Author's Note: Not much to say. . .just continuing on, any suggestions are appreciated, please read n' review. Thanks to all who read!

Disclaimer: insert witty denial of Inuyasha ownership here

Two days after Inutaisho revealed his plans to his son they arrived at their destination. Word had preceded them of both the north and west's devastating losses. The warriors that remained at the fortress greeted them hurriedly and quickly saw to their needs. Sesshoumaru had given a lot of thought to the events of the past several days. He had been fairly certain that they would defeat the dragon clans with much more ease than they had. His father was correct, the foe was great and the battle long, which was why there had been such losses.

Inutaisho was the most powerful demon he knew of, yet Sesshoumaru felt his power was still insufficient to become a supreme and undefeatable ruler. Sesshoumaru vowed he would become stronger than that one day, and no one would question his power. Though he held the utmost respect for his father, he told no one that he thought that his father's compassion for other creatures and their circumstances was partly to blame. He felt that a certain hardness and detachment was necessary in order to become a truly untouchable warrior.

Once they were settled in, Inutaisho made his way to his wife's chambers. He wasn't quite sure what reaction to expect from her, or if he should expect one at all. He called for her tiredly through the rice paper door. Her servant answered, and quickly left them alone.

"So you have returned from battle alive." Kagetsu said as he sat down. "Word came three days ago that you had driven away what was left of the dragon clan army, but that our armies suffered great losses as well. They tell me there is almost no one left." "A regrettable loss."she said as if she were speaking of trivial matters. "What do you intend to do now?" she asked with detachment.

Inutaisho sighed heavily. "I would ask something of you." he began cautiously. "I was told even before our marriage that your clan held knowledge of the otherworld." "Is this true?" he asked.

Kagetsu sat for a moment in silence. "Yes, it is true." she answered finally. "Why do you ask me?" she questioned him.

"I wish to find a swordsmith to make a demon sword, one that can defeat a hundred foes in one swing, yet has the ability to bring just as many back from the afterlife." he answered. "I must find a demon swordsmith, but I have no knowledge of what I may need in order for one to endow a sword with such powers." "I was hoping you would know, or at least know of someone who does." he told her.

"As for myself, very little of those matters was taught to me being a woman." she said. "I certainly do not know anything about the things you suggest." "I can only see into and make a pathway into the otherworld, and perhaps even revive one who has died." she continued. "But I must have a specific jewel invested with special powers in order to do even that." "These are only basic skills compared with those of my brothers." "You would have to travel into the east and ask my brother Hokutouki."

"I see." he said. "Hokutouki is the eldest of your brothers is he not?" he asked. "He married into the smaller eastern clans further south?"

"Yes, he is the most learned and skilled with these undertakings." she answered. "He has studied them for many centuries, I doubt anyone knows more on the matters of the otherworld than he." "Go to him and tell him I sent you, and that I wish him to tell you what you need to know." "He will not begrudge you the knowledge you need for this only task."she instructed him.

"Thank you, Kagetsu." he told her. "I truly appreciate the help you have given me." he said as he stood up to leave.

"I would have something in return before you go." she stated. "Will you hear me out?"

Inutaisho turned to her and sat back down. "Yes, what is it that you would ask of me?" he inquired.

"Release me from our marriage contract." she said.

"What!" Inutaisho choked out, clearly in shock. "What do you mean, why would you ask such a thing!" he asked, his voice rising.

"Come now, do not become so upset." Kagetsu said, becoming frustrated. "I should have expected you to over react this way." "It is nothing against you personally, you must understand.""I have no complaint against you." "It is only that we are no longer of any real benefit to each other as husband and wife." "I have provided you with a son and heir who is now grown, and through him were are forever joined." "You will always have what you need from my clan at your disposal because of this." she told him. Inutaisho only stared at her.

Kagetsu continued her explanation. "You and Sesshoumaru are almost always gone, and it has become very hard to make decisions in the fortress trying to guess what your wishes are as lord here." "Dissolution of our marriage contract would simplify matters greatly." "There is no reason for anything to change between us." "Do you not agree?" she asked. She was answered with a long silence.

Inutaisho stood up once more to leave. "If it is what you wish in return for your help, I will grant it." he told her, his voice dark and low. "Are you absolutely certain things will remain as they are?" "I do not need any trouble arising from this." he said coldly.

"Of course not." she answered. "If you like, no one even need know about it, save that the decisions I make here will be held as your own."she answered. Seeing the dark expression on his face she spoke again. "Do not be so offended by all of this, I told you it has nothing to do with you personally." "Your sentimental nature will be your undoing one day if you do not rid yourself of it." she told him.

"Thank you ever so much for your concern." he bit out as he left. This on top of all the chaos of the past several days was enough to put him in the worst mood he had ever experienced. He was glad that he had other more pressing matters to occupy his mind. He felt the emptiness inside him stronger now than ever before. He had cared for Kagetsu in his own way, and it hurt him more than he liked to admit that she was rejecting him now. He turned down the corridor leading to his son's chamber; he needed to tell him his plans.

"Sesshoumaru, I need to speak with you." he called outside his son's door. Sesshoumaru slid the door open and stepped out into the hallway with his father.

"I am leaving in the morning." he began. "Your mother has told me whom I should go to for information on what I wish to accomplish." "With my limited knowledge, it is likely that I will be gone for many years in this endeavor." "If you find it necessary to leave the fortress, please make sure that you keep up with matters of importance here." "There is no reason for you to have to stay here for such a long time without the freedom to go and do as you please." he said.

"I understand father." Sesshoumaru said. "I will do as you ask, you need not worry about things here or in the west." He stood facing his father and saw the dark expression Inutaisho was trying to hide. "Is something wrong father?" Sesshoumaru asked, also from hearing the unrest in his father's voice.

Inutaisho wasn't sure if he should tell his son about his mother's request. He decided he may as well know. "Your mother has asked me to dissolve our marriage." he told him.

Sesshoumaru reacted with little surprise. "Mother has always seemed to keep to herself most of the time." "She does not care much for intrusion into her daily life, and both of us have often fallen into that category." he confided. Inutaisho nodded. "Take care father, I will make sure things run smoothly while you are away." "I hope you are able to accomplish what you have set out to do." Sesshoumaru told him.

"Thank you, my son, I will be in contact with you." "Sleep well." he said, and made his way to the castle entrance. "I will have no sleep tonight." he thought to himself. " There is no reason I can not begin my journey now." As he stepped out into the cold night air, he felt his resolve begin to grow. He would accomplish what he set out to do, no matter how long it took.