Thank you to the two people who reviewed. I can't seem to see my review page right now, I think it's some sort of glitch. But please review anyways because I can see it in my email! I just can't seem to find anyone's username -.-

Chapter Twenty Four

"So...what is it that you have come here to ask of me?,"

"Mother I, need to speak with you and Inuyasha-"

"Needs to speak with his father, I presume?," she raised an eyebrow.

"But how- there-there's a way? I only brought them here on a possibility."

"Oh yes my dear. Your father and I have had many conversations over the years. You know, boys, we never were on bad terms. I was even kind to your mother," she glanced to Inuyasha. "Your father has tasked me over the years with keeping an eye on you both...not interfering, just watching from a distance from time to time, making sure you were alive and well," she clarified to Inuyasha. Sesshomaru had always known his mothers spies kept tabs on him, but he hadn't known about her looking out for Inuyasha's well being as well.

"I know what you are thinking son, have you forgotten I can read your mind now?," she glanced at him, amused. He'd had knowledge of her newfound power but had never experienced it.

"Yes Sesshomaru, you are correct," she answered the question in his head. "Your father and I always held a love for each other, we were always friends. You may not know this but our marriage was arranged. I was sent here from the far north when I was still very young, to be raised alongside your father and be taught the customs of the land. Somehow...growing up together I presume, we developed a bond that would never be broken. Unfortunately that bond was not of the romantic nature, but purely out of friendship. Even after we parted ways, I feel as if we were united in our love for you until he died. We're we not, Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, you were," his throat was thick with emotion and he tried to clear it.

"So uh...how do I talk to him...I mean your great and all but ya know j kinda came here to talk to my old man...," inuyasha butted in and Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, his mothers emotional expression forgotten in the annoyance.

"You'll go into the Meido stone," she answered.

"The what?,"

"Wait, I thought that opened the portal to hell?," Sesshomaru gaped.

"The stone has many abilities. Opening the portal to the netherworld is just one of those abilities," she answered matter of factly.

"Oh...I see."

"Are you ready, Inuyasha?"

"Yes," he nodded.

...

Inukami put the amulet back around her neck and took it in her hands, glancing down at it. Sesshomaru, trying time look disinterested, couldn't help but peek at it through slotted eyes. They could see plainly Inuyasha sitting with his father on a grass covered hill, but couldn't hear a word they were saying.

"Let's leave them be?," she suggested. "You and I should take a walk...don't worry about Inuyasha, he will be with us," she brushed the stone again with her fingertips and turned on her heal, leading Sesshomaru out into her own gardens.

"So what is it you've come here to ask of me?"

"Well...it's a surprise for Inuyasha. I suppose after being with Rin and feeling the uncertainty of her human lifespan, before I knew of the transformation. I was already searching out a way to lengthen her life when Diaroku told me of the difference in her blood. And I was so relieved-"

"So you want to give that gift to your brother and his wife?"

"Yes...exactly."

"I see...I do not have an answer...yet. But I can promise you that I will find the answer."

"T-thank you mother...that was so much easier than I anticipated," he let out a sigh of relief.

"I knew that sooner or later one of you would come to me. Considering your growing affection towards Rin the past year or two, I'd already began searching for answers. I've found nothing, yet. But I will keep you in the know."

"Of course," he nodded, accepting her answer. Always choosing to ignore her many spies, he found it strange hearing her talk so openly about things only a spy would see.

"Mother...May I ask you something?," he sat on a stone bench and was suddenly interested in the small fountain surrounded in flowers before him.

"Yes, of course," she took a seat beside him and glanced down at the stone for a second time, checking on her best friend and his son, though she'd never admit aloud that's how she saw the Great Lord.

"Can they?..." he trailed off, pointing at the stone.

"No. Don't worry about that, completely sound proof," she tapped the stone with a smirk, even giving it a good shake. None of this phased the pair inside, who were still in deep conversation and hadn't loved from their grassy seats.

"H-how long will it be before I can hear him?"

"Ah, I see," a playful grin spread across her face. "I would say within the next few weeks you'll be able to hear the faintest heartbeat. From then on it will gradually get louder."

"So a few weeks? How long is a few weeks?," Sesshomaru finally broke his gaze from the fountain and turned to look at his mother.

"Two or three," she said. "You're excited, aren't you son?," she asked with familiar amusement in her voice.

"Yes, I am. I know it sounds crazy, mother. But, suddenly all I want is to stay close to home with Rin. The thought of traveling now...with her condition...there's no way."

"I'm glad to finally see you this way," she said with a genuine smile.

"What way?," he inquired.

"So...domesticated," she tested the word.

"I'm glad that my recently thawed heart amuses you so," Sesshomaru slotted his eyes at her and she stifled an actual laugh.

"Not in the least! It brings me great joy to see my son find happiness."

"Thank you again, Mother."

"The pleasure is mine," she nodded.

"Could you...send Inuyasha out when he is done? I uh-"

"The pull is strong, is it not?," she raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean," he shifted, uncomfortable.

"You know exactly what I mean. From the time you marked her you were instantly bound. Any amount of time spent apart will make both of you uncomfortable until you are reunited."

"Yes...I'm aware of the side effect of marking a woman. I am five hundred and fifteen years old, mother," he rolled his eyes.

"Just being through is all, take care to never mark her, she'll be able to call you back to her at the drop of a hat, and sometimes she may even read your thoughts. Take care, son," she waved, dismissing him and not allowing room for protest.

"Yes, of course," he nodded and turned on his heel, eager to get back to Rin regardless.