Chapter Nine: Arriving in Rivendell

They crested the hill and overlooked the river that surrounded Rivendell. The twins glanced at one another flashing each other a large grin and broke into a run. Inuyasha frowned and shared a look with Sesshoumaru. Rin giggled and raced after the twins, their happiness flooding over them quickly. Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru watched Inuyasha and Kagome join in the run, and he rolled his eyes, walking slowly. As he walked, Sesshoumaru could feel the power rise the closer he got to the river. He felt the hair on his arm lift, and he growled low in his throat. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of the blood red sky that had seemed to follow them.

Sesshoumaru turned his head and walked up to the small company, and he smirked at their impatience. Elladan shook his head and turned to face the river, muttering words softly, and Sesshoumaru gasped as the water receded to a mere trickle. Kagome blinked, and Rin grabbed her hand.

Elrohir chuckled and shrugged. "It's alright. The river is allowing us passage."

Sesshoumaru waited silently as the twins started their crossing of the river, and then as Kagome and Inuyasha followed slowly and carefully. Rin stood beside him and watched as Kagome slipped a few times on the slippery rocks and she glanced up at him with a worried look on her face. Glancing down at the rocks, Sesshoumaru noticed a few that were jagged, and he bent down and scooped Rin into his arm, and proceeded across after the other four.

Once they were safely on the other side, Sesshoumaru placed Rin back on her feet and they entered the woods on the other side of the Bruinen. Whistles and chirps sounding like birds filled the air, and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. He knew they were not birds, and watched the twins carefully. Elrohir grinned and lifted his head to the sky, answering the calls with his own whistles. Taking a deep breath, Sesshoumaru ducked under a low hanging branch, and slowly followed the twins.

"It's beautiful here, isn't it Inuyasha?" Kagome piped up happily.

"Keh!" Inuyasha grumbled. "They're trees, Kagome."

Kagome frowned. "Why are you so grumpy?"

Inuyasha scowled. "Who says I'm grumpy? I just don't see the fascination of trees, when we have the exact same ones."

Kagome sighed. "How long to your home, Elladan?" She asked.

The elder twin turned around and smiled. "We will hit the mountain path soon."

Elrohir nodded and also turned his head. "You can see all of Rivendell from the pass." Turning his head to his brother, he grinned. "Father already knows we have arrived."

Elladan nodded. "He knew the minute we crossed the river."

Elrohir rolled his eyes. "I suppose us ever sneaking into Imladris would be out of the question."

Elladan snorted. "Indeed. He has prepared rooms for you four, and supper has also been prepared."

Inuyasha grinned.

Elrohir chuckled. "I will never understand how you are able to know these things."

Elladan quirked a brow. "It's the same with you and grandmother."

Elrohir shrugged at that. "Is Arwen here?" He asked looking at his twin.

Elladan shook his head. "She is in Lothlorien."

Sesshoumaru listened quietly, and felt a small hand take his. Looking down, he smiled at Rin. It took the company several minutes to exit through the trees, and Kagome gasped as she looked at the valley. "It's beautiful."

Elladan nodded, looking at the mist that surrounded Rivendell, and he shared a look with Elrohir. "Welcome to Rivendell."

Sesshoumaru sniffed the air, and found it to be filled with lilacs and rain water. The whole area felt of peace and tranquility, and left him feeling slightly out of place. Continuing their walk, it took them just over an hour to reach a large bridge, and he felt Rin's hand grip his tighter.

"What is it?" He asked softly.

"Will it break?" She whispered.

Shaking his head, he squeezed her hand in response. "It is safe."

They crossed the bridge single file, except for Rin and Sesshoumaru who stood side by side, and on the other side, the little girls hand slipped out of his, and she hid behind his legs. Frowning, he glanced over his shoulder, and saw that she was well hidden by his large hakama pants, in her tiny hands she held his fur pelt, and he shook his head, turning his gaze in front of him once again. The first through the gates were the twins, followed by Inuyasha and Kagome, who slowed their pace to stand behind the great Inuyoukai.

Smirking, Sesshoumaru lifted his hand to brush a low hanging branch out of his face as he passed through the gate, and he broke off a piece of it sniffing at the object curiously. 'Willow.' He thought silently. Glancing over his shoulder he grinned at Inuyasha and his human girl in amusement. Sesshoumaru turned his head around looking in front of him, and almost gasped at the many people filling the court yard, and he stopped at their silent securitization. Frowning, he waited patiently as the twins were greeted by several others, and shook his head. Turning his head slightly, he caught sight of an older version of the twins standing on the steps of the great house. 'That must be their father.' Sesshoumaru mused. He felt Rin move behind him, still clutching his pelt, and she poked her head out from behind his legs.

