CHAPTER 23 TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE "It isn't true." he thought immediately. Anna laid there, in front of him, unmoving, and the only thing he could do was fix her like he was having a simple nightmare. He hadn't the strength to reach her body and verify what kind of wounds Anna had. He hadn't enough strength to be able to talk. He couldn't even think coherently. "Anna." he murmured, his mouth dry and insensible. He noticed with difficulty that Inuyasha dn his friends was approaching him. He saw Inuyasha's mate, Kagome, go near Anna with a very upset face. "Anna." she said, touching with a trembling hand the youkai's golden hair. Anna didn't move. "Kagome-sama, it's better if you leave to me this duty." the monk, Miroku, said, approaching the girl. Sesshoumaru looked in silence the monk that turned Anna's body, without a single reaction. Miroku turned suddenly, closing his eyes and Kagome covered her mouth with her hands, while the tears started to run over her face. "Miroku." Shippou said, with the little voice trembling madly, while Sango bowed her head. "Don't look at her, Shippou.- Miroku said, his teeth settled- The arrow.has completely destroyed her chest." "Anna is." Sango said, with hoarse voice. Kagome stood up and threw herself inside Inuyasha's arms. "Oh, Inuyasha! Anna is dead!!- she sighed, covering her face in his kariginu- They've killed her, they've killed her!" Inuyasha hugged her, then looked at Sesshoumaru. "I'm sorry.- Inuyasha whispered- You haven't idea how much I'm sorry." Sesshoumaru looked again Anna's body with an astonished face, while around him, he others showed their pain in different ways. No, it wasn't true. Anna couldn't be dead. He had just found her.he was near to tell her the most important thing, the most important in his entire life. She had to listen.and then smile at him again. He wanted to return at home with her, and watch her while she play with Rin, and hear her sing in the gardens. He wanted to see Jaken's face at the sight of the return of his master.within his mate. He wanted she could teach him how to love.how to love her. God, he loved her! She couldn't she couldn't leave him in such a way! He wanted to see her smile for all the eternity. But her scent was changed. Sesshoumaru couldn't fool himself, he could smell very well that to her scent was tied the death's one. What she had desired some instant ago, now was true. The terrible words he had told to her the night he had dispelled her rebounded on him. "No.oh, no." he whispered, lowering his eyes. They had carried her away from him. Away, forever. Those damned humans, dirty servants of the Lord of East. Why hadn't he given importance to their presence? Why had he lost his coldness when he needed it?! But they'd paid.they'd paid a price very high, even if not high like the value of what he had lost. "Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha said, leaving Kagome to Sango and approaching his brother. Sesshoumaru stood up, rigid, without look at him. The youkai raised his head and sniffed the air. "Sesshoumaru, this isn't a safe place. We could be attacked again." Inuyasha said, making another step ahead. When he was hit by the anger of Sesshoumaru, he was near to lost his balance. From his brother came an evil aura not comparable to the auras of all the enemies he had defeated. Inuyasha made a face, noticing Sesshoumaru's bloody eyes. before he could tell or do anything, Sesshoumaru started to run with an incredible speed to the bushes, where the humans were hidden. The spiritual power was still in the air. "Stop, you fool! You'll be killed!" Inuyasha cried. He cursed and started to follow his brother. Sesshoumaru hadn't anything to fear from humans, but those damned holy arrows. "Inuyasha." Inuyasha's heart made a jump when the voice appeared inside his mind. A voice that came from the past.a familiar voice. "Father?!" he asked, unsure. "Tenseiga.- the voice said- Remember him Tenseiga." "Father?!" Inuyasha asked again, but this time the voice didn't reply. Tenseiga? The sword able to rescue to life one hundred demons at a time? Rescue to life.Sure! "I'll take care of this, father." Inuyasha said, running more fast and smiling with a bit of hope. To Sesshoumaru, all those spiritual powers didn't do even the tickle. His evil aura was enough to corrupt any good power those bugs tried to put into their weapons. There were also some warriors, with the monks. Sesshoumaru killed all of them, without discrimination. He didn't kill a human since the day he had saved Rin. Then, with the arrive of Anna, the only thought about killing a human had fill him of a strange uneasiness. But now, the humans had took Anna away from him. So, Sesshoumaru hit like the Death's scythe through those humans, quartering and maiming, putting his hands into their blood without a single emotion. Good. Kill, kill, and then kill again, without feel anything. Better to return to the