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
- 17
- 18
- 19
A/N : Haha… um, have you noticed the chapters getting longer and longer…
A/N 2: Can I just say I love you guys on adult fanfiction, and media miner, and y-gall? I’ve noticed that reviewers seem to me a lot more mature on these sites than others… Just saying. And once again, apologies to Adult fanfiction and Mediaminer who didn’t receive these updates… which now seems like a back to back update… when it’s not. I was more than halfway done with 18 when I realized I didn't update 17...
Now onto the story.
Bastard’s Gift 18
Katsu took a deep breath as he peered from under the bush he was hiding in. Most of his body was covered in mud and tree sap, all utilized it to weaken his natural scent.
After three days of hunting and tool making, he was being put through his first test.
It was a simple avoidance test and to successfully pass he needed to avoid detection for the whole day.
So far, he had marked a few trees that led away from his hiding spots and was able to track the movements of his trackers. The only ones not taking part of the hunt were the soldiers at camp.
They were, however, to alert the others for intruders. Twice now, he managed to sneak some food away as he wanted to avoid using fire to cook anything.
“Kid has some skill,” he overheard one of the soldiers saying.
“Wait until the next part of the test. Tamotsu is really looking forward to it. Dammit!”
“What?”
“I think the little sneak got us again!”
“Ha, ha. Seriously?”
“Then you all better search the perimeter,” he could hear Kohaku say.
Katsu moved away. While he knew he could hide well, he wasn’t about to tempt fate by being too close to the camp, especially with the human who had been trained as a demon slayer there to help track him.
X
Inuyasha let out an annoyed sigh as Jaken held up a tray. “Lord Sesshomaru said you need to eat this.”
“I’m not some helpless female,” he growled.
Jaken growled as well. “Yet I have to cater to you like you were some noble woman…Don’t hit me!”
Jaken quivered under the tray as Inuyasha lowered his fist.
“Then don’t provoke me, you stupid imp.”
Jaken wept silently, questioning why he swore such loyalty to Sesshomaru that he would put up with his ill mannered and pregnant brother. The hanyou had gotten worse since he had been forced to stay in bed. Why, he would rather deal with the dark haired brat during a tutoring lesson than serve Inuyasha. All because the great Lord Sesshomaru demanded it of him.
Then he mentally berated himself as he set the tray by Inuyasha’s bedside. How could he doubt his own allegiance to his master?
Jaken looked up at Inuyasha, pouting. Despite the time he had spent here, he still felt that it wasn’t fair that the hanyou was getting treated like royalty. Sure he had improved drastically on behavior, but he was still far from being a companion worthy of Lord Sesshomaru.
His breath suddenly got caught in his throat as the sun came in at such an angle that it reflected off of Inuyasha’s hair, creating a halo effect. His face was relaxed, his irritation having faded away, as he was contently munching on one of the pastries that had been provided. His hair, while normally tamed by servants, was loose once more and wavy from the elaborate braids the ladies loved to do.
He looked more regal-like than the crass commoner Jaken was use to envisioning.
Inuyasha turned to look at him and frowned. “Are you okay? You look like you’re flushed.”
Jaken squeaked. “I may be coming down with something! Begging your pardon! I’ll excuse myself now so as not to risk infecting you!”
Jaken scurried out of the room.
“What a strange guy,” Inuyasha muttered, wondering why Sesshomaru kept the erratic demon around.
He continued to eat, feeling bored. An entire day wasted locked up in this room, watching the day go by. He couldn’t help but wonder how Katsutoshi was doing. He really hoped the boy was safe.
X
Katsu could hear the inu soldiers congratulating his doll on how well he avoided being caught. With a sneer, he made his way through the wooded area to where he knew his sire was hiding.
There would be one night of rest, and then the “great hunt” would begin in the late afternoon, in which he and a select team would be forced to evade capture, all while trying to capture the rest of the opposing team. “Dead” team members would be part of the opposite crew. This game of tag was to last until the third night, at which remaining team members would be evaluated or if one or the other team was completely “annihilated” before the third night.
While he didn’t know about the others, he was already formulating a plan. He knew that even though it was a game, Ginta and Hakkaku would do everything possible to avoid becoming the enemy. He would use that to his advantage. A shame Kohaku was on Tamotsu’s team. The human would do everything he could to capture them.
But first, he had to see what his sire was willing to teach him or talk to him about tonight.
Looking up into the sky, he frowned. In two nights, the new moon would be upon them, to which he planned to utilize for his plan. However, he also knew that his father was alone with his uncle and that he would probably go forward with claiming his unborn sibling as a ward. It burned him that he wasn’t strong enough to protect his father, but he hoped that his father would not grow so attached to Sesshomaru.
Because when he was strong enough to watch over his father, he would go as far as slaughtering Sesshomaru to break any ties that may have formed between the two.
X
Kohaku yawned as he turned onto his side. He suddenly sat up alert, having heard an odd sound. Looking around, none of the other soldiers had reacted, each in deep sleep, including the scouts.
Kohaku frowned. He would have to talk to Sesshomaru and Tamotsu about that. Even though there had been no sign of Naraku for months, and Arashi was no current threat, the soldiers were a bit too complacent.
At least Tamotsu had the excuse of being in the general’s tent while Katsu had his own tent as a reward for evading capture.
Looking around, he spotted red eyes staring back at him, giving him a horrible start.
Then he realized that the red eyes were low to the ground.
They blinked.
“Katsu?” he whispered.
“I needed to go,” the young demon responded. “Nothing was out there.”
“Uh, that’s good.”
Katsu moved into his tent while Kohaku sat there bewildered.
He lowered himself back onto the ground.
For some strange reason, Kohaku had felt a moment of fear, similar to what he had felt during his lucid moments with Naraku. He hated it, and he also felt ashamed that he had, for a split second, associated the aura around Katsu with that of the vile hanyou.
With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes and tried to shake off the feeling.
After all, Katsu was Inuyasha’s son. And he had been raised by Kouga as well.
X
Inuyasha found himself chewing on his claws as the sun continued to rise high in the sky. Tomorrow night would be the new moon. In two nights, Sesshomaru would be looking over him in his human form.
