Words of Wisdom

Inuyasha lay there on the ground watching his brother fearfully for the first time in his life.. Sesshomaru stood poised above him, his sword ready to deliver the final blow. But for some reason Sesshomaru hesitated. A little angry that his brother was about to kill him, and now hesitated, he growled. "Go ahead!" He felt the emotion ripple through his words. "Your father would be proud of you killing a hanyou!"

. Tilting his head to the side, Inuyasha watched Sesshomaru look down sighing. His sword dropped.

"What is with you?" Inuyasha growled, sitting forward slightly.

Sesshomaru's head snapped up. He turned away from Inuyasha, sheathing his sword. "How little you know." He whispered.

"Wait! Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha called out. Keeping his sword out protectively, scrambling to his feet, he followed his brother, baffled by this sudden change.

"Wait, Inuyasha!" Kagome called out. "Something is wrong." She ran down the steep slope she had been standing on with a small child that had arrived with Sesshomaru. The small toad like creature that also had traveled with the elder brother was standing there mouth agape in stunned surprise. He was spouting out blubbering nothing as he watched his master walk off.

The little girl was silent.

Inuyasha turned confused. "What do you mean, something is wrong? I think he has lost his mind, walking away from me. Does he not realize turning your back on an enemy could get him killed?"

Kagome watched the older brother seat himself on a boulder, and stare out into nothing. His head turned up towards the moon, and he stared hard at it. "No I mean, something is bothering Sesshomaru. Look." She pointed, and Inuyasha looked curiously.

"This doesn't make any sense." Inuyasha shook his head.

Jaken, the toad like youkai piped up. "Nothing is wrong, he is just debating how he will kill you, you filthy hanyou. He only hesitated because you are so weak and is waiting for the right time to kill you."

The little girl, named Rin looked at Jaken sadly. "No master Jaken. I think Kagome is right." She turned her large brown eyes to her Lord Sesshomaru sadly.

Inuyasha frowned, still wary of his brother. If he lowered his guard, Sesshomaru would charge him. One had to stay on guard with his brother. But rapidly thinking, he figured Kagome was right. This wasn't his brother's usual attitude, or demeanor. Warily, Inuyasha approached his brother, standing far enough away. Keeping his sword handy, Inuyasha sat down cross legged, and watched silently for a moment scrutinizing his older full youkai brother.

Sesshomaru's eyes were distant, and was lost in thought. It appeared as though he was watching the moon, but looking at Sesshomaru closely, he didn't actually see it. Leaning forward, Inuyasha stared at him confused.

Sesshomaru didn't move, but remained sitting, staring out into nothing. His hand was placed beside him, supporting his body as he leaned back slightly on the boulder. Frowning, Inuyasha continued to stare at him. His ears twitched slightly, but he remained silent as he watched his elder brother in confused wonder. This was a side of Sesshomaru he had never seen, and it caught him off guard. The angry aura that usually surrounded him was gone, replaced with a calm, sad one.

Inuyasha sighed heavily. "Alright, what did you do to Sesshomaru?" He growled.

His older brother didn't turn to look at him, but a frown marred his fore head. The golden eyes closed, and Sesshomaru lowered his head. Not a word was said, but the defeat that filled the air was intense. Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder at Kagome and shrugged.

Rin raced past Kagome, and slowed her pace as she approached Sesshomaru. Everyone appeared to be at a loss for words at this strange behavior Sesshomaru was eliciting. The little girl climbed up on the rock and sat down beside him, staring up at him frightened. She whispered. "Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin wasn't afraid of him, but afraid of this weird action he was portraying.

He turned his head slightly. "Yes, Rin?"

"What's wrong, milord?" She whispered leaning in closer.

Shaking his head, Sesshomaru stood up. "I wish to be alone for awhile. Stay here with them." Without another word he walked off, leaving everyone confused.

Without question, Inuyasha followed his brother. He wanted to find out what this change was all about. If this was some kind of trick he would find out soon enough. Sesshomaru was acting completely out of character. From what he knew of his brother, he knew he was cold, unrelentless, and deadly to all those around him. But now seeing this strange change, he wondered if there was something more to this heartless youkai.

Shaking his head, he followed his stern brother, who appeared to not notice him. Sesshomaru knew though. Without turning his head, he knew Inuyasha was following him, at a distance. They were out of sight from the others, and he finally turned around and stared at his younger brother in question.

"Why do you follow?"

Inuyasha stopped. "I want to know what is bothering you. This is so out of character for you that you have me confused and the others worried."

"Worried?" Sesshomaru voiced the unusual word on his mouth. "Why?"

Inuyasha heard the bitterness in the words, but dropped any comment he would have said to his friends. "Yes worried, you idiot!" He retorted. "This is not like you, and I want to know what is going on."

