Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

A Heat to Overcome	By : Sparrowhawk Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male > InuYasha/Sessh?maru > InuYasha/Sessh?maru Views: 31291 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the associated characters, nor do I make any profit from this fanfic. All other characters not associated with the original manga or anime, however, are mine.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
I am so excited for everyone to read this next chapter!! Hope you guys like it! Before we get to that, though, reviews, reviews!!

Vyperbites: Whew, you're going to give me a big head with that kind of flattery. Let's deflate a little before going on *takes out pin -POP!-* Okay, lol, that's better. Seriously, though, I am so flattered that you like my story so much. Hopefully I'll be able to write well enough to not disappoint you in later chapters. As for reactions of the humans ... well, we'll have to see.

Madamdragon: I like that they're getting along, too, and if it wasn't crucial to the story to move forward I might linger in it a little longer, but the plot must go on. Plus Sessh still needs to get his memories back. I know what you mean about suspense, though. As an author, I love it, because the suspense motivates readers to keep going, but as a reader I really despise it cause I always want to know what's going to happen next. Conflicting, I know. Hope you enjoy the update!

Midnightsscream: Your praise makes me so happy! I wasn't sure about putting in such long chapters, but then I thought, what the heck. Why not? If people are able to get through them and still want more long chapters that means my writing is good, right? Or at least, the sex scenes are good, lol. Yes, Sessh is more like himself, that's what I was aiming for. I like him that way, dominant and somewhat pushy, but still uber sexy. Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a review (:

Warnings for those who want to know: serious foul language (mostly Inuyasha, but Miroku, too, this time ... ooh, bad monk), male solo (hotness), major lustiness (in thoughts and actions), a sweet Sesshomaru, an embarrassed Inuyasha (kawaii!!), then we get onto the bad stuff--torture, oral rape (does it count as that? Not sure), and our second (third? fourth?) introduction to Bitchy Kagome.

Alrighty then, enough with the suspense, on to chapter four!!!!

Chapter Four

Michio

"Kagome, wake up," Miroku demanded, shaking her shoulder.

"What? Huh?" she muttered, peering up at him through bleary eyes. "Miroku, what's wrong?"

"Inuyasha left last night and he hasn't come back."

"Nn ... he's probably just ... patrolling again or something. Go away. I didn't sleep well last night."

"For the whole night? He's never gone that long. Even when you two fight and he gets mad he's always back before any of us wake up. He'd never leave us out here unprotected like that."

"We're not unprotected. Sango's here, so are you, and so is Kirara. We can take care of ouselves and so can he," Kagome retorted, annoyed that the monk was interrupting what had been a very pleasant dream. "Now leave me alone so I can go back to sleep."

Miroku ground his teeth in frustration, just barely stopping himself from hitting her, even if she was a girl. "Get up off your lazy ass, stop being a bitch, and help me find him."

Shocked and outraged, Kagome jerked up out of her sleeping bag. "Now just a minute!"

"Inuyasha sees himself as alpha of our group, his pack. Even if he wasn't as protective as he is, his inu nature wouldn't allow him to leave us alone for that long. He always puts us before himself. You, especially. Now either help me search or go home. Whether you help or not, I'm taking Kirara, Sango, and Shippo with me to look for him. It's your choice if you get left behind."

"It's true," Sango interjected. "I'm usually up first and he's always back. The only time he wasn't there before dawn was when he was fighting a demon that got too close to us."

"All right, I get it," Kagome grumbled. "I'm coming. Just give me a minute to gather my things."

"Good," Miroku nodded, satisfied. "Maybe Kirara can pick up his trail."

"They went that way." All eyes turned on the fox kit, rubbing his eyes and pointing north.

"How do you know that?" Kagome wondered.

Shippo tapped his nose, smiling smugly as if it should have been obvious. "Inuyasha's not the only canine youkai. I might not be able to track like he can, but I would know his rotten smell anywhere."

"Wait," Sango interrupted. "You said 'they'. Who else is with him?"

"Sesshomaru," Miroku muttered before the kit could say anything. "Inuyasha was nervous last night before he left. I didn't know why, but he seemed ... scared of something. I also noticed Sesshomaru wasn't here. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but ... what if we just assumed he lost his memory? He doesn't lie, but I wouldn't put it past him to keep the truth from Inuyasha so he could trick him like the story you told us about the youkai posing as his mother."