And Sesshomaru hadn’t exactly made any further moves on him as he had done a few nights ago. Maybe he was changing his mind again?
If he did… Inuyasha wasn’t sure if he felt relieved at the idea or not. He had to admit, feeling his brother lay next to him these past few nights allowed him to fall asleep sooner.
There was a knock on his door.
“Come in,” he called out.
The door swung open and in bounded Rin, holding more materials in her hands.
“I have some new outfits!” she cried out happily. “They’ll be for when you give birth!”
Inuyasha chuckled. “Excited about the coming of the pup?”
“Of course! I hope I’ll be here to help you deliver it. “
“Uh, Rin?”
“I’ve been at births for both humans and demons already. Chie and a couple human healers have taught me lots of things.”
“But have you been at a male bearer’s birthing?”
“Well, no…”
“It’s a lot more bloody Rin. Do you really feel like you can handle it?”
Rin grinned. “I can handle it. Or at least be the one in charge of cleaning the baby.”
Inuyasha settled back down onto Sesshomaru’s bed.
“That will be nice,” he said.
Rin crawled up next to him.
“Do you think Katsu and Kohaku are doing okay?”
Inuyasha grinned. “Are you missing Kohaku?”
Rin grinned, her cheeks blushing pink. “I’m trying to learn everything I can so Sesshomaru can deem me marriageable.”
Inuyasha gave a small frown. “Marriage.”
Rin nodded. “I suffered my first monthly bleeding!” she announced proudly, and Inuyasha was flabbergasted at how she so willingly proclaimed what was supposed to be a private and discreet matter.
“Most of the human girls stated that shortly after starting theirs, they were engaged to men who could take care of them,” she continued.
Inuyasha felt faint. Although it was common for girls to begin getting married in their tenth to twelfth years, having been around Kagome for so long who was deemed too young to marry in her times at fifteen… well… it was hard to accept that Rin was already considering marriage.
But before he could fret on that thought, Rin distracted him completely.
“Are you and Lord Sesshomaru going to become mates?” she asked bluntly.
“What?”
“Oh, I hope you do! Sesshomaru has been alone for a long time. I know, I’ve asked! I hear he’s been asking healers what’s the best way to mount you carefully since you are so large.”
Inuyasha felt as if his brain were going to erupt. “He’s been asking what?!”
Rin nodded. “I mean, it’s for claiming the baby as a ward or something, but I’m pretty sure mounting leads to mating in the end. So I hope so. Maybe we could have our union celebrations at the same time! Anyhow, I need to get back to my training. I’ll see you!”
With one quick kiss to his cheek, Rin leapt off the bed and was out the door.
Inuyasha’s face was as red as could be.
So his brother was serious about claiming the cub. So much that he was asking “how” to properly mount him to avoid injury.
Inuyasha had to give his older brother some credit. Asking others took a lot of courage.
X
Sesshomaru rolled up a scroll and pressed his seal to it.
The courier demon in front of him bowed and took the scroll from him.
“Should you lose it…” he began.
“Upon my honor and life, this will get to its destination. Should it be damaged, then I know your response was that you would attend the council meeting in four days time.”
The courier then turned around and walked out of the room and Sesshomaru stood up to move towards the window.
In four days time he would be making his argument to the high demon council. But first… he needed to fulfill his word and claim Kouga’s heir as his ward.
Despite his outer appearance, Sesshomaru found his throat getting dry at the mere thought. He understood Inuyasha’s reluctance, but he could no longer delay and give Inuyasha time to think. He only had three days.
Sleeping by Inuyasha’s side, he could see that his brother could relax next to him, which meant he felt safe. Now he needed to take it a step further, and using the advice he had been getting from some of his more discreet servants and he needed to make sure that his actions kept Inuyasha at ease. Well, enough not to panic.
A small movement caught his eye and he turned to see one of his servants approaching him.
“A small token, my dear lord,” he said, holding out a small jar.
Lord Sesshomaru took it, slightly puzzled.
“For when you need it.” The servant backed out and exited the room.
Sesshomaru opened it. Peering inside, the contents looked like jelly, but it didn’t have the taste of something meant to be consumed.
Staring at it for a couple seconds, it dawned on him what it was for.
Pink colored his cheeks for a split second as he carefully sealed the jar and tucked it away in the folds of his kimono.
X
The sun was already passed its midway point when Katsutoshi and his team headed out into the woods. Their “enemies” would begin tracking them at sundown.
Katsuotshi watched as the sun began to sink into the horizon. He turned to his “army.”
“This is what we’ll do…” he said. “I won’t fail on my first test. As the son of Inuyasha, and the ward of Kouga, I cannot fail. And you all will help me achieve that.”
He knew he was being humored, by the way the soldiers looked at each other with a small smile.
The only ones who looked serious, was his wolves.
He turned around and led his group into the woods. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about them finding Naraku.
His sire had stated that he had other places to be and wouldn’t return for another five days. It made him wonder if Naraku shared a day or night of human weakness around the new moon. It was definitely important to remember that possible bit of information.
X
Inuyasha felt his heart beating fast when Sesshomaru entered the room.
It had been the same thing these past few nights. Sesshomaru would slide in next to him and hold him close. And after a while of doing nothing more, Inuyasha would fall asleep. But he knew that the council was to meet soon which meant if Sesshomaru was going to argue his case, he would need to claim Kouga’s offspring as a ward soon.
And for his human night to be a scant two nights away, well… Kouga had to wait until after Katsu had been born. He sure as well wasn’t going to let Sesshomaru mount him when he was only a few weeks away of giving birth.
Sesshomaru slid in next to him and pulled him up to his side.
Inuyasha couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“Sesshomaru?”
“Yes.”
“The claiming…”
“Needs to be done tonight or tomorrow night.”
Silence reigned for a few minutes. And Inuyasha realized that despite his callous way of stating things, and the rare instances in which Sesshomaru lost his composure before resuming that emotionless face of his… his brother was perhaps just as nervous as he was.
It almost pained him.
