Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

The Emperor and his Champion	By : Lady_of_the_Squirrels Category: InuYasha AU/AR > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 945 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha nor do I profit from any characters or plots within Rumiko Takahashi's wonderful work. I make no profit from this work.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
                Sesshomaru trudged into his office after breakfast, he took a drink of coffee and looked as Inu came in behind him. He tilted his chin to him in greeting and looked at the suit he’d talked his brother into, glad his tailor had been gracious enough to make time to fit him, “Suit’s looking good on you.”
                “It’s uncomfortable, but Zander can’t keep his hands off me when I come back from my day,” InuYasha pulled uncomfortably at the sleeves.
                “That’s the power of a good suit my brother,” Sesshomaru’s eyes danced with amusement, picking up his first file of the day. InuYasha sat in front of his desk, not going into his office. It’d been 2 months since Zander had gotten the news they were expecting and he was a bit antsy being apart from him. The mere mention of Naraku had thrown him on edge and knowing his life was good made the feeling worse. Sesshomaru was welcome company to keep his mind busy.
                “How’s Helaku doing?” InuYasha picked something up off the desk, fidgeting with it before looking to Sesshomaru.
                Sesshomaru’s eyes looked sad as he looked to him, his mouth tugging into the slightest frown, “He’s okay. We haven’t conceived yet, he’s checking with the doctor today to make sure everything’s okay. I sat down with the doctor yesterday and let them check my counts. I don’t know what else to do, all my kids up until this point just kind of happened. Issues with Kat’s birth control or broken condoms. It’s so painful trying to plan this. Each failure feels like it chips a piece of your heart away.”
                InuYasha set the item back down, looking at Sesshomaru. He could see the distress on his face, he knew his mate’s disappointment must be eating him from the inside. He offered an awkward smile then found something else to look at in his office besides his face.
                “You don’t have to sit out here and talk to me about this. Surely you have other things to do today,” Sesshomaru sighed, setting his file down and leaning back in his chair.
                “Yeah, you look really upset about it too though,” InuYasha pressed on with the conversation, not wanting to worry about his own problems.
                “Well, truth be told, I don’t want more kids. Helaku is so special to me though, he was so upset I just caved and now I can’t give him what he wants. He’s so depressed right now, he took the whole week off for this appointment today. He doesn’t want to get out of bed,” Sesshomaru played with his computer mouse, avoiding looking at InuYasha’s face as he spoke.
                “Really? That’s bad, do you need to go tend to him?” InuYasha motioned to the door.
                “I’ll go check on him after the appointment. I might take the rest of the day off, honestly, I’m not feeling quite myself lately either. I’ll put Shika in here so he can be ready for anything. He knows what to do,” Sesshomaru folded his hands on his desk, InuYasha nodding to him.
                “Hey, Sesshomaru,” Sess perked up just a little, raising his gaze, “Did you ever think we’d be sitting, talking to each other about our lives like this?”
                Sesshomaru’s eyes turned to amusement, shaking his head, “Hell no.”
                InuYasha laughed and then sighed after a second, “I would’ve slayed half the world for this when I was a younger man. Just to have a family like this.”
                Sesshomaru’s expression turned sad again and he stared at the ground a moment then looked back to his brother, “For what it’s worth, I was a pretty shitty person, not to mention a shitty brother back then. I don’t know that there’s enough apologies to make up for that.”
                InuYasha hummed, the brothers sitting in a companionable silence until it was interrupted by Jules knocking and entering the room. He lingered on InuYasha, Sesshomaru narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “Your highness, two dignitaries have arrived this morning requesting an audience. They are waiting in the throne room.”
                Sesshomaru let out a long sigh, standing up and straightening his suit, “InuYasha, come with me. As my new advisor, I’d like your input on any activities in the throne room.
