Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any nursery rhymes.

The Mother Goose Escapades

No. 27

I'll tell you a story

About Jack-a-Nory,

And now my story's begun;

I'll tell you another,

About Jack and his brother,

And now my story is done.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Yes Rin."

"Will you tell me a story as I go to sleep?"

Sesshoumaru looked at the girl nestled beside him, her eyes already closed and her breathing slowing down. At his lack of response however, she shifted her head upward and sleepily opened her eyes, their brown depths drawing Sesshoumaru in.

"Alright Rin."

She smiled in victory, then closed her eyes again and snuggling closer to him. Her little hands clasped his much larger one, taking care of his sharp claws. As she was so much smaller than him, she simply rested her head against his arm. And as always, Sesshoumaru didn't move; he was used to these sleeping arrangements.

"Tell me a story about you."

She had slept this close to him from the very first night. He had assumed it was because she was afraid of the wolves, although he felt a bit miffed she wasn't also afraid of him. Now he wouldn't trade it for the world. He felt better, that she felt better, believing he would protect her. He hadn't realized having a child could do that to a person.

"I'd rather not, Rin."

"Please?"

Sesshoumaru sighed. No matter how quiet or noisy she was, he knew also that she was persistent. If she wanted a story about him, she would be determined to get a story about him. He looked at her small form, wondering what he should say. He couldn't mention any of his battles, that was for sure. He lifted his head and looked into the vast expanse of stars above his head.

"Once upon a time, there was a prince. All his life, the prince dreamed of becoming as powerful as his father, and then taking over his father's kingdom."

"Are you really a prince, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"It's just a story, Rin. The King was a very powerful king, and he was very wise. He was also very happy. The prince did not understand why his father was so happy, all the time. There was absolutely no reason to be happy all the time. The prince grew up, playing with others, but mostly his father. He and his father were always very close."

"Like you and me, Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"Ahem. One day, his father tried to teach the prince a lesson. He tried to tell his prince it was important to sometimes let others be more important than yourself. But the prince did not understand this lesson."

"It is an important lesson."

Sesshoumaru paused then, looking down at Rin again. He wondered if she was thinking of her time in the village. Perhaps she had been forced to learn this lesson, despite the other humans never learning it.

"Then the father met a woman, and fell in love with her. This bothered the prince, because he did not understand it. Once again, the father tried to explain it to the prince, but the prince refused to listen. He stormed away, intending never to talk to his father again."

"His poor father."

This stopped Sesshoumaru yet again. Rin felt sorry for the father?

"But the father tracked the prince down, who had been trying to hide for over a year. He told the prince that he was going to have a brother. And then he asked the prince for help against a terrible enemy that was trying to take over the King's land. The prince was so angry that his father was going to have a child with the woman that he refused to help his father."

"Did his father have to fight alone?"

"Yes. And he succeeded, but he was greatly injured. He then went to see the woman, who was in danger. People didn't want her to get involved with the King, because they thought it was dangerous. She also was already intended to another man. The King intended to kill this other man, because he was actually evil. The prince approached his father then, asking him what he was doing."

"Didn't the prince understand?"

"No. The prince knew his father was very weak from fighting the strong enemy, and that he needed to recover. If the King fought this man, there was a good chance that he wouldn't survive. The prince tried to convince his father that nothing was worth losing his own life over, but his father only shook his head at the prince."

"Was he disappointed?"

"Very. All his life, he had tried to make the prince understand that there is always something in life that makes living his own life worthwhile. But the prince had never understood this; the prince thought only living for himself was what made life worthwhile. So once again, he refused to help his father."

"Against the man?"

"Yes. And the King did kill the man, but he also died in the process. The prince was very sad about this, because he felt that his father had thrown his life away. Since he felt this sacrifice was not needed, the prince blamed his newly born baby brother for their father's death. He decided he would never like his baby brother."

"But it wasn't the baby's fault!"

"No it wasn't. But the prince didn't understand. As the baby brother grew up, the prince watched him, jealously. The baby brother was much more open with feelings, just like their father had been. He did not seem to think that life was only for himself. The prince felt bad, because his baby brother was a nice person, but everyone treated him badly, due to heritage."

"Why?"

"Remember, his mother had him with the King, even though she was intended for another."

"Oh yeah."

"So the baby brother grew up, and one day encountered the prince. The prince told him they were brothers, and the baby brother was very angry that the prince had never sought him out, instead leaving him to a miserable life. For a very long time, the two brothers fought and fought. Then one day, the baby brother found a woman of his own. The prince didn't understand. The baby brother was just like the King had been – he had found someone to make life worth living."

"Was the baby brother very happy?"

"No, because the woman died. But he found another one, who made him happier. And the prince watched all of this, wondering what he was missing. The prince still kept himself as the most important person in his mind. Then one day the prince found a baby. Rather than leaving it, the prince took the baby home, and raised it as his own. The baby grew into a happy child, who relied on the prince to keep her safe."

"Did the prince understand then? To let someone else be more important to him?"

Rin barely got the question out, she was almost asleep. Her breathing was regular, and within a few moments, she was completely gone, dreaming of who knew what. Sesshoumaru looked at her, then up at the stars. He took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. The he blinked his amber eyes, which did not appear quite as cold as they usually did. He glanced down at Rin once more, before staring into the forest.

"Yes. The prince understands very well how important it is to let someone else be more important. Sometimes it's about making others happy. Sometimes," and here Sesshoumaru felt a pang deep within his heart, "it's about letting someone else win the race..."

-----

Had Inu no Taisho been around, he would have said something to the effect of, "It's about time!" before laughing softly to himself.

Author's Notes: Sorry sorry sorry this is up a day late! Yesterday, wouldn't let me upload anything, sheesh! But here it is, hope you enjoyed Sesshoumaru's little revelation!