Chapter Two

No. Not the room, he realized. The floor.

He looked down towards his bare feet, quickly falling back as the hard floor he stood directly atop of began to part. Every feel of the whirring mechanism beneath him felt as he looked on in disbelief. He turned that stare onto the silver haired vampire and her eyes seemed to be watching him as if wondering his reaction. He whirled his head back as the floor finished parting. Silence descending upon them. A large spacious rectangle shaped print now in the center of the open flooring of where he once stood. Only unending darkness greeting him from down below.

He wondered if he was expected to move forward but was saved the trouble as a slight shaking sprung under him once more. The sound of his own breathing heavy in his ears as he watched in rapt attention what was taking place before him. Heart stopping at seeing something rise from out of the ground. Leaning forward as matte black metal gradually came into view higher and higher. The sounds and vibration of the floor coming to a final shuddering stop as their positioned in the middle of the floor lay a large rectangular shaped box.

His jaw tightened. No, not a box.

A coffin.

"This is madness!" Came the sudden roar from one of the dark haired men stationed behind the high bench. The vamp up on his feet as his blue eyes peered down at the dark haired human. The vampire was tall and held a slim athletic frame. Inuyasha looked to him unchanging. A snarl taking over the man's face as he whipped his angered stare onto the other councilmen around him. "This human is a Hunter! Are we actually going to reveal our Lord to someone who kills our own." The man suddenly focusing in on the silver haired vampire. "You would expose your son to a human who's first thought would be to see him turn to ash? There has to be another way for him to be awakened."

The Lady of the Nightworld studied the dark haired human before turning her piercing gaze onto her fellow councilman. Voice deceptively calm but the bite of steel behind each word evident. "You dare question me and my intentions towards my son when it is your wish to let him remain in the vegetative state he lies in now? I wonder which one of us truly has the better intentions. . .Councilman Yiro."

The man named Yiro narrowed his eyes on the silver haired woman. "I wish for our Lord to rise once more but not at the cost of our lives. There is no guarantee this outsider will be the one to quell the Lord's rage. Should your theory fail to bear fruit, your son will not hesitate to tear us all to shreds!" He breathed, chest lightly heaving as he stared into the seemingly emotionless face of the Lady. A weary sigh leaving him as he dropped his tone to one more calm and collected. "Lady, you are not capable of seeing reason. You are more emotionally invested in this than the rest of us due to your personal relation with our Lord. He is from your womb and you would desire to see him rise as this is the first stirring of a possibility for him to awaken from his slumber. But there are. . .risk that I do not believe you are taking into consideration. Should this. . . human," he sneered in Inuyasha's direction, "not be what is needed to calm the Lord from his bloodlust, we will surely die. You must recognize this."

It was quite the shock when the Lady of the Nightworld tipped her head back and laughed. Her laughter one of great amusement. Inuyasha watched the brown haired man's head jerk back as if stunned before his features turned angered. His lip curling back to reveal a fang as he banged his hand onto the wood. "This is hardly the laughing matter, my Lady." He said through clenched teeth.

Her laughter died away to chuckling before she sat there pristine and proper once more. Though the amusement was palpable in her golden eyes. "I have lived with the reality that my son may never rise again for many millennia, Councilman Yiro. Do not speak of reason to me. I more than anyone know the destruction my son is capable of bringing forth into the world. For you to presume I would endanger our people at the first possible inkling of a way to see him rise only because of my connection as his mother is laughable. Bringing this human in before my son is not simply a possible way for our Lord to awaken once more. It is the only way." She stressed. "Only he can cool the embers that fuel his rage."

"Councilman Yiro does bring up a valid point." The dark haired Councilwoman suddenly spoke up, her red ears dull yet focused. She was a slim woman of a shorter stature but the silent power behind her was undeniable. "This Hunter before us now is not like before. There is no guarantee your son will recognize him. He may simply kill him and decide to make us his next targets. If the Hunter can not pull him from his anguish, there is no hope at resealing him as the person to bind him is long gone from this earth. There will be absolutely no way for him to be stopped. He will not recognize you as his mother. You will not be exempt from his wrath."

Inuyasha looked to the coffin. He was curious. Their words making him wonder just why it was they seemed hesitant to awaken their Lord. His heart was thundering in overtime at all he was processing. The Lord was put to sleep? Bind, she said. Why, he wondered. What could have angered him so that would require him being put to rest. He studied the coffin, wondering if he'd set forth a chain of events that couldn't be undone. Then he wondered why he was here before them.

The Lady looked to Inuyasha. Taking in the violet eyes that looked so sharply over her son's resting place. Seeing he was attempting to fit in the pieces to the puzzle. He was different yes, but he was still very much the same soul.

"Councilwoman Keno. . .The human is much different now, I will acquiesce to that. However. . ." She trailed off, looking over every face of the other Council members. "Only Councilman Rei and myself know of the utter desolation my son brought after learning of his love's demise." Momentarily locking eyes with the amber eyed man. "If you remember, he is completely agreeable with this being the only way to return our Lord to us. Rei and myself were witnesses to the catastrophe that fell my clan while you two had yet to be turned. You only know the stories. Until you've witnessed the interaction between my son and his love, you will not believe he is the only way to stop my son from slaughtering us all. The human will not fail because my son will always recognize his love. They are one in the same despite the life he lives now."