                Jules glowered, not unnoticed by either man. Sesshomaru motioned him to lead them, the brothers walking side by side in harmony. InuYasha observed as guards saluted them as they walked down the halls, soft bows of the heads of servants they passed. They even passed Zander who smiled tenderly as he bowed his head to him in respect. InuYasha almost stopped, telling him he need not ever bow to him as his lover but Sesshomaru tugged his sleeve just enough to tell him to keep moving.
                They entered a large room with high ceilings. Marble pillars formed two lines down the middle of the room, a long purple rug with silver patterns shaped like the phases of the moon and matching tassels lined the edges. Portraits of Sesshomaru were on the walls, looking regal as always. InuYasha rather liked the ones with his wife, her beauty radiant next to him. He wish he’d of known her, he felt he would have liked her company.
                He looked at the end of the rug, seeing two large marble doors with silver accents that matched the patterns on the carpet. He rolled his eyes, thinking the whole design over the top. On the other end of the rug he saw a huge throne. It was also made of silver with large purple gems and intricate crescent moons designed into the edges. Purple cushions sat in the seat of the throne and Sesshomaru looked to InuYasha. “Today, you will sit in the empress’ throne to the side to listen in.”
                He motioned towards another, smaller throne made of silver by the wall. This one lacked the crescent moons but had smaller, more intricate purple gems set in beautiful designs. It had been made for the lady who sat very patiently by her husband and InuYasha could tell they had tried to make a throne to match her beauty. He nodded and walked over, taking a seat. Sesshomaru looked at Jules who straightened his face and stood next to the throne, readying his clipboard. Sesshomaru took his throne, straightening himself and closing his eyes a moment before affixing his incredibly neutral expression.
                He made a motion to the doors and they opened with grandiose, two men in nice attire entered with their backs straightened in fear as they walked the rug. They put on a brave face but both brothers could see their hands trembling at their sides. InuYasha watched quietly, his brother’s expression never changing from his throne.
                “Your highness, Sesshomaru,” The two men bowed deeply at their waists, dropping into a kneel with their heads lowered. InuYasha felt Sesshomaru’s eyes shift to him and he held a smile in as he saw his brother’s eyes roll before he looked back to the gentlemen.
                “Rise,” Sesshomaru’s hand moved to motion them up from the places on the rug. They ambled back up to stand before him and he looked to them expectedly.
                “We have a problem in our homeland. There is a menace that we would request his highness to come witness. The general will not send back-up to his men. It moves so quickly we can’t distinguish what it is, it steals food, destroys the things in its path,” one of the dignitaries spoke while the other nodded along, fumbling with his hands in his lap.
                “Why would you appeal directly to me? You do not wish an audience with the Commander?” Sesshomaru held his firm gaze, hands resting impatiently on the armrests of his throne.
                “Well we tried, your highness but we had been informed he was indisposed today and so we thought we would appeal directly to you,” the other piped up, hope disappearing from his voice the longer he spoke. Sesshomaru’s expression did not change, rather his head tilted towards Jules.
                “Fetch Helaku for me,” The words dripped from his lips as if they were angry, but InuYasha knew better. The concern and love for his mate were apparent in his office, he knew that had not changed. More than likely it was worry. Jules was quick to leave the room, giving a passing glance to InuYasha as if to say he was still the one his emperor relied on. InuYasha rolled his eyes, if he wanted to think being his brother’s errand boy gave him more power, so be it.
                They waited patiently for what felt like an eternity. When Helaku arrived his face was blotched, his eyes tired. He didn’t look anyone in the face, his eyes downcast as if the floor was the most interesting thing he’d seen his entire life. His hair was pulled back in perfection, his uniform pristine and it would be hard to say anything was wrong if his face didn’t look so hollow. He looked to Sesshomaru finally and the emperor’s eyes mirrored his pain, he kneeled gracefully at his feet. “Helaku, these men have a military need. I would beg you to hear them.”
                “I apologize for denying it earlier today, I would hear them at your will, my Emperor,” Helaku looked up, his eyes puffy. Sesshomaru’s hands gripped his chair tight, wanting nothing more than to hold him, apologize to him for even calling upon him, anything. InuYasha watched with pain in his chest, had it been him and Zander, he knew he would not still be sitting in his chair.
