Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold
Chapter One - Explanations

The sun had gone down and the moon had long been in the sky by the time Sesshomaru finished his tale. They had all remained quiet throughout his explanation. Inu Yasha had not even looked in his direction but the taiyoukai could tell his brother was listening by the position of his ears. Now he looked around at all of them, waiting for them to say something, to accept of reject what he had said. His hand reached out for Akisame’s. Sango was the first to speak. "It is a difficult story to believe Sesshomaru-sama and if I had not first met Kagome and Akari, I don’t think I would believe you but I do."

Miroku nodded, "And though it is strange to see you and Akisame-sama together when to us only a short time has passed," he looked to Akisame, "We welcome you here."

Sesshomaru nodded his thanks. He didn’t know why it was important to him for these ningen to believe and accept his story but it was. Now all that remained was for his brother to accept it and then to send for Rin. Inu Yasha stood up with his typical, "Feh," moving to the window to stare out into the night. Allthough for him many months had passed, for Inu Yasha the loss of Kagome was still fresh and seeing his brother’s pain he was again reminded of the one other deed the two of them must do. "Inu Yasha I think I know who killed them."

"What?" Inu Yasha turned to face them.

From beside her husband Akisame had watched and listened. She was beginning to see the traits Leena had learned from each of them. At Inu Yasha's comment she smiled. Resting her head on Sesshomaru's shoulder she whispered, "I begin to see what you saw of your brother in Leena."

Sesshomaru smiled and chuckled, Inu Yasha's ears twitched, indicating he had heard the comment but the hanyou said nothing about it. Sesshomaru snaked his arm around Akisame's waist rubbing his cheek on her head, then looked at his brother. "Let me ask you first, who would want either Akari or Kagome dead?"

Inu Yasha scowled. "That stupid Fate wench wanted Akari to kill Kagome, but other than that I have no idea."

Sango and Miroku traded looks, wondering what the taiyoukai was getting at. Sesshomaru continued his line of questioning. He wanted to see if Inu Yasha or the others would come to the same conclusion. "Then can you think of any rivals either you or I would have?"

Inu Yasha shook his head, still scowling but a gasp from the houshi told him that one of the others had at least figured it out. "The Prince," Miroku whispered.Sesshomaru nodded, now came the hard part. "The prince would not have done it himself and the scent trail would be too old to follow to obtain proof..." he looked down at his mate, "Will you help us love?"

She looked at him, a playful pout on her lips. "You think I wouldn't? True I do owe him some gratitude." At the gasps she continued, "If not for his actions I would have neither you nor," she placed a hand on the slight swell of her stomach "Keikan. He did cause you pain, my love. Shall I show them how I can help?"

He heard the others gasps at Akisame's words. It was true however, had the prince not killed Akari he would not have been the one who walked in sorrow. Again he smiled at his mate and nodded at her.

Inu Yasha snorted again. "How can a pregnant ningen help us?"

Akisame smiled at her brother-in-law. "This pregnant ningen was able to help defeat Naraku in the other world." she said calmly. "Give me your hand Inu Yasha." She reached out her own waiting.

"Whatever" he snorted placing his hand in hers. He watched as her eyes closed and as he was about to pull his hand from hers images started flooding his mind. A hanyou female with emerald green eyes and white hair, a kitsune and inu youkai mixed female with sunset curls touched with silver. "What the hell was that?"

"Our adventure, that you didn't believe. I saw it in your mind." She smiled, then her voice took on a mother's scolding tone, "If you had admitted sooner your feelings for Kagome. You wouldn't be wondering now what it would have been like to hold her through the night. Take comfort in the knowledge that in one world, you wait for her."

Sango and Miroku stared openmouthed after Akisame had finished speaking. Sesshomaru wanted to applaud his mate for her words and courage. "Now that you truly believe me," he began, flashing his mate a grateful look, "We can discuss how to bring about our vengence." He had known Akisame would help, he just didnt want to to assume or force anything upon her.Sango was the first to recover and she reached over to close Miroku's mouth with a audible click. "What did you have in mind Sesshomaru-sama."

