Strength

OMG, OMG! Thank you, thank you thank you. Thanks everyone for voting, thanks everyone for supporting and thank you everyone for reading and enjoying this fic. In the IYFANGUILD Awards 4th Quarter 2010, STRENGTH has been honored by receiving the Second place in BEST DRAMA and has been (Wow) voted as WINNER of the BEST YAOI/YURI category. THANK YOU! GLOOPS readers and voters... slobbery kissess.

There was only one thing I could think of to do as a heartflet thank you and that was t write the next chapter and POST!

SO this is dedicated to the team of IYFANGUILD for their hard work and to each and every person who has supported and read STRENGTH.

Bows* Great thanks to the multi talented Sparkling Snowfall-sama for graciously taking time from her busy schedule to beta. Much appreciate it.

Read, review and Enjoy

Chapter 44 : Death's embrace

The tiny being sat alone. His head bowed on his knees, the little one cried silently in the dark. They had just put his Mama in the ground. He was not sure where he was. He had no idea how he got there. His Mama had just left him, and he did not care.

It was dark and the darkness seemed to press on him. The mess of white hair curtained the tear-streaked face, and the triangular ears were flat on his head. He was so lonely; no one had come for him since they had buried his Mama. His frame was racked with shivers and sobs.

"Mama, Mama..." he hiccuped into the dark. He was so scared. "MAMA!" His scream pierced the darkness. Mama loved him, she would not leave him, not when he needed her so much. "MAAAAAMAAAAAA!" the forlorn howl rent the still air.

The tiny hanyou curled up in a self protective ball and did not notice the shimmer in the darkness.

Hands reached out of the dark. The palm of a soft hand touched his cheek, wiping his tears away.

My brave little one, there is no reason to cry

Another hand rested on his head, worn and rough, but with a comforting strength; his bowed head was stroked and petted.

I am proud of you My child. You are a worthy son.

The young Hanyou opened his eyes "Mama..." he whispered, his eyes widening, as not one, but two shadowy figures stood before him, "P...p..pa..papa...?" His voice broke on the word, as he gazed into the powerful and handsome face of a man he had never met, and yet knew with all his heart. His Papa beamed at him in pride and love.

"Yes, Inuyasha. Our son we are here, you are home." The whispered words, reached out and touched the heart of the little one who had lost his childhood far too early.

"Mama! Papa!" he shouted in joy as he lunged forward and was enveloped by their love and warmth.

:O :P

Suijin jumped to her feet. Her energy shifted. Where there was once a peaceful patience, only waves of fear and concern remained.

"What is it Suijin?" Kouga, his voice reflecting deep concern and something else asked when he took in the ashen countenance of the water goddess. Ryoku and the wolf demon, the only ones privileged and trutsed enough to be allowed to wait in the foyer during the birthing, were drawn to their feet. The children had, thankfully, been sent to the far corner of the castle.

"Something is wrong-very, very wrong," the goddess responded even as she moved towards the doors of the royal suite. The others followed quickly then flung the doors of the suite open and were confronted by a scene that would forever be etched in their memories.

Warm, cosy and exhausted from the hard work of being born, the two tiny, pure white puppies slept soundly in their basket, a picture of pure innocence and love. That sight buoyed them as, in the dream, the pups had not even survived that long.

Their relief was short lived, however, when their attention was drawn to the parents of the pups.

"Sesshoumaru! Sesshoumaru!" Ryoku called out, her voice strained, reflecting her rare concern for her son. The silence that echoed in the suite was intimidating. "Suijin! What has happened to my sons?"

Ryoku glided closer, but Sesshoumaru's aura flashed and pushed the her back. They were not to interfere. Sesshoumaru conscious or not, locked as he was in an almost deathlike trance, was not going to allow any to interfere in the proceedings between the mates.

"Inuyasha, he slipped before Sesshoumaru could stop him. The thread that holds him to this world has frayed. It has almost disappeared. He is now more on the side of death than life. Inuyasha is lost in the darkness and your son has gone to retrieve his mate," Suijin murmured, her voice a little awed. "I never imagine Sesshoumaru would or..or... being a demon, could go this far."

