Title: Unrequited

Author: landofthekwt

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Schmaltz

Prompt: Long Lost Loves (Inuyasha Fanfic Week 185)

Pairing: Sesshoumaru/Izayoi (unrequited love)

Word Count: 376

Universe: Canon

Warning: None

Summary: Sesshoumaru makes his annual pilgrimage to Izayoi's grave.

It never ceased to amaze him how after two hundred years she still could draw such raw emotions from him. Such feelings were unbecoming to a daiyoukai. And yet tears came to his eyes unbidden as he placed the flowers on her grave every year on the date of her death.

She had never encouraged his love. He had never kissed her lips or held her hand. She was his father's now and evermore. He had seen her go with him the night of her death. Yet he still kept the silent vigil for her.

Was she more beautiful than any other mortal? No, he had bedded more attractive women over his lifetime. Was she talented in any way? No, so far as he could determine she was simply an ordinary mortal with nothing special about her.

Why then had he watched her and Father while they courted. Why did it pain him that she had chosen Father? Why did he feel it necessary to save her in Kamakura? Was it because he had failed to protect her and allowed her to kidnaped by Takmaru of Satsuma? Why had performed funeral rites for her and watched over her grave? Was it guilt that he had allowed her to die?

So many questions and so few answers.

He did know that so much had been denied to him. His resolve had failed him and the chance to take his father's power had slipped through his fingers when he died. His courage had failed him and Izayoi had slipped away from him to join his Father in the netherworld.

Everything that his Father had escaped him. Even Tessaiga had been denied to him. Without it he could not claim his true power. Somehow he must find it to make for the loss of his father's power and Izayoi.

"Lord Sesshoumaru. The staff has indicated that a direction in which the sword might be found."

Sesshoumaru turned and glared at the kappa. Jaken realized that he stood a hair's breadth away from death. He bowed and scurried away. Sesshoumaru returned to his thought's.

" Goodbye beloved, Izayoi. Rest easy until next year. No matter how powerful I become, I will never forget you and what could have been."