Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

AfterShock
By : whitetiger
Category: InuYasha Crossovers > Yaoi - Male/Male
Views: 12735 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Please see inside for full disclaimer
Chapter List
- 38
- 39
- 40
A/N: Sorry this one is so long. I thought about splitting it up into two chapters but decided not to. Please enjoy.
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Zaraki lay in his bed watching Kadaj as the boy slept. He had become so accustomed to Kadaj's surly presence that now the boy could enter the room without Zaraki's body alerting him to any kind of threat. To date, the list of people able to accomplish such a feat was Yachiru, Kagura, Sara, and now Kadaj. Zaraki gave a breathy laugh. This boy had accomplished so much in the nearly three days since his first arrival in Zaraki's hospital room.
Turning to look at the ceiling, Zaraki felt a little disappointed that in that time he was unable to get the boy to open up. They may have moved past glares to minor conversation, but any mention of Sephiroth would lead to Kadaj snatching the TV controller and shutting down. In the moments before Kadaj looked away Zaraki would catch a glimpse of intense pain in the boys eyes. The look was more than enough of a clue to tell Zaraki that Sephiroth was not getting better. If he would venture a guess, Zaraki would guess Sephiroth was getting worse and Kadaj was feeling helpless.
When Zaraki had woken to Sara sitting in his room two days ago, he had been surprised to hear of Madara's survival, but even more so that the man had no way to counter Itachi's visual power. After some debate with his assassin he determined the only one who may have a chance of solving this mess would be the dog demon's friend, Byakuya Kuchiki. So, he had sent Sara to convince the man to meet with him. So far she had been unsuccessful in getting a meeting with the Kuchiki heir. Today Sara had told him she would be taking drastic measures to obtain a meeting. He prayed she would not have to resort to anything to compromising.
A Shuffling sound reached his ears breaking him from useless pondering. Turning his head Zaraki watched Kadaj's face as he began to wake up. Deciding he didn't want to stress the boy any more than he already was, Zaraki closed his eyes to pretend to be asleep. Having watched Kadaj wake before, Zaraki listened carefully to every noise. The gentle sigh Kadaj would breath out just before opening his eyes, the creaking of the chair as he stretched his muscles, and than the heartbreaking sight of the sadness returning to his pale eyes as Kadaj realized where he was. That was the one part Zaraki hated to watch, it always pulled at a place deep within him that he did not want to accept.
The sound of the chair squeaking again indicated the boy had rose from its seat. Zaraki waited, counting the time it should take for Kadaj to reach the door, but the sound of the portal opening never came. Fighting to keep his body relaxed and his breathing even, Zaraki listened intently for what Kadaj was doing. He almost blew his cover when he felt a hand gently touch the back of his own. Why was Kadaj at his bed side?
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Kadaj stood over Zaraki watching his face as he slept. Why was he torturing himself? He really should hate Zaraki for everything that happened to him and his brothers, but he couldn't. It hadn't taken him long to realize Zaraki was just as much of a victim in Itachi's cruelty. Reaching up, Kadaj went to touch the big man's face but froze mere centimeters away. Kadaj could feel Zaraki's immense heat against his fingers as his hand hovered over his sleeping face. Curling his fingers into the palm of his hand, Kadaj pulled back and turned to leave the room. Laying his hand on the handle he told himself he should stop coming to this room, but he didn't really have anywhere else he wanted to go. Sure he could go to the apartment he shared with his brothers, but it was continually empty. Yazoo and Loz preferred to stay at Byakuya's home and watching the budding relationships of his brothers and the men at the Kuchiki mansion was painful. Kadaj was happy that both Yazoo and Loz found people that made them happy, but Kadaj did not enjoy the tightness in his chest when they looked at each other with such loving feelings. The pull of jealousy was always there, always taunting him with what he himself was unable to find.