                “There are no apologies needed, my mate,” Sesshomaru stood, being sure to keep his emotions hidden as he kneeled and assisted Helaku to his feet. He held his shoulder steady, looking him over quickly before turning towards the overly nervous men. They talked of the thing in their town and Helaku listened quietly, nodding.
                InuYasha got up at the end, joining Sesshomaru and Helaku, “If I didn’t know the wolf prince was dead, I’d say that sounds like Kouga.”
                Sesshomaru froze, “If Yura came back, I think it would be safe to assume it very well could be Kouga.”
                “We should go immediately,” InuYasha looked ready to fight, Sesshomaru knew that look very well.
                “We should go tomorrow,” Sesshomaru’s words bit and InuYasha was about to argue until he saw the way Sesshomaru’s eyes moved towards Helaku. He stood down, moving to take his seat back. Jules was frowning deeply in his direction.
                The men were dismissed then, Sesshomaru’s word given that they would all set off in the morning. He looked to Helaku as soon as the doors closed, pulling him against him tightly. Helaku’s arms swung around him quickly, burying his face against Sesshomaru’s shoulders. His shoulders shook in anguish as soft sobs came from him. InuYasha dismissed himself, dragging Jules with him.
                “Helaku, please, we’ve not been trying very long. I know it’s upsetting but we’ve barely given it a chance,” he rubbed his back, kissing his head as he did his best to comfort him.
                “I don’t know why it hurts so bad, it just does,” Helaku choked out, pulling away to look to him, “Holden and Crux have been doing this for years, how weak I must be if I can’t handle only a couple months.”
                “You are one of the strongest men I know, hearts work differently is all,” Sesshomaru stroked his hair and cheek, kissing just under his eyes on each side. Helaku held onto him and Sesshomaru sighed, pulling him gently to sit with him on the throne. Helaku straddled his lap, head pressed firmly against his shoulder again as he held him. Sesshomaru spied one of the security cameras and pushed his insecurities down, continuing to hold him tight.
                “My appointment is soon, do you want to come with me?” Helaku calmed himself, his hands resting on Sesshomaru’s shoulders as he pushed himself to sit up straight. Sesshomaru held his hips, helping him keep his balance.
                “I just have to tell Shika to take over for a little bit and I would be more than happy to come with you,” Sesshomaru’s eyes darted to the camera again and Helaku’s brows knitted together as he tried to determine why he was so nervous. Sesshomaru quickly grabbed his attention again, kissing him tenderly.
                They went to the appointment, Sesshomaru sitting nearby with a slight tremor in his leg as Helaku was examined. He held his hand when he reached for him, squeezing it. The doctor was thorough, poking and prodding every inch and examining with magic to determine the cause of infertility, “How active are you?”
                “Twice a day since we’ve started trying. Once in the morning, once before bed,” Helaku’s voice was flat. The doctor looked to Sesshomaru who only offered a narrow of his eyes in response with a very terse nod to confirm.
                “Everything looks normal, even the counts,” He glanced to Sesshomaru to confirm he was okay discussing his visit the day before. Helaku looked surprised for a moment, glancing to Sesshomaru with curiosity.
                “I stopped in yesterday for a sperm count,” Helaku grinned to him, his expression still upset but so thankful as it felt like a confirmation that Sesshomaru did not blame him for this. Not that he fully felt that way, but he could admit that a small voice that was not his beast kept telling him it was his fault. His body was defective, that’s all it could be, and it had tore him apart each morning he woke without the change in scent to indicate they had a pup planted in his eager womb.
                “Why didn’t you tell me?” He squeezed Sesshomaru’s hand, unsure on why his mate wouldn’t tell him.
                “I didn’t want to add to your worry, I could take all suggestions to improve my counts without you needing to be worried about it. More importantly, I didn’t want you to think it was you if my results came back okay,” Sesshomaru kissed the back of his hand, eyes downcast before slowly raising to meet Helaku’s.