"You're right," Kagome agreed, hurrying as she rolled up her sleeping bag and stuffed it into her backpack. "But what could he want from Inuyasha? He's never bothered with him before except to try to steal the Tessaiga, but he could have done that without going through all this trouble of pretending he'd lost his memory. We've got to hurry and find them."

Now she's in best friend mode, Miroku thought sarcastically. "Right then. Shippo we're following you, so lead the way."

*** ***

Inuyasha blinked himself awake, feeling as if he'd just woken from a fantastical dream. It wasn't exactly a good dream, but neither was it a nightmare. Sesshomaru was ... being nice. And perverted, but that was beside the point. It was the first time he'd felt so needed, so wanted by the man who had pushed him away and abandoned him.

He sniffed the air. What was that delicious scent? It was like ... the flowers of that glade--made him want to roll in it until the scent soaked into his hair and skin. Yet it was different, more intoxicating and heady than merely pleasant. At the same time, it was also familiar. Familiar, but ... somehow stronger, sweeter, more appealing. It was messing with his head in a strange way, making his throat dry and his groin tight, like an aphrodisiac.

Swallowing the dryness in his mouth, he sat up to look around for a place to get a drink of water. If he remembered right there was a stream only a two minute walk from where they had set up camp for the night. But ... that was odd. There was no smell of rain in the air, yet it was so dark and there were no stars.

A pale shape caught his attention in the darkness. Squinting, he looked closer, and almost yelped when he recognized the figure. Sesshomaru!

Wait ... he wasn't at camp ... he was in a cave--a cave with furs for bedding. No, not a cave. A den. He had come because ... his ass of a brother had threatened him. Sesshomaru told him he was in heat and he'd be in heat for the next couple weeks. And then ... and then he'd ...

Oh gods! Did he do it again? He fucked his brother a second time?

But ... no, that didn't sound right. He remembered being angry. He remembered Sesshomaru asking some kind of weird question, that same question the monk had asked. The sadist had refused to help him with his heat until he'd answered, and after that he'd threatened to take his group and leave. The daiyoukai then promised to protect them while he was incapacitated, but ... what happened after that? What did he do after feeling relieved by the assurance in that promise?

"It humiliates you to have me touch you back here. So, my question is ... why? Why do you let me?" That was his youki. He remembered that.

And Sesshomaru answered. "I was ... afraid."

That's right. The icy bastard admitted he was afraid to lose him, that's why the demon lord almost let him take him like the first time.

"I thought if you couldn't bring yourself to be a submissive ... I would take that role. I wanted, needed to be able to touch you. My youki sings for you. My body melts for you. To have you never touch me again ...."

"So you were lying."

"No! I meant what I said. If you would have rejected me more vehemently than you did, I would have given up, but I would never have left you. You're my brother."

"That didn't stop you before." He recalled still feeling angry, but more like he was testing the daiyoukai than anything else. Why? What was his youki trying to prove?

"I don't remember before! I don't know who I was or what I did! All I know is for some reason, for something I don't know about and don't understand, you're afraid of me. I can see it in your eyes." The amount of anger was surprising to Inuyasha, it was even to his youki. He didn't know his brother felt that way for him. How could he? It had only been a day since they'd really been together after the demon lord lost his memories.

"Then ... make my fear go away." Wait one fucking minute! Did he say that? That sounded too damn close to a ... an invitation to fuck him! His youki wanted to be fucked? How in the hell did that happen? And ... and ... oh gods! It did happen. It wasn't a dream.

"Dominate me, yes. Fuck me, yes. Get rid of this damned unbearable heat, yes! I don't want you for a submissive. It doesn't feel right and I don't like it. Be my alpha, Sessh."

How could he say something so embarrassing, so ... pathetic? He wasn't a fucking submissive!

"Being a submissive doesn't make you weak, nor does it make you inferior."

Sure it doesn't. It just means baring your ass for another man to fuck it! Shit! Stupid fucking Sesshomaru and his stupid, fucking heat! Why couldn't they both just leave him alone?!

