From Bad to Worse

Part Three

Inuyasha sleeps unsoundly, looking quite dead with the chains upon his wrists and ankles and his head drooping forward. If it is not for the breathing shown by the half-demon's slowly moving chest, on might think the sill figure is dead.

But unkindly Inuyasha wakes, immediately feeling the consequence of the chains and being hung all night...or is it all day? He does not have a clue of the time for there are no windows, only a little candle on a small table. But he does not feel weak in strength by far. Two or three days will not hurt him much but there is no guarantee that Naraku wants Inuyasha alive. What if he is going to leave the half-demon there to die?

If he says he is not afraid of death then he is lying because there is a sense of painful apprehension upon his chest. He does not wish to die, not here, not because of Naraku. He would die, of course, but no before he kills Naraku.

For such a long time Inuyasha waits, thinking being his only thing to do. It is suddenly the most horrible thing when he thinks about what Naraku would do to his friends if he isn't there to protect them and what Sesshomaru would do. In the back of the hanyou's mind, he wishes that his brother would come save him, rescue him from the awful place he is held captive to and even more from the dreadful captor himself. It may be reasonable to think that Sesshomaru would come rescue him but there is a sort of anticipation that makes Inuyasha afraid of the idea. Would his brother be in danger if he comes to save him? And what if Naraku plans on Sesshomaru's coming? His brother would not be safe. And Inuyasha would not in his entire life want the person he loves the most to be in peril.

But abruptly, his train of thought is disrupted. "Surprise, surprise," he smells a familiar intoxicating scent. "I'll certainly love to see your face when you find out what Naraku has in store for you," comes the voice he recognizes as Kagura.

"Kagura!" Inuyasha hisses but not as loud as he would have if it is Naraku.

"My, you don't look so well," Kagura observes in her low and unfeeling voice. Then she walks forward, stretching up to detach the chains form the walls. "I suggest you not to struggles because one: these things are unbreakable and two: you wouldn't want to miss your surprise" She says the last few words with visible foreshadowing of something Inuyasha is sure he is not going to enjoy. Then once the chains are detached from the wall, she holds onto the ends and walks towards the door, dragging Inuyasha with her. It is Inuyasha's instinct to fight back but he does not, or rather he feels like Kagura is much stronger at the moment. He doesn't feel weak but at the same time he feels as though this incarnation is stronger than he. For the first time since he is captured, Inuyasha wonders if there is something wrong with him. He feels unwell.

In a state of lost pride, Inuyasha is guided through what seems like many corridors and hallways until they reach large bamboo sliding doors. A bit nervous and afraid, Inuyasha stands in front of the doors. Kagura opens them and pushes Inuyasha in with such force that the half-demon trips and falls on his hands and knees. "Inuyasha!" the hanyou hears a very strong and familiar voice, and then there are arms around him. Inuyasha looks up to the face in which these arms belong to and when he sees that it is the most important person in his life, he returns the embrace, eyes feeling wet and his throat dry.

But the intimate hug is broken when Inuyasha is pulled from his brother by the chains. "Sesshomaru!" he calls in response, not wanting to be taken away from those comforting arms. But he cannot beat the person who is tugging at him. Thus, flying back against a wall, he can only let out a faint grunt, eyes close in a tingle of pain that is caused by the rash contact.

"Inuyasha!" he hears and immediately his eyes open again, seeing the figure of his brother making his way towards him, but is restrained by Naraku. Strangely, Sesshomaru does not knock the bastard over which is what Inuyasha would have thought he'd do. Instead, the half-demon can only see the face of the beautiful man peering at him over Naraku's shoulder, the demon lord's expression unfitting for him. Then Inuyasha sees an intruding hand force his brother's face away from him and to look at the pale face in front of him. Inuyasha almost screams as he tugs at the chains, wishing to be released so he can knock the living daylights out of Naraku for touching his brother.

Reluctantly fighting his resistance, Sesshomaru glares at the demon before him. "Well, now that your brother is right here, I want to begin," Naraku states, his words so sharp that it seems to have a piercing effect on both the brothers in the room.

Inuyasha is astonished when Sesshomaru says calmly, "Not in front of Inuyasha." The half-demon stares at the two with a sort of anger, looking at the two for an answer. /Not in front of me? What is that supposed to mean/ But from the tone Sesshomaru used he cannot help but feel afraid.

