Chapter 32

Soft hands the color of fresh cream roamed across his tanned skin, the difference in color a startling contrast. He could feel the delicate brush of soft-padded fingertips, trailing down his chest to hover over his hip bones and back up again, finding purchase along his sculpted shoulders. InuYasha sighed in contentment, his arms folded up behind him to prop his head up on the sweet-smelling grass. His chest was bared, but he wore his red hakama low around his waist, though much of his body was covered by the flowing ivory silk of Kagome's kimono as she pressed against him.

Life can't get better than this.

Looking down, he could see her laid against him, her thick black lashes resting on her perfectly blushed cheeks. Her hair was a river of black velvet, pouring over her back and cascading down to pool around them both, mingling with his own silver locks.

The meadow they rested in was decorated with delicate pink flowers, their petals lifting with the breeze and swirling throughout the air, carrying their heady perfume with them.

He had missed her so much. His emotions swelled within him, a powerful mixture of love and adoration threatening to burst out of him as his admired her. The collar of her kimono was opened slightly, almost falling off her shoulder and it revealed a sliver of her pearlescent skin to his hungry eyes, the fabric draping to perfectly frame her cleavage.

She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He was in absolute awe of her.

Her eyes flickered up to meet his right at that moment, their warmth piercing him as a smile lit her face from within. She was practically glowing. All at once it felt like the very breath was stolen from his lungs and thoughts escaped him. She was everything. The sun, the moon, the stars. He was merely a passing comet caught in her orbit, but she shone.

"I love you so much."

He could almost feel the words rush over his skin as they fell from her sweet lips and he grinned, reaching over to capture her hand where it hovered over his heart. He opened his mouth to respond but the look in her eyes caught him off guard and had him pausing

Her expression had fallen in an instant, going from blissful and content to filled with sorrow all at once.

"Kagome?" His eye brows scrunched together in concern, his arms instinctively pulling her closer. "What's wrong?"

She sighed, her gaze shifting up to the blue sky that was strewn with white, fluffy clouds.

"I just... I just really wish this was real."

It was instantaneous. As soon as the words passed her heart-shaped lips it was like a switch had been flipped, she was ripped from his arms and he was thrown into black a void that greedily swallowed him whole, screaming her name as he could only tumble blindly end over end. The image of her disintegrated before his eyes, floating away like dust caught on the breeze.

Kagome!

InuYasha shot up out of his sleep with a cold sweat broken out over his skin. His arms instantly reached out for her, his mind still foggy with fatigue and unwilling to believe what he had seen and felt was merely a dream. But the huge futon was cold and empty, and he was alone.

His head fell into his hands as he released a shuddering breath. A heavy ache settled in his chest like the weight of a massive stone. It felt so wrong to be separated from her. He didn't know how much longer he could take it. It had been a mere few weeks but it felt like a part of him was missing, literally ripped away from him and thrown through time and space, hundreds of years away. It seemed so cruel.

And what was that she had said in his dream?

"I just... I just really wish this was real."

Had his brain conjured that up on its own? Or was some part of Kagome actually there in that meadow with him?

InuYasha shook his head, fighting to clear it. Weak, early morning light filtered into the large room, casting everything in shades of pale blue. It all seemed so cold and pointless without her.

After a few more self-pitying moments he managed to drag himself up and get dressed. The royal kimono felt more familiar to him now, and as he looked at himself in one of the small bronze mirrors that hung on the wall he couldn't help but think that he quite liked the way he looked. The markings that now marred his face would take some getting used to, but he seemed older now. More mature and rugged.

Though personally, his new form was much more appealing to him, he dreaded Kagome's reaction. He wasn't the Hanyou that she had pledged her loyalty to, he was someone else entirely.

What if she doesn't love me anymore?

His mind flashed with images of the way the other Inu's had looked at him yesterday after he had defeated Kazusane. Fear. Anger. Disgust. Would she receive him in the same way when they were finally reunited?

No

He shook those thoughts away. Kagome would never leave him. She swore. She would always remain by his side. And he trusted her. He wouldn't let his own intrusive thoughts poison that.

With a harsh, burdensome weight hanging heavy on his heart he made his way into the sitting room, expecting to find a cold earth and a hollow emptiness that was not unfamiliar to him. But instead he was met with the crackling of a warm fire, and the harsh outline of his brothers silhouette as he sat stock still, his back to him, waiting.

InuYasha immediately bristled, having been so caught up in his own thoughts that he hadn't sensed the Yokai's demonic energy that dominated the enclosed space.