"Being a submissive merely means sometimes you don't want to be in charge, and that's okay. It's not a bad thing to want to be taken care of. My wish is to take care of you. Do you think I'm looking down on you by wanting to do that?"

If it were the old Sesshomaru he would definitely believe it, but ... this one was ... weird. This Sesshomaru was warmer, kinder, still as pushy as ever, but ... he had never felt this loved by him before. Was it really okay for him to let the demon lord take care of him, protect him? He wasn't sure. The older inu seemed sincere. His eyes showed everything, every emotion--the same as Inuyasha knew his did. That was why he often hid his eyes with his bangs. He wondered how long the daiyoukai had to train his face and eyes to be able to keep up such a cold exterior all the time. He knew he couldn't do it.

Seeing his older brother was still sleeping, he took the time he'd never really had to study him. It was kind of ... cute to see him sleeping. He slept curled up as if he was in youkai form with his arm pillowing his head and his legs curled toward his stomach. His long white hair partially covered his side and fanned across his back and buttocks. Inuyasha had always admired his brother's figure. It was tall and lean, but also strong. He, on the other hand, was shorter and less well built. He had muscle definition, sure enough, but nothing as impressive as his aniki's beautifully sculpted chest and abs. Those same chest and abs that had rubbed up and down his back, sweat letting them slide easily against one another ...

Crap, his body was getting hot again. Even after Sesshomaru did all that--

That ...?

"Fuck, it's so hot ... I can't breathe!"

"Do you want me to stop?"

Inuyasha quickly shook his head. "It'll be worse ... hnnn ... if you do that. Just ... do it harder. I need this. I can take it. Please ... haa ... do it to me?"

Damn it, he cursed, his cheeks burning with shame. He really was insane! No, his youki was insane. That's what the problem was. "Do it to me?" testing the words in a hushed voice, grimacing at the taste of them on his proud tongue. There was no fucking way he'd ever, ever, in a million years say that to anyone, let alone Sesshomaru.

The lower part of his body throbbed, and with a huff, he tossed the furs off. Might as well take care of it now before it got worse, maybe he'd be able to do it himself instead of heaving to ask Sesshomaru for help--it'd certainly be awkward after the nonsense he was spouting a while ago.

Leaning back against the cool stone of the wall, he spread his legs slightly and grasped his already hard member in one hand. Keeping one eye on his brother to make sure he didn't wake up while he was masturbating, he started stroking it.

After a couple minutes, he stopped with a frown. It felt really good when Sesshomaru had him do it, so why wasn't it feeling that good now? He wasn't any closer to getting himself off than when he started. Perhaps if he ...?

He bit his lip, glancing from beneath his eyelashes at the still sleeping demon lord. It wouldn't hurt anything if no one saw him do it. Beginning the stroking movement again, he slid his other hand up along his stomach, lightly tracing the contours of his muscles. Well, it felt a little better. What about higher? How did Sesshomaru do it?

Blushing even with no one to see him, he circled one of his nipples with his fingers, and shuddered at the feeling. It did feel nice. Hmm ... a little more then, he decided. The pace of his hand sped up unconsciously as he put his focus on his hardening nipples, lightly touching them with his fingertips and claws. It was absurd how sensitive they were. He was sure they hadn't been that way before. Sesshomaru must have done something to him. Or maybe it was just the heat, but all the same, it was his aniki's fault.

His breathing became more erratic the more he teased the pink buds. Pinching them, he discovered, made them feel even better, as did twisting them subtly. Though he wasn't a masochist, the ache brought him ever closer to the edge. He wished he could do both and his cock at the same time. Too bad he didn't have three hands.

His hips danced forward and back in time with his pumping hand, and with a quickly stifled cry and a crack to the back of his head on the hard stone, he came.

"Damn it," he muttered, frustrated when his erection didn't shrink at all. Why wasn't it working? It was starting to hurt again, and masturbating just seemed to make it worse. What was missing?

His backside throbbed, clenching and unclenching involuntarily. He grimaced. Of course. Sesshomaru was missing. He had taken on the submissive role now, thanks to his suddenly insane youki. What was he supposed to do then? There was no way he was going to admit to the daiyoukai that he needed him to fuck him again so he could sleep. Then again, he couldn't continue on like he was either. The heat would get worse until he ended up the same as when he'd first arrived, humping his brother's leg.

