A/N: Well would ya look at that! K so…you guys are gonna pretend this update isn't coming almost 2 years later, and I'm gonna pretend you still love me. Sound good? Good. And hey, maybe after the hiatus of a lifetime my writing may even have improved! Ha. We'll see. On with the show.

A/N 2.0: So of COURSE the day I update, after almost TWO YEARS, the site crashes :)))))) If you don't know what that is, it's supposed to be a very sarcastic smile - similar to the one that's on my face right now. Not sure if the alert went out for this chapter as it was supposed to, and so I'm just going to post it again. If you've read chapter 18 already, sorry to disappoint, but please review, please please!

This chapter is dedicated to Mysteriously Longing and Aeris Aimara Ciren, for inspiring me to write again.

Disclaimer: Didn't own it then, don't own it now.

Chapter 18:

He was the Inu no Taishou. He was raised strong, and he was strong. In his years he had been in more battles that he could recall even if his life was dependent on it. He had seen and felt pain, watched life fade from the eyes of a friend, and viciously slain his share too.

Never had he ever seen anything like this.

"My lord, we sent out an extra patrol as you requested…"

Touga said nothing, he just continued to look around the space. There was no other sound for a while, save for small droplets hitting a larger pool - like a bead of rain finding a puddle. This was an image far more ghastly, though, blood falling steadily from dead fingers hanging over the edge of the futon that lay in the middle of the room. The sickening run-off originated at the top of the woman's back, where multiple stab wounds were littered. Between the blood that matted itself in long, dark hair, and that had soaked into the sleeping mat, he found himself wondering how there had even been enough of the life substance left to gather as it had on the floor.

It truly was a grisly sight.

"T-the initial scouts,"

The young soldier spoke up again, reminding his lord of his presence.

"They did not report finding any tracks outside-"

"You will find several of the cleaning staff and send them here, and make sure Mai is not one of them."

She would hate to see her granddaughter this way.

"Yes, my lord."

The younger youkai was gone in a moment; Touga couldn't discern whether the boy was more thankful to be away from the gruesome murder or away from his suffocating youki, and if he was being honest he didn't particularly care. His blood was boiling in his veins. This had happened in his palace, his home. This girl was under his protection and he had failed her. He would visit Totosai in the morning, because this was a new wrath that filled him, and he wanted something new to vanquish this enemy.

That same enemy - or enemies, rather - who sat on high branches, able to observe him yet remaining unseen. And observe they certainly did, one stare decidedly bored while the other looked on in amusement. They could not speak to one another, lest the western lord be clued in to their location, and because of this one of the pair slunk stealthily away after a few more minutes - no matter, their plan was in place. Closing his eyes for a moment, the west's new adversary considered this night and what was to come. The corner of his mouth twitched; killing the girl hadn't even been part of the plan, his "ally" had simply gotten carried away, but it hadn't bothered him much. Face down, dead…she was just the beginning. Opening his eyes again and gazing back into the room, he wished the message translated loud and clear to the inu lord; this is what his entire realm would be in but a few short days.

He waited another moment, for a particularly strong (and loud) gust of wind. He grimaced a little as large wings emerged from his back, before taking off into the night. In that same moment, Touga's eyes finally moved from the lifeless form and out the window.

He hated snow.

XXXXX

As he began his decent from the sky, Kagome shifted against him, making him hold tighter to her; he had refused to leave her behind to make this trip, and he supposed her grief had made her acquiescent. She had cried when he told her, and he knew in that moment he'd rather rip out his own beating heart than see her in tears again. He also admitted to himself though that he much preferred when they were not speaking for childish reasons. Shippo too was quiet the entire journey, Sesshomaru thankfully remained asleep.

Finally touching down, Touga set Shippo gently back on his feet; he nuzzled his temple when he whined and reached back for him, but did not take him back in his arms. A short growl and the boy cooperated, instead going to stand with his mother a short distance away. The young miko in question ran her fingers through his hair with her free hand as he attached himself to her leg instead.

"Totosai."

It wasn't a question, it was a command for his presence, and Touga was pleased when the swordsmith appeared soon after.

"I won't make anything for the little one."

As an old man, Totosai had grown more than accustomed to people not laughing at his jokes, but he had been counting on at least a giggle out of the woman.

"I require a new blade."

Sensing the heaviness in the air, the old youkai chose to ignore the lacking introduction; he waved the western lord over to his workstation with a sigh, knowing he would have a lot of work on his hands at the end of this visit. He lowered himself to his seat and Touga sat to his right.

"Alright, open up, boy, you know how this works."

Rolling his amber eyes, the taiyoukai opened his mouth as he was bid. He closed it again after a few minutes, two teeth short.

"Now out with ya. I'll have it to you when I'm finished."

Touga narrowed his eyes.

"I haven't even told you what I want of this blade."

"HA! You think I've made it to this old age taking requests? Besides, any half wit could see the anger you hold."