Sesshomaru frowned. He wanted to be alone and yet here was his hanyou brother following him and annoying him further. "Go back to your friends. Stay with Rin, and watch her, that is all I ask. You wouldn't understand what is going through my mind." He saw Inuyasha's mouth open in protest but he held up his hand. "Enough!" Without another word Sesshomaru turned and began walking again.

To his annoyance, Inuyasha was still following him. "Are you really this annoying?" Sesshomaru growled.

"Jaken and Kagome are there to protect Rin. I want to know what is going on with you." Inuyasha ground out between clenched teeth. He knew his brother was quick to anger, so he remained wary of straying too close. Anger didn't fill the air however when his brother turned around again.

"A human?" Sesshomaru growled.

"She is stronger then you think." Inuyasha sighed. "What is it Sesshomaru? Usually you would have lopped off my head by now, but still you refrain from fighting me despite my annoyance to you."

Sesshomaru nodded. "True. You have a lot to learn, Inuyasha. What do you know of father?"

Inuyasha stopped stunned. "Nothing really. Only what I have heard from others."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Then what makes you think he would be proud should I kill you?"

Inuyasha was speechless. Shaking his head he walked a little closer to his older brother. "I had thought he was like you."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "You know so little, yet you pretend to know. Why is that?"

Inuyasha frowned. "Stop speaking in riddles."

Sesshomaru glanced at him strangely. "Riddle?" Shaking his head, he really didn't want to know. "You think father was like me? Cold hearted evil?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "People and youkai alike feared him." He whispered. "When I saw him after Sou'unga was destroyed, I feared him."

Shaking his head, Sesshomaru sighed. "Fear is a weakness. I saw fear in your eyes today."

Inuyasha snorted. "I wasn't afraid." He said it more to convince himself then his brother.

Sesshomaru frowned. "Then what was it that I read in your eyes?"

Inuyasha looked down at his feet shuffling them side to side. "Fear." He whispered so softly that no one heard. Because of his keen hearing, Sesshomaru picked up the whispered words with ease. Nodding, he turned and glanced at the moon.

"I used to stand watching the moon with father." Sesshomaru whispered.

Inuyasha lifted his gaze and regarded his brother curiously. "You have never shown any interest in speaking with me, unless it is words filled with hate."

"What makes you think I still do not hate you?" Sesshomaru hissed.

"You have always hated me, always wanted to kill me, yet today you hesitated. Why? If you hate me so much."

Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder. "You are much like I was at your age."

Inuyasha gasped. "What? How?"

"Eager to learn, angry, asking questions. You think you know everything there is to know about life and the mysteries." Sesshomaru turned around. "There is so much more in life then to always hate."

Inuyasha was speechless. He couldn't believe that he was standing here having a decent conversation with his brother. Swallowing, he glanced at his elder sibling in wonder. "You hate. You despise everything around you."

"Do I?"

Nodding, Inuyasha stepped a bit closer to Sesshomaru.

"What makes you think I hate? Is it because I show no mercy on those who wish me harm? I want to live, so I ensure my survival."

Frowning, Inuyasha nodded in understanding.

"Just like you do." Sesshomaru smiled slightly.

"Did dad talk like that?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "He left me confused most nights, and left me to figure out the meaning of his words. Do you know why I despise you so much?"

Shaking his head, Inuyasha held his breath.

"The night father died, I had asked him for Sou'unga and Tessaiga. He refused to hand them over. He knew he was going to die that night, I think I knew it also. He ran to 'her' side."

"My mother's."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Later, when I received Tenseiga, I was confused. I couldn't understand why father left me a sword I didn't want or ask for in the first place. When I found out he had left you Tessaiga I grew angry and jealous."

"I didn't ask for it."

"Do you know why he left it to you?"

Shaking his head, Inuyasha watched his brother amazed.

"For your survival. He wanted you to be able to protect yourself. He was concerned with your safety and I didn't understand it then."

"You do now?"

Nodding, Sesshomaru sighed. "Back then, I felt he had rejected me, refusing to hand me the swords, but now I understand why he did so. He already believed in my ability to protect myself, but he knew I had no love in me. I think that is why he left me Tenseiga." Sesshomaru turned away from his brother.

"Do you have love in you now?" Inuyasha asked hesitantly.

"What do you think?"

"Not love, but compassion. I think that it will take a long while for you to forgive yourself."

Sesshomaru snorted. "Forgive?"

"You feel guilty for being jealous don't you?" Inuyasha tried. "About wanting to kill me? That is why you hesitated?"

"Hmm. I think this is enough for tonight."

"Are you still going to kill me?" Inuyasha pushed.

Sesshomaru looked at him hard. "We'll see."

They walked back to the group waiting for them, silently. They were both left to their thoughts as they walked, neither really knowing what to say, or if any words could describe the brief moment of peace that lingered over them. Would it last? Neither knew. They only knew that it was a nice change from their constant bickering they had lived with for so long.