A/N: Here is chapter two everyone. I hope you enjoy it. Just a little bit of information for you all. I know the brothers don't seem to be grieving all that much yet, but I wanted to separate them a little bit from humans. Everyone grieves in their own way, and sometimes it takes others longer to come out of shock and fall into grief then others do. So please bear in mind this little fact when reading this chapter. Somethings are trivial, such as material belongings.But rebuilding a life is hard before grief hits you a sucker punch right when you least expect it.

I would like to thank Sesshomaru's Dokkaso for betaing this chapter for me. Her input has been a great help, and her pointers also help improve small mistakes that I tend to make.All the Japanese phrases in this story are from the book called Japanese for beginners. All the english translations are written in italics beside the phrase. I hope this helps a bit.

Any comments are more then welcomed, and just to let you know, some of what happens in this story is from personal experiences. Please be gentle when it comes to flames regarding the grief process, as I have had to go into my past and remember how I had dealt with my own grief. Enjoy, and cheers.

Chapter Two: A New Life, and Recovery

The next day went by in a flash for the brothers as several people came and went out of the hospital room. Two were the lawyers from the previous day, and there were also Myoga and Jaken present.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha exited the hospital and stared at the inconspicuous car that sat in the drive. Both brothers rolled their eyes at the rusted thing.

"You have got to be joking." Inuyasha mumbled in disgust.

Toutousai chuckled. "Not that one." He shook his head and pointed at a nice new car that pulled up. "That one." Inuyasha grinned and nodded.

"Much better."

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and snorted. "Idiot." He turned to the lawyers. "So where do we now reside?"

"South side of Tokyo. It is close to the restaurant so you both have easy access to get there. As for you going downtown to your father's place of business, I would hold off on that for a while at least, until things settle down. Saya has offered to overlook it until you are healed enough to go there."

Sesshoumaru nodded, and climbed into the car with a sigh. Inuyasha followed, and Myoga and Jaken climbed into the front, while Toutousai and Bokusenou climbed into the car that pulled up behind them.

The cars pulled out slowly, and drove through Tokyo until they came to a quiet residential area in the south side. Both brothers eagerly looked out their windows, wondering which house was now theirs.

They pulled up to a modest looking home, with several shouji marking the front doors and windows. Shrubs and foliage surrounded the place, and some old looking sakura trees stood in the front, and a path that lead from the road to the houses entrance.

Both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru gawked, and grinned. It was definitely smaller than their former home, but homely looking.

They stopped in the driveway and everyone piled out. Bokusenou and Toutousai walked up to them and handed Sesshoumaru an envelope, and a set of keys.

"The house is fully paid for, along with the first few years of taxes. The only thing you two have to worry about right now is keeping up on the maintenance yourselves. You are not to draw attention to yourselves by hiring servants to do this work. As of right now, you are Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha Chidori, and Myoga and Jaken are your uncles. Inside the envelope are instructions, along with your transcripts, the houses deeds, and a driver's permit for you Sesshoumaru. You will have your test in a weeks time, and school starts for you both after that." Toutousai informed them.

Bokusenou smiled. "Does the house meet to your approval?"

Sesshoumaru nodded, soaking in all the information and he glanced at Inuyasha. The younger brother also nodded.

"The house has four bedrooms, and an unfinished room upstairs in the loft. Myoga has volunteered to finish the room for his own use, and Jaken will reside in one of the spare rooms on the main floor." Toutousai continued.

Inuyasha grinned mischievously. "I get the biggest room right?"

"In your dreams, otouto." Sesshoumaru snorted.

The lawyers rolled their eyes knowingly. "Everything has been taken care of, so you have no worries for the time being. Should you need anything, do not hesitate to call us. Your father left instructions for a weekly allowance, which I must say is a hefty sum, so you both will have no money worries."

Inuyasha leaned on his crutches. "So, are we just going to stand out in the driveway? Or can we go see inside?"

Sesshoumaru snickered, and the lawyers waved for them to follow to the front shouji. Sliding the panel open, they walked in and unlocked the door inside, giving entrance.

