Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Spiel Mit Mir	By : botticelliangel Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male > InuYasha/Sessh?maru > InuYasha/Sessh?maru Views: 15039 -:- Recommendations : 5 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, and make no profit from writing.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Happy Halloween everyone!

“Is it done yet?” Inuyasha asked, excitedly hovering over the savory smelling shiny container. His mouth was watering in anticipation. His ears were twitching, and he just couldn’t stay still. Something delicious was being held in front of him, just beyond his reach like the keys to paradise.

And it had been so long since they had noodles! The week that they spent in the spirit castle was completely noodle free. He still couldn’t believe that Kagome was mourning leaving because she considered the food that they were given there to be “real” food.

Yes, Inukimi’s staff was well trained in the culinary; especially considering the fact that Inuyasha was almost entirely certain that Inukimi herself liked her food bloody and warm. Yet they weren’t served raw meat every day, instead they had been pampered with full meals that leaned heavily on fatty fish, gamey birds, and savory beef, with side touches of rice, and watermelon.

Lots of watermelon, entered their diet recently, and Sesshomaru had laughed a little about his mother’s obsession with the fruit.

When Inuyasha remembered, he laughed too.

The only reason there was so much watermelon in the spirit castle was because Inukimi found a bit of fun in comparing the melon shell to the thickness of a skull.

Apparently when Sesshomaru was still very young she had grown vast gardens of the sweet melon, and then used the hard rinds to teach him about the force he needed to slice into an unsuspecting head. When Inuyasha had been old enough he had the lessons too.

It appeared that Inukimi’s motherly instincts had not waned even though both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were full grown. On their second to last day in the spirit castle, Inukimi picked Shippo up from his lazy spot on Kagome’s shoulder with the intention of giving him lessons.

“My little kit, you are far too old for this lesson,” Inukimi had coddled him, rubbing their noses together even though Shippo looked like he would die from terror, “But a boy must learn. And your claws need practice.”

Inuyasha watched as his brother’s devilish mother had dozens of melons rolled into the room. The sadistic and beautiful dog demon sat down in the middle of the melons and set out teaching Shippo how to slice through the thick rinds with his bare hands. The first time he did it wrong, barely making scratches over the deep green covering. Inukimi gave her own brand of training by explaining how much force was needed, by using her claws on his skin.

Shippo had tried to run off to Sango and Kagome, crying about the cuts, which were very shallow. Inukimi grabbed him up by his tail, and threatened to punish his crying. Considering she didn’t think of cutting his skin open as punishment, Shippo wizened up quickly, and stopped his tears.

By the time the lesson was done, Inukimi and Shippo had painted the whole room with sticky sweet watermelon juice. Inukimi was giggling in the mess of rinds and pink melon flesh. Shippo was proudly telling Kagome that he knew how to slice through monster heads now, to which the sweet priestess grimaced in a horrified way.

They feasted on watermelon that night, because Miroku wisely said it would be a waste to let Shippo’s training go without honor. And even though it was unintentional, Inuyasha knew that the monk had just spoken to the wild side of the fox child. The pack was eating from his first “kill” so to speak, and Shippo was looking like a very proud little boy.

Good memories aside, Inuyasha was glad for the stale, salty, umami of the noodles.

“Not yet, Inuyasha.” Kagome said in a slightly sing song voice as she poured steaming water into the rest of the shiny red and white containers. She waved his hands away from the food. Big blocky black words splattered the surface of the strange bowls. Inuyasha liked the one that proclaimed the flavor was ‘kimchi’ best, but Kagome always brought a variety including ‘spicy beef’ and ‘shrimp’. Inuyasha didn’t think that they actually tasted anything like their labels said they should, but if they did he probably wouldn’t like them so much.

“Now?” He asked sniffing the container as if he could absorb the deliciousness through scent alone.

“No, I just poured the water. If you eat it now the noodles won’t be cooked, Inuyasha.” Kagome was still singing and bouncing her index finger in the direction of all the containers as she counted to make sure she made enough for everyone.

“Come on Kagome, it must be ready now?” Inuyasha whined only a moment later ears drooping forward slightly as his stomach growled. ‘Cooks in 3 minutes’ was the claim on the package, but every time Kagome made the noodles Inuyasha swore those three minutes turned into lifetimes. Ramen, he could smell ramen all around. Ramen, and nothing but Ramen!

And that was just the way he wanted it.

“Can’t you just wait?” Kagome asked the happy melodic sound she was making earlier disappeared in annoyance.

“Inuyasha doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘wait’.” Shippo tried to sound sage in his high childish voice as he bounded up next to Inuyasha sitting in front of the excruciatingly slow cooking of the best food in the world.

A retort to Shippo’s taunting vanished somewhere between Inuyasha’s last huff of annoyance and the deep breath he dragged into his lungs the next second. There it was… the scent he had been trying to avoid.

“Oh fuck it all.” He muttered with a shallow out breath. “I don’t care if they are ready! Give me the food!”

Quickly he snatched up one of the little shiny bowels off the ground and nearly shoved his face into the packaging, opting to forgo using utensils in order to let the steam and spicy scent of the noodles waif to his nose. He needed something to clear out his sinuses from all the other things that bombarded it.

Things like the scent of fertile females.

Inuyasha’s distraction technique almost worked, and then…

“Sit!” Kagome screamed, and the scalding water from the noodles splashed up into his face as he was propelled down to the ground by the angry command. Irritated Inuyasha growled into the dirt. What the hell! “What is wrong with you, Inuyasha! You’ve been acting like a complete jerk these last couple of days.”

Incredulously he huffed into the dirt. He had been acting like a jerk? He wasn’t the one plowing her face into the ground. Although he probably could get away with putting her in such a submissive pose, the sex driven part of him spoke up in his mind, just as long as he did nice things to her.

The reaction he had been steadfastly trying to avoid through distraction was rearing its head, quite literally in his pants.

Finally he pulled himself into a seated position, hunching his shoulders and bowing his body inward so as to try to hide it from Kagome. He doubted she would blush prettily, and offer to do something about his twitching hard-on this time. This time she probably wouldn’t understand, even if he did try to explain to her the olfactory triggers.

“Feh. I’m just hungry!” Inuyasha voiced gathering up his bowl, which was slightly crumpled, but otherwise intact despite his punishment. Enthusiastic to show his greed for the noodles, Inuyasha shoved a large mass of the foodstuff in his mouth.

Yum, his brain thought. Inuyasha’s stomach agreed. And then his erection pulsed in response to something else that could be considered ‘yum’ gracefully sitting next to him.

White silk and hair flashed into the corner of his vision.

Taking calming breaths with a mouthful of noodles was not such a good idea, and Inuyasha choked a little.