Despite the hardships he had suffered with falling captive to Naraku and losing Kouga to him as well, he had at least known what it was to love and have a loving companion by his side. His brother, on the other hand, only knew from what he was told and observed.
He had never allowed himself to get close to anyone, and considering how much older he was, he most likely denied himself his own mating cycles.
What a lonely life.
And here he was, trying to help his brother by performing an action that was meant to be between two loving individuals.
But because of Inuyasha’s reluctance, he could only assume that Sesshomaru’s hesitance came from not wanting to be associated with being similar to Naraku.
Inuyasha shuddered and decided that this time, it would be best to initiate it. Loosening his sleeping kimono, he turned his back to Sesshomaru and let it drop past his shoulders. His hair was pulled forward, exposing his back and one side of his neck, the same side that Sesshomaru had bitten publically.
He heard a soft growl come from his brother, but he didn’t turn to look. He was sure that Sesshomaru would be embarrassed enough that he had lost control of his inner yokai.
He could hear the rustle of clothing and a few moments later, felt warm hands touch his back before reaching around the front, caressing his chest and skimming their way down and across his stomach.
Inuyasha could feel his own body temperature rise in response as his hands moved to grasp Sesshomaru’s wrists.
He had forgotten how much more sensitive he was when he was pregnant. He could feel the flesh between his legs hardening at the sensations of warm flesh touching his bare skin.
And he was surprised that it was a bit easier like this, to not look upon the face that wasn’t Kouga.
The size and shape still felt wrong, but the touch was just as tender.
Teeth nipped at his neck and he moaned, leaning his head back to rest upon Sesshomaru’s shoulder.
Strong but gentle arms wrapped around him and eased him down onto his side, and he could feel bare and hard flesh against his back.
“Do you truly accept this one’s protection, of you and your unborn pup?”
“I do,” Inuyasha murmured.
X
“We just lost a few more members,” said Ginta, looking back.
“Necessary losses,” Katsu responded. “Although it looks like Tamotsu is adding a twist by keeping some as hostages.”
“So what shall we do?”
“We continue with the plan.”
“And what plan is that?”
“Whatever I say.”
The remaining soldiers glanced at one another. “I can’t help but think he’ll be done by the end of tonight.”
“We’ll see. Hopefully he’ll learn from these mistakes.”
Katsu ignored what the soldiers were saying. He wasn’t about to let them know that they were just his pawns. Decoys to gain the attention and weaken Tamotsu’s expectations of him. Otherwise they wouldn’t have willingly gone with the plan. After all, with the exception of Hakkaku and Ginta, they weren’t loyal to him. And even if it was a game to them, they would still treat it as a real life exercise and question him.
So let it seem like he was making mistakes instead of sacrificing his men.
Little by little his traps were being set in a circular pattern, leading up to the center where the camp was. But in the sunlight and in the moonlight, his traps activating will be seen. At least tomorrow night, he would activate his traps and be done with this test one night early.
X
Inuyasha could feel his body continue heating up with Sesshomaru’s nips and gentle touches.
Despite his rational side telling him that it was out of necessity, his body was enjoying the sensations too much. It had been long enough since he experienced this feeling of being stimulated in such a way.
Sesshomaru’s length was buried deep in him, slowly pulling out and pushing back in, the movements made a bit easier by the gel he had used.
His hand was also grasping Inuyasha’s hardened cock, tugging at it and stroking it, causing Inuyasha to moan and whimper.
It wasn’t comfortable due to his size, and Inuyasha was certain it wasn’t easy for Sesshomaru to move around him. But the larger demon had yet to cause him any pain other than the one of being unable to find release quick enough.
As Sesshomaru began to thrust in him at a faster pace, he could feel the power of Sesshomaru’s yokai rise, and his own demonic powers respond as well. A burning sensation in his stomach made him wonder of the cub inside him was also responding.
“I, Sesshomaru, Lord of the West, do promise to watch over the pup in your womb.”
Sesshomaru briefly pulled up his hand to touch Inuyasha’s stomach as Inuyasha felt his eyes well up with tears as he recalled Kouga’s oath.
“With my sweat, I mark you with my scent.” Inuyasha let out a strangled cry as Sesshomaru’s breathing changed, both bodies slick with sweat.
“With my teeth, I mark you as mine to protect.” He hissed as Sesshomaru bit his neck.
“With my seed, I seal this oath,” Sesshomaru whispered.
A sharp thrust and both brothers cried out in completion. Inuyasha’s semen spilt over his brother’s hand, and he could feel the hot flow of liquid in him before leaking out and down his thighs.
Both breathed harshly, unable to move, spooning each other, Sesshomaru’s softening member still inside.
Inuyasha could feel his pup move around before settling down as his own heart slowed down. His eyelids felt heavy and he couldn’t help but close them.
It was over.
And while he was initially upset at the memory of Kouga’s oath, he didn’t feel as if he had betrayed his love.
Feeling himself falling asleep, he could have sworn he heard Kouga’s voice.
See, love? Move forward. He needs you too.
X
“Okay men,” Katsu said, earning a couple smirks from his team. “Dawn is nearly here and we have lost one third of our team. With the sun up, we stand on equal grounds as we can see more clearly, but we have to prepare for the evening.
“It’s a moonless night and just because the cover of the dark is gone doesn’t mean we have to let our guard down. If anything, Tamotsu and his team will probably be harder to spot since he knows how to camouflage.”
Ginta and Hakkaku grinned. “We recognize their scents. We can probably pick them out if they get too close.
“We’ll triangulate our position. As for the rest of you, I have tasks I need you to do.”
He waved each one over individually. Despite how adorable he seemed to some of the soldiers, they were impressed at how clearly he spoke for a young demon of seven. Most pups and cubs asked for advice. The young one had a plan, and even though their numbers were falling, it was interesting to try to figure out what he was doing.
X
Sesshomaru slowly opened his eyes, his body reacting to the tiny bit of light coming in through the window.
As he became aware of his surroundings, he felt his face turning warm as he realized that he still held Inuyasha in his arms, spooning against him, skin bare.
Last night had been different than the nights in which he had only frotted with his brother to mark him with his scent.
