InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time of the Roses ❯ 1670 ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Time of the Roses
Part 2 of 5


Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights to Takahashi Rumiko’s creations. This story is just for fun.

Year: 1670



“Sesshoumaru... Sesshoumaru.” The voice was distant to him but so very close. “It’s time to wake up, Sesshoumaru.” Everything was dark and unfamiliar. But that voice, somehow he knew it. “Come on and wake up, you can’t just fall asleep anywhere.” The light blinded him at first, but soon he regained his composure and the tai youkai, Sesshoumaru emerged from deep under the earth. When his vision cleared, Sesshoumaru could see Rin bent towards him and smiling.

“Rin?” Sesshoumaru stood and studied his surroundings. The air somehow smelled different and the hut he and Shori once shared was now replaced with an entire village. The now fully awake tai youkai saw that he had been buried, probably assumed dead and his grave was a small shrine to a beautiful demon. Next to his shrine was a grave marker, it was worn and barely legible, but Sesshoumaru already knew what it said:

There were blooming Red and White Roses on the grave, descendants of seeds he had planted long ago. Sesshoumaru surveyed his surroundings and gave a quizzical look to Rin.

“Over one hundreds years.” Rin answered before Sesshoumaru could even ask. “You have been forgotten by many, Sesshoumaru.” Rin half heartily smiled, knowing the comment would anger him. Sesshoumaru growled as he tried and failed to brush the dirt off his once pristine garments. Then he noticed it, Tenseiga was gone. Rin shook her head. “It’s gone, my love. Probably half way across the world.”

Sesshoumaru didn’t think that it was that big of a loss at first, but it was the only thing he had left of his father, and he did work hard at improving the fang for many years. Sesshoumaru admitted to himself that it was a loss, he decided to stop denying things to himself. And to Rin.

“I was lost.” Sesshoumaru finally said as his throat found his voice.

“You don’t have to be anymore.” Rin smiled, secretly she wanted to touch him, smell him, feel the things that Shori was honored to feel. But it wasn’t to be. “You should make people remember you.”
Sesshoumaru wasn’t listening, he was gazing at the grave marker that reminded him that she was gone, he didn’t even know why he erected it after her death. He supposed it was just folly, or more like respect. Finally, Sesshoumaru looked to Rin and once again spoke. “Has the world changed?”

Rin sighed. “Youkai are becoming legend, your name has been completely forgotten. The time of your empire has passed you by. Humans are stronger now.”

“That is fine.” Sesshoumaru admitted. Then suddenly he thought of something. “Is Inuyasha alive?”

Rin smiled at this. “Yes, as are his children.”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes wandered to the sky. “Then I am not forgotten.” Sesshoumaru looked back at the grave marker one last time. “Goodbye.” The youkai said softly before taking to the skies in search of a promise.



“Father! There is a youkai approaching the village.” The man, only one quarter youkai himself exclaimed.

Inuyasha the hanyou stood quickly and tossed his son a sword, one made of his own fang. Forged to protected and draw out the youkai abilities of his children. Inuyasha rushed out of his hut to stand and fight with his adult son, Souta and his daughter Yuna who was a master archer.

“Keh! A youkai, damn it’s been awhile.” Inuyasha stood at the entrance of his now immensely large village known as Edo. Yuna drew her arrow and pointed it at the approaching silhouette. Inuyasha had to squint for a moment, there was something familiar about it, then he saw it, the mokomoko-sama, the armor and the red and white kimono the approaching youkai always seemed to keep impossibly clean until now.

“Yuna,” Inuyasha could barely think, he thought his brother was dead long ago. “Put down your bow.” Yuna did as she was told and watched as the mysterious youkai stood in front of her father. They had the same eyes, the same hair. They almost stood nose to nose if it wasn’t for the stranger being a couple of inches taller. Then to both of the siblings surprise, their father bowed politely.

“So you do remember me, Inuyasha.” Sesshoumaru said also surprised that Inuyasha showed such respect.

“Of course, brother.” Inuyasha continued in a surprisingly friendly tone. “I still have scars.” Sesshoumaru couldn’t help but smile at this and then just to shake things up, Sesshoumaru bowed to his younger brother.