                Helaku’s heart clenched at that, pain in his chest as the thought entered through his ears. Sesshomaru looked ready to jump from his seat to comfort him. The doctor was quick to jump in, “Helaku, your results are fine so far too. I am going to take the tests that I have here, run them and we might have more answers. If everything is okay, there’s not a reason, you just haven’t conceived yet. It will happen. I could suggest tracking your ovulation, maybe some different positions? We could try artificial insemination or invitro too.”
                Helaku nodded, he was beginning to feel like the room was too small, his heart rate increasing. Both males in the room stared in concern, his lover holding his hand much firmer, “Helaku?”
                The room spun and before he knew it everything was black. Sesshomaru was up before the doctor could blink, concern conquering every feature of his face. He shook Helaku’s shoulder very gently before the doctor moved him away, quickly checking him over, “He’s going to be fine, your highness. We’ll get him to the infirmary if you’d like or to your bedroom to rest.”
                “Our room, please, I need to go speak with my son and then I will join him. If you cannot sit with him until I can be there, can you please summon Zander to sit with him?” Sesshomaru looked worriedly to the commander.
                “Of course,” the doctor got a couple nurses and they shimmied Helaku into a wheelchair, escorting him to their bedroom. Sesshomaru sat in the office a moment longer, pulling himself together before going to Shikamaru.
                His son was easy to find, working from the apartment at the end of the family hall. He was a scientist, involved in many different projects over the realms. He often worked from home working different formulas and hypotheses until he needed to go to his lab. Today was no different, however Sesshomaru was not used to seeing his son in such a relaxed state of attire when he opened the door.
                He had half of his hair pulled up into a top knot on his head, the other half cascading down his back. A black crop top with some sort of video game reference on it, his curvy waist on full display with patterned leggings. He stared at his father, eyes darting to the side before he cleared his throat, “Sorry, I was working. I can change into more appropriate clothing for leaving my room.”
                “Is this what makes you comfortable?” Sesshomaru stepped into the room, looking at the incredibly tidy living area.
                “Well, this is how I like to dress when it’s just me and the boys, yes,” Shika rubbed his arm absentmindedly.
                “You’re fine,” Sesshomaru avoided looking to him.
                “You’re uncomfortable. I can change, really dad. It’s not a problem,” Shika started for his bedroom door.
                “Only because you look like me and I can only see me dressed that way. This is exactly what Helaku thought he’d be getting when he used to undress me with his eyes,” Sesshomaru snorted as he looked at Shika finally, “I’m amazed he didn’t just choose you.”
                Shika blushed, crossing the room to sit on the couch cross legged, “He didn’t want a fuck boy, dad. He wanted you.”
                “You are not a, uh, well a fuck boy, Shikamaru. You are my son. I wish you’d respect yourself enough to realize you’re worth more than that,” Sesshomaru sighed, sitting in the loveseat across from Shika. Shika gave a very soft but happy smile, glowing under the praise of his father.
                “What’d you need, papa-san?” Shika laughed as Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.
                “I need you to take over my position for today. We haven’t spoken about it with you kids and need to but, uh,” Shika sat patiently waiting for him to continue, he knew his father just needed time to say things sometimes, “we’ve been trying to have a baby and we’re two months in. We haven’t been able to conceive and Helaku is just really tore up. I want to take care of him today.”
                “Dad,” Shika rose from his spot and hurried to his side, wrapping him in a hug. No words were needed, Sesshomaru patted Shika’s hands on his shoulder, “Are you okay?”
                He held him tighter, a strangled noise quietly coming from his father’s throat, “I’ve never experienced this Shikamaru. He makes me so, lost in myself. Before I started this, even with Lykra I could control myself and how I feel. Helaku’s turned me into a mess of feelings.”
                “I can tell. You’ve never uh, you don’t open up,” Shika wasn’t sure what exactly to do to comfort his dad. His head reeled as he saw tears roll down his cheeks, he’d seen him cry before when his mother passed but it wasn’t like this.
