InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Whispered Dreams ❯ Painful Torture ( Chapter 11 )

[A/N]

Yume: OMG, I feel so frustrated and not to mention STUPID. For the last three months or so, I only NOW find out that I haven't been accepting anonymous reviews on fanfiction . net. And most of my reviewers review anonymously! Stupid little checkbox…(grumbles)

CF: YUME??? WHAT ABOUT CF? CF got banned from the site too!

Yume: that's right, the bastards took down my story, LOVE LETTER, again because CF was there with me…Stupid administrators, they're really abusing their power. Taking off stories left and right for EXTREMELY STUPID REASONS.

CF: WAAAH!

Yume: Mom was serious when she told me this year was going to be a bad one for me.

CF: Believe in those little horoscopes…they tell the truth!

Yume: Anyways, my rambling has gone on long enough. During the last chapter, Sesshomaru brought home Rin-and the Tenseiga. And now, for the moment of truth! Will the blade bring Kagome back to life and grant Sess's ultimate wish?

CF: Oh, btw, for the lack of an update, this will be a long chappie. (grins)

[Disclaimer]: All rights to Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just a lowly fan.

Whispered Dreams

By: Youkai Yume

Chapter 11: Painful Torture

The night was completely calm and silent. The crickets chirped their wings against the cool night, fireflies illuminating the darkness with their dim glow. The trees whispered sad stories unto the sleeping creatures of the forest, as a gentle breeze blew through its branches. It seemed as if the leaves and grass were swaying to a tune only ushered by the wind, dancing to the nights' song.

The young child propped her chin on her chubby little hands, lying flat on her stomach as she watched the scene before her. Her large, brown eyes glanced from the silver majestic figure to the transparent silhouette of a girl.

Swinging her legs in the air, she couldn't help but let out a small sigh, hoping that the demon lord did not hear her. Just shortly after she had met the ghost girl…Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru had told her to go elsewhere. To busy herself while he took care of matters with Kagome.

Rin was about to protest when she noticed the extremely serious look on the Taiyoukai's face, and she realized that he wasn't the only one adorning that feature. Beside him, Kagome had a solemn look on her face too.

The elder girl didn't even look at Rin, her sapphire eyes had been on her transparent feet, glancing once in a while to Sesshomaru. And the demon lord himself? The little girl was naïve, but she could see a deep sense of longing and determination in his eyes.

She decided to leave them be, and claimed to have a sudden interest in a nearby firefly. But of course, the child could not leave her nose out of things, so as soon as she was sure the grown-ups were too immersed in whatever they were doing, she ran to get a good seat…

oOoOoOo

Sesshomaru's golden irises followed Rin until he was sure she was out of earshot. When he was sure that it was just him and Kagome once more, he turned back to his best friend, who was waiting patiently with baited breath.

Their eyes locked, her sapphire to his gold, and Sesshomaru realized then that his heart was beating loudly in his chest. Kagome looked up at him with trusting eyes, her lips tugging into a somewhat weak and at the same time nervous smile.

"Now what?" She asked shakily. He blinked once, the sound of her soft voice bringing him back to reality. The demon lord's gaze shifted downwards to the sword, not realizing that his hands were trembling slightly. His grip tightened around the Tenseiga as the revelation hit him-Kagome had agreed.

She had fully agreed to having a second chance at life, and this weapon, the very one in his hands, could grant her wish.

My wish.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru felt like he had the most powerful sword that ever existed. The feeling was all consuming, and he resisted the urge to smile. Again, in the back of his head, he had to remind himself-not to count his chickens before they hatched.

The task had not yet been done. There was still a chance that this didn't work. But another side of Sesshomaru, the stubborn little pup Sesshomaru, pushed aside all thoughts of the possibility of failure. 'It worked on Rin. It will work on Kagome too. It has to. It just…'

With one graceful movement, the demon lord unsheathed the Tenseiga, revealing the fine blade as it glimmered in the dark night. He held it out in front of him, his eyes never leaving Kagome as she stared at him curiously.

"A sword is a weapon created to take away lives…" The ghost of a girl whispered, "I never heard of one giving life…"

Her voice was gentle as the wind as he listened to her words, a slight awe in her tone.

"Rin is your proof. By the end of tonight you shall return to the living world…"

'And into my arms,' the last thought came to him in an almost forbidden whisper, a selfish wish that he knew he shouldn't desire, yet nonetheless wanted to indulge in. Sesshomaru licked his lips.

"Trust me, Kagome-chan," He said affectionately.

Kagome's eyes softened, and her transparent form came slowly up to him. He watched her in a dazed trance, his eyes never leaving hers as her arms lifted, her hands stopping just on either sides of his face, as if to hold his head in an affectionate manner. And then she smiled, that one smile that had captivated him since the day he met her.

"I do," Her answer came in a caressing breeze.

If there was anything to be able to make her smile at him always, he knew he would give it up immediately. How he wished to crush her petite form against his in a longing embrace, and now, it would not be long until he did.

Kagome backed away from him, giving the Taiyoukai room. Her hands came to clasp in front of her chest, and her eyes were set in a determined gaze.

"Alright…I'm ready whenever you are."

Sesshomaru nodded, holding Tenseiga firmly in his hands. Almost instantly, she closed her eyes, her aura tense and excited as she waited for his move. He knew that if she had a heartbeat, it would've been beating wildly in her chest and in his ears at this very moment.

