Remember Me

/Sesshoamru's thoughts/
'Inuyasha's thoughts'
+Lion's Language+


Chapter 18

"My baby." Izayoi kissed his cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and then she did it all again as
tears continued to flow from her eyes. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him
into a tight hug. "I'm never going to let you go."

Inuyasha began to turn blue as she effectively cut off his air supply. Ashanta and the
others snickered in the background at his predicament. Inutaisho walked up to his mate and
placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to stare at him with watery, lavender eyes. He
smiled. "Dear, let him go," said her husband. "You're going to strangle him if you don't
give him some air."

"Oh," she said startled and immediately released her son. Inuyasha inhaled a big lung full
of air and then exhale. "Thanks dad, for a minute there I was seeing my life flash before
my eyes."

"Sorry son, I was just so happy to see you." The tears started to flow again as Inuyasha
wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay mom. I'm home, and
I’m never leaving you ever again."

"Are you hungry, sweetheart?" She dried her eyes and smiled up at him. "Oh, I have to get
the servants to fix some food, no a banquet," she said excitedly and hurried out the room.
Sesshomaru smiled as he watched his stepmother rush out of the room in a flurry of royal
blue silk. It was nice to see her happy again. Everything was finally working out for his
family. Yes, they were finally a family once again. He let his gaze settle on his younger
brother. /My Yasha, I shall set everything right between us tonight. /

Inuyasha sighed and went to sit down with his second adoptive family. "So, that's your
mother," said Ashanta.

"Yeah," said Inuyasha smiling.

"She's pretty," said Zaine.

"Psst! Brother . . ." Inuyasha looked at his sister. The girl kept nudging her head
towards Sesshomaru. "Remember our talk," she whispered to him.

"You mean now?" Inuyasha bit his bottom lip.

"No time like the present," whispered Zaine winking an eye at him.

'Okay, they're right.' He inhaled a deep breath, and let it out. He was calm and ready to
tell Sesshomaru how he felt. 'I have to tell him or else I may loose him forever.' Just as
Inuyasha was about to get up and ask to speak with his brother alone, there was a knock on
the door.

"Enter," said Sesshomaru. Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Rin rushed into the room. "Please
forgive our intrusion, but we just have to talk with Inuyasha," said Sango apologizing.

"It's quite all right," said Inutaisho smiling. "Why not stay for dinner. We're going to
celebrate Inuyasha’s return."

"Thank you," said Shippo. They immediately sat down around their childhood friend and got
reacquainted.

Ashanta noticed how Rin was talking to Sesshomaru and smiling. She did not like that look
in the human female eyes. Inwardly, she snarled as her eyes flashed dangerously. She would
need to speak to the human. Yes, she would definitely have a word with the woman.

xxxxx

That night the celebration was in full swing. Sesshomaru even had the servants take some of
the food and saki out to his men so they could join in the celebration. The sentries were
the only ones that were not allowed to drink. All the same, the men were grateful to their
lord for remembering them. Inuyasha told his family and friends everything that happened
to him from the time of his first meeting with Yin, all the way up to when he got his
memory back. After he was finished, he was told how his father lost his battle against
Ryuukotsusei, but he was not told of his daily torture by the dragon. However, he did not
have to say anything. Inuyasha could tell that his father was tortured and sexually
abused. He saw all the bruises, cuts and old scars. He would make the dragon pay for every
wound he gave his father. Inuyasha was also saddened to hear about the death of his friend
Kikyou. She was like a sister to him. He would miss her.

Inuyasha had to hold in his laughter as the three cat demons watched with distaste as the
servants placed plates of rice balls, raw fish, cucumber rolls as well as other traditional
Japanese food before them. He especially had to stop himself from laughing at his two lion
siblings. Being avid meat eaters, it was a shock as well as a horror to them to have to
each such, skimpy food. He could hold back no longer. Inuyasha fell over laughing so hard
until tears fell from his eyes, and his side started to hurt.

“And what’s so funny, Kumo?” asked Ashanta frowning.

“You and Zaine. You two should see yourselves in the mirror,” he said laughing and sitting
up.

