Later Day Three

The memory of that emptiness could still unnerve Sesshoumaru and he took a deep breath of the summer air enjoying the rich warm atmosphere and especially taking in the reassuring scent of his brother. He tested his inner makeup and could feel that Inuyasha's aura was very much present, although it was time to try and ease the slight fluctuation that indicated his brother was not only losing his youki to his human time, but was a little upset still.

Unerringly he walked to Goshinboku, by-passing the village and the family of pups and the human children who mingled noisily in the large open square. Sesshoumaru could admit to finding amusement in their actions as Jaken was always roped in by someone when Sesshoumaru paid a visit to the village. He was small enough to be a magnet for the children at play and his master didn't think the self important little imp truly minded as the tiddlers followed him around.

Content once again after his memories receded, Sesshoumaru jumped onto the branch of Goshinboku his brother habitually sat on when he was thinking or melancholy. He could feel that his brother's youki was gradually leaving him but this too was familiar to Sesshoumaru; he had always known when his little brother turned mortal and to be fair to himself, he had never taken undue advantage even in the days when he had scorned Inuyasha.

At that he mocked himself as his youkai reminded him he had never been a worthy caregiver to his young brother. Unfortunately Inuyasha had rarely benefited from the truth that Sesshoumaru later learned, that protecting someone was more empowering than any sword. In fact it was only in observing Inuyasha protect all his pack especially Kagome that taught the older brother his father's truth and he realised it personally whenever he protected Rin.

Inuyasha was still vulnerable even though he was now a father himself; insecurities so long held and reinforced over a whole lifetime could not be totally erased by a few years of friendship from his human pack or his sibling. Making sure his face held an open countenance, Sesshoumaru gently lifted his brother's chin with his claw and searched the golden eyes; Inuyasha could never hide what he felt from his alpha brother. That didn't stop him from objecting to being treated like a small pup however.

"Damnit Sessh, leave me be." Inuyasha jerked his chin from his brother's fingers but averted his gaze in an instinctive display of submission.

"No, Inuyasha; I would know what I have done so I do not repeat the action."

"Nothing, honestly…"

"Inuyasha, do not treat me as a fool; there is no one who knows you better than This Sesshoumaru."

"You…did nothing; it was what you said that…upset me and only because I'm a stupid human tonight. Stop fussing."

"As turning human happens regularly on a monthly basis, I need to know how my words pained you that I may avoid them in future." Sesshoumaru knew he would win and Inuyasha would tell him; it had always been so. Inuyasha knew this too and gave in to the inevitable. He spoke only just above a whisper, the memory could still hurt.

"I didn't know you had seen me as a tiny whelp."

"Indeed, I made sure that you and your mother found shelter; I placed you in the village that became your home. You would neither of you survived that night had I not done so."

"I never knew…thank you…"

"I regret it was for no concern over you and Izayoi at the time but only that my father would not have died in vain."

"Mama never said…"

"I told her not to say anything; I wanted no obligations from either of you, I only came back a few times to make sure you were both without need as befitted my father's…concubine and son. But this does not tell me your grief Inuyasha."

"When I was scorned, Mama would often tell me I was beautiful and that if only my brother had been able to see me as a baby he would never have denied me…I thought for the longest time that you would have loved me had you known me from back then…I thought you hated me because I was dumped on you as an unwelcome burden, an unwanted half-breed brat when Mama died. I can't believe she lied to me…"

Sesshoumaru sighed and once again gently gripped his brother's chin to make Inuyasha look at him so the boy could see the sincerity of what he was about to say.

"She did not lie to you; she didn't know I returned often to oversee the conditions of your lives and she was correct, you were just as beautiful as the tiny whelp, but at the time I could not appreciate what I was neglecting. All I could see was this little pup who's life had replaced my father's, the man who had been everything to me and who I adored." Sesshoumaru stopped speaking; it was hard for him to admit all of this to himself, let alone aloud and Inuyasha was silent not wanting to stop his brother.

"My youkai wanted to claim you as pack and brother immediately, but I resisted and it would not even have mattered if you had been full youkai Inuyasha. My jealousy consumed me and continued to do so until I learned about Tessaiga's purpose, and even then it took until you vanished with Kagome to fully exorcize my ignoble feelings to you.

"I wish you to know in case you are in any doubt…I do not just accept you now Little Brother, I love you as my brother. I would hate to think you might be unsure of your place in my heart." His words were too much for Inuyasha, it was the first time that Sesshoumaru had been so clear and he had to hide his face away. Sesshoumaru chuckled.

"Your youkai would have accepted me? I thought it despised me, your youkai knew I was dirty blooded…impure…"

"No Inuyasha, my youkai has always recognised our father's blood and youki in your veins; it was the rational side of me that always degraded you, but no more and not for a few years now."

