That evening and Sesshomaru still hadn't returned, Inuyasha felt the familiar bite on his collarbone. He smacked the spot hard, earning a yelp. Everyone turned to see Myoga gently falling onto Inuyasha's other hand.

"I was wondering when you would show up." He glared at the flea demon.

"That was...rather an intense battle earlier. The idea of the strength she would have had if she lived was rather frightening." Myoga commented.

"I'll smash you again old man!" Inuyasha snapped, and the poor flea demon cried as he jumped onto Kagome's shoulder.

"Kagome help!" He clung onto her.

"Inuyasha, calm down." She reprimanded, although even she wasn't fully into getting on his case.

Even so he looked away. With a huff he crossed his arms in his usual manner.

"So I have a question for you Myoga." Kagome glanced down at the tiny demon.

"What is it Kagome?" Myoga got comfortable sitting on her shoulder.

"Is it normal for demons to feel attracted to their own family?"

"Kagome!?" Inuyasha panicked, glaring despite the faint hint of a blush. At her glare he looked away.

"Well, some clans are built like that. Like Sesshomaru's mother's clan. They used to be huge in numbers before they began to marry second cousins and such. Every once in a while bring in new blood to balance out. However, the downside is that with little variety, there isn't a lot of room to grow."

"What do you mean grow?" Kagome blinked.

"As in, getting stronger with each generation. Which is the ultimate goal for a clan, otherwise the weak will be wiped out. And sadly, Sesshomaru's mother's clan learned that the hard way. She was the only survivor when her clan became a target. They were all wiped out on the same night. She hid for years until the Inu No Taisho found her."

"So she's the last of her clan. That's almost sad." Sango understood the pain, having lost most of her family.

"Yes. She was so intent on living alone that it took the Inu No Taisho a few years to convince her to live at his castle. He wanted to right a wrong that had been done with one of the oldest bloodlines nearly wiped out. At the time he didn't have intentions to mate with her. That came some years later. He merely wanted to protect her."

"But did he mark her?" Sango asked.

"No. He left that up to her. She chose not to, even though they ended up having Sesshomaru. I could never understand why she didn't agree to be marked or mark him in return. Which meant he was left to do as he pleased. Not that he blatantly would to disrespect her. He loved her. Then he met the Lady Izayoi."

"Can humans be marked?" Kagome asked.

"It's mostly for demons. I would imagine a marking would kill the human in the process. It's more than just a bite. It's pouring a piece of the demonic aura into the bite, binding them together so all their bodies craved is each other. It creates a bond that cannot be reversed. And even if one of them dies, the remaining mate wouldn't feel anything towards another."

"How come she didn't want his mark? Didn't she love him?" Kagome wondered, voice soft.

"They did love each other. Looking back on those days, their love was strong enough that they didn't need to mark each other. They even shared the same interests of protecting humans. To most they were the perfect match."

"Maybe that's why they didn't mark each other. They felt that nothing would come between them." Miroku concluded.

"How did she feel towards Inuyasha and his mother?" Kagome asked.

"Actually, she welcomed the idea. She felt no ill will towards Lady Izayoi. That didn't mean she wanted to be friends, she's sharing her mate with her after all. But she kept her bitterness from turning her against the Lady Izayoi. And she hoped that Inuyasha could knock some sense into Sesshomaru. Some aspects of him neither of his parents could change in him no matter how hard they tried."

"Heh. Part of it wasn't just me." Inuyasha chuckled. He glanced at Rin and Kohaku, sitting by their own fire a short distance away. "If anything she's the biggest reason for his change."

"To be fair, the Inu No Taisho wanted Sesshomaru to find himself someone he would protect. I suppose his will found a way to make that happen." Myoga shrugged.

After a moment the flea demon tilted his head at Inuyasha. This fact had appalled him earlier. Now that Kagome had brought up markings, he was curious.

"So, I couldn't help but notice you didn't mark him. Nor did he mark you. Is there a reason for that, Inuyasha?" Myoga asked.

"None of your business!" Inuyasha snapped, his glare made the small demon flee to where he hid behind Kagome's shoulder.

"I'm only asking because it takes a great amount of will not to do as instincts tell you! I expect something like that from Sesshomaru, but you? It's a little surprising." Myoga peeked over to blink at Inuyasha.

"So what does that have to do with anything?" Inuyasha glared.

"Well, it could be interpreted into two things. Either you don't see Sesshomaru as worthy to be your mate, or you love him enough not to tie him down when you're in the middle of your own love war. So which is it?"

"Forget it! I'm not telling you shit!" Inuyasha stood up.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome stood up, hands on her hips.

