Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Unexpected Circumstance	By : Neptunesdemon Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13382 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all its characters are not owned by me. I do not make any profit of of this, it is purely for entertainment.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Title: Unexpected Circumstance
Author: Neptunesdemon
Archive: ; Mpreg mailing list
Category: Mpreg, romance, drama
Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru
Rating: R
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Yoai, OOC, incest, non-con
xoxoxoxox
". . . it's time."
He had barely caught it, but Inuyasha did manage to hear the last words his brother had uttered before falling into unconsciousness. His jaw set and his eyebrows furrowed into a frown as he gently tapped Sesshomaru on the cheek.
"What's time?" He frantically questioned, panic setting in when Sesshomaru didn't respond. "Damn it, Sesshomaru, what's it time for?"
"Sesshomaru-sama is dead!" He heard Rin sobbing.
He looked back to the two children, Jaken trying his best to soothe Rin even though he was blubbering himself. Shippo was silently sniffling, green eyes watching warily at the fallen demon lord and his younger brother.
"What happened, Shippo?"
"I don't know." The fox whimpered. "He was fine, watching me and Rin play. Then all of a sudden he was breathing hard and leaning against the tree."
The hanyou cursed under his breath, turning to look back at his brother, who had yet to awaken.
"Sesshomaru!" He was shouting, shaking the Daiyoukai in hopes of rousing him. He had no such luck.
"Is he going to be okay, Inuyasha?" Shippo asked, not exactly feeling any better with the dog-eared half-breed ready to lose his cool as well.
"Everything's gonna be fine!" He shouted, though he didn't mean to. He didn't really believe his own words.
"Inuyasha!"
At the call of his name, he looked up to find Sango and Miroku atop the fire-cat, coming in for a landing. He was somewhat relieved. Now he had someone who knew how to comfort the still wailing Rin.
Miroku easily took over in that department as Sango trekked over to him, crouching beside him and looking down at the prone figure of Sesshomaru. She looked back up at Inuyasha with concern, her hand reaching out to feel the Daiyoukai's temperature. Luckily, he didn't have a high temperature, slightly elevated but not high.
"Inuyasha, what's wrong?"
"I don't know." The hanyou answered, obviously distressed. "I showed up and then he fainted. He said it was time, but he couldn't mean that he's gonna have the baby, right?"
Sango frowned deeper before she was closely studying Sesshomaru, focusing on the round stomach and gently pressing a hand against it. The baby was still at the moment, but she had a feeling that everything was still alright.
That's when she looked further down and realized the deep red stain of the demon lord's hakama.
"I smell blood." Inuyasha said before she could warn him.
"Inuyasha, he's bleeding."
Golden eyes followed Sango's to find the growing stain, muscles tensing as his heart began to hammer.
"Damn it!" He swore out loud, standing with his brother in his arms.
He shot off without a thought, his destination already set and ready to sprint the whole way there.
"Inuyasha, where are you going!" Sango called after him as he rushed off.
"Kaede's!" Was the faint reply, since he was already gaining distance. "Just hurry up and meet me there!"
She watched as he began taking bounding leaps from tree to tree, accustomed to traveling faster that way in the first place, and was confidant that he'd reached there long before them. They were about a day's travel from Kaede's, but Inuyasha was a hanyou after all, he could run there in an hour if he really wanted to. And something was telling her that he really wanted to.
"Miroku, is Rin alright?" She questioned the monk, who was now cradling the sniffling girl in his arms.
She wasn't crying as hard any more, but a few tears were falling here and there. The monk merely gave the taijiya a smile, a sign that everything was fine for now. Then Sango turned to Shippo, the green-eyed kit was trying his best not to cry and she got down on one knee in front of him so that she rest her hands on his shoulders.
"Shippo, will you be alright?"
She had realized that Rin wasn't the only one that the kitsune had gotten close to. Though he was still wary of and confused about Sesshomaru, the Daiyoukai had been inadvertently treating the kit as if he was his own pup. And Shippo, still being young and recently having lost his family, was already attached. Not to mention that Kagome hadn't come back yet, who the kit had first started becoming close to. Sesshomaru was his nurturing parent now and the youkai was now hurt. She was sure the boy was scared and extremely worried.
The fox kit only nodded, even as tears escaped from his eyes.
"But I'm scared."
"Oh, Shippo." Sango cooed, pulling the small fox into an embrace before lifting him into her arms. "He'll be alright, you'll see. Inuyasha is going to take good care of him."
The fox kit nodded again at the taijiya's words. As they mounted Kirara, Jaken staying with Ah-Un, Shippo could only hope that she was right.
xoxoxoxox
Kaede smiled at the few villagers that were out and about in the wading afternoon as she headed back to her own place of residence. She held her hands behind her back, as she gently strolled, having gone to deliver medicine to an ailing villager. Well, she wasn't so much as ailing as she had just given birth a few days ago. The medicine was to help her get her strength back a bit more quickly.
