InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Slave ❯ chap 22 - Together ? ( Chapter 23 )

Slave
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Inuyasha characters. I am making no money off this story. This applies to all future chapters. Inuyasha characters & story © 2003 Rumiko Takahashi.
Summary: After their meeting will the brothers finally be together and in peace?
Special thanks to: All the readers
Very special thanks to: My Beta, her wonderful friend who helper her reviewing this chapter (A.W.) and all the Reviewers

Sorry to take so long to update.
Chap 22 – “Together?”
~*~ Flashback ~*~
Sesshoumaru was tired and infuriated; he faced days of fruitless searching. To make matters worse, the afternoon that he finally found an area with the strongest presence of Inuyasha’s scent, a ningen dressed as a Shinto miko with a disturbing and enthralling scent, mixed with herbs and other plants showed up unexpectedly.

‘What a ningen is doing in the forest at this hour?’ Sesshoumaru wondered. ‘And this ningen is scared to death,’ Sesshoumaru could sense that, along with other scents which were coming from the ningen, such as incense and other female ningen scents.

‘I shall kill this ningen who dared to get in my way.’ was his first thought. ‘This ningen is so scared to be face-to-face with a youkai that I would be wasting my time. This ningen is probably lost.’ Sesshoumaru thought with disdain, ‘How weak they are.’ He narrowed his eyes and using his might sense, once again he scrutinized the whole area to check deeply that disturbing scent.

For an instant, he was not so worried about Inuyasha’s scent or location. For the first time in months, his youki was still. Something very strange was happening with him while he was there standing in the middle of that forest with that ningen.

‘Perhaps this ningen could tell me something about Inuyasha.’ Sesshoumaru wondered thought while he watched the ningen run away from him.

Sesshoumaru’s youki was telling, no, ordering him, to follow the ningen, to stay by his side, however his youkai pride just wanted the ningen to vanish.

‘But what could this ningen do to help me find my mate?’ He was almost going after the ningen and demanding some information when the scent of Inuyasha hit his nostrils. Sesshoumaru then allowed the ningen to flee, and returned to the track he was previously.
~*~End of Flashback ~*~

“That ningen was you…” Sesshoumaru said, holding Inuyasha tightly and letting his little brother’s scent drive him flustered.

“Yes Sesshoumaru-sama, that was me,” Inuyasha said in a whisper.

“Why did you run from me then?”

“Since you did not recognize me, I got scared, I thought that you would kill me, before I could explain anything,” Inuyasha said. “I was just a ningen, back there” Inuyasha whispering, added, “Also… my appearance,” Inuyasha whispered even lower (if that was possible) adding “and I--and I was afraid of what you would do to me after I told you about our baby’s short life and death.”

“I am really sorry otouto; I guess I have never seen you in your ningen form. About your appearance and health, in a little while you will be better. As soon as we get home, healers and proper nourishment will help you get back to your old self. However… Inuyasha, what did you say about a baby?

Up till now both sisters were sitting on their respective futons just watching the brothers’ interaction. They did not want Inuyasha to commit the mistake of blaming himself for the death of a baby that did not exist or that was not his in reality. Consequently, the sisters decided to interfere in the brothers’ conversation.

“Inuyasha-chan, we must talk and now,” Kaede said, grabbing Inuyasha by the sleeves.

“But Kaede-sama, I need to tell him, He must know-” Inuyasha insisted.

Kikyou was the next to talk. “You have nothing to tell him.”

“Inuyasha, what is the meaning of this nonsense conversation?” Sesshoumaru asked, getting impatient with the sisters and the way they dealt with Inuyasha.

“I am sorry Sesshoumaru-sama, I will explain,” Inuyasha said, trying to calm down his brother. “Kikyou-sama and Kaede-sama, please… try to understand me,” Inuyasha said, begging with puppy eyes to the sisters to not interrupt him.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, when I was kidnapped by the neko clan, I was pregnant, and I went throughout it as Naraku’s hostage.” Inuyasha was speaking very fast, he was barely breathing; he wanted to tell Sesshoumaru everything, as briefly as possible. “After the delivery I was allowed to be with the baby, Hakudoshi, but I could not nourish the baby properly, since I had no milk and the baby died after some time…” Inuyasha sobbing concluded.

Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha in silence; his face as stoic as ever. The hug that kept Inuyasha close to his chest had been loose; consequently Inuyasha got the opportunity to step backward a little.

“Inuyasha, we have told you already, Naraku deceived you. You were never pregnant,” Kikyou said.

“But Kikyou-sama…”

“Naraku made use of magic tricks with you. He is a monster; he did that just to torture you, to make you suffer and to amplify his pleasure.”

“But Hakudoshi--” Inuyasha was once again on his knees, face disfigured with pain.

Sesshoumaru was sensing all Inuyasha’s sorrow and that made his powerful youki spread all over the small hut in waves.

Kikyou, always holding Inuyasha protectively from Sesshoumaru, stated, “We told Inuyasha that the infant for sure was, or to say it better, is, one of Naraku’s detachments.”

“You could not be pregnant, otouto,” Sesshoumaru calmly claimed, but concerned with Inuyasha’s mental health, “because this Sesshoumaru would know when that might happen. Inu youkai always know when their mates get pregnant, since the conception’s first moment. And I am sure that I did not feel anything other than the huge feeling of emptiness in you, otouto.” Sesshoumaru approached them and got on his knees. Kikyou held Inuyasha tightly, but the glare she got from the Daiyoukai was enough to make her let the hanyou go. At first, he just held Inuyasha, but soon they were embracing each other. Sesshoumaru kissed Inuyasha on the face and then gently on the mouth.

When the kiss was broken, Inuyasha breathless, begged Sesshoumaru to stop.

“Why otouto?” Sesshoumaru asked with a smirk.

“Because…we are… in the shrine, the shrine hut and the priestesses-- they are here by our side…”

“ … ”

“Sesshoumaru-sama, how could not Hakudoshi be my baby?” Inuyasha tried to focus only on his deceased child, not on his brother’s alluring scent.

“That is simple. Your body is not ready yet, and neither was mine, before my 400 birthday,” Sesshoumaru said, caressing Inuyasha’s hair. “This Sesshoumaru will make that Naraku suffer for everything he did to you, otouto.” Sesshoumaru ended up sitting, placing Inuyasha on his lap and Inuyasha’s head on his chest.

They stayed like that for quite some time.

Suddenly a roar was heard. Sesshoumaru, Kikyo and Kaede, giggled together. The red-faced hanyou, whose stomach was putting out such a roar complaining the lack of food in a while, was very embarrassed.

They all stood up, getting on with their chores to prepare the food and settle the small hut.
*

After lunch, both sisters returned to their usual tasks. They also wanted to keep the villagers far from the brothers.

Sesshoumaru asked Inuyasha to go out for a walk; he wanted some privacy with his bother. When they were far from any hint of ningen scent, Sesshoumaru finally spoke.

“Inuyasha…” he started and then paused, looking Inuyasha in the eyes, Sesshoumaru’s face as serene and serious as ever.

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?”

“I must make you aware of some changes I have been planning for us. From now on, you are forbidden to call me using these honorific titles. I am Sesshoumaru, your brother, your mate, your equal, so you can only address me as such. In addition to that, as soon as we arrive back home, a complete mating ceremony is going to seal our relationship,” Sesshoumaru said, returning to walk.

Inuyasha was puzzled. Sesshoumaru said all those things as if he was saying their daily dojo activities. “Sesshoumaru-sama, will the others accept me that eas-” Inuyasha started to say, but the pain in his chest made him stop and grunt.

“What is the matter, otouto?” Sesshoumaru asked worried.

“Hmm... it--it is nothing Sesshoumaru-sam… I mean, Sesshoumaru-niisan.”

“Do not lie to me, otouto.”

“I--I am afraid. What will they say about it?” Inuyasha shuddered.

“Inuyasha, you are really changed,” Sesshoumaru said, embracing Inuyasha. “When you were a little brat you would never care about it. Why should you care now?”

“After all that happened to me, I have learned to care, Sesshoumaru-niisan-- I have suffered a lot and, I--I know that in the court, your court, many hate the simple fact that I am still alive. Have you ever imagined how they felt when you got me back home and later made me become your concubine, and--” Sesshoumaru made Inuyasha stop by kissing him.

