Later 2 Day Two

The early morning sunshine did nothing to lift the spirits or unease of the Daiyoukai who sat beneath Goshinboku and watched the night fade away. In fact when the monk and kitsune appeared early and greeted him respectfully, Sesshoumaru found for the first time in his life that he was grateful for the disturbance and the gentle sounds of others; he had found the night far too silent.

He heard the stirring of his own camp and permitted Shippou to go and join Rin and Kohaku for breakfast. It was a long day as eventually Sango and Kouga too joined the group in the clearing area. Kouga had heard of the disappearance and come to see for himself. Along with him were Ginta, Hakkaku and Ayame whom Kouga had searched out and mated, joining what was left of the wolf tribes.

Together and during the day they all chatted and speculated over what could be done to find out about the missing couple and the jewel. Normally Sesshoumaru would have packed his group up and moved on without a word, but he too thought it more important to wait and would give the situation some time more to become resolved.

He sat apart from the others although he listened to all the debate and the circular arguments, and was relieved when the consensus of opinion settled on the probability that Inuyasha had caught up with Kagome and that when the jewel was purified he had been sent to the future with her. That had raised the question of what the wish could have been to destroy the gem and most felt that if Inuyasha was to have a permanent life in the future, he would have had to become human.

At that point, Sesshoumaru had walked away, angry once again at the thought of a brother who would give up his youki to live among humans, yet he could now understand why it would be attractive to the boy. Inuyasha probably felt he had nothing left but Kagome, and a brother who didn't care if he lived or died wherever he was. But that wasn't true, Inuyasha's life was claimed by Sesshoumaru, not some other being or time, nor by Inuyasha himself unnaturally shortening it.

Then he recognised how futile his anger was now, it had become a moot point; Inuyasha had been missing for well over a day, nearer two in fact and if he was in the future he was beyond his brother's reach, or was he? If he was as the Monk privately thought, trapped in the Meidou, it was more than probable that he was fading as they spoke. That thought somehow was disturbing and Sesshoumaru dismissed it, pondering instead that if Inuyasha was human in the future, it could well be that the full youkai would still be alive and could punish him then.

The day had dragged into the evening and the meals were prepared; Sesshoumaru noticed that far from getting too engrossed with the general chat, Miroku had often been meditating and reaching out with his spiritual power. He had even had several deep chats with Kaede who also was serious and they had gone a few times to pray together and combine their search power near the well site. They both had saddened auras which unsettled Sesshoumaru; they must be giving up on a happier ending for the young pair.

He wished he could identify the strange oppression which still lingered around him, but he was curious, neither Miko nor Monk had seemingly picked up on it and it hadn't got a youkai's aura so it must be the well. He had mentioned it to Miroku, however the monk had no idea, nor could he feel it himself. Once again the camp was quietening down as the friends left the area for the night except for Kouga, he volunteered to keep the watch that night and Sesshoumaru agreed, for some inexplicable reason, he was feeling tired.

Before he settled down for the night though, Sesshoumaru took one last patrol; his senses were still on high alert for the source of the ominous presence, the sheer weight of which seemed to press his shoulders down. He then sat with his back upright leaning on a tree trunk in the seclusion of some bushes which offered privacy and some protection from the elements as the night promised to be cool and breezy.

His eyes had just closed when he heard the most unusual sound, Rin was crying. It was true she was not making much noise, but in a way that made it worse; in his experience it meant that her pain was from the heart as opposed to a physical hurt. Sesshoumaru listened for a while as he could hear that Jaken was talking quietly with her and he had to admit that the imp was probably better able to deal with her childish anxieties better than the Youkai Lord.

"Rin!" Jaken said softly; "Hush child, tell me what ails you; have you a pain?" His words were gently spoken.

"No Master Jaken; Rin is alright, I just feel very sad." Rin had never lied or tried to evade either Jaken or especially Sesshoumaru's questions, she was guileless.

"Then tell me of your sorrow and perhaps I can set you straight, and we will have no need of disturbing Lord Sesshoumaru." Jaken was kindly to the child and knew that she would speak when she could; beside he knew that Sesshoumaru would expect him to wait patiently. Truth be told, he also could no longer be harsh to the child that had been saved from death once more; his tears at that time had been born from genuine grief.

"Rin was thinking of my brother; he was kind to Rin and I just remembered his smile and it made me want to cry."

"Ah, the others were speaking of being united once again with their siblings, Sango and Kohaku were very happy it is true."

"And Kagome with her little brother…Souta…, Sango was saying that at least Kagome would be happy now as she often missed him and what he was doing. They spoke a lot when they were travelling and Sango said that Kagome found it hard when she went back sometimes and she had seen changes in Souta."

"Rin, there is nothing that can be done…"

"Rin knows… Rin just felt sad and then I felt sad for Lord Sesshoumaru as well, he has lost Inuyasha too and it hurts to loose your brother. It made me want to cry for him too."

"Well we can fix that one, Lord Sesshoumaru will not miss Inuyasha at all; he was only a filthy dirty blooded half-breed. It is good that he is here no more, he is unable to bring shame anymore on Lord Sesshoumaru's family."