He held his breath as he raised the blade, the sword glinting against the moon. His golden eyes took in all of Kagome's transparent form. In just a few moments, she would no longer be elusive to his touch. No longer would her hand pass through his when he tried to lace their fingers together. No longer would he have to wait an entire month just to run his fingers through her lustrous locks. He would never have to wonder what her lips would feel like against his own…

No longer would he have to be by her side, knowing that he couldn't have all of her, but only half…

The blade was swept downwards, the swift movement sending a strong wave of violet light, and with it, all of the demon lord's hopes. The rays of light rushed towards Kagome in a second, engulfing her entire being in white mist.

Kagome gasped, her eyes snapping open and widening in surprise as her whole body was wrapped in the light.

Sesshomaru watched with baited breath, holding his hand up to shield his eyes from the bright light. She was glowing with such intensity that he could no longer see her body at all, and he momentarily panicked, and hoped that she did not just disappear altogether.

After what seemed forever, the light began to die away, and to his relief, Kagome was beginning to come into focus. She blinked once, and then twice, looking confusedly around her, and then to herself. The light was gone completely now, and the faint glow left her body.

Sesshomaru stared after her, not moving as she stared back at him in return. One question resounded in his head. Did it work?

Kagome's eyes brightened up as she held up her hands to examine, and then just as quickly, her look of excitement left her, only to be replaced with one of confusion.

"Well…I don't feel any different…" She started, her voice shaky. She looked up to the demon lord, who still stood rooted to the spot.

His emotionless mask was gone, his mouth slightly parted as he attempted to breath in air. His golden eyes did not leave her form as it examined in almost agonizing pain…she wasn't solid.

A million thoughts ran through his mind at once, his feet beginning to move him towards her against his will.

What went wrong? Why wasn't she flesh and blood? Was the Tenseiga broken? IT HAD TO HAVE WORKED…

Sesshomaru allowed his nose to take in her scent as he continued to approach Kagome with slow steps. Her scent was still the same. But that was the problem. If she had indeed come back to life, then her scent should hold traces of human in her. But it was still clean and free of the base odor.

His mind reeled, his golden eyes narrowing as his lips tightened. A rising anger rose in his chest, refusing to accept it. 'Perhaps I must wait a couple of seconds, for her to solidify, maybe it's slower on ghosts…'

The demon lord stopped directly in front of her, his golden gaze intense. His heart seemed to break as he looked down at Kagome, whose sapphire eyes reflected that of a lost child.

"Sessho-kun?" She whispered, her voice trembling. She gazed down at herself, and then back to him. His eyes followed her movements as she raised a shaking hand in front of her, just inches in between their bodies.

Sesshomaru hadn't realized that he was trembling as well, until he raised a shaky hand to meet with Kagome's. To his agony, his hand passed through hers when he tried to lace his fingers with her own.

For the first time in the demon lord's life since he had lost his mother, Sesshomaru, Taiyoukai of the Western Lands felt like he wanted to cry…

It was all he could do not to. He turned away from her, his eyes squeezing shut as he pulled his hand almost instantly away and clenched into a tight fist by his side. It felt like someone was twisting his heart out of his chest. All of a sudden, he found it hard to breathe and he couldn't stop the blood from pounding loudly in his ears.

But none if hurt more than when Kagome spoke.

"I…I don't understand…Did I do something wrong?"

Sesshomaru looked back at her in shock, not believing that Kagome thought she was the cause of failure. He wanted to say something, but his voice was lost. The girl's eyes were deeply saddened.

"Maybe…it's my fault that it didn't work…" She said ruefully.

"I-It's…not your fault…" He croaked, his eyes hardening and his grip tightened around the sword. "It's mine…"

Kagome's head snapped up to look at him, her eyes wide.

"No! It's not!" She shook her head violently. "You were able to do work the sword before. It has to be my fault! Maybe if we try it one more time?" She asked hopefully.

But he refused to look at her. His heart felt like it was breaking with every second that ticked away. He had told her that he could give her life again, had her complete faith in the matter, and now he felt like he betrayed her trust. All of her words drowned away, as he was consumed in complete anger and sorrow.

It was his fault, not Kagome's. And he knew somewhere in his mind that he could try a million times…but it would not bring her back. Lord Sesshomaru had failed his best friend. The feeling tormented him; he could bear it no longer. But more importantly, his wish had been denied.

Sesshomaru turned away from her once more, his back facing Kagome. Slowly, he regained his composure, putting back on his cool façade, even though inside him, his soul was being ripped in two. But he had to look strong. It was who he was, his image as Taiyoukai of the West. Besides, he knew he couldn't look weak in front of Kagome. He never wanted anyone, especially her to see how vulnerable he felt at the moment.

He looked down momentarily to the sword still clutched in his hands, and for a minute, contemplated destroying the useless thing. But somehow, he decided against it, and almost blandly, he sheathed the sword back into its' case without saying a word.

Eyes bore into his back, and he could tell that Kagome was looking at him. He dared not see her pained expression; it would break his heart even more.

"Sesshomaru, please…"

The demon lord glanced stood immobile.