The tall Councilman Yiro licked his lips before turning to the only other man on the Council. "It is true that Keno and I were turned and are not Originals such yourself and the Lady. Therefore not having witnessed the Lord's rampage. I have always believed you to be of sound mind and your connection to our Lord is not familial. Do you truly believe this is the only way to wake our Lord and still leave this room with our very lives?"

Amber eyes looked into his fellow man unwavering. "Yes, it is the only way. As Councilwoman Eiko has stated. There is no way to explain the lengths the Lord was willing to go for his love. He is the only one who can stop him upon his rising. Without him, our Lord will be at rest for all of eternity."

"I see," Councilwoman Keno muttered, turning to meet with Yori's light gaze for a moment before turning to the Lady of the Nightworld. "He is your child so we will trust in your judgement. The fate of the Nightworld rests in your hands, Lady Eiko."

"He is the one." She said resolutely. Turning to meet every stare directed her way before giving her attention over to the human Inuyasha. "You must be quite confused, Inuyasha."

His eyes flickered over to her for a moment before turning back to their Lord in his coffin. "Not really. I think I got the gist of it."

Lady Eiko raised a delicate brow. "Well, please. Feel free to enlighten me on the history of my son."

Inuyasha walked forward to the center of the floor, feeling the pairs of eyes that intently watched him as he did so. Boldly running his fingers over the top before turning to the vamp. "Well. . .he went batshit crazy for starters."

Eiko barely resisting the urge to turn the corner of her lips up. Though crass, his words were accurate enough. Very different, she thought in amusement. A simple incline of her head his permission to continue.

"I think. . .he lost someone. You say a love. I say a victim. Your kind doesn't hold the capacity for such an emotion." He said unflinchingly in a room full of the most powerful bloodsuckers.

"Bold words for one so young." Yiro said in obvious distaste. Lip curling back at the smirk sent his way. "I was once as human as you are."

"A debate for another time perhaps." The Lady said with a wave of her hand. Hoping to avoid pointless bickering.

Inuyasha shrugged. "He didn't very much care for having his personal chew toy taken away so he went on a killing rampage. Forcing him to be put to sleep."

She tilted her head. "You believe someone would go to such extremes for someone they simply viewed as an. . .chew toy."

He could practically see the air quotations. He ignored her. "And if I'm not mistaken. . .you believe I'm the person who can somehow calm him down. I'm supposedly this. . .love he lost." The word love coming out like an contagious disease.

Eiko was surprised that he really did seem to understand the magnitude of the situation presented to them. She didn't know if he'd be able to make the connection it was him they referred to. "Yes. You are the reincarnation of the love my son lost long ago.

He looked around at the watchful faces surrounding him. "You have all. . .lost your Gods be damned mind." Turning back to her. "I couldn't love a bloodsucker. Not now or in any other life."

"Oh but you did Inuyasha." Eiko's words as serious as her eyes. "You loved my son as he loved you. So much so that when he lost you, it took away his sense of reality. He had little desire to live without you and sought out to kill the one's who had wronged you. Leaving chaos and mayhem in his wake. When you were taken from him, my son. . .was taken from me."

He watched her blank expression, wondering if he'd imagined the touch of sadness that underlined her words. Not missing the sharp looks Keno and Yiro sent her way. It seemed they'd picked up on it too. Yet, she did not seem to be bothered if her tone were to be believed. Still appearing pristine and noble as she looked down upon him.

"Inuyasha. Our Lord died in spirit and mind the day you were taken from us. It is why Councilman Yori and Councilwoman Keno are more restless on the idea of witnessing him arise. The seal placed upon him by a sorceress keeps him alive in body and little more. You see, upon awakening, he will not know this world as it is today. To him, his loss will be seen as recent and his grief will be quick to consume him as it did that day. He will bring destruction on this world as he did in the past. A world without you is not a world worth caring for. In his eyes."

The human took a shaky breath, taking in the eyes that peered down into him expectantly. The heaviness of her words settling in despite how calmly spoken they were. He was starting to sense he was out of his league amongst them. He couldn't really have been that important to the Lord of the Nightworld. To listen to her say he'd once been worth so much to the Lord -a powerful as shit bloodsucker no less- was enough to make him uneasy. He never asked for. . .this. To be treasured to such an extent. Execution is what he expected upon being brought here. It would've been preferable than being looked at like a fucking science experiment.

"Say I were to believe you," he started lowly with a shake of his head, his tone clearly saying he didn't. "What is it that you expect me to do about it? That was the past. I'm not his love. Hell, now I'd be his worst damned enemy."

"Nothing," she responded casually and he didn't believe her for one moment. "I am simply accommodating to your wish to finally lay eyes on our Lord." Nodding her head towards the coffin at his back. "You will never get a better chance than the one I'm presenting to you now."

A quick send of his eyes to the coffin at his back before turning his head back to her. "Not afraid I'll kill him."

"Not in the slightest." She murmured lowly with a small quirk of a brow.

