There Must Be More to Life Than This

By Rhinoa Lunar

I have to say I do not own Inuyasha or any of the pre-chapter song lyrics…I'd be FAR away from Florida if I did.

Takemaru - The undead villain who wielded Inutaisho's third fang the So'unga in the third Inuyasha movie Swords of an Honorable Ruler

"telepathic speaking"

'thoughts'

'written in a book or elsewhere as it is read'

Dream

"If I close my eyes forever will it all remain unchanged?" - Close Your Eyes Forever - Ozzy Ozbourne and Lita Ford

Sesshoumaru's Grief and Power Surges

It had been three days and Jaken had not seen or heard from the girl or his lord. In a panic he decided to scout the area on AhUn's back. 'Where could they have gone to? They left Rin's things behind.' Neither the imp nor AhUn had the sense of smell strong enough to pick up a trail so the two were blindly going around in circles. 'It is possible that Sesshoumaru-sama took the girl home…But why leave her belongings?' Jaken decided to steer AhUn towards Edo to see if his lord might be there.

Sesshoumaru had refused to leave Kaede's hut. He stayed beside Rin's lifeless body as though she were asleep. 'I must appear as a fool to them. Why did I let her run ahead? I may as well have clawed her myself. Now nothing I do will help her.' Sesshoumaru could smell Jaken and AhUn approaching. 'At least he is not a complete fool.'

Outside Sango and Miroku greeted Jaken before he could begin calling out for Sesshoumaru. With tears in their eyes they told the imp what had happened.

"It would be wise to leave him alone for a while," Miroku said.

"Inuyasha has already asked Miroku and Kaede to host a service for Rin as soon as Sesshoumaru will allow it," Sango added. "He'll be coming to his brother at nightfall if he hasn't left the hut on his own by then."

"Inuyasha?" Now Jaken was completely confused.

"It would seem that for the time being they have come to some sort of truce," Miroku said. "None of us are really certain what happened between them the night Rin passed on. What we do know is that they sat alone by her side for some time and were speaking in soft, civil tones. Sesshoumaru did most of the talking, though we could not discern what he was saying from outside the hut."

"Sesshoumaru is taking this really hard." Sango had sympathy for the inu yokai in her voice and expression. "We didn't really understand how deeply he cared for Rin until he said she was his daughter. We know Rin is human…And we know he took great care in protecting her…We just had no idea he felt like a father to her. I feel sorry for him."

"Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't need your sympathy, you filthy human! My lord would never call Rin his daughter!" Jaken began spilling out insults and threats faster than either Miroku or Sango could make them out.

"Hey, toad!" Inuyasha stepped over from across the bridge. "I was there. Sesshoumaru said those things alright. So leave him alone. You'll never make it out alive."

"What makes you think you could defeat my lord?"

Sango and Miroku simply shook their heads and walked away.

"I've fought him before and walked away. Besides now neither of us have anything left to lose." Inuyasha turned and went to the grassy spot by the river he had been spending much of his time in and pulled Kagome's bag out from his kimono sleeve.

Jaken was dumbfounded. 'They're getting along? Neither has anything left to lose?' The possibilities of what was to come were flooding into his mind and he grew more frightened as each thought passed.

From her last meeting with Kagome, Rinji's powers had spiked to new levels. She was actually having difficulty controlling them. Electricity was the worst. If she walked at night street lamps would flicker off or worse…Burst apart. Even unplugging her home lamps and electronics helped none. The energy inside her powered them all. She was grateful that fire had not become an issue, but water…Several pipes had mysteriously burst flooding four apartments in her building. And this was on top of the rain that had not stopped for three days. She felt out of control and vulnerable. School was starting next week and she had to discuss the next round of the ritual with Kagome. Somehow the miko would need to give Rinji access to the well house every night at midnight. This was something she alone could do.

'Just where the hell is all this power coming from?' Rinji was enjoying a hot bath. The heat from her fire abilities was keeping the water steaming as though it were a natural hot spring. All of her previous studies and practice had never yeilded this kind of power. It didn't help that Shinji wasn't talking. He had been too focused on Rinji finding her own way from now on. Sure he was there for her is she wanted a simple conversation…But the minute she got serious about her magik he walked away. It was really starting to get on her nerves. 'He's either testing me or he's up to something. I don't care what he thinks…I'm going home to my Sesshoumaru-sama. I need to be by his side.'

Shinji stretched out on the unfolded futon. He had been listening to Rinji's thoughts. 'If she only knew…At least her full soul has been unleashed. Now she needs to learn real control. She should be prepared enough. After all it was only a matter of time once the well closed. I'll just advise her when to call upon Sesshoumaru-sama again. The timing needs to be absolutely perfect. If she goes to him too soon the repercussions will be…' The albino inu shuddered. 'No, she must be patient. I know his presence was intoxicating for her…Her power must be contained. Unrestrained and uncontrolled power will only irritate him.'

