Author's Note: The last chapter! Sorry I didn't warn you before, but I didn't realize it until I started writing this. And I made it really long, so I hope that everyone will be happy and content with it! Time for my thanks to all of you wonderful reviewers!

Thank you: Zephor, kitsunekit, incoherence, applejacks, Matsurika, Kagura, Mystical Dreamer, Aiko, starmoon, Yanagi Son, SHIPPOLOVER, Distant Luver, Fallenstardust, stage10, The Deity of Fun Dinner, Cute But Psyco, MysticalDreamer, Mysticalwaves, Sandra, Neko-Hime-Chan, EyecDumPpl, Twister, AmyUsagi, Kathey, Cat-Goddess, Space-pirate-Kitsune, Mashenia, lil washu-chan, Wolfgirl, Michiefmaker, bee, Pai, Lady Yami, ShadowHeart, Cherushi, no name, and my online friend, Angela! Thanks everyone!

I hope that you enjoyed this story, and continue to read my work (I do have some good ideas for future fanfics) Well, enjoy the chapter, and please review to make me happy!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, although I ordered manga number 6 (let's just hope that we don't have another incident like the poster…) Oh, and I also don't own the song, "The One" that's owned by Shakira. Yeah, it's quoted in here somewhere…

Way Worn

Chapter 14: Emotions

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

               -Ursula K. Le Guin

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"Sword Master!" Sesshomaru's head turned towards the forest. The scent already let him know who this creature was. So, the male hanyou had returned, and there was blood on him… InuYasha's blood.

            "I killed him." The hanyou announced sullenly as he stepped into view. Sesshomaru looked him over with a critical eye. There was blood staining his dark blue kimono, his ears drooped pitifully, and his eyes had taken on a rather dull shade compared to their bright yellow. Then of course there was the fact that he was carrying Tetsusaiga. This was, by far, the most interesting part.

            "Here's your damned sword," He growled, forcing the blade into the dirt so that the sword stood upright, "Now heal Nikomi."

            Sesshomaru only half heard the insolent creature, as his mind was dwelling on more pressing matters. Such as, how in the hell had this young hanyou managed to kill InuYasha and take Tetsusaiga, while he, a very strong full demon, could not?

            The lord youkai had hoped that this very thing would happen, but he hadn't really thought that it actually would. He had expected the male hanyou to find InuYasha, get himself killed, and that would be it. If the plan worked perfectly, he would end up with everything… InuYasha dead, the female dead, and Tetsusaiga. It seemed that everything was working out. But… how?

            "Good," Was all he could force out of his mouth.

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            Dayu watched the Sword Master's face intently. The same stern mask remained, and refused to let any emotion get through. Dayu stood still, acting just as unhappy and disheveled as he had been. It would work… Miroku had said it would work. If it didn't work, Nikomi would die.

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            "Just as I thought…" InuYasha growled and clenched his fists in anger, "Sesshomaru."

            "What do we do now?" Shippo inquired, as he began to stand up, "Do you think I should go over there an—"

            "No!" Miroku hissed and pulled him down, "We have to stay downwind! Dayu's been told how to carry this out. As long as he doesn't let his emotions get the better of him, everything will go as planned."

            "Shhh!" InuYasha silenced them, "I'm trying to listen."

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            "So, you'll heal Nikomi now?" Dayu asked hopefully after a few minutes of tense silence.

            After a moment or so, Sesshomaru picked up Tetsusaiga with his newest borrowed arm. It was another dragon one, with dark green scales, and long, sharp nails. His mouth curved into a grin.

"No."

            Dayu took a step forward in a sudden flash of anger and rebellion, "What?!"

            Sesshomaru turned to look upon him, silencing all yells, "No, I will not. She is a disgrace, and will die."

            The young male hanyou was at a loss for words. 'But the plan…' His mind raced, 'It was supposed to work!'

            "I don't know how you got Tetsusaiga from my dear brother," the youkai continued, "But he shall die too, now that I have the sword."

            The hanyou was stricken at this. His mouth moved a few times, saying a name that he could not get out:

            "Sesshomaru."

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            "How did you plan this to work out again, Miroku?" InuYasha asked, standing up quickly and facing the still crouching monk.

            "What happened?" Miroku asked, standing too, "What's going on?"

            "He knows!" InuYasha growled, "He knows that I'm still alive! He's planning to kill us all! Without Tetsusaiga…" He trailed off.

            "…We're doomed," Shippo finished, his eyes wide and frightened.

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            "Now, should I start with you, or my daughter?" Sesshomaru asked, the smile still upon his lips.

            "Oh! Start with him, me lord!" Jakken added helpfully, "He deserves it for deceiving you!"

            "Yes," The demon said thoughtfully, "But I know better. I shall kill her," He pointed the sword at an unconscious Nikomi.

            "No!" Dayu yelled, his emotions overriding all other actions. In one bound, he was standing between the youkai, and his love. "You are not going to kill her! You said that you would save her if I got you the sword, and I did! Save her now!" His voice became savage at the last part, his breath ragged, and his eyes widely bright.

            "You love her, do you?" Sesshomaru asked, "Well, I'll tell you a little story that you probably already know. This wretched creature was born to a mother who did not want her, but who learned to love her non the less, and a father who wanted her dead. She is a disgrace on my name, and I shall kill her for it."

            "But it's not her fault!" Dayu ground out, "It's yours!"

