The True Holder of Shikon

Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter 25 - Arrival

XxXxX

Inuyasha frowned. Sesshoumaru was right. Sango was the true Holder of Shikon. All of this revolved around that damn little marble.

"Anyhow, most of what I came here to do was talk to you about our past. I wanted to make a breakthrough with our hatred for each other. Sango gave me the final shove... Miroku told me the story. You had to take that all by yourself." The Taiyoukai knew exactly where the conversation was heading. He didn't really want to open up.

"I know that. I have held my burden with as much strength as I was able. In the end, however, most of it directed itself at you. I needed a way to...vent all of that anger. I let it go to my head. In a way, I forced myself to blame you because it was you and your mortal mother that Father had taken to. I felt abandoned and alone, even with my mother. She was reduced to an empty shell. She was no longer my true mother before she died. All of it had turned on me. Though, she broke through it at the end and told me to run and save myself." He sighed. It did kind of feel better to get off of his chest. "Instead, I stayed and watched. I tried to save her but wound up getting knocked down and forced to watch. I was forced to watch as they killed her. They sliced her stomach open so that all of her organs were a bloody heap on the dirt. She watched me with such a longing in her eyes. She always used to tell me that I looked so much like Father. Yet...he disowned us. He left us for...you and your mortal mother." He winced, forcing all of his feelings back inside. "After they killed her, they tried to make me eat her heart. I refused and they beat me to their heart's content. The last thing I saw was my mother reaching out to me before I succumbed to the darkness." Inuyasha felt a stinging sensation in his eyes but blinked it away.

"When did you wake up?"

"About a week or so later. I burned her body and buried her ashes before making her a headstone and carving everything on it. Soon, it became like a memorial. Everyone left in our great race soon traveled to the Western Lands to bring flowers to her grave. Father never once showed his face. I never saw him again." His eyes went to the field again. "No matter who told me that they were sorry for what I lost, I remained locked in the fact that I had nothing other than what Father had left us. His lands. He gave up his rulership for you. I remember...when I heard that I had a little brother. Back then, I was not as bad as I am now. I wanted to see you but I could not take his side. Not after he told me that there was someone else waiting for him. I could never understand that fatal attraction to a mortal...until now." Inuyasha heaved a sigh.

"Y'know, everyone says that us inu youkai have an attraction to humans. I never really understood but now I do. In a sense, we're all dogs. In the end, that's what it all comes down to. Kagome told me once that dogs were a man's best friend." He chuckled. "Yet, there are those who resist temptation for the sense of purity of race." He paused and looked his brother in the eye. "You'd better get used to hanyou if you plan on having pups with Sango." Sesshoumaru froze then smiled at the hanyou. It was the first time Inuyasha had ever seen a smile like that on the Taiyoukai's face when it was directed at him.

"Silly half-breed." He looked away. "I have no grudge against you for being a hanyou. It was all a sham. In fact, I never really hated you for that at all." Inuyasha snorted.

"Well, I'd think real hard before bringing one into the world. Let me tell you, it's not a pretty place for someone who is neither." They shared a look. "Their hatred for half youkai and half human goes as far as mobs. I've seen it all. I've lived it all. That's why I'm like this. Once my mother was gone, I had no one. Not even the brother I heard that I had wanted me. Or...that's what you made me think."

"Hmph. You know better now. All I wanted was an escape. Still, I cannot find it in myself to love you as a sibling should. All of the rivalry just...made that image fade into the sky."

"I understand that much. As long as...we don't fight like that anymore. We can just stay like this. Not as brothers but...as allies and even friends." Sesshoumaru nodded.

"Perhaps we may reach that place of siblings in our lives. But for now, it is unattainable." He pushed a lock of hair behind his ear. "All we can do is work together and defeat Naraku." Inuyasha smiled.

"Hey, speaking of which..." His smiled turned sly. "When is the big day?"

"Not for a while. I cannot rush that type of thing. Not now. She is not ready for something like that." The smile faded from the hanyou's lips.

"What do you mean?" His concern pushed through his barriers.