"InuYasha." Sesshomaru's voice held its usual lack of emotion as he turned to meet his eyes, the stark gold of them illuminated by the flames. "We have much to discuss."

Kagome lifted her head weakly from where it had been resting against the pavement, her vision fuzzy and her ears ringing as she tried to look behind her.

A cloud of dust seemed to hang over the alleyway, bricks and random debris scattered everywhere. But she didn't see him. Her attacker.

She crawled forward, coughing shakily as her breath seemed to rattle in her lungs. She had to get out of here.

Sirens blared in the distance, and she knew instinctively that they were coming for her. But there would be no explaining this. Her reiki had exploded out of her in a deadly blast, destroying whatever it had touched. And even in her distressed state she knew that there was no way she was sticking around to deal with the aftermath.

She was incredibly dizzy, but she managed to pull herself up on shaky legs, looking much like a wounded fawn as she broke out into a clumsy run to get as far from there as she could, nearly falling over more than once in the process.

Throwing a crazed look over her shoulder, she caught sight of the police cars as they pulled onto the street behind her, their lights flashing brightly through the still night air and reflecting off of the millions of panes of glass on the buildings that soared up into the clouds.

She ran until she couldn't anymore, her body screaming at her for rest as her breath heaved in and out of her chest. Until finally Kagome doubled over, wrapping her arms around herself as she fought the urge to collapse entirely onto the pavement, her knees shaking with the effort they had just exerted.

Her eyes finally drifted up from the sidewalk, knowing that she needed to find her way home. But as she took in her surroundings she realized that she knew exactly where she was, she had been here many times before. She was in the high end district of Tokyo now, and the streets here were framed with huge buildings that soared up into the sky, and though it had to be nearing two in the morning the traffic had only barely slowed. She hadn't meant to, but she had accidently run straight towards Mamoru's apartment building, she could see the sign for it pouring its light out onto the street just up ahead.

Strangely, relief flooded her.

Some part of her associated Mamoru with safety, he was her guardian after all. And right now she needed someone, anyone, to help her.

Uncaring of any passers by, her eyes looked straight through them as she slowly walked towards the building, her feet dragging. When she finally made it into the lobby she didn't look up to meet the eyes of the attendant, she could barely force herself to whisper the name.

"Adachi, please."

"Yes, of course." They man picked up the phone at the desk, dialing the dumber. It was only a brief moment before she could hear the line click. "Sorry to bother you Mr. Adachi, but there is a girl here in the lobby asking for you. Yes sir, thank you."

The attendant put the phone down, giving her a polite nod.

"You can go up, ma'am." He rattled off the code to the elevator and she thanked him quietly before turning and making her way up to the top floor without another word. She felt so numb. Her mind flashed with images of the attack, the way he had pressed against her and told her that he loved her. She felt nothing but itching disgust that crawled over her skin. That was the only emotion that pierced the frost around her heart.

Ding

The elevator doors opened finally, the sound enough to draw her away from her thoughts for a moment as she stepped into the chic hallway that was patterned in various shades of neutral.

She didn't have to knock. Before she could even make it to the door Mamoru came bursting out wearing only a pair of baggy black sweatpants that draped off of his waist, his face twisted into an expression of concern.

"Kagome? Hey, what's wrong?" he rushed to her, his smooth hands coming up to cup her face, forcing her to look up at him.

She felt wetness pool down her cheek as he brushed his thumb across it, catching a tear. She hadn't even realized that she'd been crying.

"Can I come in for a bit?"

Her voice broke, the words nearly catching in her throat as she began to sniffle in earnest now, throwing herself into the Yokai's chest and burying her face there. She felt him freeze up, shocked because she was looking to him for comfort. If there was one thing he had noticed it had been the way Kagome would avoid physical contact with him, not that he blamed her. Slowly, his arms came up to cradle her, feeling the sobs racking their way through her body.

"Yeah, of course." his voice was soft and layered with sympathy as he led her towards his apartment.

It was just as extravagant as she remembered, if a bit messier than usual. The lavishness had kind of stopped fazing her after a while. It had been only a day or so since she had been here last, and she could still feel the remnants of her reiki woven into the walls around them.

He guided her to sit on the suede sectional in the center of his large, sunken in living room, her tears having quieted to a slow trickle that glimmered like diamonds on her pale cheeks in the low lighting of the penthouse. Mamoru brought her a glass of water, setting it on the low coffee table in front of them wordlessly.

