Little brother is what I never called you.

I know you hated me,

And with good reason.

I would kill you someday,

Although I did not know why.

You were a dishonor to me.

Neither demon nor human,

You wandered.

I watched you,

Although I did not know why.

Others joined you,

Drawn like a moth to a flame.

The light in your being was there,

And I approved of it,

Although I did not know why.

I tested you at every turn,

Shook my head at your folly,

But your need to destroy Naraku

Made me follow,

Although I did not know why.

Your nobility was impressive,

But when you transformed,

I came upon you,

And tested you one last time,

Although I did not know why.

I envied your hatred of me.

I envied how you could kill and kill without ever batting an eye.

I envied you,

And so wished your transformations to stop,

Although I did not know why.

And as you laid there,

Dying in Kagome's arms as she pressed a tender kiss to your cooling lips,

While your friends said their last goodbyes.

Your bravery in death twisted my heart,

Although I did not know why.

So, I approached.

Your clouded golden eyes stared into mine,

As I knelt, ignoring the others, and took your frigid hand.

I brushed your bloody hair away and called you what you always wanted,

Although I did not know why.

"Goodbye, little brother."

You smiled painfully,

And squeezed my hand,

Before slipping into your death,

And loss tore at my heart,

Although I finally knew why.