"My beloved son, what has happened?" She asked soon as she seen the state he was in. "Actually, how about you tell me after you bathe and I find you some better clothes?"

A hot bath sounded wonderful. Silently he agreed to her suggestion as she promised that his pack will be treated like family. Even so he didn't leave their sight until he saw for himself that his pack were all seated and enjoying some food.

This gave him time to arrive to his bath as the hot water finished being drawn and he climbed in. His mother brought in fresh clothes for his replacement. She was always doting on him personally, being her only child. She even gathered the discarded clothes to be disposed of.

Sesshomaru almost fell asleep in the warmth. Soon as he realized this he got up to dry himself. He had to hand it to that huntress, she had been thorough despite the amount of blood loss he endured.

After finally dressing in new clothes and armor back in place, Sesshomaru wandered into the dining hall. He found it empty, but a servant informed him that they moved to the garden. Sesshomaru knew where to go.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin greeted with excitement.

"I see you like the garden." He noted the flower in her hair.

"It's beautiful! Oh, can I braid your hair? Have you combed it yet?"

"I combed some of it. I was in a rush." He admitted, knowing she would comb it anyway. He only worked on the worst of the tangles.

So Sesshomaru joined them sitting underneath a tree while Rin hummed as she worked. Jaken was napping away the food. Kohaku was wandering the garden, but always stayed within earshot of Rin.

"Where is the Tenseiga?" His mother asked, noticing something was missing. While a part of her was amazed at watching Rin

"Being reforged as we speak. Or for the next five days or so." Sesshomaru answered.

"Reforged? You learned compassion for humans?" She was surprised to say the least.

"It was apparently a surprise to Totosai as well." He recalled how the blacksmith spoke of specific instructions. "He mentioned you were supposed to teach me an ability the Tenseiga has."

"Yes. It requires a sacrifice in order to teach it to you. But I suppose you will have to learn the Meido Zangetsuha ability without my help. This is rather peculiar, for your father was so sure this was the only way to teach you."

"...Did they tell you anything about what happened?" Sesshomaru turned to her finally. He hadn't been able to fully look at her.

"Something about being attacked and losing your child. But left out the more important details." She couldn't get any names out of the children.

"...Inuyasha was the father. He didn't mark me. Although he had the chance to, he decided against it." He recalled feeling those fangs pressed against his neck.

"And you still kept it? Or tried to get rid of it?" She blinked, knowing full well how he viewed his brother.

"I tried to get rid of her. She proved to be stubborn. So I accepted her will to live. And then Lord Asahi sent his brother Kenji and his pack to find me. He warned that if I didn't come, then he will enact the order of going after those who share my blood. Of course I took it personally."

"And you attacked them. Which then resulted in a bigger fight where you lost the child in the process." She knew where this was going. "How did you escape? Surely halfway through the pregnancy, your power level would be exceptionally lowered."

"I suppose it was luck that Inuyasha and his pack were close enough to hear Rin's screams. But he was out of commission through the worst of it due to the new moon. In my fury I transformed, and that was when he realized what had happened. He reacted how you would expect at one realizing they lost a child they had not yet known."

"Of course he would. He is more human. He feels a much deeper level than we can naturally. It is time that gives us the ability to finally understand love, pain and loss." She could just imagine it.

"I slain one of Kenji's men. And he took a step back to strike a deal. He will forgo the order and leave us alone. In return I will leave him and his kin alone. He knew that once I was done with him and his men, I would go after his brother. And Inuyasha would be right at my heels rushing in headfirst."

"I have heard the tales of when the two of you worked together. It has become quite the stir with us demons. When it's one of you, then it's all up to which brother it will be about the damages done. When it's both of you? No one will escape alive."

"I suppose father planned it that way as well." Sesshomaru commented.

"He understood the way you thought. He wanted better for you. And he put all his hope into Inuyasha. I find it a little unfair for the youngest brother to hold such a responsibility. But it seems he's doing a better job than even your father predicted."

Rin had finished combing. She began to separate the long white hair into three sections to begin braiding. They listened to her humming sweetly, as she was lost in her own little world.

"Did she have a name?" His mother asked.

"I urged Inuyasha to name her. He named her Hinata. Rin chose the site of her grave." Sesshomaru spoke softly.

