AfterShock

A/N: I know this chapter will jump around a bit, but bare with me, it will be worth it. :)

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Sephiroth dropped his keys on the stand beside the door of his apartment. Shutting the door, Sephiroth locked it and walked through the living room towards the bathroom. His throat still burned from the stomach acid that had repeatedly abused the tissues as he had regurgitated Kisame's vile fluids. Entering the bathroom, Sephiroth grabbed his toothbrush and squeezed a large glob of toothpaste onto the bristles. Tossing the tube onto the counter, Sephiroth began scrubbing every part of his mouth, trying desperately to get Kisame's taste out of his mouth. Leaning forward he spit into the sink and continued to brush his mouth after adding more toothpaste. Spitting into the sink again, Sephiroth braced his hands on the counter and watched the soapy mass slide down the porcelain surface. A flash of his violation surged into his mind causing him to growl and turn the water on to rinse the paste from the sink.

Looking up into the mirror, Sephiroth took in his appearance. He looked like hell, his cheek was turning purple where Itachi had struck him, his lip was split and slightly swollen. Reaching up he touched the cut and winced, the pain drawing forward the memory of how badly the cut had hurt while Kisame had thrust into his mouth. Closing his eyes, Sephiroth threw the toothbrush at the mirror, splattering it with water and toothpaste. Spinning around, Sephiroth sunk to the floor as his back slammed into the cupboard doors. His hands slid into his hair while he leaned forward fighting the tears burning his eyes.

Feeling his cellphone vibrate in his pocket, Sephiroth contemplated smashing it into tiny bits on the bathroom floor, but Sesshomaru's number showing on the display halted his motions. Sighing he pressed the button and said, "Hello."

"Good evening," He heard the dog demon say in his deep voice.

Sephiroth closed his eyes tightly as he fought another wave of tears, "Not really."

"Is everything okay?" Sesshomaru asked, concern now coloring his rich voice.

"I just got back from a meeting with Itachi." Sephiroth said quietly.

"Where are you?" Sesshomaru asked, there was urgency in his voice and the sound of fabric rustling.

"Home." Sephiroth said unable to deny the demon an answer.

"Stay put, I'm on my way over." Sesshomaru ordered.

"No." Sephiroth shouted, then he let out a heavy breath. Continuing in a calmer voice, Sephiroth said, "No. That is no longer possible. Sesshomaru, I have been given one week to bring you before Itachi or something very precious to me will be taken away forever. I can no longer see you as we have been."

"What is going on?" Sesshomaru demanded. Sephiroth could hear the quiet desperation behind the stern demand for an answer, but Sephiroth knew he had to end this or Itachi would keep his promise.

"I'm sorry Sesshomaru, but I can not loose them. I will save my brothers." With that he hung up the phone. Holding the slim device in his hands, Sephiroth pressed the button shutting it off.

With a sob Sephiroth dropped his head to his hands. He had to bring Sesshomaru before Itachi and he knew what that would mean for his lover. A life of living hell, a life he didn't want to subject his demon to, but he couldn't loose his brothers. Their lives were now in his very hands and there was no other way to save them. Running his hands through his hair, Sephiroth prayed that when he was face to face with Sesshomaru his resolve would not falter.

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Shikamaru walked up to the front doors Mercy Medical Center, putting out his cigarette in the receptacle, Shikamaru walked through the doors. Looking around the vast entry way of the hospital, Shikamaru turned towards the elevators. The elderly woman behind the information desk smiled when her eyes rose from the book she was reading.

"Long time no see." She said, quiet affection in her voice.

"Ya, guess it has been," Shikamaru said with a guilty smile. Lillian had always been a wonderful friend of the family, and years ago when her husband had passed, his sister had used her pull at the hospital to get Lillian an easy job here. Now standing before her, Shikamaru realized it had been about four years since that date, and during that whole time he had never once visited her. Where had time gone? It seemed like yesterday he had joined the Yokai when in fact it had been nearly six years.

"Your sister is in her office rate now, are you headed up to see her?" Lillian asked with a knowing smile.

"Um...Ya." Shikamaru said lamely. It wasn't often that he was at a loss for words, but when he was around his family or family friends he seemed to loose his vast vocabulary, reduced to noting more than a stammering teenager.

Lillian chuckled and waved him away, "I'll call her to let her know you are on your way." She said picking up the phone. Stopping she gave him a genuine smile, "It was good to see you, Shikamaru, you should come around more often."

