well, sort of.

Mai was in the now evacuated village awaiting Inuyasha's compatriots. Rin was with Kohaku, Jaken, and Ah Un who were quite some distance away by now. He had sent them away last night when he realized their presence might complicate the battle.

Sesshomaru did his best to ignore the blue eyes that were boring into his skull. "You going to answer my question or not?"

Sesshomaru hated these conversations. Not because he usually felt like he was being scolded but because anyone who saw him having a conversation with himself would think he was crazy. He was of course quite certain he was not crazy but he had yet to dismiss the notion completely. "I don't care."

"You don't care if we die?"

"No."

"…Why?"

"Why should I care about an inevitability?"

"That is a very depressing opinion. Why would you even say that?"

"Do you want to live forever?"

"No. But why shouldn't I value my life?"

"Why do you keep asking me questions?"

"…Why do you keep asking me questions?"

"I'm going to die in the next few days and you will die with me. That's all there is to it."

"You don't have to do this."

"Yes I do. And it's your fault that I do."

"Really?"

"You made me because you couldn't do what was necessary. You couldn't kill thousands of people because your moral sensibilities wouldn't let you. You couldn't betray our father because you couldn't take the chance that he might have been right. You couldn't send people to their deaths because you couldn't kill off that part of yourself. And you couldn't do any of that without loosing a piece of yourself every time you failed to find a better way. But neither could I. You made me so that you could survive. Because after all you've been through you still fear death."

"…No, I don't fear death. I fear my judgment."

"What have you done ever done wrong?"

"I never tried to stop you."

Sesshomaru smiled weakly. "Condemned by association."

"…You let me out so you could ask me for help right?"

"You have more experience with fighting than I do."

"Yeah, your style is a little too prim and proper for my taste."

"So are you going to help me or not?"

There was a long pause as the blue-eyed Sesshomaru concentrated.

Suddenly Sesshomaru felt a rush of knowledge and suppressed a shiver.

"There. Satisfied?"

"It feels…like it's missing something."

"That's because I didn't give you everything."

"Why?"

"Because I don't agree with the way you're going to use it."

"Thank you."

"I'm just increasing my odds of survival. It's not like I'm doing it for you or anything."

"Not for that. For being my conscience when I really needed you."

"…If I'm your conscience then why don't you ever listen to me?"

"Because I hate you."

The blue-eyed Sesshomaru gave out a quick laugh. "As good a reason as any."

Sesshomaru rose and headed for the middle of the canyon.

"Hey, are you really going to kill him?"

"That depends."

"…On what?"

"If he can kill me."

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Kagome watched as the mornings events played out one by one.

First, Inuyasha gave Kikyo the potion that turned her from clay to flesh and bone. The transformation was far less dramatic that Kagome thought in that nothing really happened. Her skin went from ghost pale to normal human, blushed, then apparently got a headache. While Kagome had expected a little more smoke and mirrors than a headache she was oddly relieved that it was finally over. Kikyo was human and apparently had emotions too. Kagome had to consciously not avert her eyes as the priestess broke down into tears and gave Inuyasha the biggest and longest hug she had ever seen. Though she felt great that the two were apparently closer than ever she felt like crap when she wondered what that meant for her future.

Next, Inuyasha told everyone that he had no intention of taking Eve up on her offer to guard whatever this artifact was. No one argued, not even Miroku who usually brought it upon himself to play devil's advocate in these situations. None of them wanted to be in debt to any deity regardless of the reason.

About an hour passed then, something strange happened. Of all the people Miki approached her and asked if anything was wrong. Kagome decided not to tell Miki about her about her romantic complications and instead asked another question that had been plaguing her conscience since last night.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure Kagome."

"Do you really think Inuyasha will try to kill Sesshomaru?"

"…So you were awake."

"I've had a hard time sleeping lately."

"…I don't know. I think your guess would be better than mine. Why?"

"…Because I can't let him do it."

"What?"

"I can't let them kill each other. It's…just wrong."

Miki smiled to herself. "Such interesting company he keeps. You do what you have to. I think that if worst comes to worst Inuyasha may thank you for it."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you."

"But…keep in mind that Sesshomaru may not be as grateful."

"…I'll…be sure to remember that."

Miki then skulked back to the rest of the group and began to talk with Miroku about something.

Just on the edge of the group Kagome quietly thought about the implications of her intervening in a fight when Shippo came to talk with her. Though the conversation was somewhat irrelevant and a little ill timed it did keep Kagome's mind from worrying about the coming hours. Shippo always did know when Kagome needed a little distraction.

Everyone carried on waiting for Eve until in one split second they realized that Eve apparently didn't feel like making a second appearance.

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It was a little…pink.

Inuyasha didn't know much about deities but he was starting to get the impression that they loved to show off.

Light surrounded the entire group. For a moment Inuyasha felt an odd sensation on his back…kind of like he was being pushed. Then the forest was gone, replaced with a field of grass, a village, and a canyon that was very very close to where they were standing.

Perhaps a little too close.

Sango's voice echoed throughout the canyon below. "WOAH!"

Inuyasha turned just in time to see Sango appear right where the ground ended. Miroku, whose reflexes were apparently akin to a cat's, caught Sango's hands just as she screamed.

Unfortunately Sango carried a lot of equipment and was just a little heavier than Miroku anticipated. This resulted in nearly the entire group having to catch Miroku before he followed Sango down the canyon's wall.

As the entire group pulled the two back up Inuyasha couldn't help but hear Sango's comment. "You know, I'm starting to get the feeling that she does not like me."