            Sesshomaru glared at the hanyou with eyes full of hate, "It is not my fault. Not even the youkai lord can keep his natural instincts in check every moment of the day."

            The young hanyou took a step forward, hoping to grab Tetsusaiga, his ears barely registered the last comment, but it brought him back to the conversation.

            "What?"

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            InuYasha laid his ears back in rage. His own brother to play tricks on young hearts just to get him killed and to finally get Tetsusaiga. He could not have a heart in there if he could act so emotionless.

            Miroku, next to the seething hanyou was by far angrier. He clenched his fists until his knuckles grew white, and took deep, ragged breaths. He would kill Sesshomaru for what he had done, for everything. He had taken Sango's innocence, borne her with a child, and tried to kill her and that child that she had grown to love. This demon did not deserve to live.

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            "Is it that surprising?" Sesshomaru asked, "Instincts can override anything. Love is never about it. It's always about lust when it comes to demons. It's about the will to survive… to live on with reproduction."

            Dayu saw his chance. In an instant, he was dashing forward for the sword, using speed that he had never known before. He felt the cold of the fang against the tough skin of his hand, and was just about to take a hold of it, when a sudden pain stuck him in the side.

            Sesshomaru had easily seen the hanyou's movements, as they were slightly slower than his own. With a simple dodge and slash, he stopped the young male in his tracks.

            Dayu fell onto the ground, a cloud of dust flying up as he skidding across the dirt, clutching his side. The blood pored from the fresh wound, mixing with the dirt and creating crimson tinted mud underneath him. But even through all the pain, the hanyou knew that he was still alive only because the youkai had held back.

            Sesshomaru calmly flipped the blade through the air, allowing the fresh blood to fly off of the tip. He wanted the boy alive. He wanted him to watch the murder… to understand.

            In a few steps, he was towering over the gently stirring female, watching her with interest. Her face held a rather sour look as if she knew exactly what was going on. Sesshomaru lifted the blade over his head, and prepared to end her life.

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            "Nikomi!"

            The name called from various directions, and momentarily confused the lord youkai. He lowered the blade a few inches, and looked behind him.

            Miroku dashed out from behind the bushes, his face white with fear. InuYasha was not far behind him, clenching his fists in rage.

            The other voice had been rather forced. It had come from a gasping Dayu, trying desperately to stand up and fight for his love's life.

            With a growl, Sesshomaru forced the fang downwards. There was no use in waiting any longer. If he did, they would have time to interfere. He could feel the blade slicing through the female's defenseless little body as easily as if it were butter. The horrible sound, that only those with acute ears could hear, was the last breath leaving her lungs.

            A choking sound came from somewhere to his right. Dayu fought to keep his emotions under control, as he knew he could not stand. InuYasha, the monk, and the fox demon remained silent, their faces stricken.

            What was this feeling coursing through him now? Sesshomaru could not understand it, for it was something that he had never felt before. It grabbed at his heart and clenched it, sending a strange sort of pain throughout his body. Was this… remorse?

            He had killed his daughter, just as he had planned. But something was near killing him inside for it. Something that told the youkai that he had done wrong.

            As the pain built in his heart, threatening to tear him apart, Sesshomaru finally realized what he must do. This creature that he had created was not meant to die for his fault, but to live. She deserved life; a life that he had taken from her.

            Dropping Tetsusaiga to the ground, Sesshomaru slowly unsheathed Tenseiga. With sorrow filled eyes, he saw the blade glint in the light. He could see the demons now, above her body, ready to take the soul. In one slash, they were gone.

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            Nikomi stirred as she felt strong arms wrapped around her, "What happened?" She murmured, yawning as if just coming out of a very deep sleep.

            "You're alive!" A familiar voice cheered behind her. It was Miroku's, she knew. Where had he come from?

            "Yes… you're alive." She felt Dayu's warm breath on her ear, and returned the embrace quickly. "What happened?" She asked once more.

            "I really don't know…" InuYasha began; staring in the direction his brother had quietly gone in, "I don't think that we'll ever understand."

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            The day was beautiful, the sun shining cheerfully, and not a cloud to be seen. Days had come and went, as a lazy summer rolled in. Flowers were blooming brighter, the air took on constant warmth, and the breeze was always welcome.

            Miroku and Sango sat underneath the shade of a tree just outside the village. They watched as young Anki toddled off after a butterfly, and giggled to himself happily.

            With a contented sigh, Sango leaned into Miroku, his arms wrapping around her lovingly.

            "Mother! Father!" The perfect silence was broken by Nikomi's ever-loud voice floating in from the village. Miroku smiled, and looked down at Sango. She grinned up at him.

            "There you two are!" Nikomi said brightly, walking over from behind a hut. She was dragging Dayu behind her, as always. He grinned sheepishly at them.

            "Hello, honey," Sango yawned and stretched lazily.

            Nikomi walked over to her little brother and picked him up off the grass. She touched his nose affectionately and he giggled. "Want me to watch him for you?"

            "That would be nice," Miroku said, his smile wide.

            "Good," Nikomi stated delightfully, "I need to start practicing, you know." And with that, she trotted off, the little one in her arms, and towing Dayu after her.

            Miroku made a kind of choking noise, and Sango stared after her daughter in silent amazement.

            "You don't think…" She trailed off, looking up at the monk with slight worry, and something else near delight.

            "No, of course not," He announced after a moment, although very unsure of his answer.

            They stared after the two lovebirds and sighed.

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"The way back home is always long, but if you're close to me; I'm holding on…"