Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

The Bastard's Gift	By : Nightbloom Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 20057 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: Canon characters and the show of Inuyasha do not belong to me. No money is being made with this piece of fiction.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
A/N: Characters of Inuyasha do not belong to me. Piece of fiction is written for pure free entertainment. Reviews, comments, etc. appreciated. Enjoy!
Bastard's Gift
Chapter 14
Katsutoshi watched as the little green toad ran past his hiding place. Giving it a few more moments, he came out and glanced out the window he was standing near. He could see the lights out in the courtyard as a large number of people were walking into the great hall where Uncle Sesshomaru was holding a ball to show off his Poppa.
His Poppa's stomach was now more visible, although he could still move fast. In a couple months his father would have to slow down or risk damaging the baby.
The ball Sesshomaru was having seemed boring as no children were to be invited, which is why he was stuck with Jaken tutoring him. But rather than waste time studying scrolls, Katsu was determined to sneak out and meet up with Naraku.
A few times while he was almost asleep, he had heard his blood sire calling his name. And so he responded with "A little bit more time."
As soon as he saw that everyone was inside, he ran out, using the servant's door to avoid being caught by Jaken or Rin. He made his way past the courtyard, towards the back part of the garden that lay beyond.
He had spent a few times trying to find a way to sneak out of the massive fortress other than travelling through the whole kingdom. Without a fast horse, there was no way he would be able to make it to the gates and back before morning. However, he did notice that there was a crack in the structure on the back portion of the castle and it led to a small cave through the mountain. He had found it once while he was hiding from Jaken behind a bush in the yard. Katsu couldn't help but wonder if it used to be someone else's secret exit until it got covered up.
It was too small for a grown up, but perfect for his size. He had taken to marking the directions he needed to take to get back. And through all that, he had been able to determine that the cave did come out on the other side of the mountain that held the settlement.
Using a small lantern he had hid inside, he made his way through the maze. If things turned out well, he would be back before the actual ball was over.
X
Inuyasha growled as Kohaku grinned at him. Rin was fussing around with some details in his hair.
"You better not make me too girly," he warned the human girl.
"I'm afraid it is a bit on the extensive side," said Kohaku.
"It has to be!" responded Rin, more to Kohaku than Inuyasha. "This is the ball in which Sesshomaru shows him off to the noble demon lords! Since he's a rare bearer, he needs to draw a lot of attention to himself."
"Are they really that rare?" Inuyasha finally asked.
Rin nodded. "I was looking up stuff. The last male bearer to grace these lands was actually the son of Chie. And there was another one 75 years before his time."
Inuyasha looked at Rin in surprise. The old bat was still super critical of him, but to find out that her son was a male bearer… he supposed that she would be the best to take care of him. "Where's her son?" he asked, wondering if maybe there was a way to meet up with him and get his take on things.
Rin sighed. "He died. I don't know much about how and when, except he was a mate of one of the dark Inus. She died, too, from heart ache."
"She?"
"He was mated to a female sire. It seems they are actually more common compared to male bearers. If it weren't for his belly, no one would have known the difference. Except for their behavior. She was still rather unlady like, or at least that's what the ladies of the court say."
"Gossiping wenches…" muttered Inuyasha.
Kohaku shook his head. "Maybe so, but they do provide a lot of interesting information. You should hear some of the things they say of you."
"What?"
"Nothing too negative. Other than the tragedy that you don't seem interested in winning Sesshomaru's affections."
"What's so tragic about that?!"
"They love Sesshomaru. They refuse to believe he's the one treating you so coldly, so in their eyes, he's doing all this to protect you and you are as aloof as when you first got here."
"Are the rides he is giving you not enough?" Rin suddenly asked, as both Kohaku and Inuyasha choked on their own spit.
"What?!"
Rin shrugged her shoulders. "That's what some of the servants said. But maybe that is the problem. You guys don't go out on rides anyway so how can he give you a good one? And does a good ride mean fast or slow?"
"Kami, Rin, please stop talking and just finish up Inuyasha's outfit!" Kohaku pleaded as he slowly backed out of the room, his face aflame.
"Thanks a lot, coward," Inuyasha muttered as Rin looked at him in confusion.
