AfterShock

Inutaicho walked from his office with Kimimaro. He didn't want to go home and have this discussion with his wife. After everything she went through in their past, Inutaicho almost felt ashamed. Not of Kimimaro, but because he had something that would forever be denied to his wife. A Mate.

Sadness washed over him over the horrible act his father had committed centuries ago. Their betrothal had been announced and had been in effect since they were very young. Then, the dark day arrived. A young demon had come forward to challenge the marriage contract. Enraged by the demon's audacity, his father had the challenger destroyed.

It was found out later that the demon was his betrothal's intended mate. The young demon had not marked her out of respect for the demon laws and the contract between them.

Furious over his father's actions the demon elders ordered his father's execution and dissolved the betrothal. His wife had went before the elders, stating that it was not Inutaicho's fault and that if the elders would agree, she would still like to merry him.

He could never forget that day, the day this woman had stood up for his character and tied herself to a demon that could never love her with the whole of his heart.

Thought they had an unstable relationship, Inutaicho was proud of the demon she was, and of the mother she had become for his children. She was loyal, and he respected her for it. His only prayer now was that his mating with Kimimaro would not destroy her. Shutting his office door, Inutaicho turned to Kimimaro and smiled. If all went well, maybe his wife and Kimimaro would develop into friends, even if he didn't hold to much hope for such a thing.

Just as Inutaicho was about to exit the Yokai den, Shikamaru came through the door.

"Shikamaru." Inutaicho said in greeting.

"We need to talk." Shikamaru said bluntly as he passed by, "And the available members in the den need to hear this too."

Inutaicho was about to chastise the shadow ninja but the ridged way his body was moving pulled him up short. "Very well Shikamaru."

His wife would have to wait for a few moments longer.

Inutaicho sat at the head of the table as the present Yokai members took their own chairs. His eyes were on Shikamaru as everyone filed into the room. He appeared calm, but the way he was biting on his unlit cigarette belied his tension.

As the last person sat, Shikamaru pushed away from the wall. "I have already briefed Lord Inutaicho on the information from General Kurosaki, but the rest of you may not know. Recently there has been some unrest in the Akatsuki. Itachi, Kenpachi Zaraki's right-hand man, was recently demoted. Since his fall from his position, Itachi has disappeared with a great many of the Akatsuki loyal to him. There have been many assassination attempts on Zaraki by members of the assassin guild."

Shikamaru paced the room, "Since hearing this I have hunted down Itachi. When I found his hiding place, what I saw gives me great concern. Kagetoki Kariya was meeting with Itachi in person."

Inutaicho frowned. "If Kariya has personally come to Itachi..."

Shikamaru nodded, "Itachi has friends in some dangerous places. It is my belief that he will not stop with Zaraki's death."

"I understand." Inutaicho said looking around the room, "I want men watching over my boys, my wife, Sephiroth, and Zaraki. If Itachi plans to make such a bold move, none are safe from his wrath, even our enemies."

"I agree." Shikamaru said with a nod, "I will watch over your wife with half of the men present. Mugen is watching over Inuyasha, I would send more men, but the idiot would take serious offense to the action."

Inutaicho smirked, "I'm not to concerned with Inuyasha. I'll place a call. He will have plenty of manpower to protect him and non will be wiser."

"Very well. Kiba, I want you and your family to keep close to Sesshomaru. Your family will be less likely to expose yourselves to his demon senses." The dark haired man with red tattoo's on his cheeks nodded. Shikamaru turned to Inutaicho with a frown, "Lord Inutaicho, I request Kimimaro watch over Zaraki. With his stealth, he should be able to stay close to Zaraki without his bodyguards attention. And should the assassin Kariya sends be too much, Kimimaro can help dispose of them."

Inutaicho could see the uncertainty in Shikamaru's eyes. True his first instinct came from his bond with Kimimaro, the need to smash Shikamaru in the face for even suggesting such a thing rode him hard, but his rational mind agreed with Shikamaru. Keeping his mouth shut to hold back his words of denial, Inutaicho nodded his acceptance.

"Thank you." Shikamaru said with a nod, "I believe we should also begin measures to take Itachi down. He has become a risk we can not have hiding in our city."

