It's my Life

by MadMaxxCoyote

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha have never gotten along. But a greedy plan inadvertently locks them together. In one fell swoop Sesshomaru's outlook on life is crushed, pain and regret fill his heart. Little brothers need their big Brothers. Can Sesshomaru fix it

13. Chapter 13

Sesshomaru awoke to the soft chirping of birds. He was somewhat surprised to have slept so late, but then again he had never really been much of an early riser, if anything he hated mornings and had only trained himself to arise during them simply because the Lord of the West couldn't be sleeping all day. As he sat up within his bed, however, pain suddenly shot though him, for all the mental good a single night's sleep had given him he was shocked at how much his body hurt, even his face was throbbing.

"That's strange," he thought and to make matters worse there was a horrible, somewhat salty aftertaste in his mouth. His eyes ached, and he could smell salt on his face as well. Could it be possible that he had been crying in his sleep?

Why would he? As he stood up, he realized his muscles felt perfectly fine, no soreness or stiffness, so clearly he had not over exerted himself the day before. Carefully walking over to the full length mirror in the corner of his chambers, Sesshomaru stood in front of it. Staring at his reflection, Sesshomaru actually flinched at the sight that greeted him. Angry red gashes adorned his body; wicked claw marks slashed across his body, his arms, his legs, torso and even his face. Nothing had been spared.

Leaning in closer Sesshomaru noticed that, although painful, none of the wounds looked even remotely life threatening. Even still, why had they not fully healed yet? Clearly they were at least several hours old, his body could easily handle such damage, so why did they remain?

An even better question formed within Sesshomaru's mind. Who had inflicted such damage upon his person, and how? Although he had always enjoyed sleeping through the morning, he had never been a deep sleeper and he hardly believed a person could both enter his personal chambers and attack him without waking him. And even if he had remained asleep, why in the world would his attacker refrain from taking his life? It didn't make sense and Sesshomaru could already feel a headache coming on.

Reaching up, Sesshomaru began to gently massage the bridge of his nose, attempting to will away the nagging aches and pains that continued to pester him. Then it hit him, the distinctive scent of his blood, stronger then anywhere else, looking down at his hand for the first time, Sesshomaru did not know what to make of what he saw there. Dried blood clung to his fingers, bits of flesh and sticky gore incrusted under his claws.

"What?….what is…" Sesshomaru mumbled, judging from the sight and scent before him it would appear that his attacker was none other then….

Himself.

Granted, that would explain why the wounds remained. If any where capable of inflicting any lasting damage upon Sesshomaru it would be….this Sesshomaru himself. But why? Had some product of a dream had him attempting to claw something off of himself? But that did not make any sense either, even his most horrid childhood nightmare had not produced thrashing capable of this much harm, his entire body was littered with gashes!

Sighing, Sesshomaru leaned forward, closing his already weary eyes and resting his tilted forehead against the cool surface of the mirror. It was far too early for all of this! Opening his eyes, Sesshomaru stared at the floor….for the love of all….his feet were filthy! Obviously he needed to speak with the servants charged with cleaning his chambers. It was ridiculous for the Lord of the West to have to put on his boots just to keep his feet from becoming caked with mud once he got out of his bed!

Wait a minute.

Mud?

Looking around his room at the smooth white stone of his floor, Sesshomaru did not see any traces of dust, let alone a mud puddle. So it would seem he had been outside once he had removed his boots last night, which could only mean one thing…

"And might you be so inclined as to inform me where you went last night?" Sesshomaru coolly asked his youkai. Silence was his only answer.

Sesshomaru ground his teeth together. Was nothing going to go right today? "After all these years, is this what finally silences your inane prattle? A simple question?"

"Fuck you," his youkai spat out.

"What?" Sesshomaru exclaimed.

"You heard me…so fuck off. Yes, I clawed us; deal with it you fucking asshole," his youkai growled.

"Why would you do such a thing? And what is this strange taste in my mouth?" A low growl echoed though Sesshomaru's mind, rippling through his blood.

"Why? WHY?! Why don't you take a look back at all the times we have disagreed, at all of the horrible things you've done to Inuyasha. As for that taste, well that's Inuyasha's seed bright boy. Sorry I didn't rinse out our mouth, and things turned to spectacular shit after I had finished that act," his youkai snapped.

Sesshomaru's temper spiked. Could he not even sleep anymore without his unruly other half performing God knew what actions?

"You took that….that….rag-tag runt into our mouth?" Sesshomaru seethed.

"Hand actually, there wasn't enough room, or yes, I would have gladly engulfed him, pulled him to the back of our throat and wrung every last drop of pleasure from him with our lips. I would have done that and took great pleasure in doing so. As a matter of fact, had I had the forethought to bring some type of oil, I would have taken him inside of us. I would have allowed him to mount us and I would have enjoyed every thrust. I would have encouraged him, cried out for him, held him….accepted him," his youkai shot back.

"Why? Why would you….shame us like that? What is your obsession with him?" Sesshomaru asked, he didn't understand, in all of his years he had never heard of anything like this happening.

"Why? Again you ask why? Because I love him, there is no shame in that, I love him and I want him. I loved him as a brother for decades, but you denied us any such contact. So I watched him grow, held at bay by your cold heart. I watched him grow strong, grow beautiful, watched his muscles begin to fill out, the delicious curves of him. In spite of everything, he has survived, more beautiful and noble then any I have ever laid my eyes upon. Thus I began to love him more, till I realized I wanted him, not only as a loving brother, but as my mate, to hold close and to love for all time," his youkai answered.

"That is hardly-" Sesshomaru started.

"As a matter of fact, he called to us last night. Granted it was only an accident, but he did call out to us, with his fingers on our mark and our name upon his lips, we filled his senses. I heard his voice. You would have heard it as well had you bothered to listen.

So I went to him, and do you know what I found? My beautiful Inuyasha had opened himself to the night air, I could not ignore his need, nor did I want to. Had we not been in a tree there would have been many more options open to us, regretfully I did not want to try to move us and break that moment.

The fullness of him throbbing in our hand and those delicious noises spilling out into the night, his lips against ours, our tongues sliding together and the sweet tastes of him in our mouth. It was so wonderful….so beautiful. But as quickly as it came…it was over. He turned upon me. The more I attempted to reach for him, the more I was pushed away," Sesshomaru's youkai quietly said.

"I attempted to explain our marks, and his rage only grew. When I addressed him as our mate, I was left helpless in the full face of his fury, and I could say nothing….because he was right…right on all accounts. My mate…my beautiful mate….denied to me. And….its….ALL…YOUR FUCKING FAULT!!" Sesshomaru's youkai roared, its raw rage rocking Sesshomaru. The sheer force of it causing pain to shoot through Sesshomaru's skull.

"Now…just…just a minute.." Sesshomaru stuttered.

"NO GOD DAMNIT! Why, why have you done all of this!! Our mate despises us and it's your fault! You did it! You did it all! FUCK YOU!! I HATE YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME! DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND!?

And know this, had it been within my power I would have tore out the heart that you have blackened! Count yourself lucky that it's against my nature to end our life, or on our father's name I swear I would.

What's worse is this isn't the real you and you know it! You have built up walls around your heart. You've lied to yourself for so long you don't know anything. You've played this part for so long you can't even remember the real you from the act! Gods…..ARGH! What does it take! What does it take to make you see!! " Sesshomaru's youkai screamed.

"I am you! I am not some separate creature living inside of your blood. I am you, you little bitch! Don't you understand that?! No prejudice, no outside forces, I am raw, unrestrained Sesshomaru, but you don't believe that do you? No, you think I'm just some unwanted part of you….you could be so much more then you are….and know this….you will never be as powerful as you can be if you continue to forcibly separate us, you must stop fighting and accept who you truly are!"

"And thus when you say you hate me, it's actually me saying that I hate myself for how I am?" Sesshomaru scoffed.

"Yes…" Sesshomaru's youkai growled. Sesshomaru sneered, really how ridiculous….

Yet his youkai's words rang within him. His insides were quivering with rage and annoyance, he was so angry….it literally hurt. It felt strange to have such rage boiling inside of him, directed at him….from him. Still, confusion pooled within him, and a small sliver of fear. Could his youkai actually kill him? Sesshomaru did not fear death, but the idea of being killed by his other half when he couldn't defend himself was slightly chilling. And just what was all that about forcibly separating himself? It didn't make any sense…

Sesshomaru sighed.

Why did Sesshomaru get the feeling that today was going to be even more aggravating and draining then the previous one?

Why did Sesshomaru just know that this day was going to, as Inuyasha would say, suck even harder?

AND WHY THE HELL WAS HE THINKING WHAT INUYASHA WOULD THINK?!

Inuyasha watched as Shippo continued to amble around the forest. He hadn't really expected the kid to do very well at this test, though he had to admit the kit was progressing quicker then he would have thought. However, it was becoming rather obvious Shippo did not understand how to properly dissect scents from each other in order to follow a certain one whilst blocking out others.

Admittedly, Inuyasha had sort of deliberately made it so. While the scent was incredibly distinctive it was not overpoweringly strong. Any fool could follow the stronger of the scents. The true trick was wading through a multitude of more powerful scents to reach the one you were actually tracking. Inuyasha smiled from his perch as Shippo pulled out the ball of matter Inuyasha had made and sniffed at it for what must have been the 350th time today.

Yeah, the kit really didn't seem any closer to finding his target then when he had started. Though Inuyasha was pleased at how well the kid was taking care of himself. Obviously it helped that Inuyasha's scent was all over the boy, and the forest, thus keeping most of the predators away. Even still, the child had shown he at least had some inkling of how to survive.

Inuyasha slowly twirled his finger around the spikes of the armor around his shoulder. It still felt strange wearing Sesshomaru's discarded, repaired clothing. He really wished he still had his fire rat robes. Where could they have gone to? His robes had been all that he had owned for most of his life, and the loss of them weighed heavily upon him.

He didn't even want to think about what had happened with Sesshomaru last night, none of that made any sense. The bastard could be trying to trick him….but other then that bullshit with the Un-mother; Sesshomaru had always been rather straight forward with his assholery. But why show up and….and…..damn it, he couldn't even think it.

He could almost write off their first encounter as an accident fueled by raw hormones and lust….after all, he couldn't really see Sesshomaru getting laid a lot….still the idea of his own brother writhing underneath him whilst he thrust into that tight heat…….well damn it, that just didn't match up with how Inuyasha knew the world worked. What next, up turned into down?

But Sesshomaru voluntarily coming to him….or being called, then jerking him off? Not to mention that evil, evil roaming mouth! Then there was the whole 'I wish I had brought oil', thing….Sesshomaru had practically said he wanted, or at least would allowed, Inuyasha to have him again. That REALLY didn't make any sense!

Could it have all been some sort of trick?

That made a little more sense, for it to not really be Sesshomaru, but who would send a copy of Sesshomaru? How would they make it? It sounded like Sesshomaru, smelled like him, looked like him….and…..fuck…..well, its mouth tasted just like Sesshomaru's as well. Naraku MIGHT be able to pull of some shit like that, but why? Why would Sesshomaru give pleasure to him instead of kill him?

Of course it could always be just what Sesshomaru had claimed, another part of him coming out and taking over. But that didn't seem right to Inuyasha either, that there could exist some part of Sesshomaru that…loved him…wanted him, as a brother, as family….and…as…a…

Mate.

That word burned within Inuyasha. How dare Sesshomaru call him that?! Besides…men didn't mate, and brothers EXPECALLY didn't mate.

They didn't….right?

Inuyasha growled at himself as he continued to crawl though the trees observing Shippo, resolving himself to keep an eye on the kit, and quit thinking so much.

Obviously today was going to suck, and suck hard.

Or as Sesshomaru say, today was going to be even more aggravating and draining then the pervious one.

…..AND WHERE THE FUCK DID THAT COME FROM!!

One week later.

Sesshomaru fought back a yawn as he walked through the corridors of his home. He didn't really have a destination in mind, he simply felt the need to….wander…..quite mindlessly at that. He sighed to himself, ever since the argument between himself and his other half, Sesshomaru had felt totally out of sorts. More then anything he felt tired and cranky and considering how many weak, simple minded fools he had to put up with on a day to day basis he was surprised he hadn't popped someone's skull just to stop the incessant noises that spilled out of their mouths.

More and more he found himself thinking over his youkai's words…and more annoyingly, his thoughts, despite how many different paths he forced them down, continued to end at the same place.

Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru had even forced himself to think of the most ridiculous things he could think of to stop his mind from wandering to his brother, none of them had worked.

'Is Rin eating too much corn?' somehow led straight to Inuyasha….

'Since he was Lord of the Western lands, did that also mean that the direction west belonged to him as well?' Right back to Inuyasha again...

'If Rin brought him 365 apples, but dropped 3 dozen of them, and upon attempting to pick them up, was only able to find one-third of the apples she dropped, how many apples did she bring him?' HOW THE FUCK DID THAT LEAD TO INUYASHA?!

Pausing for a moment, Sesshomaru continued to reflect on past events. He had never heard of anything like this ever happening….never heard of a demon's youkai not only verbally lashing out, but causing physical harm as well. He certainly had never heard of the type of rage and….seemingly hate that his youkai had blasted at him with, let alone the declaration that the other half of his being had felt an urge to kill him. The very idea seem absolutely preposterous, and Sesshomaru didn't know what to make of it.

He did have to admit that a majority of his more intellectual studies had occurred after his fathers death, and as such he had ignored many of the teachings that seemed to fall in line with his father's method of thinking. After all it was that very same line of thinking that had led to his father's death had it not? So why listen to it at all? Sesshomaru cursed himself as he realized how little he had paid attention to nearly anything about inner youkai. He had already made up his mind about it, and perhaps that had been a rather…glaring mistake.

Perhaps the most unnerving new development was the complete and utter silence on the part of his youkai. Ever since he had woken up after the argument with his youkai, his body littered with claw marks, it had had not uttered a single word.

It…..bothered Sesshomaru after having spent so many century's with his other half chattering within him, to have such quiet, left Sesshomaru feeling incredibly alone within his own mind. It was beyond strange, for if you had told him years ago that one day his youkai would go quiet and he would miss it, he would have actually allowed himself to laugh out loud. But he couldn't believe that after hundreds of years of telling it to shut up….that when it finally did, he felt lost and alone. His body felt different to…as if his edge had dulled slightly.

He needed counsel….that much was certain, but he didn't dare go to his resident scholar, quite frankly he was almost certain he would kill the pompous twit. No, that simply would not do, he wanted simple answers and straight facts. What he did not want was a long winded lecture filled with hidden meanings that he would have to search for. While his mind was easily up to the task, quite frankly, he wasn't in the fucking mood for games, which left him with one other option….