“I don’t understand,” said Zaine.

“I am part of the Pride. You know how funny it is seeing two carnivorous lions forcing
themselves to eat a rice ball and try to stomach it.” Inuyasha fell over laughing
again. “You two look as though you’re about to puke. Even Sethos looks ill.” Just then,
the servants brought in the real food. Meat! “I told the servants to wait a while before
they brought this in.”

Ashanta hissed at him raising her claws in a semi threatening way. Instead, she grabbed
him by his hair and yanked it. “Jerk.”

The celebration went on into the early morning. It was three in the morning when most
everyone had turned in for the night. Only, the cat demons, Rin, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and
their parents were still up. Inuyasha stretched his arms over his head and released a huge
yawn. "Guess I should turn in also."

"Why don't you take a bath first," said Izayoi smiling. "It will help you sleep better."

"Okay," said Inuyasha leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. Then he wrapped his arms
around his father's neck hugging him tight.

"Come brother, I shall show you to the bathing pool," said Sesshomaru standing up.

"Right." He gritted his teeth as he heard snickering coming from across the table. He paid
no attention to his adoptive siblings, and marched over to join Sesshomaru at the door. He
thought he would get away with just them snickering at him. He should have known better.

“Hey Kumo.” Her voice stopping him. He turned slightly to glare at her out the corner of
his eye. Ashanta passed her hand over the glowing red jewel around her neck. The stone
went dead as she looked mischievously at her brother. +Don't get yourself pregnant, + she
said in the lion language. Both she and Zaine fell out laughing.

His face turned red with embarrassment. "SHUT UP!" He turned to yell at them raising his
fist, and forgetting that his face was red as an apple.

"Oh, Inuyasha what's wrong son?" Izayoi asked puzzled. "Why is your face so red?"

If it was possible, Inuyasha’s face became redder. This made Zaine and Ashanta laugh even
harder. As he walked out of the room, he heard Zaine said in the lion language, +I guess
we're going to have to buy him some baby clothes also.+ He could still hear their laughter
echoing through the hall.

Inuyasha grumped as he followed Sesshomaru. He was so caught up in his embarrassment that
he did not realize, until he felt a cool breeze that they were now outside.

"Where are we going?" asked Inuyasha.

"I'm taking you to the hot spring, instead," said Sesshomaru. "It's much more private than
the bath. I have something to talk to you about, otouto."

"Oh," he said meekly as his ears lay flat against his skull.

When they arrived at the hot spring, it was far enough away to give them some privacy, but
still close enough where help could arrive if they needed it. Steam rose from the surface
of the water. It was surrounded by green plants and several beautiful white, blossoming
flowers. Sesshomaru untied his obi, and let his kimono slid down his arm. Then he let his
hakama fall to the ground to join his kimono at his feet. Inuyasha watched mesmerized as
the silver hair demon stood before him in all his naked glory. His pale skin seems to glow
in the moonlight. The dark stripes that accented his cheeks, wrists, and thighs made him
seem otherworldly. At that moment, in his mind, his brother had become something he could
never comprehend. Therefore, he would settle for calling his brother a child of the moon.
On the other hand, maybe he was a dream. The way the moonlight touched him, it was like he
was this gorgeous creature that his mind dreamt up just for him. 'Beautiful.' Was the only
thought that formed in his mind. Although, beautiful doesn't nearly described how
absolutely breathtaking Sesshomaru looked. Suddenly his resolution began to wavier. His
brother was so beautiful, so magnificent, he felt sort of unworthy of this beauty. At that,
his ears drooped even lower.

"Are you going to join me, or are you just going to watch," said Sesshomaru drawing his
brother out of his melancholy thoughts.

Inuyasha looked up to see his brother sitting in the water watching him. "Right." He began
to take off his clothes. Once he was undressed, he stepped into the water and lowered
himself to sit down. "This feels so good." He leaned his head back in relaxation and
sighed. The warm water began to loosen his tense muscles.

"How do you feel?" asked Sesshomaru.

"Like I’m in heaven," he said with a sigh in his voice.

