Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 36


A low rumble began in the depths of Inu Yasha's chest only Rin's small hand on his back kept him from attacking his brother. Taking a deep breath he spoke, "Rin, I'll be in Edo at Kaede's old hut." Starting out of the castle he stopped inches from his brother. "Hypocritical bastard," he sneered, "You can take a new mate, have a family but not your bastard hanyou brother huh?" He hissed, "After all this time your true feeling show again huh?"

Rin watched as Inu Yasha moved passed Sesshomaru and started to leave, tears poured down her cheeks. She started after Inu Yasha.

Inu Yasha's words broke through his irrational anger. He blinked in surprise. Why was he angry? The sight and scent of his daughters tears made him realize how much of a baka he was being. "Rin...Inu Yasha," his voice was barely a whisper. He wasn't even sure if he said it aloud. "What have I done?"

"Broke your promise. That's what you did." Akisame said behind him.

He couldn't look at her. Sesshomaru just stood with his head down. Why? Why had he gotten angry? Why could he not have just been happy for them? He had said nothing when Rin went away with Makoto. Why did he have to try to stop her choosing Inu Yasha? He had so quickly alienated the brother that he had worked so hard and long to get to accept him. He had also hurt Rin.

Sango approached in time to see both Inu Yasha and Rin leave. She shook her head sadly. "Too late."

Keishou looked on confused. Why were Uncle and Rin leaving looking so angry and sad? Why did his father look like he'd just committed a great sin? He leaned closer and whispered in Haya's ear. "What's going on?"

Haya turned to Keishou and smiled sadly, "Imagine my father had forbidden our love."

Akisame looked at her mate. She could tell he was upset with himself, but that didn't quell her temper. "Midori knew. She knew you would react with anger. She asked you to not be angry. She told you that it would make them both happy." Akisame wiped the angry tears that rolled down her cheeks. "It was Midori's last request of you. I think you need to find your brother and see if there is any way to salvage this."

Sesshomaru nodded, then sped away in search of his brother. Kami if anyone forgave him for this it would be a miracle, he thought, feeling his own tears begin. His daughter had known and he had promised. He had broken his promise. It was not long before his nose told him he was close. "Inu Yasha!"

Mika padded out into the courtyard, clutching a rag doll to her chest. She slipped her hand in Akisame's. "Hahaoya?"

Kneeling beside the girl, Akisame pulled the girl into a hug. Offering and taking comfort from the child. "It will be all right Mika. Your Chichioya is stupid sometimes. This time more so than usual."

At his brother's voice Inu Yasha stopped, turning to look at the young woman at his side, "He's coming, why I do not know. If you wish to return with him Rin I'll understand."

Her deep brown eyes met his and she shook her head, "No, I'm not the little girl who followed him around any more. I am a woman, with a woman's needs and mind. I'll stay if you have no objections."

"None." He said, "Wait at the edge of this clearing. If this comes to blows I will not have you hurt." He watched as Rin moved to the edge of the clearing, her back against a tree. He waited in the center of the clearing for Sesshomaru.

Mika returned her mother's embrace. "Do you hate him now?"

Sesshomaru reached the clearing and saw his brother. He slowed but continued his motion forward and embraced his half brother. "I'm sorry," was the only words the Taiyoukai offered.

Keishou put an arm around Haya, shaking his head sadly. "That was not a smart move."

Akisame smoothed Mika's hair, "No sweetie. I don't hate your Chichioya. I'm just very angry with and disappointed in him."

Inu Yasha stiffened at the embrace, his anger had left and only the hurt remained. "So, which is your true feelings. The growl and the forbidding or the apology?" He pulled himself from the embrace. "I had thought all the harsh feelings of the past were behind us. Do you enjoy seeing me suffer so much you would hurt Rin? What has Rin ever done to deserve that? What have I done? I've done everything you have asked of me during the past nineteen years. Yet, when I reach for some happiness you forbid it. Why Sesshomaru?"

Miroku gathered Sango into his arms. Looking over her head he hoped the brothers could repair the damage. "Sango, I think tomorrow we should return home. If Inu Yasha and Rin do return here it is a family matter that does not concern us. If they continue on to Edo, they will need our support."

Sango nodded, she could say nothing. "Yes husband. I agree."

