Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Unexpected Circumstance	By : Neptunesdemon Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13382 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all its characters are not owned by me. I do not make any profit of of this, it is purely for entertainment.

Chapter List
- 21
- 22
- 23
Title: Unexpected Circumstance
Author: C-Chan2 aka Neptunesdemon
Archive: Fanfiction net, Mpreg Archive
Category: Mpreg, romance, drama
Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru
Ratings: PG-13
Spoilers: None
Warnings: OC, OOC, incest and non-con
Author's Note: I'm not too happy with this one, but I'm never satisfied with anything I write. I'm trying to make this not too long, but I don't want anything to seemed rushed. And I don't want it to drag. ARGH! I need a chill pill or something. Yes, well, read on until the end of the chapter.
xoxoxoxox
"My what?"
Inuyasha's mind went blank after the woman in front of him said the words. He couldn't fathom just what exactly she could be trying to tell him with that statement. His mother in law? He wasn't married.
"A shame to see my son has lowered his standards to taking an idiot for a mate." The female demon said with a haughty snort, before she was looking behind him to where Kagome stood gawking. "Tell me, boy, you dare to bring your filthy ningen concubine into your mate's room? Despicable creature, had I known this was what would befall my son, I would have made an effort to play a part in his choosing a mate."
She sat down again, delicate hands lifting a tea cup and she slowly began sipping her tea, her attention having been distracted for the moment. Inuyasha just stared, his head still pounding but his mind still blank as he watched the female demon in front of him.
He realized, after quite some time, that he had been insulted; and so had Kagome. Who the hell did this bitch think she was?
"Hey, I'm no idiot!" He finally responded, marching inside and leaving Kagome behind. "I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I'm not just gonna let you insult me and my friend that way!"
The woman thoroughly ignored him as she poured herself another cup of tea and went about drinking it as if there wasn't a hungover and pissed hanyou hovering over her.
Inuyasha growled, before he scoffed, looking back to Kagome who had shut the doors and was now watching on every bit as baffled as Inuyasha, and only a bit miffed to having been called a concubine. She offered the hanyou a shrug, before he was looking back to the demon, studying the familiar set of her face, the magenta stripes on her cheeks, and yet, he had yet to figure out why his brain kept screaming that he should know her; even though he was positive that they had never met before.
"Listen, lady." He began, grabbing her attention in which she sent a sharp glare at him. It reminded him of the glares that Sesshomaru had thrown him on so many occasions, especially quite recently, that it sent a shiver down his spine. "I don't know who you are but if you don't start talking soon, I'll be forced to find other means of getting your name."
"Are you threatening me, you foul, invidious, scourge of the demon race!"
"Talk normal, you bitch!" Inuyasha shouted, unable to stop the growl that bubbled out of his throat after the words.
With a sneer that did nothing to mar the beautiful face, the demon stood, but before much could happen, the doors to the room were sliding open and all eyes turned to the newcomers.
Minako and Sesshomaru stood in the doorway, the saru blinking uninterested with a gurgling Kazue in her arms and Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed with a glare to the two on the verge of an obvious fight.
He stepped inside, ignoring the miko who was watching on but keeping quiet, before he was stopping a few paces away, his cold eyes centered on the female demon, who had now turned toward him, her face reverted to a stony mask. The silence seemed to lengthen as the two stared back and forth at each other, before the smaller demon huffed and rolled her eyes.
"Is that any way to greet me, Sesshomaru?" She questioned him.
"Hahaue."
Inuyasha's eyes were widened by the statement, and he looked to Sesshomaru with utter disbelief written on his face.
"Hahahue?" He asked him, looking between them again in doubt. "What the hell do you mean by hahaue?"
Mother? This was Sesshomaru's mother? He didn't have a mother! Well, it was obvious that he did being that he couldn't have been born without one, but he had thought that they were the last inukai in existence.
Wait. She had said she was his mother in law, hadn't she? This had to be a trick or some sort of dream that he hadn't woken from yet.
"She's your mother!" He was finally shouting, hangover forgotten and now merely a dull throb in his head. "You never told me you had a mother."
He was thoroughly ignored as Sesshomaru seemed to keep his focus on the female in front of him, who was doing pretty much the same.
"You said two moon cycles, the first has yet passed." He reminded her, watching the woman wave away his statement as if it were insignificant.
"Yes, but Hahaue missed her child so very much."
"So much that I haven't seen you in over three hundred years." He reminded her sarcastically.
"Three hundred forty seven to be exact." She corrected him, sounding as he did speaking to Jaken not too long ago. "All the more reason for me to come visit my first and only born son. And here I find you, mated to your father's illegitimate, half-breed son and your title stripped away from you while you've become a breeding mate. I'm quite saddened, you know."
"Yes, I could tell." The taller inu said in reference to the stoic set of her face. "What else could have possibly enticed you to run away from your hidden palace and return to the West?"
"Hmph! Such a rude son you've grown to be, I've raised you better than that!" She huffed, though her voice barely changed from its drone tone.
"You didn't raise me at all."
She glared at him then, before turning to look at Inuyasha who was still holding a befuddled look and watching the two get in touch, if that's was what you could call it. She merely scoffed before she was looking to the old monkey, recognizing her in an instant.
"Lady Minako." She said in acknowledgment. Then her eyes were looking at the pup in the old demon's arms and her face went blank as the child offered her a smile of gums and growing fangs. "And this must be the newest addition to the diminishing inu clan."
She looked to Inuyasha before looking to the child again and then she was turning to Sesshomaru, whose mask seemed to be threatening to crack. It was a stressful thing being in his mother's presence.
"Is the hanyou not your mate?" She asked him, the words strained as if she didn't want to speak them.
"Kazue is not his." Sesshomaru got to the point before she could waste time beating around the bush.
She scowled then and was none too happy with that bit of news.
"I should have never left you in your father's influence, had he been alive to this day, you'd surely have whored yourself to half the court!"
"Hey, watch you mouth!" Inuyasha came to his mate's defense.
The female demon only humphed before she was looking back to her son, who was now scowling back at her.
"I warned you, you know." Was all she said and Sesshomaru actually growled.
"I highly disagree that telling me to be a good boy and keep my legs shut qualifies as a legitimate warning, Hahaue." He bit back, his voice tight and words clipped. "Had I stayed in your influence I'd probably would have been auctioned off to a suitor with the highest bid or toted off to your remote hideaway to spend my days in your company for the safety of your pride."