"Bonding is painful between two purities. If you were to bond with that miko, Kagome, then it would be only half as hard. Emotions go out of control and senses become razor sharp not only for one but for both. For a while, one would swear that the other could read his or her thoughts. It is not bad for the youkai but for the human, it is equivalent to torture of the worst kind. The bite mark, the famous symbol of the bond, transfers more than just scent and youki. It binds one to the other. They become painfully aware of everything. Secrets no longer exist. It is the purest form of love that youkai can give." A soft smile rested on the youkai's visage. It made him seem so much more beautiful and pure. "Sango can handle it. What I described is what happens when one goes too fast. If the bond is stronger here...and here when it is done, then it is less painful." He pointed to his head and his heart. "That is why I wish to wait. I do not want her going through so much pain. Not while she is already hurting."

"But that pain would be nothing compared to what she's been going through."

"I hate to be selfish with her but this situation is exactly why I want to wait. Her emotions become mine and mine become hers. Her emotion will affect me. I cannot have that distraction while Naraku is on the loose. It is too dangerous." Inuyasha blinked. "For her sake, I have to hold off. If you think I am protective now, just wait until we are bonded. I know you and the houshi care for her so you will be fine around her but other males will not have the same fate."

"Wow, I...guess I never knew how dangerous it could be." The Taiyoukai nodded.

"Even though the protectiveness will increase and cause me to go into a state of pure rage around Naraku, it will not be good for those around us in the battle. All I will see is him in front of a blood red world. In my anger, I could kill those I care for."

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"What do you think they're talking about for this long?" Kagome asked worriedly. Sango smiled from her seat across the fire.

"They might be back late tonight. They have a lot to catch up on." The girl understood almost instantly and grinned.

"That's good that they're finally pushing their feelings to the front for once. It'll make that stupid tension go away." Rin lay next to Jaken and Kirara, fast asleep after gathering fireflies with the girls and Shippou. Miroku sat a little off by himself, dozing. "I hope they finally make a breakthrough with each other." Her eyes went to her friend. "You are the one who talked Inuyasha into it, aren't you?" The taiji-ya flushed and nodded.

"Though he deserves the credit for actually going through with it." She laughed quietly. "He was not too hard to convince since he actually wanted to do it."

"I hope they're able to have a good relationship. It would be so devastating if they didn't get anywhere." The miko looked down at the fire. Sango could see how tired she was.

"Let's get some sleep. I am almost certain that we will find out tomorrow." They laid down and both almost instantly went to sleep. Just an hour later, the two brothers returned. The fire had nearly burned out and the girls were sleeping fitfully.

"Night, Sesshoumaru."

"Good night, Inuyasha."

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The next morning, the group set off early, traveling to the Western Domain. Rin and Shippou rode on Kirara since they had a fast pace. Sesshoumaru was leading with Sango behind him and Inuyasha behind her with Kagome and Miroku. Jaken got tired and wound up on Kirara's back because he would've only slowed them down. Soon the children got restless so they were let down to get their energy out. They went straight through lunch, each often taking drinks from their water bottles to quench their thirst. The day was moderately hot so sweat was a problem. They went on as long as they could hold out without a break. Kagome got tired and rode on Inuyasha's back. Before long, Sesshoumaru had Sango in his arms and Miroku was with the little ones on Kirara and they were speeding quickly. Their surroundings went by so fast that they could hardly make anything but trees out. They almost made it by nightfall but had to stop for sleep.

Morning soon dawned and they were off again, this time like they originally began. They now followed a main road where traders and merchants rode on their carts to and from the fortress. The road was long and a little rough because it was busy. About an hour before sunset, they made it to the main gate. The guards bowed low to the ground and opened the gates for their lord. The breath was stolen from Sango's lungs at the grand sight. Though, 'grand' was hardly enough to describe it. It was a large structure built strictly of a white stone. Turrets rose seemingly endlessly toward the sky, as though reaching for the heavens. Banners and flags waved in the breeze, displaying the emblem of an indigo crescent moon, the mark on Sesshoumaru's forehead. Female and male inu youkai stopped to stare at their lord and, as he approached, they kneeled and bowed so low that it looked like they were eating dirt.

Everyone is dressed so elaborately. It is so beautiful here...

A huge courtyard with a stone walkway right through the middle spread out before her. The grass was cut neatly, looking as though the servants used knives and rulers. A cherry blossom grove was visible at the side of the castle and more paths spread out from the door, leading to the back.

"Lord Sesshoumaru! You have returned!" The voice belonged to a woman, a beautiful youkai with long black hair and jade green eyes. She was dressed a little less elaborately than the rest, causing them to determine that she was not of a high rank. When they got to the steps, she walked down to meet them before bowing low. "Would you like for me to tell the servants to prepare rooms for the guests?"

