AfterShock

A/N: I apologize for the late and short chapter. Please forgive me.
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Sesshomaru stood outside Sephiroth's new apartment trying to calm his racing heart. He felt like a randy teenager on his first date.

Mentally berating himself, he reached up and knocked. Thunderous steps rushed to the door moments before the wooden portal swung open to reveal three boys glaring holes in him.

"Bout damn time." Kadaj barked as he turned away, "He's here can we eat?"

Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow as he stepped into the apartment and Sephiroth came around the corner from the kitchen, "Quit pestering. It's not ready."

"Come on." Kadaj whined as he dropped onto the sofa. "We're starving."

Sesshomaru chuckled as Sephiroth rolled his eyes. Taking off his suit jacket, Sesshomaru laid it on the back of a nearby chair.

"So how did your day go?" Sephiroth asked as he led Sesshomaru into the kitchen.

One simple question and Sesshomaru's heart melted. Seeing Sephiroth bare foot in the kitchen cooking, then hearing him ask about his day. It was something he always dreamed about but never expected. Sephiroth turned back to him, then frowned, "What?"

Sesshomaru shook his head then said, "My day was productive. I nearly finished the mountain of paperwork that was waiting for me."

"Was it really that bad?" Sephiroth asked as he turned back to the stove to stir something that smelled heavenly.

"More than. The rest is waiting for me at home."

Sephiroth looked over his shoulder, "You don't take the weekends off?"

"I do, when the work load is unimportant and minimal." Leaning against the counter Sesshomaru watched Sephiroth move around the kitchen. Last night he had asked Inuyasha to stock the apartment with food so the brothers would not have to leave for any reason. It seemed he had made the right choice. "You seem to have adjusted well to your new surroundings."

Sephiroth let out a breathy laugh, "Well, whomever you had stock the shelves seemed to know how I like to set up my kitchen. I'm assuming it was Inuyasha."

"You would be correct. For a childish hanyo he has a good eye," Sesshomaru said, "He's just no good with money."

Sephiroth chuckled, "It is a youthful trait I'm afraid."

They chatted lightly as Sephiroth finished preparing their meal, then set the food on the table. Dinner was wonderful, and the triplets practically inhaled all the food on the table. After the delicious meal they moved to the livingroom sofa to watch a T.V. program the boys had insisted on watching.

Sesshomaru sat beside Sephiroth playing with the man's long silver hair as he watched the ridiculousness of medieval men and women vying for the power of the King's throne. Looking down at his watch, he let out a light sigh. "Are you bored?"

Sesshomaru turned to gaze into Sephiroth's eyes, "That is unlikely while I am in your presence."

He heard Kadaj let out a nasty snort and smiled, "However, the time has come for me to leave."

He watched Sephiroth's eyes turn slightly sad, "Do you really have to go?"

"I was joking with you earlier." Kadaj said quietly. "If you really want to stay it's okay with us."

"I thank you, but I need to check on Inuyasha and the club, then go home to finish the last of the work waiting for me." Sesshomaru said as he brushed a lock of Sephiroth's hair behind his ear, "As much as I wish to stay, I cannot."

Standing, Sesshomaru turned to Kadaj, "Besides, it will give you more time to have your brother all to yourselves."

Sephiroth followed Sesshomaru to the door and stood there wanting to beg his demon to stay, but he understood what Sesshomaru was doing. His brothers needed him, and his demon was giving them the time they deserved. As Sesshomaru walked through the door, Sephiroth grabbed his arm.

Sesshomaru turned when Sephiroth stopped him to question the man's actions, but his words were cut short as Sephiroth's soft mouth met his. The kiss was quick but so full of meaning. As Sephiroth pulled away, Sesshomaru caressed his cheek, "I shall see you tomorrow." Turning he continued on his way.

Sephiroth watched his demon go with a smile on his face. "Until tomorrow."

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Inuyasha stood at the bar counter waiting for everyone to arrive before opening the doors to the Aftershock. The band members walked through the door and Inuyasha's eyes immediately went to Gojyo. The guitarist walked up to the counter and slid onto the stool, "What's the chances of me getting a drink before opening?"

"Whatcha wanting?" Inuyasha asked, eyes glued on the thick black leather collar wrapped around the man's neck. Dangling off one of the metal rings of the buckle was a small silver lock.

Gojyo smiled when he saw the question in the hanyo's eyes. Reaching up he flicked the lock, "I'd say my date went well."