He eyed her suspiciously but nonetheless turned his back to a room full of vamps. Everything in him screaming at his idiocy but reasoned they weren't looking to kill him if they seemed to need him for the moment. And he didn't doubt they did need him for whatever they had planned.

Looking blankly at the coffin for a moment before starting to lift it up. Opening it all the way before finally allowing himself to look down at the ever mysterious Lord of the Nightworld. And immediately wished he hadn't.

He turned his head away, bringing a hand up to abate the sudden pressure trying to claw its way up his throat. Gasping as he attempted to erase the image from his mind but there was no unseeing what lay in that coffin.

Swallowing down the lump in his throat as he concentrated on reigning in his emotions. He didn't know what he expected when he began lifting up the top of the coffin but it definitely hadn't been that.

"This is what you wanted, isn't it?" Yiro's cool mocking tone sprang from behind him and he turned his way, making sure to send the man the most withering glare he could muster. What he wouldn't give to have even one of his blades right now.

"You didn't say he'd be a fucking mummy." He snapped, coughing at the stiff stale air that seemed to reach out to him from the black coffin the Lord of the Nightworld lay in.

"What did you expect, young one." Keno's bland voice sounded and he looked at the dark haired woman. A coldness around her that did not seem threatening more than it was uncaring. Her pale skin making her blood red eyes that much more piercing. "He has not fed for many millennia."

His eyes furrowed. "How is he. . .how is he still alive?"

"Unfortunately, the sorceress who bind him as he is now. . .only knows that knowledge, Inuyasha." The ebony haired vamp called Rei spoke. Voice deep and oddly peaceful. The look in his golden eyes one of an Old Soul. Seeming older in years that had little to do with his vampire blood. His aura striking the human with a sense of unimaginable wisdom. "Even with his status as an Original, he should have withered away to nothing long ago."

"Under normal circumstances." Inuyasha deadpanned.

Councilman Rei nodded. "Yes, but it is clear to see this is anything but."

Yeah no kidding. Taking a deep breath before turning back to the seemingly dead corpse of a man behind him. Clamping his mouth shut at sudden familiar pressure wanting to escape through his esophagus. Taking in the dry, flaky skin that wrapped around the Lord's skeletal system. Every bone and joint visible through the layer of fair skin. Brows furrowing as he looked closer to his face. Weird splashes of color over his eyelids, cheekbones and forehead. Distorted by the ruined skin. His silver strands tangled and thin attached to his skull. Mouth parted slightly, revealing either of the fangs that lay there. The only things that seemed to retain its strength. Even with the seal the Council spoke of, he didn't see how anyone could survive living like this.

Looking at him like this. . .the urge to drive his blade through the Lord's heart didn't arise like he thought it would in this moment. He hadn't expected for him to look so. . .pathetic. The man was essentially dead as it was. Even if it was just in mind.

He couldn't do it. . . not like this.

The Lady of the Nightworld looked to the observant wolf off to her left, seeing him looking to her as well. Turning back to see the air about the human seemed more resigned. "You should not pity him, Inuyasha." The Lady Eiko started knowingly. "Everything that is my son will be restored upon his awakening."

He looked to the Lord a moment more. Pity huh. . .was it insane that he did indeed feel a speck of it for the Lord now? It was tiny but. . .he could relate to the feeling of loss all too well. To lose someone that was your whole world. . .he could understand the anger that came with experiencing that. But it was his kind who took his mother from him and he'd promised to protect the lives of oblivious humans until his last breath. The Lord would forever stay asleep.

He turned away from the Lord of the Nightworld. He turned back to the High Council, looking everyone in the eye before turning to the silver haired vampire as she seemed to hold the most authority. Keeping his words serious as he spoke to her. "I don't know what it is you guys have planned for me. . .but I'm not bringing any more destruction into the world. I'm not helping you wake him up. You'll have to kill me first."

The Council members all exchaged glances before looking to the black haired human. "Is that your final stance on the matter? Is there no way you can be persuaded." Eiko asked him and remembered that this was supposed to be the Lord's mother.

He shook his head. "No," he whispered.

"I see." She said lowly, slowly rising from her seat up on the high bench and Inuyasha fell into a defensive stance. Both hands before him as he lightly rocked on either of his heels in preparation of a surprise attack. Heart rate increasing as he finally deemed it time to fight. The vamps tired of playing nice when they realized he wouldn't give in to what they wanted. Casting the occasional glance around him but every other occupant in the room remained seated and watchful. The Lady Eiko on her feet and meeting his gaze.

"My son will be upset I have inflicted damage to your body but it is what must be done." She spoke. Inuyasha taking a deep breath as he expected her to come flying down at him. Knowing she was going to be a bitch to kill and he didn't even have his blades. Eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he noticed her gracefully lower herself back into her seat. Golden eyes unwavering and expectant.

He jerked in pained surprise, a hiss passing his lips as he immediately raised his fingers up to gingerly touch at his left ear. Coming away with wetness and staring in growing disbelief at the blood that covered his digits. Droplets of blood staining the shoulder of his white shirt and more coming down still. Looking back to her as he lightly traced over his wound. Becoming increasingly aware of the decent sized gash on the upper part of his ear.

He hadn't even seen her move.

"You bitch," he breathed.

