Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

The Bastard's Gift	By : Nightbloom Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 20048 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: Canon characters and the show of Inuyasha do not belong to me. No money is being made with this piece of fiction.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
A/N: Characters do not belong to me, and I make no money off of this. Free entertainment, peoples. You guys get the look first, as the edited version can't be posted on fanfic.net for some reason... can't access the edit function for the one. Just about all my others ones are editable though.
Bastard's Gift
Chapter 10
The camp fire was going strong by the time the sun set. Rin and Kohaku wisely kept quiet as the demons talked amongst themselves. The tension was thick in the air as each one warily looked at the other. The demons that had been attacking early were taken care of in a matter of seconds once Sesshomaru arrived. There was no hint of retribution. It was as if all demons in the vicinity either fled or were hiding, confused as to why they were attacking together and why they were together.
Jaken felt nervous as he was uncertain about his lord's temperament at this moment. Was he upset with his failure to bring Inuyasha to the castle in a timely manner? Was he upset that he had used a tea to reduce the risk of aborting the pup within Inuyasha? As usual, it was so hard to tell from looking upon his lord's face.
Ginta and Hakkaku were wary as they knew Sesshomaru was a former contender for being Inuyasha's alpha. Since Kouga won that right by being Inuyasha's choice, they were uncertain of how welcome they would be in the presence of Sesshomaru. The Inu demon had every right to banish them from his sight in an instance, and they only had Kouga's Will to help them stand their ground.
Inuyasha had pulled away from his brother the moment he and Sesshomaru touched the ground. It felt odd to be in his brother's arms, the key word being arms. He had not addressed his brother until now.
"I see you grew your arm back," Inuyasha stated, clearing his throat as he tried to get a good look at the arm. Years of hiding the fact that he was missing a limb now had Sesshomaru expertly hiding that he had it back. A foolish demon would attack and meet a nasty surprise. If he still had been in bad terms with his brother, he would have been the foolish demon.
"This Sesshomaru found an inner power we did not have while fighting Naraku a couple years ago," Sesshomaru responded, his voice still steady and cold as they all remembered. "It allowed this one to regenerate an arm."
Inuyasha nodded once, irritated at not having received more of an explanation from his older brother. But it was to be expected. That was just the way Sesshomaru was.
To his side, Katsutoshi was glaring at the tall demon. He was conflicted with the numerous emotions racing through him.
With his white hair, the demon looked like an older version of his father. Only while kept down, it didn't puff out like his father's did. His father's hair only stayed tame when it was tied, and it wasn't fair that this Sesshomaru did not have to resort to any means like that. He loved his father's hair, but Sesshomaru's hair just looked softer like that. He also didn't like how angular his face looked. It made him seem more elegant. His father's face was almost there, and he knew it was because his father was still young in demon standards. He still had a childish look to his face compared to other demons. Even Kouga's face looked more pointed.
He just didn't like how much older Sesshomaru looked, period. And that white fluffy thing… why was it that he could have it and not Inuyasha? But then again, what if it was a tail that only full demons could have? Then his father wouldn't have the ears that suited him on top of his head. Maybe it was for the best that his father didn't have the full demon's tail. His ears would have been like any other plain demon.
But the real crux of the problem was that this demon swept in and saved his father. On one hand, he was glad that his father did not become one with the ground. On the other, Katsutoshi despised this arrogant beast for being able to rescue his father while he was trapped aboard the flying carriage, powerless to do anything.
He wanted him eradicated.
But this male demon was family. His uncle, apparently. And to eliminate him would probably cause his father heartache as well.
Seems he would have to put up with him for the time being until he was certain of his father's feelings for this guy.
After all, they were speaking civilly to one another, but Katsutoshi could feel an underlying tension amongst them all.
He continued to glare at the demon, even when Sesshomaru turned to look at him with narrowed eyes.
Meanwhile, the white inu demon was feeling somewhat disgruntled as he took in the appearance of Inuyasha's and Naraku's spawn for the very first time. The dark hanyou's spawn actually bore the royal family's moon. What a frivolous mark it was, skipping generations, like it had with his father and half brother, and suddenly reappearing in the most unlikely of places.
His mother would be offended to find it on this mutt.