They all piled into the front entrance, staring in wonder at the many boxes piled along the walls. Sesshoumaru walked through and slid the shouji and entered the family room. Glancing around, he took in the polished bookshelves that sat empty along the walls, and a large entertainment unit. Inuyasha immediately grinned upon discovering the T.V and stereo.

In the center of the room sat a dark gray couch, made of faux suede, and in front of it sat a low black coffee table. Several lamps lit the room. Along the back wall behind the couch sat a computer desk, with a new computer and several books. Blinking, Sesshoumaru nodded his approval, and walked out of the room, sliding the next shouji to the room behind it. It was the eating area, which housed a small low table, and tatami mats on the floor. Nodding once again, he exited that room to where the kitchen sat and he took in the fancy appliances with a roll of his eyes. Turning to glare at the lawyers he tilted his head.

"How is this suppose to keep us inconspicuous?" Sesshoumaru snorted.

Bokusenou smiled slowly. "The house came with these, sir. If you wish, we can replace anything you want."

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "It's fine." He said taking in the silver fridge and stove. Walking around the counter, he peered at the silver finished dishwasher, and the other appliances that sat on the countertops.

Turning away, he slid another shouji and discovered a small room with a washer and dryer. Shrugging his shoulders, he stood upright and turned his head at the sound of voices entering from the living area. Rolling his eyes, he knew Inuyasha had found the remote to the T.V.

Taking a deep breath, Sesshoumaru closed the shouji and walked to the other end of the kitchen and looked up the stairs. Climbing them, he peered into each room, first finding a small one with only a bed, and he smirked.

"Inuyasha's room?" He snorted, and winked at the lawyers, who followed close behind him.

Walking further down the hall, he finally found his brother's room, which was filled with boxes, and his regular bed from their former house. Nodding in satisfaction, he closed the door and walked to the last one at the end of the hall, and entered.

Inuyasha's room was a fair size, but this one was enormous. Nuzzled in the center of the room were Sesshoumaru's bed, and his dresser. Taking in a deep breath, he glanced around at the many boxes lined against the walls, and he nodded once, looking longingly at the bed. Almost as soon as he had left the hospital, a dull ache had entered his skull signaling a headache.

Now it pounded furiously, and his arm began to throb mercilessly. His brow felt too cold. He walked over to the bed, and slowly sank down onto it, not saying a single word to the two lawyers who closed the door silently behind him.

Finally alone, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, and moaned at the aches that filled his body, as he silently wondered how long it was going to be before he felt normal again. Hopefully his youkai abilities would fight against the medications from the hospital and begin working on their own.

Even though the medication did help with the pain, all Sesshoumaru wanted was to heal his injuries. He could deal with the pain, unless it grew too intense, and then he would seek the aid of those human medicines. Sighing, he found himself sinking into sleep and relaxed fully.

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Inuyasha grumbled and finally turned off the T.V. There was absolutely nothing on, and he lifted his head from the couch when the lawyers entered. Glancing behind him, he looked for his brother and didn't see him.

"Your brother is in his room upstairs at the end of the hall. He is resting right now, master Inuyasha." Bokusenou began. "I would let him rest."

Inuyasha nodded and wondered how he was going to climb the stairs with his leg and crutches. Shrugging his shoulders, he leaned back against the couch and sighed. "So is there anything fun to do on this end of town?"

Toutousai frowned. "Sir, you must remain in doors for now, until your injuries heal. You are not known on this end of town, but I would not rush into seeking enjoyment. Rest, and recover from this tragedy."

Inuyasha sighed and nodded. "Okay. Why do you say no one knows me? I worked at my Haha's restaurant for a few months. The people there would know me."

"Sir, the former workers were laid off and the place was closed. A note on the door says it is closed for renovations, so this is what is currently being done. The employees were well compensated, and new workers will begin next week, when the changes have finished." Toutousai informed him.

"We have changed the name of the place as well, so not to draw attention to it." Bokusenou said.

Inuyasha sat up with a raised brow. "So it's no longer called Souske's Japanese Cuisine?"

Bokusenou shook his head. "We changed the name to Chidori's. It is for your protection, sir."

"Okay, okay. I get it already."