“Father?” Souta stepped forward. “This is your brother?”

“Yes, this is your uncle.” Inuyasha smiled. Sesshoumaru watched as his nephew and niece got on their knees and gave him their most respectful bow. Sesshoumaru looked to Inuyasha and raised his brow in question. Inuyasha laughed, “you were sometimes part of a few bedtime stories.” Inuyasha turned and motioned for Sesshoumaru to follow.

Inside Inuyasha’s massive hut Yuna poured her father and uncle tea and left them to catch up. Inuyasha savored his tea and expectantly watched Sesshoumaru take a sip of the delicious brew.

“Your daughter has a talent for making tea. Does she have any other talents?” Sesshoumaru asked.

“She has her mother’s spiritual powers and Souta has my strength but it is hard for to control his own spiritual powers.” Inuyasha sighed. “So, brother. What of your life?”

Sesshoumaru looked down into his steaming tea and took another sip. “There isn’t anything to tell, Sesshoumaru lied. I must learn of this new time I have been sleeping for quite a while now.”

“For over one hundred years if I heard correctly.” Inuyasha said suddenly. “Couldn’t cut it without the kid huh?”

“Mind your tongue, brother.” Sesshoumaru hissed.

Inuyasha didn’t react. “Kohaku and Jaken moved here a long time ago.” Inuyasha stated.

Sesshoumaru had hoped that he wouldn’t have to bring them up but he kept the conversation going. “What was their fate?”

Inuyasha seemed to grow melancholy. Kohaku died young, Inuyasha had told him. In a civil war against the Shogun. Sango was sad to see him go but she and her husband, MIroku took on Chiyo as their own. Jaken left the village after Chiyo married to seek out Sesshoumaru and to tell him that Kohaku never really blamed him but they just couldn’t stand to stay at that hut without Rin. But Jaken never returned, he is presumed dead but Kagome always had her hopes for the shinwa youkai. Inuyasha smiled sadly when he mentioned his long lost mate. Kagome died old and happy, she hated for Inuyasha to watch her grow old but Inuyasha only thought she was more beautiful with age. Rin and Kohaku’s daughter had children and her children had children and they still reside in that very village. As does Miroku and Sango’s descendants.

“So, where are you staying these days?” Inuyasha asked genuinely interested.

“Staying?” Sesshoumaru repeated.
“Where are you living?” Inuyasha clarified. When Sesshoumaru didn’t answer Inuyasha shook his head and stood. “This is one of the few villages you can reside in without persecution.” Inuyasha raised his hands to stop Sesshoumaru from saying what Inuyasha already knew. “I know you have no fear of humans, but they fear us and they have new weapons. You have a home here, brother.”

Sesshoumaru was in fact speechless, the brother he hated for so long was now offering him, his own home. Sesshoumaru gave his brother a knowing smile and agreed to stay. Word spread quickly of Inuyasha brother’s arrival. The people of Edo knew and kept the story of Inuyasha’s group and their heroic efforts and they also knew of the many different youkai and humans they met along the way. Sesshoumaru was apart of those stories and regaled as an hero also. Throughout the day Inuyasha’s home was bombarded by visitors hoping for a look at the former prince. Inuyasha finally told Sesshoumaru to take a stroll with his children to stop people from constantly calling. Sesshoumaru now had a chance to really see his nephew and niece. Souta was four years older than his sister but they looked like twins. The only difference was Yuna’s silver hair with black tips and Souta’s pure black mane. Other than their golden eyes they completely resembled their mother with a happy disposition to match. Sesshoumaru remembered Inuyasha’s mate clearly, she was very head strong and sometimes even amusing. But she did calm Inuyasha down so she must have been worth something.

All over the village people gathered for a glimpse of Inuyasha’s brother but no one really piqued his interest until he smelled it, the soothing scent of vanilla. Sesshoumaru paused for a moment just standing there surveying his surroundings. Suddenly a little boy who could have been about four years old ran up to the tai youkai and gave him a big smile. Then finally, he heard her voice. Sesshoumaru stood stunned as a woman, tall and tanned with long dark brown hair and honey eyes and even a small mole on her chin, ran up behind the little boy.