Had it appeared on Inuyasha, at least his white hair would have mollified her. She probably would have been more inclined to have taken Inuyasha in, since it would have been easier to pass him off as hers, or one of her last remaining cousins that also bore the mark.
"What is it that you seek?" he finally asked of the wolves, not wanting to feel more angered at the sight of the brat.
Ginta and Hakkaku pulled out a parchment. "We bring Kouga's last testament, for your eyes only."
"What?" Inuyasha stared at the two, trying to comprehend why they kept something like this from him.
"It was asked of us to be that way," Ginta said apologetically.
"And you were still out when we had to mention it to Jaken to allow us to ride with you," added Hakkaku.
Jaken scampered over to the wolves when Sesshomaru looked at him and then nodded towards the wolves. He retrieved the scroll and made his way back to his lord, breaking open the seal and unrolling it, facing it towards Sesshomaru.
Golden eyes scanned across the page.
Inuyasha waited in silence even though he wanted to know just what Kouga needed to tell his brother in the event of his death.
Judging by how Sesshomaru's eyebrows furrowed, it wasn't good to him. His brother was truly irritated, and seven years of not seeing him didn't do anything in reducing his ability to read annoyance and the like on his brother's face.
Too bad he never saw any other emotion to determine if he really could read his brother's expressions.
Katsutoshi made his way to his father and sat down on his lap, giving him a bit of distraction.
He was a bit unsettled to see how much anger his little one was holding behind his eyes as he glared at Sesshomaru.
Given another day, he would have found it funny as hell. But being that he needed his brother's protection, even though he loathed to ask for it, he needed Katsu to remain on his best behavior.
Inuyasha placed a hand on top of his son's shoulder and gave him a firm squeeze.
Katsutoshi responded by looking down at the ground, even though Inuyasha could feel the tension in his little shoulder.
Sesshomaru looked up from the scroll.
"Why should I do as your dead leader asks of me to do?"
Everyone looked at Sesshomaru in surprise. Not only had he broken from his usual talk of himself in third person, but they could pick out the anger in his voice. It was quiet and dangerous.
Ginta and Hakkaku wished they were anywhere but here. However, Kouga's orders were clear, and Inuyasha's safety was now number one priority.
"We seek a common goal in eradicating Naraku," Hakkaku stated, doing his best not to let the tremors manifest in his voice. "Lord Kouga knew better than to ask you for help while he lived. But he also knew that if he failed, we would be unable to protect his mate and your brother by ourselves, especially with suspicions that the tribe was beginning to split in our views."
Ginta nodded. "He only asks of you what he believes is best and what he knows you are capable of providing. If you wish to refuse his request, then we will respectfully back down and seek a different alternative."
"Just what is going on?" Inuyasha finally snapped, not liking how they were now obviously talking about his welfare and well-being without consulting him.
Damn Kouga and his over-protectiveness. It would manifest in the worst times possible.
"Will you or will you not accept Inuyasha and his offspring under your care?"
Sesshomaru turned his sights to Inuyasha. "Why were you seeking this one?" he asked, returning back to his disinterested personality.
"I'm not sure what that fleabag was asking you," Inuyasha growled. "But I've come seeking protection for my cubs and a chance to train to beat Naraku's ass. That bastard took too much from me. I refuse to let him take anymore."
"Yet you continue to have him by your side." He pointedly looked at the child on his lap.
Inuyasha clapped his hands over Katsutoshi's ears, much to the bewilderment of the young demon.
"He knows nothing of his origin and I plan to keep it that way, you stupid bastard."
"Show some respect!" Jaken admonished.
"You're lucky my hands are occupied, you little green toad!"
"Lord Inuyasha," both Ginta and Hakkaku whined. "Please calm down."
"Lord?" Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
Inuyasha turned red in embarrassment as Ginta and Hakkaku nodded. "We're not daft, you know," they said in unison. "We were not about to call him Lady Inuyasha like his mate status warrants."
"And I've told you guys you don't need to call me Lord."
Hakkaku let out a patient sigh. "But you are technically second in command until you leave our group by mating with another demon. Unless you choose to remain as our lord by mating with Arashi."
"I'd rather watch my dick rot."
Ginta and Hakkaku coughed as they choked on their own spit.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "Is this Arashi the contender mentioned in this parchment?"
The wolves nodded.
