AfterShock

Sephiroth woke to a feeling he hadn't felt in a very long time, peace. His body surrounded by the gentle warmth of a demon who would and could give him the world. Rolling within Sesshomaru's embrace, Sephiroth smiled from the happiness he felt in this moment. Sesshomaru had done the one thing for him that he wanted most, set him free, and he did this without being asked, without demanding a price. Sephiroth gently ran his fingertips down the duel red marks that graced his demon's cheek bones. He knew he should get back to his brothers but he really wanted this feeling to last forever. How could it though, Itachi was still out there and he would be furious now. Defeat was something the raven haired man did not take well.

Sesshomaru woke to Sephiroth's gentle touch sliding along his face. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw a brief moment of uncertainty in Sephiroth's gaze before the man stifled it.

"Good morning." Sesshomaru said, his voice raspy from sleep.

"Yes it is." A smile graced the silver haired man's mouth as he leaned up and brushed those soft lips against his. The affectionate action ignited Sesshomaru's blood. Wrapping his arms tighter around his silver haired love, Sesshomaru deepened the chaste kiss. Mouths feeding from one another, hands sliding along bare skin, it wasn't long before Sephiroth found himself below his demon, filled with Sesshomaru's hardness. Their bodies surged together, stroking each others desire until they cried out together. There was no way to describe the contentment they felt as they calmed, their breathing slowly stabilizing.

Sesshomaru lay above Sephiroth, his weight braced on his elbows as he scattered Sephiroth's neck and shoulders with kisses. A deep sigh from his lover drew him up to stare down into blue/green eyes.

"I need to go check on my brothers." Sephiroth closed his eyes, "But I do not want to leave."

Sesshomaru kissed Sephiroth gently on the lips, "Then I shall go with you."

Sephiroth opened his eyes, humor dancing within their multi-hued depths, "Who said it was you I didn't want to leave." Dropping his arms to the bed, he gave Sesshomaru a wicked smile as he grabbed handfuls of the soft covers, "This is a most comfortable bed."

Sesshomaru snorted in irritation as he surged to his feet dragging a surprised Sephiroth with him. Tossing his silver haired lover over his shoulder he turned from the bed towards the bathroom, "That is too bad."

"What are you doing?" Sephiroth hissed trying to wiggle free from the demons tight grip. He let out a sharp sound when his bare ass was struck by Sesshomaru's hand, "Why you..."

But Sephiroth's tirade was cut short as he was again tossed, this time into a deep tub of hot water.
Sesshomaru allowed a smirk to cross his face as Sephiroth rose form the water sputtering, his long silver hair stuck to his body as he pushed his bangs from his face. The dark look his lover shot him made Sesshomaru chuckle. If a single look could do physical damage, Sesshomaru was curtain he would have been castrated. "Still believe it is my bed you don't want to leave?"

"Just for that, I doubt I would enter your bed anytime soon." Sephiroth answered as Sesshomaru slid into the in floor tub.

"Then I will have to sneak into yours." Sesshomaru whispered low as he came closer.

"Do you really think I would allow..."

Sesshomaru's mouth covered his, silencing him as his demon's arms pulled him closer. Sephiroth put up a token fight before giving in. He felt Sesshomaru smile against his mouth. "Shall we bath quickly and get you back to your brothers, or...."

Sephiroth covered Sesshomaru's mouth with his hand, "If you finish that question we will be here the rest of the day."

Sesshomaru covered Sephiroth's hand with his as he kissed the center of the man's palm, "Then we should hurry."

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Kadaj woke to his brothers gentle snoring. They were wrapped around him, holding on like he would disappear any moment. To be fare to them, he had done so a couple of times during their captivity and each time he returned looking like shit. Closing his eyes, Kadaj could hardly believe it was over. His brothers were free and they were together. There couldn't be anything greater.

Looking down on their sleeping faces, Kadaj knew he would not blow this second chance he had been given. He would do everything he was supposed to. He would listen when given advice unlike the time he had told Sephiroth to mind his own business.

He truly regretted his naive stupidity. He had been an angry, spiteful young man with a powerful need to hurt his older brother running through his veins. Reaching up he cupped the back of Yazoo's head. He would never let his own childish jealousy hold reign over his emotions again.

"Brother?" Kadaj turned to Yazoo as his brother rubbed his sleepy eyes.

"I'm here."

Yazoo's glazed eyes slowly focused on him then looked around the room with a frown. Then his eyes lit up and he sat up quickly, "It wasn't a dream."