There was a long moment of quiet between them. She knew that he could sense her distress, she could see it written all over his face, even though his expression was partially shadowed by his long, blue-black hair. He hadn't bothered to glamour himself, but she barely noticed. They sat with the silence together, the only sound to be heard was the subtle whir of the electronics in the room and the whoosh the cold air made as it rushed through the vents in the walls.

Kagome felt an ache deep in her soul spreading within her, the feeling so strong that she swore for a moment that it was going to swallow her up.

"Whenever you're ready to talk... I'm here, 'Gome."

It was the quiet reassurance that she needed in that moment.

But she still couldn't bring herself to speak. Not yet. It was too fresh. She was still trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Still trying to shake the feeling of violation from her skin. More than anything... she wanted InuYasha in that moment. Her body craved the physical comfort that only he could give her. His arms felt like home, she was safe there, and she knew that with every fiber of her being that he would never let her come to harm as long as he could help it.

But he wasn't here. It was just her and this mysterious dragon Yokai that she had quite figured out yet either. He was reserved, but Tsukuyomi had been right when he'd said that he was loyal. Kagome was starting to see that now as her gaze finally drifted over to him, his eyes a startling violet as he stared back unabashedly. He was annoying, and irritable, had a tendency to be a bit haughty and had a mouth like a sailor. Not to mention he was completely shameless and downright inappropriate at times, but he was always there for her every time she needed him.

Without thinking she slowly came to rest her head on his shoulder, drawing her knees up to her chest. He didn't react, his expression remaining passive, but his eyes still never left her even as she shifted closer with a heavy sigh. She was seeking that same comfort and closeness that InuYasha provided her, but it wasn't even comparable. The action felt hollow without the intense chemistry and love there to back it up.

But even so his bare skin was warm beneath her cheek and the gentle thud of his heart against his ribs was reassuring in some way. So she didn't flinch when his arm came up to wrap around her shoulders, holding her even more snugly there against him.

In that moment all she wanted was a brief respite from the storm that was raging through her spirit, because if she was being honest with herself she wasn't ready to face what had happened that night. And if she closed her eyes tightly enough she could almost imagine it was her golden-eyed Hanyou there cradling her instead.

She could hear rain drops begin pitter pattering along the massive windows, the intensity of them building slowly while the two of them just sat there, Mamoru silently supporting her with his angular face schooled into a mask of stone, unreadable. The sudden turn of the weather seemed fitting though. Kagome couldn't help but to smile bitterly, feeling like the whole world was crashing down on her in that moment while her salty tears spilled over her cheeks. A flash of lightning lit the sky just as she turned to look out over the city that gleamed even though beyond the darkened glass it was being pounded by an onslaught of water, her chest heavy with a mixture of feelings that she couldn't quite decipher.

Finally, she slowly went through the events of that night, her voice scratchy and breaking from crying so much. His body language immediately changed. He froze up, but didn't interrupt her. He let her speak and when she was finished, admittedly, she did feel slightly better. Though, she could tell her words had not had a similar effect on the Yokai beside her at all.

He still had his arm wrapped loosely around her, offering her what comfort he could even as his eyes flashed with bright emotion behind his stoic exterior.

"I..."

Shame flickered over his expression before being quickly swept away as he gathered himself again beneath her careful gaze.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

She hadn't even realized just how close they were until he looked down on her, meeting her eyes again. Violet clashed with deep oak as she examined him silently.

She didn't want to be protected. She wanted to be strong enough to defend herself and those who were closest to her, and though she had never expected to be put in this particular situation she was glad that she had been able to do that, at least. If she had been the same Kagome as she was before she had fallen through that well, who knows what would have happened.

The thought sent a silent shudder coursing over her skin.

But she understood him at this point, she felt like they were actually growing close as friends and she knew before she had even told him what happened that he would feel that way.

She shook her head, a wan smile tugging at her lips as her tears dried slightly.

"It's okay, really, I'm okay."

She didn't know who she was trying to convince, her words seeming vacant and placating, falling onto the stale air like a sprinkle of dust motes; soft and empty.

She leaned farther into him, letting her legs drape over into his lap a bit in an effort to show him that she didn't blame him. She was okay, and she was just glad that he was here with her now.

His expression was clouded and his eyes were troubled but he nodded anyway, seeming to chew on his words for a long moment before he spoke.

"I just don't know how I could have missed something like that... He was watching you for weeks, Kagome. He saw us together countless times and even still, I didn't even have a clue..."

