InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ By the Light of Mars ❯ Chapter two ( Chapter 2 )

Title: By the Light of Mars

Parings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru and Sango/Miroku

Chapter 2 of ?

Summary: After Naraku is killed Inuyasha's world is settling in to a normality he hadn't expected but when his brother appears bringing with him Rin and royal intrigues can Inuyasha prevail over the new obstacles in his life, including this strange affinity his brother seems to have for him?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha franchise, anime, manga or characters. I play with them for fun not for profit.

The morning of his departure dawned bright, but ordinary. Inuyasha was surprised by this; he had thought that his voluntary return to his brothers' palace would elicit some cataclysmic event. Yet in the early morning hours the birds still sang in the tree tops, the waters still ran clear and the sky was free from ominously looming storm clouds.

The Hanyou stood outside of Kaede's hut waiting for Sango to finish saying her good byes to the elderly miko.

“It's strange isn't it?” Miroku asked from behind him. Inuyasha turned to stare at the pensive hoshi. The sun hit his eyes making them smolder in the morning light. The normally jovial face turned pensive and unsettled. “I feel as though the world should be changed… our lives are changing and yet the world around us goes on as if we were not its center.” His mouth quirked mischievously for a moment, he sighed heavily and clapped Inuyasha on the back.

“You're weird monk.” The Hanyou replied shaking his head and walking in to the forest. “I'm going to scout for Sesshomaru, the bastard can't be far now.”

The Hanyou sped up then letting his forest blur before him in a haze of green. Breathing deeply he caught his brothers unique scent just indie the western most edge of his forest and changed directions to meet him.

This was his favorite past time, it beat hunting, fishing and even fighting; running made him feel weightless and free. His long silver hair flowed behind him as he raced towards his half-brother and the little ward that followed him everywhere.

Sesshomaru was sitting at the edge of a field of flowers as the girl, Rin gathered blossoms from before him and wove them in to a crown. His hair was woven in kind with purple iris that matched his markings remarkably. Inuyasha stood on the other side of the field transfixed. I had no idea he knew how to relax, let alone smile. He thought in awe as his brothers mouth twitched in to a fond smile. The golden eyes normally so cold and lifeless sparkled with restrained pride. He truly loves her. The hanyou was stunned, his brother was normally a cold calculating man and he had certainly never shown any familial love to the young hanyou. Yet here he was smiling at this girl as if she was his entire world.

A sudden thought came unbidden to the hanyous mind. Could he want her as his… mate? Is that why he wants her trained? The thought disturbed him and cause bile to rise in his throat. His inner demon roared in protest to this union. Then he shook his head and cleared his thoughts. Why do I care if he beds the urchin. The thought unkindly, shifting in place and hoping the wind would continue keeping his scent from his half-brothers nose. It must be because she is so young, yes it is sick for him to be thinking about her in such a way. Inuyasha declared to himself sighing as Rin ran with delight to his brother and sat herself at his feet offering her creation to him with modesty.

Feh his smile isn't all that nice. Inuyasha grumbled but inside he knew he was lying, in that moment Sesshomaru was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes upon.

Inuyasha stepped boldly in to the field after a moments more hesitation and called out a greeting to his brother. His elder brother froze for a moment obviously concerned that he had not scented the other before then and then stood motioning for Rin and the strange flying dragon to follow.

It was in this way and in a quiet broken only by Rins melodious singing that they made the rest of the journey to the village.

It was not yet noon when the small band emerged from the dense forest in to the bright sunlight of the village. Most of the inhabitants were in the square hoping to bid farewell to the traveler that had become part of their extended families.

Inuyasha smiled as a small girl, his favorite child in the village although he would never admit it, by the name of Akiko came towards him offering a warm looking blanket to him on her outstretched arms.

“Mama helped me make this just for you Inuyasha, it is so you won't forget us and so you don't catch cold away from the healing talents of Lady Kaede.” She explained he voice soft and tear filled.

He smiled at the little spitfire of a girl that had become his shadow over the last months. “I will cherish it Akiko and when I return I will bring you a present from the Western palace.” He told her softly whispering so no one but the girl could hear him.