Even though the worse of all his enemies is in front of him, Sesshomaru withstands a composed and indifferent face. "Why not?" Naraku taunts. "Wouldn't it be more fun? I say he stays," the demon lord hears the teasing tone of the other man. Naraku leans forward slowly and for the first time, Sesshomaru feels fear, a fear that promises worse than death. And when the other's cold lips meet his warmer ones, the demon lord's heart gives off a very dislikable form of fire, tearing painfully at his flesh. /Inuyasha...I apologize.../

/Sesshomaru.../

Then all things seem to have gone to the depths of the earth promising no return when two eager hands clasp the youkai's shoulder, reassuring Sesshomaru that there is no escaping. The demon lord does not move, doesn't want to move, doesn't dare to move. He complies to the unwanted kiss until the other feels satisfied with it. /I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I.../ There is no denying the fact that Sesshomaru feels helpless and that his need to cry is deepening within the seconds of this unwelcoming intimacy. But of course, he will not cry, he will not let a singer fear show on his face. He can handle this, he tells himself, only to be contradicted by his tightening and dry throat, screaming to let out his tears. But no matter, he will not let any of it come out. He can't, he refuses, and he will not.

When they part, Sesshomaru feels fear to open his eyes. He does not want to see his brother at this moment. He does not want to face his brother, feeling shameful of the display he let Inuyasha see. But, as if Naraku can read minds, he is forced to look at the chained hanyou by the forcing of the other's rough hands. Sesshomaru's eyes widen for a split second but he regains composure fast. After all, he has been brought up to always remain clam. But in seeing his brother's face, all confused and full of indescribable hatred, the demon lord wonders if his own face is not like that. "Naraku!" the youkai hears the sharp growl of his brother's word. He can see the growing anger in those lovely amber eyes. /Inuyasha.../

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Naraku asks tauntingly.

"Let him go," the hanyou says, his mind now fully aware of what his captor is planning or at least the idea of it. /No...I will not let him.../

"But Inuyasha," the dark man mocks, "I'm not holding him back. He can leave as easily as he came." But as he says this, two arms wrap around Sesshomaru's waist, and his head is placed on the crevice of the demon lord's neck, giving an uninvited shiver in Sesshomaru to which he grimaces.

"Take your hands off of my brother!" Inuyasha growls in a quick response to Naraku's action, arms and legs moving furiously to try to overcome the chains that restrains him to the wall.

To this, Naraku only smiles, having the fun he promised himself. "Sesshomaru isn't protesting," he states, covering half his face in Sesshomaru's skin, and his nose intruding with the other's scent. The demon lord only turns his head away, letting the man do as he so pleases.

If anger could kill, Inuyasha would be happy because the anger he feels for Naraku at this point would be so deadly that no one could escape from it. But no matter, anger is not tangible and it cannot kill. So all Inuyasha can do is struggle until his wrists are red and hurting him. "Bastard! Bastard! Coward! Damn you! Go to hell!" The half-demon can only yell, finding that his screams are more and more useless. /Why.../

"This is better than I expected, much much better," the captor murmurs pleasure in his silky voice. Then he raises a hand, capturing the lovely demon lord's face and slowly he effortlessly forces the other into a long kiss.

Sesshomaru doesn't flinch or move, his composure is still there. He doesn't lose it physically, only emotionally. He feels lost, forcefully taken into an intimate kiss which holds no intimacy, a promised of fidelity to his brother taken away from him with this one kiss. /Sorry...Little Brother.../ The demon lord can hear the immediate growl of fierce dissatisfaction. "Sesshomaru!" he hears his younger half brother groan in a less vengeful manner. The pain in Inuyasha's heart is audible through his speech. This only adds to the youkai's misery; to think, he is trying to save his brother but in the process he has to hurt him. There is nothing worse than hurting the one most important, the one he accounts as a strand of his life, the one he has vow to protect and love. "Please..." Inuyasha little plea is said only to himself but Sesshomaru hears, he hears his dear brother's desperate request, but he cannot yield to that, he simply can't.

When Naraku leaves the youkai's lips slowly, painfully slow, he smiles at his prey and then at the bait with twisted satisfaction. "How do you feel now, Inuyasha?" he asks slyly.

/Like killing.../ With a heavy heart, Inuyasha can only give a low growl.