“What are these?” Sesshomaru was asking leaning over and sniffing one of the noodle bowls. Inuyasha was still coughing although intrigued by his brother’s curiosity. It wasn’t usual for the aloof demon to show interest in anything. Although, Sesshomaru seemed to have made exceptions to his usual ‘doesn’t surprise me’ attitude for the things that Kagome brought along into this world for traveling; for those things only he was acting like a curious puppy.

“This is food from my homelands, Sesshomaru.” Kagome said happily. “I’ve been saving them, because they are Inuyasha’s favorite.”

“Yeah!” Shippo exclaimed bouncing up onto Kagome’s shoulder, “Inuyasha always gets really cranky the week before the full moon. If we give him noodles he isn’t such a pain.”

It was a good thing Inuyasha had already swallowed his mouthful of noodles, because he might have suffocated on them out of embarrassment of Shippo’s words. The baby kit had just innocently blurted out something Inuyasha tried to ignore, and hide from his group.

“Hm. That’s a very good observation, Shippo.” Miroku said from across the campfire where he was meticulously shaping and sharpening the blessed bronze of his staff. It had bent in their last battle, not because the opponents were strong, but because the staff had served many good years. He was hoping he wouldn’t have to have a new one crafted. “Inuyasha what is it about this time of the month that makes you so irritable?”

It wasn’t his fault. Inuyasha frowned at his friend’s prying question. He thought about responding with the truth: Whatever dumbass kami decided that the fertility cycles of human females be synchronized with the moon had it out for poor dog demons and their superior senses.

Humans entered fertile times much more often than demons, because their bodies followed the moon. And Inuyasha was very aware of that. He had been traveling with Kagome and Sango for almost two years.

Humans seemed unaware of their fertility though. They could not smell the change in their bodies, and had a trick heat cycle every month. Nor did they act as a demon would during a heat cycle. Bitches were usually very upfront about satisfying the demands of their bodies, and that reflected in their smell. Humans didn’t seem to have a huge increase in libido. Many lesser demons thought that the menses was the fertile time for human females, and attacked with putrid intentions when Kagome and Sango experienced theirs. Demons with more sophisticated noses, like dogs and wolves, could see through the trick heat cycle to their real fertility.

For Inuyasha these changes in his traveling companions usually just meant that he got very protective of them during their true breeding times. The girls were generally more agreeable when they were fertile, and sometimes a little less cautious than they should be.

Four moons ago when Miroku and Sango started having sex, Inuyasha blatantly warned Miroku on the nights where Sango’s fertile smell was the strongest. As a pack underling, Miroku agreed to maintaining the safety of the pack by keeping it in his pants for a few nights.

It helped that Inuyasha threatened to tear off his dick if he copulated when she would likely get pregnant.

And this time the breeding scent started earlier than normal. It started the day before they left Inukimi’s spirit castle. Rin entered her most fertile time, slightly ahead of Kagome and Sango. The differences in time didn’t surprise Inuyasha. He remembered when Sango first came to their group; the girls had very different cycles. As they became pack their breeding times got closer and closer together. Inuyasha assumed that if Rin and Sesshomaru stayed with them very long, Rin’s fertility time would match the other women in only a month.

The addition of Rin to the group dynamics shouldn’t have made Inuyasha feel so on edge this time. Her fertility scent had no increased impact on his instincts when added to the combined scents of Kagome and Sango.

What Inuyasha hadn’t been expecting, was for the sexy scent that Sesshomaru had to spike and grow unbearably, as if he was a female ready for breeding.

And that was what he was so desperately trying to ignore.

“I don’t know what you’re getting at, monk. I already told you people I’m hungry. Let me eat.” Inuyasha huffed with bravado, even though his favorite noodles weren’t even enough to scour his sinuses.

Next to him Sesshomaru sniggered. The mean chuckle was not lost upon the group, even though it was very quiet.

“Sesshomaru-sama, do you have any enlightening words on our friend’s attitude?” Miroku asked jokingly. Damn, as if the bozo didn’t already know that Inuyasha was on edge from the overly protective feelings he experienced when the females in his pack were vulnerable.

“Shut up, Miroku. And you,” He growled at Sesshomaru, “Say one word, and I’ll tell them what you did this morning.” Inuyasha growled a warning. There were no words at their little campsite, and Sesshomaru merely stood up and walked away as if Inuyasha’s threat didn’t hold any weight over his head.

It didn’t, except that Sesshomaru was too proud to allow a gaggle of humans to know that he had spied on the girls while they were bathing today.

When it came down to it, Sesshomaru was affected by the scent of so many fertile females in the pack too. Inuyasha knew that even though Sesshomaru’s scent was deceitful he was still a man, and the bosatsu’s curse didn’t affect his nose.

And Sesshomaru was full demon, far more instinct driven than Inuyasha. The heavy musk of arousal settled around him once Rin’s fertile time came. That aroused scent didn’t leave. Inuyasha had only gone to the little river where the girls were bathing because of it. He had followed them in the shadows. Inuyasha was torn between warning him the same way he did with Miroku about how ridiculously dangerous it would be for one of the females in their pack to bear children, and ripping his clothes off to appease the heat that burbled up inside of him.

The sunny morning light was obscured by the trees near the river bank. Inuyasha shook his head at catching Sesshomaru peeking through the bushes like a perverted old man. Gaining Sesshomaru’s attention by poking the demon’s strong thigh with his big toe was easy. He remembered the look on Sesshomaru’s face as he turned around letting the bushes fall back into place. His older brother was a little feral, blushing, and those beautiful stripes on his cheeks were bleeding out into the rest of his skin.

“They’ll start treating you like they treat the monk if they know you’ve been watching.” Inuyasha had whispered. He didn’t like whispering, but it was the right thing to do because he didn’t want the girls to know how close they were, and if his voice was any louder it might have betrayed his own lust. Not that he could hide it. Inuyasha knew Sesshomaru could smell his desperate arousal.

Sesshomaru only looked at him with the hunger, and slowly gathered his voice.

“It’s hard this time.” His brother had finally said in an equally lust filled whisper.

Now that the moment had passed, and Inuyasha wasn’t buried deep in Sesshomaru’s ass with the demon’s legs up over his shoulders, Inuyasha realized that Sesshomaru was right.

For whatever reason, this moon cycle was harder to ignore than previous ones. His instinct to mate – to rut – was stronger, more insistent. His alertness was increased, and he knew he was probably suffocating his pack with orders that they stay within line of sight at all times.

Not that they listened.

The girl’s still went off to bathe alone, Sesshomaru still went off on his own to hunt, Miroku and Sango would still make the excuse of scouting ahead to share a few moments of intimacy. And Kagome would get angry with him and threaten to use the subduing word as she stamped off of their path for some ‘privacy’.