"Can you show me sometime? I would like to give her a proper burial. With Naraku still about, he is known to use bodies of the dead." She had heard the rumors.

"I'll show you when we leave. It's not too far on the outskirts of your territory." Sesshomaru promised.

"So once this Naraku is dealt with, what is to become between you and Inuyasha?" Of course she would ask that.

Sesshomaru looked away. There was a reason he gave a vague answer his brother. In truth Sesshomaru was conflicted. His inner demon yearned for him. However, he knew about the interest Inuyasha had with that girl that traveled with him.

She even acted as if he had been the one intruding a perfect marriage. And for some reason it didn't make his blood boil from the assumption. Instead he felt that Inuyasha would be better off without him. He had given plenty of reasons to not pursue any form of relationship.

"You feel that he's better off without you due to past history." His mother knew how to read his mind.

She expected a retort of some sort. Some form of denial or a sarcastic comment. Instead she was met with silence. And she understood his pain.

"For all of your life, you've been selfish. And yet when presented with an opportunity such as having a mate, you hesitate." She smiled knowingly.

"What are you implying?" Sesshomaru glanced at her.

"You blatantly walked away from Lord Asahi. Which I apologize for arranging that. He had made subtle threats that I knew he would carry out. Without your father to help I wasn't sure if you could take him on your own."

"I suspected as such." Sesshomaru had a lot of time to ponder over this. Over why she would betray him like that. Then he thought of the timing of it all suspicious.

"Anyway, you walked away from Lord Asahi, who would have been a good match. You might have killed him off eventually, but he had the means to take care of you and future pups. And let me guess, Inuyasha was just a passing moment of passion that left an impression on you. And you hesitate because you care about him and his status with others."

Sesshomaru looked away. While she was only slightly off, she was close enough to the truth. Behind him Rin had finished braiding his hair. She tied it at the bottom before she left to gather flowers to place along the braid.

"My only advice is, follow your heart. If it's meant to be then love will find a way. Your father loved two women at once. I loved him enough to let him go. But at least he left me with you." She stated adoringly.

Sesshomaru didn't reply as he considered her words. He had never given much thought over his mother letting his father go. He recalled how his mother mostly raised him, while father was off keeping balance to the world. So it wasn't much of a stretch for her to understand he would find love in someone else eventually.

As they slept that night, Naraku had caught wind of strange activity concerning Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. Some of them were odd and conflicting, which made him curious. So he began a long search.

On the third night, Naraku and Byakuya found the sight of a battle. The large three paws indicated Sesshomaru's true form. And lots and lots of blood.

"So it is true. Sesshomaru is an omega." Naraku chuckled darkly.

"Wouldn't he have the chance to save it with the Tenseiga?" Byakuya pondered.

"Some injuries would be too great. And an unborn child would be harder to save if his body was heavily damaged." Naraku began searching. The grave couldn't be far.

They located the grave. A small pile of stones in the middle of a field of flowers. How touching. Naraku wondered who thought of this spot. It didn't matter, for he found what he had searched for.

He passed on a Shikon Jewel shard. The body was raised and he helped it age into that of a young girl around the age of thirteen. Naraku smirked darkly as she opened her eyes.

"I am Naraku. From now on your name will be Akane. I have granted you life so you can avenge your death." He spoke calmly.

"And who are responsible for my untimely death?" She asked.

"Kenji and his men. I have heard there were six in total, but one of them has passed on already."

"I see. Is that all?" Akane sensed there was more that he was letting on.

"There is the half demon Inuyasha and his older brother Sesshomaru. They abandoned you here in this shallow grave." Naraku twisted the story.

"Abandoned me? Then they will pay just as well in blood. But, why would you go out of your way to help me?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

My, some aspects of Sesshomaru did pass through her. It shouldn't be so surprising. Despite it, this was a sight to see the similarities.

"Because I cannot forgive abandonment of such a young and promising life. I am a bringer of justice to those the world would so easily forget." Naraku spun his lies, and she believed him.

"A little ways from here begins your trail. From there it is up to you to choose between who you target first." He instructed, and she leaped to have a better look at what was left.

When she was out of earshot Naraku turned to Byakuya.

"Keep watch of her progress. I would like to know exactly what transpires with each target. If she ever fails, take the shard by force and return it to me." He instructed.

"Very well." Byakuya agreed.