They stood in the courtyard, standing and watching one another in contemplation. Elrond saw his sons' and saw the four others that had arrived behind them. He had known that his son's had returned, but his frown had turned into an amused smile when a little girl came out from behind a tall figure.

She had walked forward, her gaze staring in fascination around her. Her little mouth was open in wonder and amazement. She closed her mouth and grinned clasping her hands in excitement. "Oh it is so pretty here." She exclaimed, her happiness washing over everyone around her.

Several elves smiled, others laughed, and Elrond stepped forward, the smile crossing his features. He nodded to his sons' "Elladan, Elrohir."

They inclined their heads in greeting. "Greetings, father." They said in unison.

Elrond lifted his gaze and stared at the tall figure that the little girl had hidden behind. His aura was powerful, and his stance was one of restlessness.

Elrohir moved forward. "Father, this is Inuyasha, Kagome, Sesshoumaru and Rin."

Rin beamed with happiness, and waved her little hand. "Hi." She blushed slightly at the small snickers she heard, and she stepped back a bit.

"Hello to you also, little one. It is a pleasure to meet you." Elrond noticed her reluctance and knelt down taking her small hand in his and kissed the back.

The small blush crept to a deeper shade, but her grin widened.

Elladan and Elrohir shared a smile and their eyes met a golden haired elf standing slightly behind their father. It was Glorfindel. Rin's eyes immediately found the golden haired elf lord and her eyes widened.

Elrond looked over his shoulder and smiled. "That is Glorfindel."

Rin grinned. "Pretty hair." She muttered softly. This caused several more chuckles through out the crowd, and she looked down at her toes.

Sesshoumaru watched all this with fascination. His fingers played with the stick in his hand, and he pursed his lips thinking. Smirking to himself, this would be a good time to take the attention off the bright little girl. Feeling his smile crawl across his features, Sesshoumaru glanced over at Inuyasha who was standing slightly off to the side and behind him. "Inuyasha?"

Looking over at his older brother, he raised an eyebrow seeing the smirk. "What do you want?"

Throwing the stick over his shoulder, he grinned. "Fetch!"

Inuyasha didn't miss a beat, with out realizing what he was doing he darted back to catch the stick that flew past him. Instinct made him almost catch the stick but he stopped glaring at his brother. "Hey!"

"Dumb mutt." His brother shook his head rolling his eyes. The crowd around them watched with wide eyes in surprise.

"Who are you calling a mutt? If I'm not mistaken you are also a canine!" Inuyasha stalked up to him and glared daggers at his brother.

Sesshoumaru smiled nodding. "Yes but you don't see me chasing after sticks now do you?"

"You're barking up the wrong tree, brother." Inuyasha snarled softly.

Elrond stood up and watched the two curiously. It seemed familiar to him and his eyes found Erestor and Glorfindel with raised eyebrows. His eyes turned back to his sons' and their guests, and his brows raised higher when the shorter one took a pose ready for attack.

The dark haired girl Kagome shook her head. "Not this again!" She muttered under her breath, but reached Elrond's ears with ease. "Stop it!" She sighed.

Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha smirking, and waiting and Inuyasha stood snarling at his elder brother. "I would be careful, little brother."

Inuyasha glared at him. "Why's that?"

Sesshoumaru tilted his head in Kagome's direction. "She looks ready to utter that particular word you dislike so much."

Inuyasha froze instantly, glancing over his shoulder in fear. "Keh!" He growled, but turned away from Sesshoumaru immediately.

"You have quite the power over him, Kagome." Sesshoumaru smirked.

Elrond now more confused then before, waved them all inside. "Come, refresh yourselves before dinner is served."

Elrohir walked up on the left side of his father while Elladan took the right, both slightly behind him, in respect. Rin raced back to Sesshoumaru and walked beside him, glancing around her at the elves who smiled and winked. She blushed and grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand tightly.

Looking down, he saw her uncomfortable stance, and lifted his head looking at the elves frowning. Tightening his hand around her small one, he turned his head away, and sighed trying to keep his emotions under control. Smirking to himself, he remembered only a week before when he had told his brother that very same thing.

Inuyasha glowered behind Kagome, and huffed when she grinned back at him. "What a good boy." She said with a wink.

He snorted.

They sat around a large elegant table, covered with food. There were only a select few in the dinning hall. This included Erestor, Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond. On the other side of the table sat Kagome, Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru and Rin. They all began their meals, except for Sesshoumaru, who sat back in this chair, uncomfortably. He was used to sitting on the floor, or the ground, but not in a chair to eat.

It had been an interesting day for them all, Kagome and Rin having a room which was filled with a large plush bed, looking similar to a futon that they used back home, but larger and Rin's useful words of fluffy and soft.

Sesshoumaru, to his great irritation was left to share a room with his brother. Lifting his gaze when he heard his name spoken, glanced over at the one who called his attention.