Turning on his heel Sesshomaru quickly slid around the corner already quickening his pace. The sooner he got there, the sooner he could deal with the attitude and get his answers. Coming to a stop outside of his family's healer's chambers Sesshomaru rapped the door hard with his knuckles before entering, taking a deep breath and steeling himself for any possible outbursts.

Slowly Sesshomaru entered the room….while there was no doubt that his healer knew practically everything on the medical side of things….the creature could be insanely random. Sesshomaru huffed to himself slightly, "But really…what else could be expected from a wind elemental?" Sesshomaru muttered.

"Daigon….Daigon are you here?" Sesshomaru said. A slight wind rippled though the room.

"Ahhh….Lord Sesshomaru, mmmm…and what brings you so flashily to this one? You don't appear to be harmed. Which is quite nicely, this one must say. Though this one was a tad curiously about those claw marks that this one sparkly swears he saw just a scant week ago," Daigon said.

"No…I am not hurt, however I do….require consul on a….sensitive matter," Sesshomaru replied.

Clad only in pair of tight red shorts, Daigon came around the corner to face Sesshomaru. Despite being even older than Inu-Taisho, the healer still appeared as a sixteen year old boy, a fact that often confused many visiting Lords and Ladies that required treatment. However, Sesshomaru knew that as an elemental, a wind one at that, Daigon's appearance had never changed once, since the time he was….well not really born…but same thing.

"And just what could you possibly want to ask dear, dear sweet Daigon?" Daigon asked.

"Yes, well…I need further information on youkai," Sesshomaru said. How he loathed to need another's knowledge or advice, first that old tree over Inuyasha's blood and now his idiot savant healer. Asking for a better understanding was not the same thing as asking to be taught he told himself, sparing his pride another blow. Even so…things did seem to be proceeding smoothly so far.

"Youkai?….Mou…..thought that was something you didn't need to learn more about If you want the lesson, why not visit one of your old teachers? This one is certain you'll find at least one of them in the library. Though this one isn't sure how receptive they would be, considering how you brashly brushed the lesson off the first time. Then again, they do seem to forget their place quite often," Daigon replied.

Sesshomaru sighed mentally, why was nothing ever easy? "I require answers to certain questions…and perhaps a……hypothetical situation, not a lecture. Besides that, this Sesshomaru simply thought you had a better understanding of the subjects, considering your broad studies of the body and mind," Sesshomaru said. Perhaps a slight inflating of the pride might move things along quicker. "Was this Sesshomaru mistaken in his reasoning?"

Daigon grinned as he flicked a strand of his long green bangs out of his face, Sesshomaru never understood while he kept it cut so short in the back, only to let the front and his bangs grow wildly, if they did grow at all. "You were not wrong my Lord, this one does indeed know much about what you seem to require, but you needn't resort to flattery to gain anything, this one has pledged himself to your flashily family. So ask away, quick, quick, quick," Daigon said.

Irritation flushed though Sesshomaru, he didn't need to worry about Daigon refusing him, yet he needed to ask quickly? Stupid elemental…. "For simple review, all romance aside, I have been under the impression that an inner youkai is simply a demon's instinct given voice," Sesshomaru stated.

"Ano…..ki….kai….no no no no…..You are not mistaken about that…however, youkai are so much more then your demon instincts just blathery-babbling at you," Daigon replied.

"Elaborate," Sesshomaru said, trying not to appear too eager. No, it would not do for him to seem desperate for answers. He hated being left in the dark, not only due to the fact a lack of knowledge could lead to problems, much like the one he was currently in, but it could be seen as weakness to have to seek out another for answers. And he, Sesshomaru, was NOT weak. He could rationalize it however, as he had only ever received consul from those who either served him, or were somehow bound to his family, like Bokusenou.

"Welly, well….this one is sure that you know how a demon child very rarely ever hears his youkai, he can feel it, but not hear. Most think this is simply because the youkai has not the strength to speak. Never, however, is this the only reason for its existence," Daigon quipped. "You see, when one is young, they are still so much un-molded clay."

Sesshomaru resisted the urge to snarl…good God he was starting to rhyme already. Sesshomaru hated when Daigon felt the need to play word games. "And once they are….as you say, 'molded'?" Sesshomaru asked, praying for a straight answer.

"Well you see, as you grow, hit a certain peak, a certain time in your life that is different for everyone where the outer stimuli help turn you into the person that, barring any brasty, nasty occurrences, you'll be for the rest of your life," Daigon said.

Sesshomaru took a deep breath, focusing on the smaller creature. Would it be so bad to bash his head off the wall? On that note….was it possible to bash a wind elementals skull off the wall? Refocusing himself Sesshomaru chalked up his feelings of irritation and desired violence to all of the unsettling events he had been forced into lately.

"Meaning?" Sesshomaru sighed.

"Koma ka…..it means that once you pass that point, once your….shall we say core is formed, your youkai begins to represent your truest feelings, your….raw, naked self. Without any influences, it is you at your brightest most sparkling pureness," Daigon said.

That's just what Sesshomaru did NOT want to hear. He really wanted to here: Well its just some annoying voice in your blood that you should probably ignore as it only wants what it wants and has nothing to do with you. Anyone else and Sesshomaru could brush it off as perhaps a wishful theory, however Daigon…much like himself, never lied, and if it was one thing Daigon hated, it was stating something untrue. The elemental could be childish, random, and beyond annoying, but he would never answer a question unless he was absolutely sure what he was saying was true. That one simple answer added crushing weight to his youkai's angry words. Was it true? Did he really hate himself for what he had become? Had he simply been lying to himself all these years?

"Daigon….let's say ones youkai was considerably upset over….several events over a period of years, all leading up to a violent outburst and a declaration of hatred…what might that mean?" Sesshomaru asked, hoping Daigon didn't pick up on the fact Sesshomaru was indeed talking about himself.

"Hypothetically this one is assuming?" Daigon questioned. Sesshomaru simply nodded. "Well this one would have to say that said demon must have been going against his blood in nearly everything, depending of course of the level of patience of said demon. Mou…mou…..ah yes….welly, well, well, well. Much like the demon itself, such words could be spoken in anger, and not truly meant," Daigon said.

"What if said youkai had harmed the demon in sleep, biting or clawing said demon, and even threatening that if it could, it would end the demon's life?" Sesshomaru asked. There was a chance Daigon might realize what was going on, but Sesshomaru felt compelled to risk it, he needed answers.

Daigon's mouth made a perfect O shape. "Well…this one would have to say that said youkai was indeed pissed off, not at all in his happy place, this one must assure you. Are we assuming something has happened that caused the youkai great anguish?" Daigon asked.

Again Sesshomaru nodded.

"Well given that said demon apparently ignores his youkai in all things, the youkai may have lashed out at himself in anger and frustration, and perhaps to prove a point, to make sure he had the demon's complete and full attention. After that the youkai may very well pull away, deep into the demon's blood. After all, why should it speak? This one would have to say that the youkai's actions would speak of, shall we say…. a hidden, or as of yet, unrealized self loathing on the demon's part. Perhaps the youkai of this demon has spent so much time absorbing the ignored negative feelings on the demon's self that it simply could not take anymore," Daigon said.

As Sesshomaru paused to digest the information given, and not liking the implications one bit, Daigon spoke again.

"Unfortunately my Lord, as much as this one does enjoy exploring the inner workings of his patients, this one does have much to do today. So if that is all, perhaps we may continue our discussion later?"

"One final question," Sesshomaru said.

Daigon's eyes flicked back to Sesshomaru's face, a light smile gracing his lips as he nodded.

"Suppose all of these youkai problems have recently come to a head over a….potential mate. An unacceptable mate at that, a mate who despite all of the demon's efforts, the youkai continues to desire and the explosion of rage was caused by it being rebuked by the mate in question due to the demon's completely justified actions. Why then does the youkai not accept this?" Sesshomaru near whispered, his voice soft. He did not like this inner turmoil, nor did he like his whole life being thrown into disarray. Perhaps if he could find the key to his youkai's infatuation with Inuyasha…he could some how break it and take a more acceptable mate.

"That is more then one question, however, it seems to be causing some bubbly trouble for you. This one would like to know just why the mate is so…unacceptable, and what actions the demon has taken against the mate. This one must assume the demon and the mate know each other, but perhaps the youkai refuses to accept the mate's refusal by the demon because it feels the reasons are petty and inconsequential. Perhaps it sees what the demon refuses to see. And maybe….just maybe, the demon's objections are a simple mask for deeper feelings within the demon. Perhaps the demon regrets his actions upon the mate so long ago, only he continues to ignore it. Perhaps not even realizing what he is doing. As this one has said, a youkai will only advocate what is truest in the demon's heart, whether said demon wants to accept it or not," Daigon said as he began to walk away from Sesshomaru.

Had it been anyone else, Sesshomaru would have punished them severely, however due to the level of excellence Daigon preformed his duties, and the degree of loyalty the elemental had shown his family, Inu-Taisho and therefore, Sesshomaru, had always allowed him a bit more leeway. Besides, if a war ever broke out a creature with Daigon's skills would easily be worth ten times their weight in gold. Plus….Sesshomaru had….always been fond of Daigon, in a great deal because of how the healer had patched him up in his younger years.

Turning on his heel Sesshomaru made his way out of Daigon's sanctum. At least some of his questions had been answered, although the answers had NOT been what he had wanted to hear. Indeed they only served to confuse him more.

He could hardly believe that his youkai was merely reflecting his own feelings about Inuyasha back to him. The very idea was absolutely preposterous, but….Daigon wouldn't lie….and if he thought he would somehow be mistaken he would never answer the question.

Sesshomaru suddenly found himself wishing that Daigon was much less of an honest creature. Though the elemental was always up for a prank, Sesshomaru severely doubted this was one of them. Just as he was about to turn the corner a voice called out to Sesshomaru.

"My Lord?" Daigon said, as he poked his head around the doorway, a small rabbit perched upon his head, his disembodied hand petting the small creature.

Sesshomaru hated when Daigon did that, how he could separate his body at will, although it did make the healer impossible to cut, it was also extremely unnerving. Mostly due to the fact that one never knew what Daigon might be up to, depending upon his mood. "Yes?" Sesshomaru answered.

"Perhaps your youkai would not give you nearly as much trouble if you attempted to find some nice soft in the middle ground with it. And perhaps the mate it has chosen for you isn't as bad as you might think. This one believes Inuyasha is more then you give him credit for, besides the fact that the child has been away for far to long. It is beyond time for him to come home, and this one does greatly wish to see him walking though the halls na da," Daigon said before pulling his head back into the room, closing the door behind him.

Sesshomaru's jaw nearly dropped.

How??

But….

Had he somehow said too much? How had Daigon…..it didn't……

Sesshomaru rubbed his temples with his hand, suddenly remembering an old childhood game. Was it too late to call 'do-over' and try this day again?

Inuyasha watched as Shippo continued to frantically search the area, feeling a smile tug at his lips.

"Its here! I know it is!" Shippo shouted to no one in particular. He was right too.

Inuyasha remembered right where he put Shippo's goal. Hell, the kit had walked right past it about three hundred times as it was. "Come on Shippo, you're so close. Just stop just running around like a moron, sniffing like crazy and focus," Inuyasha thought.

Suddenly, Shippo stopped, taking in deep breaths and quickly dropping to his knees, clawing at the dirt.

Inuyasha did grin then. "Ah ha…so you can smell it. So close Shippo, so close," Inuyasha thought.

"Come on…come on!" Shippo growled as his little claws tore though the earth. How deep could Inuyasha have possibly buried it? Of course, he could always be wrong about where it was. The smell was weird after all, even if there was no mistaking the scent. But Shippo had already discovered that other odors could cover up the one he was looking for. A patch of flowers had drowned out the scent of the ball in Shippo's possession, and it had only been a few feet from his nose at the time. "That was a dirty trick Inuyasha…." Shippo growled.

Shippo's hands closed around something in the earth, it might just be a root, but…. Slowly Shippo began to pull, attempting to wrench the object from the earth. With a sharp pop he freed it, the strength of his pulling causing him to fall backwards onto his butt. Once again that horrible, rotten smell slipped into his nose. Snapping his head away, Shippo coughed before turning his gaze onto the square block in his hands.

Then he saw it, the writing clawed into the block. 'Congratulations Shippo.'

"I…..I…did it," Shippo whispered. "I did it!" Hopping back up onto his feet he held his target high above his head. "YES! YES, YES YES!" he cried out as he began to race back to the camp site.

Inuyasha chuckled before leaping back through the branches, soaring high through the sky and it didn't take him long to out distance Shippo. From high above he could see the small clearing where Shippo's task had started, and he was somewhat surprised to see that Miroku, Sango, and Kagome had remained there, although he didn't see Koga anywhere. "Oh well, its not like I care what the wolf is up to," Inuyasha thought as he came down, right behind Miroku.

The monk jumped, turning around to face Inuyasha. "Damn it Inuyasha! Stop doing that! You nearly stopped my heart," The monk roared.

Inuyasha couldn't help but smile, it was so fun to tease Miroku. Focusing his gaze on the two women however, some of Inuyasha's humor faded. Kagome looked agitated, though that didn't surprise Inuyasha, Sango looked vaguely defensive.

"I was starting to wonder what you were up to," Kagome said. Her tone was fairly non-combative.

"Just watching over the kit," Inuyasha said.

"Is he alright?" Sango asked.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, just fine, as a matter of fact he'll be here in a few. So where's the wimpy wolf?"

Miroku blushed slightly. "Uh well….he said he had to go check on something, something about his pack I believe," Miroku answered.

Before Inuyasha could reply the chanting of 'yes, yes, yes!' broke into the clearing, seconds before Shippo could be seen, still holding the block Inuyasha had made.

Sliding to stop in front of Inuyasha, Shippo began to jump up and down. "I did it! I did it!" Shippo exclaimed.

Taking the block out of Shippo's hands, Inuyasha pretended to examine it, before tossing it over his shoulder, damn thing stunk. "Yup! Sure did Shippo! You did it alright," Inuyasha replied as he scooped his little fox son up in his arms. "I'm proud of you, good job."

With that one tiny compliment, Shippo practically beamed as bright as the sun.

"I knew you could do it Shippo," Inuyasha gushed. He was slightly impressed, not as much as he put on, but he knew it would do the kid good to be praised. Looking the kit up and down Inuyasha had to hold back a laugh, Shippo was filthy. Lightly running his fingers through his fox son's hair, Inuyasha tsked. "Kiddo, you need a bath."