Bokusenou continued. "Sir, the place is being changed from a high class restaurant to more of a casual setting. We don't want the former customers to recognize you, so it will be more comfortable for the younger crowd. It will still draw in attention, and the cook will remain the same. He was employed by your father and has been instructed to remain quiet. He is trust worthy."

"So what you're saying is it is going to be more of a hang out for the school kids?" Inuyasha cocked a brow at the old lawyer.

They both nodded.

Inuyasha grinned and shrugged. "Suits me just fine. Does Sesshoumaru know?"

They shook their heads, and everyone turned around when Myoga and Jaken entered the room silently.

"Well if there is nothing else, we will take our leave." Toutousai nodded once and both lawyers left.

Myoga sighed and glanced at the small Inu on the couch. "We will retire, master Inuyasha. I will be in the loft should you need me."

Jaken snorted. "Those lawyers are tiresome. If you need anything, I will be down the hall."

Inuyasha sat silently and watched them walk out of the room. Shrugging his shoulders, Inuyasha flicked on the T.V. again and hobbled to his feet to see what other surprises were left in this unit.

Opening the top shelf, Inuyasha grinned at the DVD player and the few movies that sat beside it. Picking one, he placed it into the machine and hopped back to the couch, and flopped down onto it with a grunt.

Sitting back, and resting his heavily casted leg on the coffee table, Inuyasha watched the action movie and didn't notice the sky drift into darkness. Evening fell leaving the house rather dark. He turned his head surprised, and groaned. His stomach rumbled and he released a snarl. He was so used to having his meals prepared for him, and served, that he had forgotten that they were now left to fend for themselves.

Pushing himself up off the couch, he lifted his crutches, moved into the kitchen, and flipped on the overhead lights. The soft glow cast everything in a bluish hue and he grinned. "At least they aren't florescent lights."

Hobbling over to the fridge, he pulled it open and glanced at the full shelves, and quickly found a plate of roast, and smirked. "Those sneaky bastards." He whispered, indicating the lawyers who must have had their meal prepared for them. He glanced at the two other plates, which had slices of roast, and vegetables on them, and pulled out one. Inuyasha pursed his lips trying to figure out how he was going to take it over to the microwave on the counter just out of his reach.

Glancing at the plate, and then at his cast, and then scowling at his crutches, Inuyasha snarled softly.

A chuckle brought his attention to the stairs and he sighed in relief at his brother who stood there, looking slightly disheveled. His eyes were sleep filled, and he grinned. "Can you help?" Inuyasha held out the plate and waved with his other hand to the microwave.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head, and nodded. Walking over to his brother, he took the plate and placed it on the counter, then popped the door to the microwave open. Putting the plate into the machine, he closed the door and set it for a few minutes before walking back to the fridge for his own food. Discovering the prepared plate, he ignored his brother who hobbled over to the counter, which had two stools placed at it, and Inuyasha struggled into one awkwardly.

"This is such a pain in the ass." Inuyasha grumbled.

"Indeed." Sesshoumaru agreed, looking at his heavily bandaged arm. "I suppose we should count ourselves lucky."

Inuyasha glanced at him with narrowed eyes. "How do you figure?"

"We are alive, aren't we?" Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder and pulled out his brother's plate once the timer rang. Putting his into the machine, and then resetting the timer, he walked the plate to his brother and placed it down. "We are lucky. I suppose tomorrow we will go to the restaurant and see what is happening there."

"Uhh." Inuyasha began with a nervous grin. "Toutousai and Bokusenou said they are renovating it."

"Myoga told me." Sesshoumaru inclined his head. He turned back to the microwave and took his plate out and seated himself beside his brother. Both ate in silence and sighed in time with each other.

"So, how are you going to drive with only one arm?" Inuyasha asked, pushing his plate away from him when he was finished.

Sesshoumaru stared at it and raised a brow. "Take the plate to the dishwasher, lazy ass. I won't clean up after you. I am sure they have plans of something for me to drive one handed."

"I would have taken the offer for the prosthetic arm." Inuyasha grumbled, standing wobbling slightly and hobbled his plate to behind the counter.

"Hnn." Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say. You still have your arm."