Amber eyes shot to his then out to where Carmen was chatting with the girls. To say Inuyasha was shocked was an understatement, it had been talked about but he had never believed it. Sure Carmen was a flirtatious woman but she had yet to take anyone seriously. All of her dates never went past the first, and now Gojyo sat there clearly marked by the woman. Inuyasha couldn't speak as Miroku came up to his side, what could he say? Didn't know you were a sub? Ya, That would go over....

"Nice collar Gojyo. Never though you'd submit to Carmen." Inuyasha's jaw dropped as he shot a surprised look at Miroku. "Don't get me wrong, I just took you as a player."

A blush crossed Gojyo's cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Ya well, Maybe it's time for a change." He whispered as he looked over his shoulder.

Inuyasha looked over to Carmen just now noticing how relaxed and happy she seemed to be. The door to the club opened and his older brother walked in. Reaching up, Inuyasha pulled his cell phone off the counter and pocketed it. A few hours ago he had received a message from his father asked him to keep his mouth shut. Now he wondered if he should. His half-brothers had a right to know. He watched Sesshomaru start to walk past but when his eyes landed on Gojyo's collar he stopped dead in his tracks. A sinister smile crossed his face as meet Gojyo's eyes. Surely he wouldn't.

"Carmen." He shouted as he turned to their waitress. It appeared that yes he would. Inuyasha went to jump over the counter to stop the impossible, but it would seem time was not on his side this day. "Is your new pet a least housebroken?"

She turned a bright cherry red as Gojyo jumped to his feet growling.

"He seems to need more training. Growling at strangers could get him put down."

Gojyo grabbed Sesshomaru's shirt and yanked him close, "Listen here dog bastard, you will stop..."

But his words were cut off with a yelp as Carmen grabbed him by the ear. "I would very much appreciate it if you would please not antagonize him. I'm sure if he bites it is well deserved."

Sesshomaru laughed loudly, startling everyone in the bar. "As long as you're happy I can handle his weak attempts at my person."

Carmen's eyes lit up at Sesshomaru's acceptance, then he looked back at Gojyo, "Bite your master and I will put you down."

Gojyo bristled but nodded.

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Zaraki opened the door to the apartment. Stepping in he looked around at the baron void that remained of Sephiroth's home. He wondered room to room his heart hurting from every empty wall, every bare floor. It was official, his ex-lover now belonged to the dog demon.

"The man who lived here was special to you."

Zaraki turned to look at Sara. Though she was blind she could still see into the heart of a situation, could read everything around her.

"His name is Sephiroth." Zaraki said, turning away from her and going to the window, "I did love him, but I viewed it as a weakness and pushed him away."

"Now you regret it?"

He chuckled lightly, "I have always regretted it. I just never wanted to admit it." Walking towards the door he added, "Nor did I want to admit love could give you strength. I was a coward."

Sara bowed her head slightly as she listened to him leave the apartment. She smiled as she started towards the door. It seemed her dear friend was right about Kenpachi Zaraki. He was a fool, but one who deserved a chance at life. She decided she would become a permanent fixture as his guard. Maybe that would make her husband happy. If she was a guard she wouldn't take assassination missions anymore. Well, at least not long ones.

With a gentle smile still on her face she made a mental note to give her contractor a call to announce her full retirement and to cancel the contract on Zaraki's life. He would not be pleased but she didn't care. It wasn't like he had anyone who could hold a flame to her skill.

When a slight chuckle left her lips she heard Zaraki stop, knowing he had turned to look at her in question, she shook her head, "Just a thought, sir. Nothing to worry over."

He let out a small grunt then continued down the hall. Zaraki didn't know it yet, but due to her decision many of the contractors in the assassination business would now deny any attempt at an assassination contract for Zaraki's life. Only the strays would do so, and they would fall at her feet in their ignorance.

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Sephiroth lay on his bed staring out the large window. He already missed Sesshomaru but he understood why his demon wouldn't stay. It was nice to have his brothers safe, in a place he wouldn't be worrying about them. They still refused to open up about what they had endured, but he knew one day the would. When he had seen them yesterday he had been so surprised by their presence that he didn't really take a good look at them. Sure he noticed they were all thin but he didn't fully realize the extent of what they had become. Now that the desperation of the situation was over and without the distraction of a certain demon lord, Sephiroth saw them.

To say they were thin was a severe understatement, but it was the aged look in their eyes that broke his heart. Physical damages could be mended or erased all together but what ever mental trauma they had experienced would haunt them for the rest of their lives. It would be worse if they didn't open up about it. Yazoo looked to be hit the hardest physically but it was Kadaj who bore the largest amount of internal scares. Sephiroth could see it in his eyes, there was a darkness there that could become self destructive. He prayed his brother would come around soon.