"Let me see that!" Inuyasha let go of Katsutoshi's ears, picked up his son, and set him gently on the ground before stalking his way to where Sesshomaru stood.
Jaken actually attempted to keep the scroll from Inuyasha's hands, and failed miserably as the hanyou snatched up the parchment and kicked the little demon to the side.
The first thing that stopped Inuyasha cold was that he could clearly smell Kouga's scent on the paper, and it brought tears to his eyes as he struggled to regain his emotions.
Figures that a damned piece of paper would make him so sentimental. The scent was strong enough that for a brief moment, Inuyasha could have sworn that Kouga was standing next to him.
Blinking away the tears, the second thing he noticed was the beautiful penmanship that was displayed on the scroll. Seemed his wolf was artistic with his writing and kept that as a secret.
He scanned through the contents.
3 Months Ago
Kouga sighed with content as he watched Inuyasha sleeping on his furs, exhausted from a rather extensive bout of rutting. Then he frowned as trouble thoughts took over. He could tell that Inuyasha was finally nearing his heat cycle, and when it happened, he needed to make sure all bases were covered.
The fights against Naraku were getting more dangerous, and he had noticed the attention Arashi was giving to his mate. At first he thought it was because the dark wolf was being loyal by wanting to keep his lord's mate safe.
But Kouga noticed that sometimes the looks thrown Inuyasha's way were not like the ones Ginta, Hakkaku and some of the others had. They were not filled with humor, admiration, and pride. It was something almost dark and sinister. Contemplative. It was difficult to identify, but it did leave him feeling somewhat unsettled.
Of course he played it off as he didn't want to start anything just yet. As long as the dark wolf didn't try anything with his mate, he would continue treating him with respect. The wolf was strong, just a bit cocky. And he wouldn't be surprised if in the years to come he might rise to challenge him.
When it reached that point, and if he was still alive, he knew what he would do.
He would leave the pack and take Inuyasha and Katsu, and any potential cubs with him. One thing for certain was that he would not be following the typical rules of alpha battles. And he would play the fact that Inuyasha, hanyou or not, was an Inu demon and that permission to mate him was Sesshomaru's right as oldest in the family.
He quietly stole away from his den and headed into one of the caves that was considered his official work space. Inside, he had some blank rolls of parchment stacked, a carved out altar that he used to write on top of, and several bottles of colored ink from both demon and human villages. On top of the altar was another rolled up parchment, one that had words written by him, copied over and over again in previous years, with something new added each time.
He unrolled the parchment as well as a blank one, grabbed the gold ink, and gently shook it as his looked upon his quill collection. Selecting the quill he wanted to use, he began to write on the blank scroll, glancing over to the previous written one several times.
LORD SESSHOMARU,
IF YOU RECEIVE THIS SCROLL, THEN I MOST LIKELY MET MY END AT THE HANDS OF NARAKU. WOLF TRIBE TRADITIONS DICTATE THAT THE MATE OF A FALLEN LEADER GOES TO THE NEW CHOSEN ALPHA OF THE CLAN DESPITE OUR TENDENCIES TO MATE FOR LIFE. HOWEVER, AS I WRITE THIS, WE ARE STILL NOT TRUE MATES FOR INUYASHA HAS YET TO ENTER A HEAT CYCLE. WE ARE MATES ONLY IN NAME THROUGH A PROMISE CEREMONY AND YOUR LETTER. THERE IS ALSO THE MATTER THAT INUYASHA CARRIES INU BLOOD. YOU, AS OLDEST HEIR TO THE INU TAISHO FAMILY, SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHAT THIS MEANS.
MY ELDERS WILL MOST LIKELY ATTEMPT TO FORCE INUYASHA INTO SUBMISSION IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME. THERE IS A WOLF IN MY CLAN THAT HAS BEEN CLIMBING THE RANKS AND APPEARS TO HAVE SOME INTEREST IN MY MATE. SHOULD I FALL, IT IS HIM THAT THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO MATE INUYASHA WITH. THEY WILL ONLY FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT INUYASHA WAS PROMISED TO A WOLF TRIBE MEMBER AND IS A HANYOU, AND THEREFORE MUST FOLLOW OUR TRADITIONS. THEY WILL NOT CARE THAT HE IS ALSO YOUR BROTHER. THEY WILL NOT CARE THAT YOU STILL HOLD THE POWER TO MAKE SOME CHOICES FOR INUYASHA, NOR WILL THEY CARE THAT YOUR RESPONSE TO MY OFFICAL ANNOUCEMENT OF COURTING AND CLAIMING INUYASHA ONLY APPLIED TO ME ALONE.
I PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED MY DESIRE TO AVOID WAR BETWEEN OUR CLANS IN THAT OFFICIAL DOCUMENT. EVEN IN DEATH, I WISH THAT OUR CLANS WOULD REMAIN CIVIL TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.
THUS I'LL SEND MY MOST TRUSTED SERVANTS, HAKKAKU AND GINTA, TO YOU WITH THIS LETTER.
AS A FORMER ALLY TO YOU, LORD SESSHOMARU, I ASK THAT YOU PROVIDE SANCTUARY TO MY BELOVED MATE, INUYASHA, AND MY PRIZED WARD, KATSUTOSHI. SHOULD ANY OFFSPRING RESULT FROM THE IMPENDING HEAT CYCLE MY MATE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF, I ASK THAT YOU, LORD SESSHOMARU, ALSO TAKE MY UNBORN OFFSPRING AS A POTENTIAL WARD.
YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO, BEING A BEARER DOES LITTLE IN CURBING INUYASHA'S RECKLESSNESS, AND IT IS A TRAIT THAT I AM QUITE FOND OF. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO TAKE THEM AS YOUR WARDS, THEN I ASK THAT YOU SHELTER THEM FOR SOME TIME AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN UNTIL INUYASHA IS CAPABLE ENOUGH TO TRAVEL AGAIN WITH HIS CUBS AND PROTECT THEM. PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT NARAKU STILL SEEKS THEM. I FEAR WHAT HE WOULD DO TO INUYASHA'S OFFSPRING SHOULD HE CAPTURE THEM. AFTER ALL, OFFSPRING FROM A MALE BEARER TEND TO BE STRONGER THAN THEIR PARENTS.
LORD SESSHOMARU, I KNOW THE SITUATION PROBABLY SOURED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR BROTHER EVEN MORE, IF YOU COULD CALL WHAT YOU HAD A RELATIONSHIP. AND I KNOW CHANCES ARE HIGH THAT YOU RESENT THE FACT THAT INUYASHA CHOSE TO COME WITH ME OVER SEVEN YEARS AGO. BUT I DO LOVE HIM, AND NEVER SAW HIM AS A WAY TO INCREASE MY STATUS WITH MY CLANSMEN AS SOME HAVE SPECULATED. IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO USE HIM AS A MEANS TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE INU LANDS EITHER AS MOST OF MY ELDERS CONGRATULATED ME ON.
UNTIL NARAKU IS UTTERLY DEFEATED, INUYASHA WILL BE AT RISK, AND I ONLY HOPE IN DEATH MY SOUL WILL FOLLOW THE WAYS OF MY ANCESTORS AND PROVIDE THE WEAPON NECESSARY TO AID IN BATTLE WHEN THE TIME COMES.
SHOULD YOU HEED MY REQUESTS, I PRESENT YOU WITH MY LAST OFFICIAL WORDS TO BE READ TO ANY WOLFTRIBE MEMBER THAT DISPUTES YOUR RIGHT TO HARBORING INUYASHA.
I, KOUGA, ALPHA TO THE EASTERN WOLF TRIBE, MATE TO INUYSAHA, SON OF INU TAISHO AND BLOOD BROTHER TO SESSHOMARU OF THE WEST, HEREBY DECREE THAT INUYASHA BE RELEASED FROM THE DUTIES OF THE WOLF TRIBE UPON MY DEATH AND BE RETURNED TO HIS RIGHTFUL FAMILY GUARDIAN, LORD SESSHOMARU. KATSUTOSHI, SON OF INUYASHA, RETAINS THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE FOR A POSITION IN THE COUNCIL UPON REACHING A SUITABLE AGE. SHOULD AN OFFSPRING BE BORN OF INUYASHA AND MYSELF, HIS OR HER DUTIES TO THE TRIBE WILL BE EFFECTIVE WHEN AND IF INUYASHA RELEASES THE YOUNG ONE BACK TO THE TRIBE AT AN APPROPRIATE AGE.