The children that came running by, laughter loud enough to bring another smile to her face, had wondering how young Shippo was. Inuyasha had yet to return, and he was usually back every so often, especially when Kagome had gone to her time.
The girl had been gone for quite awhile, Kaede remembering the miko giving a hasty good-bye before heading for the well. She had come with Kouga, which was odd, but what was odder still was that she had been crying. The old woman knew that something had gone wrong, but she had no idea what. Perhaps it had something to do with Inuyasha?
The wolf prince hadn't stayed to tell her much, and she hadn't bothered trying to stop him to find out any information. She nodded to an old man sitting on his porch, a friend of hers that from time to time she would join just to hold company.
"How are you, Lady Kaede?" He asked, sending her a smile.
"I'm well, Atsushi-san." She respond, walking closer. "And how are ye? Your son tells me that your bones are beginning to ache again."
"Ah, yes, they are, but I'm getting older so it's to be expected."
She stopped for a moment with a thoughtful look on her face, before she nodded, and glanced back at the old man.
"Tomorrow send Taro-san out to gather me some herbs that I'll list for him, and I shall make ye some medicine." She told him with a small smile, which he returned. "I shall make ye enough to last through this coming winter. It is the worst season for old bones."
"Ah, thank you, Lady Kaede. I'll send him in the morning."
"Until then."
She bowed slightly and Atsushi nodded, smiling at her even as she walked off. She came to her hut in a short time, stopping just outside of the entrance at the feel of a powerful force heading toward the village. Her face took a frown as she realized that there were two. One she knew well enough, the other familiar aura seemed weaker than normal, and it worried her for some reason.
"Kaede!"
The faint call of her name traveled on the slight breeze and she looked off into the distance trying to see who had called her. She couldn't mistake it now, Inuyasha was coming toward her at full speed. She could only wonder what would make the hanyou come at such a desperate speed.
As the hanyou came bounding closer, it was then she was able to realize that he was carrying someone. For a moment, she had no idea who, but as the setting sun gleamed over silver hair her eyes widened in shock.
What could possibly have happened to Lord Sesshomaru?
"Kaede!" Inuyasha called again, coming to a stop directly in front of her. "You gotta do something!"
"Call down, Inuyasha. Ye must tell me what has happened." She said her eyes looking over the unconscious youkai. "What has become of Lord Sesshomaru?"
Before Inuyasha could answer, her eyes that had never stopped studying came across the enlarged stomach and she gasped, stumbling back a bit in shock.
"Inuyasha, your brother is with child!" She exclaimed, the hanyou offering a disgruntled look.
"I know, that's why I need your help." The hanyou said, still panting from his long run. "I think he's gone into labor. He told me it was time before he fainted. Damn it, Kaede, I can't waste time talking!"
Kaede shushed him, resting her hand atop the unconscious form's forehead, frowning as she noted the elevated temperature. She was certain that it wasn't a fever, but it was something to be wary of.
"What happened before he fainted?" She questioned, moving her hand to press her fingers against the inside of the youkai's wrist. The pulse was elevated as well, which meant there was stress.
"I told you what happened, he went into labor!"
"No need to yell, child." She scolded him, her hands gently pressing into the round stomach.
It was still taught, and she then checked for any signs that his water had broke. Not that she had any idea if that would happen for a male youkai, she was doing as she would with a female. In fact, she had never thought she would witness a pregnant male youkai with her own eyes in her entire lifetime.
She frowned deeper as she saw the hakama stained a deep red, and she looked up at Inuyasha who she had never seen so concerned for his brother before. It made her wonder what had happened between the two and before she went any further she need to know.
"Inuyasha, ye must tell me, is this your child he carries?"
"No." The hanyou answered, his ears folding close to his head a bit. She took note of the reaction and then nodded.
She turned to lead the way, beckoning Inuyasha in with a wave of her hand.
"Bring him in, child. I shall start treating him as best as I can."
xoxoxoxox
Sango was worried as she flew atop Kirara's back, her face settled in a look of absolute thought. She knew that it was probably too early for the demon lord to have gone into labor, but the next thought that entered her mind was miscarriage. It wasn't unlikely that the inukai could lose the child so far into the pregnancy. She only hoped that wasn't the case. She knew how devastated that would make the Western Lord. He tried to hide behind a facade that read he was the same disinterested youkai, but Sango had seen the change.
She had observed him in secret, cooing to his unborn child as his lone hand affectionately rubbed at his stomach. He had watched as he played the role of a mother-figure to Rin, had easily taken claim of Shippo as his own and treated them as his pups. He wanted to have this pup, even if he had ever had any doubt before. If he were to lose it. . . it was a something best not to think about.