“I do not care,” Sesshoumaru said, as their lips drew apart. “This Sesshoumaru only cares about you. I do love you Inuyasha and not as a brother. Do you know what that means?” A grin could be seen on Sesshoumaru’s face as he grabbed Inuyasha by the hand and aimed for the nearest hot spring.

At the hot spring, Sesshoumaru undressed both of them in seconds. During all of the process, he kissed and repeated how much he had missed Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru also told the hanyou that he would have rescued him earlier, if it were not for the heat season issue that kept him locked up in his chambers. Inuyasha realized that Sesshoumaru in a very peculiar way was trying to say that he was sorry.

They tried to have sex, but Inuyasha was still feeling a lot of pain, mostly mental. Sesshoumaru could sense that and decided they would not do any sex game now, or before Inuyasha was cured, physically and if possible mentally.

Since Inuyasha was deeply hurt in his inner being and Inuyasha’s youki was weak, Sesshoumaru could feel how devastated Inuyasha was.
*

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha returned to the miko-sisters’ hut when the sun was going down.

Sesshoumaru told them that they would leave as soon Inuyasha was ready to go. “Inuyasha needs appropriate youkai treatment. He also needs to be accepted by my people as my live-mate. I have to apologize for my unreasonable previous actions upon you, and to thank you both for saving and taking care of my mate,” The Daiyuokai said, bowing slightly to the miko-sisters.

Inuyasha was amazed with Sesshoumaru’s words and actions, but did not say a word.

Kikyo and Kaede were happy and sad. They did not want the hanyou to leave, but they also wanted the best for him.

“You may leave, but please wait until tomorrow; we would like to prepare some things for Inuyasha. Could you please let your departure be tomorrow Sesshoumaru-sama?” Kaede said.

“Yes, naturally.”

“Thank you very much, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Kaede said with a smile.

The miko-sisters were very worried about Inuyasha’s health. “Are you really going to protect and be close Inuyasha as much as you can?” Kikyo and Kaede asked Sesshoumaru, when Inuyasha was already sleeping. “You must find, as soon as possible, someone with youkai special powers, to reestablish Inuyasha’s life power.” Kikyo and Kaede added.

“Do not fear about that miko-san, I have already known about that, I am going to do even the impossible to restore Inuyasha’s health. And I am going to protect him with my life,” Sesshoumaru said, sitting by Inuyasha’s side and caressing Inuyasha’s hair.
*

In the next day, after lunchtime, both brothers left the shrine.

To make the returning trip shorter Sesshoumaru decided to use his energy form. In the middle of the way, they met Jaken, who joined the brothers.

*~* The Western lands *~*
When they landed in the middle of the castle patio, they were greeted by many different reactions.

The first thing the three noticed was that all of the castle personnel were once again divided into many different feelings. Sesshoumaru was the one who most noticed it. Hostility from many, confusion from some, and Inuyasha’s fear. As a result, he kept the hanyou by his side in a protective embrace.

All the people at the castle were certain that Inuyasha was already dead, so to see the hanyou was back and side-by-side with Sesshoumaru, a smiling and gentle Sesshoumaru (at least with the hanyou), was something that nobody was expecting.

Happy, sad and furious faces could be seen all over the castle. Actually, many of the lords were just there awaiting Sesshoumaru’s return to introduce him to new possible mates.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, what a contentment to have you back,” some greeted him.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, the Western lands missed you the most,” some others said.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, we all feared about your absence and now we all rejoice with your return,” and other greetings and comments that Sesshoumaru simply ignored.

Sesshoumaru was only interested in finding a healer for Inuyasha as soon as possible. That was his only priority, so he aimed for his chambers.

That was when an elder approached and told him that he and the Council would be having a meeting as soon as possible, due to very important affairs of state.

“Very important affairs of state you say?” Sesshoumaru repeated, keeping his stoic mood. “This Sesshoumaru also has very important affairs to discuss with his people and Council. So be it. A meeting with the Council members, in two days. Now let me tend to my brother,” he said, tightening his arms; he was still holding Inuyasha in a tight embrace as they walked to his chambers.

“Jaken follow us,” was his only command before leaving the patio.