“Ken’ichi-chan.” The woman hissed softly. “Do not bother the guest.” The woman looked up at Sesshoumaru and bowed. Sesshoumaru couldn’t move he could barely breath, this woman, who smelled of vanilla, was his Shori. The woman looked up at Sesshoumaru with confusion. “Forgive me, my lord. My son doesn’t think before acting.”

Sesshoumaru smiled softly, he then stepped closer to the lovely woman which made her slightly uncomfortable. Quickly, the woman bowed and excused herself taking her curious son with her.

“Sesshoumaru-sama?” Yuna inquired. “Are you alright?”

Sesshoumaru snapped out of his trance and looked down on his niece. “I am well.”

Yuna smiled. “That is Madori, she is the great-great granddaughter of Miroku and Sango. Her husband went to war over three years ago. Poor girl still believes that he will return.”

Sesshoumaru face turned into a scowl, his Shori wouldn’t have married another. Sesshoumaru walked away knowing that woman wasn’t Shori.


Sesshoumaru found that he actually enjoyed his younger brother’s company. Even after the past seven moons. Sesshoumaru learned after the third moon that Inuyasha had a night of weakness. Sesshoumaru somehow couldn’t judge his brother, it wasn’t Inuyasha’s fault that he was hanyou. In fact it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Sesshoumaru was adjusting well to village life with Inuyasha, the hanyou commissioned the village women to make new kimonos for Sesshoumaru one was blue and white but Sesshoumaru only wore a completely white kimono with roses scattered upon it’s back. He discarded his armor and mokomoko-sama which he only slept with and lived and worked in the hut of his brother. Inuyasha sat crossed legged staring at the full moon through a small window. Sesshoumaru sat against the wall not really thinking about anything. Until Inuyasha spoke.

“What tamed you, Sesshoumaru?” Inuyasha asked softly.

Sesshoumaru was shocked by the question and found that he couldn’t find an answer. “Care to elaborate, Inuyasha?” Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. In truth, Sesshoumaru knew exactly what Inuyasha meant. He dared say that he was avoiding the question. Inuyasha saw right through that.

“Was it Rin?” Inuyasha pressed on. “Did you love her?”

Sesshoumaru wanted to say yes. He had been with Rin for so long, as a guardian and somewhat as a father. He didn’t want to talk about Shori and the short time they knew one another, or the child they have conceived but was never born. But for some strange reason, a reason that didn’t matter to him in the least, Sesshoumaru answered the question.

“No.” Sesshoumaru said. “I didn’t love her in the way you loved your miko.”

“You didn’t?” Inuyasha was a little surprised, why else would Sesshoumaru sleep for so long after Rin’s death, and why else would he be so caring and just so different.

“There was a woman.” Sesshoumaru continued. “Her name was Shori.”

“She was human.” Inuyasha said, it wasn’t a question. “And she is the one you loved.”

Sesshoumaru said nothing as he stood and left the hut. Inuyasha smiled softly.

The night was always a quiet affair in the village of Edo. Never was there a lone human wandering the beaten path. Sesshoumaru found himself wandering to the hut that always smelled of vanilla. Many nights the former prince would find himself standing in front of that hut, sometimes listening to a familiar hum the occupant would sing to her young child. Sesshoumaru could see that she was sitting alone this time staring at a fire in a pit.

Then after seven months she appeared again, and somehow Sesshoumaru knew Rin had came with news of his beloved.

“Have you moved on, Sesshoumaru?” Rin asked softly as she followed Sesshoumaru’s gaze upon the owner of the hut. Madori didn’t see Sesshoumaru watching her as she agitated her fire.

“What is there to move on from, phantom?” Sesshoumaru looked over to Rin. “Why are you here?” Sesshoumaru continued.

“My family is here.” Rin smiled. “I also watch over them.”

“You should watch over only them, I do not need a spirit.” Sesshoumaru frowned.