                He’d never told his siblings of his visit to his father’s office when he saw the light on in the middle of the night. He himself had been wandering the halls in a stupor at the sudden loss. He’d opened the door to make sure it wasn’t a robbery only to see his father looking like the living embodiment of a car wreck. Tears fell heavily down his face, two bottles of scotch empty and a third just started and his cup half emptied. He wasn’t sure he even knew he was there, the room was trashed. He’d broken a chair, a lamp, papers everywhere. Shika could smell he’d been sick at least once already, his trash can pulled to the side of his desk from its spot by the door. He didn’t make noise when he sobbed, it was like watching a silent movie. All the noise died in his throat, and he choked down the rest of his glass of liquor before his eyes burned into Shika’s. He put his glass down and tried to straighten himself, but Shika slipped out of the door hoping he’d think it was just a figment of his imagination.
                “We don’t have to talk about it if you’re more comfortable that way but I think this is pretty healthy. Even if it’s with me, I know this must be kind of weird too since I’m your son. I can get Uncle if you would prefer that,” Shika offered, glancing at himself and deciding he’d rather walk the palace looking like an effeminate snack than let his father grieve inside himself.
                “It is weird, but it would break your Uncle to try and comfort me,” Sess laughed through the fat tears that now rolled down his face. Shika smiled, trying to imagine his Uncle who was so uncomfortable even talking about a heat try to navigate trying to talk his dad through how he felt.
                “You’re a lot less scary when you’re willing to talk about this, ya know?” Shika sighed, letting go of his father.
                “I’ll remember to remain scary next time,” Sesshomaru tried to stop the tears.
                “Nah. So, you’re trying to have a baby? I mean, mom said we were all accidents, you gonna love this kid more or something?” Shika teased.
                “You were all accidents. The best accidents of my life, but none of you planned. Especially you! Lucifer, when your mom came to me and said she was pregnant that first time, I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was going to be the worst father, I never wanted kids for that reason and she was so over the moon,” He patted Shika’s knee thoughtfully.
                Shika rested his chin on his dad’s shoulder, listening intently. He’d never heard his father’s side of this, his mom had told him how happy she’d been for his birth many times. Usually cupping his face between both of her warm, soft palms and peppering his face with motherly kisses when he’d thought he’d failed at something. She always cheered for him, especially through his rebellious years where he’d push every one of his father’s buttons and swear he did not love him when he lost his temper.
                It was 1869: Katherine walked sheepishly into their bedroom, looking to the high ceilings to her husband sitting on their bed. He had been up before her and out the door before her eyes even opened that morning. She’d gone about her duties as Empress, her ladies in waiting flitting about her with giddy excitement all day due to the change in her smell. She couldn’t hide that she was excited as well, but her husband had been clear he did not wish for pups.
                She was worried he did not have the emotional capacity to love a child, that the child would be just as cold and distant as he was. She knew his upbringing hadn’t been nurturing, spent mostly with his mother who had cut his emotions off at a young age. Love had been withheld to raise a relentless lord who held the respect and fear of his subjects in response to the abandonment of his father. She could not raise her child that way, she had too much love in her heart and in her husband’s opinion way too many emotions.
                “Kat, what’s wrong?” His neutral voice carried softly across the room. She had rubbed a strong floral scented cream over her body before leaving her personal changing area in fear of his reaction. She knew he wouldn’t raise a hand to her, and he wouldn’t be angry but she wouldn’t be able to hide from the disappointment shining in his eyes. He loved her, he’d proved it so many times. She knew she did not need to fear him, all he’d ever done is adore her.
                “I am just tired, my mighty lord,” She smiled, swallowing her nervousness. His eyes shifted from concern to arousal at the stroke to his ego. He approached her in long strides, wrapping her up in his arms and lifting her off her feet, his arms fitting around her hips as he kissed her deeply. She giggled, her hands holding his face, soft fingers tracing one of the marks on his face. She knew that drove him crazy and through her thin nightgown she could feel the immediate reaction to her touch.