They were silent for a while just enjoying the warmth of the spring, and the presence of
each other's company. Then Sesshomaru spoke. "Otouto, there is something of great
importance that I must speak to you about."

'Here it comes. He's going to say he loves me, but only as a big brother.' Inuyasha tensed
up as his mind ran a mile a second in panic. 'What am I going to do? If he doesn't love me,
I will just die. Should I tell him? What will I tell him? If I don't, and he says he
doesn't love me. I will loose him, FOREVER!' He screamed in his mind.

"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru grabbed his brother by the shoulder, shaking him. The hanyou stared
up at him with glazed over eyes. "Inuyasha, snap out of it!" He shook his brother one more
time before the other finally focused on him.

"What?"

"I was trying to talk to you, when you started trembling," said Sesshomaru. "At first, I
thought you were just cold, but then the trembling started to get worse. You wouldn't
answer me no matter how loud I yelled at you."

"Sorry, I was . . . " He swallowed a dry lump in his throat afraid to tell him what he so
desperately wanted to say.

"What were you thinking about that had you so out of it?" He moved over to sit thigh to
thigh with Inuyasha. The hanyou tried to swallow another dry lump, but it got lodged in his
throat, constricting him from speaking. His mouth opened, but only a dry gasp came out.
'What the hell? I can't speak.' He bit his bottom lip nervously. 'Why oh why, did this have
to happen to me? And why did it have to happen now just when I was about to tell my love
how I truly felt.'

Sesshomaru watched his brother closely. The tortured expression that covered his brother's
face gave him hope. /So little brother, you do love me, don't you./ He smiled. /You need
not suffer so, little one. I shall end it for you./

"Inuyasha," he said watching the younger demon's head jerk up to stare at him with large,
nervous eyes. "I wanted you to be the first to know. Well, the second to know since I had
to speak to father about it."

"What?" Inuyasha croaked out.

"Well, I have finally decided upon who my mate will be."

"Oh, really. Might I know who this lucky person is?" Every muscle in his body was clenched
tight. His heart pounded against his chest as he waited for his answer.

"Well, I did say I had something important to talk to you about," he said sighing. He did
not want to have any secrets between him and his mate. "First, a couple days ago I had
asked Rin to be my mate . . ."

At hearing that, Inuyasha’s heart sunk to the pit of his stomach. He didn't hear anything
else as his world fell apart. His beloved was going to mate someone else. It was too late
for him. It was over before it even began. He had lost the love of his life. He wanted to
cry so badly, but he won't. He would not cry in front of his brother, his beloved. His
bright golden orbs dimmed as he stood to leave. He would cry, but not here and not now.

xxxxx


Rin was outside looking up at the moon when Ashanta walked out joining her. The two women
stood in silence. Rin could feel something was wrong as the lion demoness tapped one claw
against her thigh. Sighing, she decides to break the silence. "The moon is so bright
tonight."

"I hate small talk," said the demoness briskly. "It tends to waste time and energy. So,
I’ll just get to the point. What is your relationship with Sesshomaru, human?"

"I guess, the same as yours with Inuyasha." She crossed her arms across her chest. "And my
name is Rin."

Ashanta scoffed. "I think not. I have never looked at my brother with so much love in my
eyes." The lioness sneered out the last four words of her accusation. "So I ask you again.
What is your relationship with Kumo's elder brother?"

"I am his translator and bodyguard," said Rin.

"That's nice, but you're leaving something out."

Rin sighed. She could see that the demoness won't let it go until she has told her
everything. "Very well, since you want to know so badly. He asked me to be his mate."

Ashanta stiffened in apprehension. "He asked . . . But you told him no, right?"

"No, I didn't," said Rin. "I told him I would give him my answer once we have defeated the
dragon."

"I see," said Ashanta narrowing her eyes. "What is your answer?"

"I don't see why I should tell you. This is a private matter between Lord Sesshomaru and
me. What business is it of yours if I accept his proposal or not?"

Ashanta snarled showing long fangs. "You will tell me your answer, or so help me I shall
beat it out of you."

