Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha or related characters they belong to the respective owners. OC's are mine.

A/N: While working on my other Inuyasha stories this idea came to me. This story has no connection to my other Inuyasha stories.

Prologue…

Following the defeat of Naraku the wish Kagome made was twisted by the jewel. Three years later the well never opened again, and her friends from the feudal era never saw her again.

With the threat of Naraku gone Lord Sesshomaru deposited his ward Rin in Kaede's Village. He was not blind to the young girl's infatuation with him, and thought it better she spends time with other humans. He promised her he'd listen to her desires when she was of age. With that done he departed for his own lands, leaving the region around the village in his brother's care.

As time passed the humans who'd fought alongside Inuyasha grew old, they had families of their own and past the stories of their adventures on to the next generation.

In the Western Lands the strongest yokai known as Lord Sesshomaru, who was so powerful that there were no real threats to his land, was left to contemplate what had occurred. Never far from his mind was his brother, the now adult who for as long as he could remember he'd threatened, and abused for imagined insults and crimes. As years passed the current Lord of the West and Inu no Taisho began to feel something he never expected…regret.

Chapter One: It Is Never Too Late

Sesshomaru walked between the trees of the forest. No sound preceded him and none was heard in his wake. His very presence silenced all creatures, as even the smallest mouse could sense the power from this being. Sesshomaru had been the Lord of the Western Lands for nearly three hundred years. Ever since the night his father died protecting some human insect and her whelp.

The powerful yokai frowned as his thoughts drifted to his brother. Brother? Did he think of Inuyasha as that these days? They had joined forces in defeating the foul creature known as Naraku, as well as joined to defeat their father's third sword which had possessed the remains of the human who'd truly caused their father's death.

Yes the young half-breed was his brother. He would admit that now, but not to anyone who actually mattered. He entered the clearing where Rin lay in her eternal sleep. It would be hypocritical of him now to hate his brother, as he'd also have to hate his own son. The pup currently resided with his own mother in her castle.

After Rin had begun to show signs of aging the female Inuyokai appeared and demanded her grandchild be turned over to her. Rin had passed not long after that. He was saddened by her loss but they had spent more time together than his own father had spent with the human mother of Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru could not understand why his thoughts kept straying to his younger brother. It had been quite some time since he'd heard from him. About three years after the Miko known as Kagome vanished they had given up on her return. Whether she had died in whatever place she'd come from he didn't know, but he'd seen a painful sight the last time he'd seen his brother.

The boy was thin and silent, he'd learned from those humans who actually cared for Inuyasha that it had been a fight to even get him to eat once every few days, and even at that it was barely enough to survive on. Sesshomaru angrily snatched his brother up by his collar and dragged him from the well. He took him to a nearby field and challenged him to a fight.

Inuyasha had lost horrendously.

Sesshomaru remained in the village only long enough to see his brother fully healed. After that he'd taken Rin, who was in her late teens at the time and had chosen to remain at his side, and departed for his own domain. From time to time he'd heard rumors of a battle Inuyasha had been in, and since he'd never heard to the contrary believed his brother had returned to his old self.

But it had been many years since any new rumors had reached him. Placing a small bundle of the flowers Rin used to gather for him as a child next to the marker he felt the presence of a familiar yoki. He turned to see an adolescent kitsune entering the clearing.

Shippo bowed to the Inuyokai, "Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru merely nodded. Taking the actions as permission to approach the kitsune walked up to the marker and laid several other bundles of various wild flowers. Sesshomaru knew the extra bundles were symbolic for those who could no longer visit this site though it was Rin who had gone to join them in the next world.

After arranging the bundles so they surrounded Sesshomaru's offering the kitsune stood and surveyed the area, "He didn't come again?"

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow, "No he did not. Though you shouldn't expect him to, he never even replied when I sent him notice of Rin's death."

Shippo bowed his head, "Maybe he's just really busy…you know he's probably helping Miroku and Sango's grandchildren and just hasn't really had the time."