"Sango."
She was drawn from her thoughts as Miroku called for her attention and she looked over her shoulder to find him pointing down to the ground. She followed his finger's direction and was surprised to find Inuyasha heading straight for them.
He was without Sesshomaru, which meant that his brother had been left behind at the village. She wasn't sure if that meant that something was wrong or that things were fine. They weren't too far from the village, since Sango had convinced Kirara to fly at her fastest, eager to be there with her friend.
She landed as the hanyou came to a stop, and their eyes connected for a brief exchange without words. She nodded and looked down to Shippo in her arms, the boy blinking up at her.
"Shippo, Miroku will take you and Rin to Sesshomaru. Inuyasha and I have something important to do."
Miroku asked no questions, already knowing that any he had wouldn't be answered at this moment anyway. As he climbed off with Rin in tow, and Shippo jumping off behind him, the hanyou took his place.
"Go help, Kaede!" Was the order as Kirara took off.
The monk watched until they were gone in the distance and then began to make his way to the village. His mind took a second to think of Jaken, the kappa having been left behind with Ah-Un, the beast much slower than the fire-neko.
"Houshi-san, can we please go see if Sesshomaru-sama is okay?" Rin was begging him, her hands pulling along.
He gave in to her demands and quickened his steps, watching carefully as she ran ahead when the first huts came into sight.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" She called out as she ran through the village, peeking into random huts.
Few villagers made any objection to an odd girl peeking into their homes, and Miroku sent Shippo off to lead her in the right direction. As they came to Kaede's hut, the young Rin ran in, calling out for the youkai in desperation.
"Sesshomaru-sama!"
"Hush child!"
She froze at the command, her watering eyes staring up at the old woman who towered over her, a frown set on her face.
"Ye must stay quiet." The old woman gently told her. "How else can Lord Sesshomaru rest?"
Rin's eyes looked to the sleeping mat, where a bundled Sesshomaru lay, the blankets around him rising and falling as he breathed. She couldn't help it and at the sight of the dog demon, she began sobbing, rushing over and clutching to his form.
Miroku arrived soon after, witnessing the scene with a small smile and nodding in greeting to Kaede. The two watched as Rin sniffled, obviously crying in relief, by the youkai's side, her small hands gripping the blankets. It was safe to assume that the Lord of the West was all right for the time being.
Kaede didn't make a sound as she watched the fox kit slowly slink over, sitting on the opposite side of the sleeping youkai. Miroku watched as well, intrigued as the young youkai reached a hand out tentatively to rest it on the obvious curve where Sesshomaru's stomach was hidden under the sheets.
It was a few moments before the two observers heard sniffling and then he was sobbing with Rin, his free fist trying his best to rub the tears away, but they were falling faster than he could catch them. They let them cry, watching as the pregnant youkai actually stirred a bit, amber eyes opening for a few moments before shutting again.
"Lady Kaede, has he gone into labor?" He questioned, wanting to know for himself.
"I can not be certain." She answered truthfully, pulling her hands behind her back as she was accustomed to doing. "I am not that good of a mid-wife and even still I have only helped birth human young."
"I see.", The monk said in contemplation, before a thought crossed his mind. "You sent Inuyasha in search of someone familiar with youkai births."
The old woman only nodded, before shuffling closer to the crying children.
"He will back soon enough as she is not far. Come, let us tend to the children."
Miroku nodded in agreement before moving forward, ready to gently pry the two children away so that the inu-youkai could rest. He trusted Sango and Inuyasha would do well in finding whomever Kaede had sent them out for.
xoxoxoxox
Sango had gone by Inuyasha's direction, the hanyou following his nose, though he had not been given a scent to track. When asked who or what he was looking for, all he said was someone old, and then pointed off to the East.
It wasn't too long before he was telling her to land, and before Kirara could touch the forest floor, he was leaping off. He ran in the direction of a small set of hot springs, conveniently beside an open cave, which was surround by snow monkeys, who stared at the newcomers curiously.
They screeched and screamed as Inuyasha ran past them into the cave, jumping off in every which way in a panic. Sango carefully slid off of Kirara, her eyes looking about at the monkeys that were down out of the mountains, especially so close to summer.
"Where are you, ya old hag!" She could hear Inuyasha bellowing in the cave, searching for his quarry. "I can smell that you're still here!"
She sighed, ready to walk after him in hopes of calming him down, but the trees behind her shifted and she spun to look up in its branches. She caught the eyes of an old woman, who sat up on the branch, her face holding a look of annoyance. The taijiya realized that she wasn't human, and the way her hair rested about her face reminded her of the monkeys that were now peeping into the cave at Inuyasha.