Kadaj smiled as Loz squeezed him tighter while letting out a sleepy sound of protest for having his dreams disturbed. Yazoo held his hands before him as they shook, "We really are free of Itachi."

His eyes sought out Kadaj as they filled with tears. "We're free." He whispered as he dropped to Kadaj's chest with a sob.

Loz woke with a start from the jostling of Yazoo's impact. Hearing his brothers sobbing, he wrapped his arms around them both and looked up at Kadaj. His brother's usually guarded eyes were full of so many emotions, but the strongest was his self blame. Loz reached up and brushed Kadaj's hair behind his ear. Their eyes met and he smiled at his brother, silently telling him everything was fine. Tears filled his usually strong brother's eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Kadaj whispered as the tears streaked down his cheek.

Loz sat up and pulled both his brothers into his arms, "We forgive you. So stop blaming yourself. We signed up with you knowing the possibilities."

"But I brought us to that point." Kadaj sobbed as he held onto his brothers.

"It is in the past now and should remain there." Loz whispered. Then a loud rumbling had them all laughing as they looked at the blushing Yazoo. He stomach let out another loud growl as Yazoo turned even redder.

"Guess that means it's time to eat." Loz said with a smile, "Shall we get the cry babies something?"
Loz held in his laugh as his brothers wide eyes meet his. It was not often he got to pick on them for crying, but when these moments arose, he enjoyed them greatly.

"Why you." Kadaj hissed.

"You jerk." Yazoo growled as they both tackled him. Loz didn't mind because he had gotten what he was after. To dry up their tears.

***********************************************************************************

Sephiroth held the bags of delicious smelling food as Sesshomaru unlocked the door to his temporary home. As the door swung open and he entered, Sephiroth was greeted by a surprising sight. There in the middle of the room were his brothers. However, it was what they were doing that drew him up short in the doorway. Three sets of alarmed eyes met his.

"Brother." Yazoo said breathlessly from his crouched position.

Sesshomaru let out a bark of laughter, "Guess we made it here just in time."

Loz stood in the middle of the room one foot on a struggling Kadaj's back, one arm holding Yazoo in a headlock and a bag of chips held high over his head. Sesshomaru walked past a stunned Sephiroth. "Well, we should get the breakfast served up before you devour each other." He said with a wink as he passed the boys.

Loz's blush brightened as his grip on Yazoo loosened. With a triumphant yell, Yazoo broke free and jumped up grabbing the bag. Sephiroth shook his head, a light smile on his face as he watched his brothers playful antics. Shutting the door of the apartment, Sephiroth crossed the room to the kitchen and set the bags on the counter. Sesshomaru began pulling the individually boxed breakfasts they had picked up on the way, and pulled the lids off to discard in the sink.

The boys came up the island counter to watch as Sesshomaru passed each of them a container. Sephiroth smiled as each of them dug into their breakfast much like they had done the night before.

"After we eat, would you like to see your new apartment?"

"New apartment?" Sephiroth and his brothers chirped together.

"Yes." Sesshomaru answered, "My brother, Inuyasha, should be there now setting things up."

The guarded look on their faces almost made him laugh, but he refrained. They had good reasons to be suspicious. "He also has the rental contract with him waiting for your signatures. The woman who owns the building is one of his closest friends. When she heard you four had no where else to live and how the tyrant Zaraki had you thrown into the streets, she couldn't not help you. She seems to be a very caring person."

"You don't own it?" One of the boys asked unable to conceal his surprise.

"No. Contrary to popular belief, I am not rich. My father, on the other hand, has a vast fortune at his disposal, and even he does not own everything."

"So what you're saying is this is our apartment?" Kadaj asked.

"We can do whatever we want?" Yazoo added.

Sesshomaru nodded as he leaned against the counter behind him, "Completely free to do whatever you want."

Sesshomaru's eyes met Sephiroth's and the softness he saw in the silver haired man's gaze made his heart race.

Sephiroth accepted his breakfast container from Sesshomaru happy in the knowledge his demon had thought of something so very simple. Something to drive home they were in control of their lives now. He wanted to say it, those three little words that he chocked back. Instead he let them echo through his mind and his heart, 'I Love You.'

***********************************************************************************

Inuyasha climbed off the ladder and looked at the swords he hung with a critical eyes.

"They're straight." Miroku said as he slipped his arms around Inuyasha's waist.

"I know." Inuyasha slid his hand across Miroku's arm to his hand. Clasping it he brought his lovers hand to his mouth to kiss the palm.

"I'd stop that if I were you. It's not our place to break in this apartment." Miroku said with a smile.