Ah, shit! He needed to do something!

Maybe if he just touched a little. Surely just a small touch wouldn't do any harm.

Being as quiet as possible so as to not wake the demon lord, Inuyasha crawled over next to him and tentatively touched his bare shoulder. Ooooh, that smell was so good. So that was Sesshomaru's scent. Was it always this appealing?

The magenta stripes on the daiyoukai's hip caught his eye. He had never noticed the marks were there, too. There were a couple on his wrists and face, and how he knew there were some on his hips, but did he have any elsewhere? This was kind of fun, he realized, chuckling quietly to himself as he searched for more stripes, like a treasure hunt. Ah, there were some. He had a couple on the outsides of his ankles. There was only the one moon-shaped marking as far as he could tell. Was that from his mother or from the old man? When he saw his father briefly in that vision he didn't think there had been a marking on his forehead. So it was Sesshomaru's mother? He wondered how she looked. Probably like a feminine version of Sesshomaru, stunningly beautiful with a graceful figure, long legs, and a cascade of pristine white hair.

Reaching out, he stroked his fingers across one of the stripes. The texture wasn't any different than the rest of his skin, smooth as silk. That smell was stronger when he touched them, though. Before he knew what he had done, he was licking his lips, the delicious smell on his tongue. The taste was ... amazing--spicy and sweet at the same time, a rich flavor that got stronger the more he tasted of his brother's skin. He craved it, needed it has he'd needed nothing before. His ass pulsated wantonly, demanding attention. Damn, his heat was driving him nuts. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be doing this, but ... he couldn't stop.

His mouth moved more desperately as he licked and sucked a path downward from the daiyoukai's hip, pushing his leg aside so he could have better access. Though his mind and heart protested, screaming at him to stop, he didn't even pause when he saw his aniki's cock. Something inside him broke when he took hold of it and guided it into his mouth; tears gathered in his eyes. Damn it! Why wouldn't his body listen to him?! He wasn't this kind of person!

"Inu ... yasha?" Sesshomaru murmured sleepily, propping himself up on his elbow.

The hanyou jumped back as if he'd been burned. "I-I'm sorry! I r-really didn't ... didn't mean to do it. It's just ... I was ..." He clutched his head in his hands, not daring to look up to see what kind of disgusted expression was on his brother's face. "DAMN IT! It's this fucking heat. I can't think straight! Sorry. Uh ... I'm just gonna go back to sleep."

"Wait," Sesshomaru called, stopping his ototo in his tracks. The inu hanyou looked like a cornered animal, his weight on the balls of his feet--ready to flee or fight, whichever was necessary--and his back hunched as if to guard against Sesshomaru's watching eyes. "Let me see your face."

"Don't wanna," Inuyasha mumbled as he backed away another step.

A ray of light, the first to enter the cave from the rising sun, glimmered off one side of the hanyou's lowered face and the moisture falling from his eyes. He was crying. "Inuyasha, come, I'll help you."

Inuyasha shook his head. "I'm fine. I don't know what came over me, but I'm fine. I'll go back to bed."

He's completely freaked out, Sesshomaru thought, which was then followed by another, more worrying thought, He's still afraid of me. "No, you're not fine, and you won't be able to sleep either. What you did is nothing to be ashamed of. Your youki recognizes me as your alpha, therefore, it knows it's my job to relieve your heat."

Again, the younger inu shook his head. "I'm not your bitch. I won't be! Just leave me alone!"

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru snapped in frustration, letting the authority of his alpha youki leak into his voice. "Come here."

With ears laid back and bangs covering his eyes, Inuyasha reluctantly walked back to stand in front of his older brother. "I won't be your bitch," he muttered rebelliously, standing with his arms rigidly at his sides, hands clenched.

"I never asked you to be," the daiyoukai replied soothingly, getting to his feet so he could lay his hand on his sibling's shoulder. "Listen to me, Inuyasha. This isn't your fault; it's because of your heat. Even if I was angry, which I am not, it would not be because of you. Your personality has nothing to do with your actions right now, understand? This is normal for inu youkai."

