Brief Moments

By Mishi

Chapter 13

Human Hearts

Izayoi- Inu Yasha's mother. This is the name that she was given in the third movie.

Note: In Japan, it is considered cute(in a childish way) to use your name when talking about yourself. Rin does this from time to time.

Sesshoumaru's full attention was focused on Inu Yasha as he rolled and whimpered on the ground. He was surrounded by Sango, Miroku, and Shippo, who were all trying to make sense of what was happening. Rin was hiding behind Sesshoumaru's fur and seemed quite content to remain in hiding until the excitement was over. Jaken stood at Rin's side with Aun close behind him.

Runa, in her opinion, seemed to be the only one determined on not standing by and watching the twisted mess before her. "The hanyou needs to be dealt with. Make him stop screaming already," she said coldly as she took a step forward.

"Runa," Sesshoumaru said in a voice that made her freeze.

The voice hadn't been loud, but it carried more power than any voice she had ever heard. She loathed him for his strength. He was the only youkai who could frighten her with only the sound of a single word.

As suddenly as it had begun, it was all over. Inu Yasha was recovering himself and attempting to stand.

"Inu Yasha, what just happened to you?" Shippo questioned.

"Kagome's in pain. I have to find her," he insisted as he looked around in a half dazed state.

"It would be best to stay where you are," Sesshoumaru warned.

"Who the hell asked you?" Inu Yasha spat the words at him.

"Houshi," Sesshoumaru said, looking at Miroku, "Did you feel the change in his youki?"

Miroku nodded and said, "I felt it. Inu Yasha, your youki expanded and changed before you fell to the ground. I'm sorry, I have to agree with Sesshoumaru. You should stay were you are."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Inu Yasha yelled.

"For an instant, your scent was closer to that of a full youkai." Sesshoumaru explained.

"How the hell would you know that?" Inu Yasha groaned and threw his hands up in the.

"Have you forgotten that I have been in the presence of your youkai form? I will never forget that scent. It was filled with rage and violence."

"About time, this is getting old," Runa butted in.

All eyes were on Runa, and then suddenly turned to see what she was looking at. Karen and Kagome were walking towards them from a far off row of trees. Everyone, except Inu Yasha, waited patiently as they approached. Inu Yasha could only fidget and fight the urge to run towards Kagome.

Kagome was leaning on Karen, who had one arm around her for support. Kagome was exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to lay down with Inu Yasha in the grass and take a long nap. She had been so preoccupied by her weariness that she hadn't noticed Sesshoumaru, although she was looking directly at him.

"Come, Inu Yasha, your wife needs you," Karen said as she brought their bodies to a stop.

Inu Yasha ran to take Kagome into his arms. She fell against him without a word, while Inu Yasha yelled at Karen, "What did you do to her? I felt the pain. You put her in danger."

"I did it myself. She tried to stop me," Kagome mumbled against his neck.

"Kagome, please do not speak. Rest, dear, please," Karen pleaded as she rubbed Kagome's back. "I underestimated her ability to rely on her instincts. I am sorry for that. I will not make such a mistake again."

"What happened? Why did I feel that?" Inu Yasha asked, refusing to let it drop.

Karen began rubbing her forehead out of sheer frustration. After a long silence, she answered in an agitated voice, "Inu Yasha, look at your wife. She is barely able to stand. Take her and lie down. Do it now while she is calm. I will explain everything after you have rested."

It took Karen yelling at him to make Inu Yasha realize that the youki would make its way to the surface again. He was wasting his time yelling at Karen, when he should have been following her advice to rest while they had the chance. Finally, he nodded and swept Kagome up into his arm. He then carried her to the disheveled sleeping bag and laid her down. When she was settled in comfortably, he settled in next to her.

Strangely enough Kirara had followed them. Transforming into her larger from, Kirara, laid down with her back parallel the couple. The gesture gave them a white wall, which separated them from the others. They wouldn't have total privacy, but they would be more difficult to see while they were lying down.

"Arigatou, Kirara," Inu Yasha whispered gratefully.

"Will we get this explanation as well?" Miroku asked.

"Houshi-sama, why do you wish to become involved more than you already are?" Karen asked respectfully.

"We're their family. We want them to be safe too."

"Well said, Houshi-sama, you will be included from this point on."

Karen turned to look at Sesshoumaru. She scanned his proud frame as he stood there waiting for her to speak. It was plain that he had changed since she last saw him. Sure, he was still full of pride, of few words, and very distant from the world around him. However, the young female that hid behind him, had softened his heart. The manner in which he stood watching Inu Yasha told her that Sesshoumaru had grown more tolerant of his brother. Karen had seen these changes in visions, but the sight of the girl touching her son was unbelievable. His hatred of humans didn't extend to this girl, no matter how he wanted to believe that it did.

