Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha or any of the other characters that may be used throughout the duration of the fan-fiction. Be advised this is a world created for the sole purpose of entertainment and would expect you to respect my work of fantasy as you would have me respect yours. This is rated mature for further chapters that may be controversial in subject matter. Please do not report me as you have been warned.

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Your Lady Fractured Moonlight

Summary: Sesshomaru has lived centuries without the one thing he desires the most only to have her return with no memory of him or the life they had known. Can he accept her as he had once or will everything be lost to time once more? Will she love the beast within the man as she once had in a time lost to her? Will they learn to love or will their love vanish as though it had never been? Read and discover the untold story between Sesshomaru and Kagome and you might discover a love that can span the centuries!

-oOo-

Moonlight's Embrace

Chapter 24

Shinju was about ready to head back into the palace and sink into an overly warm bath as a reward for her troubles even if she did indeed return to the castle fruitless. The blasted hanyo might have been able to run about freely while she attended the southern courts but here such freedom wasn't as easily granted. Here they protection and feeding of all was provided by all, the nobles included and yet here she was tracking a strand entity through the woods in the all to early morning. A morning that had yet to be warmed by the sun. Far to early for any respectable demoness to be trolling about this close to the season at hand.

Growling she kicked the rock at her feet thankful that the pain from such a brash action eased her frustrations. Mind you she was completely unaware that a pair of mud coloured eyes had been watching her from just a few feet way this entire time that is until the phantom laughed at her unfortunate circumstance.

"What may I ask is so funny?" Shinju glared heatedly at the being that approached her.

"You always did have a good sense of humor didn't you." she laughed the shorter front strands of her hair trembling with the movement. "And a very good morning to you to Shinju."

"Good no. Morning debatable" she glowered moving the kink out of the effected toe.

"I can see that this isn't a social visit." she sighed her slender pale fingers running through pastel pink bangs.

"Sadly no," Shinju began ignoring the hanyo's arched brow. "Lady Mikazuki requests your presence at the palace."

"And thus she sent the faithful wathdog."

"I'm a mizu demon." Shinju growled taking great offense as she stretched her petite frame into a display that she hoped looked menacing but in fact looked anything but.

"Of that I am aware," she giggled behind her hand trying in vain to stop the giggles from becoming more pronounced to which she only failed. "Relax dearest friend I will be there within the hour." she stated suddenly turning on her heals and disappearing into the sudden mists.

"Knowing you it won't be one but two." Shinju sighed heavily shaking her head as she too began the journey back towards the castle.

Miwako's gates began to bristle with the signs of life as the sun began to rise. The occupants all preparing for the same eventual outcome that would leave the grounds devoid of the few bestial yokai population's that remained on the grounds with the other half being of a more elemental nature safe within their territory as their brethren retreated into the caves just behind it's walls. They weren't going far but the season was making it all but impossible to think straight for those affected by it's unrelenting will.

Silently and quickly they packed their bags waiting to join the others that had gathered in the courtyard for further instruction from their lady. The whispers grew ever more stranger as those with children trusted their safety in the hands of their fellow men which even they had to admit was a feat that was rare among such human communities let alone the yokai ones. Why the thought was almost laughable outside these walls but not here. Here it was the norm, a norm to which all were thankful for.

The crowd that had gathered grew increasingly quite and still as their beloved mistress stepped through the sea of yokai. They remained silent save for the slight shuffling of feet as those ahead of her parted. None seemed to notice the soft glow that had overtaken her sadness if only slight. None seemed to notice the intricacy of the kimono that wrapped around her slender frame. However they did notice that she had ascended the steps to the center square where such addresses were held.

"My brother's and my sister's," she began over the silence that surrounded her. "Today is no different from the other season's we have faced. I know that some of you have heard the rumor that the daughter of the east has returned home," she saw the hope flicker from one face to the next. "But now is not the time to address such things. Now is the time to bless your union's and wish you well, there will be plenty of time to discuss other matter's at a later date." she ending dismissing the crowd with a simple wave of her hand watching with great joy as the crowd slowly dispersed leaving her to her thoughts as the breeze played with her raven strands.