To be inside of him… his yokai had responded favorably in a way that had him loose control. If he recalled correctly, he had even vocalized the pleasure that had flooded his body.
And so had Inuyasha.
For the briefest of moments, he had felt Inuyasha’s power flare, as well as another source. Placing his hand on Inuyasha’s swollen belly, he could feel a small pulsating force. With a tiny smirk, he realized that Kouga’s offspring was absolutely radiating in power.
Once again he couldn’t help but wonder if Inuyasha allowed himself to become the bearer of Sesshomaru’s pups, how powerful would their children be?
Sitting up, Sesshomaru gently pulled down the covers to take in the white hanyou’s appearance. There was a glow to him that was stronger than ever. It seemed that the claiming really could work wonders. There was an odd sense of satisfaction at the sight of the refreshed bite mark, and the dried flaky semen coating Inuyasha’s inner thigh. But a strange sharp pain hit his heart as he realized that he could have easily have had this experience seven years ago if he hadn’t tried to force Inuyasha to give up his unborn pup.
I can’t make the same mistake again, he thought to himself. He would continue working with learning how to court Inuyasha and convincing him to take a mate once more. And he would do everything possible to protect the cub inside of him. While he knew he wouldn’t quite be able to take Kouga’s place, he would at least strive to be in equal in Inuyasha’s heart.
And he would continue to seek out advice discreetly. If Jaken or Rin heard about what he had been doing, he wasn’t sure if his pride would be able to survive the blow. It would also be best to let Inuyasha think that he knew what he was doing.
X
Katsu was high in the trees when he spotted one of his men being taken down. He sighed in frustration. The fool hadn’t even completed his task and for at least a few moments prior, had been watching his surroundings. But then he got so focused on securing the vines as he was asked to do, that he failed to notice two of Tamotsu’s men approaching from both sides.
Katsu didn’t even bother on warning him. He watched the two pounce on him, and one poked him with a stick. “You’re dead!” he said.
“Dammit! Did you really have to jab me with that stick?”
“It was only a tap!”
“What were you doing?”
“Not telling. After all… You killed me.”
“Funny. Let’s go, dead man.”
Katsu rolled his eyes. While it sounded like his man was being loyal by not telling his plan, he knew it was only because he really didn’t know the answer. It was for the best that none of them knew what their task was for.
He waited until he could no longer hear their yammering and he lowered himself to the ground with his tentacles. He quickly finished the task and took back into the trees. From there he made his way to another group who were getting ready to split into two.
While each was told to do specific things, one was actually a decoy, to lure any possible enemies away.
His trap would not fail.
X
Inuyasha pouted as the servants dried him with towels. He had already gotten used to the unwanted attention of the servants but he had been finding himself grateful for their help in taking a bath when he caught himself and mentally sulked.
Time in this castle was definitely turning him soft. Out with the wolves, he wasn’t exactly helped in taking baths in the river. He was just surrounded by other females, most also waiting on pups, and some of the omega males. They allowed each other to do their own thing while keeping an eye on one another.
One began to comb his hair while another sprayed perfumed water on him.
“I don’t need that!” he protested.
The servant giggled. “It’s Lord Sesshomaru’s favorite scent,” she responded.
Inuyasha felt his face go red. This morning had been embarrassing. While Sesshomaru was not next to him when he had woken up, the servant girls giggling and smiling down at him was the first thing he had seen when he opened his eyes.
His body had been tucked securely in the blankets, and a couple pillows propped his back up so he didn’t roll onto his back, which was highly uncomfortable.
His voice had gotten caught in his throat and the servants had giggled some more. “Lord Sesshomaru had some work to do, so he left us in charge of your care. Would the young master like to start the morning with a refreshing bath? We’ll be able to have the sheets changed while you are in the bathing room.”
How mortifying.
At least with the wolves he had been with Kouga to see with his reaction that it was normal. With Sesshomaru so prim and proper, he wasn’t sure if this was normal for the servants or something borderline scandalous even though Sesshomaru had made it clear during the public ceremony that he was going to be watching over him.
Maybe they had been expecting it?
No way of knowing.
But with him being presented with Sesshomaru’s favorite scent, it seemed that the staff had been waiting for this moment after all.
He was spared further discomfort by the arrival of Chie.
“You’ve been in bed most of this time,” she said gruffly.
“Yes,” Inuyasha snapped, glad that he had something to distract him from his embarrassment.
“Tch. Surprised you weren’t tied down. Can you stand?” She waved the servants back.
“Of course I can.” Inuyasha stood up, determined to prove that this request for bed rest was pointless.
“Hmph. You do need some sun but I do not trust for you to walk yourself out to the courtyards. Sit down, hanyou. I’ll fetch a couple servants to carry you outside.”
“What?!”
“Do not argue with me. You either go out on my terms or stay here.”
Inuyasha glanced outside. It really did look beautiful. But this damn woman was going to drive him nuts.
“Fine!” he snapped.
Chie actually grinned. “Good.”
Inuyasha crossed his arms and let out a huff in displeasure. He couldn’t wait until this cub was out of him. Roughly three more weeks and then he’d be free.
X
Sesshomaru stepped out into the Garden, having grown tired of looking over documents. Most of them were laws about the Inus and the Wolves, and he knew he needed to know about them to try to present a clear argument. Simply telling the council that he would not give in to any demands was asking for trouble in the future. With Naraku loose, he didn’t need to make an enemy of the council just yet. Once Naraku was defeated, he would turn his forces upon the council and destroy them for even considering challenging his words.
Sesshomaru stopped short when he realized that he was not going to be alone in the garden. The two female servants that were to keep Inuyasha company looked up and spotted him. With a bow, they both moved away, leaving Inuyasha by himself, sitting on the bench.
Sesshomaru stood still, watching Inuyasha’s reactions. His brother’s face took a pink tone as his ears perked up before lying back down against his head to the sides, as opposed to going back. He briefly wondered if Inuyasha eventually mastered the art of not showing emotion on his face… would his ears always betray him?
“Uh, Sesshomaru…” Inuyasha almost stammered. One ear swiveled forward.