"Is betrayed one of them, because if it is then I know that I'm accomplishing what I sought out to do," Naraku states threateningly.

"Psh, like I'll ever let you get to me..." the tied up half demon retorts. /Never...never...I'll never.../

But to the hanyou's dismay, the other smiles. "Exactly," he tears the word apart. Then he removes his attention to focus on the one in his arms. Sesshomaru is only quiet, silent and intends on staying quiet. The evil demon knows this and it only provokes him to make the other man talk. "Did you enjoy my kiss, Sesshomaru?" he says while slightly lifting the youkai's chin. (He's not much taller anyway, or maybe Sesshomaru is taller...)

/If I died and went to hell, it would have been better.../ Sesshomaru remains silent, not wanting to give the answer that he knew the other wanted. But to his sorrow, Naraku would not so easily give up. Pushing them closer, the dark-haired demon leans into him. "But I'm sure Inuyasha would like to know..." he comments with an evident and dreadful tease. /If only I could dig my claws into his disgusting face...or right through his heart, no chest...he has no heart.../ But Lord Sesshomaru stays quiet. He doesn't look at either his brother or his enemy who is ever so close to him. "Why don't we try again..?" Naraku tempts, his tone never changing, it is still filled with venomous vile. And then he moves closer, so close it may seem hard to breath for the other.

But he is stopped for the moment by Inuyasha making a racket and raging like a petulant little boy. "Pervert! Get away from him! I'm gonna slice you..." but he is cut short of breath, his body weakening even more. /Why is it so hard to breath...? Why...does my head hurt...? Sesshomaru.../ The pain he suddenly feels overwhelms him, and if it is not for the fact that he is tied to the wall he would have fallen over.

/Inuyasha.../

"Oh," Naraku begins, "See how your little brother is in pain. He looks so much cuter when he is weak and silent, don't you think?" At this point he directs a gaze at the hanyou that is unexplainable and unpleasant.

/Dare touch him...and I'll have your head, Naraku.../

The hateful one only pulls himself closer to the demon lord. "Tell me what you are thinking, Sesshomaru. Tell me, how does it feel to be weakened only because your dreadful soul is tied to your brother?"

/You're going to die, Naraku...I swear it...I'll kill you yet.../ Sesshomaru doesn't answer. But Naraku seems neither angry nor irritated by this. He is probably enjoying this too.

Inuyasha's heart throbs in pain, a pain that is both natural and unnatural. His body weighs on him, the gravity increasing simultaneously, crushing the poor half-demon. But that is not all the pain; his head feels like it is being banged on from the inside out, and his stomach burns with fire worthy of the depths in hell.

It is even more unbearable, though, to witness the scene, as blurrily as it is before him of the brother, who is his, and the enemy of his soul. An invisible arrow strikes his heart, causing the hanyou to give out a cry but he doesn't even realize the blood in his mouth. /What is happening/

Immediately, the older brother tries to make his way toward Inuyasha, worried and for that moment his life gave a threatening leap. But he is stopped by a devil's grip. Sesshomaru snaps his head back at Naraku, fire in his eyes, and he snarls, showing fangs that are as deadly as the owner wants them to be. How dare he stop him!

However, Naraku is neither afraid nor upset by this display of total hatred. If anything, it is what he drives to see. "Seeing your dear little brother in pain angers you," the evil demon says it like the fact that it is. Sesshomaru glares at the other with demon eyes warningly. "It gets me excited just seeing that face in pain. He must look so cute under you," Naraku teases disgustingly. Sesshomaru growls deep in his throat. In the pits of his stomach he feels rage. How dare Naraku? How dare he even think of his brother?

Inuyasha suddenly spits out blood. "Sesshomaru..." he moans painfully.

The demon lord's chest constricts as if the agony his brother felt has somehow inflicted unto him. How painful his brother sounded... How much Inuyasha needed him... And as a slave of devotion, he cannot help but rush to his caller.

Yet, he is once again stopped by hands so cold belonging to an even colder soul. "Where do you thinking you're going, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Unhand me!" the youkai commands, furious.

Naraku grins. "We haven't even started the fun yet..." he muses. Sesshomaru ignores him, fully angry that a suffering hanyou is before him but he could not reach. "Or would you rather I play with your brother instead?" the soulless bastard continues.

