Chapter 25

A voice… calling through the blackness.

InuYasha…

His name. It seemed to float in from somewhere above, falling like snow. It was soft, feminine, lilted but husky at the same time as if she were whispering.

Ka…Kagome?

… but… how?

The last thing that he remembered before the abyss could swallow him whole had been pain… and the look on Bankotsu's face he had reared back his mighty weapon to deliver what should have been a fatal blow.

InuYasha… you need to wake up…

The voice was getting desperate now, the urgency ringing through his mind as he abruptly came into a groggy awareness. His eyes fluttered open, his vision slowly coming into focus on a wood-paneled ceiling. Light filtered in from a screen covered window, and as his mind became aware to his surroundings so did it respond to the sharp, throbbing pain that was centered on both sides of his chest. An arid, broken gasp tore from his throat, the sound wheezing past his dry, cracked lips and it was all he could do just to struggle to breathe.

As his head lolled to the side, he took in more of his surroundings, noticing that he was in a small bedroom, the walls paneled with rich wood, light coming in from a few windows that were covered with a shoji screen. It was mostly bare; save for the futon he was laid on and a small desk with an unlit oil lamp sitting atop it off to his left. There was a wardrobe in the corner as well, but from what he could tell everything was coated in a fine layer of dust, like no one had been in here for a very long time.

His eyes darted around the small space, desperately searching for Kagome because he was so sure that had been her calling out to him.

But she wasn't there.

"Ka-go-me…" her name fell from his lips barely a whisper, his head swimming as the crushing feeling on his chest was almost too much to bear.

"Rest, child. Do not waste what little energy you have on words."

Weakly, InuYasha tried to lift his head and seek out the source of the gentle voice that seemed to come from nowhere, but he felt a cool hand press against his forehead, stilling him. He relaxed back into the thin futon with a pained groan, his eyes fluttering open as he struggled to get a clear look at the woman who tended to him. His vision was blurred but he could just make out a feminine face looming above him, a few tendrils of long white hair having escaped the ornate style that was piled on top of her head and hung loosely over her shoulder. Everything else he couldn't be bothered to try and make out, his head felt so heavy.

"Here, drink."

She'd lifted a wooden bowl to his parched lips and immediately he could feel the soothing rush of the cool water. He hadn't realized just how thirsty he'd been, and he eagerly gulped down the entirety of the liquid, sputtering and coughing as he fought for his breath after he had finally managed to get it down.

"Be careful, little Hanyou! Your injuries were rather grave, and you're not yet healed, I'm afraid…"

He felt rather than saw her glide away, hearing the swish of her kimono as it whispered across the floor. He blinked firmly, hoping to clear his vision because alarmingly, he found his body was in too much pain to even attempt at moving his arms, much less wipe the sleep from his eyes. His head still felt like it was weighted with rocks, but he managed to follow her with his gaze as she moved around the small room, her delicate fingers trailing along the walls, almost as if lost in reverie. Her back was to him, and he could see delicate looking silver ornaments dangling from her pinned curls, her kimono a pale blue, offset by a snowy white obi. From what he could see, she was small in stature, and obviously Yokai. An Inu, if he had to guess, judging from her markings alone. On each of her hands, there were two magenta stripes, leading up into the draped sleeves of her formal, court-style kimono, with matching ones lining her high cheekbones. Just like Sesshomaru's. But as she turned and looked straight through him, her eyes a startling sapphire, he could see that she did not hold the same mark of the moon on her forehead as his brother did.

"Who are you?" He croaked, shakily lifting his head.

A small smile curved at her full lips as she took a step towards him, seeming almost feral to him in that moment as he could see the tips of sharp fangs protruding from underneath her top lip, glinting in the low light of the shadowed room.

"Please, do not trouble yourself sweet one. All is well. You are safe now, just rest." Her voice was pure sugar, and though he was weakened he could sense no malice or ill intent rolling off her and that disarmed him. She lightly touched her hand to his shoulder, urging him to relax as she kneeled beside him.

"But… your name…" He insisted weakly, coughing and wincing when he could feel the sound rattle against his ribs. His chest felt like it was on fire. Nothing in his life had ever hurt so bad, and he'd been close to death many times. It was sharp, cutting, and he could feel it vibrate all the way down his spine. Which was good, he guessed. At least that meant he wasn't paralyzed.

Her face softened, and she had yet to remove her hand as she chuckled quietly.