Kouga's face was grim. "Well if Sesshoumaru has gone to retrieve him, I am sure that Inuyasha will fight his way out."

Ryoku was the one who responded, her face holding a strange nostalgic sadness. "No, young one, you do not understand. Death is not what you think it is. For those who die with honor, for those who truly LIVED, death can be rather beautiful. It can be a reward for a life well fought. When there are those that you love waiting for you, death is the passageway to the heavens." The ancient Inu Demoness's eyes glowed with a sense of knowing, her hand caressing the Medou-seiki stone.

"Inuyasha, I believe, has many loved ones who would welcome him." Ryoku's eyes were sad as she refocused on Kouga. She had chosen life a long time ago. She did not regret that choice, but a part of her still dreamed of the welcome she would find in her husband's arms when she finally crossed over. "If this were a battle, I have no fear for my youngest son. His fighting spirit will not be defeated. However, battle is not what they are facing, and that is what worries me.."

Suijin nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the frozen, and almost translucent, Demon Lord holding his brother and mate in a tender embrace.

Kouga realized he was the only one who did not know exactly what was transpiring. He did not have the experience of Ryoku, nor the knowledge of the Goddess to fall back on. He had, however, matured enough to keep silent and wait for an explanation, instead of barging in on a solemn moment. His silence was rewarded when Suijin picked up where Ryoku had left off.

"Can you measure Love? What they face is a choice of Love; whom does Inuyasha Love more? If only Sesshoumaru had stopped him before he slipped so far... Hush ! Ryoku, I am not criticizing your son, far from it." The Goddess gestured to the two pups, "That they sleep so soundly is a testament that in spite of what Sesshoumaru wanted, he took care of his Mate's needs first. He must have ensured the pups were safe before seeing to his mate, and that was the moment when Inuyasha slipped away. That he could follow Inuyasha... amazing."

Appeased, Sesshoumaru's mother looked at her two statue-like sons. "He has bound himself to Inuyasha. If...if Inuyasha chooses the safer love, I will lose them both." If she lost them she had to carry on for her grandchildren, but her heart was breaking, the impeccable Demoness could not believe how much pain the thought of losing them both caused her.

A strangled sob escaped Suijin.

A warm hand curled around both Suijin and Ryoku's shoulders, as Kouga unthinkingly performed the singular bravest action he had ever enacted. He hugged both powerful women to him and gently admonished them. "You do both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru a disservice. They are needed here, Death will not keep them."

The trio watched, still and silent, waiting for the outcome.

:) :) :( :P

Sesshoumaru made his way though the dark, his steps deliberate and controlled. There was no hesitation or fear in the Daiyoukai, his purpose and goal clear. In this world, or the next, it mattered not, he would be with his mate. In the dark, he could see the light that was his mate's shining bright, a beacon that gave safety to the lost.

Sesshoumaru smiled grimly at the uncharacteristic poetry of his own thoughts. Death, it seemed, had that effect on him. At one with the darkness around him, Sesshoumaru glided forward. He came into viewing distance of his mate, and for the first time, his measured pace faltered.

He had expected almost anything. ALMOST. But, this was beyond even his imagining.

Inuyasha was a child, hardly more than seven. He sat between both his parents, holding them tight, his smile beaming, shining out, banishing the darkness. Inuyasha's laughter sang out; it was melodic, innocent, and as pure as the twang of the Golden Harp.

This was Inuyasha, whole and undamaged. The pup before he had discovered that he was alone in a cold and unaccepting world. This was the Pup, as he should always have been-pure, filled with joy, filled with love, and filled with hope. His smile was purer than Me-chan's. His eyes twinkled with a light that surpassed Kishi's. And, his body beamed with a confidence that rivaled Yuusha's.

This was Inuyasha before he had realised his mother was never coming back, before his heart had broken, and before the world had killed his innocence and joy. Before... before... the pain, the loneliness, the hurt... before... everything.