So she was a monkey demon, and most likely the one that Inuyasha had been searching for.
"You can't possibly be the one he's lost his head for." The old woman spoke before she could introduce herself. "You're not youkai. Then again you could have been impregnated by one."
The woman's nose twitched, before she was slowly climbing down. As old as she was, she held a grace to climbing down and then oddly enough, she limped forward. Her brown eyes studied Sango as she drew closer, before she was nodding to herself now that she had confirmed it.
"It's not you." She said reaching her hand out. A walking stick was thrust into her hand by a young monkey, who she quietly thanked. "You don't smell pregnant. So, tell me, who has he come here for?"
"His brother."
The old woman's eyes widened a bit at the statement, a weathered hand reaching to scratch at her white locks as she sighed.
"It has been quite a while since I've played midwife to a male demon." She said, looking to Sango again. "So rare and few they are. However, I have the skills and if you do not mind the fee, then I shall tend to the birthing male. A bit early isn't it? I would suspect that he would give birth in another month or so."
"Hey, you! Baba!"
At the rude name, the woman turned to send a bored look Inuyasha's way as he stormed over to them.
"You're coming with me!"
The old monkey only yawned, before leaning fully onto her walking stick, and gazing up at the taller hanyou.
"Yes, your friend and I have already discussed this and have come to that decision. Now I can assure you we must hurry and yet, no need to panic, it's most likely a false alarm."
"I know he's in labor!"
She ignored the young man to look at the pretty young girl again, wondering if this was her lover. The poor dear, she should find another.
"How far along?" She questioned the taijiya.
"Um, I believe seven weeks."
"Seven and a half!" The dog-eared inu corrected, obviously impatient. "And need I remind you he's having the fucking kid!"
"Enough, young man!" The old woman said sternly. "Whether he is birthing yet or not, you must contain yourself. Such behavior gets us no where quickly. Now, how shall I be getting to him?"
"You'll ride with me." Sango offered, the woman looking to the fire-cat as Kirara let out a yowl. "Inuyasha, will follow."
The woman paused to look back at the hanyou at the sound of his name, studying him up and down before turning away.
"The son of the previous Inu no Taisho I presume?"
Inuyasha said nothing, only watched as Sango helped the old woman onto Kirara's back in a side-saddle position.
"When I have finished tending to him, I think it best I know who has impregnated the Lord of the West."
Inuyasha only humphed before he was leaping off ahead of them, the old woman merely rolling her eyes.
"Have they mated yet?"
The question caught Sango off guard and she had to catch herself as she nearly tumbled while climbing onto Kirara. The old demon chuckled and Sango nervously laughed, not knowing how the woman had figured things out.
"I'm old, very old, my dear. I know many things and I can tell without much information."
"Well, in that case, you may already know." Sango answered, signaling Kirara to head off.
"Young demons these days. What they hell are they waiting for?"
xoxoxoxox
Miroku was in front of the fire pit quietly meditating, as Kaede made supper for those who returned. They both watched carefully as Sesshomaru rested, the two children long fallen asleep. The silver-haired inu had woken to find them huddled against him, and had weakly turned to pull them both closer, obviously unaware of his two spectators. Now his lone arm was wrapped securely around Shippo and Rin, the girl having moved to hug onto the young fox.
Miroku had to say it was a comforting, and yet disturbing sight. He had never in a thousand years, or rather in his short life span, thought to see this side of Sesshomaru. In fact, one would never had suspected that the Inu lord had this side to him at all.
He was glad to see that this was as much as the pregnancy did for him. He had mood swings but it was from stoic to annoyed, to livid and then back again. Most of them caused by Inuyasha, and on occasions himself and Jaken. It was usually righted by turning the youkai's attention to the children.
"Kaede!"
His thoughts were broken at Inuyasha's loud call, both he and the old priestess peering outside of the hut's door to see when Inuyasha arrived. He bounded inside, winded and sweating from his hours of running back and forth, and his amber eyes looked to where his brother was resting.
"He's not in labor?" Was the first question to come out of his mouth. He had rushed back thinking that the pup would be halfway out by now, but instead Sesshomaru was sleeping as if it were any normal night.
"See, it's as I told you, a false alarm."
Kaede and Miroku looked up to the newcomer who shuffled in with Sango, the old woman taking in the small hut that was becoming somewhat crowded. She then looked to Sesshomaru, who she knew was awake, but keeping the guise that he was asleep. Obviously it was to avoid any encounter with the humans and maybe even herself.
"Can anyone bring me up to speed with what has happened?"
"He was bleeding!" Inuyasha burst out, before Kaede could give it to her in a much gentler fashion.
"Bleeding you say?"
The monkey demon trekked closer, handing her cane off to the first person she saw, which happened to be Miroku. He took it without a word, watching as she moved closer to Sesshomaru.
