Phase 1: Misery of Passing Times

"Lady Kagome, a messenger is at the door."

Kagome turned away from the window to look at the servant bowed before her. She sighed softly, and replied,

"Send him in."

The servant bowed once more, and left in haste. The dark-haired young woman turned back to the window, looking out onto the rolling valley, and in the distance, the high twisting mountains. She gazed along the horizon longingly, scanning the skyline, seemingly searching for something.

A knock at the door caused her to turn away. A young boy, no older than twelve stood beside her servant. He was small, with red hair and green eyes. He clutched a piece of parchment to his chest as if it were his lifeline. He looked very nervous, and Kagome smiled reassuringly.

"Please, don't be afraid. Bring it to me." She requested calmly.

The boy nodded and stepped forward, extending the rolled-up paper. Kagome took it in her pale hands and opened it slowly. Her eyes, brown as a tree trunk in the setting sun, moved across the paper.

At one point, she leaned forward, and her eyes grew wide. Her hands seemed to clutch the paper harder. Her breathing grew rapid and fast. She tried to calm her self before she spoke, but her voice shook hard as she said,

"I-it can't be…H-he is dead…"

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A toad-like imp stood outside of the palace kitchen, a servant at his side. The servant man was bent forward, and the two were speaking in hushed voices.

"News has just come from the East. Lord Inuyasha was killed in battle." The man said.

The imp merely frowned and hit his staff onto the ground. "Humph! That boy was a nuisance. I'm not surprised he was stupid enough to die in this war."

The servant looked startled for a moment. "But I thought Lord Inuyasha was our Lord Sesshomaru's brother. Surely he would not have let him die."

The toad man snorted a laugh. "Lord Sesshomaru would kill Inuyasha himself if he had the chance."

The servant nodded sadly. They both knew of Sesshomaru's silent vengeance. He and Inuyasha had been mortal enemies ever since birth. It all went back to Inuyasha's blood. He was only a half-demon, while Sesshomaru was full-fledged. Sesshomaru thought he was better than Inuyasha, and in turn, Inuyasha hated him for that.

"What's more, Inuyasha had a mate." The toad divulged, his cruel yellow eyes twinkling with malice.

The servant man looked away in disgust. Jaken was Lord Sesshomaru's leading servant. He was a small, ugly creature. He was not kind and complained often. No one liked him, and everyone in the palace had no idea why Sesshomaru even tolerated him.

"What does Sesshomaru think of this?" The man asked.

Jaken folded his arms, a dirty look on his face. "He hasn't exactly been out of his room yet." He sounded disappointed, like he was left out. Jaken was annoying, but he was also very devoted to his lord and master. Not knowing how the great demon lord felt was probably agonizing for him.

The servant decided to end the conversation there. He turned and walked into the kitchen, leaving Jaken to ponder his lord.

Lord Sesshomaru, how do you feel about your brother's death? You have not been out of your room for almost a day. What could you be thinking?

Up in his room, Sesshomaru stood overlooking his lands. His long white hair waved in the night breeze. His cold, piercing gaze looked up at the full, yellow moon. His face was clear of any emotion, and he showed no signs of distress or sadness. He closed his eyes and turned from the moon.

"Ridiculous." This one word seemed to encompass all of his feelings. His face may have been smooth, but his voice portrayed everything. He was angry, at himself and at his brother.

You fool. You lost your life in a meaningless battle. I should have been the one to kill you. And now, I cannot even fight you for the Tetsusaiga, the sword that should have been mine.

Sesshomaru clenched his fist around his sword, the Tenseiga. Damn you, Inuyasha.

Preview of Chapter 2:

His eyes were almost the same. It was eerie how alike they looked, but how truly different they were. She couldn't help but remember Inuyasha. She choked back a sudden sob, trying not to show her sadness in his presence. Still, she couldn't help it when a lone tear escaped and fell down her check.

He ignored her internal breakdown and asked, "Where is the Tetsusaiga?"

Her sadness boiled over into anger as she burst out, "How dare you! He was your brother!"

AN: So? R and R, peeps. I would appreciate it ever so much!