"I hate it."

"I know." Ever so gently, ever so carefully, he drew his ototo into his embrace. To his surprise, the hanyou didn't resist.

"You promised you'd take care of me," Inuyasha reminded him softly, sounding almost defeated.

Relieved, the demon lord smiled. So Inuyasha remembered. "I did, and I meant it. Let me take care of your heat, and then I'll go see about checking on your companions."

Against his nature, probably a result of taking the submissive position, or so he told himself, Inuyasha nodded. If he was going to get through these next two weeks he knew, instinctively knew, he needed a partner. No way in hell would he ask Kagome to be that partner, she was too young, plus she was human, as were any of the others that might have been able to help under any other circumstances. They wouldn't understand, nor would they be able to keep up with the physical demands. That left Sesshomaru.

"Now what do we have here?" a voice taunted as a shadow blocked the rising sun from the den entrance. "We captured an inu youkai and lost him only to track him down and find another along with him. Lucky day."

"Who the hell are you?" Inuyasha snarled, reaching for his sword only to realize it wasn't at his hip. Of course not, he'd set it aside with his clothes last night. He wasn't even sure where they'd ended up; somewhere within the pile of animal pelts, no doubt.

"Oh, apologies, an inu youkai and an inu hanyou. Generally hanyou are worthless, but an inu hanyou in heat is an entirely different matter, especially one as beautiful as you. I must thank you, Sesshomaru, for leading us to this ... delicacy. We never would have found him on our own."

"Sessh, what the fuck is he babbling about? You know him?"

The demon lord sneered, pushing Inuyasha slightly behind him at the same time. "I most certainly do not."

"The correct term is you don't 'remember' me," the figure responded casually. "The parasitic youkai we injected into you blocks your memories as well as your true power. I was surprised you still had enough youki to transform. That's the reason you managed to escape from us, but I won't be making the same mistake twice. You see, we have a benefactor who is very interested in buying you and he's willing to pay practically anything to have you."

"Slave traders," Inuyasha growled, disgusted. "You guys must be big shots to be going up against a daiyoukai like Sesshomaru. Normally your kind are so spineless you only go after women and children."

"Women and children are safer, easier to manipulate. Men, on the other hand, are not only stronger, but also more resilient. But, as I said, Sesshomaru is a special case ... as are you. Now ... how do you want to do this, the easy way or the hard way?"

"Hmm, let me think about that," Inuyasha responded sarcastically. "Oh, I'm gonna have to say ... the fucking hard way!" He tried to shove his brother aside, but Sesshomaru was quicker. His hand grasped Inuyasha's arm and, with a heave, tossed him away as Sesshomaru leapt past him, transforming to his inu form in midair.

"Uh uh, none of that now," the slave trader scolded, clearly amused.

A high pitched keening sound filled the air, and with a shriek, Sesshomaru collapsed. Pain coursed through his body like electric shocks, causing his limbs to twitch and jerk and his back muscles to seize. He heard Inuyasha snarling from somewhere behind him, but couldn't move or speak to try to stop him. These men were dangerous. Though he didn't recognize the man by his voice, his scent was familiar--familiar and dark and frightening. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt if Inuyasha tried to fight this man, he would lose. Under normal circumstances he might have a chance, but not with his heat fullly upon him.

Rising to his feet, shaking with the effort to remain upright once there, Sesshomaru battled to wrench control from whatever parasite had taken hold of him. He had to protect Inuyasha. He had to protect his brother. The younger inu had only just started to accept him as alpha, he couldn't, wouldn't let his precious ototo be taken from him now!

"As I suspected, you are quite resilient. Pain won't be enough to control you, so let's try something else." The whistling noise changed to a lower pitch that warbled, going high, then low, then high again.

His stomach roiled, heaved, and sent bile shooting up into his throat. With a gagging sound he let go of his inu form and collapsed to his knees, too weak to remain standing while he spewed vomit onto the ground in front of him. The keening sound returned, and with it, the pain. It sent him reeling backward, causing him to crack his head on the stone floor. Gods, it hurt! He writhed in agony, unable to breathe, barely able to move. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, darkness threatening to overtake him.

