It was a week after the death of Inuyasha and life slowly went back to normal. It would be strange to everyone not to have the little rambunctious prince around causing no end of trouble but life goes on.
At the palace, Izayoi still mourned for her son. Inutaisho tried to take his mind off his pain by preparing his army for battle. Although his heart still ached. He would avenge his son by ripping out Ryuukotsusei black heart and shoving it down the dragon's throat. Sesshomaru remained locked in Inuyasha's room refusing to see anyone or eat anything.
Inside Inuyasha's room the curtains were drawn leaving the room bathed in darkness. Sesshomaru was still lying in the bed curled up on his side facing away from the window. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. The demon prince did not bother answering it. The door opened and Inutaisho walked inside. He was immediately assaulted by the salty scent of dried tears mixed with fresh tears along with the rancid smell of an unwashed body. The dog lord's golden eyes peered though the darkness to see his son curled up frame on the bed. Inutaisho carried a tray of food and stepped inside. He placed the tray on the table near the bed. Then he went to the window and pulled opened the curtains. The bright sunlight banished away the gloomy darkness of the room. Now if only it could do the same for the pain in his son's heart. He then opened the window to let in some fresh air. Inutaisho turned and walked over to his son and stood at his bedside. He stared with a heavy heart at the white clad figure lying on the bed. "Sesshomaru." No answer. "Son." He tried again but still, the prince would not answer. Inutaisho sighed and sat on the bed beside his son. He gently stroked the long silver tresses.
"My son, it is time for you to put your grief away," Inutaisho said to his eldest son.
"He's gone father," said Sesshomaru hoarsely. "And it's all my fault." As a fresh flow of tears ran down his cheeks to stain the cover.
The dog demon sighed again as he turned to stare out the window. "I know you blame yourself for Inuyasha's kidnapping and . . ." Inutaisho closed his eyes as he could not say it. He clutched his hand into a fist as he went on. "But you are not to blame. You are not the one who did this. If there is anyone to blame for this. It's that bastard Ryuukotsusei." He spat the name out in disgust. He turned his gaze back to his son.
Sesshomaru turned his tear-swollen eyes upon his father. "That's a load of shit," he said angrily. "It is my fault, don't you see. Deep inside, some part of me felt, knew he was in danger but I pushed the feeling away saying it was a dream. A fucking dream. Now, my little Yasha is gone. I will never see his bright smiling face again or hear him . . ." He choked on his tears. "Hear him say he love . . ." Sesshomaru turned his tear soaked face away and buried it into the pillow.
Inutaisho firmly grabbed his weeping son by the shoulders and turned his son to face him. It broke the dog lord's heart to see his eldest son so broken. He pulled the thin frame of his son into his arms and held him tight.
"You should hate me. Mother should hate me. If I hadn't sent him out to the garden. Inuyasha would still be here." Sesshomaru sobbed against his father's shoulder.
"I could never hate you and neither could Izayoi." Inutaisho stroked his son long hair.
"But, I should have went outside and played with him like he wanted. He always said I spent too much time studying and not enough time playing with him." He said loathing himself. "I should have just tossed those stupid books aside and gone with him. If I did he would still be here."
"Then Ryuukotsusei would have killed you as well." He pulled Sesshomaru away to look into the young demon's eyes. "And if both of you had died. I would have died as well."
"Father. . ." Sesshomaru looked down at his thin fingers resting in his lap.
"It's time to let go, son. I am sure Inuyasha would not want us to mourn over him."
"What about you. You say it is time to let go. Yet you're getting the army ready to attack the dragon. How can you ask my to stop grieving when you haven't."
Inutaisho sighed. "It's the only way I know of to make sure my son has justice. Besides, lying in bed will not bring Inuyasha back."
"And neither will seeking revenge," Sesshomaru shot back.
Inutaisho looked away sadly. "What would you have me do? Lie in bed like you, cry my eyes out like your mother, forget about my duties to those under my protection. The time for grief has passed. That bastard has already taken away my youngest son. I'll be damned to hell and back if I let him take you as well. I'm going to finish this war between us once and for all. Ryuukotsusei will die. I know that killing the bastard will not bring your brother back, but it will help with the healing." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on his son's forehead. "Now eat my son." Inutaisho placed the tray in Sesshomaru's lap. The demon prince stared down at the tray refusing to eat. Inutaisho inwardly groaned as his stubborn son turned away from the food. He had to get Sesshomaru to eat before he made himself sick. "Sesshomaru, please eat. Inuyasha would not want you to die."
Sesshomaru looked up and stared into the sad empty golden eyes of his father. He could see all the anguish and pain in those eyes that so resembled his own. Before, his father's eyes used to be filled with so much life but now, the spark was gone leaving them bland and hollow. They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. If what they say is true than his father's soul has been broken.
Sesshomaru realized that if anything was to happen to the dog lord's remaining son. It would completely destroy his father. So, he would live. Sesshomaru picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. He kept his head down and through the white curtain of his hair, he saw a small smile touch the corner of his father's lips.