The Daiyokai stepped forward, approaching the hanyou and sat next to him, keeping a steady appearance.
“This one hopes you find yourself well after last night,” he murmured.
Inuyasha turned away, but not before he could see the pink become red.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Sesshomaru reach out to grab a bit of Inuyasha’s hair. He let it glide through his fingers, ignoring the way Inuyasha shuddered.
“Chie has allowed you a little freedom.”
Inuyasha sighed. “Yeah, but I had to be carried down here. She didn’t let me walk on my own two feet.”
“Would it not be difficult to watch your step in your state?”
“You calling me fat?”
“Extremely swollen.”
Inuyasha whipped his head around to look at him, eyes wide. Sesshomaru knew that Inuyasha was trying to figure out if he was teasing him or not. Feeling a touch of sympathy, he allowed the corner of one side of his lips to twitch upward.
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and pouted, crossing his arms and turning away again. “Jerk,” he muttered.
Sesshomaru was pleased to see how despite his reaction, Inuyasha’s ears were turned in his direction, ready to listen to anything else he might say.
Instead Sesshomaru reached for his hand. Inuyasha gave a small start, but turning to look down at his hand and then back up to Sesshomaru, he didn’t say a word.
Sesshomaru lifted Inuyasha’s hand and gently brushed his lips against the top of the hand. Not quite a kiss, but still somewhat intimate. He observed Inuyasha’s blushing face as he lowered the hand onto his lap, still holding onto it, this time with both his hands. He stared out into the Garden, feeling a moment of true tranquility, completely ignorant of how his actions were causing his younger brother’s heart to race.
X
Ginta and Hakkaku huddled next to each other. “I know it’s just a game,” Ginta was saying. “But I can’t help but feel as if our team mates were meant to be lost.”
Hakkaku shook his head. “I don’t think our little Katsu would willingly sacrifice us.”
Ginta pouted and looked ahead. “I hope not,” he muttered, feeling wary.
The way Katsu would suddenly look out to the distance and stare, a frown upon what was normally a cute face, gave him the chills. It looked too much like his sire when he did that.
Up ahead, Katsu tilted his head enough to see them in his peripheral. So his wolves were beginning to question him. That wouldn’t do.
X
Tamotsu stood next to his “captives” as the dead ones, who were now on his team, got to joke and walk around while eating. The captives were sitting in the center of the camp, quietly eating, occasionally throwing a bone at one of their passing captors.
Some light teasing occurred, especially between former team mates as one would counter how at least they remained “alive” while the other defaulted into the opposing team because they weren’t good enough to “survive.”
To which the other responded with questioning how being a hostage could possibly be any better.
“Are you guys going to talk?” he said.
“Sorry, Cap. Got nothing to say,” responded one.
“Seriously?”
His prisoner shrugged. “I don’t think any of them know what the ultimate plan is.”
“Hey, why are you telling him that? Lot good you would do your leader in a real life situation,” admonished one of the others, flicking a scrap piece of meat at him.
Tamotsu chuckled as he waved the other one over. “Well, considering I did set up an underhanded means… he’s my mole.”
“You’re a cheater!”
“Real life situations. He has to learn how to handle a traitor. We’ll lure Katsu out yet. Go ahead. You’ve escaped. Give him enough information as to where we are currently located and we’ll find out if he comes for his team. Pick two to give you chase.”
Tamotsu’s men shook their heads. “That’s still unfair considering how small and young he is.”
Tamotsu raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t seen the brat like I have. He’s sharp. He’s been looking through a lot of scrolls. Including the reports on past tactics. He may surprise us big time. I had to be prepared.”
His spy jogged towards the end of the camp grounds and waved two of his team mates over. Together, the three ran into the foliage.
X
Dinner was a bit tense for Inuyasha. While he was allowed to have dinner in the hall for the night, Sesshomaru had stayed by his side for almost the entire day. Now the sun was hanging low in the sky and he would have to begin making his way to the room and settle in for the night of his transformation.
Part of the tension also had to do with the fact that Sesshomaru had carried him inside.
The bite mark seemed to pulse at Sesshomaru’s proximity, causing Inuyasha to feel warm throughout his body. And even his young unborn one seemed to react as well. It would be kicking around, and then it would settle down, moving slowly as if soothed by the presence of Sesshomaru; Similar to Katsu with Kouga after the marking.
Sesshomaru stood up. “This one must excuse himself. There is still some work to be done. When you are finished, signal for assistance to my chambers; this one will be there soon after nightfall.”
Inuyasha nodded and quickly finished his soup. Last thing he wanted was to turn human on his way up to the room. If he had to put up with the company of his brother, he would rather be settled in the room with all the servants waiting outside.
After he was done, he motioned the servants over.
Since neither Chie nor Sesshomaru were present, he managed to compromise with the servants in getting them to hold his arm while he walked. “I’ll let you know if I can’t do it anymore,” he told them. “I just really need to move my legs. I feel fat enough as it is!”
Thankfully, the servants were more sympathetic as one of them knew what it was like and the other recently had a son born from his mate.
As it turned out, he made it to Sesshomaru’s suite without having to call it quits, although he was rather tired by the time he got there.
He allowed the servants to help him change into his sleeping attire and settled into the bed. The servants bowed and left the room, giving him the privacy he was looking forward to.
Glancing out the window, he could see how the sun was already touching the horizon. He wondered how Katsutoshi was doing. Having heard nothing from Jaken, he could only hope that it meant nothing bad had happened.
X
Katsu stared at his supposed escaped team member. “Explain one more time?”
“We rescued him from Ritsu and Ahiko. He was one of the hostages and he managed to escape when an opportunity arose.”
“And so why aren’t Ritsu and Ahiko here with you? Aren’t they supposed to join the team if defeated by the opposition?”
“Ah, well, they took off running when they spotted us.”
“How many of you were there?”
“Just me and Jun.”
Katsu looked at the sky and could see that the sun was close to setting. Soon night would fall upon them and he would be able to trigger his trap.
He looked at the soldier that had “escaped.”
“How fortunate that you were able to run away.”