"It's not like we have the time. They will be here any moment." Inuyasha turned, pulling Miroku into his arms. Just as their lips were mere atoms apart, the sound of the door handle turning interrupted them. Leaning back with a sigh, Inuyasha let Miroku go as his brother entered the apartment.

This was the first time he had laid eyes on Sephiroth's brothers. He was nearly struck dumb by their looks, but the scent drifting to his nose left him speechless. His eyes snapped to Sesshomaru but his older brother was very distracted by Sephiroth.

"Inuyasha." His brother said in greeting. Inuyasha shoved his new found information into the back of his mind.

Inuyasha nodded to his brother in greeting, then looked at Sephiroth, "I hope you don't mind but I thought setting up some of your things would make it feel more like home."

"This is...." Sephiroth's eyes were wide with surprise as he looked around, "You retrieved my belongings."

"Yep. Wasn't sure what was yours and what wasn't so we just packed up everything." Inuyasha said, then he looked over to the triplets. Inuyasha's ears twitched as the boys continued to stare at him, mouths open. Their eyes were glued to his fluffy white appendages on top of his head. Crossing his arms he growled, "You know it's rude to stare."

The two with shorter hair dropped their eyes to his, apology within. The third however took a step forward, "They're beautiful."

He reached up but Inuyasha batted his hand away startling the brother from his single minded obsession of the moment.

"I'm so sorry." He burst out, holding his hand like Inuyasha had broken it.

Inuyasha sighed as he closed his eyes, "Fine, this one time only you may touch them."

He had barely gotten those words out of his mouth when three sets of hands were gently stroking his furry puppy ears. Though he hated his ears being the center of attention, Inuyasha truly loved the feeling of having them stroked. If he had been born with a tail, he knew it would be swishing back and forth from the attention.

"They are so soft." The long haired one whispered as he let go. His light eyes dropping to Inuyasha's "Thank you."

Inuyasha felt a blush heating his cheeks and snorted to try to cover up is embarrassment. "So, Introductions and then a tour. Sound like a plan?"

Miroku hid a smile of amusement from Inuyasha's irritation. It always pissed the hanyo off when people made a big deal over his ears. He hated being different then everyone else, but he was patient with the boys. Allowing them a privilege most were denied with venomous words and raging fists. Perhaps his lover was beginning to settle down, but he doubted it. The boys radiated a vulnerability that calmed the hanyo's temper. Who would willingly hurt someone who had been through what these boys had.

Sephiroth introduced his brothers to Inuyasha then watched as the hanyo took the boys on a tour of the apartment. He couldn't stifle a chuckle as Inuyasha's ears twitched continuously from Yazoo's constant staring.

"I hope you will forgive me for invading your old place and setting you up here." Sesshomaru said as he pulled Sephiroth into his arms.

"I'm glade, actually. I'm just surprised at how quickly you did it."

Sesshomaru gave a toothy grin, "I am nothing but efficient."

Sephiroth chuckled as Sesshomaru brushed his lips against his mouth. Leaning back Sesshomaru closed his eyes with a sigh, "I'm afraid I will have to leave for the day. I have avoided work for too long and I'm sure my desk is piled high with useless paperwork."

"Do you really have to go?" Sephiroth asked, he knew he sounded needy, almost clingy, but he couldn't stop himself.

"Yes." Sesshomaru whispered, regret in his own voice, letting Sephiroth know that he too wanted to stay.

"Than you have to come over for dinner." Kadaj said insistently from the hallway with his arms crossed over his chest.

"You should spend the evening with your brother." Sesshomaru gently prodded. He wasn't going to deny he wanted nothing more than to spend the day and night with Sephiroth, but he knew he needed to share him at this critical time. His brothers needed him here to themselves.

Kadaj gave him a lopsided smile, "Well, it will just be for dinner, it's not like you'll be here all day with us." Then his smile turned almost sinister, "or all night."

Why that little, "Very well. I will join you for dinner." Sesshomaru wasn't going to rise to the challenge in Kadaj's words. He would let them have their time, but after a while, he would begin installing himself in their lives.

Kadaj was enjoying the fact the demon was allowing him to torment him. The truth is, he was testing him. Kadaj liked Sesshomaru, he seemed to be good at heart, but Kadaj had been through so much. He just wanted to see if this demon would turn into another Itachi and start his extensive list of demands. Watching as his brother and Sesshomaru said their goodbyes, Kadaj felt a little stab of sadness in his chest. He really wanted what his brother had found, but he didn't think he would ever find it. He was damaged now, nothing more than a retired whore. Who would want him? Shaking his head he shoved that emotion deep inside. It did no good to mourn what you didn't have or what couldn't be. Smiling he decided to focus his energy on pestering his brother's new boyfriend.