"…I'm Sorry, Kagome…" He said in barely above a whisper. Without saying another word, the demon lord left, walking briskly into the confining shadows of the forest and leaving a confused and torn Kagome at the shrine. He could hear her cries for him to return, her sweet voice calling his name. He blocked everything out, forcing himself to become deaf to her words.

All the while, he was repeating the one word in his mind: Why? Why? Why? Why?

The sword had worked before, why did it fail now? Was this its' way of mocking him? He growled his frustration. There is something wrong with the sword, it was the only answer. He paused in his rage in the middle of the forest, his sharp ears catching the sound of slight rustling.

His golden eyes caught sight a rabbit running across his path. An idea came to his head, as he quickly caught the animal in one swift move. It struggled against his hold, but he held tightly to it with his claws. Without a second thought, he snapped the rabbit's neck with a sickening crack, his eyes emotionless as he let the small body hit the ground.

The rabbit was dead, lying limp as blood began to soil the grass. Wordlessly, he drew the Tenseiga for the third time that night. Narrowing his eyes, he quickly slashed the blade across the animal's body, and again, the violet light consumed its' small form, just as it had with Kagome.

Seconds passed, and to his anger, he saw the rabbit stir slightly and it's large eyes opened curiously. It jerked awake, staring frantically around before jumping off into the woods, getting away as far as it could from the demon lord.

Sesshomaru stared after it, his blood boiling. 'Why?!' It had worked…nothing was wrong with it, it had brought the dead animal back to life just as it had Rin. So why was it that Kagome was an exception? He growled low in his throat, contemplating going to Totosai and ripping out the old man's throat. For all of his talk of the Tenseiga it proved to be empty boasts.

The whole reason why he agreed to be satisfied with the fang in the first place was because he wanted it for Kagome…and now.

He started his quick pace again, storming towards his castle. 'I shall have a word with him come tomorrow,' the demon lord fumed. But with each step that he took, he began to wonder more and more on why it didn't work.

'It worked on Rin, yet it did not work on Kagome…' He mused. 'I had assumed it was broken, and yet when I tested it again on the rabbit, it was perfectly fine.' Sesshomaru let golden eyes travel to the blade at his hip.

What was the difference of when he used the Tenseiga on Rin, and then on Kagome?' His mind flashed back to the bloody field. The little girl's lifeless eyes, the messengers from hell crawling all over her frail body…

Body…The pained vision of his hand passing through Kagome's.

'She doesn't have a body…' He gazed once more at the sword, gleaming under the moonlight. 'The body is just a shell for the soul. In order for her to come back to life, her soul would need a vessel to return to…' Sesshomaru sheathed the sword and closed his eyes tightly.

He felt like a fool for not thinking it through before. Of course…it was so simple…How could he have overlooked that fact? The demon lord had been so excited with being able to touch Kagome again that he hadn't even thought of the little flaw.

The most important thing of all…He growled. It didn't matter; it truly was hopeless now. Kagome can't come back without a body, and it had been nearly a century since Kagome had died. Her original body was a rotting corpse-dirt that returned to the earth after such a long time.

He couldn't blame Totosai for this pain…the old fool spoke the truth, it did bring back the dead. He just probably didn't think that the demon lord was referring to a ghost.

Sesshomaru felt like killing something to take out his anger, his tormented soul from being denied the one thing he wanted most. But still, he refrained, if only for his sweet Kagome's sake, for he knew she disapproved of his taking life.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Wait for Rin!" A small voice cried, and the sound of little feet running towards him could be heard.

'Rin…' He had almost forgotten about his new ward…The Taiyoukai did not slacken his pace in the slightest for the little girl, and when Rin finally reached him, she was jogging to keep up with his speed.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" She panted, looking up at the silver demon. "Are you angry?" She questioned, worried about his sudden shifts in mood. When he didn't answer her, she glanced back towards the shrine, which was shrinking further and further away into the distance. As she squinted, she could see the small outline of Kagome's form, still standing where the demon lord had left her.

She frowned.

"Is Sesshomaru-sama angry with Kagome-chan?"

Sesshomaru froze completely, all thought gone from his head as he turned slowly to look down at the child. Rin stared up at him curious and honest in her question, as if there was nothing simpler. His tense shoulders eased, and he sighed, letting some of his frustration fade.

"No, Rin. I am not angry with Kagome," He said truthfully. In all reality, he knew he could never be mad at her…not even if he wanted to. He took in a deep breath, finding himself calming for a moment.

Rin watched her newfound guardian as he seemed to be struggling with his inner demons. It was then that she noticed that his aura of anger turned into one of sorrow. She tugged onto his sleeve.

"Sesshomaru-sama?"

He paused for a moment.

"I am angry…at myself," He kneeled down to Rin's level, mulling over the words to make the child understand. He didn't know why he was saying this, and to a little girl he had just met nonetheless. But right now, she was the only person that would not judge him for what he was about to say like others that he knew. Besides that, she was the only one that knew of Kagome beside himself.

"Why?"

"Because I failed someone I care deeply about," Sesshomaru answered simply. Rin blinked up at him.

"Kagome-chan?"

He didn't say anything, but stood up again. Rin sighed and wrapped her small arms around his leg in a comforting hug. She understood perfectly.

"Sesshomaru-sama isn't angry, Sesshomaru-sama is sad…"

He said nothing, slightly amazed that a girl of her age could possess so much wisdom. He patted her head, and looked to the direction in which he left his beloved Kagome.