“Yes, little Lord.”
“And what information did Tamotsu seek?”
“Plans, sir. But we all kept silent.”
Katsu nodded.
He suddenly leapt at the soldier and jabbed him with a stick.
“Ow!”
“Katsu!” cried Hakkaku and Ginta.
“Sir, why’d you attack him?”
“You were sent to spy on me, weren’t you?”
“What gave you that idea?”
“I’ve seen you train. I’ve trained with you. There is no way you would have outrun those two as long as you did. They were probably there to escort you far enough to make it look like an escape. And this I know because Ahiko can beat Jun almost instantly so he would have no reason to run from such an easy victory.”
The soldier began to chuckle as he rubbed his chest. “And what if you were wrong?”
“Then it was punishment for being captured. Unless you use it as a plan to free the others, being captured has no honor.”
The soldiers began to laugh at Katsu’s words, amused by the serious tone the young demon had and still amazed at how mature he sounded with his words.
Only Ginta and Hakkaku looked a bit troubled. Katsu was taking this game rather seriously.
X
Sesshomaru briskly made his way to his chambers. The sun had set not too long ago and he knew his brother tended to be nervous during this time. He nodded at his servants, pleased to see that they had done as instructed and waited outside his room. With that nod, they bowed, knowing they were dismissed.
He entered the room and the first thing he noted was that Inuyasha was hiding under his quilts.
“Sesshomaru?” he heard Inuyasha call out from underneath.
“Were you expecting someone else?”
“Uh, just making sure…”
Inuyasha made no move to come out from under the covers.
Despite that, Sesshomaru realized that he could still smell that distinct human smell, but it was a strange scent, being mixed with his own and of wolf.
He made his way to his wardrobe and grabbed his sleeping attire. Dressing himself, he was a bit grateful for the opportunity. While it was expected to be dressed by his servants, he had to admit that doing something this simple on his own was somewhat soothing.
“Do you wish for the table lamp to be left on?” he asked softly.
“It… it doesn’t matter.”
Sesshomaru slid into his bed, leaving the lamp on.
Looking over, he couldn’t help but find it ridiculous to continue talking to a lump of fabric.
“Do not hide yourself from me,” he murmured, doing his best to not make it sound like an order.
There was some shifting of the shape and then dark eyes with the hint of violet peered out from under the covers. “I’m not hiding. I’m just cold,” Inuyasha responded, indignantly.
Sesshomaru pulled at the covers, sliding underneath them and moved closer to his brother.
“What are you doing?!”
“Providing warmth.”
“I’m good!”
Yellow eyes stared down at the alarmed violet ones.
“Then why are you still under the covers?”
Inuyasha sighed and slowly lowered the coverings, revealing his inky black hair. His face was turned away, not willing to look at his brother exposed.
But from his profile, Sesshomaru could see how similar to his human mother Inuyasha looked.
“Katsutoshi is an anomaly,” Sesshomaru suddenly said.
“What?” That had Inuyasha facing him.
“It is said sons look more like their mothers. I can see her in you now. And I share similarities to mine. Katsutoshi, in theory, should look more like you. He does not. He is an anomaly.”
Inuyasha glared at him. “That’s just myth. You see what you want to see. Kouga use to pick out all the features that resembled me.”
Sesshomaru turned away, not saying another word.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit of an angry feeling in him. While he understood that Inuyasha genuinely loved Kouga was it necessary to bring up his name while in bed with him? Although he had to admit that it was his fault for insulting the dark haired brat.
Sesshomaru looked back at him. “You should sleep.”
“Bah.”
“The servants know not to enter this night. And you are nearing you final weeks. If you do not sleep, the pup in you will be restless. I doubt your body can handle its movements very well while in this state.”
Inuyasha remained silent for a moment. “You’re right,” he muttered. “Katsu was relentless during my final month unless I was sleeping, or attempting to sleep.”
Sesshomaru lay on his side, still looking at his brother’s eyes.
“Sleep. I will watch over for a while.”
Inuyasha leaned back into the pillows, keeping the covers lowered. His eyes looked nervous again, and Sesshomaru found himself missing Inuyasha’s ears. At least with those he would have been certain of what Inuyasha was feeling.
Sesshomaru rested his hand on Inuyasha’s stomach and let his power flow gently. He felt the pup within move slowly, as if stretching, causing Inuyasha to let out a slightly pained chuckle.
“It sort of tickled and hurt,” he said to Sesshomaru’s questioning glance. “I think it was just stretching.”
A few moments later, it stopped moving and Sesshomaru could once again feel the small flicker of demonic power, content, release from the womb.
Seconds ticked by and Inuyasha’s eyes began to close.
He could sense when Inuyasha had fallen asleep.
He moved closer, feeling the heat of his brother against him and settled down. He caressed the smooth face and touched the dark hair. It still felt soft in this form, and actually, with dark hair, he had to admit… Katsu shared some similarities with Inuyasha after all. The shape of the face, the shape of the eyes, and when he slept…
If only he hadn’t been born with those accursed eyes.
Maybe then Sesshomaru would have been willing to forget who his sire was.
X
Ginta and Hakkaku panted for air as they ran from their pursuers. They had been checking on a couple things that Katsu has asked them too, things that didn’t really make sense to them, when they had been spotted by the enemy.
Although a rather cowardly notion to run instead of engaging the enemy, Katsu had made it clear that they were to avoid capture at all costs. “Fight, run, hide. I don’t care. Just don’t get caught,” were his exact words.
Seeing who their trackers were, fighting and hiding was out of the question which left nothing but running.
And they were excellent runners.
Although the moonless night was proving to be a challenge in seeing where they were going.
Moments later, they made it to a clearing that Katsu had designated as a retreat camp. To their surprise, only a five of their comrades stood there, as a couple more joined, also being chased. They were short six plus Katsu.
Tamotsu was one of the chasers.
“We have you surrounded,” he said.
Their colleagues snorted. “Well I suppose we at least lasted this long. Unlike some of you.”
Soldiers who were now on the opposite side just grinned.
Tamotsu approached the group.
“Where’s your leader?” he asked.