Death was just as kind to the Hanyou as Life had been cruel. Death had freed the young one of the crippling memories, of the shattered heart, of everything that Life had done to him.

And everything inside the DaiYoukai screamed. He loved Inuyasha, and in that moment, he recognized that if he took another step forward,... it was he.. that would strip the joy and innocence from his mate. Sesshoumaru's heart writhed in agony. Was his Inuyasha better off like this? Free, innocent and beaming with effervescent joy.

Lord Sesshoumaru faltered.

He faltered... but he did not stop. He could not stop. The Pup was amazing, innocent, free, but the Pup was not the one Sesshoumaru loved. The Daiyoukai loved the being who had walked through the fires of hell and somehow emerged stronger. He loved the young man who bristled and blustered like a porcupine, and yet would lay down his life in a second for ones that he perceived were in his protection. He loved the individual who, while his heart was shattered, reached out and offered love and care to the children, never allowing the children to be harmed by his pain. He loved the warrior, who never gave up, who never allowed defeat to crush him, who kept rising to fight again. He loved Inuyasha - the adult.

He would not allow the Warrior hanyou to disregard all that he had become. Innocence was beautiful, but Strength, strength born in sorrow, tempered by adversity, and nurtured by fortitude,... that was not just 'beautiful'... that was everything, everything that gave their life meaning.

Sesshoumaru could not allow that to be forgotten - unless Inuyasha chose to reject whom he had become... reject his mate.. outright. Unless Inuyasha knowingly chose ignorance, Sesshoumaru could not allow it to be forgotten.

Sesshoumaru stepped into their line of sight.

Inuyasha's smile beamed at him. The shining golden eyes locked on Sesshoumaru, and slowly, confusion entered the bright eyes.

Sesshoumaru's brow drew together and his heart squeezed as confusion crossed the small face. Indecision took him. The alien sense of being caught between the need to run and the need to stand firm engulfed the DaiYoukai, freezing him to the spot. Sesshoumaru could not tear his eyes away. If his mate rejected him, there was no turning back. The rejection would literally be the death of him.

Bright gold eyes blinked, and blinked again. The brightens dulled. Complex emotions filled the eyes. Releasing his hold on his parents, small fists pressed against his forehead as Inuyasha tried to contain the swell of strange and inundating emotions. Inuyasha whimpered, his eyes opened, and tears welled up on the surface. He suddenly scrambled to his feet. His face twisting in response to sensory overload, he stood an seemed to glare at Sesshoumaru.

"Gahhhh... Sesshoumaru... Seeshou... Sesshou..." Inuyasha cried out, and between one breath and the next he was sprinting to the DaiYouaki, to his mate. Inuyasha did not turn around, there was no hesitation in his choice, he moved away from innocence and embraced his strength.

In a split second the child became an adult.

Sesshoumaru bit back a sob, as Inuyasha's arms closed around him, his mate's scent soothing him, bringing the wondering DaiYoukai home.

The two stood together as one and the darkness yielded to their combined light.

Inuyasha held Sesshoumaru tight. Memory flooded him, he had no regrets. Slowly, the inu Hanyou turned to gaze once more at his parents. His arm was firmly around Sesshoumaru when he turned to face the two individuals whose love for him was the one consistent source of strength in his long and challenging life. As much as he wanted to be with them, he wanted to be with his mate, much, much more.

Inuyasha's eyes dulled as he gazed at them.

The two ghostly figures stood gracefully, their smiles were benevolent and accepting. "Hush son; speak not. There is nothing that needs to be said, no fault that requires defense. You love and are loved in return, and that is what we desire for you. We are proud of the man and the demon that you have become, Inuyasha. We love you and we are so very proud of you."

The blessings of his parents filled the Hanyou, mending and healing the once shattered heart.

"Sesshoumaru," Inu Taisho addressed his older son and heir, "There is nothing a father could desire more, nothing that a son can do to honor his father more, than to have his heir surpass him. You and your brother, in different ways, have grown far beyond me. My love for you has never wavered. Now that you have surpassed me and have found many to protect, Sesshoumaru, my pride and joy in you has no bounds. We will meet again my sons, but not for a very, very long time."