"As I said we must first make certain he was the one. We will go to him, Akisame will read his past, and then...if he's the one," he let his words trail off, knowing they all knew what he was thinking. Sesshomaru stood. "It is late, let us all get some rest."

Shippou peeked from his position behind Kiarara. He missed his Kagome-mama so much he hadn't wanted to be with anyone. He walked over to the woman beside Sesshomaru. He still had trouble believing that the Taiyoukai wouldn't kill him. Tugging on her Kimono he looked up at her.

"Really? In one world Kagome isn't dead."

Akisame looked at the child before her, she wasn't sure who he was, but carefully knelt to meet his eyes. "Yes, little one, in one world Kagome went home to her time and the well sealed. So now Inu Yasha waits for her."

"Oi runt, leave her alone." Inu Yasha snarled.

"Hush Inu Yasha, the child is sad and lonely. Have none of you comforted him?"

Sesshomaru stood by the door watching Akisame with Shippo. Sango and Miroku looked away in shame, no one had paid much attention to the kitsune child. Sesshomaru moved to kneel on one knee beside his mate. He felt the need to comfort the child. He could tell Shippo was still afraid of him. "I know how you feel little one," reaching out he took the child in his arms. "Time will lessen the pain...and friends. I am sending for Rin tomorrow...I am certain she will enjoy having someone to play with."

Miroku and Sango exchanged looks again, this Sesshomaru was totally different, kind and caring. Miroku looked at Inu Yasha, cocking an eyebrow at him.

Akisame watched him with the small child. Placing a hand on Sesshomaru's arm she spoke to the young kitsune. "Would you like that?"

Shippou's eyes widened, Sesshomaru was being nice to him. The lady that was with him was nice, like Kagome and Akari, but she kinda looked like his mom's human form. He nodded.

Inu Yasha was totally shocked by his brother's actions. Sesshomaru being nice? To Shippou? He'd barely tolerated his precense before. Picking the kit up in his arms... Huh? Arms? "Oi Sesshomaru, when did you get your arm back? And why are you being so nice?"

Sesshomaru looked up from Shippo's wide eyes. "Did I not tell you that part?" he shrugged and continued. "We met with the other world's Sesshomaru, he used Tensaiga to give me my arm back. As for my change of attitude...I will just say that I have realized my own heart and that love," he glanced at Akisame when he said this, "Does tend to change one."

Akisame giggled and looked at him, "You also forgot to mention that before we left you would have liked to tear THAT Sesshomaru into little bitty pieces. And most likely would have if Leena hadn't stepped in."

"Leena, Who the hell is this Leena person you keep talking about. Is she the white haired or red head?" Inu Yasha floundered. He still couldn't accept the change in his brother. Then he watched as the woman with him noticed Kiarara for the first time.

"Kiarara, you're here too." She held her hand out to the fire cat. Who walked softly over to the woman and rubbed against the outstreached hand. Scratching the cat with one hand she turned to look at Sesshomaru, "Husband, feed your poor hungry wife." Looking to Inu Yasha answered, "Leena had the white hair... well most of the time it was white."

Sesshomaru nodded, stifling a snarl at the mention of his twin. He began to set Shippo back on the ground and then thought better of it. "Would you like to help me hunt Shippo?"

Sango jumped up, "Oh there is no need for that Sesshomaru-sama, we have soup here....is that acceptable Akisame-sama?"

"Yes, thank you. Ummm, I'm so sorry but you are Sango correct?"

Akisame asked the young woman before her. "And please, Akisame. There is no need for the sama." She took Shippo from her mate and placed him on the ground. She reached for Sesshomaru's hand and pulled the hair ring off his finger. She smiled at his frown. "Wrong hand." She said in explination and placed the ring on his left hand. Doing the same to her own. "There."