"This is so much different than I previously thought…I didn't think you loved me even now…" Inuyasha choked and could speak no more but his brother understood.

"I am sorry Inuyasha, I should have realised that you would need me to speak of it, your human heart does require different reassurances than a full youkai one and I do not put you down because of it, and I merely explain why I do not always think of it." There was no immediate rejoinder and Sesshoumaru could see that Inuyasha was overcome; he decided to tease his brother.

"Human emotions Inuyasha, they are so troublesome are they not." With that he jumped down from the tree with Inuyasha tucked under his arm and whisked him back to his home, pushing him in the door and into the arms of his mate just as the sun set and the boy turned human for the night. As had become his custom to do ever since Inuyasha returned, Sesshoumaru stayed on watch; keeping his family, his pack safe.

The summer night would be short but still afforded plenty of time for the Daiyoukai to think as the village became silent in sleep. He cast his mind back once again to the night when he realised his youkai was mourning the loss of Inuyasha; remembering how strong the desire had been to release an animalistic howl of utter misery, much as he had done the night his father died. It had taken his great self control to subdue his youkai and he had gone over and over in his thoughts his past dealings with Inuyasha.

REMINISCENCE

His brother was dead, not safe in the future like some of the others hoped; those who didn't want to see the truth behind the vanished well. Inuyasha was not alive with Kagome, but lost and dead in the depths of the Meidou. Sesshoumaru couldn't leave the area even though he wanted to, his youkai would not allow that, not while it despaired for the lonely little hanyou.

For so long this state had been what Sesshoumaru thought he wanted, but the reality proved that desire false. He had hidden his instincts for so long behind the jealous rage that he no longer found it hard to do; until now, when his own reason had proved his beliefs wrong and allowed his youkai to break through strongly. Sesshoumaru stood watching the first signs of dawn chase the stars and moon from the sky and felt his eyes water from his youkai's grief.

As the early sun rose it glittered on the youkai's damp cheeks as he was unable to stop his thoughts on Inuyasha. Knowing the idiot pup, he had spent his last strength in yelling for the Miko to no avail. Had he felt the same loss of his brother's youki and wondered about the emptiness? Probably not; it would have been mixed with his loss of his mate to be and he would not have recognised I,t but it would have added to his panic.

Sesshoumaru remembered Inuyasha's fear when they had both been in the Meidou and Sesshoumaru had been fading; the boy had screamed angrily at him to not die, he truly was still a pup, but one who was brave and had now died alone and more than likely afraid. The Daiyoukai became aware of gentle soothing movements on his tail and with great surprise noticed Rin was stroking his fur; she had crept up to him unawares, which was unheard of.

"Rin?"

"Rin is sorry for your loss Lord Sesshoumaru. Lord Inuyasha is dead isn't he? Rin understands your youkai is very sad."

"My youkai? What can you understand of This Sesshoumaru's youkai?" Sesshoumaru's voice sounded normal and Rin had never been afraid of answering her Lord truthfully.

"You were growling My Lord and your voice also had a whine in it like a sad puppy." Sesshoumaru's mind started to feel indignant at her impertinence; even though he knew she did not mean to be so and was only speaking the truth as she saw it. The other and more cognisant part of him was astounded, how much did the child know of him?

"Why do you pet my tail?"

"It is the only part of your youkai that Rin can reach. Rin wanted to make you feel better." She stopped what she was doing and moved around to boldly take hold of his hand. "Rin is very sorry Lord Sesshoumaru." She repeated; there was no reply but neither did Sesshoumaru pull his hand away, the slight hand restraining him far more than any sword could do.

His youkai was sneering at him; a human child offering her comfort because the pup was dead and it was all Sesshoumaru's fault. If he had cared properly for the whelp right from the beginning, Inuyasha would never have started the train of events that led to him jumping after a young human girl to his demise. Unfortunately Sesshoumaru had come to this realisation too late to save the younger brother.

By now Jaken had awoken and made some more restorative tea and had come to offer it to both Rin and Sesshoumaru, who had accepted with a slight nod that the imp appreciated greatly. The youkai let his face dry by the rising sun, once again deep in thought as he sipped his tea; Rin loyally by his side, silent now and as ever observant of her beloved Lord Sesshoumaru. They stood side by side for another hour until the smells of breakfast cooking motivated Sesshoumaru to tell Rin to go and eat.

Once again the others came back to the clearing and Sesshoumaru was his normal impeccable self to all intents and purposes. This time the talk was tentatively speaking of the future purposes and aims of the humans and youkai friends; plans to mate and marry, have children and meet up at designated times to renew friendships. In other words life was going to go on regardless and as it always does, even when it has stopped for others.

Sparing a futile wish to damn everything that had unfairly denied his little brother the chance at a happy future, Sesshoumaru left the clearing to walk back towards the village and speak with the old Miko. He needed to see if she would be willing to look after Rin for him; if not now, soon, for in a couple of years the girl would change to become a woman and it would no longer be appropriate for her reputation to follow him, an unmated male.

Rin would not like this as she would not at first understand the reasons, but he would make sure that he visited her often which would also indicate that the village was under his protection in the absence of the hanyou. Kaede indicated that that would be fair exchange for his ward of course, and in any case the child would be welcome, she could learn to help the priestess if that was alright with her Lord.

So Rin's immediate future was decided swiftly; it did not occur to Sesshoumaru that Rin might like to be consulted, she was to stay and that was all there was to it. Once again the morning wore into the afternoon, Sesshoumaru visited a few times with the elderly Miko to finalise arrangements and to confirm her and Miroku's suspicions with his own. He was so busy with the details that he didn't notice that his tail had started to flick at the ends without his being conscious of the action.

When he did take heed, he was puzzled; what could have caused his youki to almost wag his tail as if he were a lower animal? Walking back to the clearing his youki started to rise and soon his youkai too was getting excited; Sesshoumaru didn't have time to wonder about this before the well reappeared in a pillar of light and stabilised, looking as it always had.

Sesshoumaru wasn't the only one who had felt the change in the situation; Miroku too had sensed it and had rushed to the clearing with Sango and Shippou. They were just in time to see Inuyasha emerge from the well looking no worse for wear except for a haunted look to his eyes and a sombre, determined expression. All he said was that 'Kagome was safe', but he would say no more; he was tired and hungry besides needing time to think about all that had happened.

Sesshoumaru moved close to the exhausted hanyou and Miroku and Sango recognising the possessive stance of the youkai left, taking Shippou with them and requesting that they could return in the morning.

"Thank you," whispered Inuyasha; "I don't think I could have told them everything quite yet."

"You are in need of rest and food Inuyasha; you will come to my camp and I will see you get both before you need to explain." He walked closely to Inuyasha ready to support the boy if necessary and called to Jaken to prepare food and for Rin and Kohaku to go for water and then occupy themselves quietly while Inuyasha slept.

Inuyasha sat down propped against the tree and had a long drink and a small piece of meat before falling fast asleep. Sesshoumaru sat next to him and wrapped his tail around to keep the hanyou warm and safe and thereby appeasing his own youkai who was almost desperate to make sure that the pup was well.

During the night while Inuyasha slept and Sesshoumaru guarded him, the older brother's instincts worked overtime and he kept scenting the boy, making sure that Inuyasha was healthy. Once again Jaken's sense of self preservation was strong and he didn't question his master's actions; besides he had seen him do the same thing to Rin when she had been missing before. However it did warn the imp to curb his tongue in future, Sesshoumaru was obviously starting to consider the hanyou as pack.

When Inuyasha awoke he became aware of leaning against someone, softness and safety wrapped around him; a most unfamiliar feeling but when he realised just what was making the feeling he became alarmed instantly. The illusion of safety evaporated and he sat up and away from his brother apologising to and blaming his brother in the same breath. Sesshoumaru was unsurprised at his brother's reaction and it somewhat amused him to see the hanyou leaping up into the tree. Yet there was a residual trace of sadness that his little brother did not feel as safe as he had when he slept.

"Inuyasha, I would like to know where you have been for the last three days."

"Feh! It's been three days? It seemed forever at the time but there was no rest until I found Kagome…"

"You found her, where is your wench now?"

"Home…I'll tell you when the others get here; I don't want to keep saying…" Inuyasha's voice tailed off and for once Sesshoumaru didn't press for the answers, his brother deserved more respect than that. Instead he greeted Rin who had awoken and was excited at seeing Inuyasha, she was dancing around them both offering a much needed distraction. Soon the breakfast was also prepared and Inuyasha tucked in to the food with more enthusiasm than he had the night before when he had been so tired.

The camp had barely been tidied when Miroku, Sango, Kaede and Shippou turned up eager to greet Inuyasha. There was no putting off any longer all that he had seen and done during his disappearance. Although they were all surprised to hear that opening the Meidou had taken him into some dimension of the Shikon no Tama itself, and they were horrified at the thought of what its designs were on Kagome.

They were relieved to know that Kagome had triumphed over the evil jewel and that it would trouble the world no more and although they were sad that she had not come back to them, they were happy that she had been returned to her family. Shippou however was not happy, he had lost his mother figure and his tears were pitiable. He made such a fuss that while Sango and Kaede tried to placate him they didn't notice Inuyasha look away, blinking his eyes furiously to control the sympathetic tears called forth to them.

TBC