Once again, to all of those who reviewed – thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was surprised to see just how many were appalled that Inuyasha's puppydog ears had not been spared in Sesshomaru's attack. Your reviews on that topic made me smile. A few of you wanted to know if Shippou is still alive and if he'll show up – Yes, but not until very late in the story. He does have some very important roles to play. As for where everyone thought Inuyasha has been all these years . . . you'll find out soon.

Disclaimers:

-I do not own anything related to Inuyasha, nor do I make any money off of this.

-As always, please take grammar and misspellings with a grain of salt. I try very hard, but they still get through.

-Remember, in this story, Sesshomaru refers to himself in both 3rd and 1st person. Hope that doesn't confuse anyone. Also, he is known as the Lord of the West and the Lord of all Asia and both are used to refer to him.

-Lastly, I normally update once weekly, but I'm throwing this one in early because both it and the next chapter are a little shorter and I really want to get the plot going and get our Hanyou woken up. Hopefully I'll update again this weekend.

Now, on with Chapter 4 . . .

The moon was just beginning to peak into the darkening sky when Sang-di pulled into the underground parking garage located under Taisho Tower. With headlights on, the car wound its way around the garage until they'd reached the security gate leading to Lord Sesshomaru's private parking area. Nodding his head in the direction of the guard on site, Sang-di held out his palm to the sensor and released a small amount of his own personal Youkai power. At his positive recognition, the light on the gate flashed from red to green, the gate opening eerily silent for such a massive piece of steel.

Easing the car forward, Sang-di drew to a stop and no sooner had the wheels quit turning than he was out and opening the door for his Lord. With his eyes fixed straight ahead, the driver looked at nothing while Sesshomaru removed himself from the car and began making his way towards the elevator that would take him to his home; the very top floor of the tower. Only after the elevator door had closed did Sang-di finally take a deep and cleansing breath of relief. He'd been careful to keep his mind blank, his thoughts well contained, as he'd driven them home, but now . . . now that he was once again alone, those thoughts came rushing back in a cacophony of noise. Shaking his head, Sang-di knew he'd be getting little sleep tonight.

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The smooth pull of the elevator was hypnotic to Sesshomaru - always had been. Many Youkai thought the DaiYoukai slightly mad for living in the midst of the city, surrounded by steel and glass. But there was something Sesshomaru had always liked about the height his home afforded him. Perhaps it was the ingrained notion that he, Lord of all Asia, was well and truly above all of the lowly creatures littering the planet below - scurrying around like rats in a maze of manmade streets. All of them desperately searching for their own bite of cheese. Maybe, on some deeper level, his high-rise home suited his own arrogant notions. Then again, perhaps he simply enjoyed being a part of the clouds. Soaring through the sky had always been something of a release for the DaiYoukai and now he felt as if he was sleeping in the heavens. Well, maybe not the heavens exactly, but as close as he was bound to get without moving to his mother's floating castle. And that simply was not happening.

As the elevator continued its assent, Sesshomaru found himself staring down at his brother's face once more. He was beyond relieved that Inuyasha had made no further sounds of discomfort. Indeed, the Hanyou seemed to be sleeping peacefully, at least for the time being. But Sesshomaru well knew that situation would not last long. He may not know exactly when his brother would awaken, but he hardly thought it would be pleasant. And, not only would Inuyasha's awakening be physically unpleasant for the Hanyou, but emotionally so to Sesshomaru himself.

Barely noticing the gentle stop of the elevator, the DaiYoukai almost missed the quiet parting of its doors. Berating himself for his lack of attention, Sesshomaru moved swiftly onto the marble floor of his private foyer, soundlessly continuing on his way through the white on white hallways and rooms, a spot of red here and there making its loud presence known. Gracing walls, nooks, and crannies were priceless ancient Japanese artifacts - most of which had never been catalogued by any known scholar. To the casual observer, Sesshomaru's home fit him well for it was clean, simple, and impersonal. And, for the most part, that observer would be correct on two of those accounts, because it was clean and simple. However, the minimal decor in the Lord of the Asian Land's home was anything but impersonal. Few knew the InuDaiYoukai well enough to realize just how important the color red was, nor how each and every treasure lining the walls held a deeper meaning than the material they were forged from. Perhaps only Jaken had any inclination as to their import. And, speaking of the little imp . . . "Lord Sesshomaru, you have arrived!"

