Good evening everyone. As always, thanks so much to those of you whom reviewed. Many of you enjoyed Kouga's colorful explanation regarding Youkai mating habits. I had one nice reviewer whom reminded me that in the manga, Kouga learns of Inuyasha's human night during the new moon. In this story, he doesn't know. I toyed with the idea and in the end decided to keep him in the dark.

This chapter is medium to shorter, but I hope you all still enjoy it. Thanks for your continued support. it's no joke when I say writing this kind of story helps me deal with the rigors of everyday life. And as such, I hope it allows all of you a small break from the same monotony.

Disclaimers are as before.

With nothing more to say, on with chapter 14 . . .

Morning came and Inuyasha relished the sounds of birds chirping and the fresh scent of water on his nose. Stretching, he pushed off the limb, easily landing on the ground below.

"You appear no worse for wear after sleeping outside, little brother."

Turning, Inuyasha stared at the human version of his elder brother, not a magenta stripe to be found, nor even a whiff of InuYoukai scent on the air. "You tryin' to give me heart failure?"

"I have no idea what you mean by this," Sesshomaru stated, his icy blue human eyes full of empty apathy.

Snorting, Inuyasha decided it wasn't worth getting into and simply waved a hand in dismissal. "You got a hot date today, or what?"

"I assume you are referring to my human appearance."

"Yeah, what else would I be talkin' about."

"Indeed, this Sesshomaru must meet with some of our human constituents today regarding the pharmaceutical end of our business."

"Pharma what?" Inuyasha asked, his nose wrinkling up in confusion as his ears drooped.

"Pharmaceutical. It is a term referring to the creation and distribution of medical drugs for human ailments. It seems the human's penchant for disease is quite lucrative."

"-Keh, only you would find a way to profit from human weakness."

"It would seem not only myself but others as well. Regardless, it is a needed industry in this day and age as well as one which seems to be evolving rapidly."

Shrugging his shoulders, Inuyasha thought back to the times Kagome would bring some of her modern medicine back to the feudal era. On more than one occasion, she'd used something or other on him as well. Whether it had actually done any good or not, he wasn't sure. What Inuyasha was sure of though was that it seemed to sooth Kagome's worries and that in and of itself had been worth putting up with all the foul smelling concoctions she slathered over his skin.

Seeing his brother lost in thought, Sesshomaru asked, "May I ask what has you so lost in memory."

"Nothin' much and nothin' I wanna talk about," although not annoyed by Sesshomaru's question, Inuyasha didn't really feel like discussing Kagome with his brother. Besides, it wasn't like the DaiYoukai had known the miko.

"As you wish. I shall be gone most of the day. Could we eat dinner together before you retire for the night?"

Shifting his weight, Inuyasha's eyes flickered to the sky. Despite the fact that the moon had disappeared long ago, he still felt the pull of it as he answered, "Um, sure, just as long as its not too late, I still get tired early."

Knowing what the Hanyou feared, Sesshomaru answered, "We shall make it an early dinner then to allow you more time to rest."

"'Kay." Inuyasha hated appearing weak, but if it was between that and revealing his secret, then he would gladly take the trade-off.

Stepping forward, Sesshomaru allowed a human looking hand to glide over the Hanyou's cheek, all the while enjoying the feel of his brother's skin almost as much as he relished Inuyasha's acceptance of the act itself.

As Sesshomaru's hand glided over his flesh, Inuyasha felt an odd, indescribable tingling sensation all the way to the tips of his toes. And, interestingly enough, although he couldn't see them, he felt the edges of the DaiYoukai's claw's as they skimmed lightly across his cheek, confirming that the human appearance was little more than a façade, not an actual transformation. True enough, the Lord of the West was still very much standing in front of his blushing form.

"Until this evening then. I hope you shall have a pleasant day." Without another word, Sesshomaru turned and casually walked to the doorway leading to the apartment within. Finding his eyes still glued to the path the DaiYoukai had just taken, it wasn't until Inuyasha's stomach grumbled with hunger that he finally pulled himself out of his revelry and began making his way to the kitchen.

Just as the day before, Inuyasha and Kadira spent much of their communal time working on the Hanyou's reading and writing skills, only today they spent their time indoors as a front had moved in and it was currently raining outside. Given the weather conditions, Inuyasha silently fretted over the continued rain, knowing that if it were still this bad tonight, there was a fair chance Sesshomaru would demand he stay indoors, blowing his plan to hell. Distracted as he was, Kadira found it necessary to scold Inuyasha on more than one occasion for drifting off and not paying attention.

Thankfully, the weather began clearing late in the afternoon and by the time Sesshomaru appeared for dinner, the sun was shining in the distance. During dinner, Inuyasha was both relieved and surprised that Sesshomaru didn't once ask if he was going to be spending the night outside, despite the day's earlier weather. In fact, he was pleasantly pleased that the two of them actually had some type of civil, non-confrontational conversation throughout the time they were eating. Had he thought more on the topic, he would have found Sesshomaru's verbose attitude that night unusual, but as it was, Inuyasha's own nerves precluded him from having the capacity to critique anything the DaiYoukai was doing. And as such, it never occurred to him that perhaps his elder brother was speaking so much in order to distract his younger sibling from the anxiety building deep within his heart. Instead, Inuyasha found himself smiling and questioning Sesshomaru regarding their conversations, finding the information Sesshomaru shared regarding the pharmaceutical business to be anything but boring.

As the evening turned into early night, Inuyasha began feeling the ominous signs that the night of the new moon would soon be upon him and with that a feeling, his fidgeting increased with the need to be away from Sesshomaru's presence. Feeling the increasing tension within his intended mate, the DaiYoukai stood from the table and said, "Perhaps that is enough for this evening."

Pulling his ears forwards, Inuyasha was alert and eager as he nodded, "Yeah, I'm gettin' a little bit tired."

"As expected. You are healing well and I sense your strength increasing daily, but your body is still in need of greater quantities of rest."

Inside, Inuyasha felt a wash of confusion. On the one hand, he had an odd sense of pleasure that his brother seemed pleased with something as simple as his well being, and at the same time, Inuyasha's Youkai grumbled at the DaiYoukai seeing him in need of protection. It wasn't that his Youkai was offended by the idea of Sesshomaru feeling protective, but more by the notion that he really needed it. Shaking his head, he couldn't even begin to put his feelings into words and simply responded with a, "Yeah," which seemed the most innocuous of answers.

Hating the fact that Inuyasha still didn't appear to trust him enough with his secret, Sesshomaru's Youkai was having a war of its own. Desperate to protect the one it saw as its future mate, the Lord of the West's Youkai was screaming at him not to allow the Hanyou out alone when he would be so vulnerable, and yet Sesshomaru knew it was the only way. Still, the voice of his inner Youkai would not still and the he knew he would be unable to stay indoors while Inuyasha's human form languished upon the rooftop gardens. A compromise would have to be made, one that the Hanyou would never know of.

Breathing in a deep and calming breath of Hanyou scented air, Sesshomaru closed his eyes and allowed the flavor of his younger brother access to every inch of his body. How the Lord of the West had lived over five centuries without this smell was now beyond his understanding. "This evening is much colder than last night, perhaps warmer clothes are in order."

Nodding absent-mindedly, Inuyasha answered, "I'll be fine. I'm sure I've slept in colder weather."

Stamping down his protective intuition, Sesshomaru kept his face schooled in its ever present indifferent mask. "I'm sure you know best, but it would ease this Sesshomaru's mind if you took a blanket or one of the furs as well. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to find me, no matter what the situation." Brushing the back of his knuckles along Inuyasha's cheek, Sesshomaru left the conversation there, knowing he'd done as much as possible to tell the Hanyou, without directly telling him why, that he would be available this night.

"Don't see what I'd need, but thanks for the offer." Shifting his weight, Inuyasha stared down at his feet.

Both watching and feeling the anxiety spreading throughout his little brother, Sesshomaru wondered how Inuyasha could think he would not be suspicious that something was going on. "Are you certain you would not like company this night?"

Shaking his head vehemently, Inuyasha muttered, "Naw, I'm sure you've got more important things to do than buggin' me."

"I had not realized you still saw my company this way."

Blushing, Inuyasha shook his head again. "That's, uh . . . that's not it, really. It's just nice to have some alone time, yeah know."

"Indeed, this Sesshomaru understands this sentiment well." Stepping forwards, Sesshomaru placed a kiss upon the Hanyou's silvery-white head. "Goodnight, little brother, sleep well." Wishing to say more, but hesitant to do so, the DaiYoukai turned and made his way from the kitchen knowing he would only wait inside until the sun faded from the sky, and then, whether Inuyasha wished it or not, Sesshomaru knew he'd spend the night on the roof, watching over the human form of his would be mate.

Finally out of his brother's presence, Inuyasha hastened his pace towards his bedroom, hastily grabbing a fur throw before making a b-line for the stairs leading to the door of his salvation. Busting through the entrance, his amber eyes immediately sought out the skyline and the last hints of the setting sun. Knowing he had mere minutes, Inuyasha bounded to the tree he'd slept in last night. Glancing down at both the fur in his hands and the clothes on his body, he silently cursed. Both the fabric he wore as well as the fur would absorb his human scent like a sponge, it was a chance he couldn't take. With time running out, Inuyasha quickly discarded the clothes upon his back, throwing the fur on top of the pile. Naked and exposed, he shivered at the chill in the air. Ignoring his own nakedness as well as the cool temperatures, the Hanyou used the last of his fleeting time to bound up into the canopy of the tree, finally settling upon his branch as the last of the sun sank beyond the horizon.

With a deep, bone racking shiver, Inuyasha felt his body turn human, mourning the loss of his Youkai senses as night closed in. In his frailer from, the Hanyou turned human pulled his legs and arms in close, trying to conserve as much body warmth as possible while internally laughing at Sesshomaru's suggestion that he wear more suitable clothing out tonight. Sure, the extra fabric would have been a comfort, but the risk was too great. One night of suffering would be worth the price if he could stay by Sesshomaru's side and to do that, Inuyasha was convinced required his brother never finding out just how weak he really was. No, he would not risk that, and so, Inuyasha sat, eyes wide and teeth chattering as the cold winds battered his human form, all the while the memories of his recent days with Sesshomaru keeping his heart warm.

With his senses dulled, Inuyasha had no idea that the deadliest predator on earth floated but a few feet away. With his ki cloud below him, Sesshomaru stayed just inside the barrier surrounding the gardens, all the while, a deep scowl etched into his face. Seeing the extremes the Hanyou was willing to go through to protect his secret drove a bitter knife into his chest. To be sure, Inuyasha had only been awake and in his care for a few precious days, but was it not yet enough time for his sibling to realize he had nothing to fear from his elder brother, that Sesshomaru could not tolerate the mere thought of further injury to the InuHanyou.

Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru felt his Youkai pacing within his chest. Before him, in the near distance, his intended mate's diminished form sat freezing in the cold while he stood by and did nothing more than watch. Growling low in his throat, Sesshomaru felt his eyes momentarily bleed red – this situation was wholly unacceptable. Had not the DaiYoukai already informed his little brother that he would protect him against all ill? By all the gods, Sesshomaru would do as he'd said, even if it meant protecting Inuyasha from his own stubborn fears.

With action imminent, Sesshomaru's Youkai retreated, leaving his eyes their normal shade of brilliant gold. Stepping down off his cloud, the Lord of the West purposefully strode to his stubborn brother's resting place, all the while amazed that Inuyasha never once turned to look in his direction. Truly, the Hanyou's keen Youkai senses had abandoned him to not notice his approach. "Little brother – "

Jerking his head up from where it rested upon his drawn up knees, Inuyasha's jet black hair flew around his shoulders, his violet eyes wide and fearful as he stared at the shimmering silver hair of his older brother. Heart beating wildly within his chest, the Hanyou's knuckles turned an even paler shade of white as they gripped the meager flesh on his own arms. In his mind, Inuyasha kept screaming, no, oh gods in heaven . . . no . . .

Sensing the sharp rise in both Inuyasha's heart rate and breathing, Sesshomaru stopped, a few feet short of the base of the tree, his golden eyes still narrowed as irritation at Inuyasha's lack of trust as well as the Hanyou's total disregard for his own health, flooded the DaiYoukai's veins. Staring down at the discarded pile of clothes and fur, Sesshomaru asked, "Are you truly this foolish, little brother?"

Feeling his already chilly blood freeze within his veins, Inuyasha's chest squeezed painfully. He'd known this would be Sesshomaru's reaction – known his perfect InuDaiYoukai brother would judge him for his night of weakness. Known Sesshomaru would view his human transformation as just another reason why the Hanyou was inferior. Choking down the impending sob, Inuyasha forced his fear into submission. He'd known this was a possibility, and truly, he couldn't have expected to keep the secret forever. Eventually, Sesshomaru was bound to find out and wouldn't the rejection just hurt worse later on? Steeling himself, Inuyasha knew he'd lived without his brother's care and attention before, and by all the gods, he'd do it again. He would survive because that's what Inuyasha did – survive.

Lowering his head, Inuyasha rested his forehead upon his crossed arms, no longer feeling the cold of the night, only the cold of his own soul. Misinterpreting the meaning behind Sesshomaru's question, Inuyasha answered, "Yeah, guess that's me, your idiot, half-breed brother. Thought I could at least keep ya from findin' out for a few months." Pulling his head back up, Inuyasha stared out into the dark night, his violet eyes blank of all emotion. "So, I guess this is it, huh."

Confused, Sesshomaru stood, the cold night wind tugging at his hair and clothes. "Explain yourself, Hanyou. This Sesshomaru is unsure what you are implying."

Giving a mirthless laugh, Inuyasha squeezed his hugged up knees all the tighter. "Well, now that you know I turn human, I figure you're gonna do one of two things; either kick me outta your home, or finish what ya started over five hundred years ago."

Tilting his head ever so slightly, Sesshomaru wondered at both the Hanyou's tone and response. He'd thought Inuyasha would be scared and mistrustful, and to be sure, he'd sensed fear from his little brother, but beyond that laid a deep well of sadness, almost as if the Hanyou felt like he'd somehow disappointed him. Eyes focused upon the exquisite human still huddled within the branches of the tree, Sesshomaru's gaze didn't miss Inuyasha's shaking limbs – whether that be due to fear or cold, he didn't know, but neither was acceptable.

Leaning forwards, Sesshomaru easily lifted the fur from the top of Inuyasha's clothing. With grace, he leapt onto the branch his brother sat huddle upon. "You believe I would injure you for this?"

"Of course," Inuyasha spat, his anger and frustration coming to a head. "You never thought I was good enough as a Hanyou, you sure as shit ain't gonna accept me as a wimpy ass human."

"This is why you tried to keep your human nature from me? Because you thought this Sesshomaru would see you as less?" Blinking, Sesshomaru stared down on Inuyasha's small form. All the while he'd thought his little brother refused to tell him about his night of weakness because he saw the Lord of the West as a threat, but the reality of the situation was much more heart wrenching.

At the Hanyou's continued silence, Sesshomaru's hand reached out, intent upon stroking the human's face, but as his deadly claws came closer, Inuyasha's head jerked backwards and an angry, "Don't you fuckin' touch me," was the DaiYoukai's reward.

Pulling his hand back, Sesshomaru stilled. Pained that his little brother did not want his touch, he refused to give up. If the Hanyou would not take comfort in his physical presence, then perhaps he could offer solace with his words. "I have known of your human night for many centuries, Inuyasha."

Face slack and eyes wide, Inuyasha could only stare. "Y-you what?"

"I have known since our battles with Naraku that on the night of the new moon, your Hanyou body turns completely human."

"B-but, that can't be. I mean, if you knew, then why didn't you attack me then, when I was at my weakest?"

Shifting on the branch, Sesshomaru pulled the fur up in front of him. "Before we speak of this, will you please cover yourself."

Blushing, Inuyasha just now remembered his own nakedness. "Sorry, guess it's kinda gross starin' at my human body."

"Foolish Hanyou, this Sesshomaru does not find your human body unappealing, but you are far too slender and I fear for your health given the coldness of the evening."

With a shaking arm and hand, Inuyasha reached forwards, grabbing the fur and gratefully wrapping it around his body, instantly soothed by the warmth it provided. "'Kay, I'm covered now so start explainin'."

Sighing openly, Sesshomaru knew his next words would be unsettling for the Hanyou, but he was determined to be truthful. "You shall not like my reasons, but they are the truth. Do you understand this, Inuyasha?"

Nodding, Inuyasha felt his stomach drop a little lower. "I haven't liked what you had to say most of my life, don't see how tonight should be any different."

Giving a small smirk, Sesshomaru was pleased to hear a bit of fight coming back into the Hanyou's words. "Indeed, you are most likely correct, still, it is not my wish to cause you further pain."

"I can take it, just spill so we can move on."

"As you wish." Unable to look into Inuyasha's violet eyes while he spoke, Sesshomaru's golden gaze drifted to the skyline. "In the simplest terms, to have hunted you on this night would have brought me little satisfaction at the time. Killing you while your body was so weak would have been meaningless."

Swallowing, Inuyasha felt the ache of his saliva as it slowly went down his throat. "So, what you're sayin' is that it wouldn't have been good sport."

"In the crudest of terms, yes."

Both Inu's sat in silence for a few moments as the Hanyou digested this latest tidbit of information. Finally shaking his head, Inuyasha responded, "Not that I like to admit it, but when you set your mind to it, I don't really think I was much of a match for ya in my Hanyou form either."

Sesshomaru scoffed. "You think surprisingly little of your abilities, Inuyasha. Indeed, at the time, I found great satisfaction in our battles. While it is true that normally you could not have beaten me, you were able to last much longer than any other I fought. Truly, your stamina and will to live are enviable."

"So your tellin' me you liked to pound my Hanyou ass into the ground because I had more stamina than most?" Inuyasha couldn't help the pain lacing his voice.

"Although I found this to be desirable at the time, the reasons for my actions were much more complicated than this." Staring down at the exhausted face of his younger sibling, Sesshomaru added, "But I believe that is a conversation for another day."

Opening his mouth to protest, Inuyasha suddenly snapped it shut. True, he was more than a little curious, but he didn't think he could handle any more "truth" today. For now, it was enough to know Sesshomaru didn't hate him for his humanity. All the time he'd spent worrying and fretting over how to hide this aspect of his nature from his brother, all of it pointless on so many different levels. Once again, Inuyasha had underestimated the Great Lord of the West. Shaking his head, he could only sigh, "Okay, but if we're ever gonna get over the past, then someday we're gonna need to talk about it."

"Agreed. Now, since I have been honest with you, perhaps you will do this Sesshomaru the courtesy of reciprocating."

Shifting uneasily, Inuyasha asked, "What do ya wanna know?"

"Why did you not tell me yourself of your night of human weakness? I had believed it to be because you did not trust my intentions towards you on this night, but I do not think that is the whole of it."

"I, uh . . . " Inuyasha cleared his throat, "I wasn't real sure you'd still want me around . . . if ya knew."

"You thought I would find your human side unwelcome?"

"Yeah, to put it mildly." Shrugging his shoulders within the warmth of the fur, Inuyasha felt his face blush. "I kinda don't mind hangin' around with ya, you know, since you're not such an asshole anymore. When you're not tryin' to gut me you're not so bad to be around."

"I see," Sesshomaru answered, suppressing a grin of pleasure. "I saw you many times, from afar, in your human from, but I was never close enough to see your eyes. Truly, they are a most impressive shade of violet. Never have I seen a human with such a color."

Feeling his face heat up even more, Inuyasha tucked his head in closer to the fur. "Kagome told me once they were odd, but I don't really get what's so special."

Suppressing the irritation at hearing the miko's name, the DaiYoukai answered, "They are indeed lovely to behold and I am pleased I have been able to see them."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever ya say. Speakin' of which, I thought you told me you'd leave me alone tonight."

"I meant no lie. I had planned on merely observing you from afar with the hope that one day you would trust me enough to tell me your secret yourself, but when I saw how you foolishly removed all form of protective clothing . . . I could no longer remain aloft."

"It wasn't foolish, I didn't wanna take the chance my human scent would get on them."

"No matter the reason, I could not allow you to risk your health in such a way."

"-Keh, you ain't my babysitter, Sesshomaru, I'd of been fine in the mornin'." At his elder brother's silence, Inuyasha simply looked away, wondering how many more hours there were before the suns rays kissed the horizon. "So, you plannin' on stayin' out here all night, or what?"

"This Sesshomaru has nowhere else to be."

"I just told ya, I don't need a babysitter, and now that I'm all covered up, there ain't no need for you to worry."

"I do not like repeating myself, little brother. As stated earlier, I have nowhere else to be. I shall keep watch so that you may sleep."

But Inuyasha just shook his head. "I don't sleep on the moonless night, Sesshomaru. Don't matter if you're here or not."

"Then I shall stay and keep you company."

Violet eyes wide, Inuyasha stared at the deadly creature crouched before him wondering at just how surreal his life had become. "Never thought I'd hear ya say that."

"Centuries ago, I'd never have imagined saying it."

"-Keh, well, whatever. Don't really know what we're gonna talk about."

"Then we shall simply sit in silence. Either way, this is where I shall be until the sun rises."

And that is how they stayed, all night with barely a word said between them and yet the silence of the night was anything but awkward. In fact, Inuyasha found his posture relaxed as he leaned heavily against the tree, snuggled in the heavy fur covering his thin shoulders as it enveloped the whole of his body.

::::::::::

Dawns' first rays found Inuyasha leaping from the tree branch he'd called home overnight, fur wrapped tightly around his body. Furry ears firmly back in place, the Hanyou reveled in the sounds and smells his human side had kept hidden from him over the long night. Speaking of smells . . . Sesshomaru's heady scent poured into the Hanyou's nose at an alarming rate, sending an odd tingling sensation shooting all the way to the tips of his clawed toes. Glancing down at the clothes beside his feet, Inuyasha felt a whole new wave of embarrassment assault his body at the thought of his older brother seeing him once again in the buff.

"It is amazing how quickly your change occurs, little brother."

Nodding once, Inuyasha answered, "Yeah, it's saved my ass on more than one occasion."

"For this, I am very grateful."

Looking up at Sesshomaru's stoic face, Inuyasha felt like the DaiYoukai just might be serious about what he'd said, and that, more than anything, made him lower his eyes in thought.

"Do you still not believe that this Sesshomaru holds your well being to be of the highest priority?"

Pulling the fur around him closer, Inuyasha's eyes remained fixed upon the distant horizon, watching as the first rays of the sun lit up the surrounding foliage. "Maybe I'm startin' to believe ya, but it ain't easy. I don't know what to say beyond that, Sesshomaru."

"There is nothing more to be said and that is more than I could have hoped for given our past history."

"-Keh," Inuyasha mumbled, blowing out a deep and cleansing breath. "That still don't mean I don't think you're a right old bastard sometimes, and it sure don't mean I'm gonna kiss your ass."

"I would be concerned if you thought otherwise. Besides, this Sesshomaru has enough Youkai kissing his ass, as it is. One less would be a relief."

With a loud and explosive laugh, Inuyasha felt a lightness he hadn't felt in years fill his body. "Never woulda thought to hear ya say that. Seemed to me back in the day that all you wanted was for everybody to bow down at your feet."

At this, Sesshomaru merely narrowed his golden eyes. "Make no mistake, little brother, you are the only one this Sesshomaru deems worthy enough not to do such. Do not lower yourself to other Youkai, be they pure or otherwise."

And just like that, the lightness Inuyasha had been feeling vanished. Maybe Sesshomaru's opinion towards him had changed, but it appeared as if little else had. Shaking his head, Inuyasha stared in the direction of the door leading into Taisho Towers. "Speakin' of those other pure Youkai, you ever gonna let me outta here so I can see whose left in this world?"

It was Sesshomaru's turn to feel uncertain. "You are still healing – "

"I ain't no wimp, Sesshomaru and you and I both know I'm a hell of a lot stronger than I was when I first woke up. You can't keep me locked up in here forever." Narrowing his own amber eyes, Inuyasha was sure to look deep into his brother's cold gaze, desperately trying to convey to Sesshomaru that should he try and contain him, he would stop at nothing to be free. Although he feared abandonment from the Lord of the West, Inuyasha feared the loss of his freedom even more.

Giving his little brother a critical eye, Sesshomaru decided Inuyasha was right, he was getting better. Not only was his body healing, but so was his Youkai which now sang into the morning air with a healthy reverberance. Now all that was left was to put more muscle on the boy's lank frame, otherwise Inuyasha would have no stamina and would continue being unduly vulnerable. "Perhaps you have a point, Inuyasha."

Cocking his head to the side, Inuyasha stared up into his brother's face, a look of confusion coloring his own amber orbs. "What exactly does that mean?"

Instead of answering the question, Sesshomaru stated, "I have matters to attend to this morning, but I would very much like to eat lunch together."

Feeling as if this were becoming a routine, the Hanyou only rolled his eyes. "It's your home, you don't gotta ask to eat in it."

"True, but I feel it a courtesy to ask for your company."

"As if you'd really accept it if I said no. You may be treatin' me better, but you're still a total and complete jackass when it comes to somethin' you want. I got no illusions there, big brother."

Smiling, Sesshomaru's hand began gliding through Inuyasha's silvery-white locks of hair. "A very perceptive creature you are, my Inuyasha."

With a blush lighting up his face, the Hanyou wondered why he wasn't more pissed off that Sesshomaru didn't even try denying he was a selfish prick, or that the DaiYoukai had no regard at all for his wishes if they contradicted what the Lord of the West wanted. Instead, Inuyasha found himself fixated upon the fact that Sesshomaru had just called him, my Inuyasha. Why it felt so comforting to be claimed this way, he had no idea.

Huffing, Inuyasha pulled away from his brother's touch, even though his own Youkai was wagging its tail in contentment. "Whatever, just give a shout out when you get back."

"I shall not actually be leaving the premises today, but will be in my study. Should you need anything you have only to ask either Lady Kadira or one of the guards the way."

"Kouga already showed me where it was," Inuyasha replied.

"I was not aware."

Glancing up, Inuyasha wasn't sure what to make of his brother's response. Emotionless as usual, he found it difficult to tell exactly what the DaiYoukai was thinking. "You mad about that?"

"No. You are welcome to any part of our home. The Wolf King is well aware of this."

There it was again, our home. "-Keh, anyway, can't see why I'd need ya, but, uh . . . thanks for the offer, I guess." The words had no more passed through his mouth than Inuyasha's stomach gave a lurching growl of discontent. "Sorry 'bout that."

"Your body requires nourishment, please do not deny it."

"Yeah, I've always had a pretty healthy appetite, when there was food to be had that is."

Feeling the yolk of failure once again, Sesshomaru could only answer, "You shall never be without such again, this Sesshomaru promises you that."

Knowing of no other way to respond, Inuyasha only nodded his head. Truly, he wasn't sure how long this situation with his brother would last, but while it did, he'd decided to take things as they came. Maybe, just maybe, Sesshomaru was being on the up and up and really did want a long lasting familial relationship with him. Having long ago given up on the false comfort hope brought, the Hanyou found himself disturbingly willing to venture down that road now. Clearing his throat, Inuyasha rubbed his hand under his nose. "Think I'll get cleaned up and get somethin' to eat now. Guess I'll see ya later this afternoon."

Taking a quick glance down at the clothing littering the grass, Sesshomaru's mind wandered to the naked body of his little brother, his own Youkai throwing a temper tantrum at the thought of one of the guards sneaking a peek at his Hanyou. Mind made up, the DaiYoukai turned his back to Inuyasha as he stated, "Perhaps you would like to dress before going inside."

Blushing anew, the Hanyou felt a modicum of satisfaction that he hadn't needed to tell Sesshomaru to respect his privacy. Taking advantage of it, Inuyasha quickly dropped the fur blanket from his shoulders and dressed in lightening speed. Given the ease of modern clothing, he was clothed in record time.

Instead of telling Sesshomaru he could turn around, Inuyasha folded the fur over his arm and walked up beside his brother, barely brushing the edge of his shoulder against the firmness of the DaiYoukai's arm.

Feeling a spike of warmth where their bodies had made contact, Sesshomaru felt his lips twitch, stopping just short of a smile. With a glance down at the ever-twitching puppy dog ears of his little brother, the DaiYoukai's heart fluttered unusually. "If you are ready, I shall walk you to your room, if that is all right."

Stepping forwards, Inuyasha began making his way towards the door. "Didn't we already cover this before? No matter what I say, you're just gonna do whatever the hell ya want."

Moving up beside the Hanyou, Sesshomaru matched his pace with that of his brother. "As that seems to be the case, then I will see you to your room."

"Whatever, jackass. Just don't cramp my space, got it."

Feeling unusually playful, Sesshomaru allowed his mokomoko a little more leeway, the edges of the soft fur barely caressing the Hanyou's hand as he walked. Feeling the slight tickle, Inuyasha stopped and stared up at his brother, his face full of shock. "What the hell? Didn't I just tell you not to get so damn close!"

"Forgive me, but I thought we had decided your wishes on such matters mean very little to this Sesshomaru"

Flustered, Inuyasha's face went bright red. "Are you tryin' to piss me off?"

"Quite the contrary, little brother."

"-Keh," Inuyasha huffed as he began walking towards the door once more, only to shiver as the fine edges of his brother's fur once again caressed his flesh. "God's damn it, you stuck up, over privileged, pathetic excuse for an InuDaiYoukai . . . "

Hearing Inuyasha's tirade did little to detour the Lord of the West, in fact, had one been looking, they'd have seen an unusually mischievous smirk gracing the DaiYoukai's face as he continued his assault on his Hanyou's flesh until the door to Inuyasha's room had been unceremoniously slammed in his face.

The events of the previous night had left Sesshomaru's Youkai disgruntled and full of melancholy, but even the barest of touches to Inuyasha's flesh had soothed the beast's disquiet and allowed Sesshomaru a modicum of peace. As he headed to his office, an odd sense of mirth laced the edges of his soul along with a feeling of anticipation regarding his next actions. Unlike the mangy wolf, the next Youkai Sesshomaru planned on informing of Inuyasha's miraculous return was easier on his pallet. Not that Shippo wasn't a handful all his own, it was simply that the fox Youkai viewed the Lord of the West's intended mate more as a father and not an equal.

Before closing the door behind him, Sesshomaru turned his attention to the small kappa that always seemed to be by his side as soon as Inuyasha wasn't. Indeed, he had to marvel at Jaken's intuition regarding the matter. "Contact Shippo. I want him here by evening."

Bowing low, the imp's small beak barely tapped the marbled floor before uttering, "As my Lord commands," before tottering off to do as he'd been bid.

That's all for now. As most of you probably figured out by the ending here, Shippo will finally show up in the next chapter, speaking of which . . . I usually update on Sundays, but there's a chance I might get to do something fun next weekend (Yeah me!). If so, I'll try and put a chapter up earlier and at the latest, the following Tuesday. Also, there's a good possibility the next chapter is going to be very, very long. I just can't figure out how to break it up and so I just might put it up as is (well, hopefully not as it is right now as it needs a hell of a lot of editing :-)

Thanks again for reading. I always appreciate reviews and appreciate the time you all take to post them.

Until next time . . . lunamist