His frustration was clear as it bled out to taint his voice, and he suddenly lurched away from her to stand and pace, running his fingers through his inky black hair in a show of annoyance. But beneath the surface she could sense something more, could feel his energy swirling and bouncing off his skin erratically and it was irritating her already frayed nerves.

She grit her teeth as she crossed her arms over her chest and sunk back into the suede couch, wondering when this moment had become about him when she was clearly the one who'd just been through something traumatic.

Though, she did understand where he was coming from. Really, she did. Having Tsukuyomi for a boss had to be a lot of pressure to begin with, and for the past seventeen years or so he had been the only thing standing between her and the dangerous world that lay just beyond the veil of this realm and the next. So she could understand why he would be so adverse to failure. But his reaction irked her nonetheless.

"Moru, just... just come sit beside me for a while, okay?" She was so tired. The weight of her exhaustion seemed to slam into her all at once like a ton of bricks and she sagged back into the soft cushions even further, drawing her legs up to stretch out along the sofa with a wide yawn.

His eyes softened slightly, the shimmering unnatural color of them looking almost lit from within as he seemed lost in thought for a long moment.

Kagome couldn't help but notice the way the panes of his muscled abdomen reflected fractions of warm light from the hanging fixture above them. He was dressed minimally, in only a pair of black sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his cut hips. She had been too busy having an existential crisis when she'd come in to take note of the amount of bare flesh that he had on display. It wasn't unlike him, really. His version of modesty was very different from hers. But sometimes it was easy to forget that Mamoru wasn't just her friend, he was an extremely powerful Yokai who had an affinity for manipulation. She thought back to that day at school where he had very nearly hypnotized her into kissing him, how she had been completely at his whim, frozen in place.

A deep blush broke out across her cheeks at the memory.

Thankfully, that incident had only been the Yokai's poor attempt at having a sense of humor and not some delusional bid at wooing her. Though, admittedly Kagome hadn't found it very funny at all at the time. And if InuYasha ever found out...

Her heart sunk at the thought.

There was no telling what he would do.

"I forget you're just a human sometimes." Mamoru's voice was pensive, breaking her train of thought.

She smiled faintly, "Well mostly human. But yeah."

He chuckled in agreement, shaking his head as he turned to walk down the hall.

"You can just crash here for the night, I'll take you home in the morning." He threw the words over his shoulder as he disappeared.

She didn't have the energy to argue. She slid her jean jacket from her shoulders with a sigh, having almost forgotten that she'd been wearing it. She tossed it towards the other end of the couch, using one of the throw pillows to prop herself up in a more comfortable position.

He returned a moment later with a thick, white blanket thrown over his arm. Without a word he sat down next to her and tossed the blanket over them both. The lights dimmed automatically as he grabbed the remote and flipped on the massive tv that hung on the wall. He put on some old movie that neither of them were really interested in, the volume set low enough to be soothing.

She scooted in closer to him, seeking that same feeling of safety as before. She laid her head on his thigh and wrapped herself up in the blanket even tighter, ignoring the way he stiffened beneath her.

A twinge of guilt prickled at her but she swept the feeling away. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She would have done the same with anyone. She just needed the relief of having someone close...

And she was so tired. All the way down to her bones she could feel the sleep pulling at her, tugging and yanking until she couldn't resist it anymore and her eyes finally drifted shut.

Kagome woke slowly, the daylight filtering in through the wall to wall windows and casting the cavernous space in a softness that made everything seem airy and fresh. Her eyes pried themselves open, coming in to focus on Mamoru, who stood with his back to her, his gaze glued to the tv.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

She yawned, her voice scratchy and glazed over with sleep still as she stretched her arms up over her head.

"...officials arrived on the scene late last night, just outside of Shinjuku, to find that the downtown district was victim to some sort of bomb..."

Kagome's blood ran cold.

The news anchors face was schooled into a perfect mask of sympathy as she spoke, her words carefully scripted.

"...We are still waiting for this information to be confirmed as law enforcement investigates further. The street will remain closed off until further notice."

Mamoru turned slightly too look at her, gauging her reaction no doubt. But she was on pins and needles, her stomach sinking like a stone as she gripped the edge of the couch with white-knuckled fingers.

A picture of a young man now appeared on the screen. It was taken candidly, the image blurred along the edges. His black hair was short but slightly messy, and his eyes seemed dark and hollow even though he was smiling.

It felt like ice had suddenly flooded her veins as her heart rate doubled, the organ pounding against her ribcage in a furious rhythm. Blood rushed behind her ears, almost drowning out the anchor woman's next words.

