Chapter Two : The Loss, Heartache, and Beginning

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we

have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."

- Albert Pike

*

FLASHBACK

"Father," said a teenage type Sesshoumaru, he looked much like he did now only a couple inches shorter compared to his enormously large father. The demon laid on the ground looking up to his son. The great inuyoukai knew his time here had ended.

"Sesshoumaru, my time is ended. Promise me you will take care of your brother." Sesshoumaru seemed quite puzzled his father had been through worse with bigger demons maybe even stronger. What was he babbling about? But the little lord just nodded as the confusion was never really shown on his face. No, he had already learned to be detached from past events. . .from his mother killing herself, to his father's new bed buddy, and now his tainted half-brother. His last words was not for him but for the disgrace he put on his family as his father died right there. A jealous nerve just sprouted there but it was never shown because he would fulfill his father's request.

END

Drip. Drip. A small rainstorm had started as Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru, opened his gold eyes from his meditation. Jaken was scurrying around trying to catch Rin so that they could go inside. The flowers around the garden tilted to catch the rain they so dearly needed as the taiyoukai sat there. The clouds turned a soft gray as it threatened for more rain to fall on the Western Lands. Peace, he was at peace in his own home. Though bickering was heard in the background from the toad servant and the little orphan human, he took care of.

"Here Jaken, Rin picked pretty flowers for you and Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Sesshoumaru-sama wouldn't want flowers, he is a demon. Not a pathetic human like you."

The little girl pushed the flowers in the ugly toad's hand as she scampered off seeing that her father figure has awoken from his state. More flowers crushed in her chubby little hand as she skipped along that raven hair getting a bit matted from the rain that started to release more and more. The demon sat on the rock as he felt the joyous little girl cling to his pristine white kimono.

"Sesshoumara-sama, Rin picked these for you!" Her arm extending to give him some flowers but mostly weeds.

"Don't bother Lord Sesshoumaru, he is meditating." Squawked Jaken as he scurried right behind Rin.

"Jaken" started the Lord, "Take Rin inside." An icy glare was given afterwards just incase the toad had anything more to say. A nod was given and some choice curses from the toad before walking off inside the mansion. Rin followed behind never questioning his authority though she looked back a couple of times.

Sesshoumaru looked elegant even soaked with rain, his white mane giving off a luminious quality as the white kimono started to press on his toned body. A stange flashback came to him while meditating. Wasn't meditating suppose to clear the mind? But strangely, this was the only thing that popped in and out his mind. The thought was interrupted as a cheetah youkai walked to the demon lord and give a curt bow in respect.

"I brought you news. Yes, your half-brother and companions are heading in Naraku's direction."

"And Naraku?"

"He is waiting for them."

A nod for dismissal was given as he got up from his rock and went inside to change into a similar white kimono and put his armor on. Yes, his hunch was right the twit half-breed was following Naraku's trap and as the scene with his father kept playing over and over in head, he pondered if he was going because of the request. No, it was for revenge on Naraku for even thinking of touching what was his. Before heading off, he grabbed his swords and headed off to the North to face Naraku though the request from his father still rang in his head.

*

Kagome looked up to the darken clouds as she sighed and followed the others as she tagged along behind. The dream never going away even with the reassurance of her friends. Yes, it was a dream but when she first had it only a part of the dream showed. Then, as time progressed she saw more and more and now it finally showed the end. It wasn't what she wanted, it wasn't even a dream more of a nightmare. Brown eyes just looked to the hanyou infront as she pictured Naraku just slicing through him like he was just a dummy meant to be toyed with. A shiver went up and down her spine as the little kitsune gave another comforting hug to his surrogate mother feeling the nervousness.

Everyone was a bit nervous though it never played on their faces but Sango couldn't help but wonder if Kagome's prediction was true, yes she was a miko and a strong one at that. Was that a premonition?

"Houshi-san, do you think Kagome-san is right? She is a miko and the dream could of been a warning from her unawoken powers?"

"Sango, don't worry. Kagome was nervous we all are." The monk moved a bit closer until he wrapped an arm around the nervous exterminator. Though the hand went a little below the waist. . .