Before he knew it, he found himself standing before the door to Sephiroth's room. Reaching out, Kadaj's hand lingered on the handle of the door. He wasn't sure he could take another day of this nightmare that their lives had turned into. Sephiroth was getting worse with every day that passed. Hell, every hour that passed brought a continued decline in his brother's mental state. What would he find when he entered this time?
Taking a deep breath, he slowly released it to calm him nerves and gripped the handle. Just as he put pressure on it to disengage the latch, the door was jerked open and out of his hand. His eyes widened as he saw Yazoo in the entryway, fury contorting his facial features. Yazoo didn't hesitate a moment, he pushed past him as he snarled, "I'm done."
Kadaj watched him a moment as Yazoo stormed down the hallway. Turning back to the darkened insides of the room, Kadaj felt just like the many times he had been forced into one of the private rooms in the brothel. Kadaj gently called out his brother's name as he forced his panicked body forward into the room while.
"Where have you been?" Sephiroth barked. Kadaj jumped as he turned to where his brother sat on the bed. He looked feral, like a predator ready to rip into the next unsuspecting person who had the displeasure of pissing him off.
"I fell asleep." Kadaj whispered. "Yazoo left really quickly, is everything alright?"
"Nothing he won't get over." Sephiroth snarled.
Kadaj stepped closer to his brother and sat in the chair beside the bed with his hands in his lap. It would seem Yazoo had finally reached his limit. Kadaj had cautioned Yazoo against trying to approach the subject of Sesshomaru with their brother, but since living with Byakuya, Yazoo was developing a more open personality. However, that was now clashing with whatever was wrong with their brother. Every time Yazoo tried to convince Sephiroth that the dog demons were not trying to separate the four of them, Sephiroth would loose his temper. At first Yazoo would back down, but now it would seem he couldn't.
"Are we packed and ready to go?" Sephiroth hissed, startling Kadaj out of his thoughts.
"Yes." Kadaj lied. Sephiroth would be furious to know he hadn't packed a thing. That is, if he ever got out of the hospital. If Sephiroth didn't get control of himself, Kadaj knew Dr. Unohana would have him committed to a mental facility.
Kadaj began shaking as he fought off the tears burning his eyes. He had failed his brother again, this time with his inaction. He couldn't fix this. He felt the first tear fall and realized he had no strength to stop the rest from falling.
"Just what the hell do you have to cry about?" Kadaj's head jerked up to look at Sephiroth. No, that wasn't Sephiroth anymore. The man laying on the bed was not his brother, but he couldn't bring himself to abandon this broken man.
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Sakura walked into the study with another stack of notebooks from the Uchiha family shrine library. She opened her mouth to let them know what she had found, but the words froze in her throat when Gin put his finger to his lips. Turning she saw Sasuke with his head laying on the table. She placed the books gently on a separate table and walked over to Gin. He moved the book in he was holding so she could curl up in his lap.
"How is he doing?" She whispered.
"The same." He answered quietly, "But the research is distracting him."
She smiled as she lay her head on his shoulder, exhaustion catching up to her. When Inuyasha had showed up to their shared apartment, she had nearly sent him away, but Sasuke had been behind her and invited him in. When Inuyasha had told them of Sephiroth's behavior Sasuke had immediately known what Itachi had done. Sakura had watched as the pain in Sasuke's eyes grew with the knowledge he didn't have the ability to counter Itachi's power. Then, determination had lite a small fire within his gaze as he told Inuyasha he would go to the Uchiha shrine library to see if he could find anything to help. Once on the grounds, Sasuke had made a direct line to the shrine while only sparing a quick glance at one home. Sakura had wanted to sneak away to look at the home, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't invade memories that Sasuke was not ready to share.
Now, as she lay in Gin's lap, she was grateful for her decision. Ever since coming here Sasuke was either completely engrossed in his studies or asleep. If she had went into that home she would have opened up painful memories for him and she couldn't hurt him that way.