An unbearable aching consumed him. He had been so sure that tonight, he would have her in his arms by now. He silently cursed the Tenseiga for its' limited abilities. He cursed Totosai for not being more specific, and he cursed his father for bestowing upon him such a useless sword in the first place. He cursed Kagome for making him feel so much, for making him want her so badly.

But most of all, he cursed himself for falling victim to her captivating eyes, her kind spirit, her gentle smile. He cursed himself for letting her touch him once, only to have himself craving for more. He cursed himself for daring to fall in love with his best friend, a human girl, a ghost, more unattainable than any youkai female. He cursed himself for letting his hopes soar when inevitable failure and heartache awaited him.

Wait a minute…Love? Since when did he love? 'Never,' He thought, yet in his mind and his heart, it screamed liar. 'I can't afford to fall in love, especially not her…not…'

But he knew without a doubt, that it was impossible for him not to fall in love, ESPECIALLY with HER. He could kick and scream and deny it all he wanted that she was his best friend and nothing more. But he would only be proved false every time he looked at her.

'Kagome…my Kagome…' Her name echoed throughout his head in the fondest of voices. She had been his first and only friend. The only one to ever see him for who he was beneath the mask. Only Kagome knew how to make him smile under the most dire or dark times, or feel content when he thought all chances of being happy had faded with the passing of his mother.

Only Kagome could ever make him feel this way-Make him feel at all in fact.

At first, he had convinced himself that he wanted to bring her back for her sake…to let her experience life again, and experience all the things she couldn't before her life was taken from her abruptly. But now…he wasn't sure if it had been a selfish wish all along, if he had wanted her to be a part of the living world so that he could truly begin to live…

"I did not choose to love. It chose me. I could fight it with my very last breath, and all my efforts would prove futile. Even the strongest being would surrender to it, be consumed by it…It is inevitable. A fate worse than death, yet more blissful than heaven. Don't look at me that way. Someday, you will understand…"

That was what his father had told him when he had taken in his human mate. When he had tried to make the young demon prince understand. At first, he had thought it was just an excuse for his actions, and he had deemed his father weak for even falling victim to such an emotion.

Demons do not love. At least…that was what he used to believe…

The wind blew loudly in his ear, and Rin huddled closer to himself to keep warm.

'Father, I think I'm beginning to understand,' He mused, picking up the shivering child and forming the silver cloud at his feet. And suddenly, it all became very clear.

He wasn't sure if the very thought lifted a great weight from his shoulders, or burdened it even more. He would never admit that a part of him was afraid of it…The emotion that his father had spoken of, a long forgotten yearning. The painful torture that Kagome stirred within him. 'Love.'

Sesshomaru, Taikyoukai of the Western Lands, had never been denied anything in his entire life-Until tonight. The one thing he couldn't have, and it was the only thing he'd ever wanted…Kagome. He would gladly give up his lands, his title, his castle…if only to be with Kagome for the rest of eternity.

He knew it was selfish of him, to ask for something so impossible. To ask for Kagome's love…

And yet, despite the fact that fate seemed to be conspiring against him, he continued to crave it.

oOoOoOoOo

It was a cool afternoon. The evening sky was a mixed color of pink, orange and gold. Like a pastel portrait etched onto the heavens. Clouds drifted lazily past, and a soft wind blew through the trees.

Inuyasha jumped from tree to tree, his movements silent save for the rustle of his clothes with each leap. He would have liked to say that this was an ordinary walk in the woods-which it had initially started that way.

He had wanted to get away from the village for a while…Well, actually, to be honest, away from Kikyo. Ever since the whole Tetsusaiga incident, she had pushed him to train with the new fang and master it. Day after day, she would spend overlooking his progress, which very much reminded him of when he was a child, living with Sesshomaru when he trained the pup for combat.

She said that he had to improve himself, to prove that he was Sesshomaru's equal. By all means, Inuyasha didn't mind getting stronger, but Kikyo took it a bit far. She was far pushier than his brother ever was.

The priestess claimed she was only trying to help him, but somewhere in the back of his mind, as he locked gazes with her in the heat of their sparring matches…he saw another motive. Her dark, brown eyes glittered with bitterness and hatred, not directed at him of course, but he could guess at whom.

Sesshomaru. It was very clear that Kikyo did not like his brother, and he guessed it was because that during the encounter she had with him, he had made her feel like he had made so many others feel. Inferior. The miko was perhaps more miffed than he was when called weak, and by a demon no less.

He was rather taken aback the other day, when she had caught him hiding from her atop his favorite tree. She had been extremely angry that he was relaxing and not training, and was even madder when he had cracked open an amber eye, told her to leave him alone, and it wasn't that big of a deal to surpass his brother anyway. Inuyasha wanted a little break, was that too much to ask?

Apparently so, as she looked up disdainfully at him, and said something that truly shocked him.

"There is no rest! We must stop at nothing to kill that wicked demon!" The words had escaped her lips before she could stop them, and Inuyasha almost fell from his perch when her words sunk in.

He had looked at her then, with an expression akin to horror and confusion. His brother was condescending, cold as ice, and merciless yes. But wicked? Enough to be killed? I mean, sure the guy was less than likable, but enough to die?