Really, Inuyasha’s pack was very disobedient.

“Thank you for the food, Kagome.” Sango spoke up breaking Inuyasha’s thoughts as she picked up two bowls from the ground. Her strong hands brought one bowl to Miroku, and she kept a bowl. Shippo grabbed up his, hopping around gleefully for his food.

“Your welcome, Sango,” Kagome said with a smile still passing out bowls of the steaming noodles, “Sesshomaru I made one for you also. I understand if you don’t want it, but it felt rude for me to just leave you out.”

Sesshomaru didn’t acknowledge her, apparently not caring about reciprocating kindness. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at his brother, who stared off into the distance as if he wasn’t hanging around a pack of humans all the time.

“Feh, and you call me a jerk!” Inuyasha huffed, and then as an afterthought, “I call seconds!”

Inuyasha was half expecting to be yelled at for being greedy. That never played out though, because from his side Sesshomaru started growling, and Kagome made a sound of mild surprise.

“Oh. Kouga’s coming.”

Sure enough, as soon as Inuyasha processed the words and whirled around, the mephitic ookami blazed his way into their campsite.

“Yo!” The wolf greeted his long black hair settling in place down his back, aided by the restriction of his hair tie. His toothy smile tumbled off his face, and his eyes slid to Sesshomaru. Inuyasha’s brother was kneeling in the dirt, defensive. Inuyasha felt the breeze of the summer day on his skin and the memory of Sesshomaru’s confession on the beach found its way into the immediate nagging part of his brain.

Only the inuyoukai and ookamiyouaki…

For the brief second that Sesshomaru’s growling increased, and another wild grin graced the ookami’s face. Inuyasha’s hands were at his sword, defensively ready to draw Tetsusaiga and strike, to protect what was his. His hackles rose to new levels when he noticed Kouga scenting the air, when he saw the wolf’s pupils dilate, and his untamed – dangerous – attention focused on Sesshomaru.

“Kouga…” Inuyasha could hear Kagome say the wolf’s name behind him. Her words were lost in the growling that emanated dual force from the brothers. Inuyasha would have thought that the might of two demons against Kouga would have made it abundantly clear that he was not welcome. It pissed him off that the wolf didn’t move. That insolent face never faltered from Sesshomaru’s direction to acknowledge the priestess’ words.

“Hey bitch.” Kouga finally said. The words, the tone; rough and wild, made Inuyasha see red. The world around him melted away in the call of his demon blood. Protect: his blood screamed. Protect what you love.

*Spiel Mit Mir*

“You are truly a beauty, my lady.” His dark silk voice was as omnipresent as his aura. He made sure that his darkness was absolute, perfect. And he liked the way it mingled with her cool countenance. She hadn’t moved at his words; No smile, or frown. This beautiful desperate demon was as icy as her damn son.

That just made her summoning him even more delicious.

The stunning Inukimi clearly had no idea what was going on in the world outside of her well fortified spirit castle. She had no idea who he was, had only ventured enough to hear rumors that he was powerful, that he was somehow involved in the lives of her precious sons.

And that was enough for her to request his presence in desperation. And she was walking on impregnable ground, reeking of her anxiety. He loved the scent of a female in despair.

“Little spider, flattery is unnecessary.” Inukimi said poised and beautiful, mirroring the opposite of what she was inside; willful woman. “I only need to know if you can do as I wish.” The gaze she cast on him was as calculating as he had felt, as cool as the winter breeze.

Naraku let the smile appear on his lips. He knew he was charming, and his cockiness was exactly what she needed to see. There was no doubt in his mind that she would merely dismiss him, cast him out of the spirit castle, and back to the earth if he hesitated.

It was a long hard fall.

Therefore there was no hesitation, as if he felt something so weak about being called to the home of the most famous demon in the land.

Fame, power, royalty… Inukimi was the epitome of every one of those things. Naraku knew of her from as long as his little dark heart had its first taste of youki. Others spoke of her, all others. It didn’t matter the species, the kind of youkai, how dumb they were, how smart. Everyone knew of the Empress of the Clouds.

She had lost her husband, Lord of the Western Lands and Emperor of the Great Nation, many years ago. She was ethereal, and beautiful. Young enough for a second marriage, Inukimi steadfastly refused suitors and locked herself away in the famed Spirit Castle, even though a second marriage would undoubtedly stabilize the nation and end trivial clan wars between demons and humans.

Naraku once heard that she refused to marry in an attempt to secure the seat of power for her son. It hadn’t occurred to Naraku until she summoned him who her son was. In rumors only, he had heard that her son was unfit for such an honorable role. Naraku didn’t dwell on those rumors. He did not care so much about why the hard-hearted Sesshomaru didn’t reunite the lands and rule. In fact, Naraku felt it was fortune that he had not. Devious plans, wars, and chaos were easier to construct when the people were divided.

Besides, Naraku knew that the cold demon was not meant for ultimate power. Sesshomaru wasn’t dark enough, ambitious enough, wasn’t truly ruthless enough.

Absolute power wasn’t meant for someone who hesitated.

“My lady, I am the most capable person you could call on for any task. I assure you, I am quite remarkable.” Naraku lulled. This time Inukimi smiled, so slightly he would have missed it if he hadn’t seen another smile so similar to it in his past. She was looking at him as if she was still sizing him up, but he was confident he found favor.

“Well then, my little spider,” She sounded less cold, “I need you to separate my sons, using any means.”

Letting the words pull into his brain, Naraku felt the tremble in her voice. So trained, poised, and cold, yet something about this request had her shaken. And he was not stupid. He made it a point to keep spies near his greatest threats. He knew, vaguely that Sesshomaru had recently taken to traveling with his half breed brother. He assumed that they had come to the same silly conclusion that combined their powers would be enough to defeat him.

Any notion of a combined force between the brothers was laughable. Naraku didn’t even have to dip his dark threads into the hearts and souls of the brothers to make them hate each other.

Inukimi’s request made him think twice.

Was there more to this than their combined fear of his greatness?

“Most mothers would be relieved to find their offspring have an amicable relationship.” Naraku said smoothly covering his ill knowledge on the recent coadunation. Was there more to it? He would have to investigate if she didn’t proffer the information.

“Are you refusing my request?” Inukimi jumped onto his words, giving Naraku the confirmation that hesitancy was a quick way to get dismissed.

“Not at all, my lady, I simply know of your sons. Their coalition is recent.”

“As recent as it may be, I require that they are separated from each other on a lasting basis.” Inukimi said dismissively. “Ensure that they are separated, and that my dear Inuyasha survives, and I will reward you handsomely.”

Oh this woman was wrought with surprises! Naraku smiled at the thought that she preferred the half breed brother over the one that she had brought into this world. This was going to make a pretty little play.

“You do not care for Sesshomaru?”