Sitting back with another nod of approval, Inutaicho listened to the different inputs from around the table. Itachi had definitely became a threat to the stability of the city.

*******

Sesshomaru dropped Sephiroth and the boys off at their apartment with the promise he would be back later. He just had a feeling he needed to see his brother, and he never denied those feelings. Through their lives when he felt this way it usually meant his brother was in danger. Many times it had saved Inuyasha's life, but others....

Today was no different. Sesshomaru opened the door to Inuyasha's home only to walk into the biggest shock of his life.

"Damn it Miroku, I can't hide it from him forever. Why hasn't father told Sesshomaru yet? Why leave him in the dark?"

Sesshomaru froze in the entryway as Miroku answered. "I'm sure Lord Inutaicho has his reasons, love. You can not say anything."

"But they are my brothers too. I want to get to know them as such, not leave everyone without knowing we are all related. Even if I don't have my mother anymore, I have my father and Sesshomaru. They shouldn't have to feel alone in this world."

Sesshomaru felt true anger as he stormed into the room. Inuyasha whirled around, the surprise on his face quickly turned to fear, "Brother."

"Who?" Sesshomaru snarled as Inuyasha stepped back. "Who?!"

Inuyasha jerked at his brother's shout. Shaking inside, he pulled in his fear and raised his head. Straightening his back, he said, "Sephiroth's brothers."

*******

Inutaicho parked his car in the garage of his home, turning his head towards the door, he hesitated getting out of his car. He knew as soon as he walked through that door, his wife's heart would be forever crushed. There may be no love between them, but it would be what he now held that would torment her.

Sighing he exited his car, walked to the door and stepped inside his home. As he walked to the center of the entry hall, he looked up. She stood at the foot of the stairs, fury in her eyes. "So you finally decide to come home."

Stepping closer, Inutaicho watched as her eyes become confused from his hesitant actions. He waited for the moment when she would smell it, the moment when she would know. The moment didn't come, fate seemed to be enjoying her time tormenting him.

A thunderous bang sounded from the adjacent room. Turning he saw his eldest son enter the room, fury radiating from him in an intense demonic aura.

"Sesshomaru..."

"How dare you keep this from me, from everyone!" He shouted.

Sesshomaru's mind was a maelstrom of fury, "What right did you have to deny me the knowledge that they were my brothers!"

Bones began crackling, starting to change in his unyielding anger.

"Brothers? What brothers?" And just like that all his anger dissipated. Sesshomaru turned to his mother, her confused expression shifting from him to his father. Surely he had heard wrong. When he had come in his fathers face was full of guilt, like he had just spilled his soul to his mother. Was that not what his father just confessed to?

"Husband, what does he mean by brothers?"

Inutaicho let out a hiss. His son really had piss pour timing. Turning to his wife, he gave a sheepish half smile, "I can explain."

His wife crossed her arms and gave him a look that was between 'go on' and 'highly unlikely.'

"Do you remember Lady Jenova?" He asked her.

"Yes. Her passing was very tragic for many charities."

"Yes it was." He could see her fingers tapping on her arm in irritation.

"So, she is the mother. What that doesn't explain is the fact you have hidden their existence. You were quick to flaunt the hanyo you pupped that human with. Why hide it this time?"

Inutaicho felt irritated by his wife's callous words about Inuyasha. He knew her distaste for Inuyasha had nothing to do with his half human blood, nor was it over the glaring fact he had an affair with Izayoi. Sparing a quick glance at Sesshomaru, Inutaicho did his best to keep the bite out of his words, "I honestly did not know they existed until a few weeks ago. Jenova was in a coma in the hospital from an assassin's attack. Her son chose to have the children, triplet boys, taken by cesarean when her vitals began to turn for the worse. I believe the boy never knew who the father was."

Sesshomaru couldn't help the shocked feelings churning in his gut, "No, Sephiroth never knew."

His mother turned her piercing eyes on him, then turned back to his father. "This is the second time you have broken your pledge to me, the second time you have pupped another woman."

Sesshomaru looked between his parents, suddenly uncomfortable with being here for this conversation.