The sun was fading from the sky in Edo and as expected, Sesshoumaru had not come out of Kaede's hut. All eyes were on Inuyasha as he slowly ventured in. He could easily smell the one thing Sesshoumaru would not take kindly to being mentioned…Sesshoumaru reeked of tears. Inuyasha was surprised at what he saw. Sesshoumaru was still seated by Rin with his clawed hand clasped on top of hers. He was whispering stories of great yokai battles their father had won. 'He's delerious,' thought the hanyo.

"Hello, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru's voice was without contempt. He turned only his head to meet his half brother. His eyes were strained red from tears but nothing more. His expression was as empty as Inuyasha's had been since the day the well closed up. "Say it, little brother."

"Say what, Sesshoumaru?"

"Tell me how weak I am." Sesshoumaru's eyes gave in to his beast and took on a red glow. "Tell me how weak I am for letting her die!" Sesshoumaru was on his feet now and bearing his fangs. His anger was directed not at Inuyasha, but rather at himself.

'Man he's really messed up.' "Look, Sesshoumaru…" Inuyasha couldn't believe he was about to comfort his brother. "You're…You're not weak. You didn't just let her die. When she needed you most you didn't leave her alone."

Sesshoumaru's eyes regained their golden tone. "I wasn't there in time to stop the snake."

"But I bet the little shit didn't know what hit him."

Sesshoumaru only gave a slight nod. He even cracked a curve in his lips forming a semi smile…Well, semi for him at least.

"Look, I asked Miroku and Kaede-baba to perform a service for Rin when you're ready. We'll make it as nice and fancy as you wish. We don't have much since the village is so poor but…"

"That will do, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru said sharply. "I will accept the kindness they offer. I want her ashes preserved in an urn. I am going to build her a permanent home in my kingdom. She chose her place in the end." Sesshoumaru sat beside his Rin once more and lowered his head. "You may leave now," he whispered.

Inuyasha turned and left as he heard a faint sob. Under any other circumstances he would have jumped on his brother for being weak and begun egging him into a fight…But this was Rin…Rin the human child who had warmed the coldest of yokai hearts. There was something special about that child that made everyone around her just a bit happier. And now that happiness and light was gone. Inuyasha felt a tear escape his own eyes at that moment.

"He wants Rin's body burned. The ashes are to be put in the nicest urn we can make or find…"

"And the burial site, Inuyasha? Where will her ashes be laid to rest," Kaede inquired.

"He said he'd buiild her home in his lands…Then he mentioned that she'd made her choice, whatever that means."

"She must have said she wanted to be among yokai instead of humans," Shippo said smiling. 'If she wanted to grow up around yokai she must have really loved me.' Shippo began crying again and Sango lifted him into her arms.

Jaken was more than a little startled by how Inuyasha had left the hut unscathed and with very little commotion. It was also odd how every one of Inuyasha's friends wanted to help his lord. 'It must be to honor young Rin, that's all. They're doing this all for her.'

'Inuyasha did not challenge me…He did not even mock me,' Sesshoumaru thought. 'I know even his weakened hanyo nose could detect my tears. Why didn't he say so? Have I sunk so low as to gain his sympathy? Kami, Rin…What have you done to me?' "What have you turned me into? I was fine the way I was." Sesshoumaru was once again talking to the child's body as though she could hear. "I didn't need anyone. All I needed was power and to restore honor to these lands after my father had chosen a human woman for his mate. Now here I am feeling love and sorrow for a human. I…I wanted to give you away at your wedding, Rin. I wanted to be a part of your children's lives. To be the protector and provider of your family. Mother was right. I did love a human. Exactly how much did you change me?" Sesshoumaru brought his head to his hands and allowed himself to shed the tears he had tried, and failed, to repress. If even his brother had not mocked them, or mentioned them to the others from what his canine hearing could tell, why should he fight them? This was HIS Rin…HIS daughter…Why shouldn't he cry for her?

Kagome was sitting under the Goshinboku. The sky was lit by the soft glow of the moon and stars. The lights of Tokyo were nowhere to be seen. She snuggled into the base of the great tree. 'It should be any minute now,' she thought expectantly.

Strong arms found their way to Kagome but did not embrace her. Instead, clawed fingertips ran up her legs gently, yet very deliberately. The sensation brought shivers to Kagome's soul. "Inuyasha," she moaned. The hands slid the schoolgirl's shoes and socks off to reveal her feet. This would not have been noteworthy had it not been for her hanyo lover's face upon seeing her neatly pedicured toes. Inuyasha did not dwell on this, however and continued to run his claws across Kagome's bare skin raising her skirt a little more each time he came across her thighs.

