AfterShock

Sephiroth sat in a chair on the back patio watching as Yachiru ran around the backyard with Mai laughing and screaming just like normal kids should. Sephiroth was enjoying a moment of peace created from the girls happiness. He had only met Yachiru one time when he was with Zaraki. It was a very brief meeting that lasted for barely five minutes. Zaraki had made it seem like Yachiru was an inconvenience that day, and Sephiroth had nearly believed him. That was until he looked back at the big man during a very unguarded look. The man loved his daughter very much, and for reasons Sephiroth didn't understand Zaraki did not want him around the little girl.

"Sephy, Sephy. Save me!" Yachiru screamed as she launched into his arms. He was so startled by her actions he almost dropped her. Mai, in her demon form, jumped after Yachiru, the demon heiress may have been a small white dog barely the size of a six month old puppy, but her slight weight was enough to topple him, the chair, and a squealing Yachiru.

"Yachiru!" Kagura called out in exasperation as Sesshomaru barked at Mai.

Reaching for the pink haired girl in Sephiroth's arms, Kagura lifted her, "You shouldn't be running around and jumping on people."

Yachiru tried to put on her best sad face as Sesshomaru lifted his sister up by the scruff of her neck. Her bushy white tail was tucked under while she let out a small whine. "That goes for you too, little sister."

"That's not fair." Yachiru cried, "She can make the sad puppy face. I want to be a puppy too. Auntie Kagura, make me a puppy."

Kagura looked so lost as she stared at the wailing child. She turned her eyes on the men around her briefly before turning back to Yachiru. "I can't sweetie. Mai is a demon, that is why she can change her body."

Everyone stared at the little girl as she cried and threw a temper tantrum. Sephiroth couldn't stop the smile that crossed his face. Mai changed to her human form and ran to the hysterical girl, "Mai sorry, Mai wont make herself a puppy no more. Mai promises."

Yachiru sniffled as she looked down at Mai. Then a big smile crossed her face as she wiggled out of Kagura's arms.

Sesshomaru watched his sister run off with Yachiru, then looked down at a smiling Sephiroth. Offering his hand, Sesshomaru helped Sephiroth to his feet as he snarled, "Enjoying yourself?"

"Why yes I am." Sephiroth answered as he watched the two girls chase each other around. Seeing Mai in her demon form caused Sephiroth to wonder what Sesshomaru and his father looked like when they changed. Could they change, or was it something only the young could do? He had heard rumors of Inutaicho using such a form in ancient days, but there were no records of him doing so in more recent times. Sephiroth turned to ask Sesshomaru, but he saw Inutaicho standing in the patio entrance.

*****

Inutaicho hated to break up this peaceful moment, but there was no choice. Stepping out the doors he felt a pain in his chest as their happy faces became dark, the light fading before the shadow of reality. "I have just spoken to Lady Tsunade. She has agreed to allow no more than four visitors. She said we need to wait about an hour before they are ready to receive anyone."

Kagura turned to watch Mai and Yachiru playing in the yard. A gentle smile crossed her face, "Sephiroth, you go visit him today."

Sephiroth's surprise drew a chuckle from Kagura, "Yachiru thinks she is on a play day with Mai. She has never been on one so I would like to see her enjoy this for as long as she can before reality is forced upon her."

Sesshomaru turned sad eyes to the girls squealing in the yard. All children born to an underground ruler would face the reality of this life at far too young an age, "You can't keep this from Yachiru forever."

Inutaicho put his hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder, "My son is right."

"Can we wait?" Kagura asked as she hugged herself.

"I'm sure it can wait until tonight, but we need to move the two of you. Being here will only expose you to Itachi. Now that Zaraki is out of his way, he will come after the Yokai."

"I understand." Kagura answered quietly.

*****

Itachi tapped the steering wheel of the car, waiting as patiently as he could while Kisame talked with the woman at children services. This morning they were to pick up Zaraki's brat and take her to the nanny who would raise her. The door to the building opened and Kisame appeared, "Bout fucking ti...me."

There was no kid and Kisame had a foul look on his face. Kisame opened the door to the car and got in. "They couldn't find the brat."

"They what?" Itachi snarled through his teeth.

"It would seem Zaraki sent that secretary to pick up the brat." Kisame answered, "There is another problem." Kisame looked at him, "Our documents have been voided."

The steering wheel creaked under Itachi's hand.

"Zaraki has a lawyer that has a very binding will and any documents not signed before him and another lawyer are invalid."

Itachi roared as he punched the dash, denting it. "They want to play with me, than I'll show them how to win." Itachi said as he put the car in gear, "Find the brat and kill her with that bitch secretary."

*****

Sephiroth felt apprehensive as he entered the hospital. He knew Ikkaku and Yumichika would be in the building after hearing the call Kagura had placed last night with Inutaicho's approval. The men had insisted on being there to guard their boss while he was at the hospital. That said, Sephiroth wasn't prepared for them to be in the waiting room.

The two men immediately surged to their feet and barked, "What are you doing here?"