“I know, my love.” Rin stretched and walked to the hut, leaning against it’s walls. “But I can’t help but wonder.”

“Do not bother.” Sesshoumaru began to turn away when a small whisper stopped him.

“Sesshoumaru-sama?” Madori stood at her entrance and was looking at Sesshoumaru with confusion. “Forgive me, but I thought I heard your voice.” Madori stepped aside and bowed. “It is a quiet night, ne? Would you like a cup of tea?” Madori smiled as Sesshoumaru stepped into the hut without a word.

All was quiet as Madori poured Sesshoumaru a generous amount of her delicious tea and then poured herself a cup. Sesshoumaru savored the taste and secretly mused to himself how much Madori’s tea tasted like Shori’s. The pair barely looked at one another nor did either speak, when the tea was finished, Madori simply cleared the dishes and walked Sesshoumaru to the door. Finally Madori spoke.

“Will you return tomorrow?” Madori asked softly.

Sesshoumaru froze, Shori always worried if she would see him the next day. He pondered as to why that was so important to Madori also. Sesshoumaru turned and faced Madori, mere inches from her person. Madori studied his face and marveled at his beauty. Unfaithful thoughts swam through her mind and pure lust had almost taken her over. Rationality hit and the young beauty turned away with a blush.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask that question.” Madori whispered softly. Sesshoumaru was still staring at Madori, he could see the same curves Shori had under this new woman’s kimono, he wanted to take her right there, but for some reason he held back. Maybe out of some strange respect for her.

“Do you still harbor hopes for your husband?” Sesshoumaru asked in a low tone.
Madori looked up in surprise. “I am a loyal wife, I will always wait for my husband.” Madori regretted her words the moment she said them, because now Sesshoumaru was gone.

The next night found Sesshoumaru once again drinking tea in Madori’s home. The woman had hoped that Sesshoumaru would return and he did. Once again they sipped their tea in silence and once again they only spoke at the door.

“Sometimes I wonder if he found someone else, maybe started a new family.” Madori smiled softly. “That way I can avoid that other line of thinking.”

“That other line of thinking maybe reality.” Sesshoumaru said cooly.

Madori smiled slightly. “I would be alright with that too, I suppose.”

Sesshoumaru didn’t say a word as he stepped closer to the quiet woman, wanting to taste her lips and secretly wondering if her kisses tasted like honey, just as Shori’s did once. But Madori wasn’t so forthcoming as she turned away from Sesshoumaru yet again.

“Goodnight, Sesshoumaru-sama.” Madori almost wept.

“Goodnight, Madori.” Sesshoumaru said softly as he left the hut.

“She isn’t Shori. She is Madori.” Rin said softly as she sat against Madori’s hut. “And you won’t have Madori until you let Shori go.”

“Do they share the same soul?” Sesshoumaru asked without looking at the little ghost.

Rin was quiet for a moment, she wondered if she should tell the truth. Then she finally decided that the truth is always best. “Madori is the reincarnation of Shori. But still they are two different women.”

Sesshoumaru let go of the breath he had been holding. “Shori has returned to me for a reason.” Sesshoumaru left the village that night in search of a key to Shori’s soul.



Madori poured tea for her nightly guest. The human woman expected him on the regular now. It’s been two moons since their first meeting. The conversation was slow going but soon a talk always accompanied tea. Madori would talk of her life, about her arranged marriage and how she needed to grow to care for her lost husband. She would talk about Ken’ichi and how she had the honor of naming the child, and how much she wanted a son. And she would talk about dreams she would have, and her fear of sickness.

Sesshoumaru would regale Shori about adventures from his past, his hatred of Inuyasha and now his appreciation of him. He spoke of Rin and her family, he told Madori that he once knew her ancestors long ago and even fought besides them. He even spoke of a woman he once knew and how he cared for her when she was ill and how she died much too young. Sesshoumaru spoke of swords and battles, allies and enemies. He spoke of hate and love and how he lost the chance to build his empire, Sesshoumaru talked of the dreams he had when he was in hibernation about the women he once cared for.

The pair’s night had almost ended and the sun was due to peek over the horizon. This time when Madori led Sesshoumaru to the door the youkai pulled her out of it.