Gin's hand gently stoked her hair, distracting her from her thoughts, "Rest for a bit."
She shook her head but he assured her Sasuke would still be asleep when she woke. Reluctantly her eyes slid closed and she let her exhaustion drag her under.
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Inuyasha snarled as he entered the new Yokai den. Shikamaru had called him earlier to ask for his help because he was unable to get in contact with Sesshomaru. Worried, Inuyasha had rushed to search for his brother only to come up empty handed. Rin hadn't seem him since the night of the battle. Her worry was slightly tempered because Sesshomaru's work at DDM was being completed. So he went to talk to his father. The old man had not heard from Sesshomaru but had been assured by Byakuya their son was safe.
Inuyasha felt sorrow for his brother's situation with Sephiroth, but he was also irritated that he had to pick up the slack with the Yokai. This was something he wasn't ready for. Entering the building, Inuyasha was greeted by Shikamaru, who's eyes darted to the three men that had joined him. Mugen, Miroku and Jin had demanded to come with him. Inuyasha understood Miroku's presence, the man rarely let him make large scale decisions without his input, but Mugen and Jin's demand to come had baffled him. Mugen had said he wanted to check on the Yokai because he was a member, even if he was suspended. Jin had just nodded and followed along. Now that they had arrived, Inuyasha was grateful for their unifying presence in the face of his father's Yokai group.
Shikamaru lead them deeper into the building as he apologized for bothering him, "The new Akatsuki leader just showed up and demanded to see one of the Yokai Lords and refuses to deal with me."
"Whatever." Inuyasha snapped as he continued to follow a clearly angry Shikamaru. Inuyasha knew this man was his father's most valued member, and being treated as nothing more than a low rank Yokai was not something he was used to.
Shikamaru led them to a hastily set up meeting room where he spotted a tall man slumped in one of the chairs. As the man's light eyes met Inuyasha's, he stood and bowed. "Thank you for meeting with me Lord Inuyasha. I give my condolences for your father and pray for his speedy recovery."
The dark-haired man stood to his impressive height, the man was almost as tall as his father, "I am Coyote Stark and this is my second in command Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez."
Stark's hand waved towards the man beside him with vibrant blue hair. Inuyasha crossed his arms and with a nod he introduced the men with him. Stark laid his hand over his heart and bowed slightly drawing a pleased smirk from Inuyasha, "So, shall we get to business?"
Stark nodded as he waited for Inuyasha to take a seat, "Lord Inuyasha, may I ask an question?"
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes slightly, something about that request set his teeth on edge. He nodded his agreement to the request.
"I was wondering who it was that took down the Akatsuki member with white hair. His name was Hidan." Stark's eyes didn't miss the way Inuyasha and the human, Miroku, tensed at the sound of the man's name.
Inuyasha raised his chin slightly while he pointed between himself and Miroku he answered with a simple, "We did."
"Than you have my deepest respect. May I ask where his body went?" Stark had truly hated that man for all of the people he had killed in the name of his God Jashin. The man had even tried to kill one of the people he cared about the most, she still bore the scar of his attack. Stark's only desire now was to verify the man's death with his own eyes, but the two tensed while looking at each other.
Stark's eyes dropped to Miroku's hand as he tightly wrapped his hand around the other wrist. Stark's eyes rose to Miroku's pained features. Stark had listened to Grimmjow's report of the battle at the Aftershock and one thing that had been trivial during the report now stood out. Grimmjow had told him of a moment where there was an intense wind pulling upon him. Stark had heard of monks who possessed a destructive power, a power they held in their hands.
Inuyasha drew his attention as he asked, "Would you mind if we conducted our business with just the four of us?"
Stark had his answer than. With a nod he asked Grimmjow to exit the room with the other two men. He now knew the man who had harmed his loved one would never see this world again. That alone made this forced meeting worth upsetting the Yokai with his arrogant request.