"Yes ma'am." He said returning her smile. Turning he walked around the corner to the elevators. Hearing the ding, Shikamaru watched the doors open and an elderly couple exit. During his investigation of Lady Jenova's death, Shikamaru had been lead to this hospital, the one place he had hoped he would not have to go. He had spent so much time keeping his work life and family life separate, and now he was going to his sister to get the missing information. To be perfectly honest, maybe this was for the best. It seemed in his efforts to shield his family from the shadier lifestyle he had chosen, Shikamaru had nearly cut them from his life. Laughing at himself, he couldn't help but think how ironic it was for a genius like him to miss the bigger picture.

Stepping from the elevator, Shikamaru walked up to his sisters open office door and knocked on the frame. Looking up at him while she talked on the phone, she smiled and motioned for him to have a seat. Doing as she asked, Shikamaru looked around the brightly decorated office. Smiling he remembered his childhood, the day his parents had brought her home from the Children Services Division.

His parents were registered foster parents and growing up had been eventful with so many different children constantly in and out of his home. Sango, however, was different. Her parents had died in a freak accident and she had no living family willing to step forward to claim her. She was a quiet child, always preferring to sit in the background and stare blankly at nothing. At first Shikamaru did not know what to do for her, being only eight, he had no idea what it felt like to loose someone important to him. So, at first he had been very gruff with her. In the beginning she didn't respond, just simply looked at him with empty eyes. Then one day he had caught some bully’s at school harassing her, blood or not, she was family and he had ended their tormenting behavior. Ever since that day she began opening up and eventually they became inseparable. Now, sitting before her, he knew that no matter how important the information was, he would not try to persuade her for what he needed to know if she refused. He would come by what he needed elsewhere. Hearing her wrapping up her phone call, Shikamaru drew in a shaky breath.

"I understand. I'll have it to you in a couple hours... Uh ha.... Okay then, talk to you later." Sango said then placed the phone into its cradle, "It's good to see you Shika."

"You too Sango. How is it going today? Need me to rough someone up for You?" He asked leaning back in the chair.

"No. I've got it under control. Besides isn't it all just a drag when you need to get involved." She said throwing paperclips at him.

He chuckled while fending off the tiny projectiles. "It's never a drag to help my sister."

"Well why are you here?" She asked all business like.

"Always to the point." He sighed and closed his eyes.

"Yep, our lunch date isn't for another two days and the only other reason for you to come to the hospital is: One, your dead, Two, your friend is in the hospital, Three, You have an enemy here, and Four, You need information." She said ticking off the list with her fingers.

"Number four," He said, not even bothering to hide it. There was no point, he loved his sister enough to be honest with her. "There was a woman who passed away here about twenty years ago and her death may not have been like my Lord was told. I was hoping you could help me. I understand if you say no."

"And if you were at another hospital and their clerk said no?" She asked as she tilted her head to the side slightly.

"I would bribe them." He answered. Sango was the only one in his family he had told about what he did for a living, and though she didn't agree with it, she accepted it without hesitation.

"Very well. I will get you what you ask for but..." She said giving him a stern look, "You will come to Sunday dinner at moms. No exceptions. I don't care if there is a large scale, testosterone driven turf war. You will be there. You have been away far too long and mom is starting to become concerned."

With a deep, very fake sigh, he said, "Fine."

"Good," She chirped, "Now what was her name?"

"Jenova." Shikamaru answered.

"That is an unusual name." She said as she began typing away on the keyboard of her computer, "Here she is. Looks like she was in a coma for a while before she passed, however, her full record is not in the computer." She continued, a frown on her face, "But this may be helpful. She has a nurse listed as her contact person. Mrs. Kaede retired from here about two years ago. Maybe she would be able to tell you more."

"Thank you sis." He said with a smile. He should have known better to think she wouldn't help him without question. She had always believed that if family needed you, you were there for them no matter what.

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Sesshomaru tried to dial Sephiroth's cellphone again as he parked his car before the apartment building of the only person he knew that could help him. Getting the same automated message he had heard for the hundredth time, Sesshomaru pushed the end button and put the offending piece of plastic into his pocket. Opening the door of his car, Sesshomaru stormed into the entry of the high rise building and choosing to avoid the elevators, he entered the stairwell. Jumping from the first floor entry, Sesshomaru lightly landed on the second floor landing, scaring a young woman as she descended the stairs. Jumping level to level, he continued the fast pace until he reached the sixth floor. Hitting the door hard, Sesshomaru heard the metal groan as he passed through the puny barrier. Walking down the hall, looking at the numbers displayed on the doors, Sesshomaru stopped and banged his fist on the door, not caring if he scared the living hell out of everyone on the floor.