"Did I say something wrong?" she asked, eyes wide.
Inuyasha shook his head. "Come on! Let's get this over with."
X
Sesshomaru kept himself from sighing as he listened to yet another dull tale from one of the other lords. It didn't matter their age, many of them had the same things to say and rarely was there anything new. At least many quickly realized that he didn't care for taking a mate yet and many didn't push as much as they did a few years ago.
Of course, now that they heard he had a male bearer present- and his younger brother at that- they were asking a few sly questions that he did not care for. He figured this ball would be the perfect event to stake Inuyasha's place in his kingdom and keep the more aggressive pursuers from even attempting to court or ask to court his young brother.
Another old demon approached him, with more questions about Inuyasha. "I wasn't here for the festival," he was saying. "I hear he's not like most hanyous and is actually easy on the eyes. I must say it's still pretty brave of you to take care of a hanyou. Most lords were laughing at the fact that Kouga took him in as a mate, but if he's on his second pup, I'm sure that means he's at least good for something."
Sesshomaru found the need to respond. "You should also keep in mind that he has been fighting Naraku for years. How often have the men in your kingdom fought him?"
The older demon grunted, and then looked up as a trumpet sounded to get people's attention. "Is that him?" he asked, his voice clearly indicating his awe at the vision before him.
Sesshomaru turned to see his brother coming down the stairs, Kohaku leading him down as he had been instructed to. Inuyasha was once more dressed in a kimono style outfit to accent the bulge that was now evident on his body. While it wasn't large, his arms and face were thin so people knew that the swelling was not because he was growing soft.
His hair had been left partially loose, with beads woven into a couple strands to frame his face.
The old lord cleared his throat. "You know, I lost my mate a couple years back. Age and weakness. It has been a bit lonely without a constant companion."
Sesshomaru's face was still even though he was mentally shuddering at the thought of his brother being mate to this old coot.
"There are a few widowed ladies throughout all the lands," Sesshomaru responded as he raised his arm to beckon Inuyasha over. "Seeking younger companions may be detrimental to your health. Especially one as spirited as this one's young brother."
He could see how Inuyasha was not happy with being beckoned over like a simple servant or animal. But at least Sesshomaru continued to see evidence of Kouga's political influence as Inuyasha quickly relaxed his face as he made his way over to his older brother.
He kept his eyes on Sesshomaru, ignoring the demons around him.
Sesshomaru couldn't help but feel a bit of pride at seeing how far Inuyasha had come in a short period of time. Years ago, his brother would have been slinking his way through the crowd, eyeing each individual with suspicion. Now he walked through them, head held high as expected of someone with noble blood in him.
After all, despite being a hanyou, Inuyash'a mother was basically royalty until she fled her domain.
Sesshomaru held out his hand and Inuyasha responded by removing his hand from Kohaku's arm and placing it on Sesshomaru's open hand, one eyebrow twitching with barely concealed annoyance.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the court," Sesshomaru said, leading Inuyasha towards the center of the room. The demon lords and servants that were catering to them became quiet. "You all know that this one has offered refuge to young Lord Inuyasha, mate to the fallen wolf lord, Kouga. This Sesshomaru has decided to enact on the right of the eldest blood heir and has accepted Inuyasha back into the clan until the young lord deems it necessary to depart. This one will also be accepting Inuyasha's request that he chose his own path in terms of future mate prospects."
Sesshomaru ignore the small growl that came from his brother.
"He has currently decided on focusing on his offspring and cares not for offers. Please refrain from unnecessary requests to meet Inuyasha in hopes of changing his mind."
Sesshomaru then nodded at the musicians who resumed playing. He then looked at Inuyasha and pulled him close, leading him into a simple dance. "Have you attended all your lessons?"
Inuyasha huffed. "I won't step on anyone's toes if that's what you're asking. Well, at least physically I won't."
Sesshomaru felt the side of his mouth twitch. "Refrain from accepting any offers that seem too friendly should the other nobles ask to spend some time with you."
"I'm aware of the political bull shit, Sesshomaru. No need to tell me twice."
A demon lord roughly the same age as Sesshomaru interrupted. "If I may?" he asked.