Shippo growled slightly, looking up at Inuyasha. "Well what do you expect? I've been wandering around the woods for like a week!" Shippo huffed.

Inuyasha did grin at that. "Yeah, but you know you could have like….bathed," Inuyasha teased.

Shippo crossed his arms, glaring at Inuyasha.

"There is a hot spring over there past the trees," Kagome said, pointing over to the left.

Inuyasha looked at her, to be truthful he already knew that, but something in her tone….something stopped him from making a snappish statement. "Thanks Kagome, come on kid, time to clean you before you REALLY start to stink. Are you coming Miroku?" Inuyasha asked.

Miroku nodded. "I think that would be most agreeable."

"Wait here a moment," Kagome said, running over to her bag. Quickly, she pulled out several of her futuristic bathing articles before rushing back over and handing them to Inuyasha. "I'm sure these will help."

Inuyasha wasn't sure what the hell was going on, but he sensed something of a peace offering in the girl's actions. Admittedly he was almost positive he'd never look at the girl from the future as he once had, but still she had freed him from his frozen sleep. It couldn't hurt to try and rebuild a friendship could it? He still felt the need to proceed with caution, however. Inuyasha nodded to her as he accepted her things, if nothing else Kagome's time had the best soaps and hair treatments he'd ever seen.

Inuyasha sighed pleasantly as the warm water slid around his naked flesh. Shippo and Miroku likewise echoed his statements. As Shippo began to bath himself Inuyasha turned towards Miroku.

"Oi, monk….what's up with Kagome? Not that I'm complaining, but there is a distinct lack of bitching that I have come to expect," Inuyasha said.

Miroku snorted at Inuyasha's choice of words. "Not sure exactly, but before he left, Koga explained to her a lot of the differences between human and demon physiology. I think a lot of her actions are beginning to sink in. After that Kagome, Sango and I had a long talk," Miroku answered.

"Well….it'd be nice to keep her as a friend, but I don't think I can put her back into the mate category, once bitten, twice shy and all that. Nothing against humans, so don't take offense, but I think I'd like to explore the possibility of mating with a demon. Speaking of mating; how's things with Sango going?" Inuyasha asked.

Miroku blushed instantly, sputtering he struggled to answer. "In-Inuyasha!?….you shouldn't speak of such things…in…in front of Shippo," Miroku babbled out.

"Well he's gonna learn about mating sooner or later, and I don't need my nose to tell me how much you want the slayer," Inuyasha drawled as he squeezed some of the red gel like fluid from the bottle of Kagome's and began to work it into his hair.

"That….that is hardly the point. And….and I'm a monk Inuyasha! I do not mindlessly lust after a woman like Sango," Miroku snapped.

"Ok then, you knowingly lust after a woman like Sango," Inuyasha replied.

"Inuyasha!!" Miroku ground out.

"Ok fine, fine, well, if you love her, why not say something?" Inuyasha asked before he dunked his head under the water to rinse the lather out.

"Who…said…I l-l-l-l-love…her?" Miroku stammered out. He then began mentally cursing himself over his lack of vocal control. But damn it all! How could he have predicted Inuyasha would start talking like this?

"You don't? Love her I mean?" Inuyasha asked.

"How…..I…..I don't know, Inuyasha. I mean….do we have to talk about this?" Miroku asked?

Inuyasha tilted his head to the side, a motion that was very, very doglike. Inuyasha felt a little ping of guilt shoot through him; he hadn't meant to upset the monk. "I'm not trying to give you a hard time Miroku…..its just….aw hell….my mind has been preoccupied on a mate a lot recently. I'm just trying to release some of that," Inuyasha said.

"By teasing me?" Miroku asked with a smirk. "What's all this about a mate?"

Now it was Inuyasha's turn to blush. "I want a mate Miroku….things are happening inside my body, you know that. But….it's like a hunger. I ache for my mate, Miroku," he whispered. Inuyasha had always guarded his privacy rather rabidly, but he just needed to get it out, he'd never really had anyone to talk to. Sesshomaru was supposed to be the person to fill that role…but well….assholery and all that.

"Inuyasha…." Miroku said, tone light, he understood just what Inuyasha had shown him. "Well…uh…I'm not familiar with how the whole thing works, but I can't help but get the feeling that for you, and perhaps other demons, that a demon's mate is a bit more then a humans spouse."

"Indeed it is, dear monk," A female voice purred out.

Inuyasha turned, he thought he'd heard something, but it hadn't sounded very big, and along with Miroku faced their visitor, who stood only a few feet from the spring.

Nefrume.

Inuyasha looked at the lady of the south. He hadn't liked that she had somehow snuck up on him.

"Downwind…and you weren't paying attention," Nefrume said, seemly answering Inuyasha's thoughts.

"Do…do you know Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, looking at his hanyou companion.

The hyena demon smiled. "Oh indeed, I've spoken to Lord Inuyasha before," Nefrume answered.

"And what brings you to me this time?" Inuyasha questioned. He wasn't sure what to think of the female hyena, she had given him good information before, however, though he wasn't sure how he felt about her.

"Well…." Nefrume's voice dropped to a velvety octave. "I just wanted to see you again, Lord Inuyasha. I told you…you've….mmmmm…really caught my interest."

Inuyasha quirked an eyebrow at that as something tightened in his insides. He had wanted to explore the possibility of a demon mate, all Sesshomaru fucked up-ness aside, and he found it hard to believe that the heavens would just plop a supposedly interested female demon into his lap. "I….I'm not sure how to take that Nefrume. You'll have to forgive me," Inuyasha said.

Nefrume gently smiled. "I understand. With how you've been treated in your life, how are you supposed to trust? I mean, considering how your own family….well I wont dig into those wounds. However, I have a bit of a….proposition for you," Nefrume replied.

"Preposit..propostion?" Shippo asked.

Nefrume's eyes flicked over to the fox kit, and Inuyasha could swear he saw a hint of murderous irritation, but as quick as he thought he saw it, it was gone. Perhaps he was only imagining things.

"Yes, well….I'd like to invite you to my lands, my home actually. There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you, and more importantly, I'd like to get to know more about the man behind the legend," Nefrume said.

Inuyasha could feel a slight heat rising within him. A legend?? Him? He still didn't believe it. "Uh, well…I'm not sure…I mean, I wouldn't call myself a legend. And just what would you like to discuss by the way?" Inuyasha asked, feeling slightly foolish speaking to a sovereign ruler naked in a hot spring.

"Then by all means, leave the water, I wouldn't complain to see that body of yours naked in front of me," Nefrume purred.

Wha?…how in the world….

"But indeed, you are a legend, which has filtered down into my lands. As to what I would like to discuss, well despite what your brother would like to think, you are in fact a Lord of the west. I have also heard disturbing reports of some creature named Naraku….reports that I don't like."

Naraku eh?

"So what's this about my brother?" Inuyasha asked.

"Well…I don't want to cause anymore problems between you two, however, to listen to Sesshomaru speak, the youngest son of Inu-Taisho either died with his father, or is completely unworthy of mentioning," Nefrume answered.

"Has Sesshomaru actually said that? I hope you would not be extrapolating," Miroku asked.

"I would not lie. However, I do not think I need to tell Inuyasha of the full force of his brother's cruelty," Nefrume said.

"That's not lie," Inuyasha muttered.

"So Lord Inuyasha, how does my offer sound to you?" Nefrume asked.

To be honest Inuyasha was a tad leery, and he didn't like the idea of going with a practically unknown demon, let alone into their home where they would have the advantage. Something told him it wasn't such a good idea. Inuyasha dropped his eyes, preparing to inform Nefrume of his negative response. Just then the mark Sesshomaru had put on his chest caught his attention. All the hell Sesshomaru had put him through in his life flashed through his head, most prominently the recent sexual encounters and red-eyed Sesshomaru calling him his mate…..how dare he! "Yes I think I'll take you up on that, however I hope you don't mind if my son comes as well. Otherwise I will have to decline," Inuyasha answered. No way in hell was he going to leave his son behind.

"Your son? I….wasn't aware you had taken a mate….let alone conceived a pup," Nefrume stammered, her entire demeanor changing.

Inuyasha reached over, scooping Shippo up into his arms. "This is my son, his name is Shippo, I have no mate….however, I have adopted him. He is mine," Inuyasha replied. He could understand Nefrume's change. After all, if she really was scoping him out as a potential mate, it would be shot all to hell if he already had one.

Shippo grinned, beaming with pride over Inuyasha's words.

"I…I see, well then, of course he may come," Nefrume said, sounding relived.

"Perhaps I have no place speaking here, but I for one would very much like to continue to travel with Inuyasha. I cannot speak for the others, however," Miroku said.

Inuyasha looked at Miroku, then back at Nefrume. A flush of warmth pooled within his chest. Perhaps after all these years he had acquired a true friend.

Nefrume's face faulted for a tiny moment, but it happened so fast that Inuyasha wasn't sure if he actually saw it.

"Sounds fine to me, as long as the others aren't going to give me a lot of shit," Inuyasha said.

"Well…if that is what Lord Inuyasha wants, then I shall comply, however, I will make in clear that should anyone become hostile to my guest, then they will be removed from my home and my lands," Nefrume said. "I shall await you within the clearing with the rest of your group. When you are finished and dressed, I would ask that you join me there so that I may escort you though my lands," Nefrume said before turning and making her way towards the clearing.

As she disappeared from sight Miroku moved closer to Inuyasha. "Do you think she's trustworthy?" the monk whispered softly.

Inuyasha made a small face. "Not totally sure…however, I have had dealings with her before, but even if she isn't, she's just one demon. Even if Kagome and Sango don't want to go, I'm sure the two of us can handle her. Besides, it can't hurt to have another strong ally against Naraku," Inuyasha whispered back.

Miroku nodded before hoisting himself out of the water and drying himself off.

As Inuyasha pulled himself out of the water, he turned away from Miroku to hide Sesshomaru's mark. "Put this mark on me….try to claim me…what the fuck," Inuyasha thought.

Well he'd show him.

Half a day later.

Inuyasha listened as Kagome, Sango and Shippo walked behind him, the two girls listening intently as Shippo seemingly regaled them with the tale of his survival trial. Inuyasha couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm the girls responded to Shippo, and he could tell it was doing the child good, if the increased setting back of his shoulders and puffing out of his chest were anything to go by.

Although he didn't much like the kid being so far away from him, Inuyasha figured that unless something came up behind him, that those in the back would be rather safe. Besides, Kagome and Miroku's abilities to sense auras and his, Kirara's and Nefrume's own demon senses, only added extra security.

Inuyasha was surprised they even agreed to come. He had spoken briefly with Kagome, but he could tell that Sango was still slightly leery of him.

Kagome's soft words still rang with his skull. "I really think we need to talk….about a lot of things. Maybe not right away, but sometime," She had said.

Inuyasha had agreed they did need to talk. His feelings for the girl were so jumbled up, but he did wish he could keep her as a friend. It was probably best that they hadn't tried for anything deeper, she wasn't from his time after all, and he certainly couldn't see her forsaking her entire life just for him. He wasn't quite sure if she would have agreed with that anyway. Even so, that was a moot point, and Inuyasha wasn't in the mood to think of negative 'what ifs.'

Miroku seemed lost in thought as he walked in the middle of the group. Inuyasha almost couldn't believe that the dark haired man wasn't staring at the girl's asses or something equally perverted. Miroku actually looked as if something was on his mind, although what that could be Inuyasha had no idea.

He and Nefrume led the group. It felt strange to have another demon at his side, one that kept looking at him so appraisingly was…different as well.

"So do you have many dealings with my brother?" Inuyasha asked. He wanted to know the likelihood of running into Sesshomaru in the southern lands.

"Not hardly; and when I do have to deal with him it's never in my own lands. It seems that the great Sesshomaru can not be bothered to leave his own lands, so those that wish to do any sort of business with him have to come to him. Oh, and lets not forget he may very well turn you away, regardless of its importance. He seems to set a very high level of importance upon himself," Nefrume grumbled.

Inuyasha snorted, crossing his arms as they continued to walk. "Yeah that sounds like him."

"Yes indeed. I must say for all his talk, I think it is he who tarnishes the name of Inu-Taisho," Nefrume said.

Inuyasha gut clenched as a cold chill went though him. "He actually says things like that to others?" Inuyasha asked. Although he shouldn't be surprised, it hurt him to think that, not only would his brother abandon him, but then he would bad mouth him behind his back to other demons, important demons, that Inuyasha could end up meeting, each with preexisting notions about him.

"Your brother is a strange creature. He makes no move to hide his prejudice and hatred. Which is one of the reasons I wanted to meet with you, to see if the real you fit Sesshomaru's 'worthless, pitiful wretch' description," Nefrume answered.

Fury boiled within Inuyasha, coupled with Sesshomaru's insulting mate comments made him wish he had started a fight that night. Sesshomaru really could use his head beaten in.

"Ah, there it is now," Nefrume said, pointing into the distance.

Inuyasha and the others looked as the fortress of the South came into view. Inuyasha had to admit it was an awesome sight, and from the sounds of the others behind him, they agreed. Still, he couldn't help but feel deep down that something else was even greater then it…something he could almost see. Pushing those feelings aside, Inuyasha continued to follow the lady of the south into her home.

Sesshomaru sat in his study, slowly reading over the day's documentation, he hadn't made any more leeway with his youkai just yet. The damn thing still wasn't talking, and nothing he had said seemed to be able to draw it out of its shell. Above all that, he couldn't quite shake the feeling that something was happening, something personal….

Inuyasha had never really been inside a castle before, and he couldn't help but want to explore the one he was in now. The only reason why he hadn't already was because he certainly didn't want to piss Nefrume off. After all she hadn't shown him any sort of malice, but he couldn't help but feel that he couldn't completely trust her. He didn't know where the feeling was coming from, but it rang out through him. She had invited him into her home, arranged a nice little meal for him and his companions, and even given each of them a room to retire to. Although everyone else had already set off for bed, Inuyasha wasn't all that tired, and felt compelled to remain awake. He was leery about leaving Shippo alone in a strange place so Miroku had taken the kit with him, which strangely eased Inuyasha's mind. A part of him felt certain the monk could watch over the kid, nevertheless, Inuyasha had every intention of collecting the child before retiring for the night himself.

"I must say, Inuyasha, it seems strange for you to be wearing clothes and armor that I simply know I've seen adorning Sesshomaru's body before," Nefrume said as she rounded a corner, coming to stand near Inuyasha.