He refused to give up! With a snarl, he twisted his arm from the parasite's control, slashing his claws across his thigh, the pain bringing him to full consciousness once more.

"How stubborn," the figure chuckled. "Is that half breed so important to you? You needn't worry. You'll be with him until we pass you off to your new owner. There will be plenty of time to say goodbye. If you're good, perhaps we could even negotiate with our benefactor and see if he would like to buy your puppy as a sort of ... pet."

"Like hell you will!" Inuyasha shouted, enraged and sickened by what the youkai was doing to his elder sibling. "Get the fuck out of our den before I rip your throat out. I'm nobody's pet, and neither is Sesshomaru!"

"Oh, but you will be, puppy. You will." The shadow moved until it blocked out the entire cave entrance. "It'll be fun breaking you in. I doubt that rebelliousness will last more than a few days with your heat. It will start out as rape, but after a few days, being taken over and over again, humiliated, beaten, and then treated with even a little kindness, you'll beg for it. In the end, you'll enjoy it."

"Leave ... him alone!" Sesshomaru gasped, struggling to roll over onto his belly. "I'm the one ... you want. I won't ... resist. Take me ... hhngh ... not him. Take me ... rape me ... torture me ... sell me ... kill me ..."

"Sessh, what are you saying?!" Inuyasha demanded, horrified.

"I don't care," the daiyoukai continued, ignoring his frantic sibling. "I don't care ... what you do to me ... but ... don't take away my brother ... I beg you!"

"Hmm ... tempting, however, seeing as how you can barely move in any case, it wouldn't be to my benefit to let him go, now would it? Two inu, twice the profit. You can watch as we break your precious brother."

Sesshomaru blinked when a pair of bare feet were planted directly in front of him between the slaver and himself. "Inu ... yasha ... what are you doing?"

"Fucking saving your ass, what do you think?!" the hanyou snarled, eyes flashing red. "And after I'm done with that I'm going to fucking pound it. You think I'd just stand by and watch you sacrifice yourself for me without putting up a fight? I told you, I am not and will not be your bitch. If you truly don't see me like that, then don't treat me like one."

"But ... Inuya--"

"Don't! Don't say another word. If you want to protect me, fine, do it, but I won't sit by and watch. I'm a man, too. I have my pride, and I won't have it fucking disregarded by your moronic reasoning that you're somehow doing me a favor by damning yourself. Now shut up and stop bitching before I think of an excuse to let them capture you."

"Haha!" the slaver laughed. "Quite feisty, isn't he? Even with his dick straining, obviously achingly so, he's going to try to fight me. Hn ... he's quite an amusing little puppy. The crew will certainly have fun with him."

"You gonna spout crap all day, or are ya gonna fight?" Inuyasha challenged, flexing his fingers. "Cause my claws are just itching to tear into your cowardly hide."

"It seems he hasn't realized. I'm surprised you haven't told him, my Lord. How cruel, to have slept with him without telling him about the influencing power of a true alpha. Then again, your power is depleted enough it wouldn't have worked even if you tried to command him. Were you going to keep it from him until he refused?"

"Command me? Sesshomaru? You've gotta be joking!"

Amused despite his position, the daiyoukai barked a derisive laugh. "You ... don't know anything ... about him ... if you think ... he'd obey you ... ugh ... just because ... you're an alpha inu. He's not ... a submissive."

"Damn straight! You're dreaming if you think a little dominant youki is gonna make me roll over for you. I didn't when I was a pup and I got caught by youkai bent on raping me, I didn't for Sesshomaru, don't assume I'm a weakling just because I let my brother touch me. He's the only one I'd tolerate dominating me."

"Is that so? Too bad. Looks like I'll have to use my power after all. Don't regret it, puppy."

With a feral growl, Inuyasha dropped into a crouch. A blur of pale skin and black hair brushed past him so quickly he couldn't even be sure he had seen it. The next moment pain exploded in his abdomen. Gasping and coughing, he dropped to his knees.

"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru shouted.

"Oh ... shut up ..." the hanyou grumbled, stumbling back to his feet. "I've had worse."