Inuyasha looked up and shrugged. "At least you don't have to hop around like a baka. This thing is heavy." He stated glaring at his cast.

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "We are both a mess." He glanced at the limp ear on his brother's head and frowned slightly. "Come here a second."

Inuyasha also frowned, but hopped over to his brother and waited as Sesshoumaru lifted his hand to his ear.

"Can you feel that?" Sesshoumaru asked, tweaking the ear slightly.

Inuyasha nodded. "A little. It's numb. Well not fully, but yeah, I can feel it. Stop touching my ears." He grumbled smacking his brother's hand away.

Sesshoumaru nodded in satisfaction.

"Do you think our new school will have any other youkai?" Inuyasha asked.

"There aren't many schools left in Tokyo without youkai, Inuyasha. Most have converted." Sesshoumaru snorted.

"I wonder what it's like." Inuyasha said, hopping over to his chair and climbing back onto it. "Hey, did you see my room yet? Is it big?"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes at the constant change in subject. "It has a bed and nothing else." He grinned remembering the spare room.

Inuyasha gaped and blinked at him stupidly for a moment, before he noticed his brother's smirk and he snorted.

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "Had you there for a minute. Your room is big."

"Smaller than yours, I bet." Inuyasha scoffed.

"It looks to be the same size as your old one, so stop complaining." Sesshoumaru grunted, and rose to his feet once he had finished his meal.

"Hey Sess?"

Sesshoumaru looked up from the dishwasher and waited.

"Do you think they suffered?" Inuyasha asked, looking at his hands that were placed in his lap.

Sesshoumaru stood upright and stared long and hard at his brother before responding. "I don't know. I wasn't given the details, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha nodded and slumped his shoulders. "Things won't be the same will they?"

"No. But as long as we stick together, we can get through this. Jaken informed me that the lawyers are taking care of the funeral preparations, and have informed me that it will be a regular closed youkai ceremony."

Inuyasha nodded. "But Haha was human."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "She was held in high honor among the youkai, you know that. She will be given the honorable rights of a youkai ceremony. If that meets to your approval."

Inuyasha looked up with a faint smile and tears in his eyes. "I think she would have liked that."

Sesshoumaru smiled gently. "I think you're right."

Both sat in silence after that, until Inuyasha yawned and stretched. "Hey, want to go watch a movie?" He asked his brother, who sat fingering the bandages on his arm.

Sesshoumaru looked up and snorted. "You're still awake?"

"Yes, shut up." Inuyasha groaned, holding back another yawn.

"Sure, why the hell not. Don't hog the couch though." Sesshoumaru grinned and made a break for the room, while Inuyasha scowled scrambling for his crutches.

"Hey, no fair!" He roared, stumbling after his brother. "These things are hard to maneuver." By the time Inuyasha made it into the living area, Sesshoumaru had already made himself comfortable on the couch, with a movie placed into the machine. Grumbling all the way to the couch, Inuyasha dropped his crutches and flopped beside his brother ungracefully.

Sesshoumaru grinned, and rested his head against the back of the couch. His head still ached slightly, but didn't pound as much as it had earlier in the day, so content, he released a sigh.

Inuyasha glanced at him and raised a brow. "You need something for the pain?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head slightly. "I don't want to rely on those human medications. I want my youkai abilities to aid me in healing."

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It must have been hours later when Inuyasha woke up stiff lying propped on the couch, with his one leg on the coffee table, and the other hanging over the side of the armrest. His left arm was numb, from him sleeping on it all night, and his right arm somehow got wedged under his brother. Groaning, he tried to shift his position without kinking his neck too much. Snorting at himself, he had somehow drooled all over the couch. He rolled his eyes. Looking towards the curtains he noticed that it was daylight out. Had they slept through the whole night on the couch?

Lifting his head, he realized that his right arm felt far too hot, and he glanced at his brother curiously. Extreme heat flooded out of his brother, and his face was damp. Alarmed, Inuyasha pulled his arm free, and maneuvered into a sitting position and shook his brother. Sesshoumaru moaned, and his eyes slowly opened. The golden orbs were glazed over from fever, and Inuyasha panicked.

