I could hear voices, not quite distinguishable, but voices nonetheless. I tried desperately to open my eyes, or move my body unfortunately to no avail. I must admit, despite how painful it is to do so, that to feel so powerless as I felt in that moment, it frightened me beyond belief. Never before had I felt so vulnerable and weak. I could sense that I was no longer outside, but instead in a small hut. I could also sense that I was not alone. I was vulnerable, confined, and completely in the hands of whomever was present.

I desperately searched my memories, trying to at least identify my company. The last thing I could remember was standing outside with Inuyasha and his mate, the Miko girl. Inuyasha hated me so it was only natural to assume that it was the Miko who was with me and not my younger brother.

I tried once again to move my body, and moaned softly in pain as stiff muscles and joints were pulled, despite my attempts to suppress the sound. Apparently, the product of my pain had alerted the other occupant of the room, for soon I could hear them moving towards me.

An arm was slipped under my back, and I felt something soft, slipping off my eyes. I resisted the urge to try opening my eyes once more and instead simply waited. I swiftly ran the situation and the position in which my helper had put themselves in, through my mind, searching for answers. If this person was the Miko girl, I knew that she would have had trouble lifting me into even a semi upright position, despite how much wait I had previously lost. Then all questions I had about said other person where answered as I felt a full set of claws pressing lightly into my arm through the thin fabric of my haori. (A.N: Don't ask how, but in this fic, fluffy's arm grew back. I always felt bad when he lost it.)

Suddenly I was able to recognize the scent of the figure next to me. "Inuyasha?" My voice sounded hoarse even to my own ears.

"Ya it's me." He answered rather gruffly, sounding somewhat annoyed. I could feel my upper body being lifted, until I was sitting upright and leaning slightly against him. I subconsciously tucked my legs gingerly to the side, allowing him to support me completely. (A.N: I love it when people do that. It just sounds so graceful.)

"Sesshoumaru..." The gruff tone in his voice was completely gone, hesitance replacing it. "Sesshoumaru...What happened? ...I mean to...Rin" It was an innocent question, one that in his youth, he would have been curious enough to brave all and ask about. I couldn't fault him for that. However, that didn't prevent the tears from escaping my still closed eyes, at the memory of my beloved. The anguish that I had felt at her death coming back to me full force.

It is perfectly clear now that the fates do not want me to be happy, for whenever I find someone whom I care for; they are torn away from me. My mother, my Father, in a sense, even Inuyasha, and now my precious Rin.

I've never wanted the same fate to become Inuyasha's, perhaps that is why I shun him. I would prefer to hurt him than to have him killed because of me.

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Inuyasha's P.O.V

-----

He was crying! He was actually crying! Never before in my entire life had I ever seen him show any semblance of emotion, and here he was, body shaking uncontrollably with the force of his tears. Lord Sesshoumaru, the Ice Prince, the inventor of cold calculating cruelty, wasn't supposed to cry. I looked up to him, I always have, and if he can't be strong than how can I be expected to? Although I suppose that by saying that I'm not giving him enough credit. He had every right to cry. He had obviously cared more for Rin than we had ever thought possible. Had I been in his shoes, I know that I would cry every day for weeks if not months. I did the same thing after the death of my mother.

As cruel as it may seem, it is somewhat refreshing to actually see him cry, even if the reasons for it are tearing him apart. It allows me to see that even the impenetrable Sesshoumaru can be wounded to. It's not that I want him to be in pain, but I do want him to be able to show me when he is sad. He's my brother and I want to be able to help him, and I vow here and now that, that is exactly what I'll do. He may hate me, but that won't stop me from being there for my Brother when he needs someone to show that they care. Who knows, maybe this incident, no matter how devastating and horrible will actually serve to bring us closer together again, like we used to be, when I was only a pup. I want, no...I need my brother back.

(A.N: sorry about the wait my dearies, a lot of things came up. I'll try to write more a head of time in the future. There's exams this week though so I may not be able to post for at least 2 weeks.

Reviewer Responses

yasha's boo: You wanted it, well here it is -. Oh and dunna worry, everything works out in the end. All though i'm sorry, but expect a few more depressing chapters before things get better. sniff sniff sowy.

silentchild13: Awww sorry for making you cry. As i said before, it shall get better.

Tiki-Chan: Tehe, thankies for the reviews, although i expected nothing less from you. i'm not gunna revive Rin, but all shall be well. Oh yess, I AM GOD...no wait, ur god, LMAO i am jesus than. tehe.

Angels Heart 1622: Thankies for your review

RinsDarkMagician: Omg, Thankies for your multiple reviews. Much more cutness on the way. And dunna worry, i'm planning on Inuyasha and Sesshy actually getting along in this fic. YAY!

Balita: Hiya Snookums. Thankies for the reviews. tehe, this chapters for you and Tiki and AAALL of my other lovely reviewers. I LOVE YOU ALL! tehe.