"Sakura, open up." Sesshomaru shouted. Hearing another door open down the hall, Sesshomaru glared at the noisy neighbor until the woman hastily shut the door. Hearing rushed footsteps, Sesshomaru turned his attention back to Sakura's door as the barrier opened revealing the pink-haired waitress.

"Sesshomaru, what's wrong?" She asked as she looked him over and opened the door wider.

"I need to know everything you can remember about Sephiroth and what that bastard Itachi is holding over him." Sesshomaru growled as he entered the apartment.

Sakura was in a state of shock as she stood at her door staring at the demon lord. "I don't understand." She said as it looked like Sesshomaru's body grew, like it would consume her apartment any moment.

"Sephiroth called and said he had a meeting with Itachi. That the bastard had giving him a week to bring me in. Then he said something about saving them, his brothers. Sakura, if you know anything you need to tell me." Sesshomaru hissed, his teeth clinched tightly.

"I swear I don't know anything. I didn't even know he had brothers." Sakura said as she stepped back into her door, honestly scared the demon lord would loose his mind and shred her to pieces. She began to tremble as Sesshomaru's eyes pulsed with a red light.

"You know. I might have an idea what you're talking about." Gin said from behind the demon lord. Sakura's eyes jumped from Sesshomaru to her pale-haired boyfriend, silently begging him to shut up before he found himself a puddle of muck on her apartment floor. "I used to work for Sosuke Aizen, one of Zaraki's business partners and we would often visit brothels run by, or recommended by Itachi. In one of them there were three boys that looked an awful lot like your lover. Perhaps they are Sephiroth's brothers." Gin said as he stood in her living-room looking like the relaxed man she had come to know, but she knew it was fake. The tightness around Gin's eyes as he forced his smile, and the lazy way he crossed his arms didn't hide the tight grip he had on his biceps. He was, in fact, terrified.

"Where?" Sakura heard Sesshomaru growl so low that it vibrated through her chest.

"I don't know. When I went back to that same place a week later they were gone. I later found out that Itachi moved them around frequently." Gin said as Sasuke walked up next to him. If all went badly with the enraged demon, they very well could have a serious problem on their hands.

"Damn it!" Sesshomaru shouted as he slammed his fists into Sakura's coffee table, disintegrating the innocent piece of furniture.

Sesshomaru was fighting the power of his inner demon. The beast was out of it's mind at the thought of loosing the being it had decided would be it's mate, and now it was fighting for supremacy. Demanding full control in order to search for Sephiroth. Looking up he was surprised that both Sasuke and the pale-haired man were gone. Turning he saw them both standing before Sakura, crouched low, preparing for a fight. That alone was enough to help him gain control over his inner demon. Closing his eyes he dropped to the couch and lowered his head, "Why didn't he tell me?"

Sakura placed her hands on her boyfriends shoulders. They turned to look at her, and then stepped aside. The feeling in the room had changed. Instead of the blind, suffocating rage Sesshomaru had been emanating, there was a bitter sadness that told them all, the danger had passed. Stepping forward, Sakura knelt before Sesshomaru, "I don't know why he didn't say anything to us, but he has his reasons. Rate now we need to focus on Sephiroth. Do you know where he is?"

"No. After his phone call I went to his place. He wasn't home. I don't even know where to start." Sesshomaru said looking up into her green eyes. Sakura's heart clinched tightly as his amber eyes held nothing but pain.

"I would love to help but all my connections were cut when Aizen fired me. All I can do is give you a list of all the places I went to while in Aizen's service." Gin said as he crossed his arms.

"That would be helpful." Sesshomaru said as another thought came to him, "I may have someone who could help me find him and his brothers."

Gin nodded while Sasuke handed him some paper and a pin. As he began writing the list, Gin looked up, "If you are planning on taking on Itachi you should be very careful. He is a cleaver and sadistic bastard."

"He won't be a problem." Sesshomaru said with certainty.

Sasuke looked down at the floor and closed his eyes as his chest began to throb. Clutching the fabric above his heart he looked up, "I should tell you what you will be facing if you go against Itachi." He said as he met Sesshomaru's golden gaze. "He is my brother after-all."

He heard Sakura gasp at the revelation, she was the only one in the room who knew what his brother had done so many years ago. He had never told her Itachi's name because he feared what she may try to do to Itachi if she found out that bastard was his brother. Now, as he stood before the demon lord, Sasuke realized it was time to let it all go, that Sesshomaru was the one to finally bring an end to his nightmares.

"I did not realize he was an Uchiha." Sesshomaru said as he looked at the young man before him.

Sasuke gave him a heated look, "He is not an Uchiha. He gave that right up when he murdered my parents and my clan."

Sesshomaru nodded in understanding and waited patiently for the information that would help him bring Sephiroth back into his life. Brothers included.