Jaken followed the two brothers in silence. He had already known that Sesshoumaru would demand a complete and very legitimate mating ceremony so that Inuyasha would be Sesshoumaru’s royal-life-mate and that Inuyasha would also be recognized as Sesshoumaru’s brother officially. Jaken was happy because finally his master, after such a long time, would be able to settle his kingdom with someone able to match him.

When they reached Sesshoumaru’s chambers, Sesshoumaru requested, “Jaken, you must go and bring me the best healers in the court. They must come immediately to look after Inuyasha. I would go and bring them myself, but I cannot leave Inuyasha alone. You should talk to them yourself, as this Sesshoumaru does not want any healer indicated by anyone else in this castle. Am I clear?” Sesshoumaru said.

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama, I will be right back,” Jaken said, leaving the room, happy for the trust his lord was putting in his hands, so Jaken tried to accomplish his task as fast and as well as he could.

Inuyasha, who was silent until that moment, said to his brother that he did not need all of that and that his body would soon be fine.

“I do not think so, otouto, only now you have got rid of some of the awful bruises on your body. How long had you been staying with the miko-sisters?” Sesshoumaru asked, while he placed the hanyou on a chair and started to undress him.

It was almost impossible for him to control himself and not impose his lust on the fragile hanyou. As difficult as it was, he only allowed himself to touch the small hanyou by doing simple things, as much as what he was doing at that moment, undress Inuyasha, or as his youki and the miko-sisters had told him to do, let the hanyou be involved by his energy. He had done that during the return-trip, and he was as much as he could, involve him into embraces, as the ones they had at the patio when they came back. At least those sorts of things he would keep on doing during Inuyasha’s complete recovery.

Sesshoumaru would do anything to help Inuyasha’s recovery. He wanted Inuyasha to get better as soon as possible, and then he would be able to hunt down and kill Naraku. He knew that only after doing this, they finally could go ahead in peace with their lives.

Sesshoumaru finished undressing Inuyasha as well as himself and went to his bathroom, so both would get rid of the tiredness and the dust from the trip.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, you do not need to do that, I can do it myself,” a very embarrassed Inuyasha said while a very pleased Sesshoumaru had him bride-style in his arms.

“Hai otouto, this Sesshoumaru doesn’t need to. He WANTS to.”

“Sesshoumaru-sama, you do not need to go through all this, I should have stayed with the miko-sisters, I could--” By placing a finger on the hanyou’s lips, Sesshoumaru did not allow Inuyasha to finish his sentence.

“Inuyasha, I really needed to do that and so many other things to you and for you. I have no idea how much I would miss you until you were gone. You ARE very important to me. Believe me. And do not be afraid; this is only the beginning. I cannot say I will make up for all of your past or ours. However, I will prepare you a very good future. Only you, your happiness and well-being matters to me. And do not make me repeat it again. I am your brother and your mate, for Chichi-ue’s sake,” Sesshoumaru said, and started soothingly to scrub the hanyou’s back. There were still some bruises, awful reminiscences of the time Inuyasha spent with Naraku. ‘It is strange, even a weaker hanyou would be fine by now, I guess. It has been weeks already and he still has those bruises all over his body. And his youki is so weak.’ Sesshoumaru thought while bathing Inuyasha.

“Please Sesshoumaru-nii, do not look at me or touch me. I know how disgusting I am,” a breathless Inuyasha pleaded after a while.

“No, you are not, otouto. You are just too weak to heal properly by yourself. Soon you will be better, I promise you,” Sesshoumaru said and hugged Inuyasha, who was crying in a mix of pain and confusion.

The hanyou did want Sesshoumaru to touch him and to be taken by the Daiyoukai, but at the same time, Inuyasha was fearful of touching and being touched by Sesshoumaru and consequently taint the Daiyoukai, after all the dreadful and filthy things Naraku had done to him.

They finished the bath without any further talk.

They were already dressed when Jaken returned, followed by a group of healers and some of the Council’s secretaries.

Sesshoumaru greeted the healers and questioned Jaken about the others.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, I am very sorry, but they need to talk with you,” Jaken informed him hurriedly, and physically pleading for his life.