Inutaicho looked at his wife with hollow eyes. It was true he had gone against his word, had desecrated his wife's years of faithfulness. Clinching his fist tight he proceeded with what he had originally came here to talk about. Knowing it would be another blow to his wife's pride. "I can assure you, my wife, no other woman will bare another child of mine."

She gave a very inelegant snort at his statement, and could he blame her for her disbelief of his word.

"Just what makes you think I could trust your word when your seed has found its way into two other women. What is to say...." Her words stilled in her mouth and her eyes widened, "You have found a mate."

As he nodded, Inutaicho watched her face contort with a mixture of fury and agony. "Than that means she will be the future mother of your children!"

She began walking towards him, venomous words spewing form her mouth until she stood before him. Raising her hand as if to slap him, she froze. A light of recognition shown in her eyes as she looked into his. Dropping her hand, she asked, "Why can your mate not bare your children?"

Inutaicho saw the exact moment she figured it out.

"Your mate is male." She whispered. When he nodded she gasped, "Than you can no longer sire children."

With a smile uncharacteristically gentile for him, Inutaicho reached up and cupped his wife's cheek, "You are forgetting what age we live in. Humans are very ingenious in their pursuit of advancement. Just imagine what they will be able to do in the future. All this has done is make sure, from this day on, you will be the only female to bare my children. That is if you still wish to remain my wife. The decision is all yours to make."

His wife nodded her head, "As long as your mate is agreeable to us remaining husband and wife, I would be honored to continue to be the mother to your children. I do hope that the humans come up with better technology for impregnation."

"Oh God," They both turned stunned eyes on their son, "I do not want to hear about... Gross..."

Inutaicho chuckled at the horrified look on his son's face. It was the first time in so many years that his son had acted childish.

"Well not that this situation has been cleared up, is there anymore news you need to tell me?" His wife asked while soothing out imaginary wrinkles in her dress. His wife always found a way to surprise him with her strength of character. For her to quickly assimilate the news dropped on her shoulders today and still be able to act like nothing had happened was one of her best qualities.

"No. Those were the only surprises I had."

"Good. I wish to meet your mate so that I may pay my condolences. Being mated to you will most likely be a test of astronomical proportions."

Inutaicho was about to give her a snarky remark when she turned her gaze upon their son. "And you will bring this new love interest of yours."

Sesshomaru felt shock roll through his body like a tidal wave leveling and entire city. He couldn't even come up with words to respond.

"Oh come now Sesshomaru. Do you really believe you could keep this from your mother. You will bring him over tomorrow for dinner."

Sighing, Sesshomaru nodded. There really was no use in arguing with her.

"I wish I could have my mate join us, but a situation has presented itself and he is on an important assignment."

She turned her eyes on Inutaicho, "He is a Yokai member. Do I know him?"

Inutaicho nodded, "Kimimaro."

She gave a sharp nod, "I remember him. He has such age lurking in his young eyes. I expect when things are calm you will let me know. There is much Kimimaro and I must talk about."

*******

Sephiroth was shutting the blinds and turning out the lights when his phone vibrated. Picking up he smiled. "You have been gone longer than you promised."

The soft chuckle coming through the speaker quickened his blood. Would Sesshomaru's voice always do this to his body? God, he hoped these feelings were permanent. "I do not get a proper greeting?"

Sephiroth smiled, "Not when you fail to keep your promise with out an early explanation," When the phone went quiet Sephiroth frowned. Did he hang up? "Sesshomaru?"

"I'm still here." Sephiroth heard the stress in the demon lords voice.

"Did something happen?"

"No Inuyasha is fine." Sephiroth frown deepened as Sesshomaru went quiet again, then there was a heavy sigh, "I went to my parent's home after I checked on my brother, and it would seem things have become complicated."

"Than this is not a conversation for the phone," Sephiroth broke in, "I expect you here in ten minutes to explain this a little better."

Sesshomaru laughed, "I'll be there in less than thirty seconds."

Sure enough there was a quiet rapping on the door. Opening it, Sephiroth pressed the end button and gave the handsome demon an annoyed look. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at his boyfriends obvious irritation, than a smile spread across his face as he took in Sephiroth's night pants and shirt. If he had his way, they wouldn't make it far into the apartment before he claimed the delicious body hiding from his eyes, but Sephiroth turned from him.