Sesshomaru turned in the direction of Kaede's Village, "Come Shippo."

The young kitsune didn't question the command as he fell into step just behind the older yokai.

For a time they walked in silence. To an observer they'd appear to be a noble and his errand boy out for an afternoon walk. Shippo had no problem with this as in truth he now served Sesshomaru. After completing his training Shippo had been approached by Jaken to take up a posting as a retainer for Lord Sesshomaru.

Shippo had been surprised by the offer and doubly so when Jaken had retired to taking care of more mundane duties at the Castle. Shippo's earliest duties had been as a messenger between Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Rin while she'd been bed ridden during the latter stages of her pregnancy. After that he'd been assigned to watching Sesshomaru's son. When the boy had gotten older he'd told him stories of Inuyasha. The younger hanyo truly wanted to meet Inuyasha, but Inuyasha never seemed to answer any messages.

One time having tired of the absolute silence from Inuyasha, Shippo had traveled to Kaede's Village. When he arrived he met Miroku, who had aged considerably by that time. He'd sat and had tea with his old friends Sango also having shown signs of aging. When the subject of Inuyasha came up they'd both become solemn, but had merely stated he'd gone to take care of a rather nasty yokai at a nearby village. Shippo had volunteered to wait for Inuyasha's return, but they insisted he return to the castle and they'd be sure to tell Inuyasha about the visit.

It wasn't until after Rin's death that Shippo had the opportunity to visit the village again, but by then Kaede, Miroku, and Sango had all passed on. Kohaku was still alive, but had developed a degenerative condition that affected his memory, by the time of Shippo's visit Kohaku was reliving the days of the Jewel hunt and when asked about Inuyash would repeat that he was with Sango and the others.

Miroku and Sango's children, who had all been educated at a school somewhere near the human capital, said Inuyasha had taken to staying in the forest as the village had begun to expand. They explained they didn't speak to him much, but they caught glimpses of him running through the trees, and occasionally extra food or other gifts were left on the doorstep of any needing villager. The villagers all claimed these gifts to be from their protector Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru's voice drew Shippo from his thoughts, "You're preoccupied Shippo?"

Shippo blinked as he looked around. They were surrounded by at least twenty wolves and six Wolf Yokai. Shippo grumbled, "Koga!"

Koga snickered as he stepped forward, "Hey there squirt. Wondered what you'd been up to these days, you never come to visit."

Shippo shook with contained rage, "Like I'd want to visit a bunch of mangy wolves."

Sesshomaru smirked at the interactions between the wolf and the kitsune, "Wolf, is there a reason you are blocking our passage?"

Koga glared at the Inuyokai, "Yeah there is mutt. Where the heck is Inuyasha? I've been looking all over the place for him."

Shippo frowned, "Why are you looking for him?"

Koga crossed his arms, "Food got kind of scarce recently. Not long after Kagome disappeared we had a scarce time and Inuyasha let us hunt in his forest as long as we left the humans alone and didn't take more than was absolutely necessary. This time I sent Ginta and a couple others to hunt, when they got back they said they never saw Inuyasha, and his scent was completely gone."

Shippo blinked, "Completely gone? That can't happen…it would take years for his scent to completely vanish."

Koga huffed, "As a kitsune you'd lose track of his scent after a few weeks, but we wolves should be able to find his body, no matter how well the humans buried it or even if they burned it."

Sesshomaru walked forward so he was standing shoulder to shoulder with the wolf, "Did you speak with the villagers?"

Koga shook his head, "Na, after we searched the area we went looking for other familiar scents. That's how we found the two of you."

Sesshomaru sighed, "Come Shippo, this doesn't change our objective."

Shippo nodded then returned to following at Sesshomaru's heel.

Koga watched the pair walk toward the village. They'd just about vanished from sight when Koga turned to Ginta, "You guys keep searching I'll go with them."