Raising an eyebrow at the golden haired elf, he waited. Elrohir snickered, and Elladan choked on his mouthful of food. Elrohir pounded him on the back, laughing openly now. Tears running out of his eyes, gulping back water quickly, Elladan shook his head.

"What is so amusing?" Sesshoumaru asked curiously.

"You looked just like our father." Elrohir roared with laughter.

Elrond cleared his throat, the twins stopped immediately.

Elladan glanced up and looked at him smiling. "Father is Arwen arriving home soon?"

Elrond shook his head. "Not until spring." Both twins nodded looking away.

Rin stood up on her chair and reached out for something just slightly out of her reach and she almost lost her footing, but Sesshoumaru steadied her quickly. Lifting his hand, he pulled the platter of fruit and bread closer to her. She grinned and grabbed the honey bread and sat down quickly.

"The twins tell me that you are not from around here. In all my years I have never come across any being with markings upon their faces like you have." Elrond began.

Glorfindel nodded, and swallowed his mouthful of food. "I also have never seen anyone such as you. You appear to be elves, and yet you are not. Elladan tells me that you called yourselves demons."

Inuyasha nodded. "Yes."

Kagome glanced at the golden haired elf then back at Inuyasha.

"Every demon I have come across has been evil. Yet no evil emanates from either of you."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "Is that so? How can you be sure?"

Glorfindel turned his blue eyes to Sesshoumaru. "Elves are perceptive on these things. Hence why we have lived so long."

Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru glanced at the girl beside him. Rin was staring at the golden haired elf curiously. When the elf's eyes met hers, she blushed and looked down at her plate. "Lord Sesshoumaru?" She whispered. Even though the words were spoken so softly, Glorfindel and the other elves had heard them and looked up in interest.

"What is it Rin?"

"Why is his hair that color?"

Sesshoumaru glanced up and caught the elves eyes. "I am uncertain. Perhaps you should ask them."

Rin blinked but nodded. The little girl didn't utter another word however, and stuffed her mouth with more honey bread.

Erestor smiled. "Elves have a variety of colors for their hair. Some have the same color as Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, and some the same color as you, Rin. Others have the strange color of gold like Lord Glorfindel here."

Glorfindel narrowed his eyes. "Mine is not strange, thank you. More elves have my color hair then yours Erestor."

The elf snorted and turned his attention away back to his plate of food.

Sesshoumaru smiled at Rin and whispered in her ear. "Does that answer your question?"

She nodded quickly.

Elrond smiled at the little girl remembering his own daughter, and turned his attention back to the two demons that sat at his table. "Where are you four from?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "It doesn't matter where we are from. We only wish to return to our homes."

Elrohir lifted his head sharing a look with Elladan. "You were brought here for a reason. That is why we brought them here father." He said turning his gaze to Elrond.

Elrond nodded. "What ever reason it was, it remains a mystery. The child calls you and Inuyasha lords. Where are your lands that you rule?"

Sesshoumaru sighed. "My father was a Daiyoukai of the western province. I inherited those lands when he died. Inuyasha would be lord should I die."

Inuyasha blinked owlishly at Sesshoumaru for a moment. "What lands?"

Sesshoumaru glared at his brother. "None that you should concern yourself over."

"I have heard both Myoga and Toutousai call father a Daiyoukai, and mention the western province several times, but I have never seen this place. Where is it?"

"Inuyasha, there is no house, or borders, army or such. The lands father owned were inherited after battle. It is not a possession."

Inuyasha shook his head. "I don't understand."

"You never will." Sesshoumaru growled low. "Father battled many who tried to take these lands from our kind, many Inu died but they remained. They are nothing but dirt and ash. Father wished to keep these lands among the Inu, and as we are the last they belong to me, and should I die, they will in turn be your responsibility to protect and keep as ours."

Inuyasha frowned. "Keh." Turning away from Sesshoumaru, he glanced at Kagome and shrugged.

Elrond listened patiently and once they had finished conversing, turned once again to the elder brother. "It seems that you both are at odds with one another."

"You could say that again." Inuyasha growled.

Sesshoumaru took a deep breath. "To all those around it would appear that way. That was my intention. Should any find out that a youkai has an emotion, it is used against us. In most circumstances all who show emotion are killed for that one weakness. That is why I remain as I am. However, you are correct. We are at odds with one another, but there is a thin line which that is placed upon."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at Sesshoumaru. "Keh! You have tried to kill me several times. I always send you home with your tail between your legs."

Sesshoumaru lifted his gaze to Inuyasha for a moment, and faster then a blink of an eyes he was out of his chair and had Inuyasha up by the scruff of his shirt. He hissed a warning. "Know your place! Several times I had opportunity to kill you, yet I didn't! Explain that you ungrateful mutt." Dropping Inuyasha to the floor and turning his back, Sesshoumaru exited the dining hall in a fury.