Inuyasha knew Kikyo hated demons with a passion, but he had never seen her so fired up about destroying a particular one before. As he continued to stare at her, he realized something…she meant it. And he also realized what she was asking of him.

This wasn't about self-improvement and strength, this was about an actual assassination, a revenge against Sesshomaru for making her feel so inferior that day…He had never imagined Kikyo to be so petty before, to wish for someone's death for mere words.

Sticks and stones, right?

But it shocked him further that she wanted HIM to kill Sesshomaru. To kill his own brother…

The hanyou bit his lower lip, turning away from the priestess then. Inside of him, a conflicting battle waged. He admittedly, had deep feelings for Kikyo, and it was safe to say that he would do almost anything for her…

But despite all of his complaints and deep resentment for Sesshomaru for a hard childhood, deep down, he knew he couldn't do it. He couldn't spill the blood of his own brother. Even though the demon lord had ignored him when he was little, ridiculed and made him feel inferior, Inuyasha couldn't shake off the fact that…well, he still took him in.

When Lord Inutaisho died, Sesshomaru had taken over. With not even his mother to protect him, he knew his brother had one of two choices. Keep him, or dump him in a nearby village to be rid of him. The pup knew he was closer to the latter, and was very shocked when the demon lord had decided to raise him.

Sure he wasn't the model father, but Inuyasha knew Sesshomaru had his momentary lapses when he would show a hint of kindness to the child. He knew because he saw it with his own amber eyes so like his brother's.

Oo Flashback oO

The little hanyou pup sighed, relieved that his little training bout with Sesshomaru was over. He could never understand why his elder brother expected so much from him…he was only a child after all! And on top of that, he was hanyou. Of course he couldn't do some of the things Sesshomaru could.

Well, it didn't matter now, the training session was done, and they were left to spend the rest of the evening to themselves. Inuyasha to his fun and games, and Sesshomaru…well, the hanyou child was pretty sure his brother went off into the woods, like he did almost every night.

He wasn't sure what he did in the dark forest. Hunting, perhaps? Whatever it was, the demon lord was usually gone until morning. Inuyasha of course, would never be allowed to question Sesshomaru's whereabouts, and even if he did, he would never get an answer.

He walked away with a scowl on his young face, stalking to the gardens to play. He only hoped that Sesshomaru didn't send Jaken to look after him. The green toad was a horrible playmate, but he made a wonderful punching bag.

When he had reached his destination, Inuyasha plopped down onto the grass, letting his small form stretch across the ground. He took a deep breath, watching the clouds pass above him. The sun was quickly setting, and already, he could see some stars twinkle in the evening sky.

His attention was averted elsewhere when a little firefly flew across his vision. He sat upright, his amber eyes lit up as he watched the little bug zip past. A smile adorned his boyish features as his teeth glinted through his smirk.

As quietly as he could, he crouched upon all fours, trying to get as low as he could to the ground to hide himself in the grass. The firefly landed on a nearby blade of grass, and his grin went wider. Inuyasha crept through the floor, trying not to startle the little insect.

He let out a little yelp when his knee hit a rock. He bit his lower lip, and kept the tears from stinging his eyes at the sudden pain. Inuaysha quickly looked up at the firefly, and to his relief, it had not flown away.

Ignoring the stinging pain in his knee (which he suspected might be bleeding) he continued to stalk upon his prey. Closer…closer…and closer still, the firefly right in front of him. His rear was hoisted in the air in a pouncing position, and then…

"GOTCHA!!!" The little hanyou exclaimed before jumping on his prey, catching the bug tightly in his hand and taking with him a few blades of grass. He smirked in triumph, as he stared down at his fist. His first successful hunt and he was damn proud of himself.

The scent of violets and spring rain permeated the air, and sound of soft footsteps could be heard. The hanyou pup knew who it was before he looked around. He turned to see his brother standing there, his face as emotionless as ever, looking down with an icy stare at the child.

Usually he would find himself cringing slightly at it, but not today. He smiled broadly glad to see the demon lord for once as he ran up to Sesshomaru.

"Onee-chan! Onee-chan!" He cried, nearly jumping to Sesshomaru's feet. "Look what I caught! It's my first hunt! I did exactly what you taught me, and I caught it!" Inuyasha gushed excitedly, holding out his fist with his captured prey still in there.

Sesshomaru scoffed slightly, his eyebrows raised.

"Really? What did you catch?" He inquired, if only to amuse the child. Inuyasha's grin was still plastered on his face as he brought his fist back against his chest.

"A firefly!"

Sesshomaru didn't say anything, just continued to look at him impassively.

"Is that all?" He returned blandly, causing the hanyou's expression to become crestfallen. Clearly his older brother was not impressed or proud in the slightest of his accomplishment. Inuyasha was rather saddened, but he wasn't about to let his brother know it!

"Feh! You're just jealous!" He said in a cocky tone, "I'm going to keep it! I think it's sort of pretty, and it can keep me company at night…oh…" the child's voice trailed off when his fist opened, revealing one very crushed, and very dead firefly. It certainly didn't glow anymore.

Sesshomaru noticed his younger brother's sudden disappearance of excitement, and glanced down at his open palm. He scoffed for the hanyou's foolishness.

"You held it too tight and killed it, baka. A very smart move," His voice dripped in teasing sarcasm, but when he noticed that Inuyasha did not respond with a retort, his attention turned to him once more.