“A perfect mother doesn’t give her teat to a weak pup.” Harsher words had never been spoken. Naraku basked in them, and in the very slight tremble of regret that laced through Inukimi’s tone. He loved it even more that she didn’t really want this.

Naraku loved her precious sorrow.

*Spiel Mit Mir*

Autumn was coming. The full moon had come and gone, and Kagome guessed that it was mid September. She hadn’t expected to be done with the journey north in time to start her last year of high school, but she also hadn’t expected that they wouldn’t even be half way through.

Sighing Kagome crossed off another day on her pocket calendar with her chewed up red pen. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure that the days lined up exactly with days in her time, but she had taken to keeping a pocket calendar with her to keep track of important days.

“You should try to sleep, Kagome.”

She almost smiled. He said the same thing every night since he got stuck with them. Turning she glanced over to Kouga who was leaning up against a tree with a nonchalance that seemed to permeate the wolf’s attitude. He was looking up to the moon and sucking on a piece of sweet grass that he shoved in his mouth. His tail twitched, a reminder of his less than human nature.

“It’s starting to get cool at night.” She whispered. She wasn’t surprised to see his bright blue eyes flash in her direction.

“I could keep you warm.” He flirted. This time she did smile, sadly.

“We can’t stay here forever. Not without shelter. It’s already colder here because we are on the coast.” Kagome whispered, “We are either going to have to build a shelter, or move.”

Kouga did not respond, and Kagome sighed deeply. She glanced at him eyes trailing down to his left leg. It was almost completely healed, but she could still tell it pained him. The wounds were still crimson scars on the surface of his otherwise smooth skin.

She would be lying if she tried to say it didn’t scare her. The damage was significant. Somehow she hadn’t ever thought that her best friend, her Inuyasha could do something like that… the fact that she had seen him slaughter many demons before notwithstanding.

It happened many days ago.

It was not surprising that Inuyasha was protective, he always was. And Kouga bashfully admitted that he provoked the half breed by making it a point to show up when the females in his pack were fertile. That admission was embarrassing. Kagome cursed that all the demons around her seemed to be able to smell things that should have been hers to keep private. To his credit, Kouga didn’t realize that it would be any different this time.

The magnitude of Inuyasha’s protective posturing was amplified this time. Within seconds of Kouga’s arrival, and the taunting line the wolf threw in Sesshomaru’s direction, Inuyasha’s demon blood surged to the surface. He transformed, and proved that at least in that moment he was more than capable of tearing out all of Kouga’s organs if he had wanted to.

There had been blood everywhere.

Horrified, Kagome didn’t understand why Inuyasha was blowing up so badly. The intensity of his attacks was frightening, and no one seemed willing to put their bodies between him and his target. Even Sesshomaru had stayed clear, though it was he who jolted Kagome into remembering the subduing charm. This was one of those instances when reigning in the half demon in was necessary. Even though Inuyasha didn’t like Kouga, she was certain that he would regret murdering him.

Sesshomaru seemed to think so too, because in the instant before the subduing charm released Inuyasha he had looked over to Kagome.

“I will keep him until he is stable. Do not venture far.” The demon ordered then picked his brother up off the ground and made off.

After that it became a waiting game. A painful emotional waiting game, filled with momentary bursts of pleasure through the bond, and random weary visits from Sesshomaru.

Kagome busied herself tending to Kouga’s wounds, which were horrific. Inuyasha had sliced his claws down the wolf’s thigh, over his knee, and into the muscular part of his calf. His skin looked like fleshy bruised ribbons, and Kagome was forced to sew him back together, although she worried about the depth of the injury leaving permanent damage. She only knew how to sew skin, not muscles. The injuries made it so that Kouga wasn’t able to leave, and then once he was able to he refused.

Part of his refusal was due to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru’s prolonged absence. She could still feel their youki fairly close by. She could still tell that Inuyasha was spending the majority of his time transformed into his full demon state. Inuyasha’s aura was wild, even little Shippo could feel the disquieting tendrils of untamed youki lashing through the forest.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had been moving in circles around the camped out group since this began. It made everyone uneasy, like they were being hunted, except Kouga scoffed at that and told them they were being protected.

Just like when Inuyasha transformed after marking Sesshomaru, his demon blood seemed to have a substantial amount of paranoia.

This waiting was taking a toll on the group.

Spending long periods of time transformed was taking a toll on Inuyasha, Kagome could feel it. In fact she could tell every time his body gave into exhaustion because all of a sudden there would be a blessed nothingness in the bond. It seemed to happen every two or three days, and every time it did Sesshomaru showed up in their campsite.

The first time he showed up Sesshomaru looked as if he had been fighting with Inuyasha. He was covered in shallow cuts, and dried blood. He sneered at the injured wolf, and then went to sit with Rin silently until the feeling of Inuyasha’s transformation burbled up under Kagome’s skin again. Then Sesshomaru left.

The second time he showed up he had wearily admitted that things were not going as planned, and that it was going to take a while longer than he thought. That time he brought a freshly killed boar, for food.

Kagome reciprocated by sending him off with the last packages of unopened ramen. Secretly she hoped that Inuyasha would be triggered into his normal self because of his favorite food.

It didn’t work.

Neither did screaming the subjugating word at the top of her lungs when she felt like she was going to collapse from exhaustion from the bond.

She definitely worried about that, because Rin hadn’t been able to do much of anything besides sleep for days. With the cold air settling in around them Kagome worried that sickness was not to far away. Sickness that was hard to chase away because in general Kagome only carried supplies that she knew they used often: gauze, pain medicine, ointments for burns, cuts and the like. She didn’t normally carry medicine for colds or flues, and it was difficult to get antibiotics without a prescription.

They couldn’t stay like this, and that was why she was keeping herself awake tonight. She knew Sesshomaru was going to come tonight. She knew because today there was quietness to the bond that only came when Inuyasha couldn’t do anything because he was exhausted.

She sighed and looked up to the moon.

Very soon it would be the new moon again. In four days? Five? Kagome didn’t know how to tell just by looking at the sliver of white in the night sky.

Her eyes lost focus, and the moon became fuzzy in her vision.

“Kagome.”

“Hey, Sesshomaru…” She responded quietly not looking over to the demon, “How’s Inuyasha doing?” She was afraid she’d see him covered in blood again. She didn’t have acute senses to tell her if it was his blood or Inuyasha’s, and she didn’t quite trust Sesshomaru enough to tell her the truth.

“Sleeping, for now,” The demon responded. Kagome tried not to flinch when she caught him sitting down near her in the dark night. “In the morning I want you to get everyone ready. We need to press north.”

“Will Inuyasha be back to normal?” Kagome asked.