Upon turning around he had his first real look at their attacker. The man couldn't have been much older than Sesshomaru. He had smelled it was an inu youkai, but he had thought all the inu youkai in this region were white inu, yet this man had pitch black hair and dark eyes. Like Sesshomaru, he had absurdly pale skin, but unlike Sesshomaru, no marking on his forehead. His hair was cropped short except for a ridiculously long tail at the nape of his neck and a section of bangs that covered one side of his face. The man's upper torso was bare and covered with swirling black and red tattoos. A lip ring pierced the left side of his lower lip and there were also jeweled rings through his nipples. The stripes on his face marking him as a purebred inu youkai were indigo rather than magenta, and were shaped more like lightning bolts than tapered stripes.

"Do you like what you see, puppy?" the man inquired with a leer. "If you come with me quietly, I could make an exception to my no pet rule. You'd be exclusively mine. I can assure you I'd treat you better than if you were to become the crew's toy."

"Go fuck yourself ... asshole." Sweat began to drip down Inuyasha's face as the pain in his abdomen increased. His vision blurred. He gritted his teeth. Poison, of course. Thankfully, over the years of battling Sesshomaru he had built up a bit of a resistance to it, otherwise he was sure he would have already fainted.

"You should look more worried, puppy. My poison isn't like your older brother's. His burns through flesh, muscle, and bone. His is lethal. Mine, on the other hand, though not life threatening, is capable of paralyzing the strongest of youkai, rendering them completely helpless. Unfortunately, as in Sesshomaru's case, it doesn't work on inu with poison capabilities." He smirked when Inuyasha gasped, his limbs going rigid. "However, it would seem you do not possess the same ability."

Brilliant violet light snaked out of his hand. Inuyasha had seen his brother's whip on a few occasions, but it was nothing like this. The kuro inu's whip separated at the end into more than a dozen sharp tails clearly made for torture.

"NO!" Sesshomaru howled, lurching to his hands and knees only to collapse once more. "Don't hurt him!"

The inu's grin made even the daiyoukai flinch. "Bad puppies need to be punished. Don't worry, I won't kill him. He's far too valuable alive. Perhaps you should try reassuring him. Tell him it's going to be okay. After all, you are his elder brother. Isn't that your job?"

"Damn ... sadists," Inuyasha hissed, the paralysis making it hard to talk. "Do your worst. I'll never ... be yours!!"

With a shaking hand, Sesshomaru gripped his sibling's ankle--the only place he could reach. "I'm here, Inuyasha," he whispered, his voice trembling. His formidable mind began creating and discarding plans one after another, searching for a way out, preferably with both him and Inuyasha free and intact. "I'm with you. Always, I'll always be with you." He knew it sounded weak, but it was all he could offer.

"Sessh ..." Inuyasha responded, voice barely audible through his paralyzed throat and lips. "Sessh ... don't ... don't cry. This ... is nothing. It's like ... a bug bite. Won't even hurt ... it'll just itch a little."

As if to spite him, the first blow came, slashing across Inuyasha's chest and stomach and was followed quickly by a second blow. One after another, the whip cracked across his skin, each tail cutting into him hard enough to make him bleed. Yet he couldn't move, couldn't draw breath enough to scream, which only seemed to make it hurt all the more. Then, without warning, the whip struck lower, right across his heat-induced erection and he shrieked.

"How attractive your cries are, puppy!" the dark inu exclaimed gleefully. "So sweet to my ears! More! Scream for me more!"

Sessomaru watched, unable to tear his eyes away even as blood splattered across his face and dripped onto his hand. His body struggled of its own accord, flailing, desperate to protect the one he had taken as his den partner. Terror and rage mixed, caused his eyes to flash red, but as his youki condensed around him the debilitating sickness returned and the shocks of pain became hundreds of times stronger. He vomited, the shrieks and heart wrenching screams of his ototo echoing around the cave and in his head, through his body, rampaging, never stopping. Why couldn't he protect him? Why did this happen? Why was he so fucking weak?!

"STOP!!" he pleaded. "Don't hurt him anymore! Please ... please, let him go ... I beg of you."

"Oooh ... but I haven't even gotten to the best part yet. He'll like this. Trust me." Dropping to his knees in front of the hanyou, the slaver grabbed his bleeding member, squeezing cruelly as he opened his mouth to suck it.