"So young…" she sighed. Her eyes flickered away for a moment and then back again, her lips pursing slightly as she seemed to consider her words before she spoke. "You may call me Karitei…" she murmured softly, not quite meeting his eyes. "I am the chief healer here in my Lord's palace." He felt the absence of her palm against his shoulder and watched as she began rifling through a small satchel, pulling out various jars along with some bandages.

"Lord?" he rasped, brows furrowing.

"Yes, " She nodded, not looking up from the items she was laying out on the floor between them. "It was my Lord Sesshomaru himself who brought you here… you must remember to thank him when he calls on you."

But it was at the mention of his brother's name that he could feel his blood run cold.

"Sesshomaru?" he growled, low and gravely as a fire lit in his eyes.

No, not him. I could've accepted this from almost anyone else, but never him.

The Daiyokai had never been anything other than completely dismissive and violent with InuYasha, even going so far as to vow to kill him on more than one occasion. The two of them had so much bad blood between them he didn't know if he could ever find it in himself to have even a civil conversation with his brother, let alone accept this type of treatment. His pride would not allow it.

Spite rose up in his belly and he used every last ounce of what little strength remained in him to force himself up onto his elbows, his arms shaking and practically screaming with the effort. He clenched his teeth to keep from crying out at the sharp sting in his side. "No! I don't need that bastard's charity! I'll-"

"Hush!" Karitei cut him off with a sharp reprimand, her hand a lot less gentle this time as she firmly pushed him back down onto the futon, but he noticed that even as she scolded him she still avoided his wounds. "Foolish little Hanyou. It would serve you well to be grateful. It is by my Lord's grace and by my hand alone that you still live."

He grunted indignantly, angrily brooding but remaining silent as waves of pain washed over him.

"Look what you've done." She admonished, looking down at his chest with a deep sadness written in her blue eyes. He followed her gaze down to where his pectorals were wrapped in thick white fabric, seeing that the bandages were soaked through with his own bright red blood. "You must learn to control that temper of yours... if you keep reopening them your wounds will never heal."

He winced, the thick metallic scent hitting his nostrils like a brick wall. Karitei quieted him as he whimpered pitifully, and he could feel all the blood drain from his face as his skin grew cold and clammy. Colorful spots flashed in front of his eyes as his head swam, his stomach rolling as the pain became more intense with each wave.

"Hanyou, I must change your bandages. Would you like something for your discomfort?" Her voice was soft, and it was all he could do just to nod his head weakly.

Please

Anything to take this agony away.

"Hai," She nodded, reaching for one of the jars she had laid out. As she held it, he could see a greenish liquid sloshing around inside, the color reminding him of sun-bleached seaweed that had sat up on the shore for a few days. She opened the cork top and with one hand she pressed it to his lips, and with the other, she gently helped to lift his head. "Drink."

The cold liquid rushed past his lips and he wanted to gag at the taste. It was bitter, almost acrid in its flavor but Karitei made sure that he drank every last drop.

"There," she said as she pulled the jar away. "It will soothe you, and perhaps bring down that fever a bit."

But he was already feeling the effects of the brew. His vision swam and his head felt heavy, the edges of his psyche swirling with a black mist that threatened to pull him into its depths. The pain began to ebb away, and he sighed with relief as he could feel his muscles relaxing.

"Thank you…" his voice was cracked and brittle sounding to his own ears, but when he looked to her he could see her smile.

"Truly, it is no trouble, young one. Rest now, and perhaps when you wake again this pain will be only a memory."

She began to unwrap the dressing that covered his wounds, but by the time she had revealed his bare chest and the gaping lacerations that were dug there he had already succumbed to the potion's magic and was lured into a blessedly deep, dreamless sleep.

Sesshomaru stood overlooking the eastern mountains just before the dawn began to break.

The air was crisp and bit back a little as it whispered along his skin, holding the promise of a chilly day ahead. The sky was painted in a fine array of pastels, the colors of the morning washing over his land which lay quiet, and peaceful. His hands were folded behind his back, his river of silver hair flowing pin-straight over his shoulders, lifting with the breeze as he mulled over his words very carefully before he finally spoke.

Atsunobu, his most trusted advisor, stood behind him past the archway that led to Sesshomaru's private office, as the lord himself stood on the balcony that was attached to it. Beneath, his personal gardens could be seen, looking pristine and still. The early morning light reflected off the dew that glittered there, adding to the ethereal sanctity of the moment as the Daiyokai pondered his thoughts.