“No.” Sesshomaru replied, “But I have convinced him that in the north it’s safer. With any luck he will allow us to move.”

Kagome fumbled with her hands in the dark.

“Sesshomaru, why is this happening? Is Inuyasha ever going to be ok?”

There was silence for a moment, and she wasn’t sure if Sesshomaru was going to answer her. She wasn’t sure if Sesshomaru would have an answer, and if he did if he would think her worthy enough to tell. There was something going on between the brothers that extended past this curse, or maybe it was still a part of it, Kagome really wasn’t sure.

From the trees in front of her she heard Kouga give a little snort.

“Inuyasha’s a fool, Kagome.” He interrupted haughtily, “The dumb mutt probably thinks he can impregnate Sesshomaru’s bitch ass just ‘cause he smells like a girl. And it wouldn’t be from a lack of trying, I’ll tell you that.”

Sesshomaru let out a feral growl at the wolf’s words, and Kagome had to replay them in her mind a few times to get the meaning sunk in.

“But Sesshomaru’s a boy.”

“I’m a man.” Sesshomaru seethed beside her. Kagome ignored him.

“Whatever, mutt-face is an idiot. He’s dumb and weak to be tricked by scent when his eyes are still in his ugly face! Kagome, you deserve much better than him. He’s wasting his breath pounding this fake bitch, and giving him alpha status when you are the one who can have pups.” Kouga spoke rottenly of Inuyasha, but at the same time made his voice sound soft and loving, “Kagome, I would never do anything like that to you. Wolves mate for life. Mutts just go to whatever hand feeds them.”

The words hurt, and Kagome wished that he hadn’t said them. She wished that Kouga hadn’t said them because she could see that he was devoted. She knew if she went with Kouga he wouldn’t have the inclination to stray from her. She knew he would be faithful, but her heart hurt in heavy agony.

She loved Inuyasha.

And when he was consumed by his demon blood, well he wasn’t himself.

“I know you’d be good to your word, Kouga.” Kagome finally said, sadly, sleepily even though Sesshomaru made a sound of disbelief beside her. “But right now I need to help Inuyasha. This isn’t about me mating with anyone. I don’t feel like I am old enough to be thinking about something so serious. I am definitely not ready to have children. Right now I am just worried about him. I don’t think he is really himself when his demon blood takes over.”

“And the longer he stays in his demon form, the less of him we are going to get back.” Sesshomaru said, and the urgent quality of his voice forced Kagome’s attention. She looked over to the demon who she knew entirely too much and too little of. He wasn’t covered in blood this time, but it didn’t mean that he looked perfect. Sesshomaru’s illusion of perfection at every turn was fading away into the jumble of things that Kagome knew. Right now, in the meager moonlight, she could see the haunted tired look in his eyes.

She remembered the things she knew about him now; like that he was a man who didn’t hesitate, and a man who made just as many mistakes as the next. She remembered that he knew how to play the koto, and secretly liked the scent of eucalyptus. She remembered that he misdirected pain from unresolved issues with his father into hatred for humans, and hatred for his brother. She remembered feeling like he wasn’t so distant after all when she saw him nuzzle his mother good-bye before they left the spirit castle.

“What’s in the north that is going to help Inuyasha?” Kagome asked, “Wouldn’t going back to your mother’s help?”

Sesshomaru shook his head.

“My mother knows healing in traditional terms; injuries, poison. Inuyasha’s current state is a problem with his youki…”

“And your bond.” Kagome interrupted. Sesshomaru shot her an annoyed look, but kept speaking.

“Don’t presume to know anything about this, priestess.” He said icily, and Kagome took her turn in getting annoyed.

“Well Sesshomaru, he never had an issue like this until you two mated. I think it’s very obvious what the problem is.”

If Sesshomaru was more like Inuyasha, Kagome would have expected a screaming match about the subject. But even though the demon was annoyed, he didn’t raise his voice to her. He didn’t call her stupid. Instead, Sesshomaru stood up and started walking away.

“Then you will be happy to know we are heading north to speak with the demon who separated me from my first mate.” Sesshomaru’s voice was cold, cryptic. That infuriated her even more than Inuyasha’s arguing could. By ignoring her he effectively shut out all of her arguments, and all of her logic.

Kagome discovered that she didn’t really trust anything he said.

*Spiel Mit Mir*

There were moments of clarity in the fog of his youki that veiled his every thought and action. Moments, where Inuyasha felt as if he was peaking out from under the warm covers in a thick dream to the crisp cool air of an autumn morning.

Yellow leaves, he noticed one day, falling to the forest floor in a bright blanket.

He was fighting to wake up. He was terrified that he’d be stuck in the lucid haze forever. Everything felt so heavy, dark.

Everything he thought he remembered, everything he thought he saw felt so nebulous that he wasn’t sure if he was only dreaming. He wasn’t even sure if he was breathing.

Balancing on the edge of the dream in his blood, and the world around him, Inuyasha came to the conclusion that there were themes in these vague memories of the happenings around him. Hunting, guarding, rutting, grooming, nesting; and overlaying all of those things that he seemed to be doing when awareness opened his eyes for brief moments was the presence of Sesshomaru.

Sometimes through the haze, Inuyasha thought he could hear his brother speak to him. Inuyasha wasn’t sure if they were real or if they were twisted by the fog that wouldn’t leave his mind. He wasn’t sure if they were real, because he couldn’t imagine Sesshomaru actually saying those words.

“I love you. Please come back to me, Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha just kept floating along, buoyed by his fight for consciousness. He floated along in the stream of semi coherency, and fought for control when he heard Sesshomaru say those words again. I love you. He fought the dream, because he wanted to know if those words were real. He fought the dream, because he wanted to really hear Sesshomaru say them. He wanted to know without a doubt that his brother loved him.

He felt the fight a little more. He felt the struggle, the haze fogging up his mind, and he imagined cutting through it with the tetsusaiga.

He wanted to wake up so badly.

“Inuyasha.” His brother was calling him. His voice sounded rich, decadent. Clearer, clearer… “Inuyasha!”

The fog around him lifted, pierced with a sudden dark clarity. And Inuyasha heard the deep satiated moan rise up from his brother’s throat. His heart did acrobatics in his ribcage as he opened his eyes.

Inuyasha discovered he was on his knees; one of Sesshomaru’s well muscled legs was draped over his shoulder. His hand was fisted in Inuyasha’s hair. He could barely see his brother in the dying sunlight, pressed up against a tree, naked and panting. Inuyasha almost scrambled backwards out of surprise. Inuyasha gasped and loosened his grip on Sesshomaru’s hard dick, but before he could remove his hand altogether his brother stopped him.

Sesshomaru didn’t say anything intelligible only wrapped his strong fingers around Inuyasha’s and thrust. He came hard, his sweet smelling seed splashing up onto Inuyasha’s face. He bowed forward, as if loosing his strength to the force of his orgasm, and whimpered.