"Yes, Noriko." She smiled and bowed again before leading them inside. Inuyasha looked at Sango.

"Why are you all the way back here with us?" She looked at him in surprise then smiled.

"Because right now, he is not the same youkai that traveled with us. He is now the lord of his people and this extraordinary palace." The hanyou frowned.

"Yeah, but...you two..." She shook her head.

"We love each other but that does not mean that I have the right to walk beside him. Right now, he is back in his memories. We cannot reach him." He made another move to protest but she stopped him. "He understood me without question. It is my turn to understand him. I owe him that much." It was the first time he ever really seen the depth of her feelings toward his brother.

"How can you understand that?" She smiled without turning to look at him. She continued to stare at Sesshoumaru's back.

"I really do not have an answer for it. I just know it. It is...a feeling of serenity. I feel more than sense that he is at home." He blinked.

"Despite how much he travels..." Miroku looked back. "He tried to get away and yet this place will always still be his home."

"Like...my village. Now, I do not go back because it is home. I go back because I have to."

"Funny. That's the same attitude as his." Inuyasha stated. As they followed the servant, more and more youkai bowed to their lord in happiness. Most of the staff was women.

"Where shall the rooms be prepared, my lord?" She stared at him with a simple look of infatuation.

"In my wing." The look on Noriko's face vanished and she stared at him in shock. Never had he requested such a thing. Then she came back to her senses and bowed before leaving to get the staff going. Sesshoumaru turned to them. "Go to your rooms when they are prepared. Until then, wait here." The Taiyoukai's eyes briefly met the taiji-ya's. She stared after him until he disappeared with Jaken behind him. The toad watched them over his shoulder as he followed behind.

"What if they...do not get treated right, m'lord? What if harm comes to Lady Sango?" Sesshoumaru stopped walking.

"If harm comes to her, death will seem like a blessing." His voice held such a cold chill that Jaken felt a shiver run down his spine.

XxXxX

Inuyasha looked around the hallways as they were shown to their rooms by a different servant. This one seemed a little more timid. She stopped in front of a door.

"This is your room." She directed her gaze to Sango. "Someone will come and tell you when dinner will be served. There are kimono in the closet for your use." They separated. It was then that the taiji-ya noticed Rin still with her and Kirara.

"Rin! You must know your way around here..."

"Yes, I do, Sango-chan." The little girl replied sweetly. Her chestnut brown eyes glowed with happiness. "I will show you around later on."

"All right. For now, though, let me bathe and find a suitable kimono that fits." They raided the closet and picked out a few before Rin led her to the bathing rooms. Before that, however, they stopped at Rin's room for a kimono.

"There are so many big rooms and hallways that it's easy to get lost in. I can show you some of them but others are...forbidden."

"Forbidden?" Sango frowned.

"Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't allow even servants to go into those places. The penalty is death for certain." Rin then smiled cheerfully. "But there are many more fun places to go! Like the stables where we can ride horses and even the gardens! They're so pretty. Can we go later?"

"Of course!" The two smiled and laughed. Many sent them strange glances since it appeared like they were the best of friends. Despite her sweet disposition, Rin disliked those at the castle. It was rare for her to befriend anyone. Yet the two looked so natural together. Once they made it to the rooms, the little girl picked a door and slid it open. The youkai servant inside walked past them to sit in front of the door.

"This one always has the best soaps." The girl said cheerfully. Sango smiled and slid out of her clothes. Then she climbed up the small steps to get into the large bath of steaming water. Rin followed her with the basket of soaps and pieces of cloth. The taiji-ya picked one of them and smelled it. Cherry blossoms. She took a cloth and put the soap on it then began scrubbing her skin. Before she knew it, she found herself almost raw from trying to get clean. "Sango-chan?" She met the girl's wide-eyed gaze.

"Rin... I-I'm sorry. I just...feel dirty compared to all of these...elegant youkai." She looked ashamed.

"Dirty?" She nodded. The little girl frowned. "I don't think you're dirty. You are so very pretty!" The taiji-ya was flattered and flushed in embarrassment.

"Thank you, Rin." After the bath, Sango dried herself then tried on several different kimono before she found one that fit her almost perfectly. She had to have the woman outside the door come in and tie the obi. Then the servant did Rin's before bowing stiffly and returning to her chores about the room. Sango took the kimono that she had brought and went back to the room. There, she and Rin did their hair. She brushed out her hair then left it and began to do Rin's. She braided it and tied it at the bottom with a yellow ribbon to match her kimono. The little girl had a plain yet elaborate one with light and dark yellows with a bit of pale green in the obi.