Her eyes lit with the promise of a present and she flung herself in to the hanyous arms. “Okay,” she whispered back hugging him tightly. “That means you have to survive cause I want my present.” She declared loudly so the entire village could hear. He pushed her away then and scowled to cover his laughter. “Oi, don't push it runt, maybe I'll just forget what then?” he teased making her laugh and run back to her mother.

His brother stepped forward then and placed a delicate looking hand on to his shoulder. “We must depart now Inuyasha it is a long journey and this Sesshomaru is sure that if we do not leave soon the humans will require sleep before we make it to the palace.” The tenor of his brothers' voice swept over the hanyou and dazed his senses. He turned slowly and tilted his head to look up in to his brothers eyes.

The smoldering light was there again and the hanyou found himself mesmerized, he stared transfixed for what felt like millennia until Miroku's cough woke him from his stupor.

“Umm… yeah okay we can leave.” He muttered breaking eye contact and turning to grab the satchel Kaede had packed for him.

The elderly woman smiled and wrapped her arms around the flustered hanyou. “Have a safe journey Inuyasha and do not fear if Lady Kagome returns while you are absent I will tell her what has transpired.” She whispered squeezing him in her embrace.

He sighed and breathed in her scent so as not to forget it. “I have a bad feeling baabaa you better be here when I return.” He murmured looking her over for signs of ill health.

“I shall be fine you insolent brat.” She said striking him for the baabaa comment, Inuyasha smiled then and hugged her once more.

Good byes said he turned to his traveling companions and stopped for a moment. “So are they flying or walking?” he asked his brother looking at the three humans and one demon child that sat before him.

Sesshomaru glanced at him then and shrugged. “This Sesshomaru thought the little fox could ride with Rin on Ah Un and the humans could ride their fire cat if that is acceptable.” He stated more than asked.

Inuyasha nodded and then was shocked when his brother stepped close to him and grabbed his waist.

“What the hell?!” he asked frantically.

“This Sesshomaru thought it prudent that we fly as well if they are going to.” He explained his voice mild and unfeeling.

“Yeah okay… jeez warn a guy first though.” Inuyasha consented wrapping an arm awkwardly around his older brother.

Sesshomaru snorted and motioned to Rin to mount her beast, she pulled Shippo excitedly by the hand and they sat ready to depart.

Finally Sango slung her pack across Kirara's back and climbed up with Miroku following.

And with that their little band was off Sesshomaru in the lead then the other four following close behind.

The palace loomed before the little group, they had landed just as the sun had started its decent in to the east. Before them the western palace was lit by the setting sun making the limestone walls glow orange. You could almost imagine the city was burning. Inuyasha thought suddenly starting at his own foreboding thought.

Rin squealed in delight breaking the steady silence and Inuyasha's ponderings.

“Can we go home now lord Sesshomaru?” She asked swinging her feet happily, causing the same barely there smile to grace his brothers features.

“Yes Rin This Sesshomaru is ready to be home I believe.” Inuyasha tilted his head to the side and stared up at this strange man that was his brother. How could Sesshomaru have changed this much in so little time? Maybe he hasn't changed, could I just be getting to know him after all this time? The hanyou pondered as his feet left the ground and he was once again lifted in to the air in the arms of his sibling.

Below them the landscape was dotted with farms and villagers, the people ran from their homes to wave at the returning monarch and his party. Inuyasha was stunned, his brothers people loved him. He could tell that from the way they rushed to greet him. Who is this man that I call brother? He contemplated looking ahead at the multitude of inhabitants waiting for them at the palaces gates. Can he truly love these people in return… and if so why did he find it so difficult to love… feh… Inuyasha turned then from the happy scene casting his eyes on his friends, they all looked just as amazed as he felt.

This new life is going to be strange for us all isn't it. The hanyou pondered watching Sango grip Mirokus had in agitation. Well almost all of us. He amended seeing Shippo still chatting away to Rin.