Sesshomaru relinquished his hold on Inuyasha. "Approach with caution. Inuyasha is very much like a rose. Appealing to the eye but with nasty thorns guarding him from all angles."
Inuyasha felt his face grow red as Sesshomaru complimented and insulted him in front of a noble lord.
"I only wish to know him. And I know of the dangers. I have five highly spirited sisters and they too wish to know him."
Inuyasha glanced over to where the lord motioned at with his head and balked. They were clearly elegant and beautiful demonesses, but their eyes glittered with unholy glee as they realized their brother got a hold of him first and was looking their way.
Swallowing nervously, he allowed himself to be led to where the five were.
X
Katsutoshi sucked on his finger as he came out through the other side of his cave. He had cut himself on one of the sharp edges, but he knew better than to cry in pain.
Coming out into the opening, he squinted his eyes as the wind on this side was much stronger than the other side. He looked up and saw how steep the mountain was. To attack from this side would be suicide if the attack were from the ground. But even in the air, the towers at the very top would make any aerial approach visible no matter from which direction. The only blind spot would be from below, and through this opening, but there was no way an army would make it. There were a couple tight spots that were almost hard for him to cross.
The familiar stench that he associated with himself when he released his small poison cloud and the one he scented off of his blood sire soon filled his senses. Glancing down, he could see the movement of Naraku slithering up the bottom of the mountain, heading towards him. He began to move further down towards a flat surface along the side.
Red eyes met each other.
"You have finally come, little one," Naraku murmured, giving him what almost looked like a benign smile.
"Poppa is currently busy. He doesn't know that I have lost my watcher."
"Clever boy." Naraku held out his hand. "Come with me, child. I will begin teaching you how to fight. I have seen you with your tentacles. It would be best to show you how to use them for both defense and offense."
Katsutoshi paused and glanced back at the mountain.
"Will I be back before the moon is at its brightest?"
"Of course, young one."
Katsutoshi looked back at Naraku and grabbed his hand.
"Okay."
X
Rin hummed as she overlooked the dancing lords, seeing how many of them seemed to be making their way to where Inuyasha was standing. She glanced back as Kohaku approached from behind.
"Lord Inuyasha looks as pretty as Lord Sesshomaru," she said.
Kohaku snorted. "You tempt fate each time you say something like that, Rin."
"But it's true! He may not be as tall as Lord Sesshomaru, but he still has beautiful hair. Do you think my hair will be that long someday?"
"Your hair is already past your waist. I'm sure it will be longer soon."
"Do you think I will look prettier with longer hair?" Rin asked, almost coyly.
Kohaku coughed into his hand as he looked away from the corner of his eyes, his light freckles almost disappearing from the blush rising on his face.
"The ladies say that I will make a beautiful wife. I hope so. I want to look nice standing next to you."
"Rin…" Kohaku's face slowly returned to his normal color as he gave her a smile. "I'm sure you will be a beautiful bride. To me, even in servant's clothes, you look pretty."
Rin grinned.
"Would the young lady like to dance?"
"I would love to!"
Kohaku took Rin's hand and began to move in time to the music below.
Both young humans smiled as they looked into each other's eyes, cheeks aglow.
Down below, two siblings were rather exasperated with some of the nosiest nobles they ever had to deal with, and both were reacting differently.
Sesshomaru still held onto his composure, using his sly tongue to issue veiled insults to those that, despite his request, were hinting about how great a matrimony between either brothers with one of their daughters, or sons, or even themselves, would be in uniting kingdoms. They had carefully avoided making it sound like an actual request.
He also quickly discovered that his annoyance in previous requests to meet daughters paled in comparison to the suggestions of Inuyasha finding a mate prospect with all the young lords and ladies present.
Across the ball dance floor, Inuyasha found himself surrounded by mostly females and a few males. Most of them were his age, a few more mature. He also got the chance to meet three females that were most likely female sires judging by the comments they were making.
"I would love to have a pretty little husband by my side!" said one.
"I need one that can keep up with me!" said the other.
"The thought of having my mate fat with my child sounds so dreamy!" said the third.
The conversation they had left Inuyasha red with embarrassment. He had thought some of the males were bad in Kouga's clan, but these ladies were ridiculous.