"Brother." A voice called quietly from the door. Leaning up he saw Kadaj standing in the darkened doorway. "I can't sleep."

Sephiroth smiled, he hadn't felt such a strong surge of protectiveness in so very long. His mind brought back the memories of when the boys were very young, standing in the doorway crying because they were scared of the dark. Sephiroth raised the covers and Kadaj bolted across the room to dive under them. His brother wrapped himself around Sephiroth almost as if to crawl under his skin. His smaller body trembled as Sephiroth stroked his back. Shhh, he voiced softly in the quiet of the room, "It will be alright."

A light noise brought his attention to the door where Yazoo and Loz stood. Raising his arm, Sephiroth waved them in. They crowded his bed but he didn't mind. He held them like he did when they were small, kissing the tops of their heads. He remained there, holding them until their breathing evened out, sleep finally dragging his brothers into it's comforting embrace.

He lay there gently stroking their heads realizing now how much he missed them. When he had started dating Zaraki, his boyfriend had demanded so much of his time and his brothers had pulled away, especially Kadaj. Before long his little brother had become hateful, doing things he knew would have severe consequences, but Kadaj didn't care. He would just inform his heartbroken older brother to 'fuck off,' or 'take care of it yourself.'

Then when he came home after the nightmare at Zaraki's the last day they were together, Kadaj had been furious, calling him all kinds of horrible names. It didn't take Sephiroth long to realize it was fueled by fear. Fear over what he had done and what was about to happen to them. Now he had them back, he knew Kadaj probably blamed himself, but Sephiroth was just the same. Had he never dated Zaraki, never meet the man, all of this would not have happened. Kadaj would not have rebelled, Itachi would not have gotten his twisted hands on his brothers or made his life a living hell. Closing his eyes he pushed the self blame and internally directed hatred away. He couldn't change the past but he damn well could make their future better.

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It was in the early hours of the morning, the sun still down, when Kimimaro began to stir. Inutaicho stood at the door to the balcony when he heard the light sounds of Kimimaro's breathing patterns change. He didn't regret what happened, he couldn't, but he still felt shame from his lack of control over his demonic urges.

"My lord?" Kimimaro's soft husky voice called out. Inutaicho approached the bed and placed his hand on Kimimaro's back, keeping him down.

"You should rest."

"I suddenly felt lonely." Kimimaro whispered as his eyes struggled to stay open.

"I'm not leaving." He said as he brushed Kimimaro's hair behind his ear, "Now sleep. You need to heal."

A smile graced Kimimaro's lips as he reached out, "I'm fine my lord."

Inutaicho gritted his teeth, feeling a sudden rush of anger, "No, you're not!" He hissed through his teeth.

Kimimaro's mind had been shrouded in a thick haze until that moment, but those low, anger tinged words dragged him to complete alertness, "Do you regret..." But clawed fingers covered his mouth.

"No." His lord's answer was quick, but sharp. Kimimaro searched Lord Inutaicho's amber eyes, seeing he was speaking the truth.

"Than what troubles you?" He asked as he rolled onto his back then hissed from the tenderness in his body.

Lord Inutaicho lifted his arm from the bed and ran his fingers along it's surface lightly. Tracing every scratch, every bite, every bruise, "You are so young. Had I been more of a noble demon, I would have waited. I hurt you and I am so very sorry for that, but I will not regret making you mine."

Kimimaro reached up and placed his hand on his lords cheek, "My Lord."

Lord Inutaicho shook his head, "I am no longer your lord, Kimimaro. I am your mate. Call me that or by my name, but never call me lord again."

"My mate, " Kimimaro said quietly, "You warned me about would happen and I agreed knowing I could very easily be killed from your passion. Do not regret what happened or feel sad over my injuries. They are dear to me as you are."

"Kimi." Inutaicho whispered, "I do not deserve you."

Kimimaro let a smile cross his face, "Perhaps not, but you have me none the less."

Inutaicho chuckled, "Sleep my love. Let your body heal."

"Only if you join me."

Inutaicho crawled into the bed with Kimimaro and wrapped his arms around his mate. Pulling Kimimaro into the cradle of his body, Inutaicho buried his nose in the man's hair. He sent a silent prayer to the heavens, thanking them for the man in his arms.

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A/N: Not my best work but not my worst either. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for reading. :)