AfterShock

Kimimaro sat on his motorcycle, it had been hours since the Gozee had left him to watch over Zaraki. Hours with nothing but the man typing on his computer and making calls. There had been no odd activities or any sight of additional assassins. He was beginning to become bored. A first for him. Looking down at his phone he frowned as Zaraki got up from his desk and grabbed his coat. The big man left his office followed by some guards. Sitting forward, his frown deepened as the elevator descended to the parking garage. Zaraki was supposed to be in a meeting in ten minutes, what the hell was he doing leaving the building?

Turning his head he watched the door open and Zaraki step out with a group of bodyguards. All men Kimimaro did not recognize as Zaraki's usual guards. They were part of Zaraki's men but were lower level and often on the outskirts of events.

Starting his motorcycle, Kimimaro followed the limousine and the two guard cars out of the garage, then down the road. He kept scanning the area and surrounding cars. There did not appear to be anyone following them, but Kimimaro felt like there were eyes on the scene. Something was off about this.

Just as he was about to place a call to Shikamaru, the limousine turned into the entryway of the local historical cemetery.

"Shit." He hissed as he parked his bike near the entrance and noticed men hiding in the distance. Pulling out his phone, he sent a quick message to Shikamaru and jumped the stone wall surrounding the old cemetery.

*****

"Were are you going?" Zaraki demanded as they turned down the cemetery drive. When he received no answer Zaraki opened the compartment beside him where his gun usually sat, the compartment was empty. Trying the door handle, he realized his feeling from earlier was right. Sara's assassin was a decoy.

The limousine came to a stop and his driver got out, Zaraki saw the other men approach, confusion on their faces as they questioned the driver. Zaraki leaned back in his seat and kicked the door when the first man went down, a fountain of blood bursting from his chest as the unheard bullet tore through him. As his men dove behind their car to avoid the rain of bullets, his driver turned to him. Raising his hand to his forehead, the man gave him a mocking salute as he raised his other hand with a small black device in his grasp.

"Shit." Zaraki hissed as he began kicking the window in the door with all his force. The bastard turned and began to casually walk away. The door groaned as it began to bend form the force of his kick. His last kick sent the door flying from the vehicle and he dove through the opening moments before the limousine exploded.

Jumping to his feet with a roar he grabbed a twisted piece of metal and tore off across the cemetery after the bastards who shot up his men and tried to kill him. He felt a bullet tear through his shoulder but he ignored it as the driver turned in surprise. Wide eyes met his as Zaraki ran him through with the makeshift weapon. Pulling the twisted metal free, Zaraki watched the light fade from the bastards eyes as he dropped to the ground. His men ran past him, charging the approaching assassins.

The men trying to protect him would not survive this. Already they were being dispatched while Zaraki swung his weapon around killing as many as he could, but his body was failing due to the amount of bullet holes riddling his weakening body. A white blur caught his eyes as three members of the enemy died. The last three assassins turned away from him thinking he wasn't a threat anymore, but they were wrong. Gaining his feet, Zaraki thrust his weapon through one mans chest as he wrapped his massive hand around the others throat. The third turned and fired three rounds into him moments before blood began to pour from his mouth. Squeezing the throat in his hand Zaraki jerked the mans head to the side, breaking the spine while the other assassin dropped to the ground revealing his rescuer, Kimimaro. With a gargled laugh, Zaraki felt his legs give out.

Kimimaro watched Zaraki hit the ground hard, rushing to him Kimimaro couldn't believe the big man was still alive. He was covered in blood and holes. Pulling out his phone, Kimimaro called for an ambulance while he tried to stem the flow of Zaraki's life essence. The mans eyes watched him in hazy interest as they waited.

Hearing the ambulance, Kimimaro looked away to see it turning into the cemetery. A whispered 'go' came from the broken man on the ground. Kimimaro looked down to see Zaraki's eyes drift shut. Jumping to his feet Kimimaro growled as he ran for cover.

*****

Sephiroth felt uncomfortable sitting at the table with Sesshomaru's father and mother. The demoness kept her eyes on him barely touching her food as father and son talked business.

"You don't carry my son's mark. Why is that?"

All conversation ended as three sets of stunned eyes turned to the demoness. Then to Sephiroth's surprise Sesshomaru snarled, "Stay out of it mother."

The hostility in his voice practically melted the table in the room with its venom. Sephiroth looked between the glaring pair.

"That was inappropriate to ask my dear." Inutaicho said trying to break the heavy anger hanging in the air like a thick fog.

"Not for a mother." She said waving her husbands comment away. "Not that I'm complaining about the lack of said mark, but," She hissed, "if you denied him I want to know why."