She was thankful that the hours had been kind to the humans that resided along the grounds, she was thankful that the newest additions continued to sleep peaceful under her roof but the sense of foreboding she felt threatened to devour her gratitude. She sighed turning her head to the skies above relishing in the way the suns first rays shimmered over her.

She feared for many things this season that she hadn't the season's before it. She feared what her mate was planning for her only daughter, a daughter whose value he refused to see or for that matter acknowledge that she had any to begin with. It unnerved her to even think that the vermin known as Katsurou had once been a kind and caring man that had suddenly changed after her birth. It unnerved her to think that after all this time it wasn't only the memories of his kindnesses, however few, that bound them but the mark that still lingered upon her neck.

Silently she shook her head trying to dispel such foolish childish notions of a life that seemed to be condemned by the gods themselves. A life that she herself could neither forgive nor forget. A life that had brought with it more then it's fair share of agonies and heartaches. A life that had forced her daughter to inherit her blood and with it it's curses. A life that had damned them to live without their children.

"Mikazuki," a deep ageless voice breathed from behind her forcing the silent tears that streamed down her cheeks to still, even if the moment was fleeting. "What is it child?"

"Tamotsu," she whispered hollowly. "I was just," she paused. "Thinking," she finished turning to stare into unconvinced eyes. She hadn't lied but then again she hadn't told the complete truth either and he knew it. Even in his old age he was not someone who could be fooled with ease.

"There are many things to fear and fearing them does not make you any less of the woman or warrior I know you to be." he watched her mouth open and close before continuing. "Your father Eiji is and always will be proud of you have become even if he isn't here to tell you so." he whispered watching a mute nod.

"Thank-you for saying such things but even I know if the worst should come to pass I will not be able to slay him." she relented caving to his pleading eyes for but a moment. "Now what do you say to joining my family and myself for breakfast." she smiled smoothly changing the subject to one not even he could ignore.

"Breakfast now that's something to consider now isn't it." he laughed as his stomach rumbled much to loudly causing her radiant smile to falter.

"From that sound one would easily come to the assumption that you've been starving yourself."

"Sadly it seems that I neglected my evening meal last night."

"It would appear so." she laughed softly behind her hand in a rather ladylike display.

To Kagome's recollection she could never remember a time in which her nerves wreaked with such nauseating waves as they did now. But then again perhaps she was caving to another over dramatization remembering her pregnancy with Kane. Sighing she turned to see her mate propped up against a sea of pillows watching the commotion with interest.

"Your not exactly helping you know." she jabbed at him before turning to study herself in the mirror. To say that over the last twenty minutes or so she had gotten used to the sudden changes in her appearance would have been a gross understatement.

Sesshomaru had lied, she didn't really look much like Kagome anymore. Her hair cut around her face differently then before framing her strangely silver eyes lined along the top with a thin layer of blue almost white while a singular tapered violet stripe adorned each cheekbone. Pouting slightly she took in the soft rose colour that had overtaken them reminding her of a very thin layer of a lipstick that in the future she had found no use for and now looked permanent. And all this was without including the matching stripes that had noticed earlier adorned her hips ankles and wrists never mind her nearly ankle length hair.

"The last time I suggested a garment for you to wear you nearly tore my head off."

"Still holding a grudge are we." she bit nervously watching her emotions flash across a still unfamiliar face.

"Not a grudge, I simple wish to preserve the head I've become rather attached to."

"Ohh har har lets bow to Sesshomaru the comedy king." she groaned deciding that yet another kimono wouldn't serve for her purposes. "How can someone own so many clothes and still find nothing to wear." she growled at herself as she fussed through yet another dozen collars.

"That is indeed a mystery that has yet to be solved love," he stated his lips suddenly close to her ear before a singular hand reached forward to bring within her sight a rather plain and yet so very elegant kimono. It was the palest of blues the kind that almost looks white with beautifully pink sakura blossoms adorning the long branches of sakura tree. She nearly squealed when she noticed that a line of sakura petals danced up the right sleeve to curl with the dancing petals of the tree. It was utterly breath taking.

"Here," he sighed pushing a deep pink obi with white sakura blossoms into her hand. "Now will you dress and stop this fuss."

"Yes, though I don't quite know what to do with my hair though." She sighed.