Sesshomaru had just passed the door leading to his own room and was coming to the one immediately following it when the toad came skittering around the corner, Jaken's voice cutting off as his feet careened to a stop; his bulbous eyes fairly falling from his head. "M-my lord . . . is t-that . . . but I thought . . . I mean, I assumed . . . "

Although Jaken had traveled many times with his Lord to Bakusen'Os forest and stood not ten feet from the Hanyou's resting place, he'd never been able to actually see what Sesshomaru saw. No longer able to feel the half-breed's Youkai, nor visually see any indication that the Hanyou yet lived, the imp had long ago assumed Inuyasha had left the world of the living. And, knowing how his Lord felt about his hated kin, he'd never thought to ask about the Hanyou's well being.

"Jaken, you will open the door and draw a bath." Sesshomaru's cold command elicited a high-pitched squeak from his retainer. "Forgive me, my Lord," Jaken cried before scurrying to do his masters' bidding.

With the entryway open, Sesshomaru's soft shoes came down on thick, creamy plush carpeting. But, the color of the flooring in this room was the only similarity it held with the rest of his home. Instead of pristine white walls, the room he carried his little brother into - the room he'd had built and designed years ago with Inuyasha in mind - was both painted and decorated in warm earth tones. Inuyasha had always been a child of nature and so in this room such colors abounded.

Glancing about the unused, yet pristine room, Sesshomaru hated the thought of setting the dirty Hanyou down. Close by, he could hear the sound of water running and quickly decided directly going to the bathroom was the route of choice. Entering the room, Sesshomaru found Jaken scurrying about the area, gathering towels, soaps, and the overall necessities for his Lords endeavor. Growing increasingly impatient with Jaken's jerky movements, Sesshomaru ordered, "Awaken Lady Kadira. Do not have her enter this room, she is to wait by the bed until this Sesshomaru is done bathing the Hanyou."

With his eyes fixated on Inuyasha's sleeping form, Sesshomaru missed the disgust filtering across Jaken's face. "Surely my Lord, there is someone else whom could bath the half-breed."

A flash of red swept through Sesshomaru's vision. "No one else is to touch Inuyasha. Make that clear in your mind and in those whom may have the honor of seeing him."

Without his consent, Jaken's beak fell open, his mouth gaping wide at the words his Lord had used to describe the situation. To his mind, there was no honor - no honor at all in seeing such a disgusting creature as the one tainting Lord Sesshomaru's family tree. Stuttering in disbelief, Jaken could only stare. "O-of c-course my L-Lord is j-jesting - "

Pulling his lips back, Sesshomaru sneered, his fangs glinting in the light of the bathroom. "Foolish toad. Do you dare claim to know what this Sesshomaru wants?"

"N-no, my Lord," Jaken squeaked, his knees hitting the tiled floor with a loud thud as he pressed his forehead to their cool surface. "Forgive your most h-humble of servants."

"This Sesshomaru has no tolerance for your failures, nor does he repeat himself."

Leaping to his feet while still keeping his body bowed low in submission, Jaken scrambled from the room. Only when he was out of earshot did the imp begin mumbling curses regarding unworthy half-breeds and the woes of his poor Lord Sesshomaru.

Dismissing Jaken from his mind was an all too easy task for the DaiYoukai. Years of practice had made the ability second nature to him. Alone once again with his treasure, Sesshomaru settled Inuyasha's slumped body on the edge of the large, sunken tub and began the tedious task of stripping the blood slicked clothes from his younger brother's body. Torn and tattered, soon the Firerat Inuyasha treasured so much lay discarded on the floor, along with the rest of his garments. With the Hanyou fully naked, Sesshomaru leaned Inuyasha's body against a side wall while he himself disrobed, showing precious little concern for his own expensive garments as they were tossed on top of the Hanyou's ruined ones.