Koga fell into step next to Shippo after only a moment of light jogging. He noticed the kit was back in deep thought like he was when they'd surrounded them. He noticed how Shippo had grown and was starting turn into a strong young yokai. It was hard to imagine it was the same whelp he almost fed to his wolves all those years ago. Remembering that also brought back memories of Kagome.

They had never found out what had truly happened to Kagome. While his tribe had camped at Kaede's Village during the scarce time Inuyasha had revealed all he knew about Kagome, about her being from some time in the future. Koga was surprised to hear that there were no yokai in her time. Koga didn't like to think of what that meant to his tribe. Though, he had to wonder if the yokai were merely hiding, not wanting Inuyasha to know of them in that time.

Koga didn't want to dwell on thoughts of the future. Now he wanted to solve this mystery surrounding his friend/rival's disappearance. It didn't seem right to Koga that Inuyasha would just vanish, besides the fact the hanyo rarely strayed far from that village anymore. Though, truthfully Koga hadn't even spoken to Inuyasha since he'd learned of Kagome's origins.

Sesshomaru came to a halt at a cliff which overlooked the village. Shippo knelt down and looked down on the surrounding area while Koga leapt onto a boulder that gave him a better advantage to survey this area.

The three yokai were greatly surprised, even Shippo who'd been here only a few decades prior was surprised. Where they all expected to find a small village with a couple dozen huts, was now a decent sized castle town. Shippo looked up to Sesshomaru, "They've really grown since my last visit."

Sesshomaru frown, "Yes. Finding an answer to our question may be more problematic than I first realized."

Shippo pointed to where he could see the Sacred Tree. It now sat in a larger clearing with a few buildings and a wall surrounding the compound, "That's the shrine. The Bone Eater's Well and the tree are all on sacred ground now."

Koga pointed down the slope from their cliff, "There are some humans down there. We could ask them, maybe they know something?"

Sesshomaru turned to Shippo, "Koga and I will remain in the tree line out of sight; you are less threatening than we. Speak with those humans and gather what information you can."

Shippo nodded then transformed and floated down to the river bank. When he returned to his yokai form a shocked gasp from behind him drew his attention. There an elderly woman stood clutching her hand to her mouth, "It can't be? You…you are Shippo-kun, the kitsune from the legends."

Smiling cheekily Shippo bowed, "So you know of me?"

The old woman nodded, "My parents used to tell me stories about the hunt for the Jewel of Four Souls I was but an infant when it occurred. We all know the stories about Inuyasha and his companions. The priest at the Shrine tells visitors about them all the time."

Shippo looked around at the young women who had stopped their laundering and the dozen or so children who were playing in the river. He turned back to the old woman, "You're not frightened of me?"

The old woman shook her head, "The priest says kitsune are more tricksters than anything else. We're to only report seriously threatening yokai to the town guard, but we're safe here."

Shippo nodded, "How do I get to that shrine from here? I need to find someone to answer a really important question."

The old woman pointed toward the town, "Follow the path back to town. There is a statue of the Buddha; it marks the path leading to the shrine. The priest and his family should be able to answer any questions you have."

Shippo bowed in thanks then took off at a run up the path. He stopped when he spotted Sesshomaru and Koga waiting at the Buddha statue.

Returning to their formation of Sesshomaru in the lead with the wolf and kitsune flanking him they made their way up the hill toward the shrine. The meaning behind the presence of a Buddha statue marking the way to a Shinto shrine wasn't lost on the three yokai. They were quickly at the gate which was open to admit visitors to the shrine. As Sesshomaru stepped onto the sacred grounds of the shrine he felt his power being sapped from him.

The others too felt their strength being sapped. Quickly a group of Shinto priests and priestesses and a pair of Buddhist monks surrounded them. One of the monks raised his hand to forestall any attack by the spiritually empowered humans, "Yield, these three mean us no harm."