"Mother. He hasn't denied anything." Sesshomaru shouted as he shot to his feet, slamming his hands on the table top.

"Denied what?" Sephiroth asked as the Demoness sat in her chair and glared at her growling son.

"Than what is the matter with you? Are you a coward? Can't claim what...."

"Shut Up!" Sesshomaru roared, "Do not attempt to question my actions when you don't know what's going on!"

"Excuse me." Sephiroth tried to gain their attention but the ear splitting insults flung between the two drowned out his voice. Inutaicho sat in his chair rubbing his temples like this seemed to be the norm between mother and son.

"So I'm supposed to listen to my worthless terrified son. Hardly, you can..."

"That Is Enough!" Three sets of shocked eyes turned to the one who screamed at the raging demons.

"Umm..." A speechless Inutaicho struggled to talk in hopes of sparing his soon to be dead future son-n-law, but before he could warn the boy Sephiroth continued on.

"Would you two mind telling me what the hell you two are talking about."

"Not now." Sesshomaru snapped. Inutaicho looked to his son. The boy may have gave an order but there was no real heat behind his words. Looking to the silver haired man, Inutaicho had to commend his wife. He had doubts that the two were actually mates, but it was obvious now. Sephiroth could calm the raging demon within his son.

"No now." Sephiroth demanded, "I deserve to know since this argument is about me."

"I said no!" Sesshomaru snarled louder.

"You didn't know you are my son's mate?"

"Father!"

"What do you mean?" Sephiroth asked Inutaicho.

"Don't"

But Sesshomaru's words fell on def ears. "Mate, as in Soul Mate. It is the one and only person demons accept for eternity. Our mate is the only one who can calm the demon raging within our souls."

"Father please." Sesshomaru begged.

"When a soul mate bares our mark it is like a marriage in your world but far more permanent. We can not feel desire for anyone else ever again. Nor will we survive our mates passing."

"And I do not bare this mark?" Sephiroth asked.

Sesshomaru turned and left the room. Sephiroth turned surprised eyes on his demons retreating back.

"No you do not." Inutaicho said as Sephiroth turned back to him.

Sephiroth did not say another word. He stood and followed after Sesshomaru.

Inutaicho turned his gaze to his wife.

"What?" She said, sitting down. "They needed a push."

"And what if this push tears them apart?"

"Than I can have grandpups one day." She said as she began eating.

Inutaicho smiled at his wife. Though it seemed like she was being a cold callous bitch, she really was looking out for what was best for their son. "You are a piece of work, wife."

She smiled at him but said nothing. Though they had a hostile relationship, Inutaicho couldn't imagine a better woman to be his wife and bearer of his children. Even if they could never be mates.

*****

Shikamaru had just pulled up to the front of Inutaicho's home when his phone began ringing. Answering it he looked into the rear-view mirror at Kagura and Zaraki's child, Yachiru. Answering the phone he was met with heavy breathing.

"Shikamaru." Kimimaro gasped.

"What happened?"

"There were too many. Zaraki's men were cut down before I could get to him. I called an ambulance, I don't know if Zaraki is still alive."

"Where are you now?" Shikamaru barked as he jerked the car door open.

"Trying to find the Gozee. She was after an assassin, I fear she may have fallen as well." Shikamaru could hear the sounds of Kimimaro running.

"Very well, keep me updated, I'm at Inutaicho's now."

"Thank you Shika."

Opening the back door of the car, Shikamaru helped Kagura from the seat, "They have killed him." She said her voice only cracking slightly.

"I don't know yet. When Kimimaro left the ambulance had just picked him up." Shikamaru assured though he didn't feel the same. Kimimaro sounded rattled. That usually meant things were very bad.

Opening the door before the demon butler could, Shikamaru walked past the squawking man and into the dinning room where Inutaicho sat with his wife. "We have some serious problems."

*****

Sesshomaru stormed through the gardens of his childhood home. His inner demon close to the surface from the force of his fury at his parents. How dare they do that. They had no right. Clinching his fists tight he turned into the hedge maze, twisting and turning through the corridors, his feet taking him to the center from mere muscle memory alone.

"Are you running away?" A voice barked from behind him. Snarling, Sesshomaru turned on the intruder lifting him by the front of his shirt.

Sephiroth was not surprised to see Sesshomaru's red eyes. He could feel the demon energy radiating from Sesshomaru, but he wasn't going to back down this time. "Well? Are you really going to be so cowardly?"

"Don't call me that." Sesshomaru snarled, but the red began to bleed out of his eyes returning them to their normal amber hue. "I am not running."