Naked to the world, it was clear the passing centuries had done little to age the DaiYoukai. If anything, his well sculpted muscles and alabaster skin appeared more beautiful than ever. And now, standing before the limp body of his brother, the differences in the two were starker than ever. Frowning, Sesshomaru looked past the bruised and swollen skin to the diminished frame below. From what he understood, Bakusen'O had preserved Inuyasha's body as it had been on that fateful day. But, if that was the case, then it was more than obvious the days leading to that one had been anything but fruitful for the Hanyou. In fact, Inuyasha appeared little more than skin and bones. Had he really been so blinded by his hate to have missed this? Narrowing his golden eyes down into mere slits, the DaiYoukai knew the answer well. And moreover, if he were completely honest with himself, then Sesshomaru had to admit that Inuyasha's poor health was most likely the direct result of his very own actions. For it was not only that day he'd beaten his brother to the point of death, but the many months before which he'd hunted the poor Hanyou. Hunted and tortured Inuyasha time and time again, only to let the half-breed's body heal and repeat the process. Was it really any wonder his little brother had had so little time to properly hunt and feed himself. After all, when one is the prey, it is very difficult to become the predator.

Reaching out a clawed hand, Sesshomaru's fingers traced the length of one of Inuyasha's thin arms and it was a wonder to him that the Hanyou had not suffered even greater injury during their last battle. Closing his hand around Inuyasha's bicep, Sesshomaru was dismayed when his fingertips met, the whole of his hand easily encircling his brother's upper arm. How easily would the bone snap with just the smallest hint of pressure? That was something Sesshomaru was determined not to find out and so with the greatest of care, he lifted Inuyasha's body back into his arms and stepped into the steaming bath water, settling them both down as he leaned the Hanyou's back into his chest.

For the next twenty minutes, Sesshomaru gently bathed crusted blood and debris from Inuyasha's body, finally finishing by washing his brother's matted, silvery-white hair. Only when the Hanyou was clean and the water cooled did he remove them both from the bath. Using the plush towels Jaken had laid out earlier, the DaiYoukai patted down the young Hanyou, drying his skin before running a fresh towel over sopping strands of hair. After tending to his little brother, Sesshomaru quickly dried himself and donned a silken robe.

Grabbing the last clean towel, Sesshomaru wrapped Inuyasha's body in it's fluffy warmth, pulling the Hanyou back into his arms and burying his nose in his little brother's neck; relishing the peace the scent of kin brought both he and his Youkai. After untold minutes, the Lord of the West finally headed from the bathroom and into the adjoining bedroom. And there, just as he'd commanded of Jaken, stood Kadira, an aged and worn human miko. For the past two hundred and fifty years or so, Sesshomaru had chosen miko's from old Lady Kaede's family lineage as his own personal healers. He'd found their loyalty far superior to that of Youkai. If Kadira's abilities had been strong enough, he'd have asked her to heal Inuyasha instead of the phoenix demoness. But, his little brother's injuries had been far too substantial and beyond the old priestesses power. Given enough time, he was sure Kadira would have been able to heal Inuyasha, but time had not been something they'd had in abundance.

Bowing as low as her old bones would allow, Kadira's soft voice echoed through the room. "My Lord, Jaken said you requested my presence."

Practical and always to the point, it was a quality Sesshomaru cherished. Giving a single nod of his head, the DaiYoukai moved towards the bed and deposited Inuyasha's body onto the sheets as Kadira pulled the covers down. Without a thought to the Hanyou's privacy, Sesshomaru removed the towel, laying his little brother's body bare and naked. "The most severe of his wounds have been healed, but as you can see, damage yet remains."

Stretching out her hands, the old miko ran them just over the surface of the Hanyou's body, her eyes going wide. "I sense the presence of a phoenix Youkai."

"Indeed."

Shaking her head, Kadira replied, "The damage must have been great for one of their abilities to have been needed." Receiving no answer, Kadira could only guess she had been correct in her assumptions. Pulling her hands back, she turned her attention to the DaiYoukai. "And what is it you wish of me, my Lord?"

"Your opinion regarding the Hanyou's health and recovery time."

Feeling her shoulders relax, Kadira looked longingly towards a comfy looking chair located but a few feet away, a gesture not missed by Sesshomaru. "You may sit if you wish."