"If you'll all be so kind, I believe Lord Sesshomaru would like some privacy."
"This Sesshomaru would like to be left alone." The youkai corrected, surprising those who hadn't known he was actually awake.
"Like hell you're being left alone!" Inuyasha began, but Kaede put a hand out to stop him.
"Ye must do as the midwife wishes." She told him calmly. "She must do her work in peace and will be unable to do so if we are here."
She then let her one eye look to the old youkai, who was nodding along with her words, and she bowed slightly.
"My name be Kaede, the priestess of this village. Ye are welcome in my home and to any of my supplies ye may need."
"Thank you, Kaede. I'm sure you've heard of me before, or else you would not have known to send him in search of me."
"Of course I have heard of ye, Minako-san. I knew ye were the right person to turn to."
She looked down at the most recent Western Lord, who glared up at her as if to intimidate her to leave him alone. He would have to learn that she had experienced it all before and that she wouldn't leave until her work was done.
"Wake the young ones up and send them out as well. They do not need to be here and will only get in the way."
"No." The youkai's glare grew sharper and his arm seemed to tighten around them even more. "They stay."
"Sesshomaru."
The call came from Inuyasha who seemed to have calmed some, and the youkai turned to look at him, his glare wavering just a bit.
"They'll be with me and they'll come right back in as soon as she's finished."
Minako studied the youkai carefully, her brow raising in interest as she watched the Daiyoukai visibly relax at the hanyou's words. He was slowly giving leadership to his brother, as stubborn as he made himself to be, and would soon enough freely give himself. Hopefully it was soon, before the pup was born or at least as soon after as was possible.
Gently, Rin and Shippo were shaken awake, before Inuyasha was guiding them outside. Miroku left with a bow and Sango retreated behind him. Kaede would have stayed, but she knew how it felt to have someone hovering when she was working. She left with a nod as well, which Minako returned, leaving the saru to do her work.
"Now, Lord Sesshomaru, I'll need your cooperation." She knelt at his feet, grabbing the blankets and lifting most away save one. That one she folded back and then grabbed the youkai by the ankles before bending his legs and guiding them apart.
The youkai growled and was ready to object with a swiping of his claws, but the cold look she threw his way actually had the Daiyoukai stunned.
"Your child could be in danger, Inu no Taisho. I'm here in its interest and yours. Now keep still and you'll get through this fast."
A bit unwillingly, he caved in and looked away so as not to keep looking into those cold eyes. That stare surpassed his own, and he wondered what she had been like when she was in her prime.
"We need to remove these." She told him, grabbing the waist of his hakama and untying the bindings that kept them up. "Now lift your hips."
He didn't want to be exposed to this decrepit old fool, but he had smelt the blood when he had first woken up. If it wasn't for his youki's assurance that the pup was alright and no where ready to be born, he would have suspected a miscarriage before thinking he was in labor.
He winced as he lifted his hips on her command, a dull ache between his legs and at the thought that she was free to ogle him freely. Had he been anyone but himself, he would have let his embarrassment show through his cheeks.
"Good lad." The midwife commended him on his cooperation, before her hands were probing at his stomach. "Seven and a half weeks I was told. You look as if you could be more. Twins?"
"I couldn't bare the thought." Sesshomaru said with an actual grimace. "I assure you there is only one pup."
"That's good to hear."
Her hands then tapped against his inner thigh, making the male demon jump at the touch and offer her a glare.
"Wider." Was the only word she gave him.
"What business could you possibly have there?" He demanded, wanting to snap his legs shut but the hand on his knee was preventing him.
"To check if your birth canal has formed correctly."
He was stunned to silence once again, this time by the words that had been spoken. His what?
"Come now, you did know that it would form close to the birth?" She asked, watching the blank look on his face. "Weren't you told that this would happen?"
The silence that resumed was enough of an answer for her and she sighed with a shake of her head.
"The young these days.", She muttered to herself, standing to find a basin to wash her hands in. "They rut without mating and become impregnated without a thought of just what will happen. No one is thinking anymore."
Sesshomaru ignored her and watched as she went about the hut, collecting a few herbs and rags, as well as a basin of water. Then she was back between his legs, washing her hands after placing everything beside her.
"You won't like this." Was the only warning he was given. "No one ever does."
The Western Lord actually gasped as he felt her fingers penetrate him in a place that had not been there before. It took all his will to not pull away, even as the fingers pushed in deeper, giving a dull and uncomfortable sensation.
"Very good." She was muttering to herself, her free hand reaching up to gently press down on the Daiyoukai's round stomach. "You'll be glad to know that the pup has turned. It'll be ready to be born soon enough."