Inuyasha looked down at the shirt, coat, and armor that sat upon his upper half. "Oh…this…well yeah….uh, you see, me and him kinda got into it and I ended up losing some of my clothes…and these…..well, they were all that I could find, so I repaired them and well, here they are," Inuyasha answered, feeling extremely foolish.

"Well, if you get tired of those hand me downs, let me know, I'll have my tailor whip you something up," Nefrume said. "I don't mean to be rude, Lord Inuyasha, but have you given any thought to your future?"

His future? Well yeah, but he wasn't sure what he was going to do. Why would she be asking anyway? "My future?" he asked, he didn't know what to say to that so he simply decided to stall a little.

"Yes, dear Inuyasha, your future. You should have lands, a title, things of your own, you certainly shouldn't have to scavenge clothing, but your brother keeps all those things from you. More so…surely you've thought of a mate?" Nefrume said.

Actually he had….how the hell did this woman seem to know what he was thinking so damn much? "Yeah….I've thought of some of that," Inuyasha mumbled, again feeling foolish. He felt like he was playing a game with only one piece and that no one had told him the rules.

Nefrume took another step towards him, now only a few inches in front of him, the scent of her curled up his nose. "I hope you don't find this to forceful, but I am looking for a mate, and you….well, I must say that more than anyone else I've ever met, including that ice prince brother of yours, you interest me. Everything I've ever wanted in a mate you embody," Nefrume said.

What the?..

Again Nefrume moved in, slipping her hand into Inuyasha's coat before he could move. Gently her fingers played upon Inuyasha's chest, sliding across Sesshomaru's mark. Inuyasha's stomach lurched and a wave of nausea washed over him as this throat constricted and his stomach began to churn and heave. Gods, he felt like he was going to vomit! Quickly Inuyasha took a step back, Nefrume's fingers caught on his coat and pulled it open.

"Inuyasha? What is wrong?" Nefrume asked.

"Dunno….I just feel like I'm going to be sick," Inuyasha answered.

"Sick? Why would…." Nefrume started, before her eyes focused on the mark. "And what is that? I thought you said you didn't have a mate."

Inuyasha did not like her tone, it set off a least a half a dozen warning alarms within him.

"I don't…..this mark…I don't know…..I got into it with Sesshomaru…..stuff…..stuff happened. I don't really remember all of them. The next thing I know I've got this thing on my chest and he pops up after I touched it once. Stupid asshole. I'd love to bash his head in," Inuyasha snapped.

Nefrume's face once again softened, but something seemed wrong about it….Inuyasha couldn't quite place it. "He really is a domineering bastard, isn't he? Now he tries to keep you from taking a mate. You do realize that very few demons will even consider mating with you when you bear another's mark of possession. But I also hope you realize that you can still mate, which will remove the mark, and strike a blow against your hateful brother," Nefrume said.

"Yeah…yeah I'd heard that. I'm sorry Nefrume, you've been a great host so far, and as much as I'd like to stay and speak with you…I think I should get some sleep right now. It's all been so much, I don't know what the fuck is going on anymore, especially when it comes to Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said.

"Of course, of course, I understand completely. Please rest well, and I'll see you in the morning. And Lord Inuyasha? I wish for you to know that this doesn't change my interest at all. I understand how treacherous Sesshomaru can be," Nefrume said.

Inuyasha nodded to her as he made his way to Miroku's room to collect Shippo. Something was wrong about this whole situation, he wasn't sure what. But something just wasn't right.

Three days later.

Nefrume was furious. She had not been able to move her plan along in the slightest. If anything, the stupid hanyou seemed to trust her less and less. Not only that, but he was becoming harder and harder to read and she wasn't sure why. That mark of Sesshomaru's on him worried her. Was the arrogant Lord of the west on to her? Why in the hell would he mark his own brother!? She was almost certain the ice lord had no intention of mating with the hanyou.

Well, one thing was for certain, she would not be thwarted. If she couldn't get the hanyou to go along with her plans naturally, then she'd just make it so he couldn't do anything about it.

Inuyasha had learned to always listen to his instincts. They had served him well his entire life. He didn't know why, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he couldn't quite trust Nefrume. She had been nothing but polite and kind, but more and more Inuyasha could see little cracks in her armor. Compared to Sesshomaru, the woman was a complete novice at hiding things. It was quick, but he could see it, he was now convinced that what he had seen that day at the spring was real, he had not been imagining them. She was hiding something…but what.

Well, all that aside, he felt like he should collect the others and leave. Sniffing about he began the task of locating Miroku and the others. Damn it! The monk had Shippo with him too. Nefrume also seemed to be going out of her way to keep him away from the group, which also didn't make any sense, but she was constantly trying to drag him away from them. Granted, it could be because she wanted something….private, but something just told Inuyasha that that was wrong.

"I agree….something weird is going on. I say we high tail it out of here, and don't look back," Inuyasha's youkai said.

Catching the scent of human's, Inuyasha turned down a corridor. He didn't really want to grab the others and run, but he really didn't want to run into Nefrume again. However, as he began down the hallway, he saw Nefrume come out of one of the rooms ahead of him. Worse yet, she saw him and began to walk towards him. Curse his luck. Did anyone ever smile down upon him?

"Lord Inuyasha," Nefrume greeted him.

"Lady Nefrume. Have…have you seen my party?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yes. They are gathering for breakfast. Why do you ask?" Nefrume replied.

"I feel….I feel that we have taken enough of your hospitality, and it's time to get going. It doesn't feel right leaching off of you like this, plus we do have things to do. I for one have business to attend to with my brother. I intend to sort out whatever is going on with him, and this mark," Inuyasha said. Oh please let her buy that.

Again Inuyasha could see a change in Nefrume's face and demeanor. Inuyasha could swear he saw a glimpse of rage and disgust before it was washed away.

"Very well, I hope I have not offended you. You'll find your party down the hall and to the left, I shall be there in a minute to show you off," Nefrume said before walking down the hall and around the corner.

Quickly Inuyasha made his way down the hall, only to find that the simple 'down the hall and to the left' was an extremely long left. Inuyasha growled. He ended up going halfway across the castle, through the common grounds, and around another corner before he came into the dinning room, only to find that Nefrume had beaten him there.

"Kinda long left there," Inuyasha said.

Nefrume shrugged. "My apologies, I need to remember that you are not familiar with my home's lay out," Nefrume said. "We have just being waiting for you, I have informed you party of your decision."

"Ready when you are," Miroku said.

"It was nice to visit a place like this. I can't wait to tell Mom and Souta," Kagome replied.

"It was cool," Shippo said.

"Yes, a nice change of pace," Sango said.

Inuyasha smirked, before jerking his head towards the main door. He remembered it from when they had first entered. Suddenly Nefrume came to his side.

"Well, it was a pleasure to have you within my home Inuyasha. Perhaps we can meet again sometime soon," Nefrume said.

"Perhaps. You never know what life will hold," Inuyasha answered, not wanting to commit to anything. A sharp surprised gasp followed by several audible thumps sounded in Inuyasha's ears. Whirling around, Inuyasha was greeted with the sight of Shippo, Miroku, Kagome, Sango and even Kirara passed out on the floor/table with tiny needles sticking out of them.

"What the fuck?!" Inuyasha roared, turning to face Nefrume as several sharp pains stabbed into his back over and over, dozens of them. Inuyasha tried to raise his hand to his sword, but his whole body began to go numb. "Fuck! FUCK! FUUUUUCK!!" Inuyasha thought. How could he be so stupid!? He crashed to the floor as his legs gave out, his vision beginning to blur.

"Stupid, stubborn hanyou, I don't need your consent to get what I want out of you. You could have gotten a good deal too, but no, you had to be difficult. You and your brother….grrrr…..argh…..you both piss me off!" Nefrume roared.

Inuyasha managed to raise his right hand slightly as he fell forward onto his face, his hand slid inside his coat, the slight warmth bursting though him. "I must…have touched that…stupid mark. Damn. Stupid fucking bitch…God damn hyena, I'll cut your fucking head off," Inuyasha thought before everything went black.

Sesshomaru had been relaxing in his chair. The day had, thankfully, been rather uneventful. Rin had been pleasant, Jaken not too annoying and Daigon had not been a pest. His youki had remained silent, and his thoughts still continued to drift towards Inuyasha when a slight warmth slid thought him, making his legs quiver. "…mark……damn……stupid…… bitch……cut……fuck……off…" Inuyasha's words rang though Sesshomaru's mind.

What the hell? Sesshomaru's limbs felt vaguely numb, and that smell. He knew that scent.

Nefrume.

"Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru's youkai whispered.

"Oh so now your talking," Sesshomaru snapped.

"Shut up and focus! What was that? I feel Inuyasha, and I smell that bitch Nefrume. Something is wrong," his youkai shot back.

Something did feel wrong, and somehow, he didn't know how, but he just knew Inuyasha was in danger, and for some reason that really pissed him off.

"Well then get moving! He needs our help!" his youkai shouted.

Now wait a minute. Why should he help Inuyasha? Still, he'd told that bitch to stay away from his brother, and she had put his young ward in danger, which had led to the hanyou mounting him. So in fact she was responsible for that indignity. She needed to be taught a lesson. Yes, indeed. He was well within his rights to crush her if he so wished.

And he wished.

Quickly pulling himself out of his chair and gathering up his swords he placed them at his side. A few quick movements and his new battle armor rested snugly upon his body. Two quick steps and he had reached the window, and with one shove of his legs, he was airborne, his cloud forming at his feet as began his journey south. He had warned Nefrume, she had overstepped her bounds. Inuyasha was no one's plaything. His life belonged to Sesshomaru and Sesshomaru alone. She had brought his wrath upon herself for disobeying him.

It had nothing to do with any supposed inner feelings for Inuyasha.

Nothing of the sort.

Miroku awoke slowly, his head buzzing. As his mind began to clear he realized he was chained securely to a wall, a quick look around the found his companions in similar states. Even Shippo was entrapped.

"Oh, so you're awake huh. I guess I underestimated the amount needed to keep a human under," A female voice rang out.

Miroku's eyes searched the room before finding the source. Nefrume, the lady of the south, stood across the room from him in front of a still unconscious Inuyasha. Focusing his eyes, Miroku realized Inuyasha's chest was bare, his upper garments removed. Why would….

"What is going on here? Why are you doing this?" Miroku snapped. He knew it. He had felt that there was something nefarious about her, having dealt with such creatures his whole life, he recognized their vile aura. A wave of guilt slid over him. He should have voiced his concerns to Inuyasha! Even if the hanyou had received the same vibe from the woman, Inuyasha never had been above taking consul.

"You don't need to know my plans human. The only reason you're not dead right now is I have more important things to do then kill you," Nefrume coolly stated.

"Where are his clothes?! What are you doing to him!?" Miroku snarled. If she tried to defile Inuyasha in any way, so help him, he would gladly suck her into oblivion. In a flash, Nefrume was there, her hand rocking across his face. Pain exploded through Miroku's skull at the force the blow, his neck groaning at the sudden powerful movement.

"If you value any part of your existence, you'll keep your worthless mouth shut. This hanyou should be thanking me, his life is worth about as much as festering cow shit, but I'm going to give him a purpose. So you just…" Nefrume growled, before an extremely loud, extremely angry roar split the air, shortly preceded with an earth shattering boom that shook the entire castle.

Nefrume's body straightened, muscles tightening. "Damn it….how did he find out so quickly?" She whispered before racing out of the room and up a set of steps Miroku could just partially see.

How did who find out so quickly? What in the world was going on? Spitting out a small amount of blood, Miroku pulled at his restraints, testing their strength. His arms and legs were secured with a solid band of iron locked around his waist. A few tugs revealed that it would be unlikely that he would be able to pull them apart. Not for the first time he found himself wishing he possessed Inuyasha's brute strength. Even so, he couldn't give up. Next to him, Kagome groaned, perhaps waking up, but Miroku wasn't sure she could do much either. He had to think, he needed a plan.

Sesshomaru stood amidst the rubble that had been the main gate to the fortress of the south…and a good chunk of the wall…..and part of the upper and lower floors. Ok…so maybe he'd gone a little overboard, but damn if it hadn't felt good to do, very cathartic. The few guards that had been posted that had not died from the attack that had opened his way into the castle had posed little threat. Killing them was hardly worth his time. Nefrume's disgusting flowery scent hit his nose a few moments before the Lady of the south made her appearance, rage contorting her features. Gods she always smelled so putrid. Was that natural or was she putting some kind of crap on her self? Not like Inuyasha. Now there was a scent that…..

"Stupid…" Sesshomaru muttered.

"Well if it isn't Lord Sesshomaru. And what brings you to my lands, tearing up my home, killing my servants. Do you wish war so badly?" Nefrume growled.

Oh, so she was going to pretend she didn't know what this was all about…how typical. "Come now Nefrume, don't pretend to be stupid, although perhaps in your cause you would not be pretending. You know why this Sesshomaru is here. Return my brother and there is a slight chance I won't kill you," Sesshomaru said.

Nefrume snarled, her large teeth forcing her mouth into a wicked smile. Bravado aside, Sesshomaru knew to be cautious. Nefrume was strong enough to rule her lands largely without question, and as a hyena demon she possessed some of the strongest jaws a demon could possess. Not that he had any intention of allowing her to bite him, it was still worth noting. Sesshomaru had also heard disturbing accounts of reported mental abilities Nefrume was said to posses. Though Sesshomaru seriously doubted she could actually cause any real damage with her mind.

"And just why would I have your sludge blood brother in my home?" Nefrume snapped.

Sesshomaru's temper spiked. How dare she insult his brother's blood! Granted, half of it was human, even still, their father's pure blood still flowed through his veins.

"Why so angry? Haven't you said the same thing to Inuyasha more then once?"his youkai pointed out.

Yes well, that was totally different.

"Do not insult my intelligence Nefrume, I know Inuyasha is here. And your attempts at removing his scent from these halls is rather lackluster, perhaps you should reprimand the servants charged with cleaning your filth," Sesshomaru replied. Just then he felt the air behind him shift. He bent slightly at the knee to get below the blade of the hidden guard's sword as it sliced the space near his head. Straightening back up, Sesshomaru's hand shot out, fingers straight and claws bared, catching the demon that was now off balance right under the chin. His hand plunged into the demon's flesh and up through his skull, into his brain.

The demon twitched in death, but was unable to utter a sound. With a simple flick of his wrist, Sesshomaru sent the body sprawling into the corner of the room accompanied by a set of wet pops. "And perhaps you should ensure that your guards are capable of employing a bit more subtly and grace," Sesshomaru quipped. "My brother. Now."

"You are an arrogant, overbearing, vile…" Nefrume started.