Atsunobu was a well-respected Yokai, an Inu that was of good breeding and high rank in his clan. When he had been in his prime, he had been his father's most celebrated warrior. Even now, as he was nearing his eighth hundredth year, he was still a force to be reckoned with and he oversaw everything that had to do with the defense of his Lord's fortress. He was trustworthy. Or at least, he had never given Sesshomaru a reason to think otherwise. But this matter was a sensitive one, and he must be absolutely certain before he spoke his mind.

"Atsunobu…" he turned to face the demon as he spoke his name, locking onto the other man's fiery amber gaze with an air of absolute dominance. Just as Sesshomaru knew he would, Atsunobu averted his eyes in a show of submission, even going so far as to expose the smooth, tanned skin of his neck to his lord.

In the Inu realm, this was the highest form of respect that could be shown to another, and it was a custom that was reserved strictly in a show of submission to one's alpha. And while there were many packs and factions within his realm that each had their own alpha's, Sesshomaru was second to none, and he ruled over all who stepped foot here.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru studied the Inu Yokai for a long moment, his gaze shrewd. In the other man's eyes, he could see respect, but not a trace of fear or weakness. And to the Daiyokai, that is what set him apart from the rest, and how he knew without a doubt that Atsunobu would not betray him.

"InuYasha was wounded. I have brought him here to be healed by Lady Karitei… and I would have you be the one to inform the rest of the council of his… presence."

A long pause followed his words, but he never let his eyes stray from that of his advisor, who looked up at him with confusion written plain across his features.

"InuYasha? But, my Lord, isn't that…?"

"Yes." He interrupted, his voice sounding steely even to his own ears. "My brother." The word left a bad taste in his mouth. He wanted to take it back almost as soon as it had passed his lips, but it was too late. He buried the feeling and continued, knowing that while in his own mind his emotions were whirling, his face had stayed cool and composed in an icy mask. "He is under my protection, for now… and you will be the one to keep an eye on him while he is in my palace."

His words landed with a cold finality and he watched as the russet colored Inu bowed deeply to him, his long copper hair falling over his shoulder as he did.

"Hai, my Lord, is there anything else you wish of me?" his burning amber eyes flickered up to meet his own, and Sesshomaru could see no judgment or apprehension in them, only acceptance of his role that he was now set to play.

"No… that will be all, Atsunobu. Report back to me this evening and I will instruct you further."

He nodded, giving another deep bow before he swiftly turned and exited the room with purpose in his step, the shoji door sliding softly shut behind him.

Sesshomaru was left in what felt like deafening silence as for a long moment he stared after the russet Inu, blinking slowly as he gathered his thoughts up once again. Behind him, the sun had finally begun to crest over the mountain range that bordered the eastern edge of his realm, casting pure golden rays of light out across the sleeping land below. Gold flooded in from the open doorway to the balcony, fading out around him and his gaze fell down to the sword at his waist.

Tenseiga.

It too was outlined with the color of the rising sun. but he could feel nothing but anger and confusion when his gaze landed upon it. The useless sword that could do nothing but restore life… a sword that couldn't cut.

Couldn't kill.

While his scrappy half-brother wielded the Tessaiga… a weapon of immense power that could decimate a hundred demons in one fell sweep. There was no question in sesshomaru's mind that InuYasha was not worthy of such power, but even so, it didn't matter. Even if he did want to take the mighty blade for his own, now when he finally had it practically in his grasp, the Tessaiga itself would not allow it. If he even dared to wrap his fingers around the hilt he would suffer severe burns. He had learned that the hard way.

Why… father… what was your plan in all this?

He was convinced that Toga had known what he was doing… had known exactly what would happen when he left his two sons behind. How Sesshomaru's hate would fester and boil over. But then had he also known that a human girl would plant the seed of forgiveness in the Daiyokai's heart as well? That Sesshomaru would end up using the very sword he despised to restore her life? But he severely doubted that anyone could have ever predicted such a ridiculous thing… even the Daiyokai himself still could not quite admit it, that he was bound to the little girl, though it was plain to all who laid eyes on the pair.

He was different with her. Gentler.

Rin.

