Thank god I manage to rush this out before March ends...I manage to keep my promise! O Thanks for your reviews for the last chapter! The next chapter would be updated... maybe April? I'm not sure yet, things are getting busy (and also interesting) at school... Oh, and I'm not sure why Sesshomaru calls his father chichiue, the only thing I know is chichiue also means father, I don't know the differences between chichiue and otousan, 'cause I'm not a Japanese.

Glossary:

Miko: priestess

Hanyou: half demon

Youkai: demon

Osuwari: sit

Ramen: Japanese noodles

Haori: the red coat Inuyasha's wearing

Katana: sword

Kaze no Kizu: Wind scar

Senkonketsu: Iron Reaver Soul Stealer

Baka: Idiot

Inu: Dog

Chichiue: Father

Chapter 12

"Chichiue." For once, the magnificent lord lowered his head before another. He greeted, showing his manners taught to abide ever since he was a pup, and of course noble respect that came from the bottom of his heart. For the unworldly one standing right before him, is his deceased father- the only person the arrogant lord admired.

Clad in kimono made from the finest silk, and an armor made from the strongest metal over his chest, Inutaisho looked exactly the same as his living days. His amber eyes glowed with warmth as he spoke softly to his eldest pup: "My son, I'm proud of what you did back there."

"Chichiue, I have no wish to talk about that." Sesshomaru declined as he lifted his head and looked into his father's eyes, the very same pair of eyes that he and Inuyasha inherited. Sesshomaru knew he was so obviously showing his rebellious trait, the exact attitude a youngster would take before his parents. And Inutaisho was definitely amused at the childish antic his matured son was displaying, for he was smiling faintly- an understanding smile that could only come from a loving father.

"Sesshomaru, you may deny it, but your heart is finally changing..."

"..." The taiyoukai was rendered speechless. Inutaisho placed a hand on his son's shoulder: "My son, misfortune had befallen on you, and hard times lie ahead, but to solve this problem, you must seek the help of Inuyasha."

"I don't need his help, chichiue." Stubborn as usual.

"You do, my son. The prison where your followers lie could only be broken by Kaze no Kizu. Not even this demonic katana you forged behind my back will help." Inutaisho insisted as he gazed at the Tokijin hanging from Sesshomaru's belt. Sesshomaru almost flinch at the words "demonic katana you forged behind my back", he knew he should not do that, but luckily, his father had not shown any sign of displease nor sarcasm.

"..." Silence was Sesshomaru response towards Inutaisho's suggestion.

"Heed my advice, Sesshomaru. I hoped... that my trip would not be wasted..." Inutaisho's voice drifted to a whisper as he slowly disappeared. Sesshomaru was quite unwilling to let him go, it had been such a long time since he last spoke to him... such a long time since he felt that there's someone to go to...

The white light surrounding them was fading, but Inutaisho's voice still lingered in the air: "Heed my advice..."

Sesshomaru was back on his path, the sun was not up yet. Touching Tenseiga lightly, he understood what had happened. His father had requested the katana to bring him to the thin line that separated the living realm and the dead. There, his father's spirit spoke to him, gave him some advice. But... he was not too sure that he would follow it. Not him, the proud Sesshomaru, or would he?

In a coma, yes. Dead? No. Definitely not. Lady Kaede was pleased as she examined her patient. Kagome had anxiously and no doubt excitedly called her when the Lord of West Lands revived his half-brother. How surprised she was when she heard the news, the most unlikely thing she had heard in all her life. The lord had made the impossible come true, and the lord himself had also done the thing least expected of him. Lord Sesshomaru who hated Inuyasha to his guts actually made the effort to drag him out of the nether world. Miracle had occurred. Perhaps, just a hopeful perhaps, Lord Sesshomaru had finally come to his senses.

However, she was in no position to determine that interesting question. The lord had departed right after he done his work, or in Lady Kaede's opinion: accumulated his merit. And knowing the lord's eccentric character, he wouldn't like them going after them.

Besides, she had enough to do, doesn't she? Taking Inuyasha's pulse, checking is everything normal, handling all the excitement, it's too much for her to bear. Maybe fate would arrange their next meeting with the unfathomable lord, but for the time being, it's time for all of them to rest from their emotion drainage. "My child, would you like to rest?" She enquired gently.

A smile lit Kagome's face, but fatigue lingered too. "I'll rest beside Inuyasha." She replied. The old miko smiled in return, respecting the young miko's decision: "Very well, then I'll take my leave."

As Lady Kaede left, Kagome gazed at the once again alive Inuyasha, glad and relief.

"No, no, don't." He mumbled and sweats. It's that nightmare, that unforgettable nightmare, so pain, so very, very pain.

Kagome who was sleeping beside him woke. Sensing Inuyasha's discomfort, she quickly wet a towel and dabbed at the sweat droplets that lined his forehead. Squeezing the hanyou's hand, she whispered soothingly: "I'm here. It's just a nightmare, I'm here."

Her comforting presence washed over him. His nightmares drifted and fade away. Squeezing back her hand, he croaked, barely a whisper: "Don't leave me...again."

Inuyasha's seems to be doing well, but he just wouldn't get up form his deep slumber. Kagome had consulted Lady Kaede, and the old one had assured her that he needs his rest. The miko's features showed nothing but the truth, and Kagome relaxed.

Occasionally, after countless persuasion of Lady Kaede and Shippo, Kagome would leave Inuyasha's side. And it was on such a rare occasion that she raised that particular topic over a tea with Lady Kaede.

"Lady Kaede, I would like to ask you..." Posing her question carefully, Kagome said: "...what happened before I arrived?"

Lady Kaede felt a rock was just abruptly dropped onto her old and fragile heart. She kept her silence, nursing her tea idly as her mind did some wise thinking.

"Why did you ask so, my child?"

"Because..." Kagome stammered. She wasn't prepared by this, but she really hoped for the answer of her question. The curiosity eating inside her was no longer a curiosity. It had evolved into a hunger, a desire to know. "And why was that?" Kagome wondered. Why was she so keen on this topic? Could it be...because she had the bizarre feeling that she was connected to it?

"I just had to know." Kagome answered simply. Lady Kaede pondered.

"My child, Inuyasha doesn't want anyone to talk about this."

"But why does he want to hide it? Is this thing connected to me?"

Lady Kaede stifled her gasp. Kagome had come so close to the truth... Clearing her throat to stall for time, she replied: "What triggers you to ask your first question? Not to mention about your feelings, but what made you have the undeniable urge to ask that question? What made you think you must know?"

"What made me?" Kagome repeated softly, not to Lady Kaede, but to herself. "It's Inuyasha's mumblings when he was asleep." She confessed. "He said something about leaving, he looked ached. I recalled that you once mentioned Inuyasha losing someone precious. Who was it? Why I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'm linked to it?"

Lady Kaede had to give in. She had to, or it well be unfair to everyone. But her promise she must keep a sticky situation indeed.

"Kagome, calm down and listen to a story, could you?" Lady Kaede asked with a smile.

And the story begins...