“Where are we going?” Madori asked as she allowed her friend to lead her out of the village.

“My secret haven.” Sesshoumaru smiled.

They stopped in a oceanic field, and Madori could see nothing extraordinary about the place. Except for what appeared to be thousands of tiny buds. Madori’s heart skipped a beat. She loved flowers but her favorite had to be the rare red and white rose. And these were it’s buds. Madori grabbed Sesshoumaru’s hand familiarly and held her breath. Sesshoumaru smiled down at the girl and held his breath also.

The moment the sun hit the field, an explosion of roses filled the pair’s vision. Madori felt tears in her eyes as she looked at Sesshoumaru with admiration.

“How did you know?” Madori’s voice warbled. “How did you know about my dreams?” Madori would always dream of these roses but she have never see one in person.

Sesshoumaru watched as the sun’s rays hit Madori’s face and the look of wonderment spread across her features. It was then that Sesshoumaru was not only in love with this woman’s soul he was in love with the woman. This time he wouldn’t let her turn away. Before Madori could blink she was in the arms of Sesshoumaru.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, I can’t.” Madori pleaded in a breathy whisper.

Sesshoumaru was so close to Madori’s face light could barely pass between them. “Quiet, stop telling me what you can’t do.”

Madori didn’t have to think about it anymore, she loved her youkai and she knew deep down that he loved her too. She kissed the tai youkai with ferocity and Madori knew that it was right. Madori never made love in a field of roses and she adored every minute of it.


As the roses faded Sesshoumaru and Madori’s love only grew stronger. Every night they would meet and make love under the stars. And every night was always like the first time. It has been three months since the first time when Madori told Sesshoumaru that she loved him. Sesshoumaru gazed into the eyes of his new love and felt things he haven’t felt since his time with Shori. This time he wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

Sesshoumaru propped himself over Madori naked beautiful body and kissed her gently. Slowly Sesshoumaru spoke. “Madori, I...”

“Kaa-tan!” It was the voice of Ken’ichi, Madori’s son. Madori sighed and smiled.

“Ichi-chan, I thought you were with Yuna-sama.” Madori chided.

“I want to be with kaa-tan and tou-tan!” Ken’ichi pouted. Madori gasped at this, not only has Sesshoumaru spent time with her, he was also teaching Ken’ichi to hunt and basically teaching him things a father normally would teach his son. Sesshoumaru was Ken’ichi’s father.

As if reading Madori’s mind, Sesshoumaru pulled Ken’ichi down on the ground to lay with his parents. Sesshoumaru never got to tell Madori how he felt.



Inuyasha sat against the wall of his home. For a long time he couldn’t understand his brother. It has now been well over two years since Sesshoumaru’s arrival to his village. Souta and Yuna told their father of his relationship with Madori and Inuyasha was perplexed. Sesshoumaru used to be cold and pretty much evil. But since Sesshoumaru had been in the village he has seemed different. Somewhat out of character, and he has heard that Madori has met with the village midwife. Inuyasha wanted answers.

Sesshoumaru stepped inside of the hut he and Inuyasha shared. The taiyoukai, had a long day. Word of Madori’s pregnancy spread quickly through the village and if he hadn’t heard it from her, surely he would have picked up the whispers as he strolled through the village. Sesshoumaru glanced over at Inuyasha, and he wondered if his younger brother had to endure the whispers also. Sesshoumaru knew Inuyasha and Kagome’s first child died at birth, did they had to endure all of the gossip also? Sesshoumaru could see the burdens of the village on Inuyasha’s face. He was much more mature now and he hardly donned his fire rat clothing now. Only his hakama and his plain, white short yukata. Their lives were different and so were they.

“Hey,” Inuyasha stopped Sesshoumaru. “What’s with you?”

Sesshoumaru raised a brow in query. “Explain.”

“You know what I’m talking about.” Inuyasha frowned. “That girl Shori and now Miroku and Sango’s descendant, Madori. Don’t you hate me for being a hanyou? Are humans not beneath you?”