"I might be able to help with that." a feminine voice called from the door way earning both sets of eyes. "I would ask your forgiveness brother if I knew it would be accepted." she finished stepping only a foot within the entrance.

"Sakurako." Kagome gasped suddenly remembering a little more about their shared past. Like the instances they would torture Sesshomaru by talking about the various good looking males in their vicinity not that he'd admit it in the least. "H-how, W-why, I-I"

"I don't know if my elder brother mentioned that we share a link. Where he goes I can follow it's stronger then our sense of smell."

"Somehow he failed to mention that." she blanched.

"Don't worry we only call upon it when it's necessary," She smiled softly her honey eyes dancing ass she did so.

"And you believed this to be a case that called for it." Sesshomaru stated almost sneering.

"Yes I did and do or have you so conveniently forgotten my abilities elder brother." She glowered at him heatedly before sighing and looking away a look of melancholy overtaking her expression. "I have lost much to Katsurou," she breathed. "Or have you also forgotten that." she glared at him softly.

"You were also mated once." Kagome gasped earning a saddened expression from the female Sesshomaru reflection. "His name was Masanori." to their amazement her recollection didn't just stop there. "I remember once you telling me that I was thankful that my mating to Sesshomaru had been one founded on love and not the survival of a race."

"Yes we did in the garden you are so found of. I believe I also told you that it was my duty as the daughter of the west to save my people and you told me that it was silly notion even for nobles to sacrifice their children like animals by trapping them in loveless relationships."

"I said that." Kagome gasped her newly silver eyes widening.

"Yes you did." she giggled through the pain of such old wounds. "Tell me what else do you remember of your time in Taisho?" Sakurako asked much to Sesshomaru's amusement as his sister was able to gather more information from his love then he had and all with just the slightest change of direction.

"I-I don't know." Kagome stuttered watching as Sakurako moved to sit on the bed that had yet to be made, much to the couples chagrin even if one showed it openly while the other did not, before gesturing for her to join her.

"Try sister, do try."

"But it pains you." Kagome protested.

"Everyone has pain buried somewhere in the past, pains that are better once talked about." Sakurako stated as if she had had a lifetime to ponder such things which Kagome granted she had.

"Lately the world seems to filled to the brim with heartaches that my father has created." she shook her head. "But I do seem to remember a lot more then I did like I'm remembering everything at once at times and then at others little by little." shaking her head further she continued children's laughter ringing clear within her ears as if the laughter had come from this very room in this very moment. "There was a child," Kagome gasped turning to eye her. "who used to play with Kane, a girl...Hisako...and a boy...Seiichi."

"They'll be glad to know that you remember them my dear."

"They are your children."

"Yes they are. Both of whom serve their uncle Sesshomaru to their best of their abilities after their father's death."

"D-death." Kagome blanched again. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," Sakurako reassured. "He did his duty for the west and for that I cannot help but be proud to say he was mine even if it was only for the briefest of moments." she smiled sadly upon hearing a soft growl come from her brother. "You can stop growling Sesshomaru," she turned glaring. "We won't waste more time discussing the past although you should leave if you wish us to hurry."

"Did you bring them?" he questioned once at the door.

"Bring whom?" she asked if only for clarification purposes.

"Hisako and Saiichi who else did you think I was referring to." he stated a slight edge to his tone that didn't go unnoticed by either woman.

"Yes I did," she stated softly smiling as he paused by the door by her next words. "However I did bring Rin and Jaken along, if that is who were really concerned about." the smile faded for the briefest moments as he eyed her. "Now now don't be angry with me I know how much she means to you." she laughed as an unnatural scowl took residence upon his before he left.

"Who knew he could be goaded into so much conversation." Kagome stated absentmindedly.

"Around you dear he is always given to abnormal shows of his true self however fleeting he allows them to be. Now," she clapped her hands together in a manner that startled Kagome out of any potentially distracting thoughts. "lets get to work on that hair of yours." she smiled brilliantly making Kagome wonder if she should allow her anywhere near let alone her person.

Sighing Sesshomaru had to admit it was good to have his sister around not that he had a willingness to admit such things aloud. But he would admit that it felt as though a part of him had returned that he hadn't known was missing as such was the way with twins he supposed. Growling he suddenly realized that their appearance her left so many other things that needed to be addressed besides what had transpired the night before. If anything, he surmised distastefully, Sakurako could be counted upon to create more trouble for him to sift through then even Kagome could. And that he did admit was quite a feat.

