Inu-fan 24: so glad you enjoyed it! I really loved writing the last chapter. Inkimi is pivotal to why Sesshomaru became the distant and aloof person that he is. I really want to capitalize on her abuse, because it's a huge part of his psyche.

Guest: Welcome! Thank you for reading. :3 I do plan to have "flashbacks" to Izayoi and Toga, it'll happen at some point when there's downtime between the anime episodes I have to adhere to. It'll be fun, because I have a workaround, since technically Sesshomaru never witnessed them together.

Chapter 27 - Wish

Sesshomaru stood in silence with his eyes closed, memories of his childhood taunting and tormenting him. Around him night had fallen, but he took little notice of anything around him. Ghosts of the past teased him with images long forgotten. Where he had wished they'd have stayed. He didn't need to remember the warmth of his father's love, or the cold vacancy of it when he had still been so young.

Inkimi had strictly forbidden Sesshomaru to ever call Toga, for a long as he resided in Unoshiro, under her rule. Sesshomaru never called his father once, during his time living at the Cloud Castle. In hindsight, he should have contradicted his mother and called Toga. Maybe he should have run away and gone to follow in his father's footsteps. But what was done, was done. He'd acquiesced to his mothers wishes, learned all of the things she desired. He'd been an obedient son. He'd learned that being emotionless, was easier within her walls. If she couldn't assess what Sesshomaru was thinking, she could hold very little over him. So he'd become cold, aloof and calculating….

Just like my mother. He realized with dawning revelation. Sesshomaru had never desired to be like her, in any way. Yes, perhaps her teachings had given him advantages in situations. It had also frozen his soul, for so long. Now, he didn't know if it was even possible to release it from the prison he'd encased it in. Did he even want to? Would it change who he'd become?

Around the yokai, the wind shifted. Sesshomaru's golden eyes lifted toward the stars, assessing, watching. He'd lost track of how long they'd been camped in this place by the river. Something told him, that outside their protective cocoon, the world had shifted. Something was different. Something had changed.

The great lord shifted his gaze to the other side of the horizon, golden eyes narrowing. In the sky, the moon was but a sliver of silver light against the dark shadows of the mountains.

What is it? What is in the wind?

"Jaken." The yelp of surprise from nearby, told Sesshomaru that he'd been heard. "Get A-un ready. We're leaving."

"B-but my Lord! We're leaving tonight?!"

Glancing back, Sesshomaru observed Rin, she was curled up under the tree, A-un's head's were resting in her lap as she petted them like overgrown puppies. Perfectly healthy now. She had definitely benefited from the extra days to rest and relax without needing to travel. But… it was time to move on. Whatever was hovering, Sesshomaru didn't intend to be caught complacency.

"Rin."

Her dark head instantly popped up, eyes bright as she gazed at him. "Yes my Lord?"

"We are leaving."

"Oh!" Rin leapt to her feet in excitement, forcing the dragon to move as well. "Yay!" In unhurried but quick movements she began saddling A-un, and packing the few belongings scattered around the base of the tree.

Within a few short minutes, the group was once again traveling. They walked back through the thick woods, the way they had come when Rin was so sick. Sesshomaru remained vigilant, sniffing the wind, assessing the scents it carried.

The moon was high in the sky, but the time they exited the woods, returning to the vast grassy knolls. In silence the small group began traversing the open space. A-un grew restless, making snorting and other irritated noises, showing his nervousness. Though he could not identify it, Sesshomaru felt it too.

Behind, Rin lagged, enjoying being out in the open space again. She gazed up in wonder at the open sky above. Sesshomaru kept his ears attuned to her steps, so he knew when they faltered.

"The moon is about to disappear!" Rin gasped in wonder.

The yokai shifted an eye up to the sliver of the moon. Yes, it probably did appear so. All new moons appeared to swallow the moon. Tomorrow there would be no moon at all.

"A shooting star!" The excitement made Rin's voice quiver.

Sesshomaru stopped his forward motion, and turned, watching in silence as Rin stopped. Reverently she placed her hands over her heart and closed her eyes. Her lips did not move, but inexplicably, he felt them. In the same place that he heard her when she called his name.

I wish to stay with Lord Sesshomaru forever and ever.

It was a struggle for his face to remain impassive. He felt the power of her simple wish thrum through his entire body, from the tips of his ears to his feet. It left a warmth deep in his chest, in a place that had for so long, been empty and cold. For a split second, the sensations left him breathless. Was it the power of the Kizuna? Was she somehow willing her wish into being? Was she even aware of the power she carried? All this happened in the blink of an eye. Unwilling to carry such thoughts to their conclusion, he pushed the entire experience aside with brisk efficiency.

Sesshomaru realized that Jaken was looking up at him critically, and opened his beak to speak, but Sesshomaru cut him off.

"Rin." Jaken's focus shifted to the girl who lagged behind.

Her big brown eyes opened to meet Sesshomaru's gold gaze. "Huh?"

"Don't fall behind."

"Oh! Yes my Lord." She took running steps to reclaim her place at Sesshomaru's side. They walked together in silence for several moments. A-un was still uneasy, making noise, straining against Jaken's hold on the reins. Above, dark clouds began to roll over the stars like a curtain.

Hm. Something feels strange. A-un, why are you so restless?

They continued traveling all that night, and through the next day. Sesshomaru booked no arguments for stopping to make camp. Rin, was permitted to take care of her human needs of course, but he instructed her to rest while riding A-un. Whatever lurked beyond his senses, he had a feeling it was dangerous. At length, he realized that it was a growing demonic aura. Deep, dark and thrumming with power. How could such a force have amassed in these lands, without him knowing?