“That is fine Jaken, guide the healers to the next room, where you will find Inuyasha. You must do a very detailed exam on Inuyasha, then later Inuyasha and I will give details of what happened with him. Also, tell Inuyasha that soon I will be with you.”

“Hai Sesshoumaru-sama” Jaken and the healers said together and they went to the next room, from where, some seconds later, Inuyasha came out fearful.

“Please Inuyasha, let them take care of you,” Sesshoumaru said to the frightened hanyou. “I will be with you as soon as I finish this matter,” he state, showing the unwanted guests. “I will be in my studio, now go and be a good patient.”

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-niisan.”

Sesshoumaru then went through the Council’s secretaries, left his chambers and went to his studio, without saying a word.

All the Council’s secretaries quickly followed him. Sesshoumaru knew by their scents and faces, that the news would not be pleasant, at least not to him, Sesshoumaru or to the ones giving them to him. So he entered his studio, sat by his studying table and waited until the last of them o be in front of him.

“Now that you have got my attention, you must say whatever the Council wants me to know.”

“Sesshoumaru-sama, I Hikarumaru, the first secretary of the Western lands’ Council together with the other secretaries, came to you to tell you that the elders’ Council has selected for you some of the finest and prettiest royal members from all over the Island to be your royal and life mate.”

“What?” Sesshoumaru could not suppress his surprise. “I can not believe it.” He stood up. “They can not go to any other kingdom and tell people what they want. I am not going to send anybody to mend what they said. They alone are going to do something to avoid useless visits from these nobles’ kids,” he said while he walked around his table.

“That is not necessary, Sesshoumaru-sama--”

“Good. I just have time for Inuyasha, right now,” Sesshoumaru interrupted the secretary.

“They are already here, Sesshoumaru-sama, the Council wants a meeting to introduce you to them.”

“WHAT?!” The entire castle could hear Sesshoumaru’s question and also his angered growl.

Sesshoumaru was furious; thousand of thoughts on how to kill all the elders were going through his mind. After a discrete counting down and cracking his long and clawed fingers, he turned to the scared secretaries and said, “Tell them that tomorrow, before lunchtime I will meet them. Tell them that I am very disappointed with them. Now leave,” Sesshoumaru said while walking around his studio.

“Good night, Sesshoumaru-sama.” They bowed and left.

“Good night.”

Sesshoumaru left the studio some moments later and went back to his chambers, where he could see the healers carrying out Inuyasha’s treatment.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, we did not notice you were back,” one of the healers said while he took hold of another jar with ointment. “This little one here is really in bad shape. He went through a lot of pain. However, for such a small and young hanyou, he is really brave and very strong.”

“We all doubt that even a youkai would bear the suffering this little one has been through,” another healer said calmly while scrubbing more ointment on Inuyasha’s back.

Sesshoumaru appreciated listening that Inuyasha had once again proved to be his father’s son.

“Healer-san tell me, will my mate be as he used to be before all he faced?” Sesshoumaru asked, showing for the first time to someone else how concerned he was.

“Probably he will. But only if you, his mate, act as one. He needs you, as much as you need him. Both youki are weak when apart, so you must be together and finish all the rituals needed to a complete and life-term commitment. I guess both bodies are asking to be in touch. In addition, although the hanyou is too young, you two are ready to have your first infant. This will help you with the bonds and also with the stone-headed elders.” All the healers giggled together.

Inuyasha, even unconscious, shrugged in fear.

“We could also sense that he needs time. The kind of torture he endured will make any sexual approach difficult right now, so Sesshoumaru-sama we suggest you just keep going on the tender and calm approach, and soon he will be able to touch and be touched more intimately by you.

“Very well. Is he really asleep?”

“Yes, and you shall go and sleep together with him,” the closest healer said while handing Sesshoumaru a very light garment similar to the one Inuyasha was wearing.

Sesshoumaru was studying his brother’s features. Inuyasha was sleeping in his bed, and the hanyou would be naked except for the bandage-like-shirt he was wearing. Basically, all of Inuyasha’s body could be seen. The scene hypnotized Sesshoumaru, a very strange power was dragging him to the bed and blurring his mind. Only Inuyasha was seen. Sesshoumaru could hear voices telling him that he needed to be with the hanyou and manage for Inuyasha’s life power and youki to be restored, together with his own youki that was getting weaker by the lack of his mate’s presence, and also to reinforce their bonds.