Even now as he watched the golden light cast shadows along the wooden floor, he wondered how she fared. It had been only a few days since he had seen her last, but still, there was a nagging worry for her pressing in the back of his mind. Though he trusted the Inu that he had committed to the girl's care, Hanako, the snowy white Inu with violet eyes and a quiet, gentle demeanor that reminded him of a freshly birthed fawn. Rin had taken quite the liking to her immediately when he'd first brought her here, and Sesshomaru could see why. More times than he would care to admit, he had quietly observed them together, staying out of sight while the pair were completely oblivious. They would walk in his private gardens, Hanako smiling as the girl told her stories and asked her childish questions. The snowy Inu would answer her patiently, and when she laughed it sounded like tinkling peals of bells that chimed through the air gracefully and delicately. The two of them would sit for hours while Rin braided flower crowns, and Hanako read poetry to her.

At first, even though he could plainly see that the Inu Yokai meant the child no harm, Sesshomaru was still unsure of her ability to protect Rin and continued to watch them at a distance when they were together. A few weeks of this had gone by. He would watch them for a while, and then he would collect the girl once again and then have Jaken see to her while he attended to his other responsibilities. They carried on this way until one day, the snowy Inu earned Sesshomaru's coveted respect.

On the day that Hanako proved herself to him the sun was shining, and she and Rin had been sitting side by side on one of the stone benches that lined the path in his garden. Hanako was dressed simply in a white kimono patterned with pale pink petals, the layer beneath matching the color of them and bringing out the pinkness of her rosebud lips and the blush that dappled along her high cheekbones and the tip of her delicately sloped nose. Rin had been dressed in fine court attire, as she had now been formally accepted by the court as his ward, and her own kimono was the color of a cloudless sky. Flowers and dragonflies laced with gold glinted off the fabric and he could see that Hanako had taken the liberty of bathing her and grooming the girl's hair as well, as it was styled in that typical of a young noble. She had removed the girl's usual side ponytail, and now the black locks hung down her back, the top half swept to the back and secured with an extravagant comb. She looked happy. Her skin glowed and her brown eyes glittered as Hanako's musical voice spoke the beautiful words that were written on the pages of the small leather book she held. He had wondered if such beautiful words were her own… and if they were, who had broken her heart? Because surely such loveliness could only come from soul-crushing agony.

He was poised just far enough away that they didn't notice him, behind one of the great stone statues of one of his fallen ancestors that were on either side of the stairs that led up to the pavilion. He hadn't been intending on allowing them to continue on so late, but the way the child's rich brown eyes shone with wonder as they stared up at the graceful Inu had him stalling. He loathed to tear her away from the Yokai's side, but all the same he knew that he could not shirk his duties for much longer.

But some part of him took an odd satisfaction in seeing the way Rin's face lit up when Hanako was around, the way she hung on her every word and had even picked up some of her habits and taken them for her own. It was… a strange feeling. One that he wasn't entirely comfortable with. He had wondered then, if this was the same feeling Toga had when he looked upon his own offspring. Though surely, Sesshomaru and his mother had never shared a moment that could even come close to equating to this. Inukimi was cold, practically unfeeling. And perhaps that is where he drew his malice from, the part of him that came from his mother. But Hanako was the complete opposite. Tender and genuine, with eyes that spoke her emotions plainly. She read to the girl, her eyes sparkling with warmth as her frosty eyelashes fluttered, her voice even and light as she formed the words. Rin had shifted closer, laying her head on the woman's shoulder with a heavy sigh of contentment, trying to follow along even though she didn't know how to read yet. A smile spread across Hanako's full lips, but she didn't break the moment and continued to recite the elegant phrases. Her delicate, lily-white hand came up to stroke the girl's raven hair, and even from his spot a few hundred feet away with his sharp Yokai eyes Sesshomaru could see the way Rin instantly relaxed, her smile radiant as she settled against Hanako's side, listening to the poetry that flowed from her lips like water with rapt attention.

Against his will, Sesshomaru too, found himself relaxing, his gaze softening for a fraction of a second as his coveted control slipped a bit. He wanted to feel nothing. Wanted to just be cold and empty again like he was for all those years before Rin, because that was easier. Simple. But this… these feelings that he had no power over… they were foreign… and most unwelcome.

And yet…

… the great Daiyokai was unable to stop the events that were already in motion, and as the warmth flooded his chest and squeezed at his heart that had long since been closed off, he found himself daring to want something more.

To desire something for himself that he had previously written off as impossible. Worthless. A waste of his time.

Pack.

Family.

