Chapter 46

Early Spring, 1566, Somewhere in the Forest

"Tenseiga, why do you quiver? Who is it you want me to save?", Sesshoumaru questioned the shaking sword quietly. Sesshoumaru had been traveling through the forest nearest to Inuyasha's home village, with Jaken and Ah-Un close behind.

"What is it my Lord?", Jaken questioned his master.

"Nothing, Jaken. Stay here.", Sesshoumaru said, as Ah-Un stopped and Jaken ran into the dragon.

"But, my Lord ...", Jaken began to question, but Sesshoumaru was gone.

At The Village

Miroku's family grieved over their current losses. The families were now over the dreaded disease and it was time to bury the four children who didn't survive. As Inuyasha and Miroku prepared small funeral pyres, Kagome, Yasha, Kaori and Shippou tried to comfort the family. It was Inuyasha who stopped in his tracks first as the solitary figure appeared out of the forest. Miroku was the first to talk,

"Sesshoumaru."

"What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?", Inuyasha cockily asked of his brother.

"I am quite glad to see you too, little brother.", Sesshoumaru spoke as Inuyasha scoffed.

Sango whispered to Kagome, "Why do you suppose he's here?"

"I don't know.", Kagome whispered back.

Sesshoumaru took in his surroundings as he felt Tenseiga quiver even more. Seeing the four small covered bodies, Sesshoumaru understood. Tenseiga was demanding that they be revived.

"Move away.", Sesshoumaru ordered Miroku and Inuyasha, who stood near the bodies. Miroku quickly moved, pulling a skeptical Inuyasha with him.

Sesshoumaru drew Tenseiga and looked at the bodies. 'The emissaries from the underworld' , he thought, as the small demons appeared on the bodies. Quickly, he slashed Tenseiga through the air. Just as quickly, he turned to leave.

'What was he cutting?', Miroku wondered, as he heard first Miya, then Takei start crying. Soon Akira and Sen started moving. Sango screamed for joy as she went to comfort her now alive children. Miroku felt tears in his eyes as he silently thanked Sesshoumaru and Tenseiga. Kagome felt tears in her eyes, as she watched Inuyasha follow his brother.

Inuyasha caught up with Sesshoumaru in the forest.

"Hey, Sesshoumaru, what's the deal? You were not around to revive Rin and Kohaku but now you show up outta nowhere and revive the kids. What game are you playing?"

"I owe you no explanation for my actions, Inuyasha, so stop your barking.", Sesshoumaru said to him, without ever turning to face his brother.

Unknowing to them, someone else had followed Inuyasha into the forest. Hearing the rustling of leaves, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha turned to see a little girl appear out of the bushes.

"Why are you here, Ai?", Inuyasha queried the child, "Go home."

Ignoring his command, Ai looked at Sesshoumaru and then back at Inuyasha, "Who is that man?", she asked.

Not really wanting to answer her, Inuyasha nonetheless said, "This is Sesshoumaru, my half-brother."

Looking back to Sesshoumaru, Ai bowed and said, "Sesshoumaru, thank you for saving my brother and cousins. My name is Ai."

"I know who you are.", and with that, Sesshoumaru turned and left into the forest.

Ai looked at Inuyasha and commented, "Doesn't say much, does he?"

"Nope. Never did.", and, taking her hand, Inuyasha led her back to the village.

A few days later, Kaori was busy doing her chores. Things had started to return to normal after the disease had hit. Kagome came out to help her daughter wash laundry. As the women washed, they were unaware of the presence of some men behind them. Before either had a chance to scream, they were grabbed and taken away. Inuyasha and Yasha were busy at Kaede's village and were totally unaware of what had occurred at their home.