Growling softly he turned down the hall that led to one of the many gardens on the grounds as something told him this is where he would find the latest additions to his already hectic life. Sliding open the door he prepared himself for the sight that could meet his eyes. The sight that did however was almost an exact replica.

Rin was squealing with joy as she was content to chase Shippo the fox kit around the flower beds, weaving in and out through the paths like she had done so a million or so times before with the pup only able to maintain a faked grace. Sighing he turned his attention to the long midnight haired female who wore a similar garb to his only in a more feminine style with blue trim instead of red. As he watched her he was pleased to see that the last signs of the sickness that overtaken her several months back had left her pale skin less sickly in it's toning.

"Hisako." A male called towards the girl who had contented herself to play with the children forcing him to forget about her more lethal attributes.

"Yes dear brother."

"What do you think Uncle Sesshomaru will do when he finds out mother brought us?"

"I would expect him to be like Uncle Sesshomaru, all to serious," her tone deepened with the last three words in play. "Save for the slightest of smiles he's convinced himself no one notices." she laughed her midnight bangs sliding over her forehead never seeing the demon to which she so boldly referred glare at her.

"Yes I wouldn't expect anything else." the boy laughed being the first to notice the sudden addition of the adult male hovering in the doorway to the garden. His dark nearly black eyes looking past him and into the hallway as if he half expected his mother and his aunt to round the corner at any moment. "Good morning." was all he ended up saying before returning his attention towards his sister and the children.

"Good morning, I see Rin hasn't been the only one disrupted by your appearance here." he returned moving to sit beside his golden haired nephew.

"Don't be so angry with us," he stated as Sesshomaru arched a brow. "We were only concerned about Aunt Kagome and you cannot blame us for that."

"No I cannot." he growled in agreement.

"So can we be expecting any little cousins soon." he jested getting the usual slap to the back of the head for digging into personal matters. "Sorry I was well, you know, just trying to lighten your suddenly dark mood. Besides you never did let us see her when she returned to Taisho in the first place."

"And with good reason." he retorted not expecting a comment from the boy while getting one anyway.

"Mother told us." he said with a sadness that held a sharpness to it that didn't match the boy's expression but before Sesshomaru could question the pup as to his sadness he had called out to his sister and had joined in the game that seemed to have little to no rules at all. Sighing he watched the scene before him mental chastising himself for thinking even for one moment that he had been the only one affected by Kagome's lack of appearance.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Rin squealed suddenly creating a sudden panic that died instantly when he realized she was safe and for the most part unharmed by Hisako who held her. "Hisako's captured me!" she giggled in delight when her clawed fingers tickled her underarms.

"I see."

"Aren't you going to save her?" a voice called from behind forcing him to smile when he realized it belonged to the pups mother.

"No I am just going to allow your pup to devour her." he stated chuckling softly at her darkened expression before it lightened greatly.

"Still holding onto your old ways I see." she chuckled.

"Proving that some things never change." her sweet voice followed hers forcing the dai to his feet in a rather clumsy fashion that forced the vision before him to giggle. Sakurako had outdone herself this time he noted as Kagome's bangs swept back to join the hair that pulled towards her nap where it was bound by a small silver clasp. He followed that line watching with fascination as it led into a braid that split to form a butterfly that continued downward into a single braid that ended mid back with the remaining strand spilling free.

"WOW!" Rin breathed as Hisako let her down. "Kagome looks like a goddess." she stated breathlessly to which Sesshomaru wholeheartedly agreed.

"K-kagome." Shippo stuttered from somewhere beside her side. "Is that you?" the vision nodded. "Then whose s-she, and them." he said pointing from Sakurako towards Seiichi and Hisako.

"That's Lord Sesshomaru's sister Lady Sakurako and these two are her children Hisako and Seiichi." Rin replied following her words with hand movement's as she pointed to those of whom she referred.

"Sesshomaru has a sister?" he asked much to Rin's disspleasure.

"Yes I wouldn't lie." she pouted placing both hands on her hips in a manner eerily similar to Kagome unaware that the other's had gathered behind her stunned to silence watching Sakurako rise slowly.

"We meet again little brother." she smiled bringing her attention to the baffled hanyo who could do nothing to stop the beauty from embracing him. An action that brought a detested blush to his cheeks but try as he might to tell her to let go of him all attempts at communication stilled his tongue. "I have missed you greatly." She whispered drawing back to meet his eyes which she noticed were lined with a thin layer of tears that she was certain matched her own. "I d-don't suppose you r-rem-" she began but stopped upon hearing her name fall from his lips. "I beg your pardon?"

"That is your name right? Sakurako." he arched a brow.

"Yes."

"Are you older or younger then Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked suddenly unusually curious.

"I'm his younger twin." she stated simply ignoring his mystified expression.

"T-twin." he stuttered uncharacteristically to which Sesshomaru could only snort unnoticeable before Kagome reached to intertwine her fingers within his own.

"How else do you account for our colouring?" she asked laughing as she did so.

"So then these are you're kids?"

"Yes they are."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Hisako blushed following her mother's example of hug first shake hands later much to her older brother's hidden embarrassment. "We've actually met along time ago," she whispered for his hearing alone. "We used to play hide and seek along the sakura groves." she laughed softly as the hanyo blanched.

"I'm glad you remember me." she laughed audibly drawing back to read his expression. As it would appear he did remember the times in which they had so fondly played together often forgetting that they were uncle and niece. She laughed harder at the memory's she had held so dear for far too long.

"Forgive her uncle," Seiichi cut in. "She get's carried away from time to time within that little world of hers." he continued, a slight smirk tugging across his lips as his sister glared at him heatedly from underneath her midnight bangs.

"This is all too strange." Sango breathed righting herself before she fell helplessly towards the cold stones beneath her earning everyone's eyes. "First we have Kagome's new appearance to take in, then we find out that Sesshomaru has a younger twin named Sakurako who is thus Inuyasha's sister also and then," she breathed in. "We find out that she is the mother of Hisako and Seiichi. I mean it's a little much for me to take in."

"Keh you're not the one who just found out that you have a sister coupled with a niece and nephew." Inuyasha snorted.

"Yes well," Kagome suddenly laughed nervously. "Things are going to get stranger I'm afraid."

"Kagome how could they get any strang-" his words died down as his eyes followed hers towards the edge of the garden as a figure hesitantly rounded the last bend. "-ger." he finished rather delayed.

"I'm sorry," she spoke softly running hesitant unsure fingertips throughout her pale pink bangs, "But I was hoping you could tell me where I could find Lady Mikazuki. You see she sent Shinju to summon me to Miwako but she failed to tell me where I was to meet her."

"May I ask your name, that is assuming that you have one?" Sesshomaru asked rather stoically in a rude manner even for him.

"I'm so sorry," she gasped in personal horror. "My name is-" but before she could finish her name had reached her on the wind.

"Mijun."

"Yes my lady forgive my tardiness." she called moving to run inside and away from the overpopulated garden. "It was nice seeing you again." she whispered as she burst past Inuyasha to dip inside the main house. A brush that allowed for her scent to reach his nose and trigger a memory he had long since forgotten.

"I pinned you again." she beamed from underneath her pink bangs and blonde forelocks that tickled his nose. "You know for a half-demon dog you can't track a thing."

"I could so if someone didn't use her abilities to cheat my senses." he growled back at her nearly seething at the delight he saw shimmer within her dark cherry depths.

"Well I wouldn't have to do that if a certain someone by the name of Inuyasha didn't use his abilities to cheat in the first place."

"Ya well." he blushed fumbling for his next words when he suddenly realized that she was still straddling his hips with his arms pinned in her hands high above his head. "GET OFF ME WOULD YA!" he hollered forcing her backwards instantly turning the tables on her. "HA!" he cried victoriously. "How does it feel Mijun." he snorted.

"Good." she giggled reaching upwards to kiss his dirtied cheek before he could even comprehend her actions.

Shaking his head he tried to clear it of it haunting images for she really couldn't be that half-demon, or at least that was what he was content to tell himself for the time being.

Authour's Note: Latest chapie here we come with more twists and turns.

As always tell me what ya think

Your Lady Fractured Moonlight