"Than why didn't you tell me?" Sephiroth's quiet question drained the rest of his anger from him. Sitting Sephiroth back on his feet, Sesshomaru let go of his mate.

"Because I am a coward." He whispered. "When a demon marks their mate it is usually done by force and violently. The barer has no choice. They have their future taken from them as their alpha's inner demon sates his desires." Sesshomaru said closing his eyes. "The demon nature is just so very powerful. It takes a will of iron to keep the demon at bay."

"But you have refrained from marking me."

Sesshomaru let out a humorless laugh, "Barely." Opening his eyes, "I didn't want to take your choice from you."

Sephiroth kept his eyes on his demon as Sesshomaru turned from him and continued down the path. "That is not all, is it?" Sesshomaru kept walking without answering. "If it was simply taking my choice from me, why would you not talk to me about this? There is something else you are not telling me."

As they exited the path, Sephiroth looked around a small garden area that was the obvious center of the hedge maze. "I did not want you to feel you needed to agree."

Sephiroth snorted, "That is a lie. You know I would have made a decision without my feelings involved. What is the real reason?"

Sesshomaru walked up to the flat slab that sat in the center of the garden. "I saw what my father did to Kimimaro."

Sephiroth walked up to Sesshomaru and leaned a hip against the stone slab. Sesshomaru turned to him, "He was covered in bruises, cuts from my father's claws, marks from my father's fangs. I never thought a mating could be so... so..."

"So violent?" Sephiroth said quietly for his demon. Sesshomaru turned away again as he nodded. "You still should have talked to me. No matter what this mating would entail, the decision should have been mine to make. Had you came to me I would have thought about it before giving my answer."

Sesshomaru felt his heart contract in pain. Closing he eyes he said, "Would have."

"Yes." Sephiroth said, "I can't very well tell you what my answer would be if I was not asked the question."

Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open as he turned to Sephiroth. His mates eyes sparkled with laughter. Smiling, Sesshomaru said, "My bad."

He cupped Sephiroth's cheek rubbing his thumb over the high bone beneath the porcelain white skin, "Sephiroth, would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my mate?"

The corner of Sephiroth's mouth turned up, "What, now? In the middle of your parent's maze?"

Sesshomaru stepped into Sephiroth's personal space, forcing the silver haired man to lean back against the stone slab. Placing his hands on the stone on either side of Sephiroth's hips, he forced the man to lean further back until Sephiroth placed his hands on the stone behind him. Sesshomaru looked down at Sephiroth's parted lips as the mans breathing sped up from his proximity. "I would but our mating may take time."

"Time?" Sephiroth asked, his voice low and husky.

"Hours." Sesshomaru was pushing his limit. His demon was already straining against its chains.

"Than perhaps we should wait for awhile. We still need to finish our dinner with your parents." Sephiroth said as he placed a hand on Sesshomaru's chest.

"That would be wise," He said as he leaned back and took Sephiroth's hand in his and brought it to his mouth. "So does that mean you have agreed to be mine?"

Sephiroth smirked as Sesshomaru placed a kiss on the center of his palm and closed his hand, "Not yet my demon. Not yet."

*****

Kimimaro hopped on his motorcycle just as the ambulance sped away followed closely by a police cruiser. Starting the machine, he sped off in search of Sara. After what had just occurred he was worried she may have not survived her encounter with the assassin. It didn't take him long to find her. They were near the old abandoned ship yard. As he pulled up she was standing above a body gasping for breath. Kimimaro walked slowly towards her, making sure not to hide his presence. As he approached he could see the dark-haired man was breathing; shallowly, but obviously still alive.

"I told you to protect Zaraki."

Kimimaro kept his eye on the naginata Sara held in her hand. "This assassin was a distraction. He was sent to keep you busy." Her grip on the staff tightened. "They sent a small army of other guild assassins, they were too much for us to handle."

"Is he dead?"

"When last I saw, he was still alive. The ambulance has taken him to the hospital." Kimimaro watched as a smile crossed her face.

"Then he will survive." She said as she turned, but her legs gave out.

Quick as lightning, Kimimaro caught her before she could hit the ground. "I can not say he will survive. The wounds were serious."

Sara chuckled, "I may only have known him for a handful of days, but I know him well enough to assure you the stubborn ass will live."

Kimimaro sighed at her belief in Zaraki, "I should get you to a doctor as well."

"No." She said as she placed her hand on his arm, "Take me to Kagura. She needs my protection now."

Kimimaro frowned as the women in his arms went limp. Pulling out his phone he called Shikamaru to see if he had any idea where this Kagura could be, and to have someone pick him up. Looking over at the enemy assassin, Kimimaro decided it wouldn't hurt to take him into custody. The man may have valuable information.