“Jaken” Sesshoumaru called, using a lot of willpower and breaking the trance for some moments.

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

“From tomorrow on, Inuyasha’s belongings must be in here. We are also going to have all meals in here. Only you and the healers are allowed to be in here and you will be responsible for Inuyasha’s well-being and wishes while I am out.”

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Jaken said, leaving the chambers.

“Healer-san, did you finish for today?” Sesshoumaru asked.

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama, we are done for today, we just need to wrap you with the same ointment and bandages, so you can lay down by Inuyasha-sama’s side and rest. Tomorrow morning we will be back to help both of you to bathe and continue the treatment.”

Sesshoumaru only nodded and without any hint of embarrassment stripped and went to his bed, lying by Inuyasha’s sleeping form. The healers then did as they had told and Sesshoumaru soon was all wrapped up with the same ointment and bandages as Inuyasha. Soon the Daiyoukai was sleeping, hugging his mate.
*

*~*The next morning*~*
At first, morning was calm.
The healers came and bathed them both; then the brothers were wrapped up with a different kind of ointment and bandages, which allowed them to dress in their clothes normally. After all those procedures, the healers left and they could have breakfast.

Jaken got into Sesshoumaru’s chambers, around noon, telling his master that it was time for the meeting with the Council.

“Inuyasha, I will be back soon, please relax. Jaken will be here, if you need anything, do not hesitate,” Sesshoumaru said, kissed Inuyasha’s forehead and left.

Inuyasha was puzzled with all the attention, but did not dare to say a word.

The healers returned as soon as Sesshoumaru left, with more potions, herbs and roots, together with many bandages, scrolls and books. Jaken was also there with some scrolls and books and he decided to settle himself on a small area by one of the windows reading them.

Suddenly Inuyasha got up, stood by Jaken’s side, and asked him, “Jaken-san let me go to my room, please. We both know that you rather return to your real and important duties than take care of me…”

Jaken got angry. “You ungrateful hanyou. Sesshoumaru-sama is risking his respectable position among all the leaders from other kingdoms, he is also doing quite many things against his principles just to have you back home and to have your health restored, and that is the way you back him up?”

“I am sorry Jaken-san--” Inuyasha was visibly trembling; he was not expecting Jaken to be the one to be saying those things to him.

“You do not have to be sorry with me. You just have to make Sesshoumaru-sama happy,” Jaken said, realizing how scared the hanyou was, so he tried to be a little gentler to him and also avoid Sesshoumaru’s wraith. “Now eat properly and let the healers do their job,” Jaken said, taking some fruit from a tray one of the healers was holding.

“But I did,” Sesshoumaru said, opening the door. “A mating ceremony will occur soon, but with none of the ones you chose,” were Sesshoumaru’s last words before the door was slammed shut.

“I will do anything to have my mate in good health condition again. Tell what this Sesshoumaru has to do and this Sesshoumaru will do it.”
**
************************
End of chap 22. Together? –
************************
Glossary
*Hai = yes, okay - in Japanese, "hai" doesn't always mean “yes”; it may mean, "I hear you".
***O- for added respect. // -san can be replaced with -sama or -chan. /// -ue: (humble, respectful, archaic)
(O)tousan: Father. O- for added respect. -san can be replaced with -sama or -chan. *Chichi-ue = Father respectful and archaic
(O)kaasan: Mother(O)neesan: Older sister. The 'ee' is pronounced as if saying the letter 'A'
(O)niisan: Older brother. Otouto: Younger brother [ie. Toguro Otouto]. (-chan or -san can be added) *Goshujin-sama = means master as well as husband
*Ningen = human
*Youkai = demon
*Daiyoukai = great mythical creature/ great demon
*Youki = demon spirit energy / demonic energy (life energy) possessed by demons
*Hanyou = half youkai , half human (“half breed”)
*Hyounekozuko-youkai - The 4 Divas or the Cat demons or the Tiger - Panther demon, or fire cat, youkai. Panther demon, or fire cat, tribe. - I myself did not get the real thing until now.You can get a better idea about that watching the episodes 75, 76, 77.