Miroku who was keeping Sango from falling with just one hand was probably entitled to his sarcasm. "Now what would make you think that?"

While the two conversed midair Inuyasha saw something move in the canyon below. Though he wasn't sure why, something inside him whispered to him about the danger he had walked right into.

The figure below stood still. Inuyasha knew it was watching them, waiting for them. For just a brief moment Inuyasha knew, unequivocally knew, that something horrible would happen today.

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Sesshomaru watched as Inuyasha and his compatriots made their way down to the bottom of the canyon. These were quite possibly the last peaceful moments of his life.

He took a few moments to look back on his life but about five seconds in he got depressed and stopped.

'Life, such a fragile thing. So easily given. So easily taken away. Yes I know life just as I know death. I appreciate life as only a dying man can. I appreciate death as only one who has lived for so long is able. And here in the end I find…'

Sesshomaru allowed himself a brief smile.

'Pointlessness. Only now do I realize the futility. Revelations, they come at such inopportune times.'

Inuyasha landed close enough to talk in raised voices but far enough away that it would take a few seconds for either of them to reach each other.

Sesshomaru savored the surprise on Inuyasha's face.

'All good things must come to an end.'

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Inuyasha was confused to say the least.

This demon had Sesshomaru's face. He had Sesshomaru's features but there was no way he could be the proud demon lord he was obviously pretending to be.

Sesshomaru dressed like he was going to a meeting of lords on a distant battlefield not like…this. Sesshomaru always looked smug and had an I-am-so-better-than-you-and-we-both-know-it aura. But he was…serious. Whoever this demon was he had only one thing on his mind.

Inuyasha could smell Sesshomaru's scent radiating of this demon, which was really one of the only things convincing him that this was his brother, yet there was something else. Something familiar…something very familiar.

Death. The air reeked of death. It was as if this demon carried with him every death he ever caused. So much death that the very concept polluted the air around him.

There was no way this was Sesshomaru. Yet as Inuyasha looked upon him he knew it was.

The ground shook. And the scent of smoke somehow managed to make its way to Inuyasha.

The half demon looked up and saw a pillar of flame reaching into the sky. "The village!"

Sango, Miroku and Shippo leaped onto Kirara and Kikyo hopped onto Miki's back. Not quite sure what to do, Miroku turned to the half demon. "Inuyasha?"

"Go. I've got some question's I need answered."

Miroku nodded and the group ascended towards the burning village. Inuyasha couldn't help but notice that Kagome didn't even make a move to go with them.

"Sesshomaru! You've got a lot to explain!"

"You've gotten stronger Inuyasha."

"…What?"

"I was waiting for this day. I've been waiting for the last seventy years. Ever since you were born. Waiting for the day you were strong enough to truly fight me on the same level."

"I've beaten you before Sesshomaru. You know that."

"Not like this."

"…I know you're dying Sesshomaru."

"…"

"I know you wanted to finally settle things between us but this is hardly the time."

"…"

"Just tell me what I want to know. No one has to die here today."

"…"

Inuyasha scowled. "You're not leaving me with a lot of choices Sesshomaru."

"This has been a long time coming Inuyasha."

"…What has?"

"You are ready to surpass our father…ready to surpass me."

Anger swelled inside Inuyasha's chest. "Is that what this is about? You just want to be the strongest demon alive is that it?!"

"Before you can proceed you must know true pain. True hardship."

"What are you talking about?!"

Sesshomaru's eyes closed.

Inuyasha felt his brother's aura creep out. It was then that Inuyasha felt it. Something was wrong, horribly inescapably wrong. His instincts shouted, begged for him to run that death was only seconds away. His hair stood on edge and his hand drifted to his father's sword by itself. "Sesshomaru?"

"There will be no more empty words, no more taunts, no more threats."

Sesshomaru's voice had turned to ice. The very sound gripped Inuyasha's heart and squeezed. His instincts were screaming 'Run damn it! Don't just stand there!' "Kagome?"

"Yeah?" She was feeling it too. He could tell by the sound of her voice.

"Get to cover now."

She hesitated but still moved. Inuyasha thought he would feel better now that she was out of danger but the nagging feeling that he should get to cover too kept any relief from entering his mind.

Sesshomaru eyes opened and his aura continued to slowly creep out. "You have power but you have not yet understood its cost."

Like shadowed hands Sesshomaru's words grasped him and rooted the half demon to the ground. Inuyasha had felt like this before, as a child. Laying in the silent darkness of the forest he remembered the cold gaze of nothingness that would bore into his back. Never knowing what danger would present itself next. The constant feeling of being watched, followed, hunted by a deadly and invisible predator that would soon simply reach out and end his hollow existence.

'I told you to run!'

"You will remember this day my brother."

'Run!'

"For the rest of your life you will remember this day."

'Run!!'

Sesshomaru slowly unsheathed his sword. His gaze permeated Inuyasha. It delved past his soul and into the very threads that controlled his fate. "You are about to take your first step into a larger relm."

'RUN!!!'

"You shall remember. On this day your world will turn to gray."

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Author's Notes:

I'm back.

Yes that's right. Just in time for A-Kon I have returned. I figured since the semester is over I'd give out the third to last chapter. Oh yeah, I said it. Only two more chapters left.

Reviews, reviews, reviews. I love read'n um you love wiritn' um. Cause if you don't review you just end up as a little number in my stats bar which practically makes you a robot. And if you're a robot that means John Connor is gonna have to come and blow your ass up. But you're thinking: Wow, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Well, prepare to have your standards lowered.

Question:

Who is Loki's father?

Hint: Its not Odin.