"You test my patience hyena. I will not say it again," Sesshomaru snapped.

"And you piss me off dog. Since when do you care about what happens with your brother?" Nefrume questioned, widening her stance slightly. Honestly did she actually thing Sesshomaru couldn't figure out her plans? "Or do you actually want him yourself? Judging from that mark on his chest, I'd say someone has some designs."

"What I do with my brother is none of your business," Sesshomaru said.

"You a mate, huh, that's hell on earth, I'd be doing the snot a favor by killing him," Nefrume snapped. "I doubt you even know how to properly mount a mate, as if an ice bastard like you would care anything about comfort or a mate's pleasure. Unless of course….he mounted you?"

Heat rose into Sesshomaru's cheeks at the memory, and he was unable to shove the feeling down quick enough.

A moronic grin plastered itself on Nefrume's face. "Is THAT what happened? The Ice Lord on his hands and knees?"

Sesshomaru snarled. Enough of this. Pressing off on the tips of his toes Sesshomaru surged forward, his arm snapping out aiming to rip Nefrume's face off.

The lady of the south ducked and pivoted on her heel, her left arm hooked inward, cutting though the air towards Sesshomaru's ribs just as his hand barely skimmed over the top of her head.

"Not that I don't wish for the feeling of our claws slicing through her flesh, but there is a rather powerful sword at your side,"Sesshomaru's youkai whispered.

Slipping out of the way of Nefrume's attack, Sesshomaru caught her around the throat and hoisted her up into the air. He had let his temper get the best of him; being mounted by Inuyasha was a sore spot for him. Pulling down and twisting, Sesshomaru drove Nefrume into the floor with all his might, the stone of the floor shattering under the force. The two of them plummeted down into the room below.

Miroku heard muffled voices snapping above him, although he had been unable to understand just what they were saying. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed above him, right before the ceiling began to give away. Massive rocks crashed everywhere and amidst all the shattered rock, Miroku could see Nefrume and another figure hurling down towards the center of the room. Nefrume landed first, before leaping back away from the figure in white. Squinting Miroku could not believe what he saw.

Sesshomaru?!

As Sesshomaru touched down on the lower floor, he caught the sight of Inuyasha's party shackled and chained to the wall, the monk appear to be the only one awake at the moment. Looking back towards Nefrume, Sesshomaru had just enough time to pull away to keep her jaws from locking around his throat. Unfortunately, her teeth sunk into his bent arm and surrounded his elbow, one side of her teeth in his forearm, the other in his bicep.

Driving a knee into the hyena demon's stomach, Sesshomaru cursed himself. He certainly could not afford to lose his remaining arm, and taking his eye's off his opponent like that was inexcusably stupid. Sesshomaru was forced to admit how seriously 'off' he felt, this whole situation with Inuyasha and his own youkai had thrown him off more then he would like to admit.

"She is still no match for this Sesshomaru!" he bellowed within his mind, before shoving Nefrume forward, bashing her up against the wall. Still her jaws would not relent, but Sesshomaru was beginning to understand her fighting style now. She seemed to prefer to stay low to the ground, attacking the abdomen and legs so as to cause her opponent to drop down enough for her to lock her teeth into their throat.

"I don't much care for suffocating because our windpipe is being crushed. Break that fucking jaw,"his youkai advised.

What wonderful advice.

Sesshomaru pulled back, before slamming Nefrume into the wall, again and again, until blood began to ooze from her mouth,

Nefrume tried to struggle, biting down harder, flailing at him with her arms, but her strength simply was not a match for his own.

Pushing forward with all his weight, Sesshomaru began to force his elbow farther down her throat. Slipping his head forward, Sesshomaru drove the curve of his skull down into her nose. Blood erupted from her damaged face and the crimson fluid began to drain down into her throat.

Gagging, she tried to draw air into her lungs via her mouth, the same mouth that was full of Sesshomaru's arm, but the point of his elbow was now completely blocking off her windpipe. Whipping her head back and forth, Nefrume attempted to get to an angle that she could draw breath from, but Sesshomaru persisted despite the pain of her teeth threatening to rip through his arm's bone's and muscles.

"Choke on your own blood and die bitch," Sesshomaru thought. "Or let go of my arm and then die."

Then he felt it, the pressure of her jaws elevating slightly and Sesshomaru pulled, wrenching his bloody arm out of her mouth.

With a sputtering gasp, Nefrume pulled air into her lungs. But Sesshomaru wasn't about to allow her a respite,

Whipping his fist forward, Sesshomaru drove it into Nefrume's face, slamming her head back into the wall causing the rock giving away. A flurry of blows followed that, textbook punches, savage elbows, rib busting knees and even a set of titanic kicks rocked into Nefrume. She slid to the floor in a crimson heap, her face tore, jaw obviously cracked.

Sesshomaru backed off slightly. He could hear her breathing and her heart still beating. The lady of the south still lived. Begrudgingly, Sesshomaru granted her a small token of respect. Not many could survive a beating from him, but he felt that she was at least incapacitated enough for him to locate Inuyasha. He did not know why, but the urge to insure his brother was safe tugged at his mind.

Inuyasha could be injured, perhaps even dieing at this very moment. That was unacceptable, Inuyasha's life was his to end and he would allow NO ONE else to end the hanyou's existence. However, he was unwilling to take his eyes off of Nefrume a second time. Drawing in breath Sesshomaru could smell Inuyasha's scent behind him so he slowly began to walk backwards towards it, refusing to take his eyes off of Nefrume.

"Good Gods…." The monk gasped at sight of Nefrume's battered body.

Sesshomaru snorted, she deserved more. After a few feet, Sesshomaru's back pressed up against solid flesh. He could hear Inuyasha's breathing, the powerful beat of his heart, which seemed slower and louder than Sesshomaru remembered it. Reaching back, Sesshomaru touched Inuyasha before realizing his baby brother's chest was bare. Running his hand along the flesh of his brother, Sesshomaru's jaw tightened as he realized Inuyasha was missing patches of flesh, which obviously had been cut off of him. Had Nefrume planed to skin Inuyasha alive?

"Kill her,"his youkai snarled.

Oh he was planning on it, no one hurt his Inuyasha and NO ONE disobeyed him so blatantly, insulted his blood, or attacked his person without punishment. Turning around Sesshomaru faced his baby brother.

Inuyasha hung limp, traces of blood staining his smooth white flesh. Sesshomaru could clearly see the healing knife marks in his skin and a glace to the side revealed where the chunks of his flesh and been tossed. Sesshomaru had never possessed a weak stomach, but for some reason he had to stifle a gag. A quick look over Inuyasha revealed several steel needles in his skin. Obviously, these were to keep him unconscious. Damn bitch didn't even have the courage to face Inuyasha head to head, dishonorable wench.

Quickly, Sesshomaru began to remove the offending objects from Inuyasha's body.

"How dare she…..how dare she do this to him, trick him…..grrrr….This kind of thing wouldn't happen if you would do your job! He is too young to be out on his own,"his youkai growled.

Sesshomaru pushed away the guilt that washed over him. This was not his fault. The hanyou should know better, he should know who he could trust and who he couldn't.

Inuyasha made a small noise as Sesshomaru finished removing all of needles within him, and Sesshomaru was almost overwhelmed by the need to press his lips against Inuyasha's own. The need to draw him into his arm and hold him tight was almost more than he could bear.

"Stop that," Sesshomaru chided his youkai.

"Sesshomaru!!" The monk cried out a warning split seconds after Sesshomaru's own instincts flared with alarm.

Pain shot through Sesshomaru's back and stomach as a blade slid into him. Damn it! Why was he so out of sync even now? Twisting his upper body, Sesshomaru drove his wounded elbow into Nefrume's face, sending the lady of the South crashing to the ground once again. Sesshomaru was just about to turn and face the southern bitch when ungodly, fiery pain exploded within his skull.The pain was so great that Sesshomaru's vision blurred, and his body lurched forward, leaning more heavily onto Inuyasha's own body.

"I'LL CRACK YOUR FUCKING MIND LIKE AN EGG!!"Nefrume roared, her voice distorted by blood and her damaged jaw.

Sesshomaru cursed himself, he had heard she could do something with her mind, hadn't he?! FUCK! Sesshomaru's knees buckled slightly as he grabbed onto Inuyasha to steady himself and the hanyou's face slid along the mark he had put on Sesshomaru's own body. The mark reacted, despite the clothing between them, as warmth and the feel of Inuyasha inside of him began to pulse.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru thought before darkness took him.

When Sesshomaru opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of darkness. It was dark everywhere, all around him. He seemed to be floating it in, a sea of black. What was he resting on? There was nothing there….

"I don't know whether to be irritated or thankful, but I'm sure I'll figure it out,"a very familiar voice rang out behind him, a voice that sounded just like….

Himself? How could that be? He only heard his youkai's voice within his head, not with his ears. Turning his head slightly, Sesshomaru was greeted with the sight of…himself standing above him. "What are…" he started when the other Sesshomaru reached down and caught him around his neck, hauling him up face to face. The other Sesshomaru looked just like him, but crimson eyes sat in its face, and its demon markings were even more pronounced, even stranger was the fact that it had both of its arms.

"I'm your youkai,"it said.

Grabbing its wrist, Sesshomaru attempted to pull it away from his throat, only to find that he couldn't. He couldn't even budge the other Sesshomaru. "How is that possible? My youkai lives inside of me, inside my blood." Sesshomaru replied. How could this creature be stronger then him? What was going on?

"How we got here I don't know. I think it has something to do with whatever that bitch Nefrume did,"Sess-youkai said. "But while I have this once in a lifetime chance, I think I'm going to knock the holy high hell out of you."It said as it cocked its fist back.

Just then the darkness shifted, and they fell. As they landed the darkness began to fill out, and a snow filled landscape appeared.

"What the?" Suddenly, Sesshomaru felt unimaginably cold, he had never felt so cold in his life. Then his stomach felt like it was about to split itself in half from hunger. What was going on? Sesshomaru groaned, clutching at his stomach as his body began to shiver uncontrollably.

"What's wrong with you?"his youkai asked, looking down on him.

Sesshomaru tried to answer, but his jaw was rattling too hard. "G-g-g-gods…this isn…isn't….g-good. I…n-n-n-n-ee-d….to find…..some…someplace to ….to…to…stay, a tiny miserable voice suddenly said. Both of the Sesshomaru's looked over to see a very young, very small Inuyasha huddled under a tree, hugging himself tightly, trying to hide from the violently icy biting winds.

"Inuyasha?"Sess-youkai said.

Inuyasha made no move that he heard anything, and slowly Sesshomaru's youkai made his way over to Inuyasha. "What are you doing out here? What's going on?" he said as he bent to pick the child Inuyasha up, only to find that his arms passed right though him.

Another screaming pain of hunger ripped though Sesshomaru and he felt as if he were starving….which didn't make any sense. He had eaten only a few hours ago. Hugging himself tightly with one arm he watched as his youkai again tried to interact with the child Inuyasha, only to find that he could neither touch the boy, nor could the boy apparently hear him. What the hell was going on?

"Why can't you hear me?"Sess-youkai asked Inuyasha, before tromping over and grabbing Sesshomaru and tossing him on top of the boy, only to find that he too went right though the young Inu.

"W-w-w-was…..gah…..th-that…necessary?" Sesshomaru chattered. His youkai merely glared at him.

"It's so cold……wh-what am I-I-I-I-I-I going….to-to do? I'll….I'll die….if…if I can't…..can't….find a place….to-to…sta-stay," Inuyasha stammered, rubbing his body furiously.

Sesshomaru's watched as Inuyasha slowly stood up, his body shaking from the cold. It was then Sesshomaru recognized where they were, they were in his lands, he knew the area. But it wasn't winter, and Inuyasha was no longer such a child. As a matter of fact, Sesshomaru couldn't remember a winter this bad in over a hundred years. And if you considered Inuyasha's age in this vision and the winter scene, well then Inuyasha would be about the age he appeared to be now.

Inuyasha stood, the wind tearing at his skin. Gods it was so cold! He couldn't hear anything but the howling winds, couldn't smell anything except ice and snow. Slowly, he began to track though the snow, every step hurt as the freezing white ripped into his feet.

Pain tore into Sesshomaru's feet, why was he in so much pain? Why was he so cold?

Not sure where to go, Inuyasha began moving as fast as he could towards a patch of darkness in the distance. Maybe it was a forest; maybe he could find a cave, or a house. He was just a child…surely…surely someone would help him if they found him. A pang of hunger rumbled in his belly, he hadn't eaten for over a week.

Sesshomaru had tried to stand, but his body shook so violently that he nearly fell down, shooting the creature that claimed to be his youkai a dirty look as he went down. "If you really are my youkai…you…yo-you….brrr…gods….you could have..h-helped me up…." Sesshomaru snapped.

Just then another one of those hunger pains tore though him, doubling him over, at the same time as Inuyasha did the same.

Sesshomaru's youkai looked at him, then back at Inuyasha, then back again. "You're feeling what he is feeling,"he whispered.

Sesshomaru scoffed, that was impossible, but as Inuyasha began to move away from them, they began to float, flying after the little Inuyasha as if they were chained to him somehow. Suddenly, Inuyasha tripped, his face coming down into the ice, at the same time Sesshomaru's face felt like thousands of cold knives were digging into his face….which was probably just what it felt like to Inuyasha. How? What?

Slowly, Inuyasha picked himself up and spit out the ice. Why had his brother abandoned him like this? He left him to be eaten months ago….and now….now, he was going to freeze to death or starve. Inuyasha choked back a sob. He didn't have time to cry, he had to keep moving. He didn't want to die….he just didn't."Brother….why did you leave me? What have I done to make you hate me? I'm just a child. Why did you leave me?" Inuyasha thought, his heart wrenching as he continued though the snow.

Sesshomaru's eye's widened. He could hear Inuyasha's thoughts! As he watched Inuyasha rubbing his chest as if something was hurting inside, Sesshomaru knew, he just knew that the frightened, saddened pain within his own chest was coming from the boy.

"I am feeling what he is feeling….I……" Sesshomaru muttered, his youkai simply looking at him. "But I….I….get the…f-f-feeling…you're not." His youkai merely shook his head. Why didn't he feel it to?

Inuyasha tried to pick up speed, tried to run, but all he could manage was a slight jog. He was just to cold…to hungry. Trying to push away his hunger, his fear and the coldness that threatened to kill him, he finally made his way into the forest, but the tree's were barren and dead, and offered little in the way of shelter. Inuyasha sobbed as he hugged himself tightly, rubbing furiously, desperately trying to general even a tiny bit of warmth. Then something caught his eye, something in the distance, and hope leaped up into his heart.