“Things change, Inuyasha. One must change also to adapt.” Sesshoumaru headed for the wash room but not before saying this: “I don’t hate you, brother.”

Inuyasha was shocked then he softened. “Thank you, Onii-sama.”



Sesshoumaru paced in front of Madori’s hut, she was early. It took all of Sesshoumaru’s will not to burst into the hut, just to somehow ease his woman’s pain and sooth her deafening screams. The mid wife was called as soon as Madori went into labor. Inuyasha was pacing and supporting his brother, and Souta wanted to be there to support his cousin. Yuna was in the hut and refused to let any males enter. Sesshoumaru was driving himself crazy, wondering if Madori would survive this.

The three men stopped suddenly when silence pierced the air, then... the baby’s cry helped the three find their breath. Sesshoumaru couldn’t wait any longer as he threw open the door of Madori’s hut and let himself in. Madori was still and Sesshoumaru froze. Slowly, Madori turned to her love. Her face was damp and red, her hair was a mess and she was shaking. But all Sesshoumaru could see was the glow of a new, beautiful mother.

“Go meet your daughter, Sesshoumaru-sama.” The smiling Madori said in a whisper.

Sesshoumaru turned to see the mid wife holding a bundle in her arms. Carefully, Sesshoumaru moved a flap of the blanket to reveal a healthy, newborn baby girl.

“Miki.” Sesshoumaru smiled. Miki was the little girl’s name.

Miki looked like Sesshoumaru all around the board. Except for the darker skin and small mole on her chin. Her eyes were just barely open and Sesshoumaru could see the bright golden orbs. Miki had a full head of silver hair. And Sesshoumaru couldn’t help but gently tough the tiny puppy ears jutting for the top of Miki’s tiny head. On each cheek was a single red stripe and upon her brow was a dark blue crescent moon. She was a hanyou, and she was definitely Sesshoumaru’s daughter. And for the first time, Sesshoumaru wasn’t concerned about Miki’s future. They had a home with Madori and Inuyasha and everyone of Edo. As Sesshoumaru held Miki in his arms, he felt totally at peace for the first time in his life.

“Sesshoumaru-sama. Thank you.” Madori smiled tiredly. Sesshoumaru wanted to tell Madori that he is the on who should be thanking her, that he loved her with everything he had.

Madori could read Sesshoumaru’s face, there were things he wanted to say. But Sesshoumaru wasn’t well with wording. When Sesshoumaru conversed with her it was always bits and pieces of sentences mostly. But if you knew him it was like he never stopped talking. Madori loved everything about her youkai, from his stoic nature to his hidden smiles. The woman knew exactly what Sesshoumaru was trying to say.

“We have the rest of our lives for words, my dear Sesshoumaru-sama.” Madori smiled.

Sesshoumaru had the feeling that she was right.



“Why won’t you just marry that girl.” Inuyasha chided. Sesshoumaru was sitting with his daughter watching Inuyasha do a terrible job at fishing.

“Yasha-tan can’t catch fish!” Miki laughed merrily. The two year old hanyou could blow smoke up one’s butt one minute and knock them down the next. It seemed that every other day Inuyasha was her personal hero. Inuyasha himself loved the girl very much. He was proud to know his niece and grateful that she is having a happy upbringing.

Sesshoumaru laughed at his daughter’s honesty. “Miki speaks the truth, Inuyasha.” Sesshoumaru stood to show Inuyasha how it was done when the scent of wild flowers stopped him short.

“No...” Sesshoumaru whispered. It’s been about five years since he had an encounter with Rin.

“Sesshoumaru?” Inuyasha queried.

“Watch her.” Sesshoumaru growled before taking off towards the village.

When Sesshoumaru reached Madori’s home his heart stopped for only a moment. Villagers were gathered around his love’s hut. Women were crying and Madori’s son, Ken’ichi was sitting if front of the door with his head in his lap. The boy was shaking and Sesshoumaru could smell his tears. But the scent of blood was stronger. The crowd parted to allow Sesshouamaru to pass. He wished they weren’t there at all, then he wouldn’t hear the whispers of sex, adultery and murder. Sesshoumaru stood in front of his adopted son and frowned.
Ken’ichi looked up and his eyes welled up even more. “Kaa-san...” Ken’ichi’s voice was broken. “Kaa-san said that man was my father.” Ken’ichi didn’t explain anymore as he took off running.