A sudden groan springing up from behind him had him whirling in place. Eyes zeroing in as he took in the blood that clung to the bottom lip of the decayed body in the coffin. It steadily dripping into the dried out cavern. His blood helping to revive the vampire.

He didn't hesitate.

He brought his left hand back over his shoulder, prepared to send it through the chest of the brittle body before sending his fist flying downward only for his rapid descent to come up short at the tight grip that came over his wrist. Violet eyes widening as he saw his wrist wrapped in a pale yellow-green glowing light. His breathing coming out shaky as he tugged, moisture immediately filling his eyes at the hot searing pain that came over him. Breath coming out in fast rapid breaths as panic set in at witnessing his flesh burn into a red. His sun kissed skin now bubbling at the heat attached to his skin.

"Do not fight, Inuyasha." The Lady's calm instructive voice sprang from behind him. "My whips are designed to bring you more pain at your resistance. It does not have to cause you further pain."

Turning tear filled eyes to the hazy figure that stood behind the bench. Blinking away the moisture to see the silver haired vampire attached to the same whip of energy that held him. Not appearing to be in any pain despite the whip seeming to come forth from her fingertips. The line between them short and strained as it restricted any further movement. This is what the vampire used to spill his blood without even having to move from her seat he realized.

He forced himself though the pain, turning back to the still figure. Rearing back his right arm to deliver the deadly blow. His wrist once more caught. Gritting his teeth as he forced his hand through the pain movement caused. The whip not allowing him any leeway. Tears lining in a steady stream down his face at doing so. Crying out as it became too intense for his human body to withstand. His nerves damaged and his veins on fire. A flash of white filling his vision at the sheer amount of agony his mind and body felt. Too weak to fight the slight pull on his wrists. Falling back from the Lord of the Nightworld before his body gave out. Screaming at himself to get up but this. . . his body feeling as if he'd ran a marathon. Laying out on the cold hard floor, his labored breathing filling his ears. The black strands over his face distorting his vision of the coffin. Feeling the whips fade from him but he couldn't stir. His body heavy. This wasn't something he could force himself through.

Everyone looked to the barely breathing human only for their eyes to snap at the loud groan that came from the coffin. Lady Eiko leaning forward onto her clawed hands as her gaze remained on her son and him alone. Her mask of control slipping at the thin fingers that scrambled for purchase along the opening of the coffin. Eyes widening as she warred with herself at going to him. For this to work he'd have to feed from Inuyasha first. To feel his love alive. She didn't know how he'd respond to her presence.

He watched in growing horror the sunk in face of the Lord as the stiff body slowly drew itself up. Turning sunken yellow eyes around him before finally finding him. Breath stilling at the dead filled look sent his way. His appearance decrepit and infirm as he made to move his body over the side of the coffin. His thin body crashing onto the floor as he tipped over to far without the strength to support his hold.

He looked on with wide eyes. The vamp crawling over towards him. Try as he might, the fear he felt at seeing that unending stare of. . . nothingness directed at him was starting to consume him. He tried to scoot away but only ended up back on his side with a pained gasp. Previous wounds and his wrists making him feel like lead. Heart in his throat at the unsightly nightmare that eased closer and closer still.

Everyone still as the Lord finally reached the dark haired young man. The vampire's movements awkward and fumbling like a small child. Drawn to the source of blood that lingered on his tongue. His fangs growing in size at the scent of blood that surrounded them.

He swallowed, frozen as he watched the other look him over as if studying him. It taking every ounce of his will not to scream. He'd thought he'd be able to accept his death easier than this but when it stared you in the face. . .so coldly with no recognition for your life. No sense of warmth or care. No one could withstand such a look and not feel fear.

He saw nothing but growing hunger.

Thin arms reached out to scoop him closer to the arosen Lord of the Nightworld. Turning his head away at the tartness that blew over him from the raspy breath of the ancient vampire. Unknowingly exposing his neck to the hungered being above him. Seeing icy blue orbs looking to the man over him with rapt attention from the dark haired man. Those eyes dropped down to watch him the same moment sharp fangs pierced his flesh.

Body tensing up in agony at the carelessness of vamp above him. Back arching as an ear shattering cry left him. The Lord digging into his neck with new vigor. Feeling his flesh give away as the man burrowed deeper into the right side of his neck. Feeling the bony chest heaving as he drank in the vital life source that sustained the bloodsuckers. The hold over him almost could've been described as intimate if it weren't for his life source being drained from his body.

His eyes slipped closed. He had failed. And the world would pay the price for his one moment of weakness. Yet, it was clear now he never really had a choice in the matter.

Cursing his own foolishness for thinking he'd be able to stand up to the Highest Council. The most known powerful vampires of their kind.

Their Lord had awakened.

Eyes snapping open at the sudden shift in the back of his mind. Wondering if this was an effect from the drainage of his blood. It felt like. . .Eyes widening at the feeling of pure unbridled hunger that flowed throughout him. Feelings that were not his own.

It was. . .it was him. He could feel him.

Willing every last bit of his remaining strength, he tried to push away the body lodged over his neck. His attempts futile as he accomplished nothing but draining his last traces of energy.

He was going to die.