KOUGA
The wolf leader sighed and leaned back, feeling his eyes water. He hoped that his feeling of impending death was only one out of nervousness from the close calls he had. He hoped that the letter would never find its way to Sesshomaru, and that it would be rewritten many times more. It was tiring to be worried of danger from both ends, but he had to keep up appearances so that his beloved did not worry.
The thought of any other wolf claiming Inuyasha as his mate angered him. The only ones he would trust to take the role while not actually mating him were Ginta and Hakkaku. But they would not be able to keep up the act for long.
Kouga waited until the ink was dry and rolled up the parchment. He placed a wax seal and left it on his altar. He would tell Ginta and Hakkaku that he revised his will in the morning.
Kouga trotted back towards his den, pausing by the cubs' den. Peering in, he couldn't help but smile as he spotted Katsutoshi snuggled against three other cubs. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if annoyed, but one of his arms was wrapped around the smallest of the three cubs near him.
Katsutoshi played with the others only when they were playing games that were more along the lines of training. Seldom did he participate in any games that were just for fun. In some ways, his personality reminded him more of Sesshomaru than Naraku, but he could see those random instances in which the little demon looked way too much like Naraku.
He recalled that there had been a couple instances when it had unnerved him, but he could also remember how his face would dissolve into one of pure admiration when Inuyasha was. And not once did Katsutoshi ever aim those eyes of detachment towards him. Instead they were full of respect. Being do well behaved with him, Kouga occasionally allowed Katsu to be by his side when discussing clan issues. Katsutoshi would stand tall and unmoving, never once complaining about the length of time passing, even when Kouga assured him it was okay to sit down beside the stone throne in which Kouga sat. Instead, the little tyke would just place his hand upon Kouga's forearm and continue staring out into the crowd of wolf demons seeking audience with Kouga.
In the meetings that were more intimate in which all the wolves sat on the ground, including Kouga, Katsutoshi would kneel slightly behind him, head bent slightly forward, hands resting on top of his knees.
It was almost as if he were training himself to be a guard.
Kouga couldn't help but feel proud of the little tyke.
"Your father is very special. He deserves all the love and protection he could get," he would tell Katsutoshi from time to time. "Think you can do that if something happens to me?" he then would add, half jokingly.
"I will, Kouga-papa, Sir," Katsutoshi would always reply, solemnly.
Kouga stepped away from the cubs' sleeping area and finally made it back to his den.
He settled down next to Inuyasha and glanced down upon his mate. He was sleeping on his side, and the furs had fallen to uncover his upper body. His hair was mostly behind him, with a few strands trailing across his face.
His lips were slightly parted and Kouga couldn't help but give in to the temptation.
He pushed the loose strands back and stroked Inuyasha's cheek before leaning forward and pressing his lips against his hanyou's.
Inuyasha slowly woke up, looking up at him with irritated eyes. "Go to sleep, you horny beast," he stated, his voice cracking. He closed his eyes and turned to face the opposite direction.
Kouga remained still for a bit, and then grinned.
He embraced his mate, spooning him as he began to nip at his neck.
"Gah! Kouga!" Inuyasha snapped out, his voice clearer as he was now awake.
Kouga ignored his struggling mate's curses as he rolled Inuyasha onto his back, straddling him. He leaned forward, capturing Inuyasha's lips with his, drinking in the moan that Inuyasha let out. He rolled his hips to stimulate his mate. Feeling Inuyasha's member hardening beneath him, he moved forward a bit. Feeling Inuyasha's tip press against his opening, he pushed back, hissing at the pain.
"Argh, K-Kouga! Wh-what… oh!"
Sure Inuyasha would probably raise hell come morning despite the fact that he was opting to be the one being penetrated this time, but he didn't care. So long as he was one with his mate once more.
Present
Inuyasha rolled up the parchment, his temper having been completely subdued.
So Kouga had at least suspected Arashi's interest. The challenge for his position probably would have happened much earlier if Inuyasha had told him of the molestation he endured years ago.
Katsutoshi gently grabbed onto the parchment and his father let go, turning to walk away from the group.
"Lord…" started Hakkaku.
"I just need some time. I'm not going far."
Inuyasha moved away from the group, motioning for Katsutoshi to remain where he was. He leapt up into a tree and sat down on the branch, within view of the group, but far away enough not to hear them clearly unless they deliberately spoke above normal range.