At this, Sesshomaru snaps his head to look straight at life's enemy. /I would kill myself before I ever let that happen/ Inuyasha is and forever will be his; no one will, no one can ever touch him...

"I suppose that to be a 'no'," the devil grins. He slowly brings himself closer to the other man. Sesshomaru can feel all the warmth from the other's body which is all unwanted. Naraku begins his search of the youkai's body slowly, his expectations and desires meeting. However, the demon lord could not take his eyes off of his brother who looks paler still. /Nothing...I'll let nothing happen to you.../

The blood rushes rapidly in Inuyasha's head, the throbs making him unable to focus his eyes. Yet, he cannot move because his body is weak. His head is heavy while his body is light; the unbalance causes more blood to be coughed up from the hanyou's lungs, a feeling of nausea coming on. He breathes in the air he can get in pain. /Brother.../

The demon lord does not pay his captor any attention until Naraku forcefully demands it, crushing his body onto the youkai's. "The faster we carry on our deal the less pain your precious brother will have to suffer," he coos into Sesshomaru's ear. And while the youkai registers this fact, Naraku doesn't waste his time, colliding his lips onto unexpected ones. He can almost physically detect the other man's fear and apprehension, and it is what thrills him.

All the while, Sesshomaru tries to remain mentally stable but that is inevitable. How much he wanted to run his fangs right through the filthy demon so that his blood can quench the thirst of revenge coursing and lingering in his veins. But that is just a morsel of what he envisioned, not just Naraku's blood, but tearing off limbs one by one. The demon lord is not psychotic, just vengeful because Naraku has to be the one to destroy his brother and him, defiling the faith and loyalty they hold so close and dear.

Naraku's eager hands grope to remove the fabrics of clothing, the last fragile thing left to prevent the event that is to happen. Sesshomaru fidgets just a little, his body acting out of only by nature not by will. How cruel nature is at times...

The youkai senses strongly the eyes upon him as his garments are removed. Something incredibly sharp pierces through his chest. The shock and fear combine made him forget to breathe. His brother is looking! Inuyasha is looking/Inuyasha...no.../ Mentally, Sesshomaru wishes for the miracle of Inuyasha going unconscious so that he will miss this shameful deed.

As Naraku busies himself, caressing Sesshomaru's corpse, leaving harsh kisses and bites along his neck, chest, torso, and thighs, the demon lord sees clearly the shining golden eyes not far from him. Those eyes are glittering in the light that shines upon him as the hanyou just hangs there limp. Those eyes, that are so beautiful and loving to Sesshomaru, are now watery, grief, betrayal, abandonment encoded in tears. It is clear that even though Inuyasha may not speak his eyes talk for him. /Why, Sesshomaru? Brother...don't do this...no.../ Slowly, drops of tears roll down the hanyou's smooth cheeks and lands on the concrete floor, staining it so that it will forevermore bear the memory of this half-demon's plea. /Brother...please...stop...stop.../ More and more tears silently develops and even silently they fall.

Another bang strikes Sesshomaru's heart, even worse this time. Into his brother's eyes he sees all of the pain, he is causing the hanyou, but he may do nothing to stop it, to heal it. No matter how much he may want to, at this moment he may not. /No...Inuyasha...forgive me.../ Sesshomaru's own eyes sting at the sight of his brother, not caring much to what is done to himself. /I am sorry.../

When Naraku finally catches sight of the two gazing at each other, he only grins, perfectly satisfied at their troubled and totally fallen expressions. "How disheartening..." he says with a cruel smile. He brings both Sesshomaru and himself closer to the hanging half-demon.

Inuyasha's blurry eyes could see well before him the two figures, one in which he loathes with all his might and one he loves with his complete being. He struggles to move, as if believing that if he could he could somehow stop this. His stubbornness reduces his rationality. Inuyasha catches the mere smirk Naraku gives him before the bastard captures his brother's lips before him. His eyes widen in unison with his brother's. How simple the claim, how ample the pain. Inuyasha searches for the energy to speak, to intrude, to destroy this very instance. But he cannot, all he can do is watch with his heart aching. It is his brother's glance that turns his moment of hatred around. He sees utter defiance hidden in those bright orbs. The half-demon can tell right away then that this was for him. However, this fact did not lessen Inuyasha's pain. If anything, it made everything worse. The fact that Sesshomaru is playing in Naraku's palms because of him causes the half-demon even more grief. He doesn't want his brother to suffer because of him! He would rather Sesshomaru betrayed him! Never would he want to be the source of his elder brother's misery.