The others stood down and the draining effect on Sesshomaru and the others ceased. The yokai were curious about as to how the monk knew they had no ill intents. The curiosity faded as the monk knelt before Sesshomaru and Kirara alighted on the young human's shoulder, "Lord Sesshomaru…we were not expecting such a visit from one such as you."

Sesshomaru seemed to stare through the young human, "Why would you not expect a visit from me. Does my brother not still dwell within this area?"

The monk looked surprised, "My Lord? You speak of Lord Inuyasha as though he still lives."

Sesshomaru's eyes turned red as he caught the young monk by the throat and lifted him into the air, "What did you just say?"

A priestesses bowed her head, "My Lord, please release my brother…he meant no offense. We were under the impression that you among any would know of your brother's death."

Sesshomaru released the monk and turned to the girl, "When and how did my brother die?"

The second monk shook his head, "None living know how it occurred. We know it was before the deaths of Master Miroku and his wife. My aunt was one of their daughters, and she only knew Inuyasha from when she was very young. Master Miroku told her that Lord Inuyasha was deceased just before he passed onto the next life as well."

Koga growled, "What the hell? How does Inuyasha get himself killed? He survived his childhood, everything Naraku threw at him, and having Sesshomaru for a brother. Someone like that doesn't just keel over."

Shippo shook his head, "You're wrong, he can't be dead…he was fine when I came to visit Kohaku before he passed on, and that was after Miroku died."

Sesshomaru stared at the horizon as he spoke, "Shippo when was the last time you actually saw Inuyasha with your own eyes, when was the last time you actually caught his scent."

Shippo bowed his head and after a moment spoke low enough that only Sesshomaru and Koga could hear him clearly, "It's been decades."

Sesshomaru turned to the oldest looking priest, "Where are my brother's remains and personal effects."

The old man shook his head, "We know not. Those items belonging to Lord Inuyasha were said to have been buried with his ashes, but we know not when or where the funeral took place. The only knowledge of Lord Inuyasha's passing we have is by word of mouth. Master Miroku forbade us from writing what little knowledge we have down. He said that should this knowledge travel too far it may reach ears that it should not."

Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze, "You're say you have no knowledge of where the Tessaiga lays?"

The old priest nodded, "All knowledge pertaining to the Tessaiga was stricken from the histories, only the head priest is permitted to know about it. My acolytes have never even heard of it before now."

Sesshomaru turned back to the gate, "If that is the case, we will take our leave. There is nothing left here that concerns us."

Shippo and Koga looked confused at Sesshomaru. After a moment Shippo walked over and stood next to the head priest, "I'm staying."

Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder, "Do as you wish, just remember your way home, as I will not return to find you."

Shippo nodded but schooled his features. It didn't do to show he was grateful that Sesshomaru wouldn't cast him out for this slight show of disobedience.

Koga glanced back at the kitsune as he followed the Inuyokai from the shrine.

He continued to follow Sesshomaru for some time until he realized Sesshomaru was wondering apparently aimlessly through the forest, "What are we doing?"

Sesshomaru continued walking as he spoke, "I am searching for the Tessaiga. You are apparently following me for reasons that are your own."

Koga huffed, "Why are you looking for that rusty old sword anyway? From what I heard you can't even touch it."

Sesshomaru glared at Koga, "Things have changed. Beside it is not something you leave unguarded so any filthy scavenger can steal. It is far too powerful to be left in a grave no matter how well hidden."

Koga snarled, "Sesshomaru didn't I already tell you. Inuyasha's scent is completely gone from this region. That means there's no grave, I'd even be able to find his ashes if he'd died a hundred years ago, they aren't here."

Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze, "Scents can be covered up we both know that from hunting Naraku."

Koga turned on his heel, "Figured you at least show some remorse over Inuyasha being dead, but seeing as you're a stuck up noble you're probably disappointed you weren't the one to do it."