Inuyasha did not look away from his hand, still holding the remnants of the firefly. He began to sniffle a bit.

"I…I didn't mean to kill it…" He whispered slightly, letting the tears fall. Sesshomaru growled slightly.

"Stop that pathetic sniveling. Demons do not cry, hanyou or not. You have the blood of our demon father within you. During your lifetime you will take countless lives-you need to do so in order to survive. One firefly does not matter. It will simply be your first of many kills…" Sesshomaru chided in a harsher tone than he intended.

By now, Inuyasha was seated on the floor, trying to sniff back tears as some escaped his eyes and splattered the ground.

"I-I know. But…it didn't do anything…it was so pretty. I only wanted to show you…"

Sesshomaru's eyes softened, letting his emotionless façade slip for a second as he kneeled beside his younger brother. Almost hesitantly, he drew the weeping child closer to himself, letting Inuyasha calm down against his chest.

He ran his hand soothingly up and down the hanyou child's back, noticing that Inuyasha practically clung onto him like a leech. He felt slightly guilty at being so harsh on him. He had to remind himself that no matter how annoying the brat was, he was still just a child.

"Baka…it really isn't that big of a deal…" He said stoically, though softly. Inuyasha was very shocked to see his brother holding him like this, but it was the first time that he had been embraced since the passing of his mother. And even if it was with his snobby older brother…it felt nice, knowing that he had someone to comfort him like this, and it sort of meant even more to him that the fact that it WAS Sesshomaru comforting him.

Without even thinking, Inuyasha held on even tighter to the demon lord, burying his face into his silk kimono. He was sure that in the morning, he would be reprimanded for staining his brother's clothes, but for now, Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind.

Inuyasha's eyelids were growing heavy, both from the exhaustion of training and his little fit. At Sesshomaru's last comment, he slumped against his chest, huffing slightly.

"I'm not a baka…" He somewhat whined as he let his eyelids droop shut.

While in his sleep, Inuyasha knew his brother was annoyed with him, and that gave him a quiet satisfaction. He Sesshomaru sigh in annoyance, and he soon found himself picked off of the ground and cradled against a firm chest.

His head was rested against something fluffy and extremely comfortable, and he immediately clutched onto it like his favorite pillow. In the back of his sleep riddled mind, he knew that it was Sesshomaru's tail, and grinned in his sleep as he knew Sesshomaru undoubtedly was VERY annoyed now.

After all, no one ever touched the sacred fluffy tail…

In the middle of the night, Inuyasha awoke. His throat was dry and thirsty. The hanyou was going to have to call to one of the servants to get it for him…

He noticed that he was in his own futon, his own room, and realized that Sesshomaru probably carried him here. Miraculaously, he had pried Inuyasha's fingers off of his tail too…

Inuyasha's eyes fell to a glimmering object just beside his futon, and he crouched on all fours to take a closer look at it. It was a little glass case, one that looked like a cage for crickets but it had glass instead of bamboo bars.

The pup's eyes widened when he realized what was inside the cage. Amongst the twigs and leaves was a tiny firefly, glowing dimly in the darkness. A tiny smile brushed his lips when he realized…it must have been his notorious big brother…Sesshomaru.

He spent the rest of the night watching the firefly.

Oo End Flashback oO

Of course the next day, Sesshomaru was back to his cold and caustic self and didn't even admit to his little good deed, and things went back to normal.

But Inuyasha had never forgotten that day. It was probably the only thing keeping him from strangling Sesshomaru sometimes when he was being an extremely big ass.

And it was the only thing keeping him from complying with Kikyo's wishes now. Just fighting him was one thing, but he could never kill Sesshomaru. Never. He was still his brother. And somwhere deep in his mind, he knew Sesshomaru would never intentionally kill him either…and that was what REALLY held him back.

And that brought him to why he was having this moonlight stroll. He figured that if he let Kikyo have her space for a while, she would calm down and forget about this whole 'I want to kill the wicked demon lord thing.'

The wind blew gently. With it was carried a masculine scent: One of violets and spring rain. His dark eyebrows furrowed together in thought, amber eyes flickering in recognition and vague bitterness. Even if centuries were between them, he could never forget that scent: the scent of his older brother.

Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks, his nose going in the air to take a longer sniff at it. Yup, no mistake…

He quickly changed course, heading towards a different direction as he followed the Taiyoukai's scent. He wasn't sure why he was going to his brother. Whether it was from his thoughts from earlier, or just plain boredom, he wasn't sure.

His travels lead him to a mountain, a volcano to be more exact. Inuyasha climbed quickly to the top, his eyes narrowing as the fire blazed around him. In the middle of the scorching grounds, he saw a skeleton, and it looked to have been made into a makeshift hut.

He tread towards it, seeing an old man snoring loudly in the cavern. Sesshomaru's scent lingered here, strongest. It had not been too long ago since he left. He entered the hut, and slowly nudged the old man awake.

He merely grunted and rolled to his side. When Inuyasha grew impatient, he straight out kicked the old geezer.

"Wake up, Old man!" He shouted. It certainly did the trick. The old demon blinked awake, his vision clearing around him. He looked up to see a silver blur, and panic rose within his throat.

"AAAAH! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME, SESSHOMARU-SAMA!" He croaked, his arms immediately going up to cover his head.