"Sango-chan! It's beautiful!" She swung her head to the side so that she could try to see it. A knock on the door interrupted anything else that would have been said or done. Kagome opened the door and poked her head through before entering and closing it behind her.

"Hey, guys! I got one of the maids to show me to a bath. You guys went, too, didn't you?" They nodded. Sango was quite shocked to see Kagome dressed in a kimono. The girl had her hair tied up in a ponytail with a pink ribbon to match the pink and white of her outfit. She looked stunning. The taiji-ya merely had a black one with crimson roses and rose petals on it. The obi was constructed of the same blood red color as the roses. Kagome thought that it brought out quite a bit of her beauty. "Aren't these so beautiful? I feel like a princess!" She grinned cheerily. "Let me do your hair, Sango! Please?"

"If you want, Kagome... Though, I was going to leave it down."

"Nonsense! I'll braid it for you." She sat Sango on the bed and took up the brush and a long red silk ribbon. She swept back the taiji-ya's long ebony hair and separated it into three parts. She did the style of a french braid and tied the ribbon at the bottom. When she finished, she stood back to admire her work. "I love it! You look so pretty! You're the princess, Sango. Right, Rin?" The miko looked at the little girl, who nodded. A bright smile lit both of their faces.

"Yes, Kagome-chan! Sango-chan looks like a princess." Sango flushed a startling color of red that matched her kimono and looked at her feet, which were barely visible. She saw the white socks and the sandals, however. Her bright mahogany eyes widened when someone else knocked on the door. It slid open and the maid that had shown them to the rooms stood there.

"Dinner is prepared. Allow me to guide you there." They were escorted down the hallways and through a few doors before reaching the large dining room. One table was set out and the boys were already seated by Jaken, who took them and dismissed Noriko. The toad youkai looked Sango over before nodding to himself. Then he led them to the table.

"Lady, you belong at m'lord's right side. Though he will not be joining us for dinner, he will be here afterward." Sango kneeled on the mat that was provided for her. Rin sat across from her with Inuyasha beside her. Kagome was set next to him. Miroku was next to Sango and Shippou was next to him. Once everyone was seated, Jaken remained until the food was served then left. Sango felt a little upset that Sesshoumaru wasn't there but ate a little because they had not eaten all day. Miroku, Shippou, and Inuyasha gorged. Kagome ate but not too much. After they were done and talked for a bit, the servants cleared the table and left. Sango's heart pounded in her chest when the door slid open and Jaken and Sesshoumaru entered. He looked around at them until his amber eyes settled on Sango. He stared at her until he sat down at his place. She eventually looked away in embarrassment.

"I trust everything has been well?" His eyes narrowed at them.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru." Sango answered quietly. "Everything has been wonderful. You have a very beautiful home." He stared in mild surprise. His gaze went to the others and they just nodded.

"Heh." Inuyasha smirked. "This is the first time in my life that I've been treated this way." Kagome frowned and elbowed him.

"Has not, you jerk." Miroku chuckled.

"Calm down, you two." His violet orbs went to Sesshoumaru's amber ones. He stared the youkai lord in the face with a smile on his face. "Everything has been fine. Although, suspicion is common among the household."

"That is to be expected. As long as no one mistreated any of you." They all shook their heads. "Good. Things are going better than I expected. We have three more days until the anniversary. You are all free to explore and do as you wish, so long as you have an escort. There are places in here that not even the staff goes to." Sango looked at Rin and remembered what the little girl said.

That's right... Rin told me about those rooms. I wonder what is in them. But I will not venture there.

"Sounds good." Miroku said with a grin. "A nice rest will do us all some good, especially you, Sango." The taiji-ya jumped at the sound of her name and looked at him.

"Oh... Right, Houshi-sama. Rest." She felt her face grow hot. Why was she acting so weird? Not even she had the answers.

Though, I do think that it has something to do with all of these youkai. I have never been around so many in one place before and not be fighting them. Not only that but the way they make me feel so self-conscious.

She chided herself for it, that was for sure. She felt disgusted and ashamed at the way she was letting them make her feel. All she could do was pray that she didn't feel that way for the entire stay.

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All done with another chapter. Hope you enjoyed! Please tell me how this is turning out.