"I won't stand here and be talked to in such a manner!" She growled back at him. "And at least I still hold pride, something you seemed to have tossed aside if your choice of mate is anything to judge by!"
"Stop insulting me as if I wasn't here!" Inuyasha screamed out, gaining the two youkai's attention for a moment. "I want to know who the fuck this bitch is and I want an answer now!"
"Inuyasha, you will not speak of my mother that way."
The words were threatening and Inuyasha almost had the urge to pull his hair out. Was his brother serious? The older inu was degrading his own mother in front of strangers and he had the nerve to reprimand the hanyou!
"Such a crass and unflattering creature." The female youkai commented, her mouth hiding behind a hand covered by her over sized sleeve. "To think I'm now burdened by the shame of being bound to my mate of old's half-breed scourge through your mating. Not to mention me being a grandmother at my young age. I feel faint with grief and disappointment."
She looked to Inuyasha then, studying him closer before she was sighing and closing her eyes to contemplate things further. Then her golden eyes were opening, and looking to Inuyasha again, locking them in a hold that had the hanyou unsure of what was bound to happen.
"I wish to speak to this boy alone." Was all she said, and then she was walking to the door.
Inuyasha watched her start off, before he looked to Sesshomaru who only glared at him. There was no help there, so he instead turned to Kagome, who could only offer him a shrug. He figured Minako would be just as useless, so with a grumbling of curses, he was marching off after the woman who was now his mother-in-law.
He followed her for quite a while, past the curious and completely lost faces of the servants who watched them go by, until he'd come to a part of the palace he hadn't been in. Now to mention it, since he'd gotten here he hadn't seen much past his bedroom walls. Wonderful memories of Sesshomaru's voice bouncing off said walls had him smiling to himself, before he came to a halt, nearly colliding in to this mystery demon. He still had yet to learn her name.
"These are my personal chambers." The inu-youkai announced, still facing away from him. "That sword of yours, it may not cross this threshold."
"Yeah, like I'd allow that to happen." Inuyasha scoffed, his hand tightening around Tetsusaiga's hilt. "I'd like to have some way of defending myself in case this happens to be your chance to get rid of me."
The female sighed, before she was turning back to him and glaring up at him with eyes so much like Sesshomaru's. Staring down at her, as she was nearly a foot shorter than Inuyasha, he could see where his older brother had gotten his good looks and obvious allure.
"Very well, boy."
"I have a name!" He blurted out, the inu blinking up at him as he had cut her off. "It's Inuyasha, and I think I have a right to know yours."
"Very well, Inuyasha." She said with a nod, before turning around to slide open one of the double doors. "You may keep you sword and you may learn my name. I am the Lady Hiromi, the true mate to the late Inu no Taishou, and as I said before, I am now your mother-in-law."
Inuyasha watched her enter and he followed her cautiously, sliding the door closed behind them before taking in his surroundings. Hiromi's room was every bit as decorated as Sesshomaru's, even more so with the vanity mirror and wardrobes about. He idly walked over to a small table that held an abundant amount of jewelry, and he was drawn to a large necklace with a gem set in the middle of a circular pendant.
"That's not to be touched!" He received the warning, Hiromi rushing over to take it from him. "It is mine!"
"Did my father give you that?" He asked her, though he walked away to look about the rest of the room.
"As a matter of fact he did, not that it's any of your business."
She rested it back in its place and turned to face her mate's son, her eyes studying him while she had the chance, as he was distracted by the birds that were twittering in the gold plated cage in front of an open window.
It was a horrible matter, his being a hanyou and now her son had been bound to this pitiful half-breed. He had to be weak, surely he was no match for her son and he had merely taken advantage of her son's weakened state. She had warned Touga, before she left all those years ago, to keep an eye on him. She wasn't surprised at how things had turned out, even with her visiting whenever the mood struck her, which wasn't often.
The last she visited, Touga had been as happy as rain, having heard news that he was to have another son. Of course, that meant that Touga had taken another woman, and it had come to a shock to hear that it was none other than a human. At least he had had the sense to court royalty. None the less, he had betrayed her and had impregnated another. She had wanted to meet and stay with Sesshomaru for a short while, but she had learned that the boy had matured quite early. And horrifically, he had been going into heat.
Well, not one to want any of her offspring to suffer through the torment of bearing a child as she had, she had demanded the best doctors and healers around. Her son's heat was suppressed and then when she was sure he could handle himself, she had left again, warning him through a letter to never let himself be taken. She had meant to say a few last words to her mate, but he had gone off after his princess and unborn child that were now in danger.
After that, she had learned of his demise and she had hated him, hated him for so long. Now, here in front of her, was that same child that had been brought into the world, by no other fault than her own. She had known this, but she had been selfish. She was not going to allow Touga to impregnate her again, so she had left. And he had found another to give him another child that he had so desperately wanted.
She couldn't deny that the hanyou was his father's son. He had the man's eyes, his face, the set of his brow, and when he had grown out of his boyish face, he would probably look more like his father than he did now. She knew of hanyous and their human nights, and she was sure that when the new moon came, he would look like that woman; his mother. She hoped she didn't see him then, she had never wanted to look upon the face of the other woman that had stolen her mate's heart.
"Did you bring me here just to show me your room, or was there an actual purpose?" Inuyasha began, looking up at his mate's mother.
"Tell me, boy-"
"Inuyasha." He growled out, and she nodded her head in acknowledgment and apology.
"Inuyasha-chan." His responding growl was easily ignored and she walked over to him so that she was looking at her birds as they flitted back and forth in the cage. "How did you do it? Did you rape him while taking advantage of his heat, or did you merely wait until he was at his weakest, late in his pregnancy with barely any strength? Or perhaps, you waited until the child was born and he had no strength left at all and took his freedom and honor then?"
"I don't like what you're insinuating, lady." Inuyasha's voice was low and his eyes were narrowed in a look of anger.
"I'm merely trying to decipher how my son, Daiyoukai of the Western Lands, could have been defiled by a bastard, inbred, hanyou." Her words were meant to sting, and her eyes would have drawn blood as she looked at him, had they been able to cut. "I know my son, he would not have submitted willingly."
"Yeah? Well, sorry to break the news to ya, but he did give himself to me willingly. He offered me his submission, and then he offered me his body, and he even offered to bear me a child."