After Sesshomaru was finish eating Inutaisho took the tray and stood up. "Now, come with me. You and I haven't sparred in a long while."
For the first time in days, Sesshomaru smiled. "Okay, I just want to stay a while longer to say . . . to say good-bye." The last three words were spoken as a whisper.
"I understand." Inutaisho pulled his son into his arms and kissed the top of his head. Then he walked out leaving Sesshomaru alone.
Sesshomaru sighed and sat back down on the bed. He picked up the little ball he had given his brother. "I'm sorry Inuyasha for being a bad brother." He smiled regretfully to himself. "I guess it is a good thing we weren't mates. I would have made a terrible mate for you. I am your big brother. I am suppose to protect you but I just let you die. I hope you can forgive me little brother. But I swear I shall make sure mother never comes to any harm. I hope you are resting easily. Good bye, my little Inuyasha." He placed the ball on the table and walked out of the room locking it behind him.
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It was now over a week after the death of Inuyasha and Inutaisho was ready to lead his army against the dragon. After Sesshomaru said his good-bye to his brother. The dog lord noticed that his son was changing and not for the better. He seemed to become more aloof and dare he say it, colder. At first, his icy attitude was only a mask. A mask in which Inuyasha was the only one to break through and make him smile. Now, that icy façade seemed to be consuming the prince. He no longer smiled. His voice was dry, unfeeling and chilling to hear at times. He no longer greeted the staff with a cheerfulness that had the young females swoon at the sight of him. It was almost a physical force as the ice formed around Sesshomaru's heart swallowing its warmth and replaced it with an emptiness that was unfathomable. He began pushing people away. Not wanting them to get close. Not wanting to feel the pain if they should die like his brother. Hopefully with Ryuukotsusei's death, it will revive his son's frozen heart. It would break his heart to see his son push away a chance at happiness. Inutaisho sighed and turned to his wife. Izayoi had stopped crying also. She looked pale and fragile. He could see the dried trail of a tear on her cheek. Her heart was still shattered by the death of her son. However, Inutaisho and Sesshomaru still need her. She would be strong for her husband and step son. She had to be. She had already lost her only child. She would do whatever she could; to make sure her other son was safe.
The dog lord was sitting down to a quiet breakfast with his wife and son when one of his commanders burst into the dining room. The Inuyoukai bowed to his lord and whispered in his ear.
Inutaisho's eyes widened in anger. "What is it, father?" asked Sesshomaru as his father leaped to his feet.
"It's seems that Ryuukotsusei is coming to me." He turned to his commander.
"Prepare my army! Bring me my armor and tetsusaiga!"
"No!" shouted Izayoi getting to her feet rushing to her husband. "You can't go." Tears fell from her eyes.
"I know you're scared but Ryuukotsusei must be stopped." He cupped her wet cheek.
"I'm going with you, father," said Sesshomaru.
"Not you too Sesshomaru," Izayoi said letting the tears flow heavily down her cheeks. "Please stop this. I've already lost my baby. Must I lose my entire family."
"Don't worry mother. We will come back." Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her.
"No son, I want you to stay here. If I should fail . . ." He looked at his son. "I will not lie to either of you. The dragon is very dangerous. If I should fail son. I want you to get your mother to safety and protect her."
"If I should fail and die on the battle field. You will become the new lord of the western lands. The people will need your leadership if they are to survive Ryuukotsusei's reign. You shall be the one to give the people hope. For as long as you are alive, they will fight Ryuukotsusei whether they are demon or human. I had hoped that . . ." The great dog lord swallowed the lump of grief that stuck in his throat as he thought about his youngest son. "My son," he placed a confident hand on the prince's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "I leave tenseiga to you. I know you would rather have tetsusaiga. I was planning on giving it to Inuyasha."
Sesshomaru arched a surprised brow at his father. "I know you wanted tetsusaiga but your brother would have needed its powers more than you. Inuyasha is . . . was a half demon. His life would have been in more danger than yours. I know what you are thinking son but you couldn't be with him every hour of the day when you had a kingdom to rule. Inuyasha would need to learn to protect himself without you. Do you understand son?"
"I . . . Yes father, I understand," said Sesshomaru.
Inutaisho smiled. "Then I leave the safety of everyone in the palace in your capable hands."
Just then some soldiers rushed in carrying Inutaisho's armor and sword. After his armor was placed on him, he strapped the tetsusaiga at his side. He stood facing his family. He kissed Izayoi and nodded to his son. Then he turned and went out to lead his army against Ryuukotsusei and his dragon army.
Shortly a young fox soldier with bright green eyes and long reddish hair pulled back into a high ponytail walked into the room. "I await your orders, my lord."
"Who are you?" asked Sesshomaru.
"I am Yoko." He bowed to the prince and Lady. "The lord left me along with several others to stay behind to guard you and the Lady."
"Lord Sesshomaru," said the head servant hurrying into the room. The elderly dog demon was followed by the entire staff. "We await your command."
The prince raised a brow in surprise as the elderly demon referred to him as lord instead of prince. His father was lord until he either stepped down or died.
"Why do you and Yoko keep calling me lord?"
"It was at the request of your father," said Yoko. "He said that until he returned.
You are the new lord of the west." To show their loyalty, everyone bowed to the new lord of the western lands.
Sesshomaru nodded his head in acceptance of his new position. "Pack as much as you can. Until father returns we will have to leave the palace."
"As you wish, my lord," said the servant. All the servants hurried out the room to carry out their duties.
"Yoko. You are my commander. Get some men to help Lady Izayoi with her things."
"Yes my lord," said Yoko leaving the room.
"Mother, go to your room and pack some things."
She nodded her head and left.
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A short while later, Sesshomaru opened the heavy wooden doors to the weapon room. There were an assortment of swords, daggers, spears, bows and arrows against the walls. In the center of the room resting on a pedestal was the tenseiga. Sesshomaru walked up to the sword and clutched the hilt. Drawing the sword from its sheath, he stared at the blade as it glowed in the dim light.
"Tenseiga. The sword that brings life to the dead." He sighed. "I understood your need father to want Inuyasha to be safe but I still wish you had given me the Tetsusaiga. I could have protected mother and him much better with that sword." He grabbed the sheath and resheathed his sword. Turning he left the room.
Twenty minutes later, Sesshomaru walked out into the courtyard. Everyone was waiting and ready to leave. Suddenly, he felt the tenseiga vibrate at his side. /What's wrong tenseiga? Do you feel your brother sword going into battle against its enemy/ Sesshomaru turned to his subjects. "We shall leave and wait for word about father at the palace in The forest of Lost Souls."
"My lord, are you sure we should be taking Lady Izayoi into such a place," Yoko asked.
"I know commander but we have to hide," said Sesshomaru loathing the idea of hiding from his enemy. But he did promise father that he would protect his step mother. He also made a vow himself to protect her. She reminds him of Inuyasha. In her, he sees his beloved little brother. And he was not quite ready to let him go yet. "Plus, if father is defeated, we will need a safe haven from the dragon. I have no doubt that the vile beast will hunt us all down to make sure there is no one left to challenge him. Once we are settled there, I shall make my plans to totally destroy the bastard that took my brother away from us. If father fails. I shall be the one to kill Ryuukotsusei." His golden eyes flashed red as he thought about his little brother locked in the murderous grip of the dragon. "Let's go," he said as his eyes returned to their normal color.
Sesshomaru took one last look at his home and then he led everyone out.
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It was said on that day that when the great dog lord fought with the dragon. It was a magnificent battle. Both demon transformed into their true demon form. They were as big as a mountain. They fought for three days making the Earth shake and nearly destroying the entire forest. The villagers fled for their lives as the two combatants demolished whatever was in their path. The tetsusaiga glowed a fierce red as it sliced through the flesh of the vile dragon that dared to make its master sad. Blast after blast ripped through the scaly hide of Ryuukotsusei. The dragon also began to inflict damage to the dog demon as its claws dug deep into Inutaisho's body. Blood fell like rain from the injured demon lords. It was a battle, which would be remembered long after the two demons were dead and gone. Unfortunately, it would be a sad day to be remembered as well. The refugees that were fleeing from the battle bared witness to the tetsusaiga shattering into three pieces in the mouth of the dragon. But Inutaisho continued to fight using his claws but in the end, everyone watched in disbelief as the great dog demon, Inutaisho fell before his greatest enemy, Ryuukotsusei.
Two days later, Sesshomaru received word about his father's defeat and that the tetsusaiga had been broken by the dragon's teeth. Izayoi wept in her hands as she fell to her knees. Some of the servants lead her back to her room to rest. Sesshomaru also received word that Ryuukotsusei did not kill Inutaisho and that the dragon was now living in the palace. In his home. Sesshomaru's eyes flashed red with rage. How dare that filthy dragon set foot inside his home. A feral growl rumbled deep within his throat. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, they had returned to their natural golden color. To add insult to injury. The dragon had Inutaisho locked inside his own dungeon. At least his father was alive. He did not want to tell his stepmother that piece of information. He was worried that the dragon may yet kill his father. He did not want to give her hope and have it torn away by the dragon killing his father. Besides, he had other things in which to do. First, he sent out scouts to locate and bring back those soldiers that survived the battle. Sesshomaru decided that he would go retrieve the broken pieces of tetsusaiga. Then he sent his new vassal, Jaken and Yoko to find the sword smith Totosai and bring him back. Next, he had to free his father before the vile monster decided killing his father would be better. Once he has freed his father then they will go after Ryuukotsusei and defeat the dragon together. And finally, his little brother could rest in peace.