"...Twenty-four year old Tanaka Daichi was the only casualty of this event. The family of the deceased are asking for privacy at this time..."

The screen flashed with the image of a somberly weeping woman and an older, stoic looking man. His parents, she surmised, the rest of the broadcast fading away as her vision seemed to tunnel out.

"Kagome?"

Deceased.

She fell back into the cushions, Mamoru's voice falling on deaf ears as she fought her own internal battle. She looked down at her hands, seeing them shake even though her thoughts were racing a million miles too fast to register it.

They were small, unassuming and pale. Her fingers were slender and dainty, weak and fragile just like she had always been. She had never thought of herself as a killer.

Static crackled in the back of her brain, her vision swimming as her heart pounded alarmingly hard against her ribs.

I killed him.

The blast of pure, concentrated reiki she'd managed to force out of her pores the way Mamoru had taught her had been deadly. A part of her knew it the very instant afterwards, when she was laying there with the dust from the explosion settling over her skin in a fine layer, and everything had been so terrifyingly still.

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

It seemed so stupid to cry, but the feelings that swirled around in her chest were overwhelming her to the point of a breakdown. But she didn't want to be someone who took death lightly. Every casualty was a loss. She felt each one cut a tally mark in her bones that she would never be able to shake. And this one would haunt her.

Her attacker, Daichi, he had been sick with obsession. He had tried to hurt her, but even so, but she hadn't meant to kill him...

"It's alright, you don't have to say anything."

The yokai's strong arms wrapped around her, holding her while she sobbed. In that moment that was the comfort she so desperately needed, and she let it all go.

The flood gates within her opened and tears poured from her with renewed force. She cried for what felt like hours, until she felt the well within her dry up. Her hands still shook but her pulse had quieted, and she felt a bit more clear after the massive purge of emotion she'd just experienced.

When she had calmed a bit more she pulled away from him, wiping at her eyes with the edge of her thumb.

"I'm sorry."

She said quietly, her voice wavering with emotion that was just barely held back.

She looked up at him through her lashes as his brow quirked with confusion, his dark, blue-black hair glinting in the natural light that flooded in through the large windows of the penthouse.

"What are you apologizing to me for? I'm the one who's sorry..." He trailed off with a heavy sigh, unable to meet her eyes. "I wish you wouldn't of had to go through that, 'gome... but just know that you're stronger because of it, alright? I mean it."

She could feel the intensity burning behind his words, his eyes flashing with his sincerity. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, a wan smile turning at the corners of his mouth. She nodded, acceptance creeping in to numb her to the guilt that was already trying to suffocate her.

Mamoru moved away, sensing the shift within her.

"Let me get dressed and I'll take you home. There's no point in you going to school today, you should rest up and get your things ready. We're still going back to the feudal era first thing tomorrow, okay?"

Kagome's heart leapt inside her chest.

InuYasha

She would be back by his side soon, right where she belonged.

She managed a small nod, comforting herself with the thought that at least she would soon have the support of her friends again, and that she could chase away the wretched memories of the past twenty-four hours by throwing herself back into the shard hunt with her Inu at her side.

Mamoru was ready to leave after only a moment, having thrown on a t shirt and activating the glamour that kept him from turning too many heads.

Neither of them spoke throughout the car ride, and Kagome was grateful. Her head sagged against the window as the streets of Tokyo rushed by in a blur of lights, colors and faces. She didn't feel much like talking, anyway.

He left her with a soft spoken goodbye, looking at her steadfastly as she slipped away with barely a word.

Her pain now had nothing to do with him. It wasn't his fault. She knew that, and she didn't mean to treat him coldly but she was drained. Physically, she was fine, if only a bit dirty from the scrap in the alleyway, but her brain felt like mush. She intended to spend the rest of the day comfortably swaddled up in her bed after she'd had a good soak in the tub to help rinse away any remnants from the night before.

The house was quiet when she finally stepped through the heavy wooden door. She breezed inside expecting to be greeted by the smell of her mothers cooking, but to her dismay the air was barren and quiet, the early morning light filtering in through the windows to cast blue-toned shadows on the walls. She was alone.

"Mama? Oji-chan?"

Kagome called out just for good measure, but her voice fell flat, only to be met with a glaring silence.

She left her shoes by the door, turning to walk towards the kitchen with the intent to make herself a snack and see if her mother had left a note, but she stopped in her tracks, something flashing in the dim lighting to catch her eye.