A house.

Dropping down to all fours, Inuyasha raced forward, ignoring the cold and the icy thorns that dug into his hands and feet. He could see light in though the door, surly if there were people in there he could get help, and even if it was abandoned it would protect him from the wind. Reaching the door, he burst in, slamming it shut behind him. Looking around there didn't appear to be anyone home. But then the heat hit him.

A fire.

Inuyasha practically cried out in joy as he raced over and plopped himself down in front of it. Ohhhhhh that felt soooo good. He sighed pleasantly as his frozen body began to thaw.

A wave of warmth brushed over Sesshomaru, causing him to moan. Oh, that felt good. He had to resist the urge to plop himself down on the floor like Inuyasha had, it would not do to face all of this sitting down, still, it wasn't like he had to walk or anything.

"Any guesses as to what's going on?"Sesshomaru's youkai suddenly asked.

Sesshomaru simply shook his head. He really had no idea, but he didn't want to think right now, he simply wanted to enjoy the warmth that pulsed though his aching, frozen body.

Inuyasha's stomach rumbled, he was still hungry, but he was so tired. Slowly his eyelids began to droop, the warmth of the fire washing over him, the sound as the wood popped and snapped lulling him to sleep.

"Someone had to have started this fire, and when they come back I'll ask for help," Inuyasha mumbled, before drifting off into a light sleep.

"I recognized the woods outside, we are in our lands. I know it, but how? There is no way we are in the past. I would not be in the form I am if something like that were possible. Where could we be?"Sesshomaru's youkai muttered.

"I….do not know, but I can hear his thoughts," Sesshomaru said.

"Inuyasha's thoughts? I…I can't hear them. I don't understand this at all," Sess-youkai whispered.

Sesshomaru didn't understand it either, one minute he was fighting Nefrume, then the next he was in a dark void with his youkai in a physical form. Then he was in a frozen hell hole with a child Inuyasha that could not see or hear them, but apparently Sesshomaru could feel what Inuyasha was feeling, physically and emotionally. A pang of hunger rippled through Sesshomaru, tearing him away from his thoughts. How could anyone be so hungry? It hurt! It felt like his stomach was ripping itself apart.

The sound of the door opening and a loud gasp tore Inuyasha from his slumber. Slowly turning his head, he saw a man, a woman, and two small children all bundled up. Shaking his head slightly to dissipate the sleepiness, he cleared his throat.

"Hello, I'm…" he started when the man interrupted him.

"Demon!" The man growled as he reached for the ax on his back. Through the still open door, Inuyasha could see firewood. So that's where they had gone to.

Holding out his hands, Inuyasha tried to show his harmlessness. "I'm just a half demon….Please….I'm all alone….I need help please," Inuyasha said.

"You're after our children, aren't you! Vile creature!" The woman shrieked, pulling the two children closer to her.

"What? No no! I was just lost in the storm. Please, I can help, I can, I can do work….just don't.." Inuyasha begged.

The man rushed forward, ax held high, before bringing it down towards Inuyasha."Die demon!" The man shouted.

Inuyasha jumped to the side, his body screaming in protest. Quickly, he backed into the corner of the room, holding his hands out, again his heart was pounding. Why wouldn't they help him? "Please…I…I wont hurt anyone. I'm just so cold…so hungry……" Inuyasha pleaded. He looked over at the woman and the children. "Please, my mother is dead, my brother has left me. I'm just a kid, just like them. Please help me…please, please!"

"You'll never take my children!" The man shouted, rushing at Inuyasha again. Why wouldn't they listen?! Why wouldn't they help him?!

Dodging the axe again, Inuyasha was forced to rush out the open door and the icy coldness slammed into him like a wall. Behind him the door slammed shut, and he could hear it lock. He was alone again.

"Why?" Inuyasha sobbed. "Why?" Trying to ignore his weak limbs and empty stomach, Inuyasha rushed into the night. He knew he couldn't survive out in the cold, he also knew if he didn't get something to eat soon it wouldn't matter.

Sesshomaru's heart was pounding, Inuyasha's very real terror and heartache crashing through him, doubling him over. The sheer callousness of the humans had shocked him. "How could they do that?" Sesshomaru gasped as the coldness washed over him again. Never before in Sesshomaru's life had he felt such cold, such hunger.

"I don't think I need to remind you who left Inuyasha out in this cold in the first place. How could they do it? How could you?"Sesshomaru's youkai growled.

Guilt welled up inside of Sesshomaru that was hardly…. "There is no proof that any of this actually happened. It could all be a trick," Sesshomaru retorted, feeling very shaky.

"Maybe, but I don't think so. I think we are in Inuyasha's memory somehow. Nefrume mentioned something about cracking our mind, and when we touched Inuyasha our marks opened. Maybe we got sucked inside of his mind,"Sesshomaru's youkai snapped.

Well that was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. How in the hell did his youkai come up with that? "What made you think of that obvious stretch of logic?" Sesshomaru shot back.

"If you have a better theory I'd love to hear it,"his youkai said.

As it just so happened……he didn't. Damn.

Gingerly Inuyasha made his way through the trees. He had to find someway to get of the cold. His stomach growled again, more painful this time, forcing a pained cry from his lips.

Clutching his stomach, Sesshomaru echoed Inuyasha.

Food. He needed to eat. Gods he was so hungry!! He had never been this hungry in his life. Tears began to slide down his face as he continued to walk, perhaps walking towards his grave. "Mama, why did you have to die? Why did Papa have to die? Why didn't he protect us? Brother, help me." Inuyasha sobbed. His legs shook, and after every step he felt weaker then the last. He felt his mind slipping and suddenly he ran into something hard. Pain jolted him back to awareness as he fell backwards onto his butt. He looked up, a little bit of relief flooding his mind. A cave! Quickly Inuyasha crawled inside, it was still freezing, but at least it gave some cover from the wind. Finally Inuyasha's legs gave out and he crashed to the floor, so tired…..so hungry……

"If he falls asleep, he'll die,"Sesshomaru's youkai whispered.

"If that happens then we know this is not real," Sesshomaru retorted. He swallowing hard, his stomach hurt so much.

The sounds of a horse and wood clanking forced Inuyasha's eyes open. Someone was coming. Forcing himself to stand, Inuyasha made his way to the mouth of the cave just in time to see a man walking alongside a horse that was pulling a cart. A cart full of furs….warm, soft furs. Inuyasha bit his lip. The man could always attack him, but he needed help.

"Excuse me," Inuyasha said.

The man stopped and turned to face him, gasping when he finally laid eyes on Inuyasha.

"Please sir, please I need help….I….I….please help me," Inuyasha plead. Please what ever Gods were listening, please let this man help him.

"You….you're a demon," The man said.

Inuyasha's heart lurched. Gods no, please no. "Half demon…my…my mother was human. Please….I'm so cold, I'm starving. I don't want to die….please help me." Inuyasha begged, tears rolling down his face.

"I've heard about demons like you, you trick people into helping you, and then when they take you in, you kill them and their families. You won't trick me!" The man shouted.

"NO! It's not like that! I'm just a kid!" Inuyasha shouted back, rushing over to the man and clutching at his legs. "Please…just a little food, I'll carry anything I can, I'll help you load it…move it…anything. Just don't leave me out here," Inuyasha sobbed.

The man grunted, kicking Inuyasha off of him and then reached into the cart and grabbing a good sized club.

"Why? Why attack me?" Inuyasha asked.

The man didn't answer. He just rushed at Inuyasha with the club raised high, before swinging it down at him.

Inuyasha snarled, leaping up, driving his shoulder into the mans throat, his tiny arms locking around the man's neck.

The man stumbled back, crashing into the cart. The horse reared and bucked, all the activity scaring it. As the horse wrenched itself free, it slammed into the man sending him falling backwards before racing off into the night, leaving the cart behind. Inuyasha clung to the man as he fell onto the ground, his head slamming against a tree.

CRACK!!

Inuyasha felt something within the man's neck give way due to his tight grip. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at the man. Brown, lifeless eyes stared unseeing into his own.

"N-noo….."Inuyasha sobbed. "Oh no, please no! I didn't mean it! Mister please, I didn't mean to! Please wake up! I didn't mean…..it…..it was an accident. I just wanted help." Horror and shame washed over Inuyasha. He'd killed him. Oh gods, if Inuyasha had had anything in his stomach, he would have vomited right there.

Sobbing, Inuyasha pushed himself away from the dead man. Then he heard growling behind him. Looking back, Inuyasha saw a big dog standing on top of the cart. It must have belonged to the man. Inuyasha cried out as it pounced on him, tearing into his shoulder with its teeth.

Inuyasha clawed at the dog, ripping though its flesh as it continued to gnaw on his shoulder. It hurt, but the dog's teeth hadn't gotten though his fire-rat robes, but if it went for his throat…

Growling, Inuyasha pushed upwards, his teeth digging into the dog's throat. The dog yelped shrilly as blood began to pump into Inuyasha's mouth, seemingly on its own, Inuyasha's throat began to gulp down the crimson fluid as he hung tight, digging his claws and teeth deeper into the dog as its struggles grew weaker and weaker before going very still. Slowly, Inuyasha released his would be killer…and began to cry, pushing himself up into a sitting position. All of a sudden he lifted his head up, letting out a long mournful howl, crying out. Again and again, over and over until his throat was raw and cracked. No answer came and again he howled, begging with all his soul. Nothing……

Sesshomaru felt like he was going to die, the hunger, the pain, the fear, the horror, the shame, the ice cold ripping at him, and if that wasn't enough, Inuyasha had began to howl. The sound drove Sesshomaru to his knees, Inuyasha was calling out…..calling out to him. Over and over the tiny hanyou howled, begging for help, for protection. Sesshomaru's chest began to constrict, his eyes beginning to mist. He could feel it, deep within the hanyou.

Hope.

Hope that Sesshomaru would come for him, that he didn't really hate him.

Inuyasha's hope settled down inside of Sesshomaru like acid, burning at his insides, guilt tearing at him with more force then even the Wind Scar.

"Shut up," he growled. Shame and guilt overwhelmed him as Inuyasha continued. He could hear the boy's throat cracking, distorting the call; he could feel the rawness of Inuyasha's tiny throat. His heart ached….it hurt…..it hurt.

"Do you see what you've done…..look at him! Why!? Why couldn't you just take him in?!"Sesshomaru's youkai roared.

Sesshomaru looked over at his other half, tears spilling freely from it's eyes and down it's face…down HIS face. "He….its his fault….father died," Sesshomaru gasped.

"He was just a baby!! Father chose his own path and you fucking know it!"his youkai screamed, his fists clenching.

Sesshomaru had to wonder if a beating was coming his way when suddenly Inuyasha's howls stopped. Sesshomaru tried to stand…but his legs wouldn't listen

No one was coming. Either no one could hear…or no one cared. Slowly, Inuyasha licked the taste of the dog's blood off his lips. His stomach rumbled and his body began to crawl over to the dead canine. It was still warm….it…..Inuyasha's mouth hovered over the dog. He looked back to the cart. There were piles and piles of furs on it, probably for the man's village or family, but he would put them to good use. He was hungry….so hungry. Looking back at the dog Inuyasha swallowed hard. It was ok, right?

It was meat.

It was a dog, he was a dog…

It was ok…

Wasn't it?

"I'm sorry…it's you or me. I'm sorry" Inuyasha thought.

Slowly, very slowly he lowered his mouth to the large animal…and sunk his teeth in.

Sesshomaru felt Inuyasha's shame and wondered why he should feel that way? The man had tried to kill him, as had the dog…..

Abruptly the scene shifted again, the frozen tundra changing to a greener outlook. All the cold, all the hunger all of it was suddenly gone, but Sesshomaru could still feel the echo of it within him.

"What do you want you filthy hanyou?" Sesshomaru said.

Inuyasha gulped. Why was his brother always so angry? This was only the third time he had ever even seen him in his entire life. "I……I was just going to take a…..a….bath," Inuyasha said.

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow before launching himself forward, catching Inuyasha by the throat. Fear slid up Inuyasha's spine as Sesshomaru lifted him up off the ground.

"Do not lie to this Sesshomaru, you have been following me for quite sometime now. Why?" Sesshomaru asked.

Sesshomaru watched as his past self held Inuyasha up, he remembered this….and if he remembered this he knew it had happened, that what he had just witnessed must have happened as well. Inuyasha was only a few years older then he had been a few moments ago. Sesshomaru could feel Inuyasha's fear, his desperation, his confusion.

"What have I ever done to you?" Inuyasha asked.

"You stain my family's name, you are a disgrace," Sesshomaru snarled as he dropped Inuyasha unceremoniously to the ground.

Inuyasha looked up at his brother, what had he ever done to this man? "Isn't….isn't it my family name too?" Inuyasha asked. Seconds later, pain exploded within Inuyasha's face and for a brief moment he felt like he was flying before he crashed into a tree, hard. Blood dripped out of his damaged nose as he struggled to pull his wits about him. What had happened? Did….did Sesshomaru just kick him?

"Never, EVER say anything like that again. How dare you, you are nothing more then a worthless mistake. And know this half-breed, one day, when you are older…this Sesshomaru WILL take your life," Sesshomaru said as he turned and stomped away.

And that little spark of hope within Inuyasha grew smaller.

"Oh now THAT was real mature,"Sesshomaru's youkai snapped.

Sesshomaru bowed his head in shame, he had been so angry….felt so right. But just then he had seen it for what it was, a teenage bully kicking a child in the face for daring to say the truth. It was Inuyasha's family, but he hadn't wanted the boy to try and claim that. He wanted to ignore Inuyasha, to pretend he never existed. How honorable was he? Granted Sesshomaru had still been in his teen years at the time….even still…

"Father would be ashamed of you," his youkai said.

Yes….yes he would.

A wave of nausea and vertigo washed over Sesshomaru as the scene changed again, from a spring like setting, to the fall.

Pain shot through Sesshomaru, causing him to groan aloud, collapsing further onto his hands and knees, he could still feel the previous memories agony within him, and now it felt like had been savagely beaten.

"Hold still, damn you!!" A voice roared. Three pairs of hands fought to hold Inuyasha down. Snarling, he clawed at the demons above him. The reached under him and flipped him over onto his hands and knees, one of them yanking his pants down.

"Think he's still got a cherry?" one of them asked.

"Who knows? Either way he's just a hanyou, they aren't good for anything, but boy this one sure had fight in him," The second answered.

Fear and rage tore though Inuyasha, he had only been trying to get a drink when they had attacked him. He had tried to fight back, but they were just too strong. And now they were talking about….talking about raping him!

