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| Moonlit Reminiscence |

So I'm just re-writing these bit by bit. I felt that Sesshomaru needed some more love because he's just that sexy. He's just not the easiest character for me to portray unfortunately. Still these short chapters seemed in need for some love and re-writing. This is going to be mostly me getting into Sesshomaru's mind and his inner thoughts amongst other things.

General fluff and cuteness though there might be some serious bits.

Like in this particular chapter, having Sesshomaru think about his father and their conversation which was based off a scene from movie 3.

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| Chapter 1 - Moonlit Reminiscence |

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On the edge of a precipice a tall, strikingly handsome youkai stood unmoving as he gazed outwards from his post. He cut a dashing figure against the dark sky as the moonlight washed over him, creating an almost hazy halo to the perfect platinum strands. Still, by all accounts he seemed disinterested in his surroundings. Expression dispassionate and his golden eyes cold as the breeze ruffled the long sleeves of his kimono.

That was where Sesshomaru remained, perfectly composed and yet his senses primarily were focused outward on their surroundings as his companions slept.

Yet, his thoughts were not nearly as silent as one would think from his expression and his gaze subtly shifted towards the swords at his hip before returning to the sky.

It seemed like such a long time ago that he had lost his father and yet he remembered that night clearly. If he had answered differently would the outcome have been different? If he had not been prideful and had gone with his father would he still have been slain? His father had been everything that he aspired to be, yet he had never understood him.

He had been younger than Inuyasha when he had demanded what he had deemed his and been denied…

The night that Inu no Taisho had battled Ryoukotsusei, he had come back wounded.

The moon was vigilant shining through the clouds while the sound of crashing waves in contrast to the silent fall of the snow that carpeted the ground around them. The scent of copper and blood permeated the air, mixing with the scent of salt and making it easier to find him. The crimson stained the white of his father's haori and the pure snow beneath their feet. Yet outwardly neither son nor father made any outward sign of concern regarding this.

Though Sesshomaru had not grown up to be the type to display emotion.

"Do you insist on going Father?"

"Are you going to stop me Sesshomaru?" Inu no Taisho addressed his first born while keeping his back to him. His gaze transfixed on the horizon beyond the waves that crashed against the sand and his tone belied the weariness as well as the pain he felt both from the extended battle and the injuries he had sustained.

The icy wind whipped at the snow at their feet and their clothes whilst the silence stretched out between them. A gaze that was both perceptive and detached remained focused on the broad back, and he could not help but appreciate the dignified figure his Father made against the sky. Yet beneath the aloofness there was a degree of concern. "Of course not Father, but I do not understand why you must leave now, in this condition."

On his approach Sesshomaru had overheard Myoga discussing with his father the situation that his Human lover Izaoi was engaged in. The princess was in danger. It seemed she was in labour and there were those displeased with the fact she was birthing a half-breed whelp. He could not blame them, but he kept such opinions to himself of course.

Still, was this not the time for his father to get over his preoccupation with the mortal? Instead of running into danger in such an injured state. They might not be close for their personalities were vastly different, yet just because he didn't understand his father did not mean he did not love him. He felt both pride and admiration towards his sire and hoped to become as strong as he was one day. To one day test his strength against his father's might.

That day though, appeared it would not come. For his sire seemed hell bent on going after the mortal and his would-be brother despite severe injuries. For they were severe. He could smell that it was worse than his father would otherwise admit.

"I must go Sesshomaru," he stated softly. "Izayoi and your brother need me."

The words spoken caused a resentful glint to appear in the teen's eyes. Why was it that he and his mother were no longer enough for his father? Why must he go to a mere human in search for what he should be able to find with them.

An edge of bitterness to his tone as he responded, "I will not try to dissuade you from going, but before you go, please entrust Tetsusaiga and So'unga to me, Father."

"And if I do not, what then Sesshomaru?" He queried and resisted the urge to turn around, lest his eyes give away the pain he was supressing in conjunction to the pain such a request caused. He was far more expressive than his son. "Would you kill me to acquire them?"

After those question silence once more stretched out between father and son. Broken only by the sound of the wind as it whipped their clothing and hair, melding with the crash of the waves as the moon slid beneath the clouds. Leaving them in semi-darkness, though it did not bother the two caught in their own thoughts who stood beneath the light snow fall.

The snowflakes were burning cold against Sesshomaru's cheeks and he silently contemplated his father's question. It would have been his ideal outcome to gain the blades when he was older by being able to fight his father on equal par. To win the right to the heirlooms and to surpass his father in fighting prowess…yet such an event would never come to pass.

If he did not get the swords now, he knew not when he would have another chance. For if his father went, it was likely that he would not return. Both of them knew this though it was not spoken aloud in as many words.

"Are you that obsessed with power my son?" He asked with a laugh, though it was a hollow sound lacking in humour. "Why is it that you seek it so aggressively?"

"I walk the path of supreme conquest, power is what will open the path to me."

Silently Inu no Taisho despaired. Uncertain where he had gone wrong with Sesshomaru. Yet, it seemed that he would not be around long enough to attempt to attempt to guide his wayward son on the path to change his fixations on pride, strength and power. He could only hope the measures he had put in place before his death and to be carried out afterwards would guide him in his stead. Despite his best efforts it seemed Sesshomaru was a long way off understanding that with power came the responsibility to protect.

"Path of Conquest..." Inu no Taisho muttered derisively as the clouds moved away from the moon, allowing him once more an unobscured view of the large orb as its moonlight once more bathed their surroundings. "Tell me Sesshomaru, do you have someone to protect?"

"Someone to protect?" Sesshomaru's expression slipped momentarily, an expression of mild surprise before it disappeared replaced by one of displeasure at the question. It was like his father to ask him something so mundane. He was not like his father, getting caught up with mortals and those weaker than he. What could he need with someone like that?

"I, Sesshomaru, have no need of such a thing," he stated loudly as he stretched out his left arm, sleeve flapping loudly.

"My son…" Inu no Taisho said sadly and turned towards him, compassionate golden eyes gazed into the depths of Sesshomaru's even from the distance. He turned away then, he could not spend any more time on this discussion. He had dallied for too long.

His form shifting and shimmering as it shifted into his fully demonic form. The white demon dog was so large that it blocked out the moon, letting out something between a howl and a growl before it flew into the sky leaving Sesshomaru behind as it went in search for Izayoi.

Sesshomaru watched the retreating form before turning away, "Ridiculous."