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Sephiroth sat on the cliff overlooking the city, watching the sun slowly pass over the sky. What was Sesshomaru doing now? Laughing bitterly, Sephiroth was sure he knew what his demon was doing. He was tearing the city apart looking for him, but to what end? Was he looking for him because he cared or was it to end his life for the threat he presented?

Now that he had time to think about his situation, Sephiroth realized he may have acted hastily in what he had said to Sesshomaru, but he had been hurting. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back and let the gentle breeze flutter around him, calming him. He knew he had to save his brothers, but was forcing the great dog demon to submit to Itachi the only way?

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Sesshomaru stood in the elevator of Sakura's apartment building thinking over all that Sakura's boyfriends had told him. The doors opened to the foyer of the building and Sesshomaru exited while pulling his cell phone out. Dialing Sephiroth again, Sesshomaru ground his teeth as the generic message greeted his ears again. Ending the call, he scrolled through his contact list for the phone number of one of his closest friends, Byakuya.

Byakuya answered within the first couple rings, "Hello Sesshomaru, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Byakuya, I need a favor." Sesshomaru said without any form of greeting.

After a long pause, Byakuya, with slight irritation in his voice, said, "And what could possibly be so important that you would forgo manners."

"The truth is I need your expertise and it is time sensitive." Sesshomaru said knowing his friend enjoyed a good challenge.

"I see. Do you wish to meet at your office or mine?" Byakuya said.

"This is not a business related request, Bya, it is of a personal nature." Sesshomaru answered as he left the building and walked to his car. Opening the door, Sesshomaru slid in and waited for Byakuya's response.

There was a long pause over the line before Byakuya responded, "Come to my home, I will let my men know you are coming. How long before your arrival?"

"I shouldn't be more than twenty minutes." Sesshomaru said as he let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He and Byakuya had been friends for many years and the man always knew when something seemed important. "Thank you Bya."

"Don't thank me yet demon. If this is not as important as you are portraying, I may have to have you put down like the dog you are." Byakuya said in return, his voice playful but stern.

Sesshomaru felt a smile twitch at the corner of his mouth from the childhood insult Byakuya would always taunt him with, "You could try, but I'm afraid the stick wedged up your ass may make it difficult to chase me down."

Byakuya's hearty laugh echoed through the phone line making Sesshomaru smile broadly. He could always count on his friend to lighten any mood. "That may be true. I shall see you soon."

The phone call ended and Sesshomaru started the car. It was a long drive to the Kuchiki compound in North Hills, but Sesshomaru was determined to make the normally forty minute drive in half that time.

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Shikamaru knocked on the door of a small cottage style home and stepped back as he waited for the person living within to get to the door. The woman who opened the door was a short, large, elderly woman with a cane. As she stood in the doorway, the elderly woman looked him over very carefully. Finally she swung the door open wider and said, "Come in."

Eyebrow raised, Shikamaru followed her into her home and then into the dinning-room. She ordered him to sit as she continued across the room to a cabinet full of historical medical devices and spiritual relics.

"Ma'am, if I may, it seems to me you know who I am and why I am here. Why is that?" Shikamaru asked as once again his genius mind failed him. It was somewhat humbling to know that he didn't always know what was going on.

"Well Mr. Nara, I should know why you are here. You are Lord Inutaicho's man are you not?" She said with a chuckle due to the look of surprise on Shikamaru's face. "Besides, I knew your sister, Sango, when I worked at the hospital. She called me to let me know you were coming."

Shikamaru chuckled at his sister's obvious interference. He would have to thank her properly later for catching him by surprise. Then, Mrs. Kaede turned around while holding a thick envelope tightly in her arms, "Before I give you this I would like to tell you why I stole it from the hospital."

Shikamaru watched as Kaede sat in the chair across from him and put the envelope on the table, "Lady Jenova was a wonderful woman, she always donated large sums of money and time to our childrens center in the hospital. She would always say that she owed it to the children of our world for her transgressions on another planet far from here. I also knew what she did for a living, and it didn't matter to me. She was a dear friend who deserved far better than she received. The day she was brought to the hospital she was barely conscious but she gave me very specific orders concerning her and her unborn children."

There were tears in Kaede's eyes as she stroked the envelope, "I tried to petition for custody of her children, but it was never meant to be. I was happy to hear Lady Jenova's eldest, Sephiroth, managed to gain custody of the babies, but I lost contact with them." Kaede looked up at him with such sorrow, "Inside this envelope are some things for Lady Jenova's children, would you be so kind as to see they get it?"