"Ohayou, my son. Your eyes tell me you have questions. Lucky for you, I do plan to give you answers," she said as she walked over to the double-headed dragon. On the back of his saddle, there was a large bundle.

"Are you so sure I want your answers?" He asked arrogantly.

She allowed her self a sarcastic grin as she looked back at him. With the bundle in her hands, she walked towards him and said, "You are still the boy I knew, eh? You many not want my answers, boy, but you will need them. Follow me, and bring your female companion."

Runa, with a boastful smile on her face, took a step forward.

Karen stopped directly in front of Sesshoumaru, but looked at Runa. In a voice as dry as Sesshoumaru's, she stated, "I was not referring to you, Runa."

Runa's face dropped as she took a step backwards.

Changing to a softer tone, Karen turned to look past her son and confronted Rin, "I was referring to the young lady…who seems to be hiding behind my son."

Rin bashfully peeked around Sesshoumaru's elbow.

"Rin," Sesshoumaru ordered.

Rin stepped around him to face Karen. Karen's eyes opened a bit wider as she examined the girl. "I am glad I brought the gift of a new kimono. Sesshoumaru, this kimono is insulting. Have you not noticed that it is torn and too short for her? You can see the girl's knees. How do you expect to present her as a lady in garments such as this?"

"I like my kimono. Sesshoumaru-sama had it made for me," Rin insisted.

"I understand your feelings, but you must think of your appearance. It is indecent for you to be dressed in such a manner," Karen argued.

Sesshoumaru was growing impatient with the conversation. His voice carried his agitation, "Rin."

Rin took the gift and said in a cheerful voice, "Arigatou gozaimasu!"

'What a well trained pet you have raised,' Karen thought. She was bothered by the way he was treating the girl.

"Should we get this over with?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Karen smiled and began walking. Sesshoumaru followed after her with Rin hurrying to walk at his side. Jaken was left whimpering with Aun, who was making himself comfortable in the grass. Runa was less than pleased as she watched them walk way. It took one look towards the remaining group for her to decide to walk in the opposite direction.

Miroku sighed and motioned Shippo to join him and Sango, "Shippo, get your book. It's going to be a slow day, so we might as well get something accomplished."

"I can't believe that is the same little girl. She is nothing like Kagome described," Sango whispered.

"Some time has passed since Kagome has seen her," Miroku commented.

"But it is has only been two years!"

Rin gleefully walked ahead of Sesshoumaru and Karen. She was holding the bundle that held her new kimono in her arms as if it were a child being cuddled at her breasts. Sesshoumaru appeared to be watching the path ahead of him as they walked, but he was actually watching Rin out of the corner of his eye.

'You cannot help but watch her, can you? I know you will say you have no feelings for this girl. Yet, she is more and more becoming the center of your world. My son, the fool, you cannot face your feelings for her.'

Sesshoumaru waited until he was well out of ear shot before he began his questions. "What is the girl doing to him?" He asked keeping his attention on Rin.

The notion that he was being considerate to those they had left behind was very puzzling to Karen. She wondered if this new Sesshoumaru was a result of Rin's presence or a result of remembered fondness for Inu Yasha.

"Why does it bother you? You claim to hate your bother," she replied.

"Tell me if you like. It means nothing to me," he returned.

"It is so difficult to care for your bother? You loved him a great deal once."

"Love? I have no such memories."

"Was it not you who was the second being to hold him? Izayoi placed him in your arms without hesitation," she grabbed his shoulder and forced him to face her. The action stunned him and left him starring at her in shock. She wanted to shake some sense into him, but instead she continued, "You held that boy more than I did. Still you say you do not remember being fond of him. What will it take for you to let this bitterness go?"

Rin stopped and looked at them. She wasn't sure what was about to happen, but she could feel the power around them spiraling. It felt the same as when Sesshoumaru was ready to fight. She was frightened, and the smell of fear made them both turn to look at her.

Karen let go of Sesshoumaru. She hadn't meant to lose her patience. It was this lack of patience that had always been her greatest obstacle when it came to dealing with her children.

"Gomennasai, Sesshoumaru," Karen said as she looked at him.

He looked at her in disbelief. "You are apologizing?"

"A good parent apologizes when they are unjust. Your question showed your concern, regardless of you attitude. I should not have pushed you to admit more. I know you well enough to see beyond your words."

Sesshoumaru had noting left to say. He stood there waiting for her to make the next move.

Karen began walking and Sesshoumaru and Rin followed suite. With sad eyes looking straight ahead, Karen explained, "Kagome carries the dark part of Inu Yasha's soul within her. It has given her a special link to his life. You could say they are truly one body and mind. Due to this emotional link, he feels all that she does. It is the same for her."

"He feels her mental pain, physically. That's unnerving, to say the least. What was the girl doing that caused him such pain?"