Loving smiles on their lips, the couple faded into the darkness, leaving the two brothers to absorb the blessings in the silence.

After a long while, a somewhat dry throat was cleared, "Err... Sesshou, thanks for the rescue and all that, but how are we getting back?"

Sesshoumaru blinked, he had not considered that. Before he could respond, the darkness shimmered once again, and a handsome glowing figure, dressed in shimmering black, stepped out. Inuyasha's eyes widened then narrowed. He knew this being.

The being ignored the Daiyoukai, and with a grace far surpassing Sesshoumaru's, it floated to Inuyasha and gently cupped his face. Inexplicably, the DaiYouaki suddenly found himself two feet away from his mate and unable to talk or move.

Black eyes that glittered with a million stars stared into Inuyasha's soul.

Inuyasha knew this being, knew him intimately. In the last seven years, this being had been his constant and strangely comforting companion.

"Death." Inuyasha whispered, naming the being that held him in a poignant embrace.

"Yes, my Inuyasha, have you decided to reject me, after all?" Death asked tenderly. He vibrated with a strange and tranquil warmth.

"I.. I.. need, no.. I want to go back. Please... I want to be with my mate, with my pups." Inuyasha whispered. Death's embrace was not cold, it was warm, addictive. It was a different kind of home.

"My embrace no longer interests you, Beloved?" Death's question was tranquil, soothing, loving even.

"No, not yet. It's not bad, not at all. It's warm, like home, but... but... I want more. I need more. I want the heat, I want the life, I want the laughter I have only just rediscovered with my mate. Please, please, can you wait? Send me back, back to my mate, back to my pups, please," Inuyasha pleaded. He pressed his forehead into Death's shoulder. Even as he rejected Death, he could not deny the mesmerizing power of this being who's embrace a part of him had yearned for not so long ago.

"Yes, my little Inuyasha, I can wait. Your mate has successfully quested on your behalf, and for now, he has succeeded in stealing you from me. Death is nothing, if not patient. Know this Inuyasha, you are beloved by me, and it is rare that I have even been so overjoyed to return empty handed. Go with my blessings. It will be a long time before you see me again, my love, and when you do see me, you and your mate, will both come to me together." Still not acknowledging the DaiYoukai directly, Death placed a long, warm kiss on Inuyasha's lips. The world melted around Inuyasha and his eyes fluttered closed.

:) :0 :( :P

Golden eyes opened to stare into the narrowed and strangely jealous, golden eyes. "Keh, you can't seriously be jealous of Death, Sesshou," Inuyasha whispered his voice as rough as it was loving.

"Of course, I can," Sesshoumaru responded bruskly. That he was a jealous and possessive mate was not something he intended to be shy about. "That bastard, more than anything else, has the power to take you from me, temporarily at least. Not even Death will be allowed to part us for long," Sesshoumaru stated, his voice flat, but his fingers gently and lovingly exploring the beloved face that rested on his lap.

Inuyasha's smile was like the sun, breaking through the darkest of clouds. It beamed in its radiance. "No, not even Death will separate us. He has said that we will meet him together, in the far future, and Death never breaks his word." Inuyasha's voice brimmed with joy. He lifted his head slightly, and Sesshoumaru leaned down to devour his mate's lips in a hungry, needy, and absolutely loving kiss.

The enamoured couple never even noticed the three others in the room. The three whose relief at the sudden return of the two Shiro Inus had them grinning widely.

-almost the end-

This is a thank you chapter, I could hardly leave you with a cliff hanger. :) Hope you enjoyed it. By the way I have to credit this portrayal of death as a lover to the amazing author Mercedes Lackey. Vanyel was my first mainstream yaoi character and is still one of my favorites. Death comes softy, and leaves gracefully. :) Did you like it? Please review.

Also take note, since there are no more cliffhangers in this, my attention is going to drift back to splitting between my fics. Serpents and Dog Demons as Well as Survive needs some love. :) Just so you know. Love you all... warm fuzzies in next few chappies to sooth the angst and tie up loose ends. :)