Not knowing what to do, or what he was doing before he was suddenly thrust back into consciousness Inuyasha remained still. That stillness did not last. His world blurred in the darkness of night as Sesshomaru detangled them, and… fell? No, he sat rather quickly at the base of a tree, pulling Inuyasha into his lap.

Inuyasha felt Sesshomaru’s tongue winding trails up his cheeks, licking away long ropes of cum he splattered there.

“Ewww… you’re going to eat your own cum?” Inuyasha found his voice, and although it wasn’t the best thing to say it got a response. Sesshomaru chuckled and the deepness of it reverberated though his chest and tingled Inuyasha’s sweaty skin.

“Don’t try to tell me your morality changes when you change form, little brother.” Sesshomaru said warmly in the night. He licked Inuyasha again, and his tongue left behind cooling trails. Inuyasha shivered.

Changed form? What? Confused Inuyasha looked down to his hands and noticed that his claws were gone, over his bare chest he could see black strands of hair fallen from his own head.

“What the hell?” He whispered, grasping, but not quite understanding why he was human.

“It’s the new moon tonight.” Sesshomaru said quietly. His voice sounded so far away. Shivering Inuyasha dug his fingers into his brother’s arm, trying to stay in the world. “You’ve spent over half a moon cycle in your full demon form.”

Sesshomaru pulled his arm away rather easily, and Inuyasha felt the world get sharper.

“Kagome?”

“Safe.” Sesshomaru responded, “You’ve been guarding your pack.”

“I know that…” Inuyasha whispered uncertainly, “I… everything’s all blurry. Is she mad at me?”

This time it took Sesshomaru a little longer to respond.

“No. But we must go quickly.” Even though he said the words, Sesshomaru did not move, silent and warm and curling his body around Inuyasha’s. He sighed, deep and tired.

“Where are we going?” Inuyasha mumbled the question his face half pressed into the junction of his brother’s neck. Maybe the words would spur him on.

“We are going to seek the council of a very old demon. His name is Bokusenoh. I believe he will have the wisdom to tell us why you have been trapped in your youki, and how to break that cycle.”

That plan was as good as any; Inuyasha mused as he stood up from Sesshomaru’s embrace and offered his demon brother a hand. They were getting nothing done with Inuyasha constantly transformed.

Inuyasha could barely see the outline of Sesshomaru’s face in the dark forest, looking up to him. He still held out his hand, and was surprised when Sesshomaru’s fingers slid around his.

Their touch was beautiful, breathtaking. Through the hazy memories of the last month, Inuyasha had the feeling that he had grown much closer to his brother than he was before.

Sesshomaru’s fingers left his in the darkness, and Inuyasha squinted to try to keep track of his brother’s form. He heard the demon rustling about, the sound of cloth sliding over cloth. He was getting dressed for sure, and then the warm feeling of his own clothes being gently tugged over his skin.

“I can dress myself, you know.” Inuyasha tried to protest as Sesshomaru twisted him around, pulling on his undershirt and tying the cloth together. In truth being pulled this way and that was disorienting. It was hard enough to see on the moonless night. In the dense forest it was almost impossible without the meager light of stars.

Sesshomaru did not respond, except to let Inuyasha fumble with the rest of his clothes in the dark, before lifting him up and carrying him to their destination.

It was only a few seconds before the orange hue of a campfire stung Inuyasha’s straining eyes.

“Inuyasha!” The happy cry was from Shippo, and then joined by other happy cries. Sesshomaru quickly put him down onto his own feet, and stepped back. Inuyasha grinned at being reunited with his little pack. Miroku came up to pat his back, and say that he was grateful to see him well. Shippo jumped up onto his shoulder, and started demanding that Inuyasha never go away for that long again.

“Welcome back, Inuyasha.” Sango said guardedly, and then gave him a small smile. Inuyasha nodded at her, and then received a hug from Rin.

His eyes searched around for a moment, and he found her.

Kagome was standing like someone in sleep, just a little outside of the circle of friends who welcomed him back so happily. The tranquil look on her face was offset by the fact that she had her bow slung over her shoulder, and a heavy kimono that Inuyasha didn’t recognize on her.

“Come on Inuyasha, Sesshomaru said we still have a bit to travel.” Kagome said softly holding out her hand. Inuyasha walked forward from his friends and took Kagome’s hand, noticing that her fingers were cool to the touch.

“Are you alright, Kagome?” He asked concern immediately flickering through him. Without his heightened senses he couldn’t tell at all if she was sick, or if the autumn air was just too much for her. She smiled wanly at him.

“Just cold.” She whispered. Quickly Inuyasha took off his haori and placed it over her shoulders.

“It looks like you got better clothes for the weather, but if your cold you should wear this too.” He said back to her, voice dropping to match hers. Her wide eyes blinked as if surprised, but she accepted his clothing as an extra layer of protection.

“Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru’s voice spoke to him clearly, “You and Kagome, should ride upon AhUn. It is too dark where we are going for humans to see.”

Inuyasha cast a glance back at his brother, who was holding the reigns to his two headed dragon, rousing the beast from its nap. The thing groaned and purred swishing its tail and trudging along at Sesshomaru’s command.

“But what about the others?” Inuyasha questioned looking to his reunited pack. Sesshomaru shook his head.

“Bokusenoh is very reclusive, and your pack is in no danger.” Sesshomaru said lightly, “If we leave now we will be back before the sun rises.”

“But…” Inuyasha started.

“It’s alright, Inuyasha. We have been planning for days.” Miroku reassured him with a friendly nod. “Go now. We will all play a game tomorrow when you come back!”

“Yeah Inuyasha! We’ll be together again soon!” Shippo added enthused.

“Come on, Inuyasha.” Kagome said climbing up onto AhUn’s back and holding her hand out. “Let’s go.”

Inuyasha let the feeling of wrongness crawl over his skin as he looked at his friends and then back to Kagome.

“Ok, let’s go.” He replied.

*Spiel Mit Mir*

“Are we there yet, Sesshomaru? This place is making my skin crawl.” Inuyasha said shivering and holding his arms. He wasn’t sure if it was the forest or the fact that it felt really weird to be in his human time again. Time moved differently when he was transformed, and Inuyasha was still reeling from the knowledge that he spent almost half a moon cycle stuck in the peak of his youki.

His skin felt weird, and he was tired.

Everything in the forest seemed to be moving, slinking along the shadowed floor. He could barely see two feet in front of him. The only thing keeping him from stumbling all over upturned roots was the fact that he didn’t have to walk at all. Inuyasha could feel the thick strong muscles of the dragon’s flank moving side to side as the creature walked after its master in the impossibly dark forest.