There were also two males, one considerable older, that were asking questions that were almost too personal.
"Do you think you will mate again?" the younger male had asked.
"I have been through a few mating ceremonies. It's usually best to settle down with a more mature demon if offspring are involved."
Some of the regular females giggled and asked him to dance. "I hear a male bearer can be a sire, too. Have you considered looking at getting a female mate next?"
Depending on how invasive the question was, Inuyasha either responded all flustered, or let out a snappy comment. Of course, half the time, the ones who earned his ire laughed it off, making some off handed comment about prenatal hormones.
When dinner was finally announced, both brothers sat next to each other, grateful for a reprieve of all the attention, as their table was near the throne, above, and more importantly, separated from all others.
X
Katsu gasped for air as he stood up from the ground, legs trembling.
"Again," said Naraku, as he sent a flying arsenal of large wasps and rocks flying towards the young demon.
Katsu raised his arms to block his face as several tentacles erupted from his back and waved in front of him, trying to block and throw back the stones while slicing the giant bugs in half.
His little forehead was drenched in sweat and dirt was staining his wardrobe. A couple of scratches on his forehead were bleeding and his eyes held a few unshed tears of frustration.
One of the wasps stung his tentacle and another rock got past his defense and struck him in the shoulder. Katsu bit back a cry of pain as he took one step back to keep from falling again.
Another barrage came at him and he managed to catch one rock. With a small feeling of triumph, he sent that one flying back at Naraku, only to growl to himself when his blood sire effortlessly blocked it with a barrier.
His small red eyes glared into the narrow red eyes of the demon that looked like him.
"Once more."
X
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru walked besides each other as they made their way to their rooms. Both were silent, Sesshomaru being himself, and Inuyasha feeling exhausted. A couple servants had gone ahead to turn down the sheets on their beds.
The moon was past its brightest point and Inuyasha knew that sunrise was not that far away.
Inuyasha paused as he noticed that Jaken was pacing in front of his door, sweating up a storm.
Sesshomaru stopped as well, wondering why his retainer was waiting for his half brother.
"Oh, uh, y-y-young lord!" stammered the green demon.
"What is it, Jaken," asked Inuyasha, feeling a headache coming on. If the little green toad was here to tell him that his son had misbehaved or something, he was going to kick the little demon out the nearest window. But then a trickle of concern began to build as he noticed that it was not agitation that was causing Jaken to stutter. With his body trembling and the wringing of his hands, Jaken looked like he was nearing a nervous breakdown.
"I-i-inuyasha, Lord S-s-seshomaru! I'm sorry! I failed my responsibility!" the little green thing finally wailed out.
"What?" asked Inuyasha as Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, trying to comprehend what his consistently over exited servant was trying to say.
"I lost track of young Katsutoshi and…"
Inuyasha's exhaustion disappeared in an instant as he turned and dashed towards his son's private chamber. Sesshomaru walked towards him as Inuyasha backed out of the room and turned to glower at Jaken as he slowly pulled the door back halfway.
"You stupid toad!" he spat out. "Watch how you say things! I thought something happened to him!"
"Wha? But he-he… you mean?" Jaken run under Inuyasha's arm and peered around the door just as Sesshomaru reached them both.
A trail of dirt covered clothing led towards the bed where a small body lay curled up near the pillows.
"B-b-but he… b-but I…"
"Seriously," muttered Inuyasha. "Kids are kids. Just because he got a bit dirty isn't a failed responsibility but don't ever word it like that again!"
Inuyasha stepped in to tuck his son in better.
Sesshomaru looked down at Jaken who looked completely bewildered.
"I'm sorry, Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken said, eyes wide. "You asked that I keep an eye on him and I lost track and…"
"You're dismissed for the evening, Jaken," Sesshomaru said, caring not to hear another word from his retainer.
Jaken was left standing alone in the hallway as Inuyasha apparently decided to stay in his son's room and Sesshomaru entered his own chambers.
The green demon walked away from the rooms, heading towards the servant's quarters. Halfway there, he allowed himself to let out a frustrated yell.
X
"Stupid boy! What are you doing?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the sound of his ever critical healer.