"Yeah, yeah! I'm leaving." He huffed, not seeking another argument for once.

Inuyasha turned and leaped away. At least he chose a different direction than Sesshomaru chose hours earlier. He found a clearing some distance away and slowed down.

"Damn them and their stupid questions." Inuyasha muttered to himself.

He turned and something caught his eye. Inuyasha paused as he realized it was Sesshomaru, staring at the moon. Reluctantly he approached slowly, unsure of his brother's state of mind at the moment.

"What do you want?" Sesshomaru addressed curtly, not even turning around to look at him.

"...I honestly have no idea." Inuyasha actually didn't. "I just saw you and..."

"I don't need your pity."

"Damn it, Aniki! You're not the only one hurting! I just thought you could use some company." He huffed, crossing his arms.

"What exactly did they say to make you so mad?" Sesshomaru wondered.

"...They asked why I didn't mark you. Whether it was because I didn't find you worthy or if I cared enough for you to not get dragged into my already messed up love life."

"And? Which is it?" He actually half turned to study Inuyasha.

"What? Not you too!" He tried to glare. It wasn't very threatening with his cheeks flushed.

"It's a simple answer to a question." Sesshomaru deadpanned.

"It's not that simple!" Inuyasha yelled.

"It is once you break down everything that's in the way of your answer." He almost rolled his eyes.

"Look! It's because..." Inuyasha backed away one step.

"Because why? And don't even think of running." Sesshomaru warned, and it was enough for the hanyou to bolt.

In a flash Sesshomaru gave chase. He wasn't going to let him get away that easily. Not when Inuyasha brought the conversation up in the first place. It didn't take long before he caught up and grasped a wrist.

With a cry Inuyasha was twirled around. He was violently shoved against a rock wall and it knocked the breath out of him. The claw let go of his wrist in favor of his neck. Strangely the grip wasn't so strong as it used to be in the past.

"Just answer the damn question, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru snarled.

"It's because I'm not worthy of you!" He yelled, almost crying at at the admission.

Sesshomaru blinked as he let go. He studied Inuyasha, searching for any indication that the answer held any lies. There was none. And he was actually crying, ears pinned back.

"Inuyasha...if you believe for one second that I don't believe you worthy, we wouldn't be standing here right now." Sesshomaru spoke, and those ears perked.

"What...?" Inuyasha was at a loss for words.

"I would have clawed your eyes out at my earliest convenience. Heat or not I wouldn't have submitted to you. You didn't take advantage of me I allowed it. In truth my heat was sated that first day. But I wanted a few more days with you."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. Inuyasha stared as he slowly processed what was said.

"I told you, you left an impression on my inner demon. In a way I couldn't see anyone else hold that standard." Sesshomaru looked away, partly in shame. "It's why I don't hold it against you that I would have given birth to Hinata."

"Is that why you let me name her?" Inuyasha whimpered.

"...Yes. Because she's just as much as you as she was me."

At his words Inuyasha rushed forward. Sesshomaru was so surprised by this that they toppled to the ground. Arms embraced him tightly and he couldn't help but return the gesture with his arm.

Inuyasha nuzzled against a pale neck. He felt the other shiver from their closeness. Despite the heavy situation their bodies being pressed against each other earned reactions.

Inuyasha chuckled lightly. He could smell and feel the reaction that he was getting from Sesshomaru. And yet his brother was leaving it up to him whether they act on it or not.

For a long moment they only held each other. The years of wanting to be close to Sesshomaru, and the acceptance that it would never happen, Inuyasha wanted to cherish this moment.

After a while though he was just as turned on. He smirked as Sesshomaru's breathing changed. And still he was refusing to be the first to give in.

"For all the time I've known you, you've always been selfish. So this is rather strange. I know you want me, Aniki. So then why aren't you acting out on it?" Inuyasha pulled away to stare at him.

"Because I'm not some whore!" Sesshomaru snarled.

"I never said you were. The thought wouldn't even cross my mind. I just want to see you come undone for once. You want me? You'll have to act like it." His voice darkened with lust.

Sesshomaru looked away, face flushed. It was all too much. It felt as if he was in heat again. But no, his mind was clear. The urges weren't so primal. This was his own desire not influenced by the damned spring.

He felt his inner demon demand to give in. And memories from those three days of bliss surfaced. That was enough to finally make him give in.

There was a whine from Sesshomaru's throat. He leaned closer to rub his face against Inuyasha's neck and chin. He moved his hips against the hanyou's wantonly.

"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru cried out in impatience.

With a snarl the hanyou gave in.