Grimmjow followed the other two men from the room, a little irritated that he couldn't stay to find out what the demons had done with the bastard Hidan's body. He was disappointed that the human and hanyo were the ones to take out the Jashin believer. Grimmjow had wanted to fight the bastard that claimed he was immortal. Looks like he was full of hot air.
Just as he turned to ask if the two knew of anything fun to do someone came around the corner of the hallway and called out to them, "Well hello Grimmjow. I heard Mr. Stark was here to meet with the Lord's brat."
Grimmjow turned to see Shunsui Kyoraku walking up to them with a wide smile upon his face. Then he was shoved hard from behind, sending him stumbling towards the old man.
"Ojisan, show him around. Orders from Inuyasha. I have business that needs done."
Grimmjow turned around just in time to see Mugen dragging the dark-haired quiet man along the hall. As Mugen disappeared, Grimmjow muttered, "That guy needs his ass kicked."
Kyoraku laughed, "I wouldn't bother. That Yokai reject enjoys fighting way too much."
Grimmjow turned with a frown, "Reject."
"Ya." Kyoraku said with a sigh, "He was too much for the Yokai to handle, so he was put on a permanent vacation."
"A human too much for demons." Grimmjow said with a toothy grin, "Sounds fun."
"Sure if you want to be pinned to the nearest surface with his dick up your ass."
Grimmjow barked with laughter, "That won't happen. I don't submit."
Kyoraku smiled at the blue haired man. When an idea hit him, "So, you like a good fight?"
"Does a human bleed red?"
Kyoraku shook his head at the man's words, "Come with me."
Turning from the Akatsuki member, Kyoraku walked down the hall knowing Grimmjow would follow him. Leading him down one hall to the next, Kyoraku finally stopped at the open door to the room the Yokai now used as a sparing room. A smile crossed Kyoraku's face when he heard Grimmjow's hum of approval. Crossing the room, Kyoraku picked up a couple of wooden swords. Turning, he tossed one of them to Grimmjow who caught the piece of wood and gave it a momentary frown.
A wickedly feral smile crossed Grimmjow's face as he swung the wooden blade through the air, "Like your swords, do ya?"
Kyoraku's answer was to raise his sword and take his stance.
"Sure you want to do this? I'm not exactly human." Grimmjow said as he took his stance.
Kyoraku smirked, "Neither am I."
The old man jumped forward drawing a surprised hiss from the blue haired man. They crossed swords as they dodged and weaved around each other. On one particular violent meeting of weapons, Grimmjow smiled, "Definitely not human. So, what are ya?"
"Back in the day my kind were called Shinigami."
When Grimmjow frowned Kyoraku chuckled, "A possible translation would be death god."
"Really." Grimmjow's smile split his face. Then the battle was on with a much more ferocious intensity.
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Inutaicho paced the room like the caged beast he was. He had only tried to leave the room once but that damned Tsunade had caught him. He had been ready to mow her down to get to his goal, Sephiroth, when she unleashed her ultimate weapon, Kimimaro. At the time his mate was still unconscious and using a great amount of his demonic energy to heal his human body. Tsunade had suggested that his leaving Kimimaro's side would be catastrophic. Inutaicho had walked back into the room with his proverbial tail tucked between his legs from an overwhelming guilt.
But now Kimimaro was doing better. They had even been moved to a regular room, and still Tsunade refused to let him leave. So he decided that when he saw her next he was going to wring her sneaky neck.
"Is everything alright?"
Inutaicho turned to the sleepy sound of his mates spoken words. Instantly his irritation vanished as Kimimaro sat up. Inutaicho was at his side before his mate was completely up. "Everything is fine."
Kimimaro blinked sleepy eyes as he stared at him, "Liar."
A smirk graced Inutaicho's face, "I'm just frustrated."