It was an old photo of her and her friends, from maybe a year or so earlier, hanging on the wall beside her. She took a step closer, examining it.

Her eyes were crinkled at the corners from how big her grin was, with Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka all squeezed into the frame beside her, laughing. Her hair was much shorter, swept up into a high ponytail with a white ribbon that was lifted on an invisible breeze. There was a lightness to her face that seemed so far away from her now. The picture had been taken before her life had spiraled into this mess. Before she had fallen into the well, before InuYasha, before everything.

Standing there now, with her family home empty and cold, Kagome hardly recognized herself. That girl in the photo was naïve and weak, not to mention completely ignorant to her own true nature. But she was also warm, and kind, and happy. In a way, Kagome envied her.

There was a deep emptiness growing inside of Kagome that she felt powerless to stop. It sat in the pit of her stomach like a heavy stone, threatening to consume her completely. She had seen too much. Felt too much. Been inches away from death and still somehow managed to pull herself away before it could claim her.

But it had left its mark, deep and jarring. And in that moment she felt hollow, just an empty shell left behind and where there once was joy and light now sat only a cold darkness that curdled in her veins.

But then she thought of her Inu, and the way his gold eyes would flash with jealousy or passion, and she couldn't help but to smile at the warmth of feeling that came with the memories of him. His love lit her up. He was the spark that drove her, pushed her when she felt helpless. And she would rather die than to let him down.

Her fist clenched at her side as her other hand came up to waver over the glass, tracing over the faded image of her own face, a slow resolve settling over her like a fine mist.

No, Kagome would never be that girl again, but she would carry a piece of her.

Always.

InuYasha's brow pulled together in a scowl as he stared back at his brother who looked back at him passively, standing in front of the lit hearth inside of his quarters.

"InuYasha, we have much to discuss."

Though he sensed no malice from his brother as he stood there expectantly with his angled features schooled into a perfect mask of composure, it was still so hard for him to get used to the idea that they were no longer enemies.

His teeth ground together as he nodded reluctantly.

"I have a few questions for you, anyway."

"I'm sure you do." Sesshomaru bit back dryly, "Come."

He glided out into the hallway smoothly without another word, the fur of his mokomoko fluttering behind him.

InuYasha fought the urge to roll his eyes, following the DaiYokai with a heavy sigh of annoyance.

Sesshomaru led him briskly through the halls, passing his subjects without even a mere glance in their direction. He could hear their whispers faintly on the air, could feel the pointed stares that were burning holes in his back but he shook the feeling off, taking a deep breath to calm himself without pausing his stride.

It seemed like an eternity that he was on his brothers heels as they wound through the various pathways of the palace but finally, he slowed, casting a look back at him through narrowed eyes.

They had stopped in front of a pair of intricately carved wooden doors that were easily double his height and soared towards the vaulted ceiling. There was much less foot traffic in this area, with only the occasional servant scurrying past.

"Collect yourself." His voice was low and even but held an edge that caught InuYasha's attention, looking back at him with an eyebrow raised, clearly incredulous as he awaited an explanation. "I am formally presenting you to the council as my second, and I doubt It will be a pleasant experience. They will be watching every move you make."

His words fell sharply past his cold lips, echoing off of the vast halls. InuYasha's brow furrowed involuntarily into his trademark scowl. He hated these formalities. Hated the feeling of being eyed up and down like he was a specimen to be judged and discarded unless proven useful. But it was an unfortunate reality that came with living amongst the court. It was a lesson he had learned early on, and perhaps that's why he despised it so much. It was all very reminiscent of his childhood, and the memories made him flinch with their rawness.

Without waiting even a second more, Sesshomaru threw open the doors and breezed through the opening with a commanding energy that immediately swallowed up the entirety of the room. A hush fell upon its inhabitants as InuYasha steeled himself by taking a deep breath before following his brother, doing his best to exude the same haughty air of privilege that seemed to come so easily to the DaiYokai. But regardless of the storm that threatened to break the surface he held his head high, meeting the gaze of each and every Inu that stood awaiting their arrival. There was open hostility it many faces, though a few seemed passive.

But he didn't shy away. He straightened his shoulders and grit his teeth, his fists clenched where they hung at his sides.

"Lord Sesshomaru."

A golden Inu stepped forward, dressed in a fine white kimono lined with silver. His voice was calm and respectful as he lowered himself into a deep bow at the DaiYokai's feet, followed by the rest of the men. InuYasha counted twelve all together, all from varying clans.