The tears came as soon as he sat down and he covered his eyes.
How many times had Kouga written out such a testament? This could not have been the first and only time. If Kouga knew what the clan would do, he must have started writing one since they first stood in front of the wolves and proclaimed each other as mates to be. All these years, Kouga was training with him to keep him strong, and yet he was also working behind the scenes to make sure that Inuyasha would always have some other sort of protection that he could not fight against.
He had fled upon finding out that the elders were going to arrange it to force Inuyasha's submission to Arashi. Who knew that all this time, Kouga was already a couple steps ahead and defending him even after his death.
"Kouga," Inuyasha whispered. "Damn you. How could you be my strength and my weakness at the same time. Gods, I miss you so much. Curse Naraku. He'll pay someday, for taking you away from me." He stood up and shouted into the air. "You hear that, you fucker! One day I'll come for you! Everything you took away from me, I'll make you pay 100 times over! And even if I fail, you'll never be free of my curse! I'll haunt you! I swear upon my own blood! You bastard!"
The group watched on in silence as Inuyasha shouted into the air.
When the white hanyou settled back into the branch, presumably to compose himself, the two wolves looked upon Sesshomaru.
"We await your response, Lord Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru ignored the two wolves as he stared at the child before him, disdain quite evident on his face. The black haired child had unrolled the scroll and was actually looking at it.
"Inuyasha is of Inu blood, but this mongrel holds the blood of this one's most hated enemy. Why should this one care for this spawn?"
"If you speak of my sire, I only recognize Inuyasha and Kouga as my true parents."
"Katsu!" both wolves cried out as the young demon looked up, rolling up the scroll his father had looked at.
"Don't tell father, but I always knew Kouga was not my blood sire. I could smell the difference. But I respected him. He made my father happy. You, Blood Uncle, do not." Katsu noticed how Sesshomaru's upper lip twitched, as if getting ready to snarl. He kept on talking. "I am too young to have enemies, but I believe in time, that is what we two will be if we are not careful. If you take my father in, Lord Sesshomaru, I will go with him. But as long as you respect my space, I will steer clear of yours. Lord Kouga never mentioned affection in his testament. He only requested protection. Once I am prepared enough, I will gladly leave your hold and look for a place of my own."
"Long winded speech for such small lungs."
"My protector and my father are both eloquent speakers when the situation warrants it. However, I prefer silence over brashness during non business interactions."
Katsu kept a steady gaze upon Sesshomaru's face, ignoring the two wolf demons who were staring at him, jaws dropped.
Kouga always had stated he had a way with words for someone so young, but he only spoke that way around Kouga. That was another thing he missed. The times spent with Kouga, learning to read from the scriptures of all the tribunal laws and the histories of the clans.
He held out the scroll and Sesshomaru took it from him.
"Very well, little one. As long as you understand where you stand, this one will respect your space."
X
Arashi knelt before his elders.
"What of Bearer Inuyasha?" one of them asked.
"I was betrayed by the former followers of Kouga."
"What do you mean?" asked another.
"I had caught up to the former mate of Kouga and had almost gained his submission when I was attacked by Kouga's former followers. I was by myself and I had no choice but to retreat and return empty handed."
"Where is the Bearer now?"
"The hanyou was headed towards Lord Sesshomaru's lands."
Most of elders chuckled. "Foolish beta. Do not fret, Lord Arashi. Lord Sesshomaru would not risk war with the wolf tribe. He cares not for his foolish half brother. He will return Inuyasha to us so you could rightfully claim what is yours."
One of the elders shook her head. "Sesshomaru is a proud demon. Be prepared. On principle alone that Inuyasha has Inu blood in him, he may refute our claim. Unless Inuyasha is expecting. In that case, he will most likely refuse to do anything and send Inuyasha back to us. Of course, this will also mean that Arashi would have to step down from being a true alpha and acting as reagent until the cub is old enough to fight for his inheritance of leadership."
"And if it's female?"
"It will not matter. She will be mate to the first male offspring born of you and Inuyasha. Or a second mate to you, a right never practiced by Kouga, but a right of the alphas nonetheless."