Bang. The lecher now had a red handprint on the side of his cheek as a very pissed Sango caught up to where her best friend was. The weird part was Kagome didn't even notice a new presence by her as her eyes were on Inuyasha and it seemed she was just making sure he was there. Shippou could also see a difference as he kept shaking her arm but nothing could rouse the miko from her thoughts or lack of thoughts. All was forgotten as the hanyou infront stopped as they reached a field, the rain already starting to pour down like mother earth too knew it was time and almost was crying knowing the battle's outcome. Hundreds upon hundreds of youkai appeared and infront the ring leader, Naraku's `child`, Kagura.

"Where is Naraku? Coward bastard."

"He will come in time."

With that and being Inuyasha a thumb pushed at the opening of the shield and he unsheathed Tetsusaiga. With one swing, he yelled `Kaze no Kizu` as some hundred demons were destroyed, Sango already had her boomerang set as Miroku was about to take off his rosary and the bee youkai appeared. The gang fought long and hard everyone putting themselves into the battle the fox child, Kirara now a full cat-demon helped along side the tajiya and monk's side. Kagome took out her bow but froze when she saw everyone and how they were. It was exactly like the dream, everyone was in the exact place except where was Naraku? Sienna eyes gazed around but the baboon costume was nowhere to be seen. It was futile to fight because every hundred of so demons they killed twice as many came in there place. The miko bit down her lip pondering if she should tell someone or just notch an arrow it was happening to fast everyone was getting tired except Inuyasha but his exhaustion was a bit more evident. The demon bragade didn't let up as Inuyasha now went after Kagura. What was happening? The battle became a bit blurrier as the black sky seemed to be all jumbled the figures getting hazy. What. . .? In a tree, a hanyou chuckled already completing his masterful plan his lips finishing off the last of his spell. Only time would tell until the defeat of the five and then he will possess the rest of the shikon shards.

Kagome's eyes opened a smidge as a headache assaulted her head and automatically a hand came up to rub her temples. What was going on? This wasn't part of her dream. Slowly the girl got to her feet as her vision cleared and saw the rest of her 'family' still fighting more exhausted than the last time. How long had she been out? Taking hold of the bow, she notched an arrow to Kagura but her hand didn't seem to be working with her body. What was going on? It aimed at Inuyasha as she tried to do anything, she was struggling with herself and then she heard it. . .a sick kukuku a trademark of that wicked baboon wearing freak.

"Ah imitation Kikyou, what is wrong?" He seemed near, she could almost feel the heat on her neck but as she turned nothing was there. She froze, what did he say. . .imitation? This was real right but this was said in the dream, no but these events didn't happen.

"A dream huh? I'm almost flattered that you dream of me miko," another sick laugh was heard as he continued, "now you will do my bidding, let go of the arrow." With that said the bow was brought back and arrow released right in the direction of Inuyasha. Kagome tried to scream him a warning anything but she lost her voice either it was fear or Naraku but anyway a sick gasp was heard as it hit his side. "And you will keep doing it till he is dead." Involuntarily her body kept repeating the task as tears flooded down her cheeks mingling with the raindrops, Inuyasha already turned shocked to see it his Kagome. But he valiantly swung the fang to stop the arrows as her companions looked on in pure horror. "I will take these." As she felt a clawed hand grasp for the jewel shards around her neck.

"This is better than the Kikyou and Inuyasha betrayal. Don't you think?" As Naraku finally made his presence known to all in his baboon suit as he levitated above the battlefield. Then in almost a flash, she felt a clawed hand grip the bow and throw it to the side and infront of her stood Sesshoumaru in all his glory. She was quite taken back as he stood there the raindrops just making him more majestic as a slight wind blew his silver hair.