Inu Yasha was still confused about his brother's new attitude, even Akari had not changed him as much as this Akisame had. "So when do we go hunt the Prince?" he asked masking his confusion with anger.

Sango hurried to pour the soup for Akisame, handing it to her. Then sat down again beside Miroku. This was all so confusing. She decided to just watch and see how events would turn out.

Sesshomaru smiled back at his mate, making sure his ring was on properly he turned to his brother. The hanyou's confusion was apparent in his scent. He would have to talk with his brother in private later but for now there was planning to do. "We will begin tomorrow."

Akisame pouted up at her mate from the soup. "But, you said you'd send for Rin tomorrow." Then feigning anger, "Or were Taka and Leena right and I need to be jealous?"

Sesshomaru looked from Akisame's pouting then angry face to Inu Yasha's angry one. He felt as though he were caught between a rock and a hard place. After stuttering for a moment finally Miroku decided to save the taiyoukai. "Tomorrow we will send for Rin and prepare for our journey and the day after we will leave."

Sesshomaru gave Miroku a grateful look than sat down beside Akisame, resting his chin on her shoulder. "And just what did they say?" he asked.

"Who was Leena's mother? Who was Taka's Grandmother?" she asked keeping the feigned anger on her face barely. His expression was making her want to giggle.

Shippou looked at Inu Yasha who merely shrugged. Neither had any idea what was going on between the demon and his lady.

He didn’t know how to reply to her. His eyes told him she was angry, his nose told him she was not. Sesshomaru pulled back and narrowed his eyes at her, folding his arms. "Just because my other selves decided Rin would make an acceptable mate, does not mean I would," then he added, hoping that she was merely teasing him, "I am hurt that you would imply such a thing."

Miroku raised a finger and opened his mouth as if to ask a question. Sango smacked him in the back of the head. He turned to her, rubbing his head. "Ow...what was that for?"

"For being a hentai," she scowled at him but he just gave her an innocent look and turned back to the show before him. This Sesshomaru was much more interesting.

At his response she could no longer control the giggles that were building within her. Gaining control she looked into his eyes only to double over again. "You are so cute when you pout." She finally gasped out between laughs.

He watched her succumb to her giggles and was glad that she had only been teasing. He sniffed at her, then leaned over to rub his cheek on hers. "You had me worried for a moment," he whispered, "I'm going to speak with my brother a moment."

Sesshomaru rose and headed for the door. "Inu Yasha...a word please?"

Before her mate walked out the door she called to him, "Hurry back, you know me and how I get after one of your pouts." She laughed at the monks raised eyebrow and went back to enjoying her stew. "What is it little one?" she asked the kit beside her.

Shippo was totaly confused. Sesshomaru and his mate teasing each other. Sesshomaru being nice to him. "Why are you being so nice to me? Why is Sesshomaru? He use to ignore me."

Akisame smiled at the kie, "Shippo? right?" at his nod she continued. "I'm nice to you because I know what you have been through, all the losses, all the pain and all the laughter. You are a sweet child, that desreves love and kindness. It is what your Kagome-mama would want. I would be honored if you would let me take care of you like she did." Shippo nodded enthusiastically. "As for Sesshomaru. You will have to ask him."

Inu Yasha rose and followed Sesshomaru out the door. He was having a hard time dealing with the Sesshomaru before him, "You sure your my stuck up, no emotions, hate ningens and hanyous... with the small exception of Rin and Akari?"

Sesshomaru sighed. "Yes, that was the Sesshomaru I had been. This is the Sesshomaru I am now." He paused wondering how to explain, "Rin and Akari begun my change. Akisame, and meeting a Sesshomaru who had not changed, further helped me to become the youkai I am now. I know now it is not right to shut off oneself from emotions. It is like Kikyou and Kagome for you. Kikyou begun your change from the angry hanyou, Kagome completed it. Do you understand?" He folded his arms and waited.