Sesshomaru lashed out with his claws which just barely missed as the wolf ducked then leapt just out of reach. Sesshomaru flexed his fingers causing the joints to crack, "Never talk about that which you have no understanding of."

Koga growled, "For being only half yokai your brother was twice the Alpha. We yokai probably wouldn't be doomed to extinction if purist filth like you weren't running around making a mess of things."

Sesshomaru looked confused, "What are you talking about?"

Koga huffed, "Kagome…she was from the future. In her time there aren't any yokai. If that's true then we're all dead, probably due to yokai like you who can't stand change. Look at yourself you're barely able to hold back from striking me because you view me as an inferior to you. If I remember it right, it was your half-breed brother who killed that monster Naraku."

Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze, "It was a combined effort."

Koga shook his head, "I don't have time for this. I got to get my tribe some food. It's not like our mighty Lord will help us."

Sesshomaru blinked as Koga dashed into the forest.

Time past as days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Nearly a year later Sesshomaru had long since given up on locating the Tessaiga. Truth be told he gave up after Koga had rebuked him for being more concerned over the sword than the fact his brother was gone. Sesshomaru was once again in Rin's clearing, waiting for the sun to set. He was surprised that morning to find Shippo's offering had already been placed.

Following his split from following Sesshomaru the young kitsune had only been seen occasionally as he was kept busy at the shrine. Sesshomaru hadn't been completely truthful with the younger yokai, he occasionally returned to the village to observe Shippo and ensure the last remaining connection to his now long dead brother remained alive.

He normally caught Shippo leaving the offerings, but today he'd been unable to arrive as early due to a growing threat to his lands. An unknown yokai had been terrorizing the land killing entire villages in a single night. The massacred villages were terrifying to mortals as such carnage hadn't been seen since Naraku was alive.

Sesshomaru located the yokai and recognizing it for what it truly was slew it in a single strike. It was a weakling that had gained some minor power by leeching yoki from other yokai it enslaved. Once the leech yokai was destroyed he carried on with his plans for the day.

Once the sun had fully set he stood and turned to find another Inuyokai waiting. The Inu bowed as Sesshomaru approached, "You know why I've summoned you?"

The Inu nodded then spoke, "You are going to speak with your mother, and my pack is to secure the lands while you're away."

Sesshomaru gave a curt nod, "I have dealt with the major standing threats, you may summon reinforcements if need be."

The Inu bowed then watched his master depart.

In less time than Sesshomaru truly desired he arrived at the castle of the only yokai who could possibly be stronger than himself, at least that he'd grudgingly admit. His mother's elite guard flanked the steps leading to the top landing where she sat waiting. If he didn't know better he'd almost believe she'd been waiting for him.

Sesshomaru knelt before her in respect then surveyed the landing, "Where is my son?"

His mother smirked, "He is in lessons, as any good prince should be. I've been expecting your visit for some time now."

Sesshomaru sighed, "I come only to deliver news that father's bastard son has fallen."

His mother's expression hardened, "I've known of this fact for many a year my child, for decades in fact."

Sesshomaru looked surprised, "Mother?"

She stood and turned to enter the castle, "Come." Sesshomaru fell into step beside his mother. The female yokai spoke as they walked, "In truth Sesshomaru I have watched over your brother for many years, since the eve of his birth. I would have snatched him from that pathetic human that very night, but you were near and I couldn't allow you to catch my scent."

Sesshomaru looked confused, "Snatched him? Mother you could have destroyed him with great ease any time you liked, I would not have interfered."

Her look became dangerous, "I would never kill a pup Sesshomaru, no matter it be a half-breed or a human pup. No mother in her right mind could condone such terrible atrocities, even if the whelp is the illegitimate spawn of my mate. As your father's mate it was my right to claim that pup, and seeing as you were beyond your need for me I had no other obligations. Only your father's last words to me stopped me. He feared Inuyasha could grow to despise us, and humans if separated from his mother too soon."