Elrond and Glorfindel both sat there with their utensils half way to their mouths frozen from the incident. Erestor cleared his throat and glanced from the now empty chair Sesshoumaru had occupied to where Inuyasha had sat.

"Well that was interesting." Erestor sighed.

Elladan and Elrohir shared a look and chuckled. "You get used to it."

Inuyasha growled. "You never get used to it. Like I said to you both, he is unpredictable."

Kagome shook her head. "What he said is true, if he really wanted to kill you Inuyasha he could without any thought to it. Why doesn't he though?"

Inuyasha stared at her. "How the hell should I know? Go ask him, you two seem to have gotten chummy since we arrived in this blasted place." He stood up shoving his chair behind him. "What the hell do you two talk about anyway?" Bending down so his face was even with hers, Inuyasha growled. "Sesshoumaru has never been much of a conversationalist, so what has changed?"

Kagome blinked at Inuyasha for a moment.

"I have seen that same look on your face when we talk about that mangy wolf!" He accused, shoving his nose to hers.

"What look? I am only helping him with these unknown emotions, Inuyasha." Kagome frowned.

"Your sparkly eyed look, don't play stupid, Kagome."

Her mouth fell open. "You can be such an idiot!" She cried, jamming her utensil into a piece of meat on her plate.

"Who are you calling an idiot?" Inuyasha cried.

Elladan and Elrohir glanced at one another, hiding their smiles behind their hands. They both shook their heads at their father when he was about to interrupt the argument.

Kagome stood up and shoved her face into Inuyasha's. "I'm calling you an idiot! How can you say that after all the times, Sesshoumaru has tried to kill us, that I would be attracted to him?"

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose and snorted. "I've seen you look at Kouga that way, so don't pretend…"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried.

He froze instantly. Laying his hands over his ears quickly, he took a step back.

"Sit!" Kagome spun around and was already walking to the door before the rosary sprung into action, sending Inuyasha face first into the polished tile floor.

"Why you…"

"Sit! Sit! SIT!" Kagome's voice echoed through the open door, sending Inuyasha onto the floor once again.

Erestor and Elrond stared at the empty door for a moment before both glanced under the table to stare at Inuyasha who lay absolutely still. Sitting up they stared at the twins for an explanation.

Elladan grinned. "It has something to do with that necklace around his neck. It's very interesting actually."

Elrohir chuckled nodding. Everyone's heads turned when a hand gripped the edge of the table. Inuyasha poked his head up and glanced at them for a moment before snarling. "Not a word. Not one word!"

Glorfindel raised his hands palms facing the youkai shaking his head. However a smile crossed his mouth. They silently watched as Inuyasha exited the hall quickly. Elrond glanced at Elladan.

"Well?"

"Father?" The elder twin frowned.

"Do you mind explaining why you brought them here?"

"So we can help them get home, and perhaps help them understand what is happening to them?" Elladan shrugged. "Why?"

"Did it ever cross your minds that they are dangerous?" Erestor sighed.

Elrohir glanced at Elladan for a moment. "We didn't sense any evil intent. Kagome has Inuyasha under control, and I think she also…" An outraged cry filled their air cutting off Elrohir's words.

"What in Varda?" Elrond frowned, standing up instantly.

It took them little time to find the youkai who stood in Elrond's study on the balcony. Inuyasha peered down with an outraged look on his face. "Do you mind explaining this?" He shouted, holding up a broken sword.

Elrond narrowed his eyes. "That is narsil."

Inuyasha growled, and turned when his brother entered the hall.

Sesshoumaru stopped and stared at the sword in his brother's hand. "Where did you find that?"

"Right here!" Inuyasha waved at the statue.

They both glanced down at Elrond who walked to the stairs leading up to the balcony.

"This is not a narsil, or what ever you called it." Inuyasha growled. "This is one of my father's swords!"

Elrond paused on the stairs.

"That is an elven sword, I was there the day it was forged, and the day it was broken." Elrond sighed, walking the rest of the way up the stairs and approaching them slowly.

Sesshoumaru regarded the sword warily, remembering the day it was destroyed. "That is Sou'unga." He snarled. Inuyasha whirled around quickly and blinked at his brother, before dropping the sword and backing away from it.

"It was destroyed!" Inuyasha stared at his hand for a moment, and then back at his brother. "Why didn't it take over me like before?"

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, and watched as Elrond bent over picking up the sword and placing it back on its base. "There is no evil surrounding the sword, Inuyasha. But there is no mistake, that is Sou'unga."

The three of them stood silent and still, eyes looking at one another, and then at the sword. What was going on here?