Kimimaro snorted as he rubbed a hand over his face trying to clear his groggy mind. Usually he didn't take this long to wake up but the doctor had assured him that this was normal, that he was very lucky to be alive and his body would take time to become normal again. He had told her she was full of shit because he had been near death before and bounced back quickly.
He greatly regretted offending her after that statement. The next half hour had him cowering before her fury as she not so delicately explained that he had been seriously injured and so had his mate. Since they shared Inutaicho's demonic aura he would be feeling not only his own injuries but Inutaicho's as well. After she had left he sulked at being reprimanded by someone other than his mate and lord. It was then that Inutaicho told him of the severity of their wounds and his adverse reaction to the drugs in his body during surgery. It wasn't his mates words that saddened him, but the emotions Inutaicho tried to hide. This had been a very close call and his mate was frightened.
A hand gently caressed his cheek drawing his mind to the present. "How are you feeling?"
He turned his face into his mates hand, "Like I was shot not too long ago."
Inutaicho chuckled lightly, "The pain should fade in a couple more days."
Kimimaro looked up at his mated, "You're worried about Sesshomaru."
Inutaicho's eyes turned sad as he nodded, "I feel that if I can talk to Sephiroth, I could fix this, but Tsunade refuses to let me leave. Sesshomaru is fading, I can feel it. He won't come visit, and I can barely get him to text me. Shikamaru told me he hasn't done anything with the Yokai and poor Rin is beside herself."
Kimimaro pulled Inutaicho down onto his bed and held his mate. He could feel the pain through their connection and wished there was more he could do, but there was nothing. All they could do was wait.
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Byakuya stood by his office window staring out at the guesthouse where Sesshomaru was hiding. His friend had not left that place since first arriving and had rebuffed any attempt on his part to engage the demon in conversation. He was becoming worried over his obvious depression. Inutaicho and Inuyasha had both called several times and all he could do was assure them that Sesshomaru was in a safe place.
"Lord Kuchiki." One of the men said from the other side of the closed door.
"Enter." He barked as he turned from the window.
"Sir," The man said as he opened the door, "There is a woman at the gate asking to meet with you."
"Tell her I am not meeting with anyone today."
"I'm sorry sir, but I have already told her such. She refuses to leave until she meets with you."
"Than have her car towed." He snarled. He really did not want to meet with anyone. Not while he felt so powerless to help his dearest friend.
"I'm afraid that will be impossible." Hakkai said as he entered the room. Patting the man's shoulder, Hakkai sent the man away. "Sir the woman is on foot and blind."
Byakuya frowned, "Blind?"
Hakkai had one of his smirks on his face. "You know who she is?"
"She is Zaraki's personal guard."
Byakuya frowned in anger, he had been successfully fielding Zaraki's attempts to contact him. Now the bastard was sending one of his people, his blind assassin. The audacity of that man astounded him. What was so important that he would send and assassin to meet with him? "What do you think?"
Hakkai, "I believe you should meet with her. She will only invade later while you are alone."
"So little faith in your abilities." Byakuya asked as he turned to his desk.
"In reference to her, yes." Hakkai answered honestly.
With a sigh, Byakuya sat in his chair, "Very well. Bring her in."
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Stark was pleased with the meeting. He had managed to gain a peace treaty with the Yokai and with Inuyasha's group of misfits. All he needed to do was grab Grimmjow and get home. They walked towards the training room where one of the Yokai said they saw Grimmjow enter. Shikamaru opened the door and froze. Stepping forward, Stark expected to see his step son beating the hell out of one of the Yokai and compromising his treaty. What he saw stunned him.
Laying on the floor was Grimmjow with his hands pinned above his head, his legs wrapped around the man that held him prisoner with said man's tongue crammed into Grimmjow's mouth.
"Kyoraku." Shikamaru barked.
The dark-haired man jumped and turned his head to them. Grimmjow just smiled, "Hello daddy dearest."
It took everything Stark had not to laugh at Kyoraku's complete shock and mortification. The man rolled off his step son and covered his face, "You want my head now or later?"