Sesshomaru looked thoughtful, "Then why not take him when the human passed. He was still but a pup then."

She smirked at him, "Don't think I didn't try. Your actions though made that impossible. Do you remember your first encounter with your brother following the death of his mother?"

Sesshomaru bowed his head in thought, "He was being chased by a group of lesser yokai. They had him cornered, I'm not even sure why I interceded but I destroyed them and instructed him in how a proper Inuyokai fights, I also punished him for disgracing our father by his cowardly actions."

She nodded, "Inuyasha knew you for his brother. I know that his mother and you spoke before her death; even though you told her that the pup had no place among us you protected him. He began to follow you, I always laughed when my spies told me you were searching for the Tessaiga yet it was right under your nose. How many times did you chase the whelp away when you caught him hiding near your camp?"

Sesshomaru glared, "I had no time for the whelp. He was nothing to me."

Sadly she opened a door. He followed her into a chamber which was the upper level of the castle's library. In the area below Sesshomaru saw his own son being lectured by a young Inuyokai. He remembered his own lessons from his childhood. These things had been denied from his brother due only his own malice.

The young hanyo didn't turn away from his studies at the arrival of his father, but Sesshomaru expected nothing less from his son. He then turned to his mother, "Is there a reason we are here? Our presence does nothing but distract him."

His mother looked grimly, "I mean only for you to remember him throughout our conversation, and to think on all repercussions. A dangerous proposal I have for you. A final precaution put in place by your father and I many years ago."

Sesshomaru was confused as he followed his mother back into the hall. She led him in silence down another series of halls and several flights of stairs. As they went the halls became darker and the air smelled of death and decay. She stopped at a door then turned seriously to him, "When we enter this room do not speak or act before I have a chance to explain in full. To do so could be catastrophic."

Sesshomaru silently nodded his head in obedience then followed his mother into the room.

The inside of the room surprised him to no ends. The room itself was mostly bare save for wall mounted candles, which must have been scented to cover the smell of what sat in the center of the room. Sitting with his head bowed as though he was merely sleeping was Inuyasha; the Tessaiga sat leaning against his shoulder as he'd seen it so many times before. Inuyasha's face was obscured by his fringe, but the rotting and scabbed hands eternally clutching the Tessaiga told Sesshomaru that the monks statement of his brother's death were accurate.

Good to his word Sesshomaru remained frozen to the spot awaiting his mother's explanation. He didn't have long to wait as her voice ripped his focus from his brother's mummified remains, "I have never personally spoken to him during his life, only at the end did I appear before him. It was many years ago now, the watcher I had placed over him informed me the pup was not long for this world. It was not long after you'd thrashed him for wasting away at the well waiting for the girl from another time."

She stepped toward the remains, "He was not too far gone at that time. I tried to convince him to continue to live, but he said it was hopeless as we'd all be gone ages before she was even born. He continued to slay troublesome yokai that entered his territory, but he became less cautious and stopped fighting with his pack at his side. Then the news came to me. He'd been struck a potentially fatal blow."

Sesshomaru watched as she loosened the Fire Rat Robe and revealed the deep gash that nearly bisected his brother's torso.

She redid the robe before standing and turning to Sesshomaru, "I went back to the village; I planned on that occasion to bring him here. In this castle healers would be able to save him, just as they would have been able to save your father had he returned here instead of going to protect that human." She turned to look at the hanyo again, "He refused…in fact he made me promise to not let you revive him with the Tenseiga. After that he laughed at himself, he said he doubted you then. He said I'd have no trouble stopping you because you wouldn't have even tried."

Sesshomaru placed his hand on the miraculous sword. The sword which saved Inuyasha's mother when wielded by their father, the sword which had revived Rin after Koga's wolves had killed her, the sword which saved Jaken after he'd been cleaved in two by Tokijin. The sword which now hung silent and useless at its master's hip, for even its power has its limits.

Sesshomaru looked to his mother, "Why? Why is he here? You should have allowed his pack to give him a proper burial, not leave him on display like some morbid curiosity."

She bowed her head, "My dear Sesshomaru…you only bury the dead. Your brother is far from dead."

Sesshomaru looked surprised but turned his head back toward Inuyasha. Focusing his hearing he could scarcely hear the faint beating of a heart. It was so slow that he nearly missed it, as well as the shallow breaths. Sesshomaru glared at his mother, "What trickery is this?"

She bowed his head, "The yokai that struck your brother down is a rare creature. It is a poison yokai that comes from a poisoned dagger used to kill one-hundred children. This particular fiend was partially the dagger's spirit and that of the old man who believed he'd gain eternal youth for taking the lives of those innocent children. The poison strips the victim of their youth and leaves their body in a mummified state. The only thing that keeps your brother alive is the fact he's part yokai, any human would have died long ago."

Sesshomaru frowned, "Then he should have died on his first human night following the battle."

His mother smiled, "We have sustained his life for as long as possible. I hoped you would come sooner. I fear that the next new moon will claim the last fragments of your brother's life."

Sesshomaru knelt before his brother, "Can he hear us?"

She remained silent for a moment, "At first he could make subtle gestures to indicate his needs, but those ceased many years ago, his body is now nearly entirely mummified."

Sesshomaru bowed his head, "I'm sorry little brother. I should have been there."

Standing he turned and left the room, he was alone in the hall only a moment before his mother joined him. She moved so she could examine his face, "Sesshomaru? Do you truly morn your brother's fate, you who laid claim to his life, you who nearly killed him on more than one occasion."

Sesshomaru glared at his mother, "What use does morning do? My brother is doomed to die this very night, yet you spoke as though this fate could be undone."

She bowed her head, "My darling Sesshomaru, you don't know how many times I've wished to undo my own mistakes. Yet an Inu can only alter their fate once."

Sesshomaru frowned, "Alter our fate?"

His mother turned and motioned him to follow. They continued on in silence until they reached a room in the lowest levels of the castle. As they entered three female yokai turned to glare at them. Sesshomaru turned to his mother, "What is this?"

His mother's voice seemed to turn to ice, "These three are not truly yokai, nor are they mortal. They exist in every corner of the world at once, and go by many different names. They weave the tapestry of fate, but fate is not something that can be written before it has come to pass."

Sesshomaru now looked closer at the massive tapestry that hung on the wall. He saw himself fighting in numerous battles, and further back he found his father's final battle with the dragon Ryukotsusei. He turned to his mother, "What good is this? So I can review my past mistakes?"

The eldest looking of the three chuckled in a raspy voice, "Foolish little lord…long have we weaved here, but only thrice have we torn asunder that which we have made. Once for your grandfather who watched the world burn. Once for your father who lost all. Finally once for your mother who committed a grievous crime."

Sesshomaru turned to his mother, "A grievous crime?"

She bowed her head, "Three times has our history been rewritten. The first time was by your grandfather, I was not alive at the time, but from the stories your father told it was to correct one event to stop the world from plunging into darkness. Next your father changed fate when he lost you and me to betrayal most foul, it was why he sired your brother. Finally I altered fate because originally I killed your brother's human mother immediately after his birth. I raised the pup, but when he learned the truth he grew to hate and despise our kind. In that timeline you and he were closer, that allowed him to kill you with great ease; your father also survived in that timeline and retaliated by killing your brother. After both of your deaths he led me here to make my choice. I have lived with the regrets of that timeline for all these years, if you make the choice…"

Sesshomaru turned to the eldest of the three, "What kind of bargain must be struck?"

Her raspy voice seemed to echo off the walls, "Only once may you do this, your past memories will be like a dream, the gift of foresight you will gain, the curse of loss will be yours."

Sesshomaru frowned, "Curse of loss?"