Before him Inuyasha saw a great statue of his father on either side of him were smaller figures and the hanyou gasped audibly when he recognized them. One was Sesshomaru's mother, it had to be she looked like she could be his twin if not for the stripes across his face. And the other…

“Mother…” he breathed feeling as though the world was mocking him. There to his fathers left was his mother's figure, young and vibrant she was carved in all of her finery and clasped his father's hand as though it were a life line.

“Yes I… he died protecting her This Sesshomaru thought it only right that she be immortalized alongside him for eternity.” His brother told him stiffly, pointedly not looking at him as they landed.

“You… but you hate her.” Inuyasha stumbled on his words trying to understand this enigma that was his brother.

“This Sesshomaru did not hate the Lady Izayoi, she was a worthy princess. This Sesshomaru hated her humanity, and in recent years… I have come to… regret that hatred.” His brother finished slipping from his formal speech for a moment and looking strangely forlorn.

“I… well thanks.” Inuyasha told him looking at the ground and rubbing the back of his head.

“Come now brother let us meet this horde that wishes to greet us, then Jakken will show you and your companions to your rooms.” Sesshomaru started walking towards the crowd then paused. “Rin come we have duties.” He called to his little charge and she ran fast as lightning to his side and stood composed as Inuyasha had ever seen her at his brothers side. Together they met the waiting crowd to an uproarious applause.

In the back of Inuyasha's mind his demon roared once again in protest, but he shook off the evil feelings and went to gather is friends so they too could enter the palace proper.

An hour later found Inuyasha freshly bathed and roaming the ground of the palace he had begun his life in. it truly was a palace in every sense of the word, it was unlike his fathers other castles that dotted the western landscape because this one had been built for pleasure and not protection. It was a collection of smaller buildings that made up the wings connected by outdoor halls that boasted gardens and rivers.

This is where his mother had taught him to read, and played hide and seek with him. This was where he had lived the happiest days of his life. He sighed and came to sit on a grassy patch before a babbling creek that fed in to the large river that ran through the palace proper. I wonder who I would be had I grown up here instead of in the wilderness… he wondered caressing a water lily that sat close to the bank.

He peered in to the depths of the water but in the light of the torches as well as the moon all he saw was his own reflection. I'm really not much to look at am I? He sighed and ran a clawed hand along the ridges of his cheek bones and over the bridge of his nose. I don't look like either of them. He lamented remembering the figures of his father and mother standing together in the entrance way.

“Why are you out here Inuyasha?” Sango's voice startled hi from his dreary thoughts.

He turned and smiled at his friend motioning her to sit beside him. “I'm just thinking I guess, I grew up here and mother used to sit by this brook and teach me my letters.” He explained playing with his hair nervously.

“Ahh I can understand the search for lost times all too well.” She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Do you think we should have told Kagome where we were going?” she asked suddenly, Inuyasha turned and looking at her fully.

“I don't think Kagome is coming back Sango… I just have a feeling.” He explained unsure as to why he felt that way.

“Well… then I hope she is happy.” She replied obviously saddened. “Oh… I came out her to find you, dinner will be ready soon and we are supposed to meet Sesshomaru in the private dining hall.” She exclaimed standing and pulling on Inuyasha's hand.

“Okay you go ahead I'll meet you in there.” The hanyou told her waving her off and watching as she deliberated biting her lip for a moment before nodding and walking back along the path she had come from.

Inuyasha watched her go and then turned to once again look at the mirror like water. He picked the lily he had been caressing minutes before and placed it against the glassy surface.

“Good night mother.” He whispered standing and bowing to the creek. He turned then and walked slowly back to his new life.

End chapter two

A/N

Okay so you lovely people are amazing this story got four reviews in one day! One day! That is unheard of for one of my new stories especially for the first chapter of a new story. I love you! I can see a marked difference between this fandom and HP where I normally write and although I love my reviewers there too I am totally in love with you people! Any way here is chapter two, things should be moving a bit slower now, probably not going to cover whole days by and so the day passed blah blah blah any more… unless they are traveling cause I hate writing travel scenes and I feel as though sometimes they have no point. Eh

Keep feeding the author!!!

Caressedbythorns.