same life as ever and spend the eternity in this way. They were all lower being. Humans. Youkais. No one was important. Anna was, but she wasn't there anymore. And every time he thought this, the sight of blood and the screams of agony made him feel better. *** "Crap! What a slaughter." Inuyasha said, making a face, looking at the quartered bodies. He understood the will of killing of his brother, he would done the same if only someone would touch his Kagome, but the cruelty of those murders was Sesshoumaru's without doubt. The youkai didn't simply kill. There were humans crying in agony with their intestines in their hands, peoples dying with blood spurted everywhere. He saw his brother snap the vertebral column of a monk with an indifferent face. "Sesshoumaru!- he called him- Sesshoumaru, stop this!" He run to him. "Don't bother me." the youkai said, giving to him a cold glance and leaving the body to the last spasms of agony, turning to search another victim. "I've said stop! This is too much!" Inuyasha said, clutching one of his shoulder. Sesshoumaru hit him right on the face, making him fall on the ground, then he turned and attacked a warrior, who was hidden, trembling, under a big bush. "Die." Sesshoumaru murmured, pointing his poisoning fingers to his stomach. Inuyasha growled, then threw himself against Sesshoumaru, blocking his arms. "I've said it's enough, you stubborn fool!" he cried, putting his brother on the ground and stopping his movements with hands and knees. The warrior run away, screaming. "Do you want to listen, a time in your life?!" Inuyasha panted, trying with difficulty to keep Sesshoumaru unmoving. "It' not your business, Inuyasha." the youkai said coldly. "Idiot! Do you really think Anna would appreciate this disaster?!" Inuyasha growled to his face. Sesshoumaru became angry. "Don't mention her. Don't dare to mention her!" he hissed, forcing Inuyasha's clutch. He was near to be defeated, but in some way he was still able to stop him. "Tell me: do you want to go on with this 'killing time' or do you want to save a life?" Inuyasha said, fixing him right in the eyes. "What are you saying, you fo." Sesshoumaru started to reply, without thinking, then he paled. "Tenseiga." he murmured, without voice. Inuyasha nodded. "I don't know how to use it, but he may rescue Anna's life." Inuyasha said. A second later, he was on the ground and Sesshoumaru was already running to the place Anna's body was. *** "How couldn't I think about it?!- Sesshoumaru whispered- Father, I hope to be in time!" He came out in the clearing like a flash, while Inuyasha, behind him, couldn't run as fast as him. "Please, I must be in time." he thought, feverish, unsheathing Tenseiga from the scabbard. Suddenly, the door between the real world and the spiritual one became clear to his eyes. Anna's body was cold, dead and dark without her soul inside. "No! She can't be already taken away, she can't." he thought, running to her. He looked all around, searching the creatures that were carrying Anna's soul far from him.that maybe had already carried her away. "No! Only because I've always underestimated this sword.only because this, am I losing her?!" he thought desperate. "Look up, son." "Father?" Sesshoumaru whispered, astonished. "Look up." Sesshoumaru lifted up his eyes. There, flying away, the spirits of heaven were fulfilling their duty. Sesshoumaru showed his fangs in an angry face and squeezed Tenseiga's hilt. "Don't dare to touch her!" he cried, making an incredible jump and striking a blow with the sword. The spirits died under the sword's power.leaving free the soul they had in their hands. Sesshoumaru landed again on the ground, grasping the sword with a tired but serene face. "Thank you, father." he murmured. "Good luck.my son." Sesshoumaru looked at the sword he had in his hand, the sword he had always underestimated. His heritage. "Thank you." Sesshoumaru repeated, sheathing Tenseiga, while Inuyasha reached him. *** Inuyasha on his side, his friends to the other, watched with surprise the incredible jump of Sesshoumaru. "Don't dare to touch her!" the youkai cried, while he made a strike with his sword.hitting nothing. "It could be that the terrible lost has driven him crazy." Miroku said, while Sesshoumaru returned on the ground with a tired but satisfied expression over his face. "I don't understand." Sango murmured, while Kagome dried her tears, trying to stop to cry. Shippou approached Anna's body, while tears run down his little face, and caressed her hair. "I liked you very much." he said, trying to not start to sigh. He wanted to kiss her, even if Miroku had said to not look at her. Shippou was a child, but he had seen so many carnage that if he'd not had the courage to made that last love's deed, he would not have the courage to see his face on the mirror anymore. So, he removed Anna's hair from her face, ready to see the terrible wound on her chest. But he became astonished, not horrified. "Mi.Mi." he stuttered. "Shippou-chan, we've said." Kagome whispered, approaching him and misunderstanding his stuttering. "MIROKU!!! You've lied, Anna's chest hasn't any terrible wound!" Shippou screamed. "Shippou, what are you saying?!" Sango asked, puzzled. Miroku corrugated his forehead and reached Anna's body. "Shippou, don't be ridicou." the monk started, than paled. "Miroku, what." Kagome asked. Miroku lift up his eyes on the girls, astonished. "Her wound is disappeared.