"I wouldn't push my brother too far when it comes to Sephiroth. He can be possessive over those he cares for but for a mate... Well, I'm sure it will be far worse."

Kadaj's attention snapped to Inuyasha, "They're mated."

Inuyasha shook his head, "No, not yet. I'm sure he wants Sephiroth to make the choice without any pressure."

Kadaj felt the respect he held for the demon triple, to hold off marking a mate took a will of iron, but to do so in the light of recent events... Sesshomaru should be up for sainthood. Perhaps he wouldn't torture Sesshomaru too much.

"Should we get the rental agreement signed?" Inuyasha asked as Sephiroth joined them. The four brothers nodded and they sat down so Inuyasha could explain the terms of the rental contract. "If that's all, I will be going. I'll drop this off with your new landlord on my way out." He said as he put the envelope under his arm and headed for the door. "If you have any questions or there is anything you need, you can call me. My number is posted on the bulletin board."

"Thank you Inuyasha." Sephiroth said as Inuyasha opened the door. He nodded to the man and shut the door. Inuyasha walked down the hall with Miroku silent beside him. He could feel Miroku's concerned looks, but he ignored them as he pulled out his phone. With far more force than was necessary, he pressed the screen to call his father. Of course there was no answer.

Inuyasha ended the call, almost crushing his phone.

"Inuyasha, what is wrong?"

"Since my father didn't answer his phone, we're going to make a surprise visit."

"Where?"

Inuyasha smirked, "Yokai den."

***********************************************************************************

Inutaicho was walking through the halls of the den. Rate now Sesshomaru should be at the new apartment with Sephiroth and the boys. Sighing he grabbed the handle of his office door when his cell phone rang. Looking at the screen he froze. It was Inuyasha. "That was quick."

Turning from the door he knew of only one place he could go where his son would not find him. The one place he really didn't want to be, Home. He was halfway down the hall when he heard Kimimaro call out to him. Closing his eyes and wanting to hang his head in defeat, Inutaicho turned half expecting Inuyasha to be standing next to the assassin. He thanked his luck that Kimimaro was alone.

"My lord, where are you going?"

"Home."

Kimimaro frowned, "The street generals are here for their meeting. Are you not well? Should I send them home?"

"No, I'm fine." Inutaicho said with a sigh as he turned to go back down the hall to the game room where all the delinquent generals were waiting. Stopping next to Kimimaro he added, "If Inuyasha shows up, tell him I'm in meetings all day and send him home."

Kimimaro snorted causing Inutaicho's eyebrow to raise. "Your son does not listen to me and I do not have permission to use force."

"That is only because that boy does not know when to back down." Inutaicho said with a chuckle.
Kimimaro nodded the said, "If he arrives, then I will aid in your escape."

Inutaicho placed his hand on Kimimaro's shoulder and smiled in gratitude before walking down the hall. Kimimaro was frozen in place. Reaching up he placed his hand on his shoulder where his demon lord had touched him.

Hearing commotion down the hall Kimimaro turned towards where he knew the bratty son was most likely throwing a fit. Walking down the hall to hopefully intercept Inuyasha, Kimimaro had to jump back as the door was thrust forcefully open.

"Kimi." Inuyasha growled as he walked into the hallway, "Were is my dad?"

"I'm sorry Lord Inuyasha, but your father is in a meeting. I could inform him you need to see him and you could come back la...."

"No." Inuyasha barked causing Kimimaro to grind his teeth from the rude interruption. "I'll wait in his office." With that he pushed past the white haired assassin. Kimimaro counted to ten in his head before following the disrespectful boy.

"Very well. When he gets out of the meeting I'll....."

"Not tell him shit." Inuyasha snarled as he jabbed his clawed finger into Kimimaro's chest. He wasn't sure what it was about Kimimaro that bothered him, but every time he was around the assassin he felt a powerful need to fight with him.

"Lord Inuyasha." Kimimaro said, eyes sparking in challenge as he grabbed Inuyasha's hand "I may be under order to not fight you but I will retaliate if you put your hands on me again."

"Anytime." Inuyasha smirked as he pulled his hand away.

"Please excuse me Lord Inuyasha." Kimimaro said as he left the room. Taking up a post down the hall were he could watch Lord Inutaicho's office and the meeting room.