“Right here.”
Turning around, he spotted a figure high up in the trees.
“Surrender now or face the consequences.”
Tamotsu laughed. “We have you surrounded and outnumbered, Katsu.”
“Not for long.”
Although it was unclear to see what he was doing, Tamotsu could see Katsu doing some jerking motion. A moment later, surprised shouts could be heard throughout the forest as his men disappeared either up into the air or into the ground. A few of the others were a bit quick on their feet and rolled out of the way of whatever was taking out his men.
Shouts of surprise turned into shocked laughter and cries of disgust as what sounded like rain could be heard. They were followed by sounds of the soldiers cutting themselves loose or climbing to safety, judging by the loud thumps and sounds of crunching leaves and panting breaths.
Traps. Little Katsu had set traps all throughout the surrounding area. But just how far it did it go?
Katsu leapt down from the tree, approaching Tamotsu.
He lit a lamp and motioned for the others to do the same.
Ginta and Hakkaku stood wide eyed as they lit their own lamps and watched as a large group of soldiers began making their way into the light.
Tamotsu looked around, confused.
“Count your survivors, Tamotsu. Then we’ll see who is outnumbered.”
“My survivors?” With the light, Tamotsu realized that a majority of his team was covered in red. Touching one of them, he smelled and licked the substance. Berry juice. So the berries were to represent a fatal projectile, and all marked red were technically dead of injuries.
“Let’s make this quick. All ‘dead’ step back into the shadows. Any alive, step forward.”
In the end, eleven men stepped forward.
Tamotsu looked back at Katsu. “We still outnumber you by two. A close number. Do you wish to fight it out?” he smirked.
Katsu grinned and shook his head.
“Count again.”
He heard rustling from behind and several soldiers came out from the shadows. Tamotsu stepped back in surprise seeing that they were the hostages he had back at the camp. In the center of the group were the four men he had left behind to watch over them.
“Sorry,” one of them called out, showing off his tied up hands. “We were ambushed by those guys.” He waved back a small group of six who were holding their ropes, including his spy. “And then they freed the others.”
“Uh, sorry as well. Katsu figured me out for a spy and struck me down.
“I believe we now outnumber you by fifteen.”
Tamotsu laughed as he dropped to his knees. “You win, little one. I don’t know how you did it, but you win.”
“We won?” asked Ginta.
Katsu nodded.
“So all those little things you were having us do… they were traps?” Hakkaku asked as well.
“You mean you didn’t know?” Tamotsu asked.
Katsu watched as the soldiers untied the captives while others helped their comrades to remove most of the juices and debris off of each other. “They only knew part of the plan. Their part. It was to avoid information from being given should you ask any of your captives. Or the ones you converted.”
Tamotsu snorted. “And you all led me to believe you were being loyal.”
Sheepish grins were his response.
“And my runners were meant to bring you here. Thank you for not getting caught.”
“We had a few close calls.”
“Simply amazing. Well then, I say we all go to the main camp and celebrate Katsu’s victory. I say he’s done his father proud.”
X
Sesshomaru woke up in time to see the glowing light in the sky indicating that the sun was rising on the east.
Looking down, he watched Inuyasha as he lay sleeping, spooned up against him.
Sometime during the night, it seemed one of them sought the other out for added warmth. Being that he didn’t feel a thing, Sesshomaru couldn’t be too sure who it was. To not wake up was rather alarming. He usually slept so lightly. How was he to watch over Inuyasha when he couldn’t feel another body resting against his in the middle of the night?
He watched as Inuyasha’s hair began to go white and those small human ears begin to shift and elongate. He let out a small frown that wrinkled his nose in an appealing way as he shifted a bit, hand slowly coming up to rub his stomach.
It seemed as if Kouga’s cub was on the move.
Sesshomaru couldn’t help but let a small smile grace his face.
X
The sun was past the midway point when Sesshomaru was told that the soldiers were returning from the woods. A bit surprised that they were returning a couple days early, he made his way down to greet them, curious to know what had happened.
He also knew that Inuyasha was probably impatient about his son’s return so he thought it best to keep it a secret for now.
“My lord!” Tamotsu cried out in a jolly tone.
Soldiers began to unpack their supplies, leaving Tamotsu and Katsutoshi standing in front of the demon lord.
“What do you have to report?” Sesshomaru asked.
“The young prince here showed an excellent sense of evasion and tactics, well, most tactics. He did lose quite a few of his men, but almost singlehandedly took out the rest of my team.”
Sesshomaru looked down at the red eyes peering up at him. Neither one of the betrayed any expression on their faces.
Tamotsu realized he felt a bit unnerved by the lack of any displays.
“Anyhow, he took us out last night, and so we decided to return since he finished the task early.”
“Where did you learn your tactics?”
“From the scrolls in your study. I would read them when Jaken would leave me alone to study.”
“Most interesting.” He glanced up towards his chambers. “Go to your father. He knows not of your arrival.”
Katsu beamed and took off running towards the castle.
“He still has to learn to trust though.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he used his team to perform acts and set up traps without letting them know of his plan. I went as far as capturing them to ask what he was planning and none of them knew. I’ll admit I thought that they were playing the game and doing it out of loyalty, only to find out later that they were never told.”
Sesshomaru glanced back at the castle, a thoughtful expression on his face.
X
“Papa!”
Inuyasha looked up in surprise as the door burst open and he spotted his son bounding into the room.
“Katsu?”
“I’m back!”
Inuyasha opened his arms and pulled in Katsu close as his son scrabbled onto the bed. Katsu let out a content sigh before pulling back, his nose scrunched up.
“Ew. You smell too much like uncle Sessho.”
Inuyasha felt his face go red and he chuckled. “Well I have been sleeping here for almost the whole week. Plus Healer Chie told me I shouldn’t be walking around too much during these next couple weeks.”
Katsu places his hands on his father’s stomach.
“I want to see the baby,” he said.
“Me, too.”
The door opened again and Sesshomaru stepped in.
Katsu composed himself, giving Sesshomaru an indifferent look as he hugged his father.
“This one was told your son did well on his trials.”