"Trying to stay in shape, what else does it look like I'm doing?"
"Being reckless!"
Tamotsu lowered his sword and offered a grin at the elder female.
"It is mostly his arm strength we are working on, Lady Chie. And his legs. The womb is not in danger."
Inuyasha also stepped back and sheathed his sword as the old demon looked at him crossly.
She eyed his stomach that had definitely doubled in size since the ball. While he could no longer squeeze through some places, Inuyasha still didn't feel like it was hindering his movement all that much, which was why he still trained with Tamotsu in sword play.
It was somewhat of a truce between him and his guard after several instances in which he had snuck away leaving the guard gnashing his teeth in frustration. These past few weeks had been pretty quiet, having heard nothing from Arashi's wolf clan. He figured they would probably hear something within the next couple weeks.
And there was no news of Naraku yet, which was both a blessing and a curse, as it left him wondering what the spider demon was plotting.
Within eye sight, he could make out Katsutoshi seeking out Ginta and Hakkaku who were using their guard duty as a means to play and train his boy. Currently they were having a hide and seek game which was a way young wolf demons learned to track their prey. They would soon escalate it and make it more of an ambush game once he learned how to track them down.
Inuyasha turned his attention back to Chie and Tamotsu who were now having a rather one sided heated argument over the responsibilities of his health. He sighed in annoyance. He really did despise when decisions were being made without his consultation regarding him. Especially when he was within hearing distance.
"Oy!" he exclaimed. "I'll take it easy when I damn well say I need a rest!"
X
Katsu poked at the bubbles in his water as his father washed his head. Waiting for them with buckets of water to rinse off the suds were some of the servants.
He still had some trouble adjusting to this aspect of living a noble life, and he knew his father wasn't that comfortable with it either.
He hissed when his father touched a sore spot on his head.
"What's this?" his father asked sharply.
Katsu kept from rolling his eyes. "I fell," he said.
"You've been having a lot of small accidents."
Katsu looked up at his father and saw the suspicious look in his eyes.
"Are you getting into any fights?"
"No, Poppa. It's all in training."
"Training?"
"Yup! I got this one when I was trying to chase Ginta up a tree! Branch was a bit closer than I thought. But I caught up to Ginta."
"Silly, pup. Why didn't you tell anyone you got hurt?"
"Poppa! I'm going to be 8. I stopped crying about every ouchie a long time ago!"
Inuyasha gave him a soft smile. "I suppose that's true. You were probably five the last time you came crying to me about a cut on your foot. You sometimes act so much older than what you are."
"Well, I had to make Poppa Kouga proud. And I need to be grown up to help protect you. Especially now that I'll be a big brother. You hear that?" Katsu turned around and placed his ear against Inuyasha's stomach. "I'll be here to protect you."
Inuyasha couldn't help but smile as he felt a much stronger movement from inside his body push against Katsu's face, earning a small chuckle from his son.
X
Rin laid out some garments on Inuyasha's bed and told the hanyou to look at them.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes as Katsu tried to stand on his tip toes to look at what the strange human girl had brought.
"These are for the maternal kimonos," Rin said with a grin. "They would like to know if any of these colors suit you. Lord Sesshomaru already picked out a pattern for you but I think you should get something you like, too."
Inuyasha looked down at the materials. He had to admit, they were extremely gorgeous, albeit a bit feminine, except for the midnight blue one. As he touched it, he couldn't help but think back to when he first wore the one sent to him by Rin. Back when he wasn't too sure about his place in Kouga's pack.
"Darling!"
Inuyasha jumped, interrupted from his daydream. Whirling around, he could only hold back a groan as the tailor from hell returned.
"Look at you! I can see your belly is growing! Do not worry! I shall make you look marvelous! Have you picked out a color yet? The patterns I got in mind will make you look more kingly than Lord Sesshomaru!"
"Keh. Is that wise?"
The tailor laughed. "Darling, you are a prince bearer! You are the biggest news in the entire kingdom! With that ball Lord Sesshomaru had, it would be an insult not to show off just what the Lord is protecting!"
Rin could only giggle as she watched how Inuyasha pouted and sighed in resignation as the tailor began to measure his stomach and jotted down notes as he also had Inuyasha hold pillows to his stomach so that he could measure the possible lengths he would need for future kimonos.