Inuyasha's attention was fully caught and he took the youkai by the scruff of his kimono.

"You know my brother?!" He said in surprise, his voice sounding rather gruff and angry.

"Aaaah! Don't hurt me!" the old man cowered, then cracked open a bulgy eye to get a clearer look. There were some similarities, but it was not him. He was staring into a completely different person.

"Eh? Did you say that Sesshomaru-sama was your brother?" He inquired. Inuyasha growled.

"Yeah…"

"Might you be…Inuyasha?"

"So what if I am?"

His wrinkled brow creased.

"Yup…scrappy. I guess you didn't inherit your father's fine tastes in clothes…"

BONK! A large lump was swelling on his head painfully as he lay on the ground.

"No respect for your elders either…" He sighed.

"Who the hell are you, anyway?" Inuyasha growled.

"My name is Totosai. And I should be the one asking the questions! Agh, why won't you and your family leave me alone? First your father, then your brother…" He mumbled under his breath.

He was whimpering once more when he was once again held by the scruff of his green and black striped kimono.

"What do you mean my father and brother?"

"Lord Sesshomaru was here not too long ago, demanding that I forge a sword of equal power to Tetsusaiga," Totosai croaked.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. He had suspected that his brother would do something like that. If he couldn't have Tetsusaiga, he'd have the next best thing. He glanced at the old man once more.

"Why in the world would he ask you?"

Totosai looked rather offended as he slapped Inuyasha's hand away.

"Why wouldn't he ask me? It's only natural, since I was the one who forged Tetsusaiga in the first place…"

Inuyasha's eyes widened. 'Is he serious? That old man?'

"YOU made THIS?" He said in a surprised tone, holding out Tetsusaiga.

"Ah! That's it!" Totosai cooed, taking a hold of the sword. "It's been such a long while since I…" His voice trailed off as he unsheathed the sword and began to examine it. A frown etched onto his face. "It's not in very good condition though…what have you been using this for? Chopping wood?"

BONK! Another lump joined the first one. Inuyasha quickly snatched back his sword.

"Just tell me about my father and Sesshomaru, god dammit!"

"Very well," He sighed. "Before your father passed away he gave me two of his fangs to forge into swords. One is the Tetsusaiga, which his for you (though you're not very good at using it…)"

Inuyasha growled. Totosai cringed before continuing.

"Well, of course Sesshomaru, hungry for power would want the Tetsusaiga. But he told me that it was currently out his reach, and wanted a sword just as good…"

"And did you do it?"

Totosai scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"Yup."

"WHAT??? Just like THAT???"

"Calm down, ya mutt, I'm not finished yet," The old demon waved his bony hand in the air. "Remember, I said your father gave TWO fangs. I only gave Sesshomaru what was rightfully his. The Tenseiga, which is every bit as powerful as the Tetsusaiga if not more."

Inuyasha growled even lower. He didn't like the idea of his elder brother holding a sword like that. Who knows what chaos-

"He didn't want it at first," Totosai mused. "Said it was useless, that ungrateful whelp."

"What? If it's just as powerful, why would he refuse it?"

"Oh, it doesn't cut."

"Doesn't cut?" Inuyasha asked, confused.

"Tenseiga has the ability to SAVE a hundred people in one sweep, even bring back the dead," Totosai explained, repeating what he said to Sesshomaru earlier. "It was strange, but after hearing this little bit, he seemed to have accepted it whole-heartedly, almost happy with it…"

This made Inuyasha VERY confused. Knowing his brother, he would never accept a weapon that doesn't kill…The whole fact that Sesshomaru DID accept it was what intrigued him.

'What in the world would Sesshomaru use it for?' He wondered.

He looked down at Totosai, who was staring blankly back at him.

"Did he tell you what he was planning to use it for?"

Totosai shrugged.

"He was just very keen on the detail about resurrecting the dead."

'The dead?' Inuyasha mused, 'Is he going to bring someone back from the dead? Who?' He began to think more thoroughly. 'Who could be so important that it would be worth bringing back to life? Who would he care enough to…'

"Thanks old man," He said half-heartedly before sprinting out of sight, not even hearing Totosai shout at him in the distance.

His mind was racing with the new information. 'Who would Sesshomaru care so much that he would want them back alive? Father? His mother?' the options ran through his head. There wasn't a lot he could think of.

Sesshomaru didn't emotionally attach himself to anyone, and Inuyasha knew if very little personal friends or acquaintances. Whatever it was, the curiosity got the best of him.

Inuyasha headed straight for home. No, not Ookami village. His original home. The Western Lands.

OoOoOoO

She stood on the steps of the shrine, waiting patiently for the demon lord to come. The moon shone down upon her transparent form, also lighting the dark paths with a dim glow for her to see any signs of a visitor.

Several more minutes passed, which slowly turned into hours, but still the girl did not move from her spot. Her sapphire eyes still stared sadly at the empty steps. She let out a mournful sigh, her gaze finally casting onto the ground.

It was obvious he was not coming to see her tonight either. That would make five nights in a row now. She went into a sitting position, hovering just a few inches off of the ground. A deep aching filled her, and she clutched her chest, unable to make the feeling go away.

Sesshomaru didn't come to visit her since the attempt to bring her back to life. Despite what he had told her, about it not being her fault, Kagome had a lurching dread that it was. And that the demon lord was angry at her for messing up. It had to be the reason, why else would he avoid her for so long?