He was shocked by the strike on his cheek, but only for an instant, since he had to stop the dagger that had been following the initial attack. He growled as Hiromi did the same, trying to figure where she had hidden the dagger; probably somewhere in those ridiculously large sleeves.
"You filthy mongrel!" She hissed, straining to try and push the dagger towards him. "I refuse to let him bear your burdening children! You've already made him a mockery of the entire court of the inu-clan!"
Inuyasha gave a roar as he pushed her away, jumping back as she easily recovered and began to attack again. The two continued on , Inuyasha dodging and ducking, while the female inu charged and swung the dagger with precision and grace that rivaled Sesshomaru's style. Bumping into a wardrobe, Inuyasha swore as he realized she had been aiming to back him into it for a while. As she rushed forward, he had no choice but to draw Tetsusaiga, blocking the dagger which seemed quite minuscule to the large blade.
Hiromi stopped, her breath coming in pants as she glared at the hanyou in front of her, who was growling and baring his teeth, a demonic form of a challenge that she was tempted to answer. But, the boy could wield his father's sword and she knew then that this fight would have a low chance for her victory.
"What's the matter?" Inuyasha was suddenly asking her with a smile. "Getting a bit winded, eh baba?"
With a frustrated scream, she was pushing away before rushing forward again, throwing the dagger away and opting for using her bare claws. Her eyes bled red and she had the urge to transform into her true form and show this imbecilic halfbreed what for. However, that would mean having to face a son enraged with the loss of his mate and she did not want to fight Sesshomaru, no matter how distant of a mother she was.
Inuyasha welcomed the attack and he threw Tetsusaiga aside himself, and lunged forward, meeting the female demon halfway. For an older woman, she was no push over and there was a short moment where he thought she could actually overcome him. However, one solid kick to her chest had her flying back and into a wardrobe, the furniture cracking and breaking as she crashed into it.
He stood panting and sweating, taking in whatever injuries he had managed to receive as he watched the demon cough and wheeze for air. He had only some scratches, nothing too deep and nothing worth worrying over. Hiromi was now slowly standing, and he scoffed as he watched her do so, noting that she was probably as stubborn and vain as her son.
His guess was confirmed as with a scream she was charging forward again, her blows clumsy and inaccurate, which meant that they were easy to block. With a sigh, he grabbed her by both her wrists, stopping her attacks for a moment. He had forgotten about her legs, and it was last minute maneuvering that had him avoiding a knee to his groin.
"Hey, that's fighting dirty!" He shouted, not thinking as he threw his head forward.
He only realized what he had done as the woman fell back, landing on the floor in an unconscious heap from a hard butt to the head. He was shocked stupid for a few moments, until he realized that she wasn't going to get back up, and he swore loudly as he crouched beside her to make sure she wasn't dead.
Poking her in the shoulder made her groan softly, and he sighed as she did so. He would have had one hell of a time trying to tell Sesshomaru that he had killed his mother. He growled in frustration as he plopped down on his butt, before he was lying back on the wood floor altogether. This was stupid, what the hell was the purpose for all of this anyway?
He supposed he couldn't blame the woman. A hanyou isn't that well accepted in the demon world, nor the human world, and it seemed like his mother-in-law was one of the many who despised his type. That and believed in tradition, and tradition stated that the Daiyoukai bowed nor bent over for any one. He stopped at the thought, he had never had Sesshomaru bent over, he'd have to try that some time.
He shook his head clear of the thought; now was not the time. He figured it was best that he help the woman up and see her to her bed, since he was sure she'd wake with quite the headache. He barely had a chance to move, as he was straddled and soon had criss-crossing sai blades over his neck. Amber eyes glared down at him, and Hiromi was snarling as well, her forehead forming a bruise to match the color of the crescent moon he hadn't noticed before.
"You filthy, little cretin." She softly hissed, her eyebrow twitching. "How dare you!"
"Hey, baba, you pulled the dirty move first!" He spouted back, before he was wincing as she lifted and landed her tush hard into his gut. He was wheezing for air as she did it again, just to spite him, and then he was glaring up at her as he tried to catch his breath.
"Don't call me that!" She seethed, her eyes flashing red for a moment. "I refuse to be overtaken by a halfbreed!"
"Look, I don't get what your trying to prove here." Inuyasha admitted, his muscles relaxing as he figured it was best to just give up. "I'm not about to fight again. Can we cut to the chase where you storm out of here and return where you came from, promising to never return as long as your son stays with me?"
She blinked down at him then, not sure what to say or do next. That wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but she had planned on finding Sesshomaru and demanding that he free his binds from the hanyou. There were ways, if his youki was willing to break it, or even death of the other's mate. She liked the second choice much better, but she also knew it meant further distancing herself from her son. Kami knows that he needed her to make sure he didn't make another dreadful mistake.
"Look, Hiromi, I'd just like to get this over with, okay?"
She was screaming in shock as she was easily kicked off, and flipped over the hanyou's head so that she was the one now laying on the floor. She gasped as Inuyasha landed over her, the hanyou staring down at her with a disgruntled look.
"And to answer your question, I did it by asking him if he wanted to be my mate, and he said yes." Inuyasha provided, standing up and heading for Tetsusaiga. "If he had said no, I would have let him go his way and I would have went mine. But, he actually wanted me and I wanted him, too. Now he's mine, and no one will change that!"
He spun to look at her, his glare threatening and a warning all in one.
"Not even you."
Hiromi watched as he walked over, before grabbing her by her arm and gently picking her up so that she was standing again. Then he was walking away and she couldn't help but stare as he started to go.
"I see." She murmured, the puppy ears atop his head twitching before he stopped to listen without turning back. "You've fallen in love with him?"
"Huh?" He was asking, slowly turning back to face her.
"Don't prove to me how stupid you are, hanyou! I asked if you love him!"
Inuyasha stopped for a moment, not exactly sure what to answer as the female youkai glared back at him, hair and dress in disarray but still managing to look magnificent. It had to be an inukai trait he'd missed out on. But that had nothing to do with what he answered in response to her question. He had been thinking on that for a while now, and though he had at one time highly disliked his older brother, he had found himself growing closer to him.
He was still cold and sometimes unfeeling, but he had seen him smile, had heard him laugh and had even heard from the right sources that he could cry. His brother was the same and yet a new person all at once, and after spending these last weeks with him, he had come to realize what he had never thought to be true.