Sesshomaru lowered his head, arms falling at his side. "My apology is true... though I know I do not deserve your forgiveness. Truly I do not know why I was angered..." For once in his life, Sesshomaru was at a loss to explain himself so he did something he had never down before, he gave up. "Be happy brother." Looking up at Rin he said, "I am sorry Rin," with that he turned to leave.

Mika lay her head on her Hahaoya's shoulder, "He didn't mean it, Hahaoya."

"You still haven't answered my questions." Inu Yasha kept his eyes on his brother's back. "You do know why you were angry. Was it because it was me? Would it have made any difference if it had been one of your youkai guards? Or another ningen? You can't run from this, Sesshomaru. You created this tenseness between us, long ago when you forced Mother and I out after Father's death. Then you repeatedly tried to steal Tetsusaiga from me. Finally I had thought we could put that behind us. For nineteen years we, or at least I thought we had, managed somehow to do that. So don't just give me a 'Be happy brother' and walk away."

Rin watched not leaving the tree, she loved both of them, one as a father and one as a man. They had to work this out for themselves.

Akisame smiled sadly, "I'm sure he didn't sweetie. Let's put you back to bed." Standing she took the child's hand and started into the castle.

No one saw the single shadow disengage itself and move silently northward.

Sesshomaru stopped but did not turn around. "I suppose it is true that old feelings die hard. That small part of me that still resents you came back. You were the one Father cared for most. I became ruler of the Western Lands but you were free."

Shakaku stood staring at the ground, she felt the tension from all of the members around her. Her tail lashed back and forth as she was undecided whether she should remain or leave the family to their privacy.

"FREE! FREE!!" Inu Yasha yelled, "Oh, sure I was free. I was still an infant when father died. I have no memories of him. NONE. Mother died when I was five. FIVE! A child younger than Mika is thrown into the wilds to fend for himself. Too many times I stayed alive only because of shear will to survive and stubbornness. Pinned to a tree for fifty years. But hell I was FREE. I should despise you. You had a No Woman impersonate my Mother. Gouged out my eye to get to father's tomb. Stuck your hand through my body. The list continues. Yet the one of the happiest moments of my life was when you asked me to be Kyoufu to Keikan and Keishou." Inu Yasha turned so he wasn't facing either of the other two, turning towards his face to the night sky. "I don't know what will happen between Rin and I. Mother, Kikyou, Kagome and Midori were all murdered. Every woman I have ever loved has been murdered Am I scarred that something will happen to Rin if we are together? I'm terrified. But, I'm more terrified of being alone again." His head dropped, his white hair concealing his face.

Haya stepped away from Keishou. Standing next to Shakaku she smiled sadly. "We knew this would happen." Smiling at Keishou she silently promised to return. Taking the Tora's arm she led her a little distance away, to sit on a bench next to the fountain. "Midori could predict the future. Her last request of Sesshomaru was not to be angry when Rin chose a new mate. Inu Yasha was the only one who understood the grief Rin felt. They spent time together, each comforting the other. Eventually it grew to more. Sesshomaru once felt as your father does. Luckily for me, Akari and Akisame changed him. Truly I think meeting Leena did more to change him."

Shakaku lowered her head. "I hope they come back together. I know I have just met your family but to me it seems as if those two are unstoppable if they work together."

Sesshomaru turned now to face his brother. The same part of him that had caused his anger seemed to be disappearing. He had made peace with his brother but he had not truly understood him until now. "Inu Yasha....you are not alone. Not anymore. You have Rin and if you can forgive me, you have me. Come back with me to the castle. I can not stop what is coming without you...I need you brother."

Inu Yasha nodded, that was the only indication he heard anything Sesshomaru had said. "I'll be there. Rin, go back with Sesshomaru. I'll return as soon as I can. If you need me, Shippo will know where to find me." Not waiting for an answer he took off running.

Rin watched him go. Finally releasing the tears she had held back, she knelt holding her head in her hands.

He smelled her tears. He wanted to turn back, to comfort her. Still he needed advice, someone who would and always had given him good advice. Reaching the clearing he looked at the old well he hadn't visited in years. Would they still remember him? Would it still work? Taking a deep breath he leapt in. On the other side was a woman who had always given him good advice.



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