"Master Jaken, that is a horrible thing to say; of course My Lord misses Lord Inuyasha, what horrid names…"

"I heard Lord Sesshoumaru say them myself young lady; you know how he feels about the disgraceful hanyou, it has never been a secret."

"Jaken…" The tone was firm and disapproving, one which Jaken knew only too well.

"Y…yes My Lord."

"Go and make Rin a dish of tea, do not hurry." Sesshoumaru took the distressed child onto his lap and wrapped his tail around her in a very unusual display of affection. But he knew that she would not take advantage of his care, and he felt that the circumstances were adequate for this level of his personal involvement.

"Rin, This Sesshoumaru does not need your sorrow for his loss of Inuyasha."

"Rin doesn't understand…Rin never understood how you can hate someone who is your brother. Rin loved mine very much, everyone else loves theirs."

"It is better that Inuyasha is gone from this world. This Sesshoumaru no longer hates his brother, but Inuyasha would never have an easy life… being hanyou is rarely acceptable." He waited for her to digest all he'd said but was surprised yet again when her way of speech changed.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, I don't want to understand…I don't care that he was hanyou, he was your brother…I don't want to understand and be like that…" Rin trailed off as her tears started afresh and Sesshoumaru was at a loss, the child had never spoken so firmly against his words before. It was true she was not required to agree but to be so adamant…and disapproving. He was absolutely certain that she had not meant to be so assertive against him, but that didn't change the fact she had been.

He could not be angry, in fact to his own surprise he tried to comfort her by telling her of his own revelations earlier.

"Rin, This Sesshoumaru no longer feels such hatred as I used to for my brother. My feelings were misguided from my youth…but it is better if he is with Kagome with whom he wishes to mate. Do not be distressed for him or wish that he was away from his female."

"I do not My Lord; I was upset for you, he is gone away and you have lost him like I have lost my brother, Inuyasha might as well be dead." Rin heaved a heavy shuddering sigh and Sesshoumaru sat her on the ground next to him, but left his tail loosely around her to keep her warm and called Jaken to bring the tea.

Rin welcomed the tea and soon afterwards she fell heavily asleep, very warm tucked up in the warm furry tail of her Lord. Jaken had made a fire and Sesshoumaru too fell asleep; on seeing this, the loyal to a fault little vassal laboured to keep awake and stand guard over his master and his ward. For his pains he was privy to the knowledge that for the first time in many decades his master was suffering from troubled sleep; indeed Sesshoumaru was held in the grip of a vivid and disturbing dream.

It was a dream that Sesshoumaru was never to forget and it started off as a familiar memory when the scent of wolves and blood assaulted his nose. Then aspects of the memory changed; this time there were two children, one a black haired girl whose dark brown eyes were staring in death and the other a white haired boy with frightened tear damp golden eyes. Both showed signs of ill treatment besides the bites from the wolves.

DREAM

"Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru acknowledged and the pup called to him as he ran, his small arms held out begging to be held.

"Brother Sesshoumaru, they killed Mama; she is gone and they tried to kill me too." The child's hopes of comfort were dashed as he was backhanded to the ground.

"That I am your brother is purely a biological fact. It has no bearing on how you will be treated hanyou. For my father's life sacrifice I will give you protection, but expect nothing else." Then Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the other child and revived her with Tenseiga; waiting for what he was not sure, but cradling her gently as he watched.

Both children followed after him as he walked off and set the pattern for their travels. At first both children were ignored; the girl was mute in any case and the boy soon found out that his normal chatter was not appreciated. Then Jaken too permanently carried a switch alongside his staff of two heads just to teach them acceptable behaviour. Not that the girl child ever was on the receiving end after the first time, when Sesshoumaru forbid him to switch her again. The boy pup however did not come under his brother's prohibition and Jaken often took him to task if either child annoyed his master.

And so the dream progressed through days and nights where the girl child became progressively more tolerated and the boy more despised. She was an endearing creature and brought light and love to the taciturn Daiyoukai, who accepted her gifts of flowers whilst crushing his brother's gift of berries beneath his feet. Soon the girl began to speak and laugh, blossoming under constant care as the boy grew ever more silent and sullen, more and more neglected.

Over time Rin had new clothes and a bag saddled to Ah-Un with various small treasures and treats brought by Jaken with his master's gold at the villages and towns they passed. Inuyasha's bag was much smaller and housed needles and thread so that he could repair his ragged under shirt with patches from Rin's cast offs; something his fire rat never needed. The girl could always hitch a ride on the two headed dragon, but the hanyou had to walk or be considered even weaker by Sesshoumaru.

He only ever got a reprieve when he'd been whipped and made too sore to move properly and thereby too slow; then he would be slung over the beast's back on his stomach like a sack of grain with a couple of heavy handed swats to remind him of his brother's displeasure about the misdemeanour that got him punished in the first place.

Rin was a kind girl however and shared her treats when it seemed no one was looking; but she never questioned her Lord's decisions or his treatment of Inuyasha, although she would try and comfort him where she could. Sesshoumaru just kept walking on, never seeming to look at them and yet knowing all that happened and the girl flourished if his eyes noticed her and warmed slightly. While the boy saw all and longed for some of the same affection but the warmth never extended to him and he despaired.