What he saw unfolding before his eyes between the snowy Inu and the human girl was a different kind of bond, something he had longed for when he was young but had discarded when he'd come into maturity. To see that dream reflected now in the way that Hanako welcomed his ward, his pup, so openly, so tender and patient with the child who could sometimes be a little mischievous. His hands tightening into fists at his sides as he struggled to comprehend and truly understand this completely new feeling. Along with this, the overwhelming urge to protect them, to take them both as part of his pack was growing. His Alpha instincts were rising to the surface, compelled by the way this female interacted with the child. He hated to admit it. He didn't have time to waste on a woman, but… Hanako was enthralling. Her scent, so sweet and pure, called out to him and he could feel a long unanswered need rise in his blood.

The one that was urging him forward, daring him to reveal himself to her at that moment.

Take her

She could be his… he knew that. Any female he chose would readily submit to him just because of his status alone… but that's not what he wanted. The thought of her caving in to his desires because of his blood and house alone was unsatisfying and left a bad taste in his mouth. He needed her to want him, to be enthralled just as he was. He wanted to drive her to the brink of madness and back again, wanted to completely erase whoever had compelled her to write those sad love poems and watch as she shifted into her true form beneath the silver light of the moon. He was the Lord of these lands, after all. He had time. Suddenly the thought of chasing her, of pursuing her seemed very pleasing to him indeed. His fangs had lengthened in his excitement but he forced himself back into a state of perfect composure. He was getting ahead of himself.

Calm.

His senses tingled suddenly, and he could sense another Yokai approaching the gardens at an easy pace. Sesshomaru recognized the earthy, rugged energy immediately and he knew that it was only his head gardener, Ryuu. Usually, the garden was empty around this time, and the forest Yokai was likely on his way to tend to the plants. And so even as Ryuu passed by and opened the gate, Sesshomaru stayed hidden behind the massive stone Inu and never took his eyes off Hanako.

He could see the instant she felt the other, unknown Yokai's presence as she immediately stiffened, snapping the small leather book shut abruptly as her violet eyes snapped up to scan the area.

"Rin," Her usually light and airy voice was now low and serious as she rose calmly to her feet, handing the book to the child who only looked up as she took it in her small hands, brow creased with confusion. "Stay behind me."

"But, Hanako-chan, what's wrong?" Rin's eyes had gone wide as dinner plates while Hanako declined to answer, having become cool and perfectly collected as she stood in front of the girl, shielding her with her own body just as Ryuu rounded the corner, his bag of gardening tools slung over his shoulder as he hummed aimlessly to himself.

"Take another step closer and you die, nymph."

Her words were cutting, ice cold and sharp enough to make anyone stop dead in their tracks. Ryuu was no different. Sesshomaru watched with blatant interest as the dark skinned Yokai stumbled to a grinding halt, nearly dropping his tools in the process.

"Wha-"

With a remarkable quickness Hanako pulled a thin silver blade from where it had been concealed inside her obi, it glinted deadly sharp in the sunlight. She cut off his mumbling with an effortless flick of her wrist, sending the blade whizzing through the air. For an awe- striking moment, Sesshomaru actually thought that he was about to witness the murder of a very foolish but also very innocent gardener.

But then, the dagger landed in the soft earth, only a hairsbreadth away from going straight through the man's leather shoe.

"Lord Sesshomaru will not take kindly to you approaching us so inappropriately. Your presence here is a threat to my Lady Rin, and I will not allow any danger to befall my mistress. Leave now or I will not hesitate to kill you." Her voice was a low growl of warning, and he could see that her fangs had lengthened defensively as her body prepared for a fight. Her violet eyes shone with pure animal instinct.

Protect.

Ryuu, the poor fool, could only stutter as he tripped over his own feet in his hurry to back away, and Sesshomaru decided that the show was over.

He stepped out from his hiding place, strolling through the open gate to the garden with his back straight and his shoulders set regally. He rounded the corner and came upon the scene, watching with mild amusement as Hanako looked up in surprise.

"Thank you, but that will not be necessary Hanako. Ryuu is no threat. In fact, it is my fault for not coming to collect you both earlier, I'm afraid my work got away from me." He lied smoothly, watching the pure relief practically ooze off the forest Yokai as he calmed himself. Hanako looked embarrassed, but before she could speak Rin came bounding out from behind her, a massive grin splitting her face.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" She giggled, throwing her arms around his legs in her excitement as he only stiffened beneath her touch. "I had so much fun with Hanako-chan today!" She exclaimed with a toothy smile; her adoring brown eyes now turned on him as she looked up, completely oblivious to the tension that still lingered in the air.