He was relieved when she finally withdrew her fingers, tensing a bit when she began to clean him up. He would rather have a bath after this entire ordeal, but he knew he'd be refused one tonight.
"Now, your youki should have warned you that this was to happen." She said, wiping her hands clean after everything was done.
"It said nothing."
I told you soon.
'That is not a warning.' He argued with it.
It said nothing else and he figured that it realized that he was right.
"Well, in that case, I'm telling you." She said sitting down near the fire, where a mortar and pestle stood waiting for her. "Male youkai, as I assume you know, do not posses the correct "part" shall we say to have a normal birth. Rather than endure painful surgery, youki have managed to use energy to form a birth canal, granting you the chance to experience a less-painful birth. However, its development is painful itself, and does cause stress and even the occasional black out."
Her eyes lifted to Sesshomaru, who was busy fixing the blankets over himself again, not interested in putting on the soiled hakama. She pointed to the herbs she had left behind and Sesshomaru flung it toward her, which the demon easily caught with a grunt of annoyance. Oh to be young and defiant, it was far too long ago that she was the same.
"Every three days you'll be examined by me, with you being so close to your due date, and for seven days you'll drink this brew." She laid out to him, grinding away at the herbs until it was a paste. "It will fight infection, since your body is weak and susceptible to it, and you will drink it. No questions, no objections, and I don't give a damn if you are a Daiyoukai. You will do as I say while I am here."
"I bend to no one's will."
"Well you bent for someone, young lad, I'll tell you that. Or else you nor I would be here at this precise moment."
She felt as much as saw his anger, and when she looked deeper into golden eyes, she realized that she had struck a sensitive spot that he had hidden away. Oh. . . so that was how it was.
"How tragic." She muttered lowly, reaching for a jug of water with her right foot.
It was then Sesshomaru realized that her feet resembled those of a monkey's, though her hands were very much human-like. He had to wonder if she were hanyou, but could actually care less. All he knew was that he didn't like her, not at all.
"Here." She thrust a clay bowl in his direction, a pungent scent permeating in his direction. It was making him nauseous. "Drink it up and drink it all. It won't harm the pup and it'll actually cure your nausea."
It was as if the old hag was inside of his head, and that made him dislike her just a little bit more. Slowly, he took the bowl from her, and he looked away as he forced himself to do as told. He grimaced at the taste, wanting to spit it back into the bowl, but a hand was snatching it away from him before he could and he was too proud to spit on the floor. Even if it did belong to a lowly ningen.
"Now swallow, and then we shall see that you get some food in your stomach."
"What the hell's taking her so long?" Came a low voice from outside, the swear telling them it was Inuyasha's.
"Be quiet, Inuyasha, they'll hear us."
"But Shippo, Rin wishes to see if Sesshomaru-sama is okay."
The old monkey chuckled, before she slowly eased her way to standing up. Carefully, she walked to the paper door and slid it back, amused to watch the three lurkers tumble in. Rin was the first to pull herself from the pile, rushing over to Sesshomaru and kneeling beside him, her eyes wide with worry.
"Is Sesshomaru-sama well?" She questioned, knowing she'd be scolded if she did not ask politely and calmly like a lady.
"Yes, Rin, I am well."
She smiled then, satisfied with the answer before leaning in close to whisper so that others wouldn't hear her.
"And is Rin's sister okay, too?"
Before Sesshomaru could react to the child assuming he was carrying a girl, Shippo objected with a cry, pulling free from underneath Inuyasha and running over.
"Hey, it's not a girl!" He complained, glaring at Rin. "It's gonna be a boy!"
"Well, Rin is just happy to be a big sister."
Shippo's tail flicked back and forth in agitation, but he let the girl carry on in thinking it would be a female. It had to be a boy, or at least, he wanted it to be.
"Chichiue will be happy no matter what as well." Rin was beaming, oblivious to the scowl now marring the youkai's face.
"Chichiue?" Inuyasha questioned, finally peeling himself off of the floor.
"Oh, yes, Sesshomaru-sama says I can call him that. I asked and he said only when in private!"
She didn't catch on to her own words, and Shippo blushed for her, when he realized what she had done.
"And you will be Otousan when you and Chichiue ma-"
"Rin that is enough!"
The commanding tone had her falling quiet after a small meep, her hands clasping over her mouth as she realized what she had nearly said. Shippo looked at the Daiyoukai nervously, before he peeked in Inuyasha's direction.
The hanyou stood staring at Sesshomaru, who had yet to stop scowling in Rin's direction, his ears perked up to hear anything further. The old demon in the corner merely watched on, her face holding a serious look as her brown eyes studied them closely.
"Rin is sorry." The girl risked saying, her head bowing slightly in shame.
A throat cleared and everyone turned to the midwife, who moved forward so that she was hovering over Rin and Shippo. She gently rested a hand over the girl's shoulder, the other atop Shippo's head, before she gently smiled down at them.