                He looked to her, shifting to pull the tie in her hair out letting her golden brown hair cascade down her back in gentle curls, “You’re sure nothing is wrong?”
                “Why do you know me this well? I can hide nothing from you,” She sighed, running her hands down his shoulders and chest as he let her slide from his arms back to stand on her feet.
                “Why do you feel you must hide anything from me? I am your husband; we’ve been married so long how can you think anything you do will change how I feel for you? Is it an affair?” His eyes darkened in the beginning of rage and she giggled again at the absurdity of it all.
                “I have no desire for an affair, no man has caught my eye like you have,” she pulled away from him, moving to their bed. She sat on the edge gracefully, ensuring her nightgown would not entice him further until the conversation was over.
                “Then what is it?” He lowered to his knees, looking up to her. His hands rested on either side of her hips, chest at her knees as he stared at her.
                “Sesshomaru, my love, my emperor, my—“ His cleared his throat in irritation and she laughed nervously, “I am pregnant.”
                His eyes got wide and he shot to his feet as if she’d slapped him with a hot coal poker across the face. Her face fell instantly, here it was, how absolutely disappointed he was. She stood as well, holding her stomach nervously. He realized his reaction was the wrong one but his stomach was doing anxious flips, he couldn’t be a father!
                “Kat,” He said her name breathlessly, eyes scanning her face for the right reaction. He squeezed his eyes shut, his world was spinning for a moment and when he opened them he saw her clearly. He saw the pain in her eyes at his reaction, he saw the damage he was already doing. The child was freshly conceived and already he had fucked it up. He took a shaky breath and then straightened himself out, “you are happy to be with child?”
                She flinched, looking to the ground as she wound her arms together and clasped her hands, “Well, yes. I’ve always wanted a child but I know you don’t want this.”
                “I didn’t say—I never said I didn’t – Katherine,” He tried so hard to put the words together.
                “You did, years ago. You told me you didn’t desire children and I’ve disappointed you. I’m so sorry my love! I can – I can rid myself of it if you so desire,” She did her best not to cry, he disliked when she cried. She didn’t know he only disliked not knowing what to do when she cried, he always cared deeply if something hurt her. He felt worse if the something hurting her was himself.
                “I don’t want that,” He quickly grabbed her waist, pulling her tightly against himself as if protecting her, “I would never want that, Katherine. This is, this is wonderful. Really. I would do anything to keep you happy. Please don’t do that.”
                “You’re not mad?” She sniffled, starting to lose the battle with her tears.
                “I could never be mad with you. Especially not about this. Why do you think I would be mad?” He cradled her head against his chest. His own eyes were stinging but he wouldn’t let tears roll down his face.
                “Because I have been your wife for over 2 centuries. I know what makes you angry,” her tears stained his shirt.
                “You could never make me angry, Katherine,” his fingers combed through her hair, closing his eyes. How had he made her think that? Of all things, for him to be so angry at her that she’d get an abortion. Had he failed this much at being a husband? He was really going to have to work on this, especially if he were bringing a child into the world. He could only hope he wouldn’t fuck this child up, or his marriage.
                They made love that night, soft and tender. He made the effort to show her, anything he could do to assure her he was not angry and that he loved her so dearly.
                4 months later, January 1870 Shikamaru burst into the world as an angry, purple wailing pup in the middle of a blizzard. As soon as the pup was cleaned he was given to his mother and both their hearts swelled. Half of Sesshomaru’s fears melted: he was immediately attached to his son, he would protect his son from all things he could. His eyes met Katherine’s exhausted ones, her smile bright enough to melt the snow outside as the pup nuzzled against her chest, “He looks just like you.”

                Shika smiled, “I knew you loved me.”
                Sess snorted softly, “Of course I love you, Shikamaru. I wish you had never doubted that.”
                “Teenagers are meant to accuse their parents of not loving them. That should just be included in the definition of ‘teenager’,” Shika teased.
                “Mm, I was a bit of a hard ass. All the blame can’t be on you for that,” Sesshomaru gently knocked his forehead against Shika’s in parental adoration.
                “I wish you were this way when I was growing up. Instead you just threatened to cut my feet off that one time I wouldn’t put my shoes on fast enough so we could leave,” Shika teased.
                “Your mother tore into me that night. Apparently you shouldn’t tell a 5-year-old you will remove his feet so you will not be late to an important dinner ever again. Who knew?” Sesshomaru put his arm around Shika now, his eyes getting a glossy look as he mulled through his thoughts.
                “Dad, everyone knows you shouldn’t say that to a 5-year-old,” Shika snickered before noticing the far away look in his eyes. His face fell, sighing.
                “I got better at it, I adored all of you, you know? I used to cradle you when your mom was too tired, singing old Japanese songs to you I’d heard my servants sing to their littles as they tried to lull them to sleep. I was there when you took your first steps, you were in my office and had pulled yourself up on my desk and I rushed around the desk and called you to me. Over time, I missed more and more of those moments with your siblings,” His eyes hardened, his brow furrowing. He couldn’t put his finger on when work had engulfed him so. It was wrong for him to bring another babe into this chaotic world. Maybe this was Lucifer’s gift, a barrier that prevented him from ushering a new offspring into the world.
                “You were there more than you think. Akiko’s first magic show, Keiko’s beauty pageants, Goro’s first concert on stage, baseball games and dance recitals with Hisoka, my science fairs, TaDaaki’s baking competitions—not to mention testing his recipes! Dad, pull yourself together,” Shika shook his shoulders a little. Sesshomaru looked to him with anger in his eyes for only a moment.
                “Maybe this is a blessing. Our inability to conceive,” his eyes got wide as Shika grabbed his face firmly in his hands.
                “Do I think I have enough siblings? Yeah, sometimes I forget their names or how old they are, but dad, if you and Helaku want to bring more kids into the world, it’s going to be a better world for it. This isn’t punishment or a gift, dad. It’s a test, how much do you love Helaku? How bad do you want it?” Shika met Sesshomaru with the same hard stare he dished out when one of his kids needed to be reprimanded.
                No response came and Shika started to think he’d broke him but when he got wrapped in strong arms he clung to him like when he was a child and he’d leap to him off his parents bed after a long day. His dad always caught him, swirling him around before pulling him against his chest where he could hear his heart thrumming with love for him before being placed back on the bed. He moved to press his ear against his chest to hear it and then looked to him, it was a healing moment for them both.
                “I will sit in your office as long as you need me to. You’ve sat in that office so long, dad. It doesn’t matter what anyone says. You’ve taken more time off since meeting Helaku than I’ve seen you take in my entire life put together. Why not go to the beach house or something? Like, just get as far away as you can and together, there’s 18 of us to take care of things here,” He felt like a little boy again, looking up to his dad as if he were a superhero.
                “That’s a good idea. I have something important to do tomorrow but I think I will go to the beach house with Helaku afterwards. I haven’t been in a long time. Give us a week or so alone and then I don’t care if any of you kids come too. Someone has to be here though to take care of things, you can call me for really important things and don’t sign any—”
                “Don’t sign any laws, I know. We all know. Only dad signs the laws,” He laughed and stood up, helping his dad off the couch.
                “You’re such a good boy, your mother would be so proud of the man you are today,” Sesshomaru hugged him again, Shika holding him even tighter at the mention of his mother. He watched his dad leave, leaning against his doorframe. Aki watched from across the hall and sauntered over.
                “What’s up with dad?” He quirked a brow, folding his arms over his chest to lean into Shika.
                “Too much. Too much is up with dad. If you’re feeling attention starved, now is the perfect time to get at him. He just hugged me so much,” Shika beamed.
                “Not everyone needs hugs like you,” Aki nudged him teasingly.
                “I’m every much a man as you are,” Shika rolled his eyes.
                “What’s really wrong?” Aki changed the subject, he didn’t doubt his brother was just as much a man. Even if he looked like a yoga instructor he’d tried to get the number of only weeks ago. She had given him a hard pass.
                “He’ll tell us about it later, I’m taking the throne again today so he can take care of Helaku again,” Shika smiled a little, knowing his face showed he knew more. Aki studied him, his gaze hard until he decided just to accept it.
                “Helaku’s a little needy, huh?” Shika punched him in the arm making him holler. This brought more brothers to their doors.
                “You’re gonna feel like shit when he tells you what’s going on. Don’t ever say that again, you don’t know how hard it is for dad to step down when he does,” Shika was furious with his brother. Aki glared to him, his body tensing. The other boys slowly slinked back into their rooms, doors closing.
                “Just because you’re the oldest doesn’t mean you know him the best,” Aki started back for his room before they got into a fight.
                “Aki, he just sobbed on my couch. I don’t think I know him best because I’m the oldest. He chose me to come talk to, and he’s going to tell all of you when he’s ready but right now he needs us to step up a little. He never asks us to do anything, don’t go in your room thinking that, please,” Shika pleaded, his frustration melting away.
                Aki was quick to head back towards Shika, his brows knitted in pure concern, “He sobbed?”
                “Dad doesn’t cry! He’s incapable!” Goro rushed out of his room, running to Shika too.
                “He cried that day we got attacked,” Akiko strode down the hall, joining her siblings.
                “That’s different,” Goro said indignantly.
                “It’s still a form of crying. He’s clearly capable,” Akiko shrugged.
                “Can you all go back to your rooms? This is a conversation between me and Shika,” Akinori looked at the gathering crowd of siblings.
                “If it concerns dad, it’s a conversation for all of us,” Hisoka slid from his room next.
                “We’re the oldest boys, this is a concern for the biggest brothers,” Aki was irritated.
                “How about the oldest siblings?” Eileen came elegantly from next to Shika’s room, looking to him. She smiled to him encouragingly.
                Shika took an unwavering breath, “Listen, all of you, dad will tell us all what is going on when he’s ready. Until then, he’s going through some stuff. Yes, he cried a lot just now, he’s cried before just never in front of anyone and I’m sure he’ll cry again at some point in the eternity ahead of him. Leave him be, don’t try and pressure anything out of me. He loves us, he’s getting used to whatever’s happening to him and Helaku and he’s going to be just fine. Now, if you want hugs, like I told Aki, he’s a bit tender and I think he wouldn’t mind hearing he’s doing a good job as a dad.”
                5 of his siblings ran towards their father’s room and he rolled his eyes looking at the rest of the collection of younger brothers and sisters, “What the hell are you wearing?”
                He searched all the faces before landing on Daichi, “These are my comfy clothes. Shut the fuck up and go back to your room.”
                “You look like a girl version of dad,” Goro sniggered.
                “What’s it say about you that you’re thinking about a girl version of dad while looking at your brother?” Shika folded his arms, feeling his midriff become further exposed.
                “Checkmate. I’m going back to my room,” Goro left and he watched the crowd disperse. Eileen stayed, glancing over to him.
                “I think you look cute,” She smiled and move towards him, hugging him close, “Always beautiful, Aniki.”
                “I know. He’s just jealous,” Shika laughed.
                “Dad’s really okay?” She looked to him. She was the second oldest child, born 20 years after him. They’d had the most time with their parents.
                “He’s just fine. Just really… emotional. He raised me for what’s coming, but I think I’m gonna need your help to get everyone in this too,” she nodded as she hung on every world from the brother who protected her from everything.
                “And you’re okay?” She moved away from him but held his hands firmly in hers.
                “I’m perfect,” He grinned squeezing her hands, “You’re gonna love this announcement he has, when he makes it I mean.”
                “Don’t work yourself like him, Aniki. No one was built for that, not even him,” She let go of him completely, returning to her door.
                “That’s why I’m gonna need all of you,” He grinned and they both disappeared into their rooms.
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The Emperor and his Champion