"I am glad." He patted the top of her head before looking up at the forest Yokai whose mossy green eyes were wide and filled with apprehension. "Ryuu, you are free to tend to your duties, we'll be leaving now."

"Y-yes, m'lord." The forest nymph bowed deeply before scurrying off, his eyes trained on the ground as he disappeared up the path. Sesshomaru's sharp golden eyes never left Hanako as she blushed, but held her posture, violet eyes flickering up to meet his own after a moment.

"Lady Hanako." He addressed; his face unreadable.

"My Lord Sesshomaru." She gave a respectful bow, but he was just pleased with the way his name sounded as it fell past those full, rose-bud lips of hers. Her long, white hair lifted with the breeze, looking like candy floss as it curled around her, the sides pinned by combs that were decorated with cherry blossoms. His gaze fell from hers and down to Rin, who was still attached to his leg and looking up at them both with shining eyes.

From the corner of his eyes silver glinted in the sun; the knife that Hanako had so expertly thrown.

He leaned down to pull it from the soft earth, balancing the weight of it in his palm as he inspected it. The whole thing was very lightweight and delicate, the handle crusted with opals and other rare gems that glimmered ethereally in the late afternoon sun. It was beautiful.

"It is of my own fang." Her voice was quiet but managed to break his reverie.

Gold met violet as their eyes locked again, and Sesshomaru could feel an undeniable attraction to the gentle, but surprising female welling up inside him that he was at a loss to stifle. Gently, he managed to dislodge Rin from where she was stuck to his leg and take a few steps forward, closing the distance between him and the snowy Inu in a few paces. He held the dagger out to her, never releasing her gaze.

"You did well, Hanako. You protect my pup as if she were your own, and that I will not forget." His voice was low, a murmur that he hoped Rin would miss with her weak human ears. Up close, Hanako's scent was driving him mad, consuming him completely and he could practically feel his own pupils dilate. Honeysuckle… that's what it was. Perfuming the air with her sweetness, she blushed as she reached out to grasp the blade that still rested in his open palm, an offering. Her slim fingers grazed across his skin as she took it, her touch lingering for just a second too long before she slid the weapon back inside her pink obi, concealing it once more.

Her touch was like fire.

It spread along his skin and it consumed him, riling his alpha instincts to the point where he had to grit his teeth to force himself to maintain a semblance of composure.

"Thank you, my Lord…" her voice had gone all breathy, lips parting while her white-tipped eyelashes fluttered prettily.

That was a brief moment of silence as he considered his words, mulling them over before he came to a decision.

"If it would not be an inconvenience to you, my Lady, would you care to meet me here, tonight? There are matters in which we should discuss… privately." His voice had lowered in pitch but remained even and emotionless as he scanned her face. He watched a smile ghost across her lips before she straightened her shoulders and nodded.

"Hai, my Lord. As you wish."

"Very well. Tonight, when the moon is at its peak." At once he turned around to face Rin again, who beamed up at him innocently. "Rin, say your farewells to Lady Hanako, Jaken is waiting." Sesshomaru didn't look back, but he could feel the snowy Inu's eyes burning into him as he walked away.

"Goodbye Hanako-chan!" The little girl waved cheerfully before bounding after the Daiyokai, giggling as she caught up with him.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Look! I made you something."

He looked down and in her little had there was a daisy chain, the ends woven together messily but the flowers were not yet wilted. He took it from her, silently relishing in her bright smile as he slid it over his wrist, beneath the heavy sleeve of his kimono where it could not be seen. He didn't say a word, but he hadn't needed to. Her smile spoke volumes enough for both of them.

He had led her inside through the grand halls of his home to where Jaken was waiting to receive her, and he left them with a command to Jaken that he feed the girl and see to whatever else she might need or want, and that she had mentioned that she would like to visit the stables to see A-Un before he had swept away to handle his other affairs.

And that night, as promised, he had met Hanako in the secluded privacy of his personal garden where they'd spoken of what her new role in this remarkable little human's life would be, now that she had shown herself willing and capable of caring for her. And it was also that night that Sesshomaru had allowed his mask to slip for but a brief moment, revealing a fraction of his true self to the snowy Inu.

His mind drifted to the way the silver light of the moon had lit up her pure white hair with an ethereal glow as it curled softly down her back, still pinned back by those extravagant combs that looked like cherry blossoms. How he longed to remove them and watch it all hang free around her delicate face; how he would relish in the way her skin flushed and how her breath would catch in her throat.