"Go on and get your Chichiue something to eat. I must speak to him and Lord Inuyasha in private."
Shippo nodded, as did Rin, and the two slowly trotted off, closing the sliding door behind them. When she was sure they were alone, the saru turned to the two brothers, one of which who was avoiding looking at the other. The young girl had nearly revealed something he had obviously wanted to stay hidden.
"I believe now is the time to search for an answer." She began, her hands going behind her back. "It has come to my attention that you two have not yet mated."
They said nothing, but both set of amber eyes turned to look at her, and she didn't wait for their answer.
"I can tell that your youki have chosen and I know that you have the will to decide on your own. However, I do not know what you choose and I must hear an answer now."
"What business is it of yours, old woman?" Sesshomaru asked, glad to see that Inuyasha's attention had turned elsewhere for the time being.
"Well, I suppose that it really isn't any of my business, but as your midwife-"
"I did not ask you to be." She was interrupted and she only sighed, knowing that the youkai was going to be difficult to treat.
"Who then will help you birth this child?" She questioned him calmly. "Do you have someone in mind, or did you think the child would magically appear in your arms? Though it was not your first heat, you are far too young to have been impregnated and you are inexperienced. It is your first child after all, and you will need every helping hand that would be offered to you. To refuse mine would hold dire consequences for your pup. Would you risk your child for your pride?"
She didn't need the answer, as she knew that he would never tell her that his child came first. Especially not with his younger brother in his presence. And speaking of the hanyou, she turned to fix her gaze on him.
"Inuyasha-sama, you are not exempt from my lecture."
The hanyou snorted, his arms tucking away in his sleeves before he plopped down on the floor.
"I'm listening, baba."
He cursed as he was hit, his hands shooting up to cradle his skull that had received one good whack from her cane. When had she gotten it back?
"What the hell!" He demanded, glaring up at her and knowing Sesshomaru was smiling in appreciation.
"Call me that again and I'll hit you harder." She warned, before leaning on the cane. "My name is Minako and you will do well to use it. Now, I must know, are you to mate with your brother before the child is born?"
"I've been telling everyone the same answer. I'm not mating Sesshomaru."
"Before the child or not at all?"
"I am not mating with him." Inuyasha said sternly for good measure.
"Then you will leave the premises when the child is being born and you will not return unless you have decided to mate him."
"You can't tell me what to do, ya old hag!"
"I can if it means the safety of this pup!" She bellowed, her voice fitted with an authority that surpassed anything the Daiyoukai could dish out. "I will not bring a child into this world with its life in danger! If you choose not to mate with him, then you will not be near on the day of the pup's birth!"
"And if I refuse?"
"You can be sure I will find a way to have you bound to that tree again."
The threat wasn't taken lightly, but Inuyasha only grit his teeth trying to hold back the growl that was rumbling in his throat. Who the hell did this old monkey think she was?
She won't keep me from my mate!
The old woman stared back at him defiantly and coldly, her hands still tucked behind her back, and her jaw set in her frown. She would not be intimidated by a pup who had yet to claim a mate, and was refusing do to such a thing to begin with. The young were stupid and hard-headed, but she could be just as stubborn and had the wisdom to surpass them. She merely waited, her eyes making sure to make contact with Inuyasha's, whose eyes flecked with red.
It would make sense that his youki would respond to such a direct challenge. The taste of becoming an alpha was too tempting for it, and it was willing to prove that it was worthy. What the boy needed to do was claim his brother and then he'd have his title.
"You know of the danger you hold towards that pup, Inuyasha." She finally broke the silence. "I merely ask that you keep your distance until Lord Sesshomaru has gained the strength to protect his child. You can stay close to the area, where you'll be able to scout out any danger other than yourself."
"Which seems like a good idea."
The two demons and half-demon, looked in the direction of the hut's entrance at the new voice, and found none other than Miroku. It would seem that the monk had been snooping and couldn't resist putting his two sense in.
"I'm sorry to intrude, but Kaede insist that he eats." He said revealing the bowl of bland food that he had been sent with. "And upon approaching the hut, I couldn't help but overhear. And I must agree with Lady Minako, Inuyasha. Perhaps it would be best that you distance yourself from Lord Sesshomaru until he is not so vulnerable."
"Like hell will!" The hanyou snarled, glaring at the monk who he thought would at least have his side.
The monk only sighed before kneeling next to the Daiyoukai and holding the bowl out to Sesshomaru, the full-blooded inu turning his nose up at the food offered him.
"I would rather starve."
"Young man, I'm too old to have to forcefully feed you. Now take the bowl and be grateful!"