The Lord's hunger filling his every sense and he could almost feel it himself. Mouth parting at the burning thirst that ran throughout his body. It was enough to drive him mad. It consumed the vampire entirely. Yet, he could sense the desire to pull away from the blood that filled him. The vampire wanted to release him as the small sense of wonder grew.

The Lord was. . . he thought he was drinking from his lover. Holding onto the man who had been lost to him. Feeling the warring battle of doubt and elation.

So. . . thirst. Hurts. . .like fire. . .Inu. . .Inuyasha. . .

His eyes closing but the tears flowed down anyway. Heart in his throat as he was overcome with the sheer amount of emotion that flooded into him. Hearing the man's voice in his head.

Inuyasha. . .Inuyasha. . .

Love. . .he gasped at the intensity. Regret. Sadness. Pain. So much pain.

The arms tightened around him as if sensing his whirlwind of emotions.

He was dying. It was getting harder to stay awake. The edges around his vision fading in and out.

He felt the panic his thought caused.

Hurts. . .

He could sense the pain the other was in. The blood a cooling to the fire that ran in his veins. The Lord wanting to pull away from the perceived weak body he held onto but hunger won out.

A name came to him then.

Sesshomaru. . . The content feeling rolling through him telling him he was right.

The Lady of the Nightworld watched with increasing worry and anticipation. Her son was no longer lost to her. Inuyasha's blood was already providing him strength. His skin losing its dried appearance and filling out into its pale tough and smooth flesh. His thin strands growing fuller and thicker until a straight mane of glorious silver hung down his back. No longer appearing as a weak hunch of a being. A seemingly youthful handsome man left in its place. His face hidden as he drank from the human but she did not doubt his facial markings would stand proudly against his pale complexion once more. The twin magneta stripes that lined either side of his face. The red that stained his eyelids. The dark crescent moon blemished into his forehead. He would be as magnificent as he'd once been. The Lord of the Nightworld would rule again.

Why was it he could. . .feel. . . this man down to his very being. And he could sense himself being seen. He tried to run but there was no where to turn. The demon now realizing the difference between him and his Inuyasha of the past. Taking in the soul of his past love in the life he lived now. The man determined to drink in everything that was exposed to him. His deepest fears. His secrets. His desires. Dreams. His past. They were completely exposed to another.

No. . .no. . .

He wanted this to stop. Things he'd planned on taking to his grave coming to light and he was helpless to stop it.

Let me go, he pleaded weakly. Growing increasingly weaker as the man grew steadily more revitalized. The arms around him tightening in response to his overwhelming need to get away.

Won't. . .hurt. . .

Sesshomaru pushing upon him the things he didn't want to see. As if in reassurance of his safety while in his presence. Images of a time long ago. Flashes of scenes and memories that were not his own. Yet, he felt connected to the pair somehow. Black and silver bleeding into white and silver. The white and silver making a color of their own.

They were beautiful.

He felt every pull of blood from his body as he looked unseeingly past the Lord that held him. No longer feeling connected to his body. Seeing far past the events currently taking place in this room. Only now minutely aware of the body over him. Moisture ran down either corner of his eye as the story of the man before him unfolded in his mind's eye. Events he seemed desperate for the human to see.

That. . . that happened to you, he thought in horror. Having witnessed the moment Sesshomaru lost his love.

You know. . .pain as well.

The thoughts clearer now and not as broken.

No. . .don't look. He thought desperately.

Your mother. . . hate for my kind. . .

No. . .

I wish to see you.

He felt so exposed.

The vampire doing just that as he continued to feed from him. Feeling the amazement for the human that lay in his arms. Wanting to know him and take him in his entirety. More memories and events flooding his system as he gradually went under.

So much love that led to so much heartache. Pain. Anger. Destruction.

Their love was undeniable as he watched them. It was as free flowing as water. As the air itself. He felt the air he breathed becoming thinner as the past he saw flowed throughout his body. Entwining with his soul until he no longer knew where he ended or began. Tremors taking over his body at the sheer amount of raw feeling that raced over him.

Love. He was filled with love.

The observant dark haired vampire abruptly stood up from his seat. Blue eyes as transfixed on the scene before him as the rest of the Council. "What the hell," he breathed in disbelief. Eyes widening as he took in the cascade of black strands that seemed to shimmer into a slate gray. The locks slowly fading into an translucent white. The white strands stilling once more at the slight shaking over his body coming to an end.

Brilliant amber eyes blinked open at the gentle brush of a hand that skimmed across the top of his head. The motion breaking through his haze of red as he was suddenly struck with familiarity. He eased his head away, his fangs reverting back to its dormant state as he made to pull back. The unbearable ache now faded from his body. His stable state of mind wanting to take in the dark haired human with new eyes that had been distorted by hunger. Wanting to see the dark violet eyes he knew Inuyasha to have only to still as he looked into unending pools of amber. His gaze going up to the shockingly white head of hair. Eyes snapping back to look into watery gold. Trails of moisture running down either side of his face. In a similar fashion to the blood that flowed from the two spaced puncture wounds on his neck. He made to speak but his throat would not obey him. Instead tightening his hold on the limp body in his arms as he looked to the love he lost. Never looking away as the hand gently petting him came around to cradle the side of his face. His hold soft and familiar.