Inuyasha switched his position so that he was now above Kagome and he leaned into her neck. Kagome was thankful for the lead Inuyasha was taking. She had never kissed anyone other than Inuyasha let alone enjoy the things that were currently making her whimper and moan. Inuyasha's tongue and fangs were tracing along her throat. Each nip made Kagome moan loader. Had this been anyone other than Inuyasha, Kagome would have been far too embarassed to make a sound.

Inuyasha's kisses and nibbles were tracing up towards Kagome's face. Hungrily he brought his lips to hers. It was a forceful tenderness Kagome had never imagined but knew it fit Inuyasha perfectly. His fangs were lightly bearing down on her lips as he flicked his tongue across them. Without hesitation Kagome parted her lips instinctively and allowed the hanyo to devour her mouth. Feeling his tongue take possession of her caused another moan to spring forth from Kagome.

Once more Kagome could feel claws tracing her leg. She was feeling hot and blissfully dizzy. She could feel the moisture gathering and parted her legs to grant the claws access to her inner thighs. Without realizing it, Kagome had begun to grind her hips back and forth. The claws teased her with no abandon or mercy until finally dipping under the white cotton fabric barrier.

Below Inuyasha, Kagome shuddered and moaned. Inuyasha traced his kisses lower down to the fold between her breasts as he slid the first clawed finger into her heat with ease. Kagome continued to grind her hips. Kagome whimpered in disappointment as Inuyasha retracted his finger before she noticed he was fumbling with her blouse. She reached down and helped the confused hanyo.

Inuyasha slid off Kagome's panties before laying her down onto a softer patch of grass. Kissing her firm breasts as her pale skin shown in the moonlight, Inuyasha slid two fingers inside Kagome. Kagome's core loosened only slightly. She nearly cried out as Inuyasha inserted a third finger. It was at that moment that Kagome's silver haired lover lowered his head from her chest and traced his kisses down her belly. Kagome did not expect to feel fangs nip at her netherlips as Inuyasha's tongue worked her clit. Kagome's hands were fisting Inuyasha's hair and even one of his ears. If it bothered him he never let on. By the flash of red in his eyes, Kagome believed Inuyasha was thouroughly enjoying this. Kagome had begun both moaning and at times screaming out the hanyo's name. She could feel her insides twisting as the world spun around making her dizzy. Something felt very new, but very good. Whatever it was Kagome reached out to it wanting more and felt an electric explosion flow though her body as she screamed out Inuyasha's name louder than she ever had before. She could feel the flush rise to her cheeks but felt no shame.

Inuyasha looked up and claimed Kagome's mouth again as he disrobed. Kagome noted every toned inch of his skin. His member was larger than she thought one would be and felt nervous suddenly. Her nervousness disappeared when Inuyasha brought her close and began kissing her neck and caressing her breasts.

"Kagome," he said. "I'm going to mark you. To a hanyo or yokai that is as good as a wedded union. I can't say it won't hurt…I have to bite hard enough to leave a scar with my fangs in a prominent spot on your throat. I'll never…"

"I'd love to bear your mark, Inuyasha," Kagome said marvelling when Inuyasha's face lit up. She had just agreed to be his life mate without hesitation or conditions.

Inuyasha positioned himself behind Kagome who had moved to her hands and knees. "Kagome, this is going to hurt so I'm going to pause for you to become adjusted before we continue. When I go to mark you, you'll know."

Kagome nodded and braced herself as she felt Inuyasha's hands bring her close. She felt the pressure of his length enter her and it was pure bliss. Inuyasha paused at her barrier. With his hands on Kagome's hips, Inuyasha thrust swiftly and paused. Kagome felt something rip her apart inside. It was nearly excruciating. It took her a few moments but her cries of pain died down.

Inuyasha reached around to Kagome's face and gently wiped away her tears. He could smell the blood mixed with her sweet nectar. Kagome nodded and he knew that she was ready again. Inuyasha allowed his golden eyes to glow red as he drove into his love. Kagome's hips were meeting his drives and the miko was once again screaming out the hanyo's name. The beast would be contained no longer. Inuyasha pushed down on Kagome's spine softly lowering her into the submissive canine female role. This angle gave Inuyasha full control. Kagome felt wave upon wave wash over her and could barely tell where one orgasm ended and the next began. Inuyasha was moving harder and faster…Deeper too if that were even possible. Kagome's pants and moans were indicating she was near another climax. "Oh not yet. Don't you dare. This time we do it together," Inuyasha said pulling Kagome's left neck and shoulder to his face. Together they moved in perfect unison until neither could bear it any longer. With a mighty scream from Kagome and a feral growl from Inuyasha, the two climaxed in ecstasy. Inuyasha leaned in and bit swiftly but hard. He could taste the blood rushing to his lips but knew he had to bite down harder still to be sure he left a scar. Finally the mating ritual was completed. Inuyasha studied his handywork with pride before licking the wound gently to help it heal quickly. Kagome no longer cared about the pain. She and Inuyasha were finally one in every sense of the meaning.