Miroku resisted the urge to smirk as Sesshomaru offered the woman his most frigid look, the saru obviously unaffected by it, but took the bowl anyway. Snatched was more the word, but Miroku could care less. He turned his attention back to his friend, who was still glaring in Minako's direction.
"Inuyasha, I'd be willing to try something if you are open to the idea."
Luckily for him, he caught the hanyou's attention, and he stood to fully face him.
"I believe I may be able to bind your youki temporarily with a sutra." He told him, knowing that the others were listening. "Of course, the disadvantage is you won't be able to tap into that power should something dire happen, but I believe you can manage. If in fact Naraku does show, Sango and I can help you hold him off.
"Naraku you say?" Questioned Minako, her voice holding an edge to it that they all shared when speaking of the spider-hanyou. "I can safely assume that he is the sire?"
Miroku found it not his place to say, and Inuyasha refused as much as Sesshomaru did to confirm anything. It was obvious both didn't like to admit to that particular truth.
"I'll take your silence as my answer." Minako said, shuffling towards Miroku with her cane's help. "Now, young man, you will try this binding that you spoke of and Lord Sesshomaru, so help me if you don't eat I'll treat you like the child you're acting like.
Miroku couldn't help the chuckle, but easily ignored the deadly glare thrown in his direction, besides he was getting used to them anyway. He stepped closer to Inuyasha, cautiously laying a hand on his friend's shoulder so that he could begin leading him outside.
When they were gone, the old midwife turned to her recent charge, not missing the way the youkai's muscles were tensed and his attempt to look passive was a strained effort. Something was bothering him and she doubted that he would share with her what it was.
"You should get some more rest, Inu no Taisho." She suggested, though it was an order in disguise.
Amber eyes slowly looked to her, studying her closely and probably determining what he could get away with. She had to wonder who had spoiled this brat so long ago for him to act in such a manner. She'd think of it later, when she had a good cup of tea in her hands and was ready to settle for the night.
"My children."
She raised a brow at the words, not sure if he had meant to say it out loud or if it was a slip, but she didn't point it out to him. She only nodded and started for the door, ready to ask the priestess where she would take up residence.
"I'll send them to you, but you must rest."
The shuffling of the blankets as Sesshomaru lay down to sleep was proof enough that he would do as she wished. He was very tired after all that had happened today, though there were things he rather not think about at all.
As Minako left, she saw the two young ones sitting by the few steps leading up to the hut and she merely nodded her consent. They jumped up eagerly and rushed inside, immediately burying under the blankets with the pregnant youkai, who thought it was safe to smile at them with no one around.
She had heard stories of how cold this first born to Lord Touga had been, but it would seem this new experience was slowly melting the ice he had built up around him. True she could think of a faster way, but even more stubborn than the noble-bred inu was his half-human half-brother. The gods be with them if he resisted mating for the rest of his lifespan. It would probably mean a lot more bastard children in the inu line, and those of mixed breed, since the only inu left were too stupid to do what was right.
"Ye are welcome to stay if ye wish to be near Sesshomaru."
She turned to the old priestess, who was seated beside a small fire that had obviously been put up for those she had chased out of the hut. She joined the human woman, glad for the company of someone her own age who wasn't a monkey. Well, not exactly her own age, but at least Kaede was old in a certain sense. Still, at least she wasn't a monkey.
"Tell me, priestess, how did this come to be?" She questioned, easily excepting a cup of steaming tea. "How did Naraku manage to overpower him?"
"I was not told all that transpired, but I do know he came into his heat perhaps too early."
"Perhaps?" The monkey snorted, taking a sip of her tea. "He must have suppressed his last few heats. His body shows sign he has experienced quite a few, and probably at an early age. His youki must have sensed the inu race depleting and was desperate to revive it."
Then she sighed, looking to the one-eyed ningen who sat in deep contemplation.
"There is not much to be done but to prepare. This child is soon expected, and I will not be caught unaware."
The two old ladies fell into a comfortable silence after that, both sipping at their tea and contemplating the near future. It was a long while before Minako was resting her cup down with a sigh, enticing Kaede to look in her direction.
"How fast can you humans build a hut?"
Kaede smiled.
"I can manage something temporary in less than a weeks time." Kaede promised her, asking with a gesture for the empty cup so she could refill it. "Until then ye are welcome to stay with me."
The monkey youkai nodded, before giving another sigh.
"Make sure that they build room enough for five."
Kaede counted off the amount in her head, and realized that five was one too many, having overhead that Inuyasha was forbidden to stay too close to the Western Lord. So there was Rin, Shippo, Minako and Lord Sesshomaru himself. And yet. . .
"Five?" She questioned curiously.
"Yes. Something is telling me that our noble brat won't make it to full term. We'll be welcoming a new life into the world soon enough."
T.B.C.
- 11
- 12
- 13
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