"Sesshoumaru?"

"Hnn?" His brother moaned, blinking against the light that filled the living room.

"Hells, you're burning up." Inuyasha declared. "Where are those meds?"

Sesshoumaru stared at him blankly, and then closed his eyes again.

"Hells, no you don't you bastard. Keep your eyes open." Inuyasha snapped.

Sesshoumaru slid his eyes open slowly and peered at the concerned look on his brother's face. Frowning, he grunted. Why was his brother telling him to stay awake? All he wanted to do was sleep, his head pounded furiously. Slipping his eyes closed again, he felt a sharp shake, and more words from his brother's mouth, but he couldn't make out what it was Inuyasha had said.

Groaning, he opened his eyes again, and stared at his brother in annoyance.

"Keep your damn eyes open." Inuyasha snapped.

Sesshoumaru definitely understood those words and he shook his head. "Let me sleep." He mumbled.

Inuyasha growled. "Where are your damn meds, you stupid fool?"

"Whoru calling stupid?" Sesshoumaru moaned, his words drawling lazily from his mouth.

"You! You're burning up." Inuyasha glanced around the room searching for something, anything. Coming up shorthanded, he quickly tore his brother's shirt from his body with his claws. The stench that erupted from Sesshoumaru's remaining left arm caught him off guard, and he gagged. "Shit! Did they give you antibiotics?"

"You're swearing." Sesshoumaru drawled again.

"Where are your meds?" Inuyasha asked again, slicing through the gauze that surrounded his brother's arm, wrinkling his nose in distaste. The smell was unbearable. Throwing the gauze to the floor, Inuyasha felt his eyes widen and he gawked. The injury was infected horribly. Swallowing, Inuyasha scrambled to his feet, forgetting for a moment that his leg was casted, and he released a sharp cry of pain and crashed to the ground in a heap. "Dammit."

Pushing himself up, Inuyasha hopped out of the room as fast as he could and found the stairs. Looking up in horror, Inuyasha quickly drew in a long breath and gripped the railing hopping and pulling himself up the steep incline. Once at the top of the stairs, he found he was sweating profusely and growled softly.

Calming his racing breath, he cursed his stupidity when he remembered that Jaken was on the first floor, and he could have gone to him for help. Shaking his head, he hopped across the floor towards the rooms and quickly searched for his brother's. Finding it at the end of the hall, Inuyasha barreled into the room and found a pile of bottles on his brother's dresser, and he stuffed them all into his yukata quickly, and proceeded to the end of the hall where the stairs seemed to grin at him menacingly.

Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha hopped carefully down the stairs, and back into the family room and found his brother once again asleep. Cursing, he shouted out, for Jaken.

"Jaken! Get your bloody ass in here!" Inuyasha snarled.

Hopping over to the couch, Inuyasha shook his brother and saw the eyes move slightly. "Open your eyes, bastard! Don't you dare fall asleep." Reaching into his yukata, Inuyasha pulled out the many bottles, trying to make sense of the names and found himself to be at a complete loss. "Jaken!" He called again.

Shaking his brother harder, he grunted with relief when Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered open, and peered at him curiously. Holding out several bottles, Inuyasha made sure Sesshoumaru saw them "Which ones are the antibiotics?"

Sesshoumaru frowned and peered at the blurry writing on the prescriptions and shook his head.

"Dammit, Sesshoumaru! Think!" Inuyasha was near panic now.

"Hnn?" Sesshoumaru once again tried to read the words that were placed before his eyes, and he squinted trying to clear them. "Read them." He said instead.

Inuyasha blinked, and then listed them off to the best of his ability, even though some of the words sounded strange on his lips. Sesshoumaru grunted at the last one he said, and nodded.

"That…one."

Inuyasha glanced at his brother and then nodded, popping the lid off with his claws. Frowning, he wondered where the hell Jaken was. "Great help he's been!" Inuyasha snapped. "Jaken!" He called again. "Dammit, stupid lazy toad!"