She couldn't help but wonder if the tailor would make a kimono more beautiful than the one she had sent to Inuyasha when he was with the wolves. She would have to find the human painter again to see if maybe he could do another portrait of Inuyasha when he was almost ready to bear. Then maybe she could take the old portrait back and give the new one to Lord Sesshomaru.
X
Katsutoshi watched as the soldiers were practicing their sword play out in the gardens. He could almost spot instances of weaknesses in their attacks or defenses and he wanted to show them the dangers.
He could make out Ginta and Hakkaku training with Tamotsu and another soldier, and even he could admire at how much better the two were getting with their skills.
He couldn't help but keep thinking how losing Kouga was sad for his Poppa and the clan, but it was forcing the other wolves to be better. If Kouga were still around, and the dumb wolf tried attacking him, he wouldn't have had such a good team to back him up.
At the same time, he wouldn't have really been thinking about these possibilities if it weren't for his time with his blood sire. Sneaking out turned out to be a lot easier now that he had discovered the secret passage. He only hoped that he wouldn't grow too fast and find himself unable to get out before it was time for his Poppa and him to leave.
Training with Naraku was a bit brutal, and he always had to hide his bumps and scrapes from Poppa. He didn't want to worry Poppa. If he kept asking about the bumps and bruises, he might find out that he had been sneaking out.
Watching the sparring that was now happening, Katsutoshi decided he needed to get the wolves to spar with him. Then at least his Poppa wouldn't be too concerned with any small wounds. He would assume they came from the training.
"Are you listening, brat?!" an irritating voice shouted, jarring him out of his thoughts.
Katsu turned to look at the green demon toad that was going about some boring history about Sesshomaru once more. He didn't care about these so called adventures. He'd rather hear about how the political system here was run, who the allies were and who were enemies. He wanted to hear about the villages that littered the lands outside the fortress. Anything but boring uncle Sesshomaru.
"No." Katsu responded, deciding to be honest this time.
"Insolent brat!"
There was that phrase again. They seemed to be Jaken's favorite words. Not that Katsutoshi cared. He didn't believe he was a brat, but because he didn't feel like following his uncle like the toad did, Jaken thought of him as a brat.
That strange girl Rin thought it was because Jaken was fond of him.
"He used to call me brat all the time!" she said once when Jaken had stormed off, irritated with him. She had a huge smile. Katsu gave Kohaku a look while the human male turned away, hiding a smile or his own.
"Arrogant toad," Katsu murmured.
Jaken heard him.
"Arrogant is that stupid hanyou you have for a father! Lord Sesshomaru is giving him such finery and yet he treats the lord with disrespect! How shameful!"
At the insult directed to his father, Katsu couldn't help but feel his face heat up in anger. That toad still hadn't learned his lesson about not insulting his father. "He is not stupid," Katsu hissed.
Jaken, who had turned away from him, seemingly did not hear him as he continued to rant.
"Lord Sesshomaru deserves the best, and even though he is forfeiting that by accepting tainted blood into his kingdom, he is treated like a beggar off the streets. Demons would kill to be looked upon by Sesshomaru, to dance with him, to sup with him, and yet that filthy hanyou continues to glower at him, and refuses to fully submit to him as one of his status should!"
Katsutoshi's little chest heaved with deep breaths as his red eyes glittered in growing fury. Tentacles began to rise from out of his back.
"He is not filthy," he murmured, wanting to silence the green demon.
No one would miss him if he snapped his neck and absorbed him, would they?
His tentacles waved in the air.
He had, with the help of Naraku, absorbed demons his size. It would only take a few seconds. He wouldn't have time to scream.
Katsutoshi paused.
But that Rin girl seemed to like him enough to miss him. And if she asked around, Sesshomaru would definitely notice.
But the green toad was still talking and saying bad things about his Poppa.
Katsu made up his mind. He didn't want to hear anymore. He would not.
Jaken paused as he felt a cold shiver run down his back.
He slowly turned around, and what he saw made his gasp in fear before letting out a terrified shriek.
TBC…
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The Bastard's Gift