More liquid formed in his eyes before he can stop his tears from falling again. It was not characteristic to cry but when something like this is happening, the one who doesn't cry is the one without a soul (which of course, in this case is Naraku).

Sesshomaru put on a face as to comfort his younger brother. But as obvious as it is fake, Inuyasha sees the truth, the love that can never be mistaken and can never be false. /I love you too.../ Inuyasha wants to whisper to his brother because somehow he just knows his brother is saying the same words to him.

During this moment, Naraku is forgotten but not for long. Forcefully, he takes the demon down, collapsing on the hard floor. The demon lord winces but tries hard not to show his pain. But it is no use since he and his brother are connected and thus they know exactly how the other feels.

"Ah!" the first muffled cry rings through the walls of the confined room, a response to Naraku digging his nails into Sesshomaru's pale skin. Evidently, this bastard does not intend to be gentle.

Strangely enough, it is Inuyasha who feels the most pain at this moment. If it was done to him, he might have felt less of this weird anguish. Stressing to remain conscious, the half-demon is the only living audience to witness the youkai's humiliation. Naraku licks the blood off his nails and tickles Sesshomaru's flesh with his tongue. Inuyasha could not bear the sight but he does not want to take his eyes off of his brother's. Their connection is in that they are looking at each other, still trusting each other.

As hard as it is, the demon lord suppresses the urges of defiance and obedience. He can do nothing but lie there, telling himself that when this ends it will be a thing of the past. The feeling of helplessness is enough to drive him into a blood-raging state, but for his brother's sake, only for his brother can he manage to go on with this. Looking into Inuyasha's eyes he feels assured and somehow forgiven.

Yet soon enough they are denied this too. Naraku forces Sesshomaru on his hands and knees so that he could no longer meet his brother's gaze. Cruelly, he is robbed of his faith. Naraku thrusts a finger into his entrance with no preparation, he enjoying the roar of pain in return.

Sesshomaru's whole body tenses, clenching his fists to subdue the pain repeating as the other is determined to inflict. What's the worst is that he cannot tell, he cannot see Inuyasha's reaction. He wants to know, to reassure his brother that this is not what he wants, that he has no intention of truly cooperating with this devil, and that he still belonged solely to him.

But because he could not do this, Inuyasha is left to himself in thinking of the horrible truth that is not the truth. How can Sesshomaru even let himself be used? Didn't he love him enough to keep his heart and devotion? Why? Unsure and confused again, Inuyasha has forgotten the brief moment in which the truth was revealed to him. He shut his eyes, not wanting to look anymore, not to see Naraku taint his brother whom he loves so purely, so dearly...However, the hanyou cannot escape the disturbing noises, his keen ears picking up each time his brother tries to silence a howl in response to Naraku's assaults. No matter how hard the half-demon tries, he is limp to anything but hearing and watching, his vision getting worse too. /Sesshomaru.../

Naraku has no intention of letting his chance go easy. Sesshomaru knows that the shame is just to come. He is only confirmed when Naraku demands, "Turn around." Wanting anything but to obey, Sesshomaru hesitates. But all Naraku has to do is remind him softly, "Your brother's waiting." Feebly, the youkai turns around so that he faces the other directly face to face. Naraku grabs a handful of silver hair, roughly positioning Sesshomaru to his groin. Utterly disgusted, Sesshomaru close his eyes. "I suggest you do as I wish," the soulless demon restates. Sesshomaru, who has never let himself be defeated, said nothing and took Naraku in his mouth. It could not be imagined how horrible the taste is, to be forced into doing something like this with an enemy. Naraku tugged at the strands of hair impatiently. The demon lord does not fight.

So the next time Inuyasha opens his eyes out of curiosity as to the cease of his brother's cries, he sees this. Feeling even more dreadful than before, if possible,the hanyou truly cannot help the feeling of hatred. /Stop...Sesshomaru...how could you...Brother/

And just for a second, Sesshomaru thoughts were away from his brother, Naraku poses another reminder, "Better work harder, your little brother is watching." Cursing the bastard to hell and beyond, Sesshomaru thought of biting the organ between his teeth but then thought better on the rational side which is not what Inuyasha himself could do, Sesshomaru refrained himself and continued to suck the demon off, all the while hoping for the other's slow and painful death. /Inuyasha...I promise...He shall not live.../

While Naraku's quiet moans fill the air, Inuyasha prays for a cease to this torture. But when this stops something else, something worse falls in its place.

