Author's Note: One more chapter, I think. Then all is done. Kind of depressing really. Anyways, Merry be-lated Christmas and forgive the "slash". Kannon decides what Gender it will be when it chooses, and I abide by Kannon's wishes. R/R

Chapter Eight: Rose

Before there was thought and word, there was Kannon. Formless, nameless, and shapeless, Kannon existed and breathed in Its matter, thought according to Its nature and waited. Waited for birth, and death and the cycle of those that would call upon It and Its nature to exist. Kannon waited to be needed, to be invoked because in the end all Kannon is a definition: an action or inaction created by a stronger being in defense or offensive of a smaller, or weaker, or unluckier being.

Kannon is simple to understand. He is love, and compassion, and mercy and grace. He is ocean, and storm, and hurricane, and tsunami. He is all-Mother, and loving arms. He is a child-stealer, and ravaged womb. Kannon hears all cries. Every pain, and sorrow and prayer for love, compassion, relief or just understanding. All of them. Those screamed in desperation and anger towards the heavens, and those muttered into the silence when it is thought no one is listening. He hears the pleas of Youkai and Ningen and God.

He hears you now.

And He heard them then in the Sengoku Jidai.

He hears, and comforts because it cannot do otherwise. It is compassion and mercy; most basic elements of what are truth and existence. Kannon is, because you say He is. It cannot be otherwise.

Kannon would die for you. He will, one day. For today, however, for now, Compassion dies for one and the one is named Rin.

Sesshoumaru was there to catch him as Kannon fell.

The domain was shattering, misshaping and shifting under the weight of the Shadow's assault on its Creator. The storms that had birthed from Kannon's weakness and demise raged through the Courtyard, tearing at trees and the buildings, biting away at whatever meager shelter available. The Garden itself was tearing apart as the wind snapped trees and overthrew stonework and plants. Rin stood alone, unmoved in the chaos, staring dumbly at the vision of her Lord with the fell God.

Sesshoumaru himself paid no attention to Rin, or to the sounds of Tama, Jaken and Jomei as they appeared and stumbled through the melee. His eyes belonged solely to Kannon's weak and fallow form, almost nothing against Sesshoumaru.

Kannon's eyes flickered and yet they didn't because in his frailty, Kannon only had the memory of a human form. Sesshoumaru held a dream; an ideal in his arm but Kannon didn't seem to mind. He opened his eyes and smiled.

Sesshoumaru pulled him closer to his chest. He had never really viewed his lost arm as if an infirmary until now, as he thought to brush away the sweat from the Kannon's crown. Sesshoumaru frowned, searching his mind for some way to give Kannon comfort. He was no creature of compassion, no creature of mercy, but now, as he stared down at Kannon's fading form- and knowing it was all his fault, Sesshoumaru wished he could have at least pretended to love. Kannon smiled, as if reading his thoughts, which was entirely likely and opened his mouth to speak.

"This was your doing, Goddess." Sesshoumaru whispered, silencing the God with a look. He inclined his head, searching his eyes. He pushed Kannon closer and wrapped his arm around the God, till his fingers could reach up and cup Kannon's cheek. Sesshoumaru buried his nose into Kannon's shoulder, eyes shut. "You sent me away, when you should have called me. I would have attended you. What have I ever denied you Kannon Lord?"

Kannon made a sound of a bitter laugh. "Your heart."

"It has always been yours." Sesshoumaru returned without thinking and then, in a effort to cover his tracks, hide the truth or his pain, he added. "I had no use for it."

"Oh my Sesshoumaru." Kannon cried, "You hide so much of what matters. You run from the only thing that will save you. And I am slain for it. Ryuhoji died for it. And now, another lesser and more undeserving of this unhallowed death will suffer if you refuse it. Mind my words, Sesshoumaru, if you think to care for anything: remember this... you cannot fight your heart. To rebuke it, is to lose before ever drawing a weapon…remember this." Kannon reached up, sliding hands through Sesshoumaru's hair on each on side. Kannon pulled him closer, till his warm fevered cheek brushed against Sesshoumaru's before murmuring into his ear. "Remember her."

Kannon pressed his lips to Sesshoumaru's then. Sesshoumaru did not pull away, but rather slid his hand to cover Kannon's. The God scrambled for the hand and gripped it tightly, so tightly the knuckles whitened. For a long time, they held each other till Kannon's grip relaxed and his body sighed, and slumped.

Sesshoumaru stared down at the prone figure for a moment, trembling. When he looked up, his eyes scanned the garden and rested finally on Rin. He rose slowly, watching her. He looked back to Tama, Jaken and Jomei and did something none present had never witnessed the great Taiyoukai ever do before. As he watched Jomei, Sesshoumaru retreated. He turned back, to Rin, eyes searching the child's round face with a look of vague guardedness as if he had been waking from some dream that now he could only half remember.

His hand found Tenseiga's hilt and for a moment, he fingered the lacing. When he inclined his head, he was only vaguely aware of the Shadow that had sulked into the corner watching. It was true enough; pain had no power where sacrifices have been made.

"Your business is complete." He told the Shadow, even as his hand tightened about Tenseiga's hilt. "Should you continue in this land…"

"No matter." The Shadow interrupted, as it lifted one claw of a hand. "I demanded payment for stolen goods and indeed, the Goddess paid your ransom…for now." The Shadow turned and smiled at Rin, a smile that deepened as it glanced Jomei. "Fare well, kinsman." It told Rin. "We will meet again, child of man…in little time."

Tama rose slowly, staring at his Lord's back. It was impossible to tell who looked more winded. "What do you remember, Sesshoumaru Lord?"

"Everything."

Tama bowed his head, and inhaled. "I will not run, do not ask this of me."

"Jaken…" Sesshoumaru began, then hesitated. He looked up, staring at the graying sky as it began to peel back to reveal a glorious sun. He would have found this amusing, somehow, or ironic at least, that the storms should part now that Sesshoumaru had been so destroyed. "The human…"

"He shall be attended to, Lord."

"Tama, remain in Court. We shall…talk."

"My lord…"

"Not now. In time."

"I would rather face my punishment now, Sesshoumaru…I am tired of waiting…"
"Enough! You've done what you desired. You can wait for a time…" Sesshoumaru broke then. His voice as a dark hiss as he spoke, as his eyes shut close. He looked for a moment, liable to call on his Youkai side for his defense. Instead, the words escaped him in tattered heavy breaths, defeated and worn. "Leave me."

Tama followed Jaken and Jomei as they retreated. Sesshoumaru looked back, staring at Kannon. He watched the figure for a long time, searching for any sign of movement, anything to give him cause to hope. Sesshoumaru didn't believe in mercy, or compassion but now, suddenly living in a world where it could die as easily as Kannon just had; all Sesshoumaru could do was collapse to his knees in wonder and in pain.

He remained kneeling on the ground in silence and fear alone, till he felt small arms wrap around him from behind. He could feel Rin's face buried into his hair and feel her hot tears burning the back of his neck. Sesshoumaru lifted his arm and grabbed her hands in his much like Kannon had scrambled and held on.

He did not release her.