"Kinsei." Sesshomaru's voice was cold enough to send a shiver down one's spine, which was a specialty of his. He seemed to be addressing the golden Inu, who had gotten back to his feet with ease, his ice-blue eyes trained on InuYasha. There was an open sort of interest held there, the demons face perfectly symmetrical and sharp, his brows quirked with a cocky curiosity.

But the former Hanyou didn't back down. He met the stare unflinchingly, his eyes flashing with an unspoken warning. He could sense the Yokai's power, sure. It oozed off of him slowly, like honey. He wasn't weak. But that didn't mean that InuYasha saw him as a threat. After the way he had savagely beaten Kazusane the day before he doubted that anyone would dare to challenge him now, and he was sure that the other Inu could sense the strength of his newly acquired demonic power if nothing else.

"What you all have been told is true." Sesshomaru continued, his voice carrying easily throughout the cavernous room that was nearly completely devoid of any furniture and windowless. He addressed the lot of them, unwittingly breaking the staring contest between the other two Inu's.

"My brother, the forgotten son of the great Inu No Taisho, had returned to us to claim what is rightfully his."

The room fell deadly silent as his brother let the heavy statement settle.

He had expected yelling, honestly. Had presumed that surely at least one of them would be bold enough to protest.

But none of them, no matter their clan or status, were brave enough to question his brother, he realized with a wicked grin. After all, his name was "killing perfection" for a reason. He was sure Sesshomaru was a ruthless leader, if his personality was any indication of that.

"That halfling has no grounds to claim his lineage."

Barked a gruff voice suddenly, the words formed around a loose growl.

The Inu that had spoken was stout and burly, his coloring dark and ashy like the gray soot that lined the edges of a fireplace. His eyes were a deep black that seemed empty and bottomless, the wisdom behind them reflecting his age. "What does the runt feel as though he deserves to claim? This domain needs no Hanyou amongst our ranks, no matter that status of his blood." His voice was laced with distaste that he didn't bother to hide, not even giving InuYasha the satisfaction of meeting his sharp gaze.

He was stood stock still, silently fuming that he didn't dare to open his mouth in his own defense, knowing that he had a tendency to lose his composure rather easily. Though he wanted nothing more than to bite the wizened Inu's head off he remained quiet, gritting his teeth with the effort it took.

Sesshomaru eyed him, impressed.

"It is not a topic that is up for debate, Terumoto. It is done. As it is my will, and that of Tsukuyomi himself."

A hush fell upon the room as the Daiyokai's words settled.

InuYasha felt an odd sense of pride, even as the other Yokai in the room all eyed him up and down like he was a pony on display.

"He has been blessed by the Kami and is no longer a Hanyou. As I said, he will assume his rightful place at court, just as my father wished. If you take issue with that, you are welcome to discuss it with me personally, after this council adjourns." There was a deadly edge to his brother's voice, one that was more than a mere warning and sent a wicked chill down InuYasha's spine.

Terumoto, the aged Inu who had actually surprised InuYasha with his bravery in standing up to Sesshomaru, seemed to back down after a long moment, his eyes trained firmly on the floor as he carefully worded his response.

"No, my Lord. It will be as you say."

"Good." The DaiYokai looked bored now, all evidence of hostility having fled from his expression the instant the other Yokai had bowed to his will. "You are all dismissed."

Sesshomaru's expression remained cold and closed off, but InuYasha noticed his eyes flashing towards the corner of the room where a tall, russet Inu was standing at the edge of the crowd of Yokai as they all began to disperse silently, his coloring and stature familiar to him somehow. He seemed stoic and cam, giving a slight, almost imperceptible nod in his brother's direction, a silent exchange happening between them in a mere second.

Kinsei, the golden Inu, threw a look back over his shoulder, his narrowed ice blue eyes clashing with the fiery gold of InuYasha's. There was a smirk pulling at his fair colored lips, a slim fang peeking out to glint in the low light as he seemed to chuckled to himself, disappearing into the crowd of rapidly dispersing Inu's.

After a moment it was only the three of them left standing there in the vastly empty council chamber, the other Inu's copper braids catching the low light, seeming to stand out harshly against the dark black of his simple kimono and armor. There was something familiar in the structure his face, he realized, something that made him question if they had met before.

"Is everything in place for the ceremony?"

His brother's voice seemed to echo across the room.

"Yes, my Lord, just as you instructed. The Lady's family have been notified and are already making their way down from the mountains."

"Excellent, Atsunobu. Have the Jaken sent to my quarters, that is all that this Sesshomaru requires for now."