Arashi nodded and turned away. A grin stole across his face. It would be a priceless form of vengeance upon his runaway mate. To have Inuyasha submit to him, no matter how unwilling, and then to share their furs with his daughter when she was of age. Such disgrace to the fallen Kouga.
X
Inuyasha made his way back to the group, having composed himself. The others all approached, forming a semi circle around the two brothers. "What is the decision, Lord Sesshomaru?" he asked, his polite words tainted with trained haughtiness suitable for one of his status.
How odd it was to be asking his brother for help after years and years of being tormented by him, and then utterly ignored.
He knew he would have had to face his brother soon since he had been seeking him. But being face to face with him, after having been rescued by him, Inuyasha realized that he wasn't ready. The old feelings of resentment were bubbling up. In some ways, he wanted to blame the death of Kouga on his brother, since he failed at killing Naraku after all these years. But he knew it was unfair, for it was a battle that included him as well.
It also felt strange addressing his brother with polite words after years of insults.
"You will be returning with this one to the castle. This Sesshomaru will allow the wolves wishing to follow you to remain on the grounds, but not in the castle. The only exception will be these two."
"What about my son? You know… the one you wanted me to cull from my body?" Inuyasha was not able to hold back his words. Standing in front of Sesshomaru, expecting once again, brought the bitter feelings back from seven years ago.
"He will be taught. But he will not be my ward. He will be your responsibility during his stay."
"I accept your condition."
Katsutoshi watched as his father nodded once and couldn't help but rub his nose as he hid a smile. Sesshomaru's eyebrow had twitched, and Katsu had a feeling he knew why. His father was typically loud, but while Katsu knew his father could keep a steady hold of his facial expressions, he had a feeling his blood uncle did not.
Watching the two of them stare at each other was like watching a slightly warped mirror. Inuyasha stood smaller than Sesshomaru, but his face was about as equally as emotionless as the taller demon.
"Very well."
Sesshomaru turned to Jaken. "Take all the others to the castle. Inuyasha will come with this one."
Inuyasha became tense.
"But…"
"You will go ahead of the others. You must be introduced to the servants of the castle and instructed of our ways. It would be best to do so without any interruptions." Sesshomaru's eyes glanced at Katsutoshi.
Inuyasha's temper flared and he lost control of keeping an expressionless face.
He opened his mouth to retort when his son reached up and grabbed his hand.
"Ginta and Hakkaku will be sufficient guards, Poppa. Go with Uncle Sesshomaru." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Sesshomaru glaring at him. He guessed right. Lord Sesshomaru did not like being referred to as uncle by him. So be it. He would use it as often as possible. "I will be fine."
Inuyasha knelt in front of Katsutoshi, holding his face in between hi s hands. "Are you sure? We have never been apart for more than a day."
Katsutoshi gave him a smile. "Or course, Poppa! Uncle Sessho helped chase away those other demons. They won't come back."
Jaken blanched and Kohaku slapped a hand over his mouth, trying to disguise his laughter as a cough.
Rin, however, had no qualms with giggling. "How cute! It has a nice ring to it!" She tousled Katsutoshi's hair as the small demon looked up at her, grinning. "Lord Sesshomaru is pretty amazing, though, isn't he?" she asked, completely falling for his act.
Katsutoshi nodded, leaning into Rin as if she were his best friend.
Inuyasha sighed. "Very well." He turned away to face Sesshomaru.
Katsutoshi scowled and gave into the temptation of sticking out his tongue and pulling down on his right eye when all turned away with the exception of Sesshomaru.
The white demon narrowed his eyes but remained silent on the matter.
He held out an arm towards Inuyasha.
"Come."
Inuyasha let out a small growl as he stepped next to Sesshomaru and held onto his arm. He glanced once more towards Katsutoshi, worry evident on his face.
Katsu gave him one more smile and a small wave before a light enveloped the two white haired demons and took off into the sky.
"All right everyone, let's get a move on. We don't want to keep Sesshomaru waiting!" ordered Jaken.
As Ginta escorted Katsutoshi onto the carriage, Katsu looked at the direction his father and his stupid uncle had taken off to.
Imagine the power that could be gained if Sesshomaru were to be absorbed, he heard a whisper in his head say as he felt a single pulse emit from his chest. He couldn't help but agree with that single stray thought.
To be continued…
- 10
- 11
- 12
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The Bastard's Gift