Her eyes sparkled and shone, aglow with health and happiness for her life; she sang and danced and played, a beacon of colour and joy in the often dark forests through which they walked. Inuyasha was the opposite; he was drab and quiet all the time now, walking behind them with his head bowed down trying to hide his pale, often tearstained face and not draw Jaken's painful attention to himself.

Weeks passed turning into months and one day Rin was taken by the hell hound leaving the others in the Palace of the Sky. Sesshoumaru's mother said that Rin was now dead and unable to be reached with Tenseiga even though her body had been successfully retrieved. Inuyasha watched as his brother mourned and even Jaken shed tears for the child, but it was obvious he felt no grief for the girl who received all that the boy was entitled too.

Then Sesshoumaru's mother had given them hope when she said the only way that the girl could be revived would be if another gave his life for her's in exchange, with the help of the medallion the Inu no Taishou had given his mate. Sesshoumaru was thoughtful for just a brief moment and then turned swiftly and predatorily towards Inuyasha before grasping him by the shoulder.

"At last, a reason for your miserable existence; you will take Rin's place and in doing so atone for your birth." With that Sesshoumaru glanced down eagerly on the young hanyou, completely unmoved by the fresh tears on the cheeks of the pup who realised finally that he meant nothing to anyone. Then the Daiyoukai swiftly swiped his claw across Inuyasha's neck, ending the life of the dispensable, unwanted little brother who died as piteously as he'd lived.

END

Sesshoumaru had woken with a jolt at that point; his breathing harsh and ragged. The action was so unlike him as was the dream, but Jaken had brewed more tea and had a dish ready for his master when he awoke. For once the little youkai was wise and didn't ask for information; he had heard some of the words Sesshoumaru had said whilst asleep and had heard his own name several times, he'd heard enough not to risk his master's wrath.

He also noted but didn't comment on the hand that shook slightly as it took hold of the tea. Sesshoumaru was surprised that the drink had been lavishly sweetened with sugar and raised his eyebrow at Jaken in question.

"My Lord, I noticed you had a liking for this substance when Kagome served it once, I asked her for some and she gave me a packet. It is most unusual but more convenient to carry than honey…she also said it is good for when someone felt low in body…I couldn't help but notice My Lord that you seemed indisposed in your sleep… I…"

"Thank you Jaken; I am quite alright now." And he realised that the sugary drink had revived him somewhat, until the memories of his dream forced their way back to his conscious mind. Mulling over the contents of the dream, Sesshoumaru was too honest not to realise what his subconscious was telling him. Truly, he had never allowed Jaken to physically discipline either Rin or Inuyasha, but Sesshoumaru had punished the boy on many occasions when the pup had travelled with him.

Inuyasha had however always been fed and clothed so that part of the dream was a lie, but it merely highlighted the contrast; Inuyasha had never had the same care that Rin had enjoyed. Instead he had spent a lot of time being made to feel weak and worthless, besides spending many hours in tears of pain or anguish. In all honesty the Daiyoukai had never understood all the emotional upsets Inuyasha had suffered; most youkai reacted with anger and aggression when belittled, behaviour that the hanyou had subsequently learned to great effect.

He had known however that regardless of cause, he could make Inuyasha suffer and he had done so, for which Sesshoumaru felt some shame and regret. Suddenly crashing into the forefront of his mind was the memory of his slaughtering Inuyasha in the dream, sacrificing his own flesh and blood for the small human child. Along with it came the identity of the ominous foreboding of which he had been aware and Sesshoumaru realised that the feeling was his alone; it was the complete lack of Inuyasha's aura and youki that was no longer part of his own makeup.

With that realisation came the need once again to calm his shaking hands that he could almost see covered in a small hanyou's blood. Jaken was prepared and observant for once; more sweet tea was quickly served and Sesshoumaru analysed the hole he felt in his own soul. Since Sesshoumaru had been not much more than a pup and his father died to save Inuyasha and his human mother; he had always been aware of the presence of his flesh and blood.

He had felt this lack before and now he recognised it; on his father's death it had almost prostrated him to know that the great General was gone, not only with grief, but also because the physical presence in his soul was also gone. It had been replaced quickly by the similar aura of his small brother, his youki recognised another family member and Sesshoumaru was always instinctually aware of where Inuyasha was and the state of his being.

This was as natural and unconsidered for the most part as breathing, taken for granted on a daily basis and now it was gone. Inuyasha was no longer in this world, his youki had vanished and his aura non existent; Sesshoumaru felt alone for the first time in a long while, even his mother could not fill the empty space left where Inuyasha's presence had resided.

So the child had left the realm of the living, of this there was now no doubt in Sesshoumaru's mind; his youki had been trying to tell him this for the last two days with the oppressive feeling that had crept up on him since the well had disappeared. Inuyasha had died in the Meidou, lost and alone, the two things he had most feared in his short life and Sesshoumaru closed his eyes in grief for the baby brother he had never valued more than now, when he was gone.

TBC