The Rin Who Broke Her Arm

By Fiorae

Chapter Three: Old Memories

The two demon brothers trailed throughout the forest, avoiding eye contact with each other. Inuyasha had taken a great interest in the trees, while Sesshomaru enjoyed the nature like animals running about. They'd look at anything as long as it wasn't each other.

"I can't believe Kagome expects you and me to actually get along." Inuyasha mumbled. He was instantly glad he broke the silence. The tension in the air had been suffocating.

"My sentiments exactly," Sesshomaru grumbled back. He caught a falling leaf between his fingers, twirling it about in front of his eyes. It was oddly entertaining.

"Well, we might as well give it a try. You know, try to come to an understanding." Inuyasha stated, crossing his arms. Sesshomaru looked at him out the corner of his eye.

"I suppose we can try ..." he mumbled, turning to look at his younger brother. It was a look of agitation, but it was also a look of acceptance. Maybe these two really could work something out...

"It never did make sense to me why Inuyasha and Sesshomaru don't get along. They're brothers! They should love each other!" Sango declared. Miroku gave her a sympathetic stare.

"They aren't on as good of terms as you and Kohaku, Sango," he whispered. Kagome's eyes widened. She hadn't thought of how all this talk of brothers and bonding would hit Sango. She couldn't bond with her brother even if she wanted too.

Sango looked away. "If I was in Sesshomaru's shoes ... I'd jump at the chance to be with my little brother."

Rin began to sniffle softly. Kagome looked at her. She wrapped her arms around her.

"Rin-chan? What's wrong?" she asked gently. Rin wiped her nose on her sleeve.

"Hearing all this talk of brothers is making me start to miss mine..." she whispered. Shippo looked at Rin sadly. He transformed into a bunny and hopped over to her, landing in her lap. He cuddled close to her. Rin smiled softly, stroking the Shippo bunny.

Kagome sighed. She really hopped those two were bonding like they should. They just didn't realize how lucky they were to have each other.

Inuyasha sat down against a tree. He leaned his head back, sighing. Sesshomaru grunted and leaned against the tree as well. He probably found it degrading to sit on the ground, so he didn't.

"So, just what exactly do we do to get the 'bonding' thing going?" Sesshomaru mumbled. Inuyasha shrugged.

"How am I 'spose to know?" he grumbled back. A few moments passed with nothing being said. That suffocating tension was returning. A crow squawked in the distance. Slowly, Inuyasha turned to his brother. "I do have a few questions for you though ..." he whispered. Sesshomaru flinched, perhaps from the softness of his brother's voice. He looked down at him.

"Yes?"

Inuyasha bit his lip. Blinked his eyes. Scratched a itch on his wrist. And then he spoke...

"When did we become such bitter enemies ..?" he whispered slowly. His eyes narrowed as he tried to draw back memories. But nothing came. It was all blank. All he could remember was his time with his mother. And barely that.

Sesshomaru glided down to sit next to the hanyou. He thought for a moment, then exhaled deeply. "It's been a few hundred years. No surprise you don't really remember much. I've begun to forget myself . . ." he started. Inuyasha stared at him. Sesshomaru stared back. A small grin slid into place on his porcelain skin. "We actually use to be quite close, you know."

"You're kidding right!" Inuyasha gasped. Sesshomaru shook his head. "No, little brother, I'm very serious.

"When you were a kid, I guess maybe four or f I've, I would come and visit you in the temple you lived in with your mother. Secretly of course. Your mother wasn't too fond of me. There was a river behind the temple where we'd always meet. Remember?"

Inuyasha thought for a moment. "I remember the river ..." he said. Sesshomaru shrugged and continued with his story.

FlashBack

"Onee-chan! I found it!" Inuyasha cried. He stood below a tall tree, looking up to it. Sesshomaru walked over. "It's up here, on that branch right there!" little Inuyasha cried, pointing upward. Sesshomaru lifted the long haired child up and sat him on his shoulders. Inuyasha reached out to a shining red apple on the highest branch in the tree. His small arms were way out of reach. "A little higher." he grunted down to his brother.

Sesshomaru jumped onto the nearest branch. "Is that good?" he asked. Inuyasha reached again. His claws scratched the bottom of the apple.

"No, just a little more ..." he whispered. Sesshomaru picked the boy up by his waist and held him up. Inuyasha snatched the apple off the branch. "Got it!" he giggled, doing a self satisfied cheer. Sesshomaru began to loose his balance.

"Don't move so..!"

THUD!

The two boys hit the ground. A grinning Inuyasha lied on Sesshomaru's stomach, staring at his big, glistening apple with shimmering eyes. Sesshomaru sighed and sat up. "That's the last time I pick apples with you.." he mumbled. The jittery ball of energy, formally known as his younger brother, bounced up and down in his lap.

"But look at the apple we got! It looks yummy!" Inuyasha said happily. Sesshomaru sighed again. He took the apple from Inuyasha. Using his claws, he cut it in half.

"After what you put me through, this is a fair trade." he chuckled, biting his half of the apple. Inuyasha nodded and took a chunk out of his. He leaned his head back against his brother's chest.

"This apple is really good." he said through a full mouth. Sesshomaru laughed.

"Dad liked apples too, you know." he added, resting his arm on Inuyasha's head.

"Ehh? Really?"

"Really."

"Wow..Mom says I'm just like him." Inuyasha said as he bit into his apple again. Sesshomaru was quiet for a moment.

"Yeah ... you are in a lot of ways..." he whispered.

End FlashBack

"Like how?" Inuyasha asked. Sesshomaru only stared at him.

"That was one of the nicer memories I have. There was one in particular that ... probably is the reason we don't get along now." Sesshomaru mumbled. Inuyasha blinked.

"What was it?" he asked slowly. Sesshomaru closed his eyes.

"What really happened to your mother."

End Chapter Three

You know, this story is turning out to be more about Inuyasha and Sesshomaru than Rin, lol. That wasn't my intention. I'll be getting back to the Rin/Sessy fluff soon folks, promise! Please review, even if you didn't like this chapter!