Inuyasha practically jumped out of his skin when the doorbell chimed and he panted trying to calm his racing heart. "Go away!" He shouted. Once again he scrambled to his feet, and hopped towards the kitchen, and again the doorbell chimed. Spinning around in a fury, he hopped over to it and yanked the door open. Without a single glance to who was on the steps, he hopped towards the kitchen. "Be right back." He called over his shoulder.

Once in the kitchen, he pulled out a glass from the cupboard, and hopped to the fridge pouring water into it from the dispenser, and then he hopped across the floor, spilling the water as he went.

Glancing at the glass in his hand, when he finally knelt beside his brother, he rolled his eyes. "I got more damn water on the floor." Shaking his head, he placed the pill to his brother's lips, and shoved it in, causing Sesshoumaru's eyes to snap open in surprise. "Take the bloody thing. Drink this." Inuyasha demanded, not once noticing the person at the door had slipped inside and watched them both curiously.

Sesshoumaru swallowed the pill and nodded, and his eyes shifted to the open shouji door, and at the stranger standing there. "Dare?" 'Who?' He moaned.

Inuyasha lifted his head and followed his brother's gaze to the door and he gasped. "Oh right! Hi." He grumbled. "Who are you?"

"Umm. My name is Eri. I live down the street." The girl said softly. "I didn't mean to intrude, I'm sorry."

"Keh! Too late now, might as well come in. And where the hell is Jaken?" Inuyasha growled, gathering his feet once again. Hopping to the end of the hall, he banged on the door to the room Jaken occupied. Shoving it open he gawked at the empty bed. "What the hell?"

Shaking his head and hopping back into the family room, he saw Sesshoumaru struggling to sit upright. "Oh now you want to sit up!" Inuyasha snapped. "Sorry, but this really isn't a good time, right now."

Eri nodded and stood up. "My mom wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood. She invited you and your family over for dinner tonight. But I will tell her that it's not the best time."

Inuyasha nodded to her and watched as she exited the family room quietly. Shaking his head, he glanced at his brother, who was rubbing his eyes slowly. "Why didn't you take your meds? Dammit, Sesshoumaru. You scared the hell out of me."

Sesshoumaru lowered his hand and peered at his brother groggily. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes briefly, trying to make the room from spinning. He heard his brother's shaky breath, and choked sob, and his eyes snapped open quickly. Had Inuyasha been that worried about him? Frowning, he watched Inuyasha rub his own eyes and scowl slightly, turning away.

"Sumimasen, otouto." 'Sorry, little brother.' Sesshoumaru whispered.

Inuyasha only nodded, and slumped defeated, sinking to the ground shaking his head slowly. "Chikusho." 'Damn.' He whispered.

Sesshoumaru sighed and blinked. "Inuyasha?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Sure it does. I always told father I would look out for you." Sesshoumaru whispered, knowing his brother would hear him. He also was nursing his pounding head.

"Keh!"

"Mamotte ageru." 'I'll protect you.'

"Mamoru? Protect?" Inuyasha turned around and glared at his brother. "Great job of it so far!" He snapped.

Sesshoumaru saw the distressed look on his brother's face, and the tears in his eyes and he swallowed. "Inuyasha. None of this was my fault."

Inuyasha clenched his fists. "It was your birthday!" Without another word, Inuyasha hopped out of the room in a rage, leaving Sesshoumaru wincing and feeling guilty. Was it his fault that their parents had died? Did Inuyasha hold him responsible for the death of Kikyo? Blinking, he sighed and closed his eyes as his girlfriends face came to him. "Kagura." He whispered. Swallowing, he wondered silently how she was doing.

From what he had been told, Kagura was still in a coma. Her injuries had been extremely serious, and none of the doctors believed she would live out the month. Sucking his breath in sharply, why had fate decided for him and Inuyasha to live through this? They were young, older then most mortals, himself being well over three hundred years old, and Inuyasha coming up to his two hundredth birthday. Time didn't mean anything to youkai, but in mortal years they were both far too young for any of this. In youkai years they were still pup's in the eyes of their elders, barely out of childhood, even so Sesshoumaru knew he had to step up and take responsibility. He wasn't sure how long he had remained on the couch, but he guessed it was nearing lunchtime. Pushing back the nauseating feeling that filled his whole body, Sesshoumaru took a few deep breaths.