Reaching over, Shikamaru laid his hands over the older woman's gnarled hands. "I would be honored to complete the task for you. However, Mrs Kaede, I believe it would do you good to give the items to the children personally. That is of course if you want to." Shikamaru said with a genuine smile.

"I would like that." She said quietly.

"When I find them I will let you know." Shikamaru said while squeezing her hands in comfort.

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Sesshomaru stopped his car before the giant gate guarding the Kuchiki compound in the North Hills. The massive three hundred acre compound was all that was left from the empire Byakuya's parents had built during their long lives. Many years ago there was a serious uprising within the different families and gangs that ran the city. By the end of the city wide war, the Kuchiki family and the Uchiha family were decimated, nearly extinct. Byakuya had spent his time since the epic fall rebuilding his families empire and though the Kuchiki may own a fraction of what they had before, they were one of the more wealthy families in the country.

The massive gates opened, allowing Sesshomaru to pass through and drive his car up the driveway to the front doors. Exiting the car, Sesshomaru walked up the stairs to the front door where the doorman stood waiting for him. The young man bowed politely then said, "Please follow me Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru followed the doorman to an office deep within the mansion where Byakuya was waiting for him. They shook hands in greeting and Byakuya motioned for Sesshomaru to take a seat. "So, tell me what is so important."

"You know of the man I have been seeing?" Sesshomaru asked as he sat in the chair.

"Yes. It is Zaraki's man, Sephiroth, is it not." Byakuya said as he took the seat opposite Sesshomaru.

"Well there has been an unforeseen complication in our relationship. Sephiroth was ordered to bring me before Zaraki to join his organization. However, it seems Itachi, Zaraki's second, grew impatient and has given Sephiroth an ultimatum." Sesshomaru continued to explain everything that had happened since meeting Sephiroth and handed over the list Gin gave to him. "That is everything I know."

"I see." Byakuya said, brows furrowed, "Why have you not went to your father? I'm sure he could help you as well."

"The truth is, I don't want to involve my father yet. I want to go to him when I have the location of the boys." Sesshomaru answered.

"You would rather owe me a favor than your father." Byakuya said with a smile. Sesshomaru nodded, "Very well, I will help you my friend. And, I will do this for you for free. I owe Itachi for his past actions, it is a debt I will enjoy paying back with interest." Byakuya said with a scary smile.

"Do you already have a plan?" Sesshomaru asked not even worried over his friends hatred of Itachi.

"Oh yes. I have the perfect man to begin the search. I gave him the night off, so you will have to wait until tomorrow for him to begin." Byakuya said as he folded Gin's list and placed it on the desk.

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A gentle knock on the door sounded before it was opened and Shikamaru walked into his office. Inutaicho watched the young man as he walked up to the desk. He looked far paler than usual and his eyes never raised to far. It was almost like he couldn't meet Inutaicho's eyes. Stopping before the desk, Shikamaru held a yellow envelope out before him and laid it on the desk, "My Lord."

Inutaicho did not miss the way Shikamaru's hand trembled as he laid the envelope on the desk. What was bothering the boy? Reaching for the envelope, Inutaicho opened it and began reading through the papers contained within. As he turned each page his rage began to climb, every word a caustic acid that burned through him.

"I'm sorry My Lord, but the failed assassination attempt on Lady Jenova's life put her in a coma. The doctors, fearing for the life of the children she carried, forced Sephiroth to decide on his mother's life or the lives of his brothers. He chose the children." Shikamaru said in a hushed tone. The words, quiet as they were, echoed in Inutaicho's heart, threatening to drive him to his knees.

"Triplets." Inutaicho whispered.

"Yes. Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo." Shikamaru answered.

"Where are they now?" Inutaicho asked fighting hard to stay on his feet. The papers in his hands shook as he gently laid them on the desk, not wanting to see the extent of his failure any longer.

"I am still searching My Lord." Shikamaru hesitated as he watched the pain etch its way onto Lord Inutaicho's posture, "I will find your sons sir, I give you my word."

"I know you will. Please do it quickly, use whomever you can." Inutaicho said as Shikamaru turned to leave the room, "Shikamaru, I expect reports on your progress quickly."

"Yes My Lord." He answered then disappeared, leaving Inutaicho to stare at the last sheet of paper in the envelope. The DNA test that proclaimed him the father of Lady Jenova's children. Dropping his hands to his desk, Inutaicho fought the roar of pain and rage shaking his body. If the boys were still alive, and he believed they were, he knew they were being held to control Sephiroth. Zaraki and Itachi would pay for their ignorance.

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A/N: Thank you for reading. And thank you to all that have reviewed so far. I really appreciate your words. :)