- he said- And.she's breathing." They stood in a surprised silence. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru arrived in that moment. "Give her to me." Sesshoumaru said, dry, kneeling on the ground and taking Anna from Miroku's arms. "Anna." he whispered. The hope fill his body when he saw her breathing. "Anna, please, wake up." he murmured, caressing her cheek, forgetting completely the people all around them. "Please, wake up." he thought, trembling with anticipation. And Anna opened her eyes. All them held their breath when the long eyelashes trembled and then raised up, showing to them Anna's blue eyes.living eyes that, after a moment of confusion, focused theirself on Sesshoumaru's face. "Sesshoumaru." she murmured. Sesshoumaru couldn't believe to what he saw. Anna was there, in his arms, alive. She was looking at him.she had just called his name. For a moment, he didn't understood the surprised face of the girl. Then he saw her lift up one hand and touch his cheek.and her fingers were wet of tears. Of HIS tears, that were running from his eyes unconsciously. He was crying for the first time in his life. "Sesshoumaru, you are crying." Anna whispered, pretty near to cry herself. Sesshoumaru hugged her, hiding his face in her hair. "Don't do it.nevermore.- he said, with voice so low that only Anna could hear him- You were so near to go away.and I hadn't said to you how I love you." Anna's eyes became wide, then full of tears. "I love you too, stupid.- she murmured, hugging him back- I'll never leave you again. I promise. I promise." *** "I've not understand anything of what is happened." Shippou said, puzzled. "Sesshoumaru has used Tenseiga just in time." Inuyasha explained. "So.it's all ok, now, isn't it?" Miroku asked, looking at Sango, completely forgotten by the couple still hugged. Inuyasha gave a look to the two and hugged Kagome, who was moved. "Till the next argue, I think so.- Inuyasha said, whit a smile Kagome judged very sweet- Leave them alone. They'll enjoy us when they'll be ready. Now, it's better to control that the inu-youkais aren't around anymore." More with constraint that with persuasion, Inuyasha forced his friends to return to the village. Anna and Sesshoumaru stood alone in the clearing. "Are those human pains in the neck gone away?" Sesshoumaru whispered after one moment. Anna giggled and moved a bit, drying her tears. The two looked in each other eyes. "You've killed humans." Anna murmured, touching one of his bloody hands. Sesshoumaru darkened and Anna smiled. "It's not a rebuke. If I'd not been able to save you, I'd done the same." Sesshoumaru caressed her face. "I'll not let to anyone to hurt you.- he whispered- Not even to me. I'll not let you die anymore." "I may promise the same to you." Anna said, whit a smile. Sesshoumaru replied with another smile. "Would you grant a wish?" he said. "As you wish, my Sesshoumaru-sama." Anna joked. "How many time have I said to not call me in that way?" Sesshoumaru whispered, before kiss her. Anna felt all the feelings inside that kiss.very different from the angry and violent kiss of the night that had separated them. His desperation when she had died, the hope when he had used Tenseiga, the love.Yes, now she could feel it. Sesshoumaru's heart, an heart of youkai, cold and without emotions, now could love. And it loved her. Anna passed her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck and kissed him with passion. When they separated, out of breath, stood hugged, forehead against forehead, for a while. "Would you return to home, Anna?" Sesshoumaru asked, in the end. Anna smiled. "Yes.- she murmured- Let's go to home." *** "So, you go with him, Anna." Kagome said, talking with the youkai girl. "Yes." Anna said, giving a look to Sesshoumaru, who was walking away with Inuyasha. Sango and Kagome noticed how much love there was in that look. "I return to home." "I'm happy for you, Anna.- Kagome said, hugging her- Very, very happy." "Thanks, Kagome." Anna murmured, hugging her back. "Are you sure, child?- Kaede asked, worried- By the way, he's always the same Sesshoumaru." "I don't want him changed, Kaede-sama.- Anna said- I only wanted he could love me, and now he does. If we'll change, we'll change together." "Good luck, my sweet Anna.- Miroku said, kissing her hand- Come back soon." "And be sure, I'll take care of this hentai." Sango said, smiling and in the same time suffocating the poor monk.that was putting an hand where he couldn't. "I think we'll meet again soon, guys.