Sesshomaru's mind raced. There had to be something he could do, something he was missing, some way to either free Inuyasha or himself so they could escape. Inuyasha had paralyzing poison in his system. He couldn't do a damn thing about that unless he had the knowledge to nullify it, which he didn't. The slave was controlling himself, though, through a parasite youkai because he was immune to poisons. Poisons that would hurt or immobilize Inuyasha wouldn't do a thing to him. That had to have some significance, if only he could figure out what that significance was.

"Don't ..." Inuyasha groaned, shaking as he tried to move away, only managing to slide his left foot back by less than a centimeter. "Nnngh ... don't ... touch me."

"Michio-sama," a woman's voice called from the den entrance. "We need to go. Someone has found their trail. They'll be here soon."

"Who are 'they'?"

"Taka says it's a mixed group of ningen and youkai. A monk, slayer, miko, kitsune, and neko."

"Friends of yours," the man called Michio inquired, running his tongue up along the underside of Inuyasha's cock. "They don't sound all that dangerous. Should we give them a show?"

Tears of pain and humiliation coursed down Inuyasha's cheeks as his hips jerked forward against the paralysis. Sesshomaru snarled from somewhere behind him, and then shrieked when the parasitic youkai reacted to his rebellion. The hanyou's blood boiled, burning in his veins. His inu youkai heritage railed against the restraint of his human blood, pushing harder and harder for control. For the first time since he'd become aware of the internal battle, he didn't fight it. He didn't care if his soul was lost, it was better than being raped and allowing the same to happen to Sesshomaru. Another blood curdling shriek ripped through the air. Inuyahsa's vision bled red, and the next moment, faded to black.

*** ***

(A/N: I am soooo tempted to leave it here ... but I won't. I love you guys too much.)

*** ***

"Inuyasha!" Kagome and Miroku shouted, simultaneously dashing inside the crevice Shippo had pointed out as the place he and Sesshomaru were staying. With a squeak, Kagome recoiled, backing away with her eyes covered. Miroku gaped for several long seconds before coming back to his senses.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" he called to the naked youkai uncertainly, noting the blood that speckled his face and covered his hand. "What happened? Where's Inuyasha?"

"He's gone," the daiyoukai responded, voice level, eyes gazing blankly past the monk toward the cave entrance and beyond.

"You ... got into a fight?"

"No."

"If you didn't fight, then why are you covered in blood?"

"I ..." Sesshomaru blinked, clearly confused, looked at Miroku for all of two seconds, before gazing back outside. Miroku wasn't even certain the demon lord knew he was there even though he was talking to him. "He ..."

Frustrated by his slow response, Kagome boldly disregarded the inu youkai's state of undress. "Where's Inuyasha? What have you done to him?!" Sharp golden eyes as cold as a glacier, pinned her to the spot, dissected her, and then dismissed her.

"Kagome, calm down," Miroku cautioned, feeling as if he was trying to soothe a mother kuma youkai who'd lost her cub. "We don't even know what happened. It could be that that's not Inuyasha's blood at all."

"It's Inuyasha's blood all right," Shippo said, wrinkling his nose.

Sango grabbed the kit before he could get any further into the cave. "Come on, Shippo, we'll wait outside."

"But I wanna know what happened to Inuyasha!"

"Just cover his eyes for now," Miroku sighed. Once he saw that the slayer did as he asked, he turned back to the demon lord, wondering if he had somehow gone into shock. "Sesshomaru, can you please tell us what happened?"

"He was taken," the daiyoukai replied simply, voice emotionless, no hint of remorse, guilt, or fear in his expression.

"You're lying!" Kagome yelled, charging toward him only to be caught around the waist by Miroku. She struggled to get free, not caring that the demon was hundreds of times stronger and more powerful than she was, not caring that he could snap her neck as easily as she might snap a twig. "You hurt him! You always hurt him! You never lost your memory; you were just tricking him so you could hurt him again! I should never have trusted you! Where is Inuyasha?!"

"I do not know--"

"Don't give me that crap," she spat, nearly overpowering Miroku in her attempt to get to the demon lord. "His blood is all over you! How can you keep denying knowing anything when you obviously know something? I can't believe you! You're a bastard just like Inