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16. Forward to an End

"How are you, pup?" the Lady of the Moon inquires as she begins to appear in the shared dog's bedroom. The half-demon didn't even notice when the goddess appear all his attention focus on his fallen brother's form. The goddess frowns. All Inuyasha would pay attention to was Sesshomaru, nothing could touch the body yet Inuyasha left himself completely vulnerable. She called his name once again as she came closer placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Lady Moon was shocked, Inuyasha was sickly pale. His eyes were sunken in; he was nothing but skin and bones, his hair morphed into a dull gray of its once proud silver. Inuyasha was losing himself. He was worse than she thought he would be she had truly believed that hope would give him a reason to live and treat himself well. Even if Sesshomaru returned she feared the young boy would die of joy. That would truly be a cold ironic fate. "This isn't healthy young one." she slowly encourage meekly slightly hesitant that too fast a movement might break the pup. "Let us go for a walk."

Since she first entered the room Inuyasha looked at her, for a quick moment Inuyasha's eyes flash with life. "I refuse to leave his side." his voice low but determined. Inuyasha takes his brother hand into his own as he idly begins massaging the long slender digits.

Lady Moon knew she didn't want to argue with Inuyasha in this pathetic state, it would be no good. She leaned on the bed as she watches Inuyasha behavior with Sesshomaru for a minute. How did it become that the most feared and monstrous demon among the earth could look so small? Subconsciously she reached out. She could see Inuyasha visibly stiffen, but she ignored it. Her hand lay gently on top of Inuyasha's hand that was holding the previous Western Lord. "Come with me into the garden were we shall eat and go for a stroll."

"There are more important things to do?" Inuyasha scolds.

She slightly tightens her hand when she feels Inuyasha trying to pull away. "How can that be?" They locked eyes. The temporary Western Lord Inuyasha hopes by sheer will alone he could make the goddess disappear. "If you don't treat yourself right Sesshomaru will have nothing more than a dead body to come back to."

"Shut up," he answers feebly.

"If you do what I say I will give the means to retrieve Sesshomaru." She hadn't meant to bribe him by promising his mate back, but in a desperate attempt she blurred out the words before she could stop herself.

The young dog snapped up from his chair. He grabbed on to the front of her clothing and pushed her into the wall. "You knew how to bring him back and you didn't tell me?" Inuyasha growled through clench teeth.

The goddess would admit she was surprised that Inuyasha had the strength to stand much less try to physically threaten her. "It might not work." she tries to inform him as she places a hand on his wrist.

"There is a chance it might work." Inuyasha was breathing heavy; he didn't have the strength to fight anyone. A human girl had the upper hand against him. He releases the female as he stumble backwards until he was sitting on the stool once again. The Lady of the Moon breathed a breath of relief. She called his name to gain his attention. "You knew-," Inuyasha pointed an accusing finger in her direction, "you knew if there was anything I could do, no matter how small or insignificant the chances of it working, I would do it without a second thought if it bought me a half a step closer to my Sesshomaru." Inuyasha growled his eyes began to bleed red. Inuyasha was week physically and emotionally, his beast began to rise as a last effort at self-preservation.

The goddess sigh, slowly she leans into the beast as she places his face into her hands. "Calm yourself young one. In this state you will be no help for Sesshomaru."

Tears slides down jagged marked cheeks, "Se-Sesshomaru." The dark eyes silently plead as the beast whimpers. "Back you bring him?" The broken creature bought tears to her eyes. Reluctantly the beast receded. Golden eyes connected with ice blue as a shabby smile pulled at the corner of his lips, "Promise."

"I will do my best." She answers. At times The Goddess of the Moon forgot that Inuyasha was still a pup. He is quick to throw tantrums yet innocent enough to believe in promises. The poor dog had grown up in the world where he was always rejected. Both humans and demons physically and emotionally abused him, together they stole his childhood. Even through all his struggles Inuyasha remained true and pure. Times were struggling; even Sesshomaru was teetering on the edge of insanity, and yet Inuyasha was willing to put his faith in a simple promise for love. She wiped the fallen tear. She grabbed Inuyasha's hand as she pulls him from the wooden stool. "Come with me."

"What about Sesshomaru?"

She sigh, she pulled Inuyasha and stood outside the door. "Double the amount of security at this door, and triple the amount underneath the window. Place two maids in the room to watch, and make sure they understand under no circumstance must they touch Sesshomaru's body. Sesshomaru is to be protected at all times." She orders the guards right outside the door.

"Yes ma'am." The guards answer in unison. The staff of the castle was pleased to see Inuyasha take a single step out of that room. The young prince practically made his personal chamber his dungeon. The workers off the estate loved their jobs. It was a well-known rumor that the other lords and ladies abuse and mistreat their labor force, believing that they were objects—easily replaceable. The western estate had never conformed to the norm. Lord Sesshomaru had treated them like people—meaning if you work well you were treated with food and shelter, an equivalent exchange for their work. On the other hand if you betrayed Sesshomaru or the west you were instantly killed. Everyone knew were they stood in the west. That order and discipline made life easy for the occupants. Many didn't want to lose this lifestyle. If both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were no longer alive, the west would be up for grabs; the staff feared that some veil demon/man would claim it.

Even with the added security Inuyasha was still hesitant. Lady Luna gave no room for argument. They ventured to the dining hall. They were greeted by the monk and the slayer. They shared no conversation. Inuyasha sat at the table, with his chopsticks he simply played with the food hoping the goddess would hurry up, get her filled so they could get the hell out of here. Inuyasha peeked at her from the corner of his eyes. The sufferable woman sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap. The pup growl, she pays no attention. Inuyasha silently threaten her. "Eat," was her one word order. The pup sigh to himself, slowly he picked up a thin slice of sashimi. When the sliced fish touched the tip of his tongue his eyes doubled in size. Inuyasha didn't realize he was so hungry. Had he really gone two months without food? It was unbelievable—before he had luxury of living in a home he had spoiled himself by eating every day. He truly missed the act. He looked to the goddess for unspoken permission to release proper formality. She gave her permission with a nod. She knew that Inuyasha didn't need her permission he practically was the owner of the house, but if it made him take proper care of himself she wasn't going to stop him. Throwing his head back the pup shoveled half the rice from the bowel into his mouth, picking up three pieces of sashimi at once he dips it into soy sauce and added them to the contents that dwell in his mouth. With puffy cheeks his jaw bones worked feverously trying to keep up to the fast pace he kept adding more food. Sango chuckled out loud before using her hand to cover her mouth while Miroku smiled silently to himself. The couple was pleased to see Inuyasha behaving like a child it bought a small image of how he used to behave. Indirectly this behavior gave them a small bit of hope, if Inuyasha was back to eating like a pig then maybe he would somehow turn back to the stubborn, hard-headed and foul mouth man he once was. This sulking sad man that had stood before them for so long was not the Inuyasha they knew, the previous Inuyasha would have been mad and would have done anything but sit down and wait. The human lovers shared a glance at one another as if knowing that they possessed the same thoughts. Sango leaned into her man as Miroku kissed her temple. To the naked eye they only seemed to be a couple, but to them they were sharing an agreement. They both looked to the eating friend—no matter what path he choose they knew that they would be one step behind him ready to stand at his side. Inuyasha lower the bowl from his face. He could see Miroku and Sango sitting across from him. At first it had stung when they would look happy, but right now he was seeing them from a new light. They were the image that he was going to strive for. One day, no questions asked, he will be happy with Sesshomaru just as those two are. When the mix match group of friends' eyes locked on one another a strong bond of friendship tightened and they all broke out in laughter. In the past they were strangers who became associates through a common goal, and through their ups and downs they became friends. After a while 'friend' didn't give their bond any justification—they were family. Lady of the Moon wasn't positive on what was so funny, but the group's laughter seemed to eradicate the tension in the room. They all ate silently and peacefully.

They finish eating and head to Sesshomaru's study. Everyone sat except Inuyasha. He looked at the plush chair at the other side of the desk. He understood as the new lord it was his place to lead, but he wasn't sure if it was proper for him to lead in his brother's chair. He looked to his friends he knew that they wouldn't judge him if he sat among them. Deep down he knew he would feel disappointed in himself if he wasn't strong enough to do what his brother had done before. With shaking knees he walked to the chair and slowly pulled it out. The company in the room nodded at him mutely encouraging him. Inuyasha sat in the chair. He was not expecting fireworks out of nowhere nor a round of applause for sitting, but for some odd reason he felt comfortable in the seat he thought it would be more awkward. Inuyasha laid back fully in the chair, the cushions had held Sesshomaru's scent. The half-demon inhaled deeply. Once he opened his eyes he was surprised to see everyone smiling back at him.

It was the little actions that pleased the human mates. Inuyasha was coming back around. Inuyasha cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention. Normally Inuyasha's plans were simple—kill, harm or eradicate anything or anyone that dare try to prevent him from reaching his goals, but this time was completely different, this time he did not know if he had an enemy to fight. Turning to the only person in the room who knew Sesshomaru's whereabouts he speaks, "You will inform me on what you've have learned about my brother's whereabouts?" He asked his voice filled with authority playing the proper role of the Western Lord.

She stood, following proper protocol she bowed from her waist, "As you wish, Lord Inuyasha." she adds at the end for good measure. The Moon goddess explained everything to Inuyasha. Everyone listened carefully. As she wrapped up her story she asked if there were any questions.

Running on emotions Sango was the first to talk, forgetting the fact that Inuyasha was lord and it was considered rude of her to speak before he dismiss the goddess. Inuyasha didn't care either, but the goddess stood waiting to be dismissed. "Sesshomaru is going to come back," she squealed in feminine glee as Inuyasha silently dismiss the goddess with a wave of his hand. "We go to mirror break it down and Sesshomaru is free." She clapped her hands to what she thought was a simple but brilliant plan."

"Wouldn't Sesshomaru be trapped?" The monk rubbed his chin, as he thought out loud, "If it was that simple I'm positive she would have done so already." Miroku's eyes locked with the icy blue, "There is something you haven't told us. You see and speak to him yet you cannot retrieve him?"

Lady Luna smirked; Miroku was obviously the brains of the group. "At first it was working Sesshomaru was obeying and I believed that we were getting somewhere. But of lately he has lost faith in me opting to either stay or find his own way out."

Silently Miroku digested the new information. Inuyasha was lost in thought. It is a well-known fact that Inuyasha was not a planner, but he quickly understood that if he was too brash and head in screaming there was a large possibility that he was going to lose his lover. Inuyasha swallowed his behavior understanding that saving Sesshomaru was the upmost importance and nothing, not even his pride was going to jeopardize it. Inuyasha focuses his attention back to his friends when he realizes that they are talking about him.

"This is where Inuyasha comes in." She smiles making sure Inuyasha was paying attention. The half-demon nods showing that he is paying keen attention. "He'll be Sesshomaru's bait."

The occupants of the room mouth fell open in unison, "Bait?" Sango questions as she nibbled her bottom lip.

Lady of the Moon nods her head, "It's too dangerous to place Inuyasha inside that domain, and there is after all a chance he could be stuck in there forever. We will simple place him in the edge and hope that the younger dog's voice will reach him and more so if Sesshomaru could see Inuyasha he will likely be more willing to venture closer."

Inuyasha smiled, this was a win-win situation. The young dog broke out into a huge smile, "I can't lose," Inuyasha leaned back fully in the chair loving the small puff of Sesshomaru's scent that escapes through his movements. "If I bring Sesshomaru back, I will have my man back with me here. Even if I fail I will forever be trapped in purgatory with my mate forever without the threat of death hanging among us."

A heavy sigh fell from Miroku's parted lips, "Don't be an idiot Inuyasha." Said dog huffed. "If you fail the West would be left without a Lord." Inuyasha felt bad but was he really supposed to go on living knowing his mate was rotting away in some fake hell. Miroku knew that preserving the West was not on the top of the pup to do list, "Consider the two children Rin and Shippo." Inuyasha gulp.

"Do you want me to remain here and not do anything?" Inuyasha snap at the monk for locating reasons against saving his mate. Inuyasha knew if it was Sango in Sesshomaru's position he wouldn't be sitting there with that damn thoughtful look on his face.

"Of course not" Miroku answer, "you would be an awful man to remain here, no proper man would sit here while his mate supposedly suffers. I simply ask of you, as a friend, be careful."

Inuyasha nods, understanding were Miroku was coming from, but the half-demon didn't fully agree. He knew Miroku understood that he would blindly risk it all for his mate. Inuyasha stands after a long minute of silence, "Let us be on our way." He directs the goddess. Lady of the Moon stands, with some intricate movements of her hands a full length mirror appears. Inuyasha stands in front of the floating mirror, "This works too."

The goddess shrug, "The first plan was to trap his soul in a bottle and bring it here." She stands beside Inuyasha, as she watches him examine the glass, "I assume it would be easier to release him here so he would be closer to his own body." She finishes.

Inuyasha brow scrunches together as he gives the mirror the once over. He couldn't see anything through the mirror, not even his own reflection. Sango and her soon-to-be husband stand behind Inuyasha and both are perplexed by the non-reflective mirror. "It's so dark." Sango whispers out loud.

"It's only due to the barrier I place around the glass from preventing the dog from shattering what could possibly his only way back to the living." She touches the glass and the barrier easily falls.

Sesshomaru wasn't positive about when he had fallen asleep, but he woke up feeling horrible. His head hurt and he felt dizzy, the heavy echoing of his own heart beat pounded loudly into his ears. Sesshomaru grabbed his torso right over his heart. Would it really be so horrid to swiftly pierce through his chest? A frown mars his face; it wasn't the first time that Sesshomaru contemplated suicide. His beating heart was a sadistic reminder of the true living world; a vocal symbolism of his loneliness—it was the only heartbeat he could hear for miles. The late Lord groan, he didn't move as he stared in the sky. He didn't feel like waking his muscles, there was no reason to meet the day. Another groan rumbled from the back of his throat. He could feel the presence of the voice reappearing. He just woken up and didn't want to deal with his insanity again. The voices weren't supposed to have a presence. He could hear the voice clearly breathe a breath of relief. "Leave me be." Sesshomaru screamed out to the voice before it spoke to him. With stiff muscles Sesshomaru curled himself into a tight ball.

Lady Luna, the couple and Inuyasha watched wide eye at the broken man. Goddess tries to gently reach out to him. In all honesty Inuyasha was holding back, he wanted to run to Sesshomaru and just hold him in his arms. Long nails dug mercilessly into his palm as blood drip to the ground. Too caught up in observing what was they were seeing no one notice Inuyasha's self-restrain. The pup began to shake when Sesshomaru screamed to be alone. He knew, once upon a time Sesshomaru was defined as a cold hearted bastard—hell he called him that once or twice. Right now, with such a sorrowful lonely voice pleading for solitude was an empty copy of what Sesshomaru once was. A tear slides down Inuyasha's face. He opened up his mouth to call for his brother, but his voice failed him. He tried to move closer, but once again he was meeting with resistance. His mate needed him…why did he find it so hard to move?

Sango was the first one to notice Inuyasha's actions, even though it was so small. Gently and slowly as not to frighten him she placed her hand on his shoulder. Inuyasha turned away from her, his bangs casting a dark shadow over his eyes. She steps closer to him, as she tries to remain as quite as possible so that she wouldn't disturb Lady Luna's conversation, "Sesshomaru is here, there is bigger chance that we can save him."

He tries to answer, no sound came out. He inhales deeply; "He's not here," Inuyasha's voice was deep, gruff and hallow "Sesshomaru is trapped in the glass." As if he was on autopilot Inuyasha moves closer. Sango calls out to him, causing everyone to finally notice him. Miroku tries to feebly stop him but is simply pushed aside. Inuyasha fingers touched the smooth glass, the goddess stepped aside. Lady Luna wasn't positive what was going to occur, but she is willing to try anything to bring but the much missed Lord back home.

Sesshomaru remain stiff for a moment longer waiting for the voice, but just like that it was gone. He contemplated for a moment if this was a good thing or not. Slowly Sesshomaru unraveled himself as he tries to stand. His muscles are stiff he is wobbly at first but manages to stay on his feet. Sesshomaru breaths in, he doesn't fully understand but there was a tingly feeling on the back of his neck. Something was going to happen. This held the uncertainty of being positive or negative. The older dog simply stood, anticipating something that might not even happen.

The half-demon whispered his brother's name. He watch carefully as his brother stood. Inuyasha pressed harder into the glass, it was cold. "Have I done something wrong brother? Do you not wish to return to me?" Unknowingly Inuyasha allowed tears to run down his face.

The human couple step back as the held each other. They prayed that everything would work out in the end. Inuyasha's altering between child and adult wasn't good for the boy's health.

It was a light sound, and Sesshomaru was positive that it might still be his imagination but he could hear his brother's voice. Since he has been locked away in this hell this was his first time hearing/imagining Inuyasha's voice. To Sesshomaru it was actually better to hear Inuyasha's voice than that of an unknown. Closing his eyes he listens to the sound finding comfort in it. It is then he notice exactly what Inuyasha is saying, "Do you not wish to return to me?" Sesshomaru shakes his head, his brother sounded so sad. No, if he was going to imagine Inuyasha he wanted his brother's voice to be happy. In a broken tired voice he murmur Inuyasha's name in broken syllables.

The young dog was pleased to hear Sesshomaru say his name. He held a teary smile, "Yea, it's me." Inuyasha wiped away his tears, has he presses his palm on the reflective glass, "I love you Sesshomaru." He didn't know why he said it then but he didn't regret it. The mirror rippled.

"I love you too," there was no hesitation in Sesshomaru's voice. "My Inuyasha I love you so much." Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around himself. A bittersweet smile graces his face. If only he wasn't talking to himself. He scolded himself; he should have spent more time enjoying his brother than fighting. He imagined the young boy in his arms, "I love. . . I love you." He chanted over and over again.

Inuyasha felt the effects of the rippling glass and instead of backing away he pressed harder. Miroku and the Luna caught on to what Inuyasha was attempting immediately. They pulled him back from the mirror. Inuyasha fell on his ass. His eyes narrow at them. "Inuyasha," Miroku snarls, "you have to be careful."

The goddess nods her head, "You'll be trapped in there."

"How the hell do you think that would help?" Miroku rhetorical question was filled with anger.

The goddess growled, "The west would crumble. You would be leaving good friends behind." She watches as Sango helps to pick up the fallen boy. Lady Luna made sure she placed herself between him and the mirror.

"Even if you don't think about us, think about Rin and Shippo." The monk added. Inuyasha allowed Sango to help him up; his head remain bow as he took the verbal lashing. "Those kids look up to you. You have to remain strong for them." Inuyasha knew that the pair was absolutely right, but when did he ever fall the moral code of 'right'.

They both yelled Inuyasha's name together simultaneously. "Shut up," Inuyasha growled lowly as he pushes pass the barricade the two bodies made in front of the mirror. "Don't think that I don't know that— because I do." Inuyasha was one step away from the mirror but did not venture any closer. "I care for the kids I do, but what I'm going to do I can't survive without my mate." Inuyasha turns to them. "I love Sesshomaru and if that means following him into that hell," he pivoted on his heels, "I'll gladly do it. If it makes you feel any better you can blame it on fate." Inuyasha pressed into the rippling glass. The sucking feeling pulled him through.

Sesshomaru listened carefully. None of this could be real. He listens to Inuyasha proclamation of love. It warmed his lonely heart. He thought he had failed his brother, but if Inuyasha was really alive he knew he wouldn't allow Inuyasha to harm himself. He could be chasing a fragment of his twisted imagination, but it didn't matter to him. 'Inuyasha'—real or not would never be harmed if he could prevent it. His surrounding ripples, Sesshomaru takes a fighting stance, this had happened before. Previously it was always with that female voice. Normally Sesshomaru would get upset and order the voice to go away, and just like that it would disappear. This time it was his brother's voice, he anticipated the unknown. Inuyasha's scent penetrated the area. Inuyasha would have to be dead to come here; Sesshomaru couldn't sit here knowing Inuyasha was going to die, not even if it was for him. Sesshomaru began to run. He didn't have a specific goal that he was aiming for but he had to keep pushing forward. The older dog only had one direction, and that was the previous orders from the female voice, 'push forward.' Sesshomaru's muscles that were stiff ache with the sudden order to work so feverously. He ignored the protesting muscles. Wind whistles in his pointed ears. His racing heart demand that he worked faster, he had to save Inuyasha. "Inuyasha…NO!"

Miroku and the goddess tugged at the back of Inuyasha's shirt. The half-demon stood his ground allowing himself to be absorbed. Sango was shaken, but it wasn't for the safety of her demon friend. "Let Inuyasha go!" she yelled as she tries to push Miroku away from Inuyasha. The slayer knew that if Miroku was on the other side of the glass she wouldn't even waver to be with him. She knew that it might be wrong for the Western Land, but it would be the best for Inuyasha's heart.

"I am coming," Inuyasha murmur. Inuyasha was calm…no matter what Inuyasha was going to be with his mate.

Grace and dignity was long forgotten as Sesshomaru stumbles while running. Sesshomaru uses his hands to push him forward. Another ripple went throughout the area. The older dog's surrounding began to alter with an increase in pulsation. Everything was being covered in white. Color was fading from the counterfeit world. Sesshomaru didn't slow down; in fact he began to run faster. A large rectangular figure came at the side of his vision. Digging his claws into the ground he turns without slowing down. Inuyasha's scent was becoming stronger as well as the pulsation. He was getting closer to Inuyasha. The older dog reached the mirror. Sesshomaru didn't even falter as he crashes into the glass.

Out of nowhere a bright blinding light flash, a female scream, a heavy groan and the clashing of glass echoed throughout the enclosed study.

When everything calmed down the group was sprawled on the floor. Shippo and Rin burst opened the door. "What is wrong?" Shippo asked meekly. The group groans.

The goddess crawled to the glass on her knees, "No," she began to whimper, "Sesshomaru is stuck."

Inuyasha was unresponsive. Slayer and the monk went to Inuyasha their friend lost his mate. The young children ventured into the room. The atmosphere was thick and eerie. Suddenly a large blue orb flashes around the room circulating twice around everyone. Everyone watches. Miroku, who has done many exorcisms in his day, easily recognizes the orb as a spirit. The monk grabs Inuyasha's shoulder ran. Everyone followed behind the two men. The ball of energy dived into Sesshomaru's chest. Inuyasha is the first on at his brother's side.

Sesshomaru didn't know how to describe what was happening. First he was running, he knew that for sure but he couldn't recall why. Then all of a sudden he was extremely heavy. Sesshomaru could hear running feet. He opened his eyes once, but everything was too bright he quickly shut it. Suddenly he felt a heavy weight on his chest, "Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha screams as he falls without restraint squeezing Sesshomaru in a tight hug. There was a collective gasp from the other occupants as the lord groan. Inuyasha didn't care if Sesshomaru was upset with him. Inuyasha wanted to jump and scream he also wanted to hold onto Sesshomaru and stay with him. Actual tears began falling down Inuyasha's face, "You're back." Sesshomaru groan and placed his left hand on the back of Inuyasha's neck as he patted the dusty silver hair. The older dog couldn't recall what was happening but he didn't mind Inuyasha would just have to fill in the details later. Slowly Sesshomaru opens his eyes again. He scans the other occupants in the room. The human mates held each other broad smiles mark their faces. Shippo and Rin had their arm wrapped around each other jumping up and down chanting his name. Another unknown female stood in the room tears silently slides down here face but she too was smiling.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru voice was gruff and it actually hurts when he spoke, "What's going on?"

"You came back." Inuyasha went on to inform Sesshomaru what went on with his unplanned departure.