Sesshomaru followed Sephiroth into the kitchen as he finished cleaning up and shutting everything down for the night, "Are the boys asleep?"

Sephiroth closed the window in the kitchen as he nodded his head. Taking a step back, he collided with Sesshomaru's body as strong arms snaked around his waist. Sesshomaru took that moment of surprise to bury his nose in the junction of Sephiroth's shoulder and neck. Sesshomaru took a deep breath to allow Sephiroth's unique scent to calm him. "My father has found a mate and my mother took it hard." Sesshomaru whispered into Sephiroth's hair. He knew he couldn't tell the man everything that occurred at his parents home, at least he couldn't rate now. How would he say it? My father sired your brothers, our brothers, and he has known this whole time. It just sounded so crazy. He knew he needed to tell him eventually, but not now. Not while it was still such a fresh shock to his own system.

Sephiroth frowned at his lovers statement, "I don't understand. If he is wed to your mother,"

"Their marriage is complicated. Essentially it is a marriage of convenience. They do not love each other. That being said, all demons have a person that they mate with, a soul mate would be the most common phrase." Sesshomaru said as he nuzzled Sephiroth's hair drawing a shiver from the man, "My mother and father are not mates."

"I suppose that would be upsetting to find out. That your husband had found their soul mate."

"Actually the mating part didn't bother her," Sesshomaru bit back a chuckle when Sephiroth gave him a confused look over his shoulder, "My mother was upset over what her place would be. You see, it is not unusual for a demon to have multiple spouses before they find their mate. Once found, the wives are under the mate's rule. If the mate does not want the wife around, they dispose of them."

Sephiroth's body tensed, "As in kill them?"

"Sometimes, but it has been nearly seven hundred years since that has happened. Usually the mate sends them far away, effectively banishing the wife to another country for the rest of their lives."

"What do you believe will happen?"

"If I know Kimimaro, I believe my mother is fine. He is only interested in what my father wants."

"Did you just say Kimimaro" Sephiroth asked, turning as far as Sesshomaru would allow.

"Yes." Sesshomaru said as he squeezed Sephiroth tighter.

Sephiroth could only stare into Sesshomaru's eyes, trying to see the lie but only seeing sincerity. He had never heard of two demon males being bonded, could such a thing be possible? Could they.....

"My mother has also heard of you and has demanded your presence tomorrow for an early dinner."

"Is she really ready for such a visit after what happened?" Sephiroth asked, feeling a bit of apprehension over meeting Sesshomaru's mother.

"She is a very strong willed demon," Sesshomaru's hand caressed his cheek so very lightly, almost hesitantly, "Will you come to my parents home, or do you wish to stay away from them? I wouldn't want you exposed to that den of vipers."

Sephiroth let out a snort, "I'm not afraid to meet your parents. Perhaps you are afraid they might tell me all of your embracing childhood secrets."

"Than you want to go?"

Sephiroth nodded as Sesshomaru pulled his face closer. Sesshomaru claimed Sephiroth's lips, unconcerned with his brothers sleeping down the hall.

Sephiroth tried to turn in Sesshomaru's arms but the demon's grip prevented much movement. He tried again, adding a little more force, but Sesshomaru's growl warned him that his lover did not want him to move. One of Sesshomaru's hands found the hem of his shirt and slid beneath the material. A groan escaped his mouth as nails raked his stomach on the way up his body. Sephiroth wrapped an arm around Sesshomaru's neck as the demon devoured his mouth. Sephiroth's body jolted when Sesshomaru's other hand drove into his pants to wrap around his wakening member. Releasing Sesshomaru's mouth, Sephiroth's head dropped onto his lover's shoulder while his free hand wrapped around the demons wrist. He could feel Sesshomaru's arousal pressing into him from behind and he was quickly loosing sanity as his demon's moves became more aggressive. He suddenly found himself pushed flat on the counter with Sesshomaru's hand pressed firmly down on his back between his shoulder blades. Panting, he turned as far as the position allowed to look at Sesshomaru. The demon's head was tilted back as he ground into Sephiroth's ass, the muscles in his jaw and throat were tight as Sesshomaru stroked him. Red eyes opened and pined him with a hard look. Commanding him to stay still.