"Well isn't this a surprise." Naraku just looked to the Lord of the Western Lands and seemed like he knew of presence since before this battle. "Well your too late." A charging Naraku seemed to be heading straight towards Sesshomaru, was he crazy? But Kagome knew what was going to happen. . ." Go to Inuyasha." Inuyasha saw Naraku headed towards his mate as he tried to catch her but the pain to his side and the exhaustion took a big toll on him. . .but it was said to late as claws ripped from his stomach to his neck and then a sick thud was heard and echoed. Inuyasha didn't see or hear the evil hanyou because of his scarring from Kagome as the young girl ran to his side. "Inuyasha, Inuyasha." His mate shook him as his liquid golden eyes rolled to the back of his head and the blood seeped on the front of her school uniform. The dream was true, he was dead. Sesshomaru was already fighting the demons trying to get to Naraku as Miroku, Shippou, and Sango were fighting the demons and trying to hurry to Kagome's side. Kagome laid the corpse on the ground as the rain mingled with the blood as she hurried to get her bow. The hanyou already formed the Tama together as he laughed and looked to them all like insects.

"Even if you come, you'll be too late Lord Sesshoumaru." He spat out as he looked to the beauty of the jewel. Kagome already had a arrow notched as Sesshoumaru unsheathed Toukijin, the fight between Naraku and Sesshoumaru was not faced her way as she prayed to everyone for this to hit. Naraku had the upperhand dodging Dokkasou, Toukijin's attack as he seemed to push Sesshoumaru away from the battle below. Closing her eyes as she gritted her teeth and let go the arrow as everything to her seemed to fall quiet and the only thin was heard was the shattering of the jewel once more.

*

The body was buried a day afterwards of the hanyou, her mate, her lover. Mother earth of course cried too as rain seeped onto the upturned leaves of the Goshinboku tree. Inuyasha was laid to rest below the tree in his forest as everyone wept and the surprising part was Sesshoumaru stood around to watch the burial of his half-brother. Everyone returned to Kaede's hut as the old miko passed out something warm since most were covered in soaked clothing. Kagome held on to the Tetsusaiga as she refused food and just looked to the fire dazing out. Not even Shippou could make her laugh or talk maybe he could catch her attention but she give a small smile then in an instant it would disappear. Sesshoumaru didn't sit down or was anywhere close to the group just watched them eat. Though he finally broke the silence between everyone.

"You will leave with me today." Everyone turned there head to the taiyoukai and looked in complete bewilderment even Kagome.

"Who?" Asked Kagome as she finally spoke, it was a miracle.

"You." With that he turned to walk out knowing full well she would follow and so she did.

"What are you talking about? I can't go." She pondered trying the well again but the last time it made her stuck here in the Warring Age. But atleast she had Inuyasha, so much for that.

"You will go. Don't test my patience wench."

"No."

Sesshoumaru had Kagome pinned to a tree by her neck in a blink of an eye. "It is a tradition."

"A tradition to steal your brother's mate?"

"No." He responded quickly and added, "You will go with me tommorrow out of a inuyoukai's tradition to take care of a family's mate till she finds another one or I will make you go." Though he sounded not to please but his indifferent mask never posed a single emotion through that dispute.

"Try." As Sesshoumaru tighten the hold on her neck as then let it go. That was all that needed to be said.

*

Hold on to me love

You know I can't stay long

All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid

Can you hear me?

Can you feel my in your arms?

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself

Are all my thoughts of you

Sweet raptured light

It ends here tonight

I'll miss the winter

A world of fragile things

Look for me in the white forest

Hiding in a hollow tree (Come find me)

I know you hear me

I can taste it in your tears

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself

Are all my thoughts of you

Sweet raptured light

It ends here tonight

Closing your eyes to disappear

You pray your dreams will leave you here

But still you wake and know the truth

No one's there

Say goodnight

Don't be afraid

Calling me Calling me as you fade to black

*

[Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. I'm just using them.]

Author's Note: Sorry if it was slow and pretty uneventful since I really didn't like this chapter now that Inu is dead. But the show must go on. Grammar, spelling, some unclarity? Sorry about that. Feedback and help is really appreciated. Sorry if I butchered some of the Japanese. So review if you can. I don't own the song, My Last Breath by Evanescence. I am also really sorry that Kagome seems so weak and I really hated to portray her like that. But being controlled by Naraku, her lover being killed, and being taken away by her brother is a little too much in a period of days.