Title: Between Eternity and Time
Author: Demitria Miriam
Rating: R
Pairing: Sesshou x Inu
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Inuyasha, nor do I make any money off this piece of fiction.
Note: Inspired by a line from House, MD (first sentence of the summary) and Emily Dickinson's "Bequest" poem (dunno if reading it would explain how it inspired me, but it did XD). Basically it plays off the end of the manga, Chapter 364 (page15).

Summary: Can you imagine your whole life being all about the worst thing you ever did? Sesshomaru's sin is the denial of his younger brother, Inuyasha, as his own kin. Now, seeking a second chance, a future version of the daiyoukai visits his past, trying to make amends for the wrongs his fledgling self has inflicted on both of their futures. Sess x Inu. AU/AR. Short fic.

Chapter 1: The Visitor, an Introduction

It had been two weeks since he had first found the young daiyoukai roaming, seemingly at random, throughout the Western Lands. Weeks, and yet the young demon known as Sesshomaru, who had been tracked and was currently being stalked relentlessly, still had yet to sense even a whiff of the one who had initially been waiting for the moment his companions and he would walk right into his trap.

When it happened, the youngling didn't even twitch in anticipation, because he hadn't been aware at all that he was about to be attacked.

The demon, the human girl, the imp and the dragon had taken refuge in a long, deep cave when the season of rain had begun that day. Coincidentally, there had been berries and other vegetation nearby that would sustain the girl's hunger pains. She shared her findings with the imp and dragon, and before long, all three had fallen asleep, the demon lord the only other that would be conscious to what was about to happen.

A quick movement of feet and a touch of claws to a slender neck was all it took.

And then it was over the next moment.

The fledgling struggled against the grip against his throat as his back and skull ached from the collision with the cave wall. His efforts, however, were in vain. The youkai youth was no match against him.

The trapped demon growled angrily, so conceited he was in himself that he seemed particularly astonished that someone, anyone or anything, would be able to defeat him. Or, in this case, subdue him.

"You...dare..." the fledgling growled out in pained heaves, trying to snarl at the cloaked figure in front of him. Regardless of his struggles and ego, the question of who this mighty being pinning him to the cave's esophagus swum within his narrowed, golden orbs and the Visitor felt a need to answer in turn.

"My presence, never mind my aura, should give tell as to who I am now, Sesshomaru," came the easy answer from the much deeper voice.

"You..." came another strained sound. Sesshomaru continued, senseless of his endless suffocation, to keep an eye on Rin while at the same time keeping the other on the one pinning him with what seemed to be ease at its absolute. He glared hard, growling in warning as best he could, when the cloaked being looked back at the girl in nothing but fondness.

"Do not fret. I will not harm her, nor the others. I have not come here for things that are not even fathomable." The being, of course, was referring to Sesshomaru's thoughts of him harming the girl.

"Hn. What is the meaning of this?" came a raspy voice as the Visitor loosened his grip for the only purpose of allowing the young one to speak and ask his anticipated questions.

"Your imprisonment was inevitable, Sesshomaru, you cannot think that you'll escape." At the defiant look in the youngling's eyes, the being snorted. "Or perhaps you are arrogant enough, even now, to think that youare invincible. Though, unfortunately, to your assured disappointment and frustrations, you have no choice but to cater to my whims in this present moment."

"This Sesshomaru will not submit to-"

"Be silent. I have not the time to listen to your useless drivel. I have a purpose to fulfill, and to do so, you must be... put into remission."

Sesshomaru stared hard, trying to decipher what this being meant to do.

"You will state your intentions."

"My, aren't you presumptuous," the being snorted. "However, seeing as how you are essentially apart of this, I suppose I can acquiesce." A brief pause before his answer of, "Inuyasha," was given.

Sesshomaru's eyes noticeably twitched. "... Inuyasha?"

"..." the silence was enough to confirm that Sesshomaru had heard what had been said correctly.

However, even the great daiyoukai's curiosity won out and before he could stop himself he asked, "What is your purpose concerning that half-breed?"

"You truly are just a fledgling. How foolish and blind youth of any specie can be it seems," the hooded figure said with a sounds of disgust in his voice. Then, his tone turned somewhat somber and he said much softer, "How truly foolish I was."

Sesshomaru glared. "I fail to see what significance his miniscule presence would be to you, or anyone for that matter."

"Hm. You will see in time, youngling. But know this- While I know you've tried so hard to convince yourself that he means nothing to you, I can freely admit... his presence... it is not small within myheart."

The young daiyoukai's eyes shook with raw, unbridled emotion as he once more struggled against his restrainer in vain before ceasing as a reverberating, foreign vibration rippled through his body.

"And so it begins," the being spoke, almost to himself, as he caressed the fledgling's face. "Your body, young Sesshomaru, will rest in an immovable and impenetrable sleep. Your mind and soul will lie dormant yet aware within my being as I seek to fulfill that which you've caused ruin to in both our futures. Sleep now. When you wake, you will become aware to my intentions in your world.

"Sleep now..."

The daiyoukai's body slumped, eyes vacant and unseeing as a warmth spread through the Visitor for a moment becoming but a hum in his chest's cavity. The being picked the prone body up, easily suspending it in the air with some unknown magic, making sure to seal the cave so no unwanted, or even wanted guests, could get by and harm the slumbering bodice and that of the others.

Upon exiting the cave after the Sealing, the being saw the first glimmer of daybreak. His journey would begin once the light reached across the land. He vowed to himself, and the one within him, all that he sought to and would accomplish while on this plane would end the way he wished it. That the one reason he came here for would be fulfilled.

No matter what, he would find Inuyasha.

He would mend the bond that was broken since the hanyou was old enough to understand the difference between hateful and caring speech.

It would, of course, prove to be a difficult task, he was sure... but he would absolutely NOT lose Inuyasha again... Not the way he had the first time...

He could not...

He would NOT lose his little brother again.

Author's Note: Woo! Um. Yeah. It'll be explained more in chapter 2 if you don't get it at this point? Yeah! XD I'm thinking this'll be about five chapters. Edited 9.9.2011.