"Perhaps later. Perhaps never. He is only my step son." Stark answered as Grimmjow gave him a filthy look. Kyoraku turned to look at him with an embarrassed and grateful smile on his face.
Stark tuned his attention to his nearly snarling step son. "Come on Grimm, time to go. Your mother's expecting you for dinner tonight."
Grimmjow patted the Kyoraku's knee as he jumped to his feet, "See ya." He shot over his shoulder.
As they walked away he heard Inuyasha say, "You're lucky he was amused or I'd have taken your head."
He didn't hear the man's response but the waves of embarrassment continued to radiate down the hall. When they exited the building, Stark turned to his wife's son to see a very broad smile on his face.
"Proud of yourself?" He asked.
"Oh yes." Grimmjow's blue eyes turned to him, humor brightening them. Stark snorted as he opened the car door.
"Never took you for one to submit to another."
Stark was surprised by the blush that colored Grimmjow's cheeks but the snarled, "Fuck you," was expected.
Grimmjow dropped into the seat of the car, "Come on."
Stark smiled inside as he sat behind the wheel. "Just remember not to tell your mother about the meeting."
Grimmjow shivered, "No problem, I ain't got a death wish."
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The woman entered Byakuya's office and gave a slight bow, "Thank you for meeting with me Lord Kuchiki. I am Sara."
"Yes, I am aware of who you are. Please sit." He said politely as he motioned for Hakkai to lead her to a chair. Once she was seated he leaned against his desk, not fully trusting the assassin sent by Zaraki. "How may I help you?"
She gave a knowing smile, "Actually, Lord Kuchiki, I am here to offer Mr. Zaraki's help."
"Excuse me." He said before he could censor his mouth.
The little witch actually smiled brightly, "In truth I have come to in Mr. Zaraki's place to offer our assistance in regards to Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Sephiroth's situation."
"And just how is he able to help?" Byakuya snarled, unable to contain his anger any longer, "Just what could that Buffoon know about what is happening with my friend and Sephiroth."
"I would say a fair amount more than you." Sara said with a gentle smile that looked more menacing than friendly.
Byakuya stepped away from his desk to throttle the woman, but Hakkai halted him before he made a serious error in judgment. "Can I assume that Mr. Zaraki will be able to shed light on the situation in detail?"
"Yes. All we ask is you take a few moments to meet with him. I assure you he is no threat to you. He is still recovering from his near death experience."
Byakuya looked to Hakkai as the man nodded in agreement. With a sigh he turned the woman, "Very well. I'll go meet with him."
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Sasuke opened his eyes and for a moment he was confused. Setting up, he realized he had fallen asleep going through his families historical records. He bit back a pained groan as his back protested him sleeping in a chair. Turning his head he saw Gin sitting in the over sized chair, his head tilted back in his sleep. Sakura sat curled up on his lap, her eyes closed in slumber with Gin's arm resting on her legs. Leaning back he felt a small smile cross his mouth. Their presence had been soothing during his depression, but he could see the toll it was taking on them.
Standing, Sasuke decided to leave them to sleep in peace. Leaving the room, Sasuke gently shut the door than left the building. Standing on the wooden porch that wrapped around the front of the shrine, Sasuke looked out over the grounds of his childhood home. He could count on one hand how many times he had come back to this place since the massacre. The memories were always too much for him to handle. Whether it be anger or sorrow, the emotions were too intense for him.
Now that he stood here after taking his brother's life, he felt a sense of peace. Taking a deep breath, he walked down the long familiar street. With every step he took, it felt as if the anger and demand for retribution from the souls of lives taken too early had dissipated. It was like they knew their murderer had been punished by his own hand, and they could depart in peace. It didn't take him long to reach his goal, a simple house with the exterior paint paint peeling from years of neglect. The yard was shaggy, with weeds dominating the once beautiful flower gardens. Feeling a painful pull in his chest, Sasuke almost turned away, but resent dreams of his family kept him rooted to the spot. With a quiet sob, he sat down on the crumbling sidewalk. Memories flooding his brain, both good and one particularly bad.