"I love you, Kagome. I'll be waiting for you as long as it takes."

"I love you too, Inuyasha. I'm trying to get back. I'm not sure how or when…But I'm working on it."

The lovers embraced in a kiss and then…Then there was nothing.

Kagome shot out of bed. The pain in the left side of her neck was excruciating and her insides hurt. A trip to the bathroom revealed not only her slight vaginal bleeding, but she did indeed have an exquisite bite mark on her neck that was already starting to heal. Inuyasha had licked the wound after all and inu were supposed to have healing elements in their saliva.

"I am his mate. I'm really Inuyasha's mate!" Kagome slipped back into the comfort of her bed unsure of anything except that she was forever bound to the one she loved. She smiled to herself as she snuggled into her pillows. "I don't care how it happened. I get to be with Inuyasha forever now."

Inuyasha awoke to the scent of Kagome everywhere. She overpowered all other smells. He could taste her blood. "That was just a dream, wasn't it?"

"Little brother, it seems we both have powerful friends in Kagome's world. From the smell of things you marked the miko?"

"I thought it was just a dream. You mean I really marked Kagome? What if she has my pups and I'm not there for her?"

"Calm down…Rinji will know what to do. Come," Sesshoumaru said extending a hand to Inuyasha." "We are having a grand feast in Rin's honor. Why don't we go hunting?" Sesshoumaru almost looked friendly.

Still untrusting, but interested, Inuyasha nodded and the brothers headed deep into the forest.

"So just what do you mean we have powerful friends in Kagome's world?" Inuyasha was flanking a boar.

"I mean a human I recently met knows your miko woman," Sessoumaru said as his whip sliced the head clean off the boar.

"You recently met a human from Kagome's world?"

"To your left, Inuyasha…Two more."

"I'm on it." Inuyasha leapt into the air and his claws sliced through one boar's neck as Sesshoumaru's whip did likewise to the other. "Think these three should do it?"

"Yes, I'm sure they will be more than adequate."

"So you have a friend in Kagome's world?"

"Somewhat…What in Kami's name are you doing, little brother?"

Inuyasha stopped lifting the boars into his arms. "What?"

Rolling his eyes, Sesshoumaru raised the disc he would occasionally fly on. "Prop them on that. No sense in getting yourself covered in their filthy blood."

"Oh, right." 'When the hell did we work so well together? Sure we held our own together against Takemaru but it still took forever since we had to work together.'

'Why the hell are we working so well together? Still, even Inuyasha held his own against Naraku…And he was good at watching over Rin when I asked him to.' "HYer name is Rinji."

"Huh?"

"The human from your woman's world. Her name is Rinji. She pulled me into her dream a while back. I think she pulled the two of you together."

"Why? And how would she know about us anyways?"

"I do not know how she would know of you. She posesses strange powers for a human. Rinji claims to be able to read minds. If she knows your miko as she claimed then that would explain things."

"A human who can read minds?"

"I thought it strange too…Until she read mine."

'Sesshoumaru sure is being open here. What's he planning?' "So is there anything else I should know about her?"

"She wants to find her way to me. I suspect she needs your miko to get here."

"No way a human could have that kind of power. Why would she want to follow you here anyway?"

"Because she did in her previous life." Sesshoumaru turned and walked back towards the village.

'Rin? Rinji is Rin's reincarnation just like Kagome is Kikyo's?'

AN: Ok…Next chapter will focus on Rin's funeral. I plan on devoting it to that and pretty much nothing else. It will be a combined Shinto/Buddhist funeral since Kaede is a Shinto miko while Miroku is a Buddhist monk. Yes, it wil be a researched chapter since I want accuracy in the funerary rites. I feel Rin's funeral deserves its own chapter with little sidetracking. She is the adopted daughter of a great yokai taisho, after all. I'm not sure how long (or under what conditions) the truce between Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha will last. In the end of the manga their relationship is not really addressed. I'm sort of on the fence about it so input would be appreciated. Sorry for the delay in posting. Life has been catching up with me and I've been unable to type much lately. As always, thank you for reading. ^_^