"I guess." He snorted. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

He suppressed a chuckle. "I merely wanted to explain that to you...to tell you why I have changed. That is all. I don't want to fight you anymore, Inu Yasha. I have seen what kind of pain that road leads to. Now," he said, turning back to the hut, "shall we rejoin the others?"

"Keh." Inu Yasha breathed his famos, non commital sound, and walked into the hut.

Seeing Inu Yasha walk back in Shippo bounded out the door and collided with Sesshomaru's legs. "Gomen Sesshomaru-sama" he squeaked afraid that the Taiyoukai would do something to him.

For a moment Sesshomaru just looked down at the kitsune then he said quietly. "It's all right Shippo. Where are you going?"

"I... I wanted to ... that is Akisame-mama said I should ask you... whyyouarebeingnicetome?" he finished in a rush. Then realizing what he'd said Shippo quickly added. "She said I could call her that. But, I won't if you don't want me too."

Sesshomaru looked at Akisame with a raised eyebrow. Now they would have three children to look after once Keikan arrived. Looking back down at the kit, he reached down once again and lifted him off the ground. "You can call her that if you wish, it does not bother me. And I am being nice to you to make up for being so mean to you before. Unless of course you would like me not to be nice?"

Sango edged a bit closer to Akisame and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Since you 'trained' him so well, how about helping me with a certain hentai houshi?"

Akisame smiled at Sango, and whispered back, "I did not train him. I merely loved and accepted and discovered that for all his bluster he is a playful puppy. But for your monk I do have an idea." She pulled away and called to the monk. "Houshi-sama, could you join us please?"

He looked over at his mate, wondering what she was up to, then looked back at Shippo. "Well which shall it be little one?"

Miroku tore his eyes away from watching the new and improved Sesshomaru. He saw that Sango had moved to sit beside Akisame, and now she was calling him over. Warily he stood and sat before the two women. "Yes, Akisame-sama?"

Shippo swallowed hard, he hadn't expected Sesshomaru's answer. "N-n-nice. I like you nice."

Akisame smiled at the monk holding her hands out to each she built a barrier against her own thoughts. "Your hands please."

The poor kit was still a little frightened off him, so Sesshomaru set him down gently, scratching him behind the ear. "Then I will be nice." Straightening the inu leaned against the wall, watching with interest his mate with the houshi.

Miroku cocked his eyebrow at her but he reached out and put his hand in Akisame's as Sagno did the same.

As their hands touched her she felt the now familiar and comforting flow of their past. This time instead of taking them into herself she let the thoughts flow between the two of them, weeding out only things that might embarrass. She allowed Sango to see the Houshi's fear that had driven his life for so long, dying with no heir to take revenge on Naraku for the curse. She allowed the Houshi to see Sango's pain at his womanizing ways, how his lecherous ways made her feel he saw her not as someone to love, but as an object. She removed her hand from theirs and smiled. Standing she walked to her husband, "You were pouting earlier." leaning in she whispered "I remember your last pout. Do you?"

Inu Yasha watched, something had happened between Sango and the lech, when the woman had taken their hands. He walked out of the hut and leapt to the roof. Making himself comfortable, he thought on all he had heard today.

Sango and Miroku stared deep into each other's eyes, amazed at what had just passed between them. Without a word both the taijiya and the houshi, left the hut.

Sesshomaru growled his assent at his mate. Putting his arms around her and pulled her close. "Shall we find an unoccupied hut?" he asked, nuzzleing her neck.

Akisame shivered slightly and whispered "A hut? WOW that would be a first, wouldn't it? Yes... or just a nice clearing, a warm fire, and thou." Taking a moment she yelled up to the hanyou on the roof. "Inu Yasha keep an eye on Shippo tonight, please."

"Whatever." his ears twitched as he listened for the kit, who had settled next to Kiarara and was all ready fast asleep

Sesshomaru lifted her off her feet and went in search of a place to spend the night.

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Chapter 2