“No, now shut your mouth.” Sesshomaru said blankly in the inky night. The tone of his voice indicated that he was exhausted, that he had pushed past his normal resources, and was existing because he had to. He was moving on because right now he was the only one strong enough to protect them from any sort of harm. He was alert because both Rin and Kagome were so tired that at the beginning of their little journey away from the main pack they had fallen asleep. Kagome was still sleeping slumped up against Inuyasha’s chest, her light breath warming his right sleeve where he held her so that she wouldn’t fall off of the two headed dragon.

Rin was asleep on Sesshomaru’s back, and if Inuyasha squinted he could see the outline of his brother and the girl in front of him.

Sighing heavily Inuyasha wished that they had been able to travel during the day, or at least with the whole pack. Inuyasha would give anything to have Shippo around illuminating their surroundings with his fox fire. He would give anything to have Miroku’s joking soul around, or Sango’s strong compassion.

After half a moon cycle of being away from his friends, Inuyasha found that he missed them dearly.

But Sesshomaru was right. If this didn’t get sorted out he’d be missing them so much more. So right now, Inuyasha contented himself with burying his cold nose in Kagome’s sweet smelling hair, and hoping that this Bokusenoh person would really be able to help.

He breathed in deep again, listening to the sounds of the dragon walking, and the leaves blowing in the cool wind.

“Sesshomaru?” He called out. As he expected his brother didn’t really answer him, but he knew that he was still there, “Thanks for getting warmer clothes for Kagome.”

“Her attire did not come from me.” Sesshomaru responded, his voice a silver light in the wind. Inuyasha’s brow furrowed. “That wolf, he has been following your pack since this began. I believe his intentions are to woo the priestess away from you. Kagome did seem to accept his stolen clothing rather readily…” Sesshomaru baited.

Inuyasha growled, though it sounded different when he was human then in his hanyou state.

“Stinking wolf needs to bug off.” Inuyasha finally said, even though a trail of fear gripped his soul at the words. He couldn’t possibly demand that Kagome refuse Kouga, not when he was actively entangled with Sesshomaru… and then Kikyo who occupied a little space in the back of his mind that seemed to take over and make him stupid whenever the undead priestess showed up.

Ahead of him Sesshomaru made a soft sound of agreement.

Filled with apprehension, Inuyasha curled himself further around Kagome. He didn’t want to loose her. He didn’t want to loose her to a stinking wolf. He didn’t want to loose her, and he wanted to keep Sesshomaru… and Inuyasha felt his brain sputter out like a dying campfire when he thought of Kikyo.

What of her?

She’d probably hate him for mating Sesshomaru. At least Inuyasha didn’t think Kikyo would be as tolerant of it, because she did not see any good in demons. That was why she wanted Inuyasha to become a human. She wanted to purge the taint of demonic influence from him. And while Kikyo brought out his human side, it was impossible for Sesshomaru to do anything but drag out his demon.

Inuyasha knew that Kikyo would never have helped Shippo like Kagome did. Inuyasha knew that Kikyo would never understand the need that Inuyasha felt to reconnect, and form a relationship with Sesshomaru.

He sat on the dragon wallowing in his dour thoughts, and finding nothing but darkness in his future. AhUn shifted to a stop, rumbling under them. Inuyasha felt Kagome stir in his grasp.

“Are we there yet?” she yawned. For a second there was only silence, until an old strong voice reached out smokeless in the night.

“This is not your usual hour of visiting, Sesshomaru.” The voice was thick and wise. Calm, and despite his words unsurprised.

“It had to be done, Bokusenoh.” Sesshomaru replied equally enshrouded by the night.

“I see. Make a fire so the humans can see, and we will talk.” Bokusenoh replied to Sesshomaru’s words.

Within moments a fire was burning, brightening up the little clearing. At the first sputtering of light, Inuyasha looked around to see who this Bokusenoh was. He was surprised to find no humanoid figure in front of them, but a thick strong tree with a wrinkled old face molded out of bark.

“It’s a tree demon.” Kagome said also a little surprised. Before them Rin bowed to the tree and put both her hands on the bark of his trunk, near to his sculpted cheeks.

“Thank you for seeing us, Bokusenoh.” Rin stated and then took her hands away bowing before she went to sit next to Sesshomaru, who had already made himself a spot near the fire.

“Bokusenoh. You once told me that the Tetsusaiga was given to Inuyasha to seal his demon blood away. Recently Inuyasha’s demon blood has been rising with the Tetsusaiga by his side.” Sesshomaru paused glancing over to his younger brother. Inuyasha shied away from Sesshomaru’s gaze feeling suddenly ashamed. “The first transformation happened after I marked Rin.”

“I could easily feel the connection has strengthened between you and the petite beauty when she placed her hands on me.” Bokusenoh replied in confirmation. “I am pleased to see your mating has been completed.”

“Thank you.” Rin said demurely. Inuyasha didn’t know if she was quieter than usual because of being tired, or if it was just a sign of how much she respected this demon.

“As I was saying Inuyasha transformed with tetsusaiga by his side. Unlike the previous transformations he is able to distinguish friend from foe. Inuyasha and I mated while he was in that state and he marked me.” Sesshomaru said evenly, as if he didn’t feel it was anything worth hiding, only a mere curiosity. “He has transformed several times since, and for the last few weeks he has been confined to his youkai form.”

“Really.” The tree drawled, though Inuyasha had the feeling that the word was only an obligatory response.

“Is there any way we can stop Inuyasha from transforming, sir?” Kagome asked from near the warm campfire. Her voice was bright and clear, and the tree demon turned his attention to her as if he hadn’t noticed her as part of the group until she spoke.

“Who are you, young woman? I feel that you have a great deal of spiritual power. Are you a priestess?”

“Something like that.” Kagome mumbled unsure, “My name is Kagome. I am Inuyasha’s friend. I’m very worried about him.”

The tree was silent for a moment. Observing the small group, Inuyasha watched as the tree’s gnarly face morphed into several different thoughtful expressions. Inuyasha felt like the demon’s eyes were piercing into each of their souls when he looked at them, and shivered.

“Are you not more than his friend, priestess? I can see clearly that his youki has linked to your life force, and you have not rejected him.”

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes for a second. So that was what was special about this demon. He could see youki, probably was a master of it. Beside him, he could see Kagome blushing.

“I…” Kagome stammered but didn’t get anywhere.

“Inuyasha,” Bokusenoh spoke, turning attention away from the flustered girl. He bristled a little, still feeling a little untrusting. “Your bonds are incomplete. I see three of them. The strongest is with your brother, but that is no surprise as he is not human. Then to this priestess, and another barely tangible reaching out to someone…”

“To a dead woman.” Sesshomaru supplied much to Inuyasha’s disappointment.

“Ah, so you have formed a bond previously and the intended died?” Bokusenoh asked and never waited for a reply. “Your youki is a strong testimony to your breeding. Weak demons die when their mates die. You are strong.”

Inuyasha sat there and said nothing, clenching his fists into his lap. The tree was mistaking. If he was strong he would be able to control his youki.

“Could Kikyo be the reason he’s remaining transformed?” Kagome mused, as if she hadn’t thought of that possibility before.

“Is that the dead one?” Bokusenoh asked and then laughed, “No, child. His youki is only tied loosely, as one who mourns to her. I can hear that the start of their bond was never finalized. His unsettled youki is a product of something else entirely…” The tree paused and then gave a command. “Inuyasha, step forward.” For a moment Inuyasha sat in defiance, and then Sesshomaru poked his side hard to encourage his movement. Heavy and uncertain (though damn it if he showed it) Inuyasha stood before Bokusenoh. “Lift your head.” Again Inuyasha did as he was told hesitantly.

The tree shifted as if a strong breeze was playing in its boughs. Bokusenoh’s thin flexible branches wrapped around Inuyasha’s wrists, and for a moment he feared the demon. A few thin branches reached up like bony fingers tugging on the collar of his shirt inspecting for any markings.

“Sesshomaru didn’t mark me.” Inuyasha muttered voice low. The tree demon pulled back branches creaking and groaning with the movement. The tree demon shifted its focus back onto Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha didn’t like that. “I told him not to mark me.” Inuyasha confessed.

Bokusenoh chuckled softly.

“Oh you did?”

“Stop laughing, tree.” Inuyasha growled out miffed at the conversation. This was hard enough to talk about when it was just him and Sesshomaru. Inuyasha didn’t really want to talk about this in front of Rin or Kagome. He didn’t want to talk about it in front of Rin because he thought that the tiny woman would be angry with him. Despite the fact that she had given up on pretending to be a child, Rin still held an unfailing trust and devotion for Sesshomaru. It seemed like childish idolization coming from her bright person. Inuyasha didn’t think she would quite understand how Inuyasha could possibly see her beloved in any different light.

And he didn’t want to talk about it with Kagome because he knew she would take it the wrong way. Inuyasha knew that Kagome would think that he was refusing Sesshomaru’s mark because he had chosen her over him.

And really there was no choosing. There was not one over the other. He loved them both. He wanted both of them in his life, and he didn’t think that Kagome was going to understand that.

“Sesshomaru,” the tree said still laughing despite Inuyasha’s demands, “Are you content to wait demurely like a woman? Your youki tells me otherwise.”

“I would not do something so crass as to take a mate that doesn’t want me.” Sesshomaru spoke coldly and Inuyasha flinched at the tone. Is that what he felt?

“I see.” Bokusenoh mused, “Then I know how to restore the balance in Inuyasha’s youki.”

“Really, you can do that?” Kagome asked hopefully. The tree demon did not acknowledge her words, only reached out towards Inuyasha again, creaking and groaning. Inuyasha bristled as they slunk around his skin and held on tight. Even in his human form all he could smell was sap and moss. The finger-like branches were cold and moist.

“Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, I can speak to the youki running through your veins. It tells me a much different story than comes from your mouths.” Bokusenoh paused to let the cool wind flicker over the clearing. “Devoted… Inuyasha; that is the word your youki whispers to me when I ask about Sesshomaru. You tell me that you have refused his marking, but your youki yearns for it. It tells me that you will never be complete without him.”

Inuyasha wanted to protest the words, but they were true. For a moment he felt his face heat up, and knew that he was blushing.

“But his youki is only half of him.” Kagome protested behind him. “He has a human heart too!”

Bokusenoh seemed to ignore her.

“Sesshomaru, you came to me many years ago seeking to be freed from the bonding your father forced you into. At that time I spoke to your youki, and it was in agreement with your words. You did not want him as a mate. Your youki had rejected him.” Inuyasha glanced back to Sesshomaru who was staring at the tree demon with narrowed dangerous eyes. “As well it should have, you were only a child after all. And even if you cannot be hurt by such things now, my lord, children can.”

“What are you implying, Bokusenoh?” Sesshomaru drawled looking far more than fed up with the conversation.

“You will never be your father.” Bokusenoh said simply, “Your youki is mature now, and has made the choice to be with Inuyasha. I cannot pretend to know why it is that Inuyasha claims not to want your mark, perhaps it does have something to do with his human heart as the priestess said.

But I do wish to caution you, if you decide to let Inuyasha go. If you decide not to mark him it would be best to break the bond altogether. As I have said before, Inuyasha is not able to handle his demon blood. Without a completed bond he cannot handle your youki either. Your youki has claimed each other, and it would not be as simple as it was to break the bond you shared with your father.

If you wish I can rectify the situation by removing the mating bond between you both, and...”

“No!” Sesshomaru said suddenly, loudly. It was so unlike him to raise his voice that Inuyasha snapped his head back to look at him. He looked a little wide eyed at his brother. Sesshomaru stood where he had been sitting moments before, except now his eyes were tinged red, and his shoulders were tense. He stood there for a moment half in the light, half feral. And then Sesshomaru turned around and leapt off into the woods.

“Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha whispered knowing his demon brother wouldn’t come back for a while. Knowing, and feeling a tug to follow him, pulling and digging at the base of his spine. And then for a brief moment he felt his youki rumble up, and move his feet towards the woods where his brother retreated. He took shaky steps.

“As you can see, Inuyasha, he truly does not want to let you go.” Bokusenoh said. And as quickly as the feeling of his demonic side came, it retreated. “Why did you tell him not to mark you?”

“Because he doesn’t love me,” Inuyasha said, and felt stupid saying it.

“Sesshomaru isn’t the kind of man to say those words. It should speak loud enough that he fears hurting you the same way your father hurt him.” Bokusenoh’s voice felt like lead in the base of Inuyasha’s skull. His gut twisted around and he wished that he wasn’t human right now. He wished he could see to go after his brother. He wished that he could smell Sesshomaru on the wind. “Inuyasha, you should know that I do not like the idea of breaking your bond with your brother. Your father’s youki had to be purified so much to break the bond between him and Sesshomaru that he lost his battle against Ryukotsusei, and died. Sesshomaru was little more than a pup then, and I don’t believe he has ever recovered from your father’s betrayal and death. If I was to purify your youki, you would be confined to your human form. Your life would be greatly shortened, and he would be susceptible to the bosatsu’s curse again.”

“Shut up, old man.” Inuyasha finally replied. His voice was rough and Bokusenoh’s words yanked at his soul, his beliefs, his perceptions of Sesshomaru.

Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha ran into the woods after his brother.

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Spiel Mit Mir