Sesshomaru gagged, he could feel their hands upon Inuyasha, prodding him, trying to hold him in position. His youkai roared, charging forward, claws darting out to attack the demons, but he merely passed through them. Still he tried, clawing, biting and kicking, but nothing could harm them.

Sesshomaru felt cold waves of fear push past the pain of being beaten. This Inuyasha was just into his teens, still so young and now….now….

The fear was no longer just Inuyasha's, but Sesshomaru's own fear joined it. This couldn't be happening. Inuyasha couldn't be raped, NO! NO!

Inuyasha tried to kick away, but the other two held his lower body still and he was getting tired. The leader fisted his hand into Inuyasha's hair, pulling his face level with his crotch, unzipping his pants with his other hand and freeing his member.

Inuyasha's stomach knotted, as he tried to turn his head away. He felt a finger poking at his ass and he snarled. "Stop it you fuckers! Let me go!" he screamed.

"Such a mouth. Let's put it to good use," The leader sneered.

"Better not try it, he might bite it off," The second one warned.

Yeah that's right asshole! Try to stick that thing in my mouth….

"Not when I'm done he won't," The leader said, pulling a small hammer from his belt. "Always feels weird, but better then nothing. I'm going to use every part of you for myself, no worries there." Yanking Inuyasha's head back he swung the hammer at Inuyasha's face, pain ripped though him as it slammed into his mouth, a few of his teeth busting from the force of the blow.

Sesshomaru cried out, clutching at his mouth, pain shooting though him again and again as he watched the demon smash his hammer into Inuyasha's mouth, over and over. The sobs of his youkai reached Sesshomaru's ears, and for once Sesshomaru wanted to cry himself. Only his rage kept them at bay, not rage for Inuyasha, but for the men doing this to him…and…..to himself.

Inuyasha's head swam, his vision blurred, his mouth was a torrent of pain and blood. Most of the teeth on the right side of his mouth gone, a few on the left side were cracked. If he swallowed he would choke on his blood and broken bits of his teeth. If he spit, the demon would shove his disgusting dick down his throat. He could feel the demon behind him positioning himself to shove into his vulnerable body. He had to do something!

Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha forced all the air out through his lungs and spit his blood and teeth fragments into the leader's eyes. Thankfully, the pig reacted just as Inuyasha had hoped. He let go of his head and Inuyasha managed to get his legs under him, using the surprise that he could still fight to his advantage. Pushing up, his fingers lunged at the leader's throat, the claws on his right hand out and ridged like a spear head. His claws tore though the demon's flesh and his hand sank in up to the wrist.

Without a seconds notice, Inuyasha kicked off, forcing his beaten, weary body into the sky. As he landed a few hundred feet away from the demons, he found that he didn't have the strength to jump again, so he ran. He ran with all of his might, with everything he had.

Sesshomaru breathed a sigh of relief as Inuyasha quickly outdistanced the wretched demon who had wished to violate him. His body hurt so much and his mouth felt like thousands of bloody glass shards were embedded in his gums. After what seemed like miles, he watched as Inuyasha collapsed, falling at the feet of a very familiar demon.

Himself.

"Oh no…." Sesshomaru groaned, oh, Gods no…he…he remembered this now. Please no…

Inuyasha looked up at his brother, a slight relief flooding him. Even if Sesshomaru hated him, he would never allow him to be raped. He just wouldn't. Slowly, very slowly, Inuyasha tried to sit up, clutching at Sesshomaru's legs. He had not been this glad to see Sesshomaru since….well since the very first time he had ever seen the demon.

"Half breed, why are you touching me? Do you wish to provoke my wrath?" Sesshomaru asked.

Inuyasha yanked his hands away like he had been burned, shaking his head from side to side violently, which only served to cause his mouth to hurt even more. He could feel the blood still pooling up inside of it. Without warning he found himself up in the air, held by his neck, a position that seemed to go with Sesshomaru quite well.

"What do you want, you disgrace? Why do you throw yourself at my feet?!" Sesshomaru snapped. Gods he sounded pissed. Surely just being touched by Inuyasha wasn't enough to do that, after all, he was touching Inuyasha right now.

Inuyasha opened his mouth, frantic to explain himself, to ask for his brother's help. Surely Sesshomaru would not turn down this request. "Please don't hurt me." Inuyasha meant to say, however all that came out was a gout of blood that splattered onto Sesshomaru's coat. The Lord of the west looked at the blood stain, then very slowly, body shaking with rage, looked back at Inuyasha.

"YOU DARE??" Sesshomaru snarled.

Sesshomaru's eye's widened in horror, he remembered this day. He had been so angry, the other lords had been extremely difficult, some of them mocking him about his age, calling him the 'baby lord'. It had been one the most infuriating days of his life. And then he had happened upon Inuyasha, who often merely the sight of would infuriate Sesshomaru. Then the hanyou had spit upon him, mocking him as those Lords had done, who now cowered before him. Or so he thought.

"Please don't hurt me."

Although Inuyasha had not been able to say those words at the time, hearing them now lanced through Sesshomaru. He watched with tear filled eyes as past self's hand cocked back.

"I didn't mean to Sesshomaru! Please! Don't hurt me! Brother, I beg of you!" Inuyasha's thoughts rang within Sesshomaru's skull.

"No…please stop…NO!" Sesshomaru screamed as his past self backhanded Inuyasha with all his might causing the hanyou's head to rock back. Sesshomaru himself half shrieked as ungodly pain ripped through his mouth. Dear Gods…he had even hit Inuyasha in the most wounded part of his mouth. The pain grew larger as Past Sesshomaru slapped Inuyasha across the face again, before hurling him face first into the ground, and laying a solid kick to the poor boy's ribs that sent him crashing into the bushes.

"What have I done?" Sesshomaru sobbed. "What have I done?"

Inuyasha watched as Sesshomaru stomped away from him, everything hurt so badly….he just wanted to crawl into a tiny ball and die. He had only wanted his brother's protection…why…..why……
Hatred boiled up within Inuyasha, he had never done anything to the demon lord, and yet he was treated like this. And the hope for his brother's love and a place at his side grew a little smaller.

"There he is!" A voice

"NO! NOOOOOO!" Sesshomaru cried out as two of the demons from before burst into the clearing converging on Inuyasha. The hanyou tried to run, but he had been battered far too much. His legs gave out and they caught him. Sesshomaru had already left. He would have never, never allowed them to rape Inuyasha.

"Yeah you would have…..fuck you probably would have watched,"his youkai spit at him. No…not that, never that.

Sesshomaru watched Inuyasha kick away, only to get a few feet before collapsing again. "Leave him alone!" Sesshomaru roared, tears now spilling freely from his eyes. "Damn YOU! NO! You cannot do this! NOOOOOOOOOO!!" Everything hurt, hurt so much, so much pain, so much fear. Sesshomaru dug into the ground beneath him, pulling himself forward, crawling on his hands and knees until he lay between Inuyasha and his would-be rapists.

"Leave him alone! Don't you touch him! Fuck off!" Sesshomaru snapped, holding his arm up defensively, but they didn't hear him. "Take me then! Damn you leave him alone! Don't….don't you do this to my brother…..take me…."

The tears that flowed from his eyes would not stop. He could feel the revulsion spilling off Inuyasha as their hands closed around him once more. Damn it, could he do nothing? If…..if they raped Inuyasha, he would kill himself…..he could have stopped this….

"Gods please don't let this happen. Father please!" Sesshomaru begged. It was all too much, his walls, his defenses, they all crumbled under the strain of Inuyasha's agony.

"You killed our brother! Now you're gonna scream, bitch, we're gonna use you reeeal good," The first demon whispered.

"I call his ass," The second demon said.

First dibs, my ass! Inuyasha snarled, snapping his legs out and curling them around the demon's neck, twisting savagely. Inuyasha's features twisted into a feral grin showing his broken teeth, as a pained cry and a loud snap greeted his ears. Quickly pouncing on the other demon, Inuyasha drove his fist into its face, over and over in a brutal flurry, until the skull cracked and he was no longer punching its face, but only further driving brain matter and skull fragments into the earth. Only then did Inuyasha stop, dragging himself away from the demon's corpses, pulling his tired, beaten body up into a tree, hopefully far, far away from anyone who would hurt him. And for the first time in his life, he added his brother Sesshomaru to the list of people who desired nothing more then to hurt him.

Again the scene shifted, pulling away from Inuyasha and his attempt to rest in the tree. More pain, countless amounts of pain, the memories flowed though Sesshomaru; beatings, icy cold winters, long weeks without food. So much pain….so much….

"NO MORE!!" Sesshomaru screamed. His face pressed down into the ground, his back arching as he watched years of pain and decades of agony at the hands of others, and himself roll though his mind. Betrayals, unimaginable loneliness… "MAKE IT STOP!" But the memories continued, until Sesshomaru's whole body knew nothing but Inuyasha's suffering. Until finally, Sesshomaru's youkai could take it no more.

"Damn you!"he roared as he charged Sesshomaru, picking him up by his hair. "Do you see what you've done? Why didn't you listen to me!! WHY!! Fucking monster! All of this, all of it could have been prevented!"

"I'm sorry….I'm…….Inuyasha….I'm so sorry." Sesshomaru sobbed, he couldn't think, couldn't be proud. It was just too much.

And the scene shifted again.

Sesshomaru's youkai dropped him with a snarl, attempting to discern where they were now.

Sesshomaru waited for the pain, the hunger, the cold, but nothing came. Wiping his eyes, he looked up and saw himself standing before Inuyasha. He could feel the hope inside Inuyasha, but it was so small. Then he watched as he caught Inuyasha around the throat and plunged his fingers deep within the hanyou's eye.

"The sword fight huh….what is it with me and choking him?" Sesshomaru chuckled to himself. Now he understood Daigon's words, where his youkai's hatred came from. It was from himself….from all the horrible things he had done, and had by extension, allowed done. "He is the last of my family." Sesshomaru whispered.

He watched then, as he and Inuyasha fought over their father's sword, and when the battle finally ended, as his true form hurtled over the side of their father's grave. As Inuyasha watched him fall, Sesshomaru felt no feelings of triumph from his baby brother. Not adulation. Only regret…and pain.

And that tiny spark of hope, that tiny little spark that had persisted for so many years… Went out.

"He hated me for no reason. I'd never done anything to him. I was just a kid. But now he has a reason….I took his arm……and he'll never forget that," Inuyasha thought.

Sesshomaru watched as Inuyasha and the miko left his father's grave, he waited for the scene to change again, but it didn't. Taking a few deep breaths Sesshomaru tried to sit up, only to fail. Everything hurt far too much. All of Inuyasha's pain, all of his most horrid memories, now lay within Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru could feel one more thing, at the very corner of Inuyasha's being, he was so very lonely, he ached for a family, and most of all. A mate.

"I'm sorry…." Sesshomaru panted. His pride was shattered. Guilt and shame festered with him. Slowly Sesshomaru looked over at his father's body. "What would you think if you could see me….."
Tenseiga pulsed at his hip, and he could feel a pull, without warning the scene shifted to black again, and Sesshomaru could feel himself falling.

"What now?" his youkai shouted. Indeed…what now….

Sesshomaru shrieked as unimaginable pain crashed into him, worse then anything he had ever felt. His body felt burned, cut, crushed and torn. Forcing himself to look up he found himself staring at the still burning ruins of a castle. Suddenly he could feel someone in his head….and it wasn't Inuyasha?

Inu-Taisho slowly began to dig himself out from under the burning rubble. Goddamn castle had collapsed on him. Human built piece of shit……Slowly, he freed himself from the rubble, pulling himself away from the flaming wreak. Everything hurt. Burns littered his body and he was bleeding from dozens of places. It was so hard to breathe, but at least he had saved Inuyasha and Izayoi.

"Damn it all….pull yourself to…together Inu-Taisho…you've got to much shit to do to die here," Inu-Taisho growled as he struggled to pull himself to his feet, only to collapse once more.

"Father…." Sesshomaru whispered. Tenseiga had pulled him into his father's memory? But how? Sesshomaru looked over his father and gasped at what saw.

By all rights his father should not have even been alive. Large patches of his skin had been burned away, cuts and scrapes adorned his entire body, half of his face was a mangled mess, and each time Inu-Taisho tried to stand Sesshomaru could see blood pouring out of the wound in his stomach, and from the right angle…..oh Gods, he could see right THOUGH his fathers stomach. How….how could he still live? It was no small wonder Sesshomaru could feel such pain.

"I can't……I can't die here……Inuyasha…who will raise Inuyasha? And Sesshomaru…he's not ready to become Lord of the west. He still has so much childhood," Inu-Taisho spat. Slowly he began to try to stand once more. "Get up." One foot under him. "Get up NOW!" His other foot under. "Get UP! GET THE FUCK UP!!" Defying pain, defying death, defying all, Inu-Taisho stood. "I cannot die here….my sons….my sons need me," he gasped.

Sesshomaru's heart ached, how could his father stand? He could feel his father's thoughts, he and Inuyasha filled them. Sesshomaru sobbed as the blood continued to flow from his father. Then Sesshomaru knew. He was witnessing the great Inu-Taisho's final moments.

"Walk you bastard!" Inu-Taisho roared. "Sesshomaru…..Inuyasha……hold on my sons. Your father is coming. I will not leave you to this world alone."

Slowly, agonizingly Inu-Taisho began to walk. There was no grace, no dignity, only raw determination. "I…I can do this…Sesshomaru needs me….Inuyasha needs me. They don't know enough…I haven't told them I love them enough." His vision blurred and he was forced to lean upon Tetsusaiga to keep from falling. He could almost see death's outline in front of him.

"Fuck off! I refuse! You can't take me…even…even if most people would pass out from these wounds, I cannot fall! Even if these wounds would kill most, I cannot die! My sons need me…and I will not allow you to take me yet," Inu-Taisho snapped.

Using his sword as a crutch Inu-Taisho continued to limp forward. He had so far to go to reach home, but he refused to think about that, and he continued on one step at a time. "You brought this upon yourself you old fool. You should have moved faster! You spent too much time fighting that fucking human," he grumbled.

Sesshomaru could not believe what he was seeing. His father should have died a hundred times over from those wounds. Yet he stood, yet he walked, fueled not by pride or power, but by the love for his sons.

Inu-Taisho choked and sputtered as blood surged up his throat and ran down his face. No…he couldn't die yet. Sesshomaru…he still had so much more to do for the boy.