His mother spoke, "Your son Sesshomaru, if you alter the timeline he very well may never be born. You will feel his loss as though you've lost him to death, but in truth he has never been born."

Sesshomaru looked at the image of his father battling the dragon, "How far back can I go?"

The middle weaver spoke in cold voice, "To the hour of your own birth may you fall, but no earlier than that. Your very life will be limits of this gift we give."

Sesshomaru pointed to the image, "Send me to the morning before that event."

The youngest weaver spoke in a melodic voice, "One alone cannot change fate, but allies across the sea of time can be found, memories return as dreams upon the time of the traveler's desire."

Sesshomaru examined the tapestry until he found Inuyasha's pack, "These ones, if they remember my brother they may very well come to join him sooner, the monk may in fact be able to free him if that miko seals him again."

The youngest weaver bowed sadly, "Death prevents us from sending those of mortal decent to change their past. Your brother and his human friends cannot be sent. The Kitsune and the feline though their memories can be sent."

Sesshomaru nodded, "What of the miko from the future?"

The eldest spoke again, "She whose birth has yet to come cannot change fate. She is no longer in our power."

Sesshomaru pointed to an image of Koga meeting Inuyasha's group, "Then the wolf, give him his memories when he first encounters an Inuyokai or Inuhanyo." Sesshomaru turned to his mother, "Shippo and the feline as well. Mother?"

She shook her head, "At that point in time I have already altered time, I cannot regain memories again, but your father and I will both know you speak the truth and heed any warnings you give us."

Sesshomaru nodded then turned to the weavers, "Do whatever you must and let's be done with this."

The weavers seemed to melt into spheres of light and their voices echoed as one off the walls, "We grant you Lord Sesshomaru the power to walk the paths of time. We grant you Lord Sesshomaru memories of a world now lost. We grant you Lord Sesshomaru the power to write your own fate. We grant you Lord Sesshomaru the power of Foresight to see that which you never knew."

One of the spheres shot toward Sesshomaru and stopped within an inch of his face. The visage of the youngest weaver appeared within the sphere, "AWAKE!"

Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open to find four Inuyokai looking at him with mild concern. The eldest of the four spoke, "Young master are you alright?"

Sesshomaru blinked as he sat up, "Of course I'm fine Shinji. Why wouldn't I be?"

The Inuyokai addressed as Shinji bowed, "You collapsed on the battlefield, and your father ordered us to bring you a safe distance from the battle."

Sesshomaru thought for a moment, "Hmm…what a peculiar vision." He turned to Shinji, "Has Ryukotsusei taken the field yet?"

Shinji frowned, "Ryukotsusei? Young master what reason would that dragon have for taking the field?"

Sesshomaru stood, "I have a peculiar feeling that he'll strike while father is distracted with these enemies. We should return to the battle ground immediately."

Shinji bowed, "Of course young master."

Sesshomaru turned to the youngest of this small pack, "Ton I need you to deliver a message to my mother."

The young yokai was surprised as Sesshomaru rarely spoke of his mother, "Of course young master."

Sesshomaru brushed off his clothes, "Tell her I know of her past deeds, and that I have need of her to go personally and protect my father's mistress."

Ton looked revolted at the mention of the human woman, but knew better than to disobey a direct order. Without another word the yokai transformed and darted into the air.

Sesshomaru then led Shinji and the remaining two Inuyokai back toward the battle. His head was swirling with images, thoughts, and memories that were quite foreign to him, but something was compelling his actions and he'd felt the necessity to heed the compulsions.

End Chapter One

End of Chapter A/N1: Now I know what you're all thinking. Why is he starting another story when he's got so many unfinished? Well to answer that, it is because I'm stuck in a rut on those stories. So until I get out of that rut here's something to entertain you.

End of Chapter A/N2: As a final note on chapter one, this will also be my first story where I'm writing multiple chapters before posting. I already have chapter 2 finished, but won't post it until I'm started almost done with chapter 4.