Groaning, he lifted his aching head and glanced around the room. Where had things gone so wrong? Why had things gone so wrong? Was this a test of strength? Determination? Or something more that both brothers's had yet to learn? Regardless, Sesshoumaru slowly pushed himself to his feet and quickly shifted his shirt over his head, managing remarkably well for now being one handed. Once he had managed to pull the shirt on so that it looked half decent he wandered to the front door. Opening it, and squinting against the sudden light, Sesshoumaru groaned. He glanced outside and noticed the car was gone. More then likely Jaken had gone somewhere, either alone or with the irritating blood sucking flea youkai.

Glancing down the sidewalk, he saw the paper sitting at the end of it and slowly wandered over to it, slowly. Picking it up, he looked up and down the street, taking in the trees lining the curbs, and the many houses. Sesshoumaru wondered which one belonged to the girl who had appeared that morning. He shrugged his shoulder, wincing when his other twitched slightly, and he turned back to go into the house.

Shutting the door behind him, Sesshoumaru proceeded into the kitchen and smelt freshly brewed coffee. Looking around he saw his brother staring out at the back yard holding a steaming cup.

"Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru asked, placing the paper down on the counter.

His brother remained silent, staring at the trees and bushes that lay outside.

"Did you still want to check out your restaurant today?" He asked, trying another tactic.

Inuyasha turned his head slightly, and shrugged. "What's the point?"

Sesshoumaru felt a slight difference in his brother and he frowned. "Kore wa nan desu ka?" 'What is it?'

"Shirimasen." 'I don't know.'

"Naruhodo." 'I see.' Sesshoumaru whispered, pouring himself a cup of coffee. His brother was showing early signs of detachment. Grief was apparent with his younger brother, as it would be with anyone. He was no exception to that rule. The loss of his father was something he was not ready to deal with, and so having pushed back the reality of it; Sesshoumaru had been able to hold in most of his own grief. He couldn't even imagine how hard it must be for his brother, having lost both his parents. Sighing, he turned away from the counter and stared at his brother's back. What was he going to do?

"I am here to talk to, Inuyasha. You don't have to keep things bottled up inside." Sesshoumaru tried again.

"Keh. It's like you don't even care." Inuyasha whispered.

"Really?"

Inuyasha finally turned away from the window and stared at his brother long and hard. Sesshoumaru was indeed feeling the strain on life. Inuyasha could see that much. His brother's forehead was furrowed slightly, creased in thought, and hidden emotions. Shaking his head, Inuyasha looked into the deep golden eyes which were so much like his own, and found that his brother was barely holding himself together. In those eyes he saw grief, and despair, and he gasped softly. "Sess?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I am not ready. I see you also are not. I know this is hard. Perhaps we should get out of the house for awhile?"

Inuyasha placed his cup down and hopped across the kitchen closing the distance between them. Before Sesshoumaru could react, Inuyasha flung himself into his chest and wrapped his arms around his middle, holding on for dear life.

Frowning, Sesshoumaru glanced at his only remaining hand, which happened to have his coffee in it and he rolled his eyes sighing. "You could have waited until I put my cup down." He chuckled.

He felt hot wet tears seep through his shirt and he sighed softly. "Inuyasha." He whispered.

After several minutes, Inuyasha finally pealed himself from his brother and sniffled apologetically. "Gomennasai." 'I'm very sorry.'

"Maa ii deshou." 'It's okay." Sesshoumaru sighed. Usually Inuyasha had gone to his mother for comfort. It had been normally when Inuyasha had been teased or beaten by the youkai boys or human boys. Now he was stuck with his brother's human outbursts and he was uncertain as to how to deal with those.

"Sess?" Inuyasha asked. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright." Lifting his cup to his lips, Sesshoumaru took a slow drink of the hot liquid and sat down on one of the stools.

"Can we still go to see my restaurant?" Inuyasha asked, plopping himself down next to his brother.

"Hai. If you wish." Sesshoumaru nodded. It was past lunch, and he was feeling far better then he had early that morning. Perhaps fresh air would do them both some good.