Rin brows raised in shock. The demoness was serious about this threat. She would really
beat Rin to death if she didn't speak. "Well, I was going to say, yes." Rin watched the
lioness for her reaction.

Ashanta felt her heartbreak as her shoulders slumped. She can't believe how wrong she had
been about Sesshomaru’s feelings. Was he planning on playing a cruel joke on her brother?
Was his confession of love for Inuyasha a hoax? No, it can't be. She saw only love for her
brother in the demon's eyes. Then why didn't he tell them this before? Hell, this was going
to kill her brother. She knew that Inuyasha loved his brother deeply. What is going to
happen when he finds out that his brother has chosen a mate? And it is not him. Ashanta
sighed and turned to leave when Rin called out to her.

"Wait," said Rin placing a hand on Ashanta's shoulder stopping her. "Listen, I was going
to say yes. I mean, why wouldn't I? Lord Sesshomaru is a lord, powerful, cunning,
intelligent and very handsome. You would be a fool to say no to someone like him." Rin
smiled. "But I also knew he did not love me. I had asked him why he wanted me as a mate.
Do you know what he said?"

Ashanta stared at the human shocked shaking her head.

“ I was loyal and strong. When I asked him was that the only reason he wanted me as his
mate. He said in that emotionless voice that always sounded dead to me, "No, what other
reason is there?" That's when I knew that no matter how long we would have remained as
mates. He would never love me the way I wanted him to love me. I knew that there would
always be the shadow of his true mate hanging over us."

"Now that his true mate has returned, what now?" asked Ashanta.

"Well, I guess I have to concentrate on finding my own husband," she said smiling. "How
can I accept my lord's proposal when his mate has returned."

Just then, Inuyasha walked out of the forest. "Brother," Ashanta said smiling. "So, how
did everything go?"

"It didn't," said Inuyasha with his head and ears lowered.

"What do you mean?" asked Rin.

"I mean he still intends to make you his mate."

"No," gasped Ashanta.

"He doesn't love me anymore," Inuyasha sighed in defeat.

At hearing that, Ashanta frowned. That can't be right. When she and her brother talked to
the elder dog demon, he stated adamantly that he was in love with his younger brother. And
since Rin is going to turn down his proposal, there is no reason for Sesshoamru not to mate
with Inuyasha. Something was wrong. She took a cursory sniff of her dog brother and snarled.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer," she yelled. Her sharp claws sliced into Inuyasha’s chest.
Inuyasha staggered back clutching his bleeding chest and fell to one knee.

"What are you doing?" asked Rin staring at the lioness in horror.

"I don't know who you are," Ashanta said pointing at the demon. "But you are not Kumo."

"That's not Inuyasha?"

"Of course not. If you're going to impersonate someone you better make sure you do it
right." Ashanta snarled. "Who are you?"

Suddenly, they heard laughter coming from the kneeling figure. Rin gasped when the long
silver tresses turned midnight black. The figure stood smiling at them with crimson colored
eyes.

"I remember you from the castle," said Ashanta. "What is one of the dragon's little lap
dogs doing here?"

“Who is this?” asked Rin.

"Please forgive me for not introducing myself," he said with a smirk. "I am Naraku."

Rin reached one hand behind her back, and clutched the hilt of one of her sais. Ashanta
just cock a brow at him. "I hope you don't think the name means anything to me, because it
doesn't."

"You truly are an amusing demon."

"I'm glad you find yourself amused, but you didn't answer the question," said Ashanta
snarling. "Why are you here?"

"I've come to ask you to join my army of demons," said Naraku. "I have watched you, and
you could be an important addition to my army. We could rule all of Japan."

"I'm not from here."

"Besides why would she betray my lord and Inuyasha to join up with a despicable monster
such as you," spat Rin with as much venom as she could muster.

"Anyways, its just plain stupid wanting to rule an entire country." Ashanta shrugged her
shoulders. "You can't keep an eye on every person in your enslaved little kingdom. There
will always be rebellion."

Naraku just smirked. "So I take it you will not join me?"

"Well duh, what made you think I would help a disgusting . . . Uh, whatever you are?"
Ashanta frowned. "What kind of demon are you anyway?"

"According to Sango, he's a spider," said Rin.

"Ewww, I hate spiders. You know what I always say. The only good spider demon is a squashed
spider demon." Ashanta lunged at the smirking Naraku with her claws raised preparing to
strike. Inches before she could bury her claws into his smug face, out of the corner of
her eyes she saw a pair of claws coming towards her. She skidded to a halt and did a
backward somersault out of the way of the claws. Landing beside Rin, she glared at the
chained figure crouched beside Naraku. The long silver haired demon had some sort of
muzzle over his mouth. It glared at them with bloodlust in its dark eyes. "What the hell
are you?" He may look like a normal demon, but Ashanta could tell that this was a wild,
savage beast. He moved about slowly, as though he was stalking them.

"This is Kageroumaru," said Naraku. "His only goal is to kill. He's rather tame right now
since he is chained, but once I unshackle him. The two of you are dead. I only let him out
when I come against someone that is especially annoying to kill."

"Really, then why didn't you use him when you attacked Ryuukotsusei?" asked Rin. Rin smiled
when she saw the annoyed look in the crimson-eyed demon. "I get it. You did use him, but
the dragon was too powerful for him."

"That maybe so, but you are not too strong for him." He smirked at the women. "I don't even
have to remove his chains." Naraku removed the muzzle. "Kageroumaru, kill." Instead of
attacking the females, the silver hair demon immediately turned on him. But before the
claws could penetrate flesh, Naraku had the silent demon by the throat and caught the hand
that was coming for his chest. His long claws punctured the flesh of the silvered hair
demon. Lifting Kageroumaru off the ground, Naraku snarled. "Listen to me Juromaru, I let your little antics slide because you are amusing, but now you are becoming tiresome. You will follow my commands, or so help me, I will suffocate you in your brother's blood."

Rin and Ashanta stared at the dark haired demon puzzled. "Didn't he say that demon name was
Kager-oumaru," said Ashanta frowning.

"He did," said Rin unsheathing her sais. She began to wonder why he was now calling the
demon Juromaru. Well it didn't matter anymore since the demon now had its sight set on the
two of them.

"He's gone mad." Ashanta stared at them in disgust. "You think you can handle the white
haired freak?"

"Yeah." Rin glanced at the demoness. "What are you going to be doing?"

"I’ll take out the jerk that holds that one's leash."

"Now, attack," ordered Naraku releasing the demon.

Kageroumaru lunged at the women. Rin moved to counter attack. While the two of them fought,
Ashanta went after Naraku. He leaped out of the way of her attacking claws, and perched him
self in a tree. He laughed. "I suggest you not waste time with me, and worry about your
friend," he said.

"What the hell are you babbling about," snarled Ashanta. "Come down you coward! She's doing
fine against that twisted freak of yours."

"Are you so sure?"

Suddenly, Ashanta heard Rin scream out in pain. "No." She turned to go help the other woman.
"Back off!" She brought her claws down, but the silver hair demon leaped out of the way.
"Rin, are you all right? What happened?" She asked kneeling beside the injured human.

Rin clutched her bleeding arm. "There's two of them." Rin tore a piece of her shirt off and
tied it around her bleeding arm.

"What!" Ashanta turned to see that there were indeed two demons except that the second
demon looked like a worm with long bladelike appendages like a mantis. Sitting atop the
worm body was a head that was similar to the demon that crouched above it. "What in the
fuck is that, a worm?" Then she helped Rin to stand up. “Where in the hell did that come
from?”

“Inside of that one’s body,” said Rin. “That’s why Naraku had its mouth muzzled.”

The demon laughed. "I am Juromaru, Kageroumaru's elder brother."

"You mean he's a worm also," said Ashanta. "How come he looks normal, and you look like a freak of nature."

"You have some mouth on you," Juromaru said smirking. "Looks like I’m going to have to shut
you up."

"Better demons than you have tried, but I’m sure they will tell you about it when I send
your slimy ass to hell." She ejected her claws. "Okay slime ball, let's dance." She and
Rin charged at the two brothers.