Taking a large breath, Totosai blew large flames over the freshly pulled fangs; he followed the flames with his large hammer, already getting to work.

"Sorry, Mo-mo."

He mumbled to his previously sleeping ox companion whom he had startled with the heat. The steed grunted as he moved to a safe part of the cave.

"I do not have time to wait for these, Totosai."

The old timer had a few words on the tip of his tongue for the whelp - only visiting when he needed something done, and then with the nerve to rush! But looking up at the imposing man he thought better of it. He hadn't been kidding earlier when he spoke of the rage he saw in the younger man.

"I need a day, just give me that."

"One day."

Touga repeated over his shoulder, amenable to that, before gathering his small pack and disappearing from the mouth of the cavern, and Totosai promptly returned to his work.

"That miko girl is a beauty, isn't she Mo-mo!"

XXXXX

"Can you promise me to stay young? Forever?"

Kagome whispered to the baby boy in her arms. Her only response was a flailing arm and an unintelligible string of gurgles, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Perfect, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."

She was no fool, of course, to think that her little Sesshomaru wouldn't grow. At almost 8 months now, he was HUGE compared to the small pup she had rescued months ago, and she vaguely remembered the man he would become in his future.

'A girl can dream…'

She mused, placing her finger in his strengthening grip. She kissed his knuckles and swayed, not taking her eyes off of him.

Maoshi's death was hard.

The entire shiro was still reeling, on top of the added stress of the cardinals meeting. Touga had the easiest out, meetings with the other lords occupying him for most of the day - he hadn't personally known Maoshi anyway. Her little Shippo, her sweet boy, had been dealing with his sadness by spending time with Mai, the old woman taking it the hardest but really enjoying his company.

Kagome found her peace right here. Sesshomaru was still so innocent, too young to understand. He had not a single care in the world, and she wished he could always be so blissfully unaware.

."Father".

Sesshomaru yipped; it was one of the ones she was starting to recognize. She smiled down at him.

"You think he's not busy? Let's go see."

XXXXX

"Was it a child, my lord?"

So engrossed in examining the blades, Touga barely heard the question directed to him.

"A young maid."

He said, turning them both over in his hands. His left hand felt almost as if it were vibrating at the amount of power coming off of the blade. This was just what he needed.

"Yes, my lord,"

Totosai spoke up, noticing the taiyoukai's extra thorough perusal of one of the swords.

"With one swing you can eliminate a hundred of your enemies, that is only one of the powers of tessaiga."

That was just what Touga wanted to hear. He gripped the blade more tightly, and his eyes widened as it transformed, its power signature growing even more.

"Yes, Tessaiga is a formidable blade indeed. But the one in your right hand,"

Totosai broke the trance he saw Touga falling into. He had known his lord would need a strong blade, and had easily provided him with that, but he had also noticed the need for something else.

"This blade can save a hundred souls."

He heard his lord's breath hitch and chuckled.

In his day, Totosai had witnessed hundreds of demons - some friends - be consumed by a rage so strong it made them feral.

"Touga? I was ju- oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were busy."

"No, come right in, my dear!"

His muse, how convenient!

'Balance.'

Totosai thought, watching as the little miko slowly approached them. The power humming from the less imposing blade had a similar feel to her own energy, and that was his intent. The blade of destruction paired with the blade of healing. Hopefully the two swords would help him seek out that same balance in his life. He watched silently as the two bickered for a moment, the miko refusing to take another step toward him with the pup until he had sheathed both weapons, and had a feeling that he would find his way. He stood from his seat, his work finished here.

"I've been calling that one coffin cheater."

He said, turning his back on the two and heading for the door. Kagome hid her giggle in Sesshomaru's hair.

"How about…tenseiga?"

She offered instead to the old man; he seemed to be even more of a character now.

"Yeah…that's classy."

He agreed, and Sesshomaru cooed too, offering his opinion on the matter. Touga chuckled, taking him from Kagome.

"You like tenseiga, do you? Well tenseiga it is."

The swordsmith was gone before he could even receive a thank you, but Touga noticed wryly he had managed to pick up the bag of coins for his payment. No matter. He had two blades now, two strong swords: one to annihilate, and one to save. His resolve was strengthened and he would not lose.

A/N: Das it, y'all. For now. I know that ending seems a little unresolved, especially considering how this chapter started, but I couldn't give it all to you guys just yet. I saved some things so I know exactly how I want the next halter to go, so hopefully you all aren't too disappointed! If you're still reading this story all these years later I can only assume that you will sooooorta be happy with almost anything. Anyway, PLEASE LEAVE ME COMMENTS. Honestly, I read some of my old ones and some really sweet PM's today, and they were the ONLY reason I have this chapter for you all — they really do make a difference! And I try to reply to every one! I like talking to you guys! Anyway, enough enough, hope you enjoyed!