"Enough," Naraku pulls the youkai away and throws him to the floor without warning. Hovering over the silver-haired beauty, Naraku reassures his dominance, lightly teasing the youkai's abdomen and slithering his hands lower to his thighs. Softly, he commands, "Open your legs," It is a marvelous wonder how shocking those words are. /No! Never/ Sesshomaru knows that that is something he will never do, he will never allow himself to be forced to willingly spread his legs for anyone! This is something he absolutely needs to hold onto, that is his will. The demon lord makes no movement. "I'm waiting," Naraku pursues, convinced that he will have the other demon do as he wishes completely. But still Sesshomaru refuses to comply. Sadly, the demon lord is not in control. "I suppose your brother's life is more important to you than your own?" he inquires despicably. He knows well that Sesshomaru will never let him hurt Inuyasha. But still, the youkai refuses to give up his will. Getting impatient, but still in acknowledgement that he has the lead, Naraku spits out one more piece of information, "How long do you think your baby brother will last?" Immediately, fear consumes the demon lord's thoughts and his eyes automatically look to his brother lifeless figure. It is true. Inuyasha is so pale now, showing no sign of blood running through his veins. Not much time. The hanyou couldn't even lift his head anymore. No doubt his vision has almost disappeared. Only his hearing remains. /I'm sorry...? With painful slow movement, Sesshomaru let himself be exposed and taken. Naraku takes his opportunity to humiliate the prideful demon lord once more, thrusting into the youkai in one swift movement. Sesshomaru growls furiously, feeling the other intrude inside him, forcing him to spread his legs wider. He can only hold his cries as the other forces into him more and more. He digs his claws deep into his own hands. The pain increases, each thrust making him wish for even death until all becomes numb and all he can think about while Naraku defiles him is the faithlessness he has committed. Naraku cums inside him after numerous poundings but he makes Sesshomaru cum twice again, yanking at his cock, before Sesshomaru can finally be let out of his nightmare.

All the while, Inuyasha can hear this even though he can no longer see. He can feel his brother in pain. But what he can only do is cry for him, cry for his brother whom he knows would not let himself cry. The half-demon felt like a useless burden, an inconvenience deserving death.

But once over, the need to perish vanishes. They want to live, they need to live.

Sesshomaru's strength has vanished but his mind has not. Before he let himself think of anything else, he stands up, demanding what Naraku has vowed to do. He stretches out a hand in which a pearl-like sphere appears. The demon lord takes it without a word. His enemy never deserves any words from him.

Naraku takes this as a victory though and takes his leave in triumph. Immediately, the youkai hurries to tend to the almost dead hanyou, detaching his weak body from the wall. He rests the body carefully on the floor, lifting the poor half-demon's head and notices Inuyasha had finally lost consciousness and would not be able to swallow the pill. Sesshomaru pops the sphere into his own mouth. Gently, he places his lips onto his brother's. He melts the pill for the hanyou, letting the remedy flow down Inuyasha's throat. When that is done, Sesshomaru felt for the first time in such a while, warmth. Inuyasha's lips are still cold but the demon lord finally felt a little warmth being there with his younger brother, safe again. One last tear forms and quickly runs down his beautiful face.

Inuyasha awakes soon. His eyes immediately meet the ones he has wished to see. He sees watery orbs and he knows that his will soon be the same. 'Sesshomaru,' he tries to mouth, still unable to speak and move. /I love you.../

Sesshomaru holds his brother tightly to him, trying to suppress all the darkness that has formed this day. /Inuyasha.../

The feelings they feel now are horrendous, as if they betrayed each other. It is not because Naraku has physically disrupted their faithfulness. As long as their hearts are still for each other nothing should change, but it is the feeling of failing to protect the one he loves. Neither of them was capable of protecting the other. They suffered. Both of them had made promises to themselves that what matters the most was the other, and thus, anything shall be given away in order to defend the other's well-being and happiness. This was not done. They failed to do this task that was their only proof of loving. To protect the one you love...