Heart thundering in his chest at the searching look over his face. Watching the slightly pained upward lift of the white haired male's lips. Becoming still as stone at the whispered, "Love," that reached him before the hand from his face dropped. Golden eyes rolling into the back of his head before his Inuyasha became a limp mass in his arms.

Strangled moans leaving him as he attempted speech, hugging Inuyasha closer to him as he looked to the blood that covered him. He'd killed him. He'd. . . he'd lost him once more.

The ear screeching yell that left him had all occupants of the room on their feet as they looked to the quickly deteriorating Lord of the Nightworld. Stuck in the grief of losing Inuyasha as he had so long ago.

It slipping past no ones notice the golden eyes that bled into crimson red. The Lady Eiko flying down from her position behind the raised bench. Feeling the Council follow suit without question. Feeling Koga's presence at her left. Holding up a hand to silently communicate her desire for them to keep their distance from the grief-stricken Lord.

Growing sadness filling her as his restored body raised from the floor. Lips pulled back as his eyes restlessly shifted at the faces before him. No recognition. Only intent to release his anger. His helplessness.

A clawed hand raising up over his right shoulder, Eiko recognizing his intent and formed a whip of her own. Sending it flying forward to capture his wrist and putting tension on it. Sesshomaru growling as he tugged, him being bound only serving in angering him further. His pale skin bubbling and reddening as the whip of energy seared his flesh. She reached out to his mind, trying to feel him and press upon him their familial relation but was overwhelmed by the insanity that surrounded her. Nothing but bloodlust filled the Lord of the Nightworld's mind and he snarled anew at sensing her in his innermost thoughts. Sesshomaru simply had the mind of an animal gone mad. Their was no rhyme or reason in him. He would not recognize her.

He pushed her out from him and she came back into her body, blinking as she straightened out from her supported position against Koga. Heart heavy at what she had witnessed. She could not reach her son. He was lost to the madness of his sorrow.

Sesshomaru severed the whip that held him with a swipe of his free hand, an ear shattering screech leaving him as he charged towards her. Clawed hand pulled back in preparation to strike her down. 'What have I done.' The thought a mantra in her mind as she watched him grow nearer. Seeing her only child stuck in this maddened state of being. She had not been completely honest with Yiro. She had endangered her people. Her desire to see her son as he'd once been motivating her actions. She could not fight him. She deserved to die.

As powerful as she might be she was still a mother. She'd let her emotions rule her.

Too awaken him only to reduce him to this once more. Losing Inuyasha all over again. She'd been so sure the human would be what was required to pull him from his anger. Yet, she had not factored in the magnitude of his thirst. A vampire's thirst was no small matter and it was an oversight on her part.

He had every right to end her.

She tilted her head back at the clawed hand that loomed over, looking into crazed red orbs. Sharp talons coming down towards her before Sesshomaru was suddenly sent reeling to the side. Koga's muscled frame shouldering him away from the Lady. Sending the Lord flying through the air. His body crashing into the center of the raised desk. Wood splintering from the hulk of weight that crashed through it. Koga coming to stand before her as the others turned to watch the Lord rise from the pool of rubble.

Everyone deathly still as Sesshomaru's eyes slowly looked to each of them as if in contemplation. Sneering before suddenly disappearing before them and everyone tensed as they wondered where he would strike from.

He tipped his head back, closing his eyes against the barely felt breeze that managed to get through the thick of the forest around him. Listening to the faint sounds of nature as he sat amongst the earth in steadily growing darkness.

The young dark haired man turned his head to the right at suddenly feeling him, watching the silver haired man emerge from the dense foliage to enter into the large space. A smile touching the dark haired beauty's lips as he gracefully rose from his position in the grass. Dark violet clashing with golden pools that seemed to look directly into him. Taken by this creature before him as the other closed the distance between them. Adorned in his usual armor and red and white attire. His footfalls over the ground as silent as ever.

He closed his eyes at the pale hand that came to land on his cheek. Turning into the gentle touch on his sun-kissed skin before turning back to the man he loved. "You came."

The other's eyes searched over his face. "When will it cease to amaze you that I desire to be by your side as well."

The human reached up for the hand that cradled him, holding it in between his own two hands. Despite the frail appearance of the pale he held hand in his own, he knew the strength this man possessed he could only begin to imagine. Any touch upon his flesh was always with the utmost care and consideration. His love was afraid of harming him. It saddened him that the other couldn't touch him to his heart's desire. Not in the way he truly wished. He was too fragile in his love's eyes. "I am human." He whispered, never cursing his natural born heritage more than he had in this moment.

The silver haired man tipped his head back towards him. "And you are perfect." He told him. "Your humanity means little to me."

"You would desire me even when I am old and gray? When I am not as pleasing to look upon." He asked him.

"Even then." Came the low response.

"And if I do not desire to be of old age." He breathed, getting lost in the eyes before him. Not missing the flash of something he could not quite place but the man's next words spoke of his inner disturbance.

"It is the curse that plagues humans."

"It does not have to be so."

Breath halting at the rigidness attached to the arm that held him before the man pulled away from him completely at what the human was asking of him. The clench of his jaw showing his displeasure at the thought. "You don't know what it is you ask."