Sesshoumaru watched him go. He was avoiding the hut, but the villagers judging eyes were too much to bear. Slowly, Sesshoumaru placed his hand on the shouji. He didn’t know if he was moving slowly or if the world was moving to quickly. She wasn’t dead, she couldn’t be. Madori had a family to care for and she had a youkai who would always be there to love and protect her.

The floor was soaked through with a strange dark liquid, it wasn’t blood, Sesshoumaru continued to lie to himself there wasn’t a sword imbedded in Madori’s gut, she wasn’t gasping for her life. Madori wasn’t dying. But there was a dead man next to her and he did have a dagger jutting from his throat and it was the dagger Sesshoumaru gifted Madori with before Miki was born.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and took a deep breath, when he would open them everything would be different. Madori would be smiling and making her delicious tea. There wouldn’t be dark stains on the floor or an unfamiliar sword. She would still have her dagger on her hip and not inside a man’s throat. She wouldn’t be fighting for her life.

Slowly, painfully, sadly, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes.

There was blood.
There was the sword.
And there was Madori, dying.

Sesshoumaru knelt by Madori’s side and pulled her into his arms. Carefully, Sesshoumaru wiped the blood from Madori plump and still beautiful lips. Gently, he kissed her wanting to breath every ounce of his life into her. But this was out of his hands. This was the third time death was out of his hands.

“Sess...?” Madori’s voice was barely a whisper. It was hard for her to even say his name, but she wanted more than aything.

“Madori, this the last time we may speak.” Sesshoumaru needed to say those three words before it was too late. He took a hard swallow and parted his lips to speak.

Madori smiled and her eyes faded, slowly she closed her eyes for the last time.

Sesshoumaru never had the chance to say that he loved her.



Madori’s husband had finally returned. Two days before her death, he saw them together. His wife and the youkai. Ken’ichi called him father and a little hanyou child referred to them both as her parents. Madori’s husband asked questions to learn the truth. Madori was the whore of that youkai and she bore him the hanyou girl. Madori’s estranged husband learned that the youkai lived with the infamous Inuyasha and was in fact his brother. Finally, when the man confronted his estranged wife, Madori told the truth. She was happy that he survived the war but she was never in love with him. She was in love with another, Madori was happy to introduce her now seven year old son to his biological father, but explained that Sesshoumaru had raised the boy.

Hearing this and learning of Madori’s infidelity he came after her with his katana. Madori fought him off, she screamed for Sesshoumaru but it was too late. Just as her husband was upon Madori, she pulled out her dagger and embedded it into the man’s throat. But not before being fatally stabbed in her stomach.

Sesshoumaru heard the story through the villagers and through Ken’ichi himself. The boy witnessed the entire event. Sesshoumaru couldn’t offer words of wisdom because there was no one to offer those words to him. As Madori was buried Sesshoumaru, Ken’ichi and Miki were somber. No one could reach them not even Inuyasha. The night Madori was laid to rest, Sesshoumaru smelled a phantom smell.

“Do not bring her back, Rin.” Sesshoumaru was almost pleaded to his dark room.

Rin appeared and knelt besides Sesshoumaru. With tears in her eyes the ghost took a deep breath. “It isn’t my doing, Sesshoumaru.” Rin’s voice warbled. “Nor is it hers. She wanted to stay with you.” Rin looked at Sesshoumaru with sympathy. “She still does.”

“Where is she?” Sesshoumaru voice was barely a whisper.

“Those destined to return will not appear until their time.” Rin answered.

“I can’t know her again.” Sesshoumaru confessed.

Rin smiled softly. “You have Miki now. Things won’t be so hard. And when she returns, it will be much easier to love her.”

Sesshoumaru look to Rin. The phantom gasped, there were tiny tears barely noticeable. But they were there. Sesshoumaru was heart broken. “No, I will never love again.”