"Yeah." He answered her, his face still serious. "I love him."
Hiromi was frowning then, before she was walking forward so that she could meet him. Her eyes studied his face for a long while before she was sighing and moving away again, righting her clothing as she did.
"I have no doubt that you could very well be lying, so I will have no choice but to stay."
"What?"
She turned to face him, her eyes and face as unreadable as it had been when she had first arrived, and Inuyasha had the feeling that he should have just let the woman's question go unanswered.
"You will prove to me that you truly do love my son. Then and only then will I take my leave and give my blessing."
"We don't need your blessing!" Inuyasha snapped, watching as she walked back to her birds so that she could feed them.
"Of course you would think that. Now, I wish to change and have my room restored back to order. You may go."
Before he could open his mouth to object, he was cut off by the sight of two guards that blocked him off and he stumbled back in surprise. Had they been here the entire time?
"Please, the Lady Hiromi wishes for privacy." One of them said, dark-locked head bowed. "If the Daiyoukai would be so kind as to let her be, it would be much appreciated."
"Yeah, no problem." Inuyasha grumbled out, though he had rather wanted to get an explanation out of her. "Just let her know that she's invited to dinner if she gets hungry later on, and I don't need to prove a damn thing to her."
"Hai, Inuyasha-sama." The second said, his head lifting to reveal amber eyes. "As you wish."
He studied the two in front of them, the marking on their cheeks, the golden eyes and he had to wonder if they were inukai. That wouldn't make sense, however, being as he and Sesshomaru, and now obviously Hiromi, were the last of their kind at the moment. He let it go and turned to leave after nodding in parting.
He couldn't believe the audacity that woman had. He didn't have to prove anything to her. He loved Sesshomaru and that was that. He was sure that even his mate knew that. Didn't he?
He peeked back to the now closed doors of Hiromi's quarters before he was shaking his head with a sigh. This was all so stupid. He had bigger things to deal with than this.
xoxoxoxox
Sango landed on the ground in a crouch, having jumped from Kirara's back before the fire-cat could come to a full landing. She had been circling the palace ground for hours now, feeling uneasy and agitated. She could feel that something was bound to happen, and she wasn't sure what. All she knew was that whatever it was, it would be bad.
Kirara yowled and she looked to the fire-cat with a inquisitive look. It changed into a frown as the demon suddenly hissed, fur fluffing up as she began growling.
"What is it, Kirara?" She questioned, walking closer and placing a hand on the cat's flank to try and calm her.
Kirara only yowled again, before she was tugging at Sango's hand in a gentle hold of teeth, urging the demon-slayer to climb onto her back.
"Kirara, what is it?" Sango asked her familiar, the cat only yowling again. "Do you sense something?"
If the fire-cat had the ability, she'd roll her eyes, but she merely urged her master further. Finally, with a sigh, Sango climbed atop Kirara's back. The demon cat was off in an instant, and Sango had to wonder what the urgency was for.
No more than a mile or two out from the palace walls, and Sango's eyes were narrowing in on the sight of a group of lesser demon's, eagerly attacking a figure she couldn't make out. Whoever they were, they seemed to be fighting and holding their own. That is until she heard a scream of pain, and her heart froze as she realized that the blow could have been fatal.
"Kirara! Take me down, now!"
A roar came from Kirara, and then they were flying down at a fast pace. Sango's sword was drawn, since she was still repairing her usual weapon, as she landed on the ground. Her arrival caught the attention of the demons that had been circling their victim and she faced them head on.
They didn't look strong, but there were quite a few; nine in total when she counted them. They had to be lizards, judging from their appearance, and she supposed after dropping alliance with the West, they were causing mischief or more.
"Well, if it isn't a demon slayer." One of them said, the rest laughing or growling.
Sango didn't speak, she only stared, her eyes studying them for as long as she was able to. She knew they wouldn't stand there taunting her forever. The one who spoke to her stepped forward first, and rolled up the sleeves of his haori so that he could flex his biceps in what he hoped was intimidation.
Sango only raised her katana. She was only able to take half of a deep breath before the demon came rushing forward with a roaring yell, and she steadied herself for the attack.
She could barely move forward before a taller and obviously stronger demon stopped in front of her. She watched as the lizard was grabbed by the throat and lifted into the air, the greenish-skinned demon stumbling and flailing about.
"You dare to attack one under the protection of the Daiyoukai?" Came the smooth voice, low and calm and promising nothing but good things. It made Sango shudder and step away, her hand clutching the hilt of her sword a bit tighter. "I should kill you now for your insolence."
The youkai was thrown away towards the rest, crashing into them and causing them to all tumble to the ground. Then the demon was turning back to Sango, who was now glaring back suspiciously at the newcomer. His features, as well as the common mark of scales running from temple to chin, was the sign that he was hebi-youkai. It was best to not trust him and stay on alert.
"Are you alright, taijiya?" He questioned, those feline eyes staring back at her so intensely that she had no choice but to look away.
"I could have handled them on my own." She responded to his question, before she was walking around him to head for the demons trying to right themselves.
She was stopped with a gentle but firm grip on her wrist and she stopped to look back at who she assumed was the princess' escort. The touch made her skin crawl and she quickly pulled it away, her stomach suddenly tightening and her heart fluttering. Who was this creature?
"You'll pay for that, you damned snake!" The leader of the bunch growled out, pulling the attention of both Sango and her supposed hero. "When we're done with you both, then we'll be able to get back to our little ningen toy."
Sango turned to look on the ground where they had left their quarry, and she couldn't stop the gasp as even with his face buried in the dirt she recognized who he was.
"Kohaku!" She was screaming suddenly, unable to control herself.
She was running forward with only the intention to get next to him, not paying attention to the youkai that were waiting for her to come to them. When she reached she was grabbed by the throat, another grabbing her from behind by the arms and a third sending a punch to her stomach. Winded, she could only cough and try to get some air, but her eyes couldn't peel away from her little brother. It had been so long since she'd last seen him, and he had been under Naraku's control then.
"Looks like we've found ourselves a new play thing, boys!" The leader laughed, one clammy hand raising to stroke at Sango's cheek. "Want to find out what ningen whore feels like!"
His comrades cheered him on, but that was all they were able to do. Sango froze, eyes wide, as a flash of black flitted past her eyes, the demons around her frozen in shock. She couldn't react as they suddenly burst into pieces, large chunks of fleshy matter slumping to the ground around her.
Her brown eyes looked then to the snake demon now a few yards away, forked tongue licking splattered blood from his lips as he watched her. She was slowly raising her sword out of instinct, when the sound of groaning caught her attention and she turned her head to find Kohaku beginning to stir. He was alive.
"Kohaku!" She called out, sheathing her sword and rushing to her brother's side.
She gently rolled him over when she finally knelt beside him, lifting his head so that it rested in her lap. The boy's eyes slowly blinked open, and she hesitated in bated breath as she looked to see if it would be the empty gaze they had been the last time she saw them. Brown eyes were soon staring up at her, the young boy's face frowning a bit as they focused on the image above him.
"Sango?"
The woman gasped at that, unable to hold back her tears as he recognized her. Without much thought she was scooping him up and hugging onto him, her body wracked with sobs as she gently rocked him back and forth. He was back and it was really him.
"Ne, aneue, what's wrong?" The preteen questioned, confused as to what was going on. "Did something happen?"
He was distracted by the sight of a shadow casting over them and when he looked up he was met with a face he shouldn't have known. His eyes widened though as he easily saw through the mask and when he went to open his mouth, he was stopped short by the feel of something resonating within him.
Kanaye smiled down at the lad, raising his finger to his lips in a shushing motion as his eyes flashed red for a moment before they were yellow-green and catlike again. Kohaku's went dull for a few moments, before he was blinking and back to normal.
"Aneue, who's he?"
Sango pulled away to turn and look back at the snake demon, who was now looking down at them with a face of concern. She took a deep breath to calm herself and quickly wiped away her tears before standing to face him. Kanaye watched as he was graced with a bow of thanks and then Sango was looking back at him with red-rimmed eyes and a small grateful smile.
"Thank you for your help." She offered and he nodded in response. "I should not have been so rude. If there's anyway that I can repay you-"
"There's no need." He quickly cut her off. "Your thanks is all I desire."
Sango bowed her head again, before she was turning back to Kohaku and helping him stand. He was beaten, battered and a little bruised, but it wasn't anything too harsh. She would have him patched up in no time.
"Kirara!"
The demon cat came closer, hissing at the snake as she passed him, before she was warily looking over Kohaku. It was a long while before she was nuzzling and rubbing up against him, the boy hugging onto her with a laugh.
"Kirara! I've missed you!" He greeted her, Sango smiling at the two before coaxing her brother to climb on with her help.
She had so much to ask him, but she figured it was best that she wait. She wanted every one there when those questions were answered. It could give them a clue as to just what Naraku was up to.
"Sir, will you travel with us?" She questioned, Kirara yowling in objection.
The snake demon only smiled but shook his head no.
"I shall scout around and see if there are any more fiends that need to be taken care of." He told her, before he was bowing his head in departure. "I shall meet you again at supper with my lady in company."
"Until this evening then." She said before she was signaling Kirara off.
The male snake demon watched as they flew off back toward the palace. He turned away once they were out of sight, a dark smile taking his lips as he headed off into the thick forest. Things were coming along quite nicely.
xoxoxoxox
Sesshomaru hadn't stopped pacing since his mother and mate had left. Minako had long called for Kaori and had handed Kazue over to her care, and was now slowly sipping tea as she watched the prince try his best to ruin the perfectly polished floors.
The miko had long since gone, no longer wanting to intrude on Sesshomaru and having no further reason to be there with Inuyasha gone. Kaori had left as well, not wanting to leave Shippo and Rin unattended for too long. With Inuyasha not back yet, Sesshomaru couldn't help but worry. He hated worrying. He was agitated and stressed, and the longer he paced was the more he realized that he was feeling quite light-headed. And nauseous, he couldn't forget nauseous.
He'd been up and down an emotional ride these past few days, and he could find no other to blame than Inuyasha. That damned hanyou was more trouble than he was worth. Stupid mate of his, always rushing into things, making decision without thinking things through and thinking with his blasted genitals than the brains the gods gifted him with. He should be so lucky that Sesshomaru hadn't torn him apart by now.
Good gods, he needed a drink. He had never in his life wanted anything remotely alcoholic since his father had first had him taste sake. He had hated it, and still did, but it was at the moment the most logical solution to helping him clear his mind.
He easily stormed over to the table Minako sat at and began to pour himself a cup. Before he could attempt to lift it, Minako's hand was resting over the cup and her other handing him tea.
"You really shouldn't."
He scoffed and merely brushed aside her hand and was shocked once again as the sake was snatched away.
"I said, you really shouldn't."
"And why not?" He questioned, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"To become drunk is the last thing you need." Minako told him, deciding to play a game of mah jong on her own. The pieces had been there, set down conveniently by the servants, and she couldn't appreciate it more. "Besides, you'll harm the baby."
Sesshomaru's body went lax and his eyes widened slightly in disbelief. His hands were then clenching at his stomach, before he was trying his best to say something to the old saru.
"What?" Was all he was able to gasp out.
"Kazue's still feeding you know." Minako went on, not having caught his moment of shock and obvious misinterpretation. "Whatever you eat, he eats as well. Sake won't do him, nor you, any good. Drink some tea, and sit down. You're beginning to look sick."
Slowly, Sesshomaru sank into the other seat at the table, his mind still wrapped around the fact that Minako had mentioned a baby. Well, she had been talking about Kazue. He was indeed still taking breast milk, and if he drank the wine, it would have been bad for his son's health.
This was irritating. Having the princess in his domain, nightmares plaguing him every time he dared even think of sleep, and now his mother had made an appearance. He was on his wit's end. Something had to be done or else he'd go mad and take out his frustrations on the first thing that pushed him over.
The door sliding open drew his attention, and he looked up to find Shirogitsune, who offered him a smile and a bow.
"My prince, I believe we've received another guest." The silver fox announced, moving inside until he was standing in front of the inu. A shame this beautiful creature wasn't his, none the less, he'll continue to admire him. "I came in search of Lord Inuyasha, but I've been told he's in company with your mother. I didn't know that Lady Hiromi was due for a visit."
"Believe me, she wasn't invited." Sesshomaru said as he stood, looking to Minako. "Will you be joining me or would you rather wait here?"