- Anna said, amused- Take care of yourself." "I'll miss you, Anna!" Shippou said, hugging her. "I too, Shippou-chan.- Anna said, hugging him with love- When you'll come to see me I'll introduce you to Rin-chan." "Well, I go. I'll greet Inuyasha and.well.I'll miss you, my friends." she said, smiling and turning to reach Sesshoumaru. "We'll miss you too, Anna.- Kagome whispered- We'll miss you too." The friends stood unmoving, watching her departure. *** "So, you've heard it too." Inuyasha asked, surprised. "Our father's voice? Yes." Sesshoumaru said, looking away with a thoughtful face. Inuyasha nodded, then darkened. Sesshoumaru was ready to go. The inu-youkais had left the place when they had noticed Anna's death, so for sometime they could be stay in peace. The brief interlude of brotherhood was near to an end. If he knew well Sesshoumaru, he'd been returned cold as ever very soon. Maybe, he was already thinking about how to take away his Tetsusaiga. "I was thinking." Sesshoumaru said. Inuyasha gave him a suspect glance and Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Is this the way to look at your brother?" "I've not faith in your thoughts.- Inuyasha said- Usually, I'm badly involved." Sesshoumaru thought about it, then nodded. "Well, I thought you can keep Tetsusaiga with you." he said. Inuyasha look at him with such astonishment that Sesshoumaru became annoyed. "Ehi, are you sick or something?" Inuyasha asked. "Maybe you've forgotten the meaning of the word 'respect', Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru said. "Well, you can't say this isn't strange, for you.- Inuyasha said, trying to return normal- It's all my life that you follow me for Tetsusaiga." "I still don't like the idea of that beautiful sword in such a fool's hand.- Sesshoumaru said, acid- But." He looked at Tenseiga and touched its scabbard. "I think that my inheritance isn't less than your." Inuyasha made a brief smile and Sesshoumaru looked at him with a dark face. "This doesn't mean nothing for our relationship. You're always the same unbearable flea." he said, coldly. "Feh! And you the same icicle as ever." Inuyasha replied. The two gave to each other a flare glance, than Sesshoumaru shook his head. "The Lord of East.he'll pay what he has almost done to me. You're on his lands. You must to choose." Sesshoumaru said. "I'll fight at your side. For our father, not because of you." Inuyasha said, seeing the girl that was approaching them. "I don't care. At least, you don't deny your blood." Sesshoumaru nodded, with a brief smile. He turned to Anna. "Can we go, now?" he asked. She nodded. "Goodbye, Inuyasha.- she said, offering her hand to him- Thank you.for all." "Feh, I don't know how much it will resist, but good luck." Inuyasha muttered, shake her hand. Anna smiled, then she went near Sesshoumaru, that took wing with her. "Come soon to the Palace. We've to talk." Sesshoumaru said. "Don't worry, I'll come." Inuyasha answered. The youkai watched the departure of the two. He turned when he noticed Kagome near him. He smiled. "Do you know, Kagome?- he said, hugging her- I've the foreboding all will be fine." He looked again where the two were disappeared. "Yes.- he murmured, while she took one of his hands in her one- From now on, all will be fine." *** He saw them arriving from the back of the Palace, the Prince of Youkais and his new mate. "At home, finally." the prince with silver hair whispered. "Why all this secrecy?" the girl asked. He surrounded her waist with his arms. "Because this is our night.- the youkai murmured- I don't want to be disturbed." "Oh." the girl murmured, blushing. She lowered her head. "I think.you'll have much to teach me." The youkai smiled. "I hope so." he said, kissing her. He had seen enough. His son was happy. He left him in good hands. With a smile, Inuken went away, leaving the living's world to return to his bride, to the woman he had loved beyond the death. His desire was been granted. "Thank you, Anna" he whispered. The girl seemed to notice something, because stopped the kiss. In front of the puzzled face of Sesshoumaru, Anna shook her head and smiled. The two went inside the Palace and the door closed again behind them.

Author's note: This is the eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeend.....SOB, SIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH T_T With this, Anna and Sesshoumaru's story ends. I really hope you've liked it, even if it's my first fic. A big thank you too all those who have had the patience to read my story and send me comments. You've walked with me for two months, more or less, and I really thank you all. This fanfiction will have a sequel, 'The wishes' spring', but you'll must wait it for a while, because I've to finish many things before! I hope you'll have the patience to wait and that you'll not forget Anna.ç_ç and me!! Please, remember me! Kisses and see ya! Vania Major