*****

Sesshomaru led Sephiroth back into his parents home thinking about their upcoming mating. His body was practically radiating heat as his desire for Sephiroth spiked. As they entered the sitting room, all thought of mating vanished when he saw his father. The cold mask his father wore turned his blood cold.

Sephiroth was not sure how to interpret Inutaicho's stony features but when those serious eyes turned to him, Sephiroth felt his stomach jump. His eyes then caught movement behind the demon lord. There on the sofa behind Inutaicho was Kagura with little Yachiru. His eyes snapped back to Inutaicho.

Inutaicho kept his eyes on Sephiroth as he spoke, "There was an attempt on Zaraki's life."

Sesshomaru wanted to snarl a good riddance, but Sephiroth's shell shocked expression kept his biting words at bay. "Is he alive?" Was the only passive phrase he could muster.

"At this moment, yes. He was rushed into surgery upon his arrival." Inutaicho paused for a moment then turned to Kagura, "You all should know his condition is serious. He may not survive the surgery."

Kagura nodded as she held the sleeping girl in her arms. "I know."

"I know this may be highly inappropriate to ask of you, but could you please help ensure he has the best treatment?" Sephiroth asked.

Sesshomaru was partially stunned as his father's features softened slightly. "It is not inappropriate at all. I have already called Tsunade, a family friend and amazing doctor. She is already assisting with the surgery off the records. If he pulls through we will move him to another location where the Yokai can guard him."

"Why move him?" Kagura asked.

"I believe it will be easier to protect him if the city knows he has died. Should he survive this experience, Zaraki will need time to recover and he can not do that if he is under the stress of constant attack." Shikamaru said as he placed his hand on Kagura's shoulder.

Inutaicho turned as the door to the room opened and Kimimaro stepped in carrying a woman. Kagura gasped as she held little Yachiru closer. "Sara, is she.."

"She passed out. I don't think her wounds are serious, it is more likely she is exhausted." Kimimaro said as he walked up to Kagura and laid Sara on the sofa. "She said she needed to be here with you Lady Kagura."

Kagura reached out and brushed Sara's brown hair out of her dirt streaked face. "Thank you."

Kimimaro nodded than turned to join Inutaicho, but he hesitated as he saw the demoness behind his mate. She nodded and waved him over. With a sigh he walked up to his mate and into his arms. Today was not physically wearing but it was emotionally exhausting. He had watched his charge gunned down, then found the blind woman in the middle of what had been an epic battle between master assassins, and finally made a mad dash to his mates home after his call to Shikamaru. He had been terrified the whole time that Itachi may have been more psychotic then he had thought and would make an attempt on his mate. Seeing the serenity surrounding the majestic mansion Kimimaro had felt the anxiety leave him, immediately tiring him.

Sephiroth watched Inutaicho gently rub the back of his mate as he turned to everyone. "I am sure food is the last thing on anyone's mind, but you should have a bit to eat then rest a bit. Zaraki's surgery could take a while so please stay here where the Yokai can watch over you. As soon as I get word of his state I will let you all know."

"Thank you." Kagura said as she continued to pet the Gozee assassin. "I would like to get these two somewhere more comfortable if you do not mind."

"Not at all. Sebastian would to take Sara and Lady Kagura to a room?" Inutaicho asked.

The dark haired demon butler nodded and lifted Sara into his arms. "This way please."

"Lord Inutaicho, my brothers..."

"They are unharmed. I called Lord Kuchiki once I heard of the attack on Zaraki and he personally went to check on them. We believed it would be best if they were taken to his home where they would be safer. I do not believe Itachi will make another move today, but we are being cautious."

Sephiroth nodded as he muttered his thanks. Than Sesshomaru directed him away from Inutaicho and in the opposite direction Sebastian took Kagura. In truth Sephiroth didn't know how to react. Zaraki had been a large part of his life for years. Though he had been heartbroken over their failed relationship, he couldn't hate him. He was a good man that had been lead astray by Itachi. Entering a room, Sesshomaru lead him to a bed and urged him to sit on the edge. A glass was pushed into his hands and brought to his lips, without protest he took a drink of the strong amber liquid. It warmed him as it slid down his throat. A large hand covered his cheek drawing his eyes to Sesshomaru's as his demon knelt before him.

His heart swelled at the reassuring light in his amber eyes. Reaching up, he covered Sesshomaru's hand with his. Here he was, worried about his ex-lover while his current love comforted him. How could such a being exist in this world, someone so close to perfect that it almost seemed unreal. Any other male on the planet would be pissed, maybe even homicidal over his boyfriend worrying about their ex, but not Sesshomaru. Not the only demon who could have his heart.