Sesshomaru's last words rang within his head, the anger, the hatred, he could still feel the claw marks on his face. "I love you Sesshomaru, I love you so much. You misunderstand, I do not love Inuyasha more then you, I love you both equally, he will be good for you, I know it. You need someone to stand at your side, so you do not have to face it alone as…hack…ack…arh…as I did…I……why would you not aid me my son?" Inu-Taisho whispered.

He could feel his heart beginning to slow, everything was getting so dark. NO! He would not die! He forced himself to take another step, before planting his sword into the ground, leaning upon it heavily. Then a thought ran though his head. "Is that why you remained behind Sesshomaru? Did you know something like this would happen?" Inu-Taisho whispered.

He could see him; Sesshomaru, his son standing before him. "Is that why? Did you want to make sure your brother would be cared for, that our lands would be safe?" Inu-Taisho smiled. "Always the smart one….you….you do your father proud Sesshomaru."

Inu-Taisho reached out, reaching for the son that he could see. "I….can count on you, can't I Sesshomaru? You're always there…always dependable. I know…argh…I know…I can leave…everything…to you."

Tears began to stream down Inu-Taisho's damaged face. "Inuyasha…I only got to hold him once….hold him close for me, Sesshomaru, and never let go. I love so much…I know you will do well…Sess……ho…ma……ru." And then he saw it, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, playing in a field of gold, laughing and wrestling, so happy……so very happy. So beautiful, so beautiful, his sons… Inu-Taisho's head slumped forward, yet still he stood, sword in hand.

Tear's poured down Sesshomaru's face. He had felt his father die.

"FATHER!! FAAAAATTTTTTHEEERRRRR!!" Sesshomaru screamed. His father had loved him….loved him to the very last. Sesshomaru looked at Inu-Taisho's form once more before it faded out. Still on his feet, death could not take his father on his back, death had been forced to fight him for his life, and even death itself could not bring his father to his knees. A father to be proud of….so proud of.

But then Inu-Taisho's last thought ran though Sesshomaru's mind, of him and Inuyasha. And shame beyond any Sesshomaru had ever known boiled up within him, causing his insides to churn and bile to force its way up his throat. Gagging, Sesshomaru drew himself up onto his knees.

His father had been counting on him to take care of Inuyasha, to hold the child for him, to wrestle and play and laugh and sing and cry…..

And he had FAILED.

Failed his brother.

Failed his father.

"I….I have no honor. I am the wretch, I am the stain…..father…..I am so sorry," Sesshomaru sobbed.

It was all too much. Inuyasha's suffering had broken him and driven him to the ground. To know that he had failed his Father so completely, it utterly shattered him. How could he live? How could he live with this shame, this dishonor…Could death erase it? It was such a massive burden. Perhaps not even his blood could wash it away.

Wiping his eyes, Sesshomaru hugged himself tight. How could everything have gone so wrong? His father had loved him, believed in him, COUNTED on him.

"Lady Nefrume? What are your plans?" a voice rang out in the darkness. Sesshomaru snarled. Nefrume!

"Very simple really, the youngest son of Inu-Taisho and I have fallen in love. However, his horrid older brother wishes his younger sibling nothing but torment and thus attacked us. We were forced to defend ourselves and Inuyasha slew Sesshomaru, but his mind and body were so damaged in the battle that it left him a complete invalid. I, of course, must assume the mantle of ruler of the west in his place. Unfortunately, not long after that, Inuyasha will tragically perish, succumbing to the wounds given by his own brother," Nefrume answered.

"Will it work?" the voice asked.

"I believe so. The only problem is that it seems Inuyasha's sword will work for no one but him. And I must make it look like Inuyasha killed Sesshomaru. Once I do that, I am free to finish Inuyasha off," Nefrume replied.

Inuyasha still lived?! Sesshomaru tried to stand, but his legs refused, sending him crashing back onto the floor. Everything hurt so much, but if Inu-Taisho could stand with such wounds….then this pain was nothing.

"Youkai! Help me stand," Sesshomaru ordered, looking over at his other half.

"Why should I help you with anything?"he asked.

"Not for me, for Inuyasha. I will not allow Nefrume to use him like this. I…I must repair this damage. I must not fail my brother; I must not fail my father!" Sesshomaru roared.

"You….you intend…"

"I…I have much to make up for…..I am not even certain I can, but I can not allow myself to die yet," Sesshomaru said. He had to save Inuyasha….his life belonged to Inuyasha. Once the hanyou was out of danger Sesshomaru would deliver it to him.

But no, that would make Inuyasha the lord of the west, and he wasn't ready for that. So, he would have to educate Inuyasha in how to perform the duties, he would need to properly train Inuyasha. Until his brother was ready Sesshomaru would have to live in dishonor.

"I take it you are not going to pursue him as a mate?"his youkai asked.

"I….I haven't the right to court him. Unless…unless he gives permission. But I dare not think that far, our life is Inuyasha's to do what he will. If he forgives….then….then I must build the bond as his brother….and….and if that can be done, then we will see about being his mate," Sesshomaru answered.

Sesshomaru's youkai made his way over to him, pulling him up to his feet. "I don't much like it….but I agree. But he does want a mate…he wants it so badly."

"Good….now to get out of here. And I realize his desire, but I am not sure if I am the proper one to be his mate. If that is the case, you'll have to accept that," Sesshomaru said….although he wasn't sure how to do that. "I will save you Inuyasha…this Sesshomaru swears it!" He would not be the same as he was, he could not….He would not fail his father again. He would NOT continue to fail his brother.

"You….you will need to help me to make this change. I fear it will not be easy," Sesshomaru said.

His youkai smiled. "I'll do my best."

Miroku looked around the room, he still couldn't figure out anyway to escape. Kagome and Sango had already awoken, only Shippo remained asleep. Nefrume had taken Inuyasha upstairs after Sesshomaru had strangely passed out. The Lord of the west currently lay on a table not far from where Miroku himself stood. Sesshomaru's restraints seemed similar to their own.

"Any ideas?" Sango asked.

"Not a one," Kagome said.

"Damn it! If only I could get to my wind tunnel, or if I could just make myself smaller….grrr…" Miroku snapped…..wait….smaller? Shape….changing….SHIPPO!! "Shippo, Shippo wake up!" Miroku cried.

"Miroku why are you yelling at him?" Kagome said.

"He can get out! Shippo! Little fox wake up!" Miroku shouted.

"Mhsh?…whas?" Shippo mumbled as he began to wake. Slowly, the fox kit began to move, looking around the room. "Wuz goin on?" he asked.

"Shippo, you can change your shape right? You've got to make yourself smaller so you can get out of these shackles!" Miroku said. This had to work, it just had to!

"Huh? What? Shackles? Hey, why the hell am I chained to this wall? What's going on?" Shippo snapped.

"Can you get out Shippo?" Kagome asked.

"Y-yeah I think so," Shippo said and with an audible poof Shippo transformed into a small pink ball with eyes. With another poof he changed back, his arms and legs now free. "Yeah eat that! Don't mess with the kitsune!" Sucking in his stomach, Shippo managed to wiggle free. "Alright! Uh now what?"

"Sesshomaru is over on that table over there, Shippo, you've got to wake him up," Miroku said. Sesshomaru was the only one who could break their restraints. Miroku only hoped he was in a helping mood.

"Sesshomaru?! But….he's scary," Shippo said.

"I know Shippo, but he's the only one who can help, and if we don't hurry who knows what Nefrume is going to do to Inuyasha," Miroku said.

"Father…oh…alright. Here goes," Shippo said, slapping himself on the cheeks a few times before rushing over to Sesshomaru. Quickly hopping up onto the table, Shippo slowly walked across Sesshomaru's chest. Gulping, Shippo moved to Sesshomaru's face, before bending down right near his ear."WAKE UP!!" Shippo screamed in Sesshomaru's ear, then immediately dropped down for cover. When a bloody death did not come for him, Shippo peered up at Sesshomaru's face. He was still out of it.

What to do, what to do? Walking over top of the unconscious demon, Shippo's claws pulled Sesshomaru's coat open, and there he noticed a weird set of marks on his shoulder area. They looked like little suns….weird….

Sesshomaru was sure he had heard someone tell him to wake up, but how? He could even swear he felt little feet on his chest. He seemed to be locked in his own mind, now how did one get out of their mind; figuratively speaking.

"Well it might work," Shippo muttered before bending down and sinking his little fangs right into the marks.

Sesshomaru cried out in pain as his eyes shoot open. "What are you doing!!" he roared.

"WAAAH!" Shippo screamed before falling back between Sesshomaru legs. "I'msorrybuttheytoldmetocauseyourtheonlyonewhocansaveInuyasha!! "

Sesshomaru blinked. Hadn't the little biting bastard ever heard of taking a breath? Wait…Inuyasha? "Where is Inuyasha!?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I don't know, but Miroku said to wake you up so you could set them free and we could save Inuyasha!" Shippo said.

Feh! Sesshomaru needed no help to save Inuyasha…..well….maybe he did, because to be honest, he felt like ten pounds of shit in a one pound bag. Looking down at the steel restraints that held him, Sesshomaru growled. Wrought iron steel vs. the will of Sesshomaru?

No contest.

Flexing his arm, Sesshomaru popped the steel band around his wrist like paper, before freeing his torso and legs. Quickly, he slid off of the table, only to stumble from a severe bout of vertigo. Shaking it off, Sesshomaru stumbled across the room towards Inuyasha's companions.

"Thank goodness. Please, My Lord, free us so that we may help Inuyasha!" the monk said.

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow before he ripped the restraints off of the monk, the miko, the slayer, and finally, the slayers neko. "Saving Inuyasha is my number one concern right now monk, be useful or remove yourself from my path," Sesshomaru said, as he began to trudge his way towards the stairs. "Inuyasha is above…I can smell him."

"My lord, you don't look well. Do you need assistance?" the monk asked.

"Depends on the problem," Sesshomaru muttered, before saying louder. "No. Do not concern yourself with me, Inuyasha is more important."

The monk nodded, and although Sesshomaru appreciated the help, he was mildly annoyed that a group of humans, a neko and a kitsune were beating him up the stairs.

Nefrume growled as her attempts to grip Inuyasha's sword were once again repelled by some type of barrier. She sighed in agitation, why did everything concerning these Inu's have to be so fucking difficult? Moving over to the hanyou, Nefrume smacked him in the face. "Why won't your stupid ass sword work? Or is just a piece of junk?" Still locked away within his mind, the hanyou didn't answer.

"Get away from him, you bitch!" a girl's voice rang out.

Nefrume turned, just in time to see that strange looking Miko fire an arrow at her. It ripped through the air and the hyena demoness stumbled back, the arrow tearing though the top half of her shoulder. Powerful…but a lousy shot. Suddenly, Nefrume heard another girl's voice….Hiriko?…Hirino?…what the hell did she say? Nefrume looked over just in time for a massive boomerang to smash into her face.

Blood spurted from her still damaged noses as Nefrume fell back, crashing into the ground. "Guards!" she roared. Three of her best warriors charged into the room.

"Excuse me?" a male voice said.

The guards looked behind them at a man in black and purple.

"Wind Tunnel," the man simply said, removing a small piece of cloth off of his hand.

Nefrume watched in amazement as her guards were suddenly sucked up into some kind of void in the monk's hand, before once again closing it with the cloth. How the hell did they get free? Nefrume stood up snarling, just in time to see Sesshomaru charging her. Now how the hell did he wake up?!

Miroku watched as Sesshomaru tackled Nefrume, driving her back into the wall. "He's got her! Let's get Inuyasha!" he ordered as he raced over to his inu friend. A quick look revealed Inuyasha to be secured by similar bands that had held them.

"Damn it Inuyasha, now wake up!" Miroku snapped. Several attempts from him, Shippo and Sango also failed to awaken the hanyou. Miroku peered over at the two ruler's battle. It was furious, and despite having defeated Nefrume earlier, Sesshomaru seemed to be struggling slightly. It must have had something to do with whatever happened to him earlier.

"He won't wake up!" Shippo wailed.

"I have an idea," Kagome said, rushing over to Inuyasha's head and leaning down in front of his left ear, she held it open, took and deep breathe, and whistled….LOUD!

"AAAARRGGGH!! GOOOOOD DAAAMMNN IIIT!" Inuyasha roared, sitting up so quickly that the steel bands on his arms and torso completely burst off. "What the fuck, bitch!? That was my fucking ear!!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but you wouldn't wake up!" Kagome shot back

"Still hurts like a motherfucker!" Inuyasha rubbed his ear. "Wait…what's going on. Is that…is that Sesshomaru brawling over there with that bitch Nefrume?"

"Yes, he came to save you Inuyasha. He freed all of us," Miroku said.

"Save me? Well that's different," Inuyasha muttered. Quickly Inuyasha popped the bands around his feet and hopped off the table before stumbling and almost falling, only to be caught by Kagome. "Thanks," Inuyasha blushed. "Now if you excuse me. I've got a score to settle."

Nefrume growled as she ducked a punch from Sesshomaru before pinning him to the ground. Her jaw was still damaged, so ripping his throat out was not a possiblility. "You think locking you in your mind is all I can do? Stupid dog, I can do so much better than that. I'm smarter than you, I'm faster, I'm stronger!" She snarled.

Sesshomaru seemed to look at something behind her, but she wouldn't be fooled.

"Well if that isn't the biggest pile of bullshit this Sesshomaru has ever heard, I do not know what is. But none of that matters; do you wish to know why?" Sesshomaru asked.

Nefrume smiled, she held the upper hand and he was still acting superior? "Why then?" She asked.

"Because I am taller then you," Sesshomaru said, before shoving his hand under her chin and pushing her head up.

She reached down, only to find she couldn't reach him, then Sesshomaru pulled his hand away just as she felt a sharp pain against her neck. Then she was flying through the air, the world spinning….what was going on? Oddly enough, her body didn't hurt anymore. Nefrume couldn't seem to get her legs under her as she landed on the floor, only to see Inuyasha standing over her body, his sword over his shoulder.

"NO! It can't…can't…end like this…it can't…I won't…lose…to these stupid…dogs……" Nefrume thought, but everything was going black.

"Fucking bitch," she heard Inuyasha say.

Sesshomaru looked up at Inuyasha, he had seen the hanyou coming, and had taken perfect advantage of it.

"You look like shit, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said.

Sesshomaru allowed a tiny smile to adorn his face. "You don't look much better little brother," he said as he picked himself up. Looking over at Inuyasha, Sesshomaru knew he had a daunting task ahead of him. He had so many things to do, so much to say. He knew he would have to think of a way to get Inuyasha to return home with him. It wouldn't be easy, but he would do it.

Because he was Sesshomaru, and he had made a vow

He would not fail again.