Kagome brought her knees up to her chin, resting her forehead against it. 'I'm sorry, Sessho-kun…really I am…Please don't be mad…Please don't leave me…' She thought with a melancholy ache. God forbid if he should ever do such a thing.

She wasn't sure she could take it…she would be consumed by the loneliness, a lost soul without him by her side. And the worst part was, she couldn't end the pain with suicide, because…well…she was already dead. Kagome couldn't stop herself before she felt tears well up in her eyes and fell with a nonexistent plop onto the ground.

Gods, Kagome missed seeing him…she had never realized how much he filled an empty void in her heart before, but it was painfully apparent now.

Kagome wasn't completely without company though. Rin visited her sometimes, and she suspected that Sesshomaru allowed her to. The ghost couldn't see him, but she knew that he was there. He would always walk Rin to the shrine, and then let the little girl run the rest of the way when he was sure it was safe.

Kagome knew he was always in the shadows, watching, but never approaching. That saddened her even more. To know that he was nearby, yet he refused to be with her. Like it was too painful to look at her any longer.

She could sense him each and every single time. And every time that she could, another piece of her heart broke…or whatever was left of it. Kagome would always put on a happy face for Rin, however. She would play with her and keep the child company, and in many ways, Rin reminded her of a young Sesshomaru when he was her age.

She appreciated her company greatly, but it was not the same. Kagome missed Sesshomaru terribly, and wished to see him once more. But apparently, he did not miss her in the same way.

She didn't understand it…what had she done that was so unforgivable, he had left her without as much as a goodbye that day. Kagome feared that he himself had abandoned her. Then a possibility hit her.

He didn't want to be her friend anymore. Maybe…Maybe that day made him see, that she could never be alive. Perhaps he was tired of being friends with someone who had so little to offer, someone who he couldn't fully interact with.

After all, she was only a ghost, she had been the same way for as long as he could remember. What if he…tired of her? Didn't like her as he used to?

Each thought pierced through her soul, and she found herself sinking further and further into her despair. 'If that is truly how he feels, then let me fade, please…I can't stay here another moment with this loneliness…without Sesshomaru.'

But she knew her wish would go unanswered. It was her fate to stay here, forever in the dark, alone.

The tears wouldn't stop coming, and she did the only thing she knew that could sooth just a little bit of her pain. She parted her lips…calling upon a sorrowful voice…and began to sing.

OoOoOoO

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. Enchanting, mesmerizing, and at the same time, hauntingly sad…stirring within him a deep feeling of sorrow.

Inuyasha's ears twitched to the side, in the direction of the beautiful singing. He was very close to Sesshomaru's castle now, but that song…He had never heard anything like it before. It captivated him, intrigued him.

Before he knew it, he found himself venturing towards the ethereal music instead, like a sailor drawn to a siren's song. As the singing grew louder, a scent permeated the air. It was that of orchids and vanilla, a wonderfully pleasant scent. Well, it would've been if it weren't so heavily laced with deep sorrow and tears. Whoever was weaving this song was extremely sad.

His feet took him to a burnt down shrine. Inuyasha's amber eyes scoured the charred steps as it lead up a creaky old structure. The scent of orchids and vanilla was strongest up there. And that wasn't it, another scent lingered. It was vague, but he was sure of it. The scent of Sesshomaru. He had been here.

Inuyasha looked up, his eyes narrowing. A faint glow was visible, and he could tell that whatever that light was, it was the source of the melody.

He soundlessly leapt up the steps, for some reason, his heart beating more and more with excitement as he neared the top.

When his feet touched the final step, he took a look around. His head was beginning to get light-headed with the pleasant scent, and his amber eyes rested upon the silhouette of a girl. Inuaysha knew that she must be the one singing. Actually, she seemed to be singing and crying at the same time.

She didn't notice him as he came closer, probably too immersed in her song. When he came closer to her, he realized with slight surprise that she wasn't solid…

'A ghost?'

When he was just in front of her, and she still hadn't noticed him, he decided to make his presence known.

"Hey," He prodded gently. The singing stopped abruptly, and the girl looked up, her ebony hair falling out of her eyes. Their gazes locked, and Inuyasha let a gasp escape himself when he caught a sight of her. 'K-Kikyo?' He thought, the girl's face holding so much similarity to the priestess that it surprised him.

But he knew it couldn't be her…this girl had sapphire eyes…the most beautiful shade he had ever seen. Her features were softer, gentler…no, she was not Kikyo. She was someone…much more captivating.

Inuyasha wasn't sure how long he stood under the half-darkened moon, with the girl he would soon find out would be more than just a ghost…A girl he would soon find out to be more than just involved to his brother…and the tangled web that he would get himself into.

End Chapter

[A/N]

Yume: Wow, this was certainly late in coming. But it's finally up, right?

CF: ENER INUYASHA!

Yume: As you noticed, this chapter focuses a lot on Sesshomaru and Kagome's relationship and feelings for each other, as well as Sesshomaru's relationship with Inuyasha as a brother. Not to mention the little bitter side of Kikyo. I'd just like to say that this is only the beginning of the story. Trust me. I haven't even introduced the main villain into the mix yet!

CF: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! No flames please. And Yume shall try to update as soon as possible!