The rust colored inu lowered himself into a deep bow. "Yes, sire. At once."

InuYasha had been watching the exchange between them with his eyebrow quirked as he looked on incredulously. It was obvious to him that there was a clear alpha/beta relationship between the two. He could sense a level of trust there that actually surprised him. Sesshomaru didn't seem like the type to play into such things, but it seemed he was a learning a lot of new things about his brother these days.

As the Yokai turned to go, he threw a look back over his shoulder, his intense copper eyes landing on InuYasha, amusement playing in them.

"Harusuke was meant to wait for you, but it seems he's managed to slip away without me noticing again. When I find him, I'll send him your way. I have a feeling he's loitering in the kitchens harassing the staff again." He chuckled, shaking his head with obvious good humor before disappearing through the open doorway before InuYasha could protest.

With annoyed sigh he threw a glace at his brother, "Why'd you decide to stick me with that kid, huh?" Truly he was only peeved because as much as he didn't want to admit it, he may have issues with authority. Harusuke was beginning to grow on him a bit, whether he liked it or not, InuYasha admired his recklessness.

For a split second he could have swore that he saw Sesshomaru's lips twitch upward in what could be almost classified as a smile, but it disappeared almost instantly and his expression was stoic and blank once more. He blinked slowly, seeming to consider his words before he spoke.

"The two of you share similar... attitudes. I thought you may prefer his company over Jaken's. Was I wrong?" his silver brown quirked up audaciously.

"Keh. Whatever." InuYasha rolled his eyes dismissively, turning to go. "I won't be staying that long anyway."

His footsteps seemed to echo out across the large room as he left Sesshomaru standing there, ready to start his day and continue his exploration of his fathers infamous Yokai city. A few things Harusuke had spoken of had caught his interest, and he didn't see the point in slinking around the palace when he could be out "embracing his heritage".

"InuYasha."

Sesshomaru called, stopping him in his tracks. He turned back to meet his eyes in a huff, annoyance clearly written all over his face. "Yes, brother?" His voice was laced with sarcasm that the Daiyokai promptly ignored.

"Here." He said looking bored as he pulled something small and square from where it had been covertly tucked inside of his kimono, passing it over to InuYasha. "Jaken found it amongst our fathers belongings. It seems only right that you should have it now." Just as the last word passed his lips Sesshomaru turned in a flurry of silk and fur, gliding away in the opposite direction without even a glance backwards.

Befuddled, InuYasha turned the rectangular object over in his hands, inspecting it. It was bundled up in some plain brown parchment that looked withered and aged, tied with a woven cord that seemed to be hanging on by a few mere threads. He slipped the parcel into the bell of his wide, draping sleeve and made his way out into the castle courtyard, easily finding his way through the labyrinth of halls now that he had gotten a bit more used to it.

As he sat on the edge of his futon later that night, preparing for another fitful hour or so of rest, only then did he dare to look at what was left behind by his father. With his large claw-tipped fingers he delicately peeled back the layers of parchment and twine, careful not to damage anything that may be important as he was still clueless as to what was inside.

The wrapping fell away, and several papers tumbled out, finally released from the barrier they had been incased in for many years. But InuYasha didn't even notice.

Disbelief paralyzed him momentarily as his eyes raked over the flat, wooden panel that he now held in his shaking hands.

On it was an elaborate painting of a woman posed beneath the weeping branches of a sakura tree, its petals glimmering along a breeze that was frozen in time. She was dressed like that of the royalty of the time period in which the image had been captured, but her hair was long and free, the color of charcoal.

It was his mother, Izayoi.

He would know her anywhere, though his memories had long since faded to bits and pieces. His heart panged desperately inside his chest, heavy with a feeling that he had not felt in some time. It was a mixture of sadness and regret for what could have been. What should have been. InuYasha could still remember her kind brown eyes and the way the shone with unshed tears. She had always cried so much. When he was small, it had been hard for him to understand why. But deep down, he had always known that it was his fault, in some way.

But looking at her now a large part of him felt touched that Sesshomaru had passed on such a thing, the last surviving image of his mother, something that his father had clearly treasured before his passing. It was odd, to say the least. He was grateful, but begrudgingly so. A part of him felt like maybe it was some sort of cruel trick to try and gain his trust. Though truthfully, he tossed that thought away almost as soon as it crossed his mind. It wouldn't be like Sesshomaru to attempt underhanded methods like that. But it still wouldn't have been as strange as the thought of him simply doing it out of the kindness of his own heart.