"My bones aren't up for the trip." She told him with a scowl. "Besides, I'm sure I'll learn what's going on when you return."
He nodded before turning back to Shirogitsune, who was holding out his arm for the demon prince, with nothing more than an innocent smile. Sesshomaru only sighed, before he was walking past the fox and exiting the room. The kitsune followed with a chuckle, and was soon enough walking beside him.
"You do know that I'm a mated demon." The inu reminded the council member, who only snorted before daring to reach out and touch the prince on his arm.
"Ah, yes, but it's not unusual that mated demons take a second lover." Shirogitsune informed him.
Sesshomaru only pulled his arm away, never slowing his steps as he walked on.
"Inuyasha wouldn't approve."
"You're damned right I wouldn't!"
At the Daiyoukai's voice, the two stopped and turned back to find the hanyou behind them, his face holding a snarl as he growled at the silver fox too close to his mate for comfort.
"Where the hell are you two going!" He demand, storming forward and pushing himself between them, his eyes narrowed on his most recent rival. "Didn't I tell you to stay the hell away from my mate!"
"Inuyasha, please, you're being ridiculous." Sesshomaru said with a sigh.
"Hey!" He was shouting, spinning to turn his glare on his mate. "Don't try to patronize me, Sessh! I know what he wants and you haven't been showing signs that you're trying to fight it. I remember the letter!"
"Oh, so you read it." Shirogitsune interrupted, looking past his lord to the prince whose stoic mask was in place yet again. "How did you like it?"
"That's it!"
Before Inuyasha could attack like he wanted to do, he was interrupted by the appearance of a guard, one that Sesshomaru recognized from before. The boy must be still in training if he was being used as a messenger.
"Lord Inuyasha! Prince Sesshomaru! Your friend, the taijiya, she asks for your company!" The young badger panted out, having probably run the way here. "She says it's a matter of importance!"
"Sango?" Inuyasha was asking, his interest caught as the woman never had any urgent need for his help. "What is it?"
"Well, she says Naraku has to be near." The badger told him, a bit confused, having no idea who this Naraku was. Who ever he was, it seemed to be of importance to the lord and prince, as they both seemed to stiffen and Sesshomaru seemed to be the slightest bit distraught. "She says she's found Kohaku!"
xoxoxoxox
Rin hummed to herself as she played in her room, her dolls set out in front of her as she laid stomach down on the floor, legs kicking in the air. She had been trying to get Shippo to join her, but the little fox hadn't been too playful lately. It was sad that Shippo wasn't himself and she had been a good sister and tried to make him feel better, but it hadn't really worked.
Her brown orbs glanced to where the kitsune sat curled up again, body shivering as if it was cold even though it was now summer. He was whimpering every now and then, and it was then she realized that he had fallen asleep. He had to be having nightmares.
She bit her lip in worry as she watched him, before she was jumping up as Shippo woke screaming and she hurried over to him. Without much thought, she was wrapping her arms around him, causing him to stop and look at her with teary jade-colored eyes.
"It's okay, Shippo-chan. Rin is here." The little girl told him in comfort, hugging him tighter. "I'll help you make the nightmares go away."
The fox demon could only nod with a whimper, before snuggling closer to the human girl.
"I want my okasan." He mumbled with a sniffle.
"I'm sorry, Shippo-chan." She said, already knowing the kit's mother died a long time ago. "Maybe we can find Chichiue. He can help us! Even Otousan, he can fight your nightmares away! Would you like that?"
Shippo nodded, smiling a bit as Rin beamed at him and stood to offer her hand. He took it in his and together the two headed out the door that led them to a hidden hallway and to the nursery. There they found Kaori cooing at Kazue, who was responding to her with baby babbles and laughter.
"Kaori-san!" Rin called for her attention as she pulled Shippo over to where the kitsune was seated. "Can we please go and see Chichiue? Shippo had another nightmare."
"Another?" She questioned, standing with Kazue in her arms, the demon pup still gurgling.
Shippo nodded his head, feeling a bit shameful that he was causing this much distress amongst the grown ups. Kaori only sighed before she was reaching out for Shippo's free hand and gently taking it to lead them off.
"Alright, then, but first how about we go and get some onigiri and tea? I'm sure a snack will make you feel better."
"Ooh! Rin wants dango!" The girl piped up, skipping as they left the room. "Ooh, and can we take some to Chichiue? He says he doesn't like it, but I know that he really does. Rin watches him eat it when he thinks no one is looking."
Kaori could only laugh at that, knowing the same secret as the young human. She too had witnessed the prince Sesshomaru eating dango on occasions when he thought himself alone. Her mood was broken as Shippo darted behind her suddenly, tiny claws clinging to her pant leg and face burying into the back of her leg with a whimper.
"Shippo, what's gotten into you?"
She was looking beside her as suddenly Rin was gripping her hand tightly, and she looked down to find the girl frowning at something ahead of them.
"These must be the prince's children."
At the female voice, Kaori turned to find herself in the presence of none other than the hebi-princess, the demon dressed in a light yukata of lavender and white. Her hair still donned its elaborate style, but her clothes were much more subdued. Yellow, reptilian eyes were looking over Rin, before they focused on Kazue, who was too busy chewing on his fist and paying attention to anything that caught his eye.
"How adorable." The princess cooed, beginning to walk closer. "How absolutely delectable."
She was stopped as Rin rushed forward and started to hit the demoness with a her small fists, Kaori watching in shock.
"You're a bad lady!" The little girl was shouting. "You tried to eat my brother!"
"Rin, that's enough!" Kaori was snapping, rushing forward and pulling her back with her free hand.
It took all of her strength not to snarl and claw the girl's face off, and the princess managed a smile that was forgiving enough.
"Oh please, no need to reprimand her. I understand her anger." Sakuya said before she was kneeling in front of Rin.
The young human girl was glaring, her chest panting in anger as she stared at the snake demon, wanting to hit her again.
"I did try to eat your brother, young one, that is true." Sakuya admitted, with a secret amount of enjoyment to see the small face scowl further and hear the fox whimper. "That was before I knew he was the prince's adopted son. I would never harm your chichiue's own and I offer you my apology. Do you accept?"
"No! I won't do it!"
"Rin!" She was scolded, Kaori looking to the princess and bowing her head in forgiveness. "My apologies, Sakuya-hime. She's just a bit emotional. I'm sure she'll accept your apology as soon as she's calmed down."
"Of course." Sakuya said, before nodding in parting. "I shall see you at supper, little one. And to the little kit, I wish to offer my sincerest apologies when he is ready to face me again."
Kaori nodded and then watched as Sakuya disappeared, before she was looking at Rin was was still glaring down the hall after the hebi-youkai.
"Rin, a lady never reacts in such a manner."
"I hate her!" The little girl shouted, Kaori never having seen this side of the human girl before. It was something to take a note of and a warning to be cautious around the snake demon. "I'll never want anything from her! She's a bad, bad woman and I don't want her in our home! I wish she would just go away!"
"Rin." Kaori had started to placate her, but the girl was running off soon after it. "Rin!"
She sighed before looking behind her as best as she could to where Shippo was peeping up at her.
"Come on, then." She said, resting her free hand on his head and beginning to guide them off. "I'll take you two to Lady Minako first, and then I'll go and find her."
Knowing Rin, she would probably hide out in the garden until she had calmed down, but it was best to find her before she could wander aimlessly about the castle. She didn't much trust the guests that were staying in the palace. So, she'd hand over her charges before going after her third.
xoxoxoxox
Sesshomaru tried his best to stay focused on the words that the young human boy was saying, but he was fighting off the sudden desire for bed rest and the roiling feeling of nausea that settled in his stomach. He had gotten himself sick with the thought that Naraku was nearby, proof of this with the appearance of the demon slayer's younger brother.
He had already revealed that he had woken up in the forest a mile or so outside of the palace walls with no idea of how he had gotten there or where he was. His memory seemed to have been erased, because when Sango had questioned him on what had happened to him during his stay with Naraku, he claimed he couldn't remember.
After that, Inuyasha had taken over the roll of interviewer, and the hanyou had gotten as far as the rest of them. Now they were listening to Kohaku telling how he had managed to be attacked by the rogue youkai, but he couldn't focus.
The older inukai sighed, before he was pushing the small plate of onigiri and grilled fish away from him. The smell wasn't helping his upset stomach at all. A hand rested on his shoulder, and he looked up to find his mate standing next to him.
"You okay?" The hanyou asked him, sitting next to him as his hand gently messaged the shoulder it rested on. "You look a bit out of it, not to mention you seem as if you're going to fall flat on your face if you try to stand."
"This Sesshomaru is fine." He lied through his teeth, not missing the look of doubt his mate sent him. "I am merely thinking on the events that have passed and how we must deal with them."
"Oh, is that all?" Inuyasha asked, knowing that Sesshomaru wasn't telling him the truth. "Well, I'll take care of it. You don't have to worry."
"Inuyasha."
He was looking to Sango who had called his name, watching as the slayer helped her brother stand and helped support him. She hadn't left his side since the hanyou had walked in to the room, and he was sure it would be that way for quite a while.
"I'd like to request that Kohaku share sleeping arrangements with me."
He only nodded, not like he was going to say no to that, before he was standing himself and looking to Kagome.
"Can you go with her?" He asked his friend, who seemed as happy as the slayer that the boy was back and in better shape than they had expected. "I'd like you to see about the shard that's embedded in him. Let me know what you find."
"Of course." Kagome agreed, jumping up from her seat and heading for Kohaku's other side. "But, I'll do that after he gets some sleep. I'll see you at supper."
Inuyasha nodded to her and then they were gone, leaving him, his mate, Miroku and Shirogitsune. The silver-fox sat with his eyes closed in contemplation, his arms crossed over his chest and white, bushy tail flicking slowly back and forth. Inuyasha hadn't noticed his tail before, and he had the urge to rip it off. He really didn't like this guy at all. It probably would have been better if the demon wasn't trying his damnedest to catch his mate's interest.
Miroku seemed to be thinking, too, but he was sitting with his hands gently resting over his knees, his staff laying across his lap. His violet eyes were staring at nothing in particular and his face was set in a serious frown. The monk hadn't reacted with much but a frown to Kohaku's return, and he had been silent the entire time they had spent questioning him. Inuyasha would think that he would be as happy as Sango, as the woman had finally gotten her brother back like she wanted. He had thought that seeing Sango happy would make Miroku happy in turn, but it would seem that wasn't the case.
"My lord." Shirogitsune called out, and Inuyasha wanted to ignore him, but thought better of it. "If I may be so bold as to state my opinion, I think it would be best to turn that young man away."
"Why the hell would I do that?" He demanded with a scowl.
"He is a servant of Naraku's is he not?" The fox questioned, and Inuyasha growled.
"He was." Inuyasha corrected.
"And who's to say that he still isn't?"
That question came from Miroku, and Inuyasha turned to glare at his friend, feeling a bit betrayed. It's not like he didn't have his own doubts, but he really didn't want to side with the kitsune.
"Inuyasha, Kohaku's return isn't something we should handle lightly." Miroku said as he stood, patting his clothes of non-existent dust. "It means that Naraku's up to something and we should keep our eyes open. You know, and I know, that Kohaku can and has been controlled by him. It's best we approach this with caution."
"My thoughts exactly, houshi-san." Shirogitsune said with a smirk. "A shame not to have such a fine mind on the council. Too bad humans aren't allowed to be bid in."
"Even if that were the case, I would have to decline the offer." Miroku said leaning on his staff with a smile. "I am one of the many voices of Buddha, I dare not stray from my task."
"I do not think Buddha taught lechery and how to demean women." Sesshomaru muttered under his breath, all but the human catching the words.
Shirogitsune chuckled and Inuyasha only scoffed, before he was looking back to Miroku, who seemed suspicious that he was being laughed at. He brushed it off and decided to get to the subject that was at hand.
"Gentlemen, I believe you can all agree when I say that something is afoot here." Miroku announced, Inuyasha grunting in agreement while Shirogitsune nodded.
Sesshomaru was now leaning forward with a hand pressed against his forehead, trying his best to think of what he could have eaten to have gotten him in such a state. He did not take ill so easily, so it could not be fever or flu, it had to be something else.
"Then we'll keep an eye out for Naraku." Inuyasha announced, looking to the silver-colored fox soon after. "The only member you let in on this is Kuma, you understand. He's the only one that I can trust."
"Do you not trust me, my lord?" The fox asked, chuckling when he received a growl in response.
"Of course not, you bastard!" Inuyasha snapped at him. "You may not be as devious as those damned snakes, but I could never fully trust a fox like you."
"Ah, I see." The council member said, before looking to his dear love interest. "My prince, you do seem to look very ill. Should I send for a healer? Perhaps you would chance something with more substance, such as the meat our lord was so gracious to catch for us?"
"Please, no!" He rushed out unexpectedly, shocking himself as well as the other three. The sudden thought of bloody and raw meat made his stomach feel worse. He cleared his throat to right himself, before he was trying to rectify his outburst. "What I mean is, I wish not to spoil the feast that is being prepared in honor of our guests and my mother's return. I am fine, Shirogitsune. Thank you, for your concern."
He stood then, not missing the calculating way that his mate was staring at him, and nodded to Miroku before looking to Inuyasha.
"I'll return to my son for the time being. Until tonight, my lord."
"Yeah, alright." Was all Inuyasha said, before watching his mate leave the room.
The was something fishy going on with him, and he wanted to find out what. That would wait though until after the much larger problems were dealt with.
"I'll take my leave as well, Lord Inuyasha." Shirogitsune said as he stood and then bowed to the Daiyoukai. "Kuma will hear word of this and I will be sure he knows to keep things to himself."
Inuyasha glared, but he nodded all the same and then the fox was gone, leaving the two friends behind. Miroku was chuckling once they were alone, and Inuyasha did nothing but frown at him.
"You really don't like him, do you?" The monk asked him, walking closer to where Inuyasha sat.
"Damned right I don't!" Inuyasha spouted as Miroku joined him by sitting beside him. "Who does he think he is? Bastard's always after Sesshomaru and he told me to my face that he'd betray me in a heartbeat."
"I see, but, still he seems to be the only council member who has been playing an active role in all of this." The monk pointed out.
"Maybe he's plotting something, too."
"Maybe, but I'm sure that you'll come to realize that he's just pushing your buttons. I may not know many youkai, but kitsune are one of the worst when it comes to teasing and mind games."
"Feh!"
Miroku stood, and Inuyasha followed, the two exiting the room and aimlessly starting to wander the halls. Inuyasha sighed as they turned the first corner, before he was lifting his arms behind his head, his eyes closing momentarily.
"What I'd give to go back to traveling around for jewel shards." Inuyasha said, eyes opening to glare at nothing in particular. "I'd take fighting off rogue youkai and camping under the stars than this any day."
"Well, this is your responsibility now. And I'm sure when you're ready, you'll be able to return hunting down the rest of the shards."
"Yeah, I guess. Do you think Sesshomaru would agree to that?"
Miroku smirked at that, before he was merely offering a shrug.
"Are you saying you need his permission?" The houshi teased.
"I can do what I want! I'm just curious!" Inuyasha burst out. "I mean, I might as well. If this is what I get now for getting him angry, I can't imagine what he'll do if that upsets him."
"Come on." Miroku said, guiding him to a tea room. "How about we share a bottle of sake?"
Inuyasha cringed at the memory of pain and unsatisfied urges at the four-lettered word, and he wanted to stay as far away from that devilish drink as he could.
"No thanks, I'll stick to tea."
xoxoxoxox
Sesshomaru made it back to his room to find Minako occupied with changing a fussing Kazue, the old monkey mostly through with the task. Shippo was seated at the lower table on the opposite end of the room, his ink brush carefully tracing out the symbols that wrote out his name. He was shocked to see that both Kaori and Rin were gone, but he figured that the nursemaid had taken the human girl to entertain her separately.
"Good, you're back." Minako said, as she finished changing the baby demon. "Have you eaten?"
"No." He answered, the thought of food making him ill again. "I haven't been hungry."
"Well, your son is. I suggest you feed him."
As Minako shuffled forward, he went to meet her, his mood brightening as he took his son into his arms. He had a short moment of cooing to his first born before he caught himself, trying his best to ignore Minako's smirk. He took a seat on a cushioned chair, before he was arrange himself and his son so that he could feed him. Soon enough Kazue was happily suckling and Sesshomaru was bracing himself for whenever the boy chose to bite down.
"How are you feeling?" Came the midwife's sudden question and Sesshomaru wasn't sure how he was to answer that.
"I'm not sure by what you mean." He admitted, and the saru rolled her eyes as she slowly went about tidying things.
"I mean how are you feeling." She told him easily enough, gently patting Shippo's head as she passed the young fox. "I've heard from your nursemaid that you refuse to eat and you've been sick these past few early dawns."
"I'm overwhelmed by the circumstances." Sesshomaru admitted, much easier than she had expected him to. "I fear it is taking a toll on my health."
"I'll send for a healer then." Minako said with a frown. She thought for a moment before deciding to give in to her growing curiosity. "You've been sleeping well?"
"Nightmares have prevented a good night's sleep." He answered her.
"How's your head?"
"A slight ache." Sesshomaru answered, a bit confused.
"Your chest?"
"Sore, a bit more than usual."
"Worried still?"
"What?" Sesshomaru asked, wincing a bit as teeth clamped down on him. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you still worried about him having knotted?"
Sesshomaru stopped for a moment, automatically handling his son so that he was lifting the young pup to burp him. The saru had said that there was nothing to worry about, but now she was bombarding him with questions. What was going on?
"Should I be?" He questioned her, the monkey lowering into a chair. "Can he impregnate me so soon?"
"Answer me this, how early did you have your heat? What I mean is, when did it first start so that you suppressed it?"
"In the late winter, I suppose. Spring had yet to hit."
"So you were unable to suppress it any longer when willing males were going into rut." Minako murmured aloud, her hand rubbing her chin. "That would be a month before mating season, but you first came into heat some months prior to mating season. If you were to fall into heat early again. . . "
Her muttering softened as she calculated in her head, and Sesshomaru waited impatiently though he didn't show it. Finally, after several long minutes, Minako snapped in a sign that she had figured out whatever she had been thinking about.
"Well, I suppose I can answer your question now." She said with a smile.
The inu-prince wasn't sure what that smile meant, but he wasn't so sure if he should trust it. What could she possibly have to smile about?
"My prince, no need to worry if Lord Inuyasha shall impregnate you." Sesshomaru listened carefully, watching as Minako's smile grew larger and he wasn't sure why. "For you see, he already has."
T.B.C.
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