"I do." He insisted before taking a deep inhale. Taking a few steps forward until he was before the silver haired man. "I do not wish to leave your side. I want. . .to know you." He said, reaching out for the hand that lay at the other's side. Lightly running his thumb over the back of the smooth hand. "You fear I will break at your touch. Do you not desire me as well? If you turn me, you will not have to fear harming me." He brought a hand up to cradle a striped cheek. "Do you not wish to have me for all of eternity. . . Sesshomaru."

The silver haired man closed his crimson lids shut. His face one of an internal struggle before peering down at the expectant face of the ebony haired human. "I have thought of nothing more since I met you, Inuyasha. You as a creature of the night. . .you would be truly magnificent." He breathed lightly as if picturing it in this very moment. "But you belong to the day. You are not meant to be apart of my world."

"How can you know if we do not see. Are you really so unwilling to try." He pulled back, loosening his hold on the other. His searching violet eyes trying to read the man before him. "You would rather see me die." He said as he saw the equal determination in golden eyes. Seeing the silver haired man was as determined to fight against this as he was to fight for it.

"Inuyasha. To live your life in a state similar to mine is not something I would open you to. You would be required to take the life force of another to sustain your own. Without it you will perish. It is not an easy task and you would be connected in a way you wish you weren't. You will know them as you feed from them. It is not something to be taken lightly. Everything you ever knew. . . you would have to leave it behind in order to live out an eternity with me. I could not ask that of you. The idea of you no longer being of this earth. . ." He trailed off, voice strained before gaining control once more. "I would never wish to watch you die. I desire for you to live a mortal life with no regrets of a guilty conscience. This is not something that can be undone if you were not to find it to your liking."

He turned glossy violet orbs from his view of the ground. "I could learn." His words a broken whisper. "If it meant being with you. I thought we worth that much."

The vampire took a step forward. "Inuyasha-"

He took a step backwards, his glorious raven locks moving in time with the slow shake of his head. "Don't presume to know what is best for me. This is not something you would need to ask of me if I am willing to do it."

Sesshomaru looked to him in silent contemplation and he didn't look away. The slight turn of the silver haired man's head was answer enough.

He swallowed, batting away the tears that wanted to spill forth. He wouldn't let himself cry. Not in front of him. Not now. "I see. You will not do it." Silently asking for clarification.

Sesshomaru turned back to him, his stoic face betraying the swirl of emotion in his eyes. "No. I will not know your hatred for feeling I ruined you."

He looked to his deathly still love. Only the ends of his silver strands moving with the light breeze of the darkening sky. The dusk casting the man before him in an glow that made his heart hurt at the mere idea of not having him by his side. He could not live a life where he grew old where Sesshomaru still remained youthful in appearance. Never knowing his personal embrace. Knowing his death was what would finally separate them. He would do anything to keep them together.

He looked up at the sky, watching the sun finally disappear from view as he contemplated his next choice of words and the man's reaction to them. Knowing he would undoubtedly hurt him. 'Forgive me.' He thought before turning to face the man now outlined in darkness.

"I do not wish for you witness my death. Nor do I wish to grow old and leave your side. If you will not turn me. . .then I will find another who will do so."

He watched with clamped lips the slow walk Sesshomaru started his way, looking into the golden eyes that gradually bled into red. Squeezing his eyes shut at the hand that came to wrap around his arm. Willing himself not to give in.

"You will do no such thing, Inuyasha." The snarled words making his heart race. Hearing the outrage and slight hysteria in his love's words. His body jostlig at the insistent shake he received at the hand of the silver haired man. "Do you understand me. You will live out your life as a mortal. You will not turn." A hand on his chin making his head jerk back, the slightest pressures applied. "You will look at me." Came the words that booked no room for argument.

He opened his eyes, looking into the enraged red orbs. Despite the tensesness he felt, he was not afraid. He knew Sesshomaru was more afraid than he was angered. He was not in any danger from this man. The only real danger would be to back down. He couldn't give in. "I will find another way if you will not do it."

"Whoever dares touch you will die." The snarled words coming from the silver haired man's chest. "I would take you from here and lock you away before I would allow it."

"And my soul would leave my body long before my eyes closed in its final rest." He whispered, watching the red fade away in his eyes until only a dark silhouette stood before him. "If you will not turn me, then kill me now. Before the heartache takes me away from you."

"You are not giving me much of a choice." Only a slight growl showing the man's frustration. The human's heart racing at the other's slightly defeated tone.

"You have a choice, my love." He replied, taking the hand from his face and grabbing the man by his finger. A tough pointed claw in his hand as he brought it closer to the right side of his neck. Sesshomaru's claw touching his skin before he pressed it forward, only wincing slightly at the claw that tore through his skin in a downwards trail. Feeling the blood well over onto his skin before running downward. Placing Sesshomaru's hand around his throat before letting go. "I will not continue to live with the thought of one day leaving you. You do not wish to turn me. This will free us both should you choose to take my life. These are your choices."

He breathed as he looked up into the silhouette before him, knowing the other was looking into him as well. Feeling more than hearing the rise and fall of the chest before him. Sesshomaru's hand squeezing him for many moments and his head tilted back with a light gasp, tears filling the corner of his eyes but he did not resist. And he would not fight.