Sakura woke to a hand gently stroking her leg. Opening her eyes, she sought out Sasuke's sleeping form, but when he was not there Sakura jerked upright. She turned her eyes to Gin in hopes he knew where Sasuke had wondered off to.
He was turned to the window behind them as he continued to stroke her leg. "He's out there."
Sakura turned to the window, looking for Sasuke. It didn't take her long to spot him sitting on the sidewalk in front of the house he had glanced at on their way to the shrine. Her heart broke as she watched him reach up and wipe his face, "How long has he been there?"
"About twenty minutes." Gin answered, "I woke when he left the room."
Sakura stood up and held out her hand to Gin, "Shall we go comfort our Sasuke?"
Gin took her hand and stood. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder he smiled, "I believe we shall."
Sasuke felt Sakura's presence moments before she sat at his side. He didn't have to turn to see Gin was not far away as well. Sakura gently nudged his side, "Talk to me."
Sasuke let out a shuddering breath, "What is there to talk about?
"Whatever you are willing to talk about." Sakura answered as she leaned into him a bit.
Sasuke looked down at his clasped with a gentle laugh. Sakura was not one to ask how he felt when she knew, instead she went straight to the heart of the situation. Looking back up at her Sasuke could see Gin leaning against a pole just behind them. Somehow their presence was comforting. "I was remembering my brother."
He turned to look at the house, "He was a great brother growing up. Always there when I needed him. We used to have so much fun terrorizing the neighbors. His best friend Shisui was usually the instigator, and Itachi was the brains to keep us out of trouble."
He felt tears prickle his eyes as he looked down, "That changed the day that..." He swallowed hard, "The day Shisui died."
Sakura pressed into his side offering comfort for the age old pain. "I didn't know it then, but both of them had joined our uncle's gang. Itachi was home that night." He took a deep breath , "There was a fight and three members of the Akatsuki were killed. Shisui was one of them. No one knew who attacked. After Shisui's death, Itachi started changing. He stopped coming home for days at a time, until finally father tried to put a stop to it. Itachi ran away and got arrested."
He felt Gin kneel behind him and grip his shoulder. "Let's go in."
Sasuke immediately felt his heart begin racing as he stared at the door.
"We're here for you." Sakura encouraged. They gently got him to his feet and walked towards the door. Sasuke felt his body begin shaking.
"What was your mother's name?" Gin asked
"Mikoto." He answered as he began visualizing her body that day he came home.
"Did she love to cook?" Gin followed up. Sasuke immediately saw her standing in the kitchen, a smile on her face as she pulled dinner out of the oven.
"Yes. She did." Sasuke answered.
Sakura smiled as Sasuke's shaking began to calm.
"What about your father? What did he like to do?" Gin asked as they bypassed the front door and walked around back of the home.
"He loved to annoy my mother every chance he got." Sasuke said with a slight chuckle. Gin hummed with encouragement. After a moment they were walking through the back door of the home reliving some of Sasuke's better memories. The memories had him smiling until he stopped at a closed door in the hallway. Reaching up he placed his hand on the dark surface, "Father never allowed us to enter his office."
Gin let a wicked smile cross his face as he turned the handle and walked in. Both Sakura and Sasuke called out his name.
"What?" He threw over his shoulder. Sasuke took a step into the forbidden room, childhood instincts telling him he was in so much trouble, but he didn't stop. Before he knew it, he was standing in the forbidden office.
Sakura gasped, "Is that you?"
Sasuke turned to see a picture of him standing in front of Itachi and Shisui. He breathed out an affirmative as he remembered that day and the reason for the pout his five year old self carried. "Shisui had just tricked me into doing some of his community chores."