His blood had been pulsing with heat as her scent teased sensuously at his nostrils, sweet honeysuckle and that tempting, very particular scent that only an Inu female could possess.

Pure heat.

At that moment, as he had approached her, his instincts had risen in a great surge inside of him as he could sense her slightly nervous energy as her heart raced in her chest, and he could practically taste her innocence in the air.

He had wanted nothing more than to kiss her, then.

But he hadn't.

Instead, he had swallowed his desires and offered her a position as Rin's lady-in-waiting, explaining exactly what that would entail. Should she choose to accept, she would always responsible for his ward's care while she was staying here in his palace. And of course, they would be assigned a pair of trusted and highly trained warriors to protect them as well. They would share rooms in his own wing of the palace, and he would have her show Rin the ways of a noble.

Hanako had agreed without hesitation and ever since that night, she had never been seen far from the young girl's side.

Now, as the memory of that day left him like a fine mist, drifting away as he came back into reality, he lifted his sleeve up to reveal a chain of withered daisies. The aroma that lifted off of them was the sweet smell of death, of decay and dried flowers, but the memory that was tied to it had him clinging onto it. It was foolish, he knew that. To become so attached to such a trivial object… and one made by a child, no less. But in the days that had passed since Rin had given it to him, he had found himself lightly touching the shriveled stems even as the petals fell off one by one, and then it was like he was brought back to that moment all over again. Though, the daisy chain itself was not special. She had made him dozens, with many different types of flowers on their journeys together. But never had he felt the need to actually wear the flimsy little things… because he knew it meant something to her.

His world was shifting.

What was important to him now?

The Tessaiga?

Killing Naraku?

Or… was it something else…?

His mind threatened to drift over to Hanako again when suddenly his senses picked up on a presence approaching. An Inu, he could tell by the feel of the energy as it crackled… Karitei, the scent of potions and herbs answered for him. He straightened his shoulders, adopting an indifferent mask once again just as she announced herself.

"My lord, do you have a moment?" her voice was low, laced with urgency even as she spoke in an even and cool tone.

"Enter." He commanded smoothly, and in the next second, she was gliding through the doorway sliding the door shut before she dropped to her knees and bowed before him.

"My Lord Sesshomaru." She formally addressed him, waiting until he acknowledged her in return before she rose delicately, tucking her hands into the draping sleeves of her royal blue kimono that matched the shade of her almond-shaped eyes and was interwoven with threads of silver, the image of a night sky laden with stars and swirling clouds that were patterned across the fine fabric. Beneath that were alternating layers in varying shades of pale azure and tied around her waist was an obi of a deep purple. Her silver hair was piled atop her head and decorated with ornaments that glittered with her every movement, and her glowing sapphire eyes were rimmed with kohl.

"Lady Karitei, speak."

"My Lord… your brother…" her voice gave away nothing as she stared deeply into his eyes, drawing out the moment in a way that grated against his nerves.

"Yes?" He bit out, quickly becoming impatient with the silver Inu who always seemed to be lost in her own world, the air about her dreamy and wistful.

"He is awake…" she filled in, at last, her eyes flickering down to the floor for a moment before capturing his own again.

"Very well. I will see to him after I've attended to my other, more pressing matters."

"Hai, my Lord, but…" she shifted uneasily, surely picking up on his annoyance as it practically filled the room, though it was large and spacious with high ceilings and open windows lining the back wall, facing the jagged mountain range.

"What is it, Karitei? Speak plainly." He said in a commanding tone, his eyes having gone steely.

She seemed to still for a moment, thinking before at last, she spoke.

"I fear that there is no more I can do for him here… his Hanyou blood is not capable of healing the way his body needs… and the poison that infects him makes him weaker every hour that passes and I- I worry that he will not last another day without perishing first, my Lord."

Okay, first of all, I just want to say a huge freaking thank you to whoever nominated this story for the 2020 1st Quarterly InuYasha Fandom Awards! Seriously I never imagined I would get this far with this crazy little story that lived in my heart for so long, and I'm so so grateful to every one of you who read and review, especially those of you who have been with me from the beginning. I love u all 3

On a side note, I was tossing around the idea of writing maybe a small little side story for Hanako and Sessy, whacha think?

Thanks for reading babies don't forget to drop me a review!