Sesshomaru fought down his powerful demon urges as he caressed Sephiroth's body. It was getting harder to control himself and he knew he needed to tell Sephiroth soon what the silver haired man was to him. What he wanted.

Gaining some semblance of control, Sesshomaru pulled Sephiroth's pants down, exposing the man's firm backside. Grabbing a handful of Sephiroth's hair, Sesshomaru growled in warning as he dropped to his knees and licked the man's entrance.

Sephiroth ground his teeth together to chock back the startled cry Sesshomaru tried to wring from him. His demon seemed hell bent on driving him to insanity. A clicking sound from a door broke his lust addled state. He began to warn his demon, but a hand covered his mouth, jerking him upright against Sesshomaru's chest as a low sound vibrated through him. He wrapped his hand around Sesshomaru's wrist, trying to pull the hand from his mouth, but Sesshomaru would not relent.

He felt Sesshomaru's member pushing against him, demanding entrance. Sephiroth wanted to deny him, but his treacherous body acted on its own, pushing back on the demon's thick cock. The head of Sesshomaru's member popped through the pitiful resistance of his body as the flushing sound of the toilet down the hall reached his ears. The demon slid home in one hard thrust, drawing a muffled whimper from Sephiroth. He was shaking from the desire drowning him, from the fear of his brother catching them. Sesshomaru's pace was steady as he drove into him with hard, bruising thrusts. Tears formed in Sephiroth's eyes from the intensity of the moment. It was all he could do to keep standing as his lover took him savagely.

The click of his brother's door sounded like a gunshot in the quiet apartment, almost like a starting pistol at the beginning of a race, and a signal for Sesshomaru to shove him back down onto the counter while his cock hammered faster into him.

Sephiroth bit his lip hard to keep his voice down after Sesshomaru's hand left his mouth. Strong hands gripped his hips tightly and pulled him hard into every thrust. He was so close to release, his head felt light and heavy at the same time from the power building up. Then it snapped, his back arched as he came against the cabinet door.

Sesshomaru pulled out of him and spun him until his back hit the counter and his legs were thrown over Sesshomaru's arms as he slammed back into his abused hole. Sesshomaru's mouth covered his hungrily as he kept pounding into him. Low growls vibrated through him, telling Sephiroth his demon was not far off. Reaching up, Sephiroth fisted a handful of Sesshomaru's long, soft hair. Pulling slightly on the long locks. The pain was enough to tip his lover over the edge. Painful claws dug into his hips, the thick cock swelled inside as Sesshomaru's warm release flooded his body. Panting hard, they shared much softer touches and kisses until the demon lord's body calmed.

Sesshomaru rested his forehead against Sephiroth's chest as he was finally able to pull from Sephiroth's body. He was trembling from what had almost happened. His inner demon had broken through his restraints and nearly claimed Sephiroth, had nearly taken the choice away from his love. Strong hands began stroking his back, but he didn't want to look up, afraid that just the sight of Sephiroth would cause another episode. Then there was a sudden pain in his side causing him to jerk back and stare at Sephiroth.

Sephiroth gave Sesshomaru his best glare as he looked up at his startled lover. Sure pinching the demon had been a bit childish, but Sesshomaru had nearly gotten them caught by his brother. Hopping off the counter, he pulled his pants up and grabbed a rag from the drawer by the sink to clean up the mess he had made.

Sesshomaru laid his hand over Sephiroth's, " I can do that," he said, but his hand stayed on Sephiroth's. Turning, Sephiroth looked up at his demon as Sesshomaru whispered, "I'm sorry."

Sephiroth quickly grabbed Sesshomaru but the back of the neck and kissed him hard. "Next time wait until we are in the room. I don't want to traumatize my brothers. If they had walked in there is no way I could get them to eat anything I cook again. We would need to move."

Sesshomaru laughed against Sephiroth's mouth, "I will restrain myself in the future."

He leaned back to look into his lovers beautiful eyes. He wasn't sure how, but his demon had settled, content with what had occurred. He hoped that contentment would last for a while longer.