Kagura pushed past Sephiroth and Sesshomaru to glare at the two idiots, "Shut your mouth."

"Kagura..."

"That is enough Ikkaku." She said as she pushed the button for the nurse. "I'm glad I chose to ride along. Dumb and dumber would have caused too much trouble and you all wouldn't have been able to see him."

She looked over her shoulder and glared at the two men, "Besides if it were not for the Yokai, Zaraki would have died in that cemetery."

Sephiroth smiled at Kagura as Ikkaku's cheeks turned pink. The bald man shot him a dark look before looking at Sesshomaru with caution.

Ikkaku was pissed Kagura had allowed Sephiroth and his mutt boytoy into the same hospital as Zaraki. He and Yumichika could probably take out Sephiroth, but the demon standing behind the silver haired man was another matter. Ikkaku knew they would loose to the Yokai lord should they challenge him. Nearly spitting with his anger, Ikkaku looked away to where Kagura was standing by the door staring at them. While the boss was out of commission she was in charge which irritated him even more. Sure she was intimidating, and he respected her, but he really hated having to bow to her wishes.

Moments later the nurse entered the room, and Kagura turned to her, "These four would like to visit the patient Kenpachi Zaraki. I believe Dr. Tsunade should have informed you."

Sephiroth watched the nurse look over the four of them standing in the room, she looked like she really wanted to throw them out of the waiting room, but she finally huffed then said, "Fine but only two at a time and only for ten minutes."

Kagura waved Sephiroth over, "Sephiroth and Sesshomaru, you two go first."

Sephiroth was startled by what she said. He had been so sure that the two guards would be the first to go in. Sephiroth knew they had not yet been allowed to see their boss, and were most likely desperate to assess his condition. He felt Sesshomaru gently press a hand on his back, so he nodded to Kagura as the nurse lead them from the waiting room.

Yumichika was not surprised as Ikkaku's face turned red. He felt angry at Kagura letting the enemy into the room first, but he could feel there was something else to Kagura's decision. When she turned her eyes on them, she dropped a bomb on them, "You two will behave. Lord Inutaicho is protecting Zaraki, me and Yachiru. The Yokai are our allies in this."

Ikkaku was sputtering as he tried to piece together a coherent statement, but Yumichika was not so negatively afflicted, "But word has hit the streets that this was their..."

"It was Itachi."

Yumichika looked to Ikkaku as his age old friend frowned, "It makes more sense, but how can we trust them?"

"Because they proved to me they can be trusted. They guarded those that I hold dear, and though Zaraki and Sara are in bad shape, they are alive."

Yumichika nodded and placed his hand on Ikkaku's shoulder. If what Kagura said was true, and he believed it was, the Yokai was becoming a shield against Itachi. A man who had scared Yumichika from the start.

*****

Sesshomaru followed behind Sephiroth as the nurse lead them to Zaraki's room. Once inside he got his first look at the man who destroyed Sephiroth's life. Though not by his hands, Zaraki's inaction brought about the nightmare they endured now. However, the look of the man in the bed calmed his anger.

Sephiroth felt a lead weight in his chest as he took in the sight before him. Zaraki was covered in bandages, wires and tubes. The machines all around him controlled and monitored his body. Walking up to the bed he placed his hand on the man's forehead, one of the few places not covered.

"He is stable." Sephiroth looked to the door where Tsunade stood. "I'd say his chances of living through this are extremely high, though a normal person would have died by now. He is one stubborn man."

Sephiroth chuckled, "That he is."

Sesshomaru watched Sephiroth lean forward and press his lips to Zaraki's forehead. The action drove his demon nature into a frenzy, but the words that came from his mate calmed him slightly.

"You had better pull through this, bastard. Your daughter can not be left behind at such a young age. Once you're better I plan on kicking your ass for getting involved with Itachi."

"I will pretend I did not hear you threaten my patient." Tsunade said as she crossed her arms.

Sephiroth turned to her, "By the time he has healed you will feel the same."

*****

Yazoo sat on the sofa in Byakuya's library reading a wonderful story of magic. Turning the page he felt like someone was watching him but he didn't look. The feeling had been a near constant companion since he arrived at the Kuchiki compound last night. He flipped another page, not even paying attention to the words on the page as he prayed that Byakuya would enter, but also that he would leave. He inhaled slowly trying his hardest to keep from blushing. Then, suddenly the presence vanished, leaving him alone again. Turning towards the door he was only slightly surprised to see the door slightly ajar. Reaching up he began to play with some stray strands of his hair as he went back to reading.

Byakuya dropped into his chair as Hakkai raised an eyebrow. He knew he was obsessing about the young man, but he couldn't stop himself. Ever since that boy had came into his life, Byakuya couldn't get him out of his mind. Yazoo had completely taken over, so far as to even drive Sesshomaru and the feelings of unrequited love for the demon from his mind. The feelings Byakuya had harbored for his best friend all these years was a pale comparison for what he felt now. Was he really ever in love with Sesshomaru or was it simply a childish crush?