After the explanation and reassuring the young ones that Sesshomaru wasn't going to go anywhere. Sesshomaru meet and spoke to the one goddess he believed in. The story was unbelievable, but he accepted every word. In the end of the day Sesshomaru was simply pleased to be with Inuyasha once again. Against every idea in his body Inuyasha left his brother alone so he could send word that Sesshomaru was back. Inuyasha was more than ready to relinquish his position as the Western Lord. Dinner was a joyous, Sesshomaru didn't come back a complete different person sharing outburst of laughter, as usual he was silent except this time his eyes light up enjoying the company of the residences. It slightly irk Inuyasha when Sesshomaru refuse to take his proper place at the head—some bullshit about him not being the recognized lord.

Night had fallen, it was a full moon well hidden by heavy clouds. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stood outside. It was a windy night. "Well this is where he is." Inuyasha took a step backwards. After hearing about Natsume's downfall, Sesshomaru wanted to see where his first friend now lay.

"How did it happen?" Sesshomaru somehow manages to choke out though his demeanor didn't radiate grief on the inside the old dog was slightly heartbroken.

Inuyasha wasn't sure he wanted to tell Sesshomaru. He was responsible for Natsume's death and the worst part Natsume had told him that he had loved Sesshomaru. It wasn't right for him to withhold this information nevertheless he didn't want Sesshomaru to hate him for killing Natsume. Knowing it was for the best Inuyasha swallows his shame and told Sesshomaru everything "…his last words were a proclamation of love for you. He died smiling. He gave me a way to save you." It was the first time Inuyasha ever saw his brother cry. The older dog squat down, he touched the cool stone that Inuyasha had made to memorialize the black fox. The stone wasn't complete it was a smooth rectangular prism that was being painted. At this moment it was a collection of random patches of colors, the artist had reassure Inuyasha that it would be ebony fox playing in a field under a crescent moon.

"I knew that all along."

Inuyasha turned his head away. "Did you love him too?" Inuyasha didn't want to pick a fight, he was just curious.

Sesshomaru didn't turn around to face him, "I do." Inuyasha swallows the lump in his throat. Inuyasha felt like shit he had killed a man that Sesshomaru had love. A pitiful grunt fell from his lips, he felt like the jealous woman who tried to take a competitor out.

"I swear to you," Inuyasha began in a pleading voice, "if there was any way I could have done this without harming Natsume I would have done it."

"Natsume," Sesshomaru's voice cracked, "he was an annoying idiot who took me under his care." The half-demon nodded as Sesshomaru finally turned to him. "He knew, as much as he liked to pretend that he didn't, that I knew about his feelings. Early in life we came to the understanding that I was a man with no comprehension of love." Sesshomaru reaches out to his mate; Inuyasha stepped out of his reach. Unlike before this did not detour Sesshomaru. "You see Lord Inuyasha—"

"Don't call me that," Inuyasha scolds without thought.

"My love," Inuyasha kept his arms cross, but he began blushing. "I've never loved before you. There is not a man or woman, dead or alive that I have ever told that I love." Sesshomaru pulled Inuyasha into his arms, "Natsume and you gave me another chance at life. I'll be damn if I waste it." Sesshomaru circles his arms around his brother's slender waist. Inuyasha rested his hands on Sesshomaru's shoulder. Leaning into one another their breath mingles. They share a small peck on the lips. Inuyasha smiles and chuckles a little. "I love you Inuyasha." Sesshomaru slides his tongue over Inuyasha's bottom lip asking for entrance. Access is quickly given.

"I love you too, Sesshomaru."

Their embrace tightens as they grind on each other, "Inside?" Sesshomaru murmurs lustfully in his brother's ears. The younger sibling nods enthusiastically. Before leaving Sesshomaru takes a look at the grave, silently he thanks Natsume for giving him another chance at life. He laughed silently to himself for he swore he heard Natsume say:

"Don't fuck this up pup."

"Neither Death nor Life can eradicate Love."

The End

XOXO

Disclaimer Inuyasha ©2000 Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan - Yomiuri TV - Sunrise
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.