"Thank you, my Lord," Kadira answered as she shuffled towards the seat. "These old bones are not as resilient as they once were." Sitting down, the miko allowed a moment for her joints to relax before glancing once more in the Hanyou's direction. "There are no broken bones, but I do sense freshly mended ones which are sure to ache for a time. Along with this, there are several deep bruises along with freshly mended lacerations." Pulling her eyebrows down in thought, Kadira added, "There is an echo of poison, the source of which I believe you know." Never once did the miko look up to see Sesshomaru's reactions. He'd asked for her opinion and she was bound to give it to him. "Beyond the obvious trauma, the Hanyou is in poor condition. His flesh is meager and I sense a deep and long lasting malnutrition to the boy. To be such, I doubt he's known much kindness in his life. Nor do I imagine he's had much care." Shaking her head, Kadira could only wonder at what the boy had been through. "Of course, being a Hanyou, even a beautiful one, he's sure to have had his share of bigotry and hate. Even in these more enlightened times." Finally done, the miko's eyes moved up to look at Sesshomaru's blank face. Of course, she knew better than to question the DaiYoukai as to his motives, but her curiosity made her risk at least one. "May I inquire as to his name?"

Trusting the miko as he did, Sesshomaru didn't hesitate in his answer. "Inuyasha."

A rare and audible gasp erupted from Kadira's throat. "Inu-Inuyasha? B-but that would mean that he's - "

"The son of the great Inu no Taisho and human mother, Princess Izayoi. Half brother to the Lord of the Western Lands."

Brown eyes wide, Kadira looked in awe at the sleeping Hanyou. "Gods in Heaven, never in my life would I have even hoped of meeting the one so cherished by my ancestors." Pushing her aged frame from her chair, the old miko labored towards the bed, her normally steady hands tremoring as they sought the Hanyou's cheek. "Inuyasha," her voice came out like a prayer. "Where have you been all these years?"

Ignoring the question, Sesshomaru watched Kadira's hand as her fingertips lightly ghosted over Inuyasha's skin. Had it been anyone else . . . "Miko, I have no further use for you tonight. You may retire."

Straightening, Kadira's back gave an audible crack. "Forgive my impudence, my Lord, but I would like to request your permission to attend to the pup."

It took some effort for Sesshomaru to stop the smirk threatening his face. Although centuries older than Kadira, to the aged miko, Inuyasha was little more than a whelp. "I would tolerate no other in his presence."

Giving a ghost of a smile, Kadira laid a final hand on Inuyasha's arm before pulling the covers up to his chin. Turning, she then bowed as low as her aged body would allow. "As you wish my Lord. It pleases me to be of service, especially to one so cherished in my family as your younger brother. As soon as he awakens, I will begin brewing a healing tea." And with that as her final word, Kadira began shuffling from the room, closing the door behind her with but a whispered click.

Alone once again with the Hanyou, Sesshomaru's bare feet padded silently along the plush carpet, his golden eyes fixed upon the rise and fall of Inuyasha's chest. Neither he nor the miko had any ideas as to just how long his brother would remain unconscious. Deep down, a part of him almost wished the boy would never awaken for it was almost enough simply having the Hanyou near - smelling his heady scent. But in the icy organ known as his heart, the Lord of the Western Lands knew that a sleeping Inuyasha would never be enough. His Youkai craved the boy in ways it had never demonstrated towards another living creature. And, although he understood little as to why that was so, Sesshomaru no longer fought against the indefinable pull. He'd battled his inner Youkai for so long and gained an unfathomable emptiness in return. Now, with the Hanyou's scent filling the air, along with Inuyasha's diminished Youkai, Sesshomaru's own Youkai was reawakened. Truly, he'd forgotten just how much he'd missed his inner beast.

Reaching out a pale hand, Sesshomaru moved a lock of Inuyasha's damp hair to the side, laying the silvery white strands across the pillow. No, he may not know why his Youkai was so adamant about needing to be near his little brother, but he was more than willing to find out. It had taken him centuries to get here, but Sesshomaru refused to dwell in the past. The point was that he was here and more than willing to listen to his own instincts, wherever they may take him.

FYI: I know Kaede never had children, so when I say Kadira is of her line, I'm thinking simply as a very, very, very distant relative.

As always, reviews make my day and keep me working towards an end to this story. I had one reviewer simply request that I finish this and to that reviewer I will say I will certainly do my best. As of this point, I'd say I'm about about 70% done.

Thanks again and until next time . . . lunamist