As he thought about it, Byakuya realized that yes he had loved Sesshomaru, but the feelings had faded over their long friendship. This thing he felt for Yazoo was something new and powerful. It was also dangerous. Yazoo was Inutaicho's son, and though he had permission to touch him before, Byakuya was absolutely sure it would not happen again.

Drawing his hand over his face, Byakuya sighed. He shouldn't have confessed to Yazoo in the pool that day.

*****

Kisame leaned against the outside wall of the warehouse. The noise from within keeping him where he was. Itachi was tearing the place apart in his rage. They had tracked Kagura to the Yokai lair and from there they couldn't find her. It took twenty minutes for the man to calm down, even then Kisame waited. When he fled the warehouse, Itachi's dark eyes had begun to bleed red, a sure sign he would not survive this temper tantrum.

"Kisame." Itachi barked. Stubbing out the cigarette he was smoking, Kisame entered the warehouse. Itachi's eyes were black again, giving Kisame a moment to thank the havens for small favors. Itachi sat in the middle of a minefield of debris, his cellphone was the only thing to survive the typhoon of Itachi's emotions.

"Feel better?"

"Yes." The raven haired man said, "I've called in a favor."

Kisame raised an eyebrow, "Who?"

The smile that crossed Itachi's face sent shivers down his spine. Itachi slowly stood from his spot in the decimated room, "It's a surprise."

*****

Sesshomaru returned to his father's home after the visit to the hospital. His father stood in his study with Kimimaro and Shikamaru. Inutaicho looked very tense as he stared out the window. There had been no new information in regards to Itachi or his whereabouts, and that wore on every man's nerves. How had Itachi conducted this from the background without uncovering himself?

The sounds of squealing girls reached their ears through the open window. Reaching up, Inutaicho pulled the window closed. "Is Byakuya alright with having Zaraki's daughter and men at his home?"

"He said it would be fine. His men and the added Yokai should be enough to keep them all under control." Sesshomaru answered, "Besides, I don't think there will be any trouble from Zaraki's men. Kagura is firmly on our side and Zaraki's men seem to respect her decision."

"That is good." Inutaicho turned to them. "We need to move them out but we should wait until we can use the cover of darkness."

Shikamaru frowned, "I think it would be best to move them sooner. Perhaps have them to the Kuchiki mansion before three or so."

Sesshomaru agreed. The sooner their visitors were on the Kuchiki compound the better. "If it is cover we need the tunnel system Byakuya's father build should provide it. I will ask Byakuya where we can enter the system."

Inutaicho nodded then waved his son away.

Standing, Sesshomaru left the room to call Byakuya. After getting the details, Sesshomaru went to search for Sephiroth. He didn't have to look far for his silver haired mate. Sephiroth was in their temporary room laying on the bed asleep. Sesshomaru walked up to the bed as quietly as he possibly could, but it seemed Sephiroth was on heightened alert. His blue green eyes snapped open before Sesshomaru reached the foot of the bed.

Sephiroth sat up to rest against the headboard as Sesshomaru sat on the edge of the bed. "How did the meeting with your father go?"

"Not very well. We still have nothing new." Sesshomaru wrapped his hand around Sephiroth's ankle, anything to have some contact with his mate, "We will be moving Kagura, Sara, and Yachiru very soon."

Sephiroth nodded in response. Sesshomaru gently ran his thumb over the skin he had uncovered as he pushed aside the cloth of Sephiroth's pants. "I want you to go with them."

"Why?"

Sesshomaru wanted this man to be here by his side the whole time, but he knew it would be too dangerous for Sephiroth to remain. Not dangerous for Sephiroth's well being, but for Sesshomaru's. He needed a clear head and that would be nearly impossible if his mates scent was drifting down the hallways to fill his head with his absurdly demanding need to mate.

He didn't even need to voice his words. Sephiroth nodded as he looked down at his lap, "I think I understand."

His hands rested in his lap as he looked back up, "Is it really that powerful? The need..."

Sesshomaru nodded, "It takes all I have to sit here. You are most definitely a sexy distraction. I fear I would probably jump you should you stay here."

Sephiroth laughed lightly. "Than I shall go."

A few short hours later they stood at the entrance to the Kuchiki tunnels, Sesshomaru's arms wrapped around Sephiroth as he devoured his mate's mouth uncaring of the embarrassed looks they received from those around them. Drawing back slightly, Sesshomaru rested his forehead against Sephiroth's. "Even though this is for the best, I do not wish to let you go."

Sephiroth's hand rested against his cheek, "It is only for a couple of days. Than I'll be back home." A light blush colored his cheeks, "Your home."

Those last two words heated Sesshomaru with more heat than any demon could possibly possess and remain sane. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Four days. That is all I can allow."

Sephiroth pulled from his arms, "Than in four days time I will be waiting for you."

With those parting words, Sephiroth disappeared into the tunnels that would take him to the Kuchiki mansion with Kagura, Yachiru and Sara. Turning he saw Reno and Rude come up to him.

"Keep them safe."

"As if we would do anything else."