“Did you really?” Inuyasha asked, beaming.
Katsu gave him a small grin and nodded.
“This one also heard he may have read tactics from this one’s study. There was no time to ask, but did you also incorporate tactics from the wolves?”
Katsu looked as if he were smirking. “Maybe.”
“Katsu,” Inuyasha said in a warning tone.
“Come. There are matters that need to be discussed.”
Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru suspiciously. “Hey, I just got him back.”
“He will return afterwards. This one’s time grows short.”
“Are you dying?”
A glare was thrown towards the deceptively innocent face. “This one has important matters to attend and must prepare for departure.”
“The council meeting.”
Sesshomaru nodded.
Katsu frowned again. “You mean you have to talk to that stupid wolf and the council members? Since you are so powerful, why don’t you just kill them all?”
“That’s not civilized, Katsu,” Inuyasha responded, a disappointed look on his face.
Sesshomaru nodded. “During our father’s youth, that was the way disputes were taken care of. But bloodshed only led to more bloodshed. Had you been paying attention to the scrolls Jaken left for you to read, you would have known that.”
“Sesshomaru, he’s only a child.”
“And a possible prodigy according to Tamotsu. We can discuss more later, but for now this one wishes to speak to Katsutoshi in his study.”
Inuyasha sighed, a bit worried. Sesshomaru had been acting different while Katsu was off training, but now that his son was back… He was afraid that his brother would continue acting like an ass towards his son.
Katsu let go of him and slid off the bed.
“As you wish,” his son responded, with a petulant tone.
The two exited the room.
X
Katsu watched as Sesshomaru pulled scroll after scroll from his shelves, as well as a few books. He briefly marveled at the design of the covers, fingers itching to turn the pages of them.
“This one has heard you prefer to learn of court dealings long enough to accept it as truth. This one will be gone for a while, and since your father is in need of care, Jaken will no longer be able to take his time to tutor you. Therefore, you are to use your time to read through these. They are the laws of many demon tribes, and it breaks down how the council works.
“There are observations of tactics used by other demons, and that book still has blank pages. Should you have a tactic used that has not been mention, you are to add that into this collection. The ink and quills are on the desk.”
Katsu brushed his hands upon that book. His uncle was actually giving him permission to not only read this beautifully crafted book but to write in it as well?
“Why?” he asked.
“Knowledge is power. Your sire may be a foul creature that deserves to be wiped from existence, but you also share Inu blood. This one will not have one of Inu descent uneducated to cause disgrace to the family.”
Katsu looked down at the book, and then back at Sesshomaru, hundreds of thoughts racing to his head. With this knowledge, what was to say he wouldn’t someday take the lands from Sesshomaru?
“Thank you for trusting me with…”
“It is not trust.”
Silence reigned between them, Katsu mildly surprised at the snappish tone his uncle took. He didn’t mind being interrupted from thanking his uncle. It was leaving an awful taste in his mouth.
“It is not trust,” Sesshomaru repeated. “Son of Inuyasha, but son of Naraku as well.”
Ah, how clear the hatred was in Sesshomaru’s voice regarding his sire.
“This one hopes that with this knowledge, you will understand and follow our ways so as not to stray onto a path that will cause your father despair. You may have defeated Tamotsu, but this one wonders what sacrifices you made to gain your victory.”
Katsu gritted his teeth, trying not to give in to his anger. “I did as necessary.”
“That remains to be seen. You may return to Inuyasha. This one will return later on in the evening.”
X
Arashi gasped as his body trembled in pain. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he gritted his teeth to keep from making more noise. After a brief moment, the pain disappeared again, allowing him to resume breathing normally.
A shuffling sound alerted him to someone approaching his den.
“We are ready, sir,” said a wolf.
Arashi nodded as he put on his armor. It would take a couple days to reach the council’s place of meeting. In a few days time, he would either have his way or be preparing for war against the dogs.
Pulling up his hair to tie it, he could not see that the back base of his neck had a spider shaped mark that moved and crawled up half its length before stopping and becoming still.
Once his hair was secure, he dropped it, covering the mark.
X
Sesshomaru watched as the servants placed his baggage on the carriage. Kohaku sat at the reigns next to another demon that was riding along as a rotating driver. While he preferred to travel by himself, since it would take less time, he knew that for a council meeting, he would need to arrive with style.
Especially considering that he knew who one of the demons was in the council.
He was not looking forward to encountering that troublesome female. He would have delayed it for a much longer time.
Glancing up, he could see that Inuyasha was standing at the window. He turned to stare up at him, since it was not in his nature to wave.
Seeing Inuyasha wave at him let him know that Inuyasha understood his gesture.
He turned away and boarded the carriage ignoring the worried cries of Jaken telling Kohaku what he needed to keep an eye on.
“Be careful, Lord Sesshomaru,” Rin said, standing with the servants who were bidding him farewell and good luck. Even Chie was present.
“You too, Kohaku,” she added.
“I will,” Kohaku responded.
“We may depart,” Sesshomaru said.
With that, Kohaku snapped the reigns, and the winged horse demons pulling the carriage took off into the air.
X
Red eyes followed the carriage as it went high into the sky.
With Sesshomaru out of the way, he had a feeling he would be getting frequent visits from his offspring these next few nights.
If only he had the strength to attack the castle now.
No matter.
It was only a matter of time.
X
A small skittish demon approached the bottom of the stairs before him. “Lady,” he said, his voice rough and hoarse. “The council members are beginning to gather at the Great Hall.”
“Are they now?”
“Shall I prepare your carriage?”
Red lips tilted into a cunning smirk.
“Prepare it. This one is looking forward to providing council to that ingrate of a pup, the heartless Sesshomaru. My little perfect weapon.”
To be continued…
My goodness… this chapter wouldn’t end! Had to cut it off. Was gonna keep going, but instead the council meeting is moving to the next chapter… as well as… well… days will move forward fast. :) Hopefully I won’t be letting you guys wait months in between updates like I did with 16 and 17. Hopefully I’ll get back to 2 months the most in between.
- 17
- 18
- 19
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The Bastard's Gift