AN/ yes, I'm back, and sorry for not updating sooner. The first time I finished typing this chapter, it got lost somewhere in the vast and empty recesses of my computer. Then I couldn't find my written chapter so I had to start from scratch. Oh dear, well here's the finished product. (oh, and for any of you who have an account on AMV, listen to "friends", the wolf's rain version. Or any depressed sounding song.)

The misty fug his breath made against the tinted windows of the backseat of the car reflected the impassive amber eyes gazing through them. The serene scenery of hills and mountain valleys passed by, having long left the suburbs of the town Inuyasha once knew so well. Clouds and billows of smoke-like fog veiled what could have been a sunny day, putting a damper on the initial excitement of meeting someone for the first time.

From the front seat of the car, Jaken and Rin bickered in a rather cheery manner back and forth, occasionally one of them looking back every five minutes or so to check on the despondent child in the backseat. It wasn't as if he could go anywhere, the vastness of the Bentley was restricted to the backseat. He didn't have anywhere to go now anyway. . .

Inuyasha sighed and shifted his gaze from a large mountain to the infinite forest that surrounded every side of the region. It wasn't that he wasn't excited to meet his half-brother; every muscle down to the one's in his toes told him that, it was just that he was just starting to accept that his mother, his only link to sanity, was actually gone. No more warm hugs telling him that everything was alright, and no more loving kisses to stop the world from spinning after a fight.

His eyes shining with unshed tears, he brushed them off with the back of his sleeve, and turned back for a fleeting look at the countryside, the forests replaced by a mountain lake, the giant reflecting against the glass surface. A hawk swooped lazily over the water, hunting for it's next meal.

Everything would be okay; he had to keep reminding himself.

After what seemed like an eternity, which probably only lasted a few hours, the car came to a stop on a smooth drive, waking Inuyasha out of the sleep he hadn't even realized he was in, to give his surroundings a quick look. The large yard accommodated the greenest grass he had ever seen, and judging by the neatly scattered blossoming flowerbeds, was attended to daily by expert gardeners. Marble pillars stood strong along the granite porch, looking more like the ones found in prestigious museums than you'd ever expect to find surrounding someone's home. The house itself stood nearly 5 stories high, the brilliant brick-work lying complimenting it wonderfully, bordering the many windows overlooking the lawn.

A hand being waved in front of his face brought him out of his awe in an instant, reminding him to shut the jaw hanging open at the beautiful landscaping. A faint blush graced his features, to the amusement of the girl watching over him.

"It's okay; everyone looks this way when they first see this masterpiece. It is pretty though, isn't it?"

Inuyasha nodded at Rin to show he agreed, but in all honesty, 'pretty' didn't do the structure one bit of justice. It was sacrilege to leave it at just 'pretty', when it looked more like it should be the home of angels, not some petty humans who would probably dirty it's purity by merely being within perimeter of it, but sighed, thinking that maybe there wasn't a word strong enough to describe it; the matter shall slide for now.

The intense gaze of the child made Rin giggle all the more, never had she seen someone so serious; albeit Sesshomaru-sama, let alone a mere child. He seemed kind enough though, so she supposed him and her could become good friends.

The three walked up the engraved slate driveway towards the house in a peaceful silence, each to their own thoughts. Jaken was quick to open the door for the other two, and they were let into what was possibly the most beautiful manor the youngest had ever seen. If the house looked big on the outside, it paled in comparison to the wonders the inside held. Every sparkling inch was finely made marble; up to the twin gargantuan staircases downing each side of what Inuyasha assumed was the entrance hall.

At Rins gesture, the young boy raced to one of the stone pillars. It rose high above his head, and upon closer investigation, he saw the etching of twin swords etched in the molding. Next he scrutinized the stairs, with their extravagant sage green carpets running the length. On either side of the stairs large double doors lay latent going to unknown expanses. A sound from the top of the stairs brought his mind reeling back to earth.

"It seems that this 'child' is as uncouth as I thought it'd be; dirtying my house and home."

The speaker was a tall man with long flowing silver hair who was standing regally at the head of the stairs. If his white and red kimono and a large fluffy boa of some kind of animals fur didn't make him seem menacing, it was the eyes. Callous amber eyes like a precious gem glared into your soul with a calculating look; he knew everything you ever thought.

With a grace that only seemed befitting, he seemed to float down the stairs to reach the young child quivering at the bottom. Inuyasha vaguely noted that both Rin and Jaken bowed at this point; this must be Sesshomaru.

Shakily he took a breath and introduced himself. "H-hello, my name is-"

SLAP

Inuyasha crumpled to the floor, holding his stinging cheek. Sesshomaru only glared down at him with a superior air.

"As long as you're living in this house, you will only speak when spoken to, and if you are, you will speak respectfully," he looked towards Rin who seemed to be having a hard time not to jump up and help the poor boy cowering on the floor. "Take it to the attic; I don't want to have to see its disgusting flesh."

At this Sesshomaru turned and strode out of the room. Rin immediately jumped up as though sitting on a hot stone, and pulled the ebony haired child into her arms as comfort. Although his cheek still stung greatly, Inuyasha allowed himself no tears. He couldn't cry now. He had to be strong.

A shaky hand held the doorknob still while the other fretfully attempted to ease the carved wooden key into the lock. One fuzzy ear was pressed flush against the wood of the door to hear the click, while the other was listening carefully for any approaching 'visitors'.

He was almost there, almost-

CRACK

"Damn."

Defeated, he let his weary body fall to the floor to gain some strength, the stub of wooden key still held loose in his hand. If he had learned anything in the two months he had held residence in this 'house', it would be that he needed to escape. Almost hesitantly he reached up to prod one of the ugly purple bruises his shirtless body exposed. Wincing, he pulled back his hand when even the most feather-light caresses stung as though salt was being rubbed into them.

Pulling himself off the ground, Inuyasha plodded over to the only piece of furniture in the room, a twin bed that lie in the corner of the room, and lay down heavily. It wasn't fair. No matter what he thought of, he could think of no reason for anyone to beat a child every other day as Sesshomaru did. He hadn't been bad, spoken to anyone, or even left the attic-room he was confined to since the first day. The only source of actual air and sunlight came from a small window in the attic, which was connected to this room, which of course he was never allowed to open. It just didn't make sense.

Grumble, grumble

Now he was hungry. He fished through the basket of food that he was given to satisfy his hunger for the day. Crackers made a good snack to tide him over; he had discovered the second day, when he had ravenously downed the entire contents of the basket before realizing that he would get no other food until the next day. Deciding that he could afford to eat one of the two sandwiches he was provided, he bit into the tuna with renewed vigor, devouring it in only a couple bites.

Satisfied that his hunger wouldn't eat at him during the night, he climbed into the bed and turned out the light. Letting the pitch darkness of night engulf him, he realized one thing; if he was going to survive, he would have to help himself. No one could help him. He would do it alone.

For some unknown reason, that thought reassured him enough to let his tired mind pass into the oblivion called sleep and out of his misery.

Okay, so it was a little weird, whatever. Wow, it's been like . . . Months since my last update. My friend Brandy wouldn't stop pestering me about it though, so thank her. Review to tell me if it was good. . . If it sucked. . . Or just to say hi. You can expect an update in three days or so, so just deal with me. J