The hand eventually fell away and he took in a few deep breaths before bringing his hands around to place his ebony strands away from his scarred neck. Exposing the blood that lightly flowed down his neck. Looking up before reaching out for the back of the man's head. Gently guiding it to his blood flow as he turned his head. Feeling Sesshomaru give away under his pressure. His own breathing heavy to his ears as the other's breath blew over his self inflicted wound. Looking into the outline of trees that surrounded them in the dark. His heart thrumming at the light scrapping of fangs he felt barely skim over him before a soft wetness licked his wound up in a slow savory trail upwards. His head tilting back at the foreign pleasant sensation.

Sesshomaru hugging him close as he swiped away every trace of blood. The light wound staunched and the human held his love tighter at the slight trembling he felt against him. Sesshomaru made to move away and he held him tighter. Knowing he did not truly possess the strength to keep him near should he wish to break free. He knew the other was afraid. He understood the other's reasons. But he himself was more afraid of not seeing this come to pass.

Fangs barely nipped his skin before the silver haired man pulled away some. "Do not ask this of me. Send me away, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru's words desperate and barely above a whisper.

His chest heaved lightly before closing his eyes, bringing the other's face back against his skin. Tilting his head in offering. "I will not."

The smooth fangs once more skimming across his skin as if in appreciation before gradually sinking into his skin. He cried out, unable to help but do so. His love coming to gradually support his weight in an close embrace as he fed from him. Lightly stroking the head of silver until his strength left him. Eyes becoming heavier as the feel of Sesshomaru became more distant. The darkness that surrounded him bleeding into darkness of the mind as it took him under.

He walked through the thickness of the forest, pushing against the branch of leaves that blocked his path. Wondering where he was. He felt a pull and simply decided to follow it. Listening to the distant chirp of the birds and the scrambling of small creatures as he neared them. Looking up to the clear bright sky that he managed to make out through the top of the enormous trees.

The last branch giving away under his hands, looking around the large clearing in wonder as he moved towards its center. His steps light and silent over the soft blades of grass.

He. . .knew this place. It was from the dream. Though his soul knew it was more than a mere dream. It was a memory.

He turned, pausing as he noticed the white haired figure sitting towards the center of the clearing. The white haired male turning his head to face him. His amber eyes clear and open.

And unbearably sad.

He swallowed and forced his feet further, coming upon the person who looked just like him. He eased down before him in the grass. Mirroring his cross legged position as looked back at him. The wind silent as it picked up the strands of their hair. Black and white.

"He will need you." The other suddenly spoke and he was sent reeling at how much they sounded alike. He felt the words more from the white haired boy than heard them.

I am you and you are me.

Feeling the truth of the words that reverberated in his soul. They were one.

He will need you.

The desperation and sadness behind those words making his heart race. Feeling the love this Inuyasha felt as he'd felt it from Sesshomaru. He could feel the desire to go to the Lord coming off so intensely from the copy of himself it was enough to make him feel suffocated. But he could sense that the other was stuck here.

I can't. . . I'm not like you. He shook his head. What he is. . .my mother.

You must. You feel it.

The other suddenly turned his head to his left and he turned his head to the right. Seeing nothing but the outline of trees but Sesshomaru. He could feel him all around this place. He was. . . drowning.

His brows furrowing at the sensation he was getting and turned to see the other's golden eyes looking to him before nodding.

He is hurting. He will continue to spiral downward without you.

Inuyasha felt the sadness the other felt from having to say those words. Their was no jealousy. Just sadness and acceptance.

And remembered what Sesshomaru had shown him happened to the Inuyasha sitting across from him.

The other lifted the corners of his lips slightly in an reassuring smile.

I am in pain no more. I am here as a guide to you both. Without you he is nothing. Without him, you will never find your place in this world.

He looked down. Wanting to deny those words and their implication.

He killed my mother. Those like him took her from me.

He looked up at the hands that closed around his.

Your mother is with the Gods now. But he did not kill her and would not harm those you held dear. Everything you must know will be revealed to you in time. You must learn him. Know him. Feel him.

He shook his head.

I. . .I'm afraid.

Do not be. He will need you as you will need him.

Both heads turning at the growing rage they felt from the Lord.

There is no time left, the white haired Inuyasha's words rushed and he could feel the urgency behind it. Turning back to violet eyes. You must go back. Save them.

How. . .I'm dying.

I will lend you strength. Now feel it.

He looked to the other in confusion but he saw it then. Could feel it in his chest. A vibrant string of pale golden energy that connected him to the world he lay dying in. To the man that was intent on bringing the world down to its knees.

He grabbed onto the string, it glowed brighter under his touch. This world rushing past him as he became increasingly aware of the pain in his body. Hearing the snarls and yelling growing clearer as he reunited with his body. Face frowning up as he felt the pain he'd known before leaving this plane of existence. Feeling the presence of the white haired Inuyasha fading from him fast but not before he spoke to him.

Remember my promise. . .

Golden eyes watched him. I will.

His eyes snapped open. Chaos surrounded him.

AN: I teared up a bit at writing the white haired Inuyasha.

What'd ya think? Tell me, tell me. ^_^