Disclaimers and Warnings: We know by now.

Part 3. Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.

The atmosphere of the palace was quiet, perhaps even a little serene with all the servants sleeping in their quarters, Rin fed, bathed, and dressed in a new kimono tucked in her own little futon, and even Jaken was snoring up a storm in his room located far from the human girl's and his master's. Sesshoumaru snorted to himself. As if he would want the little toad any closer then possible. Jaken served his purpose, coming in handy at times, feeble attempts that they were and that was all that kept the youko lord from killing him. He was annoying enough!

As it was, night had fallen and Sesshoumaru found himself once again back home, his side still void of the sword he greatly desired. He would have gone after his dear little hanyou brother again, if Rin hadn't been showing sights of fatigue. She hadn't said anything, perhaps wanting to show a front of strength little girls, human or not, weren't expected to have. But the girl knew her guardian quested endlessly for the Tetsusaiga and didn't want to leave his side out of love, out of need. With feelings that of tenderness Sesshoumaru had come to recognize he possessed for Rin, he had turned home for a period of rest. Even Jaken had expressed joy of being home again with the pleasure of service and a comfortable bed again.

Sesshoumaru slid back a screen, pausing on the veranda before stepping out into the gardens. The night air wasn't too cool. He walked along the familiar path, crossing over a small bridge and paused. Memories of a tiny whelp of a pup chasing after a red ball, the hurt expression on his innocent face when those he wanted to join in with their games vanished from the courtyard, and the silver tears of that human female as she watched with silence.

' Stupid onna. What did you expect from them? ' Sesshoumaru found himself thinking. Even though his father's court was assembled with noble birthed demons, Sesshoumaru had always found something unsavory about them despite their pure blood linage. Perhaps it was the empty words of praise they had always been so eager to bestow upon his father and then himself when the moon haired heir announced his claim after his sire's passing. What good were allies if they turned on you in a moment? The more powerful youkai's Sesshoumaru kept friendly with because it wasn't smart to distance one's self from those who could become powerful enemies. The few who Sesshoumaru did stand had approved when the newly appointed heir cleaned out his court of the 'riff raff' of the higher-ranking demons. He did nothing for approval; he simple disliked them, and was recently away from home too long to entertain a court. He also wanted to keep the newer generations from trying to lay claims on his lands. Maybe once he settled down some more Sesshoumaru would rebuild his court. Ah, yes, he had his father's lands, allies, power, respect, and fear from those who weren't smart enough to try to become his allies. Everything a young demon lord needed to get by… And Inuyasha had the tetsusaiga. What he desired the most a hanyou had. An untrained, undisciplined, and wild, but brave hanyou who shared his blood.

" But how perfectly ironic. During our younger lives together I had everything he desired and today he has what I desire, " Sesshoumaru remarked.

" Niichan, will you play with me? "

" Wow, Niichan, you really tore that demon apart! "

" Hey, Niichan, will you teach me to use a sword? I wanna be strong and powerful just like you and Otosan! "

" Niichan, why is Momma crying? "

" Niichan? …Why do you hate me? "

Once earnest and innocent golden eyes filled with adoration towards someone he used to admire turned cold, precocious, and hateful before their owner had run off after the death of his mother when he realized that the older brother he had admired and looked up to, even loved, if not hated him, but thought little of him and looked down on him because of the human blood in his veins.

" I hate you, Sesshoumaru! "

No more 'Niichan'. It had been all right to put up with Inuyasha, be his 'Niichan' when he was a whelp, their father still alive, and innocent against prejudice. But when he got older…

" Niichan? …Why do you hate me? "

" I hate you, Sesshoumaru! "

" Enough! " Sesshoumaru bellowed to himself, smashing his fist against a solid tree trunk. The ancient oak shuddered, but did not crash to the ground. The moon haired demon had restrained himself, remembering that Rin was fast asleep and it would be cruel to wake her. Sesshoumaru sneered to himself briefly. Why should he care if he woke some human? Perhaps it was his feelings for her that was stirring up memories best left to the past. But no… He couldn't blame someone else for his moments of weakness. Turning to head back inside for the night, Sesshoumaru stopped when his sharp sense of smell picked up a scent on the night's breeze and he immediately recognized it to belong to his half brother, Inuyasha! ' Here? Now? ' But something about his scent was off and then Sesshoumaru noticed a gathering of power. Something demonic and something else he couldn't put his finger on. Was it that female who was always traveling with his brother? That annoying little girl who was from a different time? Hanyou or not, Inuyasha could do so much better. At least he didn't get involved with that turncoat bitch, Kikyo.

" Well, seeing as I have guests, I should be a gracious host and welcome them for trespassing on my lands, " Sesshoumaru remarked to himself with a little smile. How nice of Inuyasha to come and handover the Tetsusaiga instead of having to chase after both all the time. Although, sometimes the sweetest reward was won after a difficult battle.

Sesshoumaru headed down the path; following the scent of his brother that was coming in the direction of the little lake where Rin or himself enjoyed a private swim. Coming closer another scent mingled with Inuyasha's in a pleasing way, that of female and not of Kagome's. It was pure and raw, like his brother's and without that bitter chemical undertone that bothered his sensitive nose. Something demon and teased his suppressed instincts. Young and active that he was, Sesshoumaru had no desire to spawn countless bastard children he could possible father in throws of passion to satisfy himself or surround himself with court consorts. When the time did come for Sesshoumaru to choose a mate, it would be for life.

As he closed in on his brother, Sesshoumaru knew that Inuyasha could smell his own scent and sense him by now. He came by the edge of the lake's shoreline and paused. His questions where answered. Yes, his brother was here and not alone. No, the female wasn't Kagome or Kikyo, or Sango. In fact, none of Inuyasha's companions where with him. His brother was in the company of a glowing creature, her hair fair and seemed as pale as theirs in the moonlight and done up in two buns. She wore a simple white silk yukata with a violet obi. Even Inuyasha looked different. A little taller, his features maturing and had familiar maroon strips were across each cheek. Inuyasha bore no crescent moon, which was something Sesshoumaru had inherited from his demon mother. And the prayer beads were gone. Unaware that some hanyous could change, Sesshoumaru was puzzled, but he didn't show it on his face. Both were talking to each other in hushed tones that he could barely hear. Inuyasha's golden eyes were soft and filled with emotion as he gazed entranced upon the beauty's who smaller hand he held. Then his brother sensed the other demon and looked up, his eyes hardening and narrowed as he regarded his older brother.

" Sesshoumaru! " Inuyasha hissed, wrapping his free arm around the female's waist. She turned her head, resting it against the hanyou's chest and gazed at Sesshoumaru with the most striking blue eyes the demon had never seen on a human. Like his brother, she puzzled him. The two made a striking looking pair, their pleasing and different looks complimenting each other under the glow of the full moon. Sesshoumaru felt a spark of jealousy. Against which of the two, he wasn't sure, and that thought made Sesshoumaru pause in his actions.

TBC.