Gin and Sakura chuckled, but Sasuke's eye had moved on. There were so many memories here. Things he was sure his father had not cared about. Sasuke had often complained to his mother that his father's favorite was Itachi, but he now knew his father loved them equally.
As he looked over the office his eyes stopped on a shelf of books a startled gasp escaped his mouth as he grabbed a book out of the case. Sakura and Gin joined him while he quickly ruffled through the book, an exited smile spreading across his face. He looked up at them, "This is what I was searching for."
Sakura's eyes lit up, "But the library said it was destroyed."
Sasuke looked around the office, "I wonder why father hid it?"
Gin didn't voice his opinion, but he was sure the elder Uchiha knew Itachi would want that book, but why hide it here? Wouldn't Itachi come here to look for it? Then he looked to Sasuke and a knowing smile crossed his face. No, Itachi would have seen these pictures with Shisui and Sasuke and would have left before he fell to his own emotions.
After closing the book they left the room. Sasuke closed the door with a smile and a silent thank you to his father before leaving the home. Determination in his step, Sasuke headed back to the shrine. They had a friend to save.
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Zaraki lay in his bed waiting. Sara had just informed him a few minutes ago that she had met with Byakuya Kuchiki and that the man was on his way to the hospital. With every second that ticked by, Zaraki tried not to over think this meeting. All he could do was relay what he knew of Itachi and his ability.
There was no knock on the door, no announcement that the man had arrived. The door to his room was just pushed open by the Kuchiki heir and then closed tightly. Byakuya came to a stop at the end of his bed with his arms crossed and a barely contained fury burning in his eyes. "Your assassin said you needed to meet with me about the situation with Sephiroth."
Zaraki sighed inside from the arctic tone of Byakuya's words. "Thank you for coming."
Byakuya's glacial stare was his only response to pleasantries, so he continued, "I have heard of Sephiroth's declining mental state, I am also aware of his rejection of Sesshomaru and what that entails. Itachi is the reason for Sephiroth's current condition, and Dr. Tsunade and Dr. Unohana are trying to gather as much information about the Uchiha as they can to help Sephiroth. However, they have failed to come up with any answers. I would have went to them myself but I fear they may be a bit prejudice in this situation considering my background."
"You believe I will be unbiased?" Byakuya asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes." Zaraki simply stated.
Byakuya nodded at the unexpected praise from the man on the bed, "What has happened to Sephiroth?"
"Itachi had a visual power that was able to ensnare the victim's mind. Sometimes he would transport that person into an internal world, sometimes he would change their perspective altogether. In Sephiroth's case, it seems he has implanted an illogical fear for his brothers."
"How do we break this visual power?" Byakuya asked as his brows furrowed in thought.
"Have you thrown a rock into a still pond to watch the ripples radiate to the banks? Itachi's power is like the still surface of the water. All it takes is someone to cast a stone into the water to break the illusion. The problem is Itachi was very powerful."
Byakuya frowned as he leaned his hands upon the footrest of Zaraki's bed, "It will take a stone of considerable power to break the surface."
Zaraki nodded, "Sephiroth's fear rests upon protecting his brothers from an enemy."
"Sesshomaru and Inutaicho." Byakuya whispered as he closed his eyes. "What could possibly release that fear?"
"I wish I knew." Zaraki answered with a sigh.
Byakuya stared down at his hands on the foot board. What power could they wield that could overpower such an ability. What could overpower Sephiroth's need to protect his brothers?
"Thank you for the information," Byakuya said, "I think it's time I speak with the doctors. Maybe they will have some ideas."
Standing straight, Byakuya turned to leave as Zaraki wished him luck. Byakuya left the room to search for the two doctors while praying there was something they could do to help Sephiroth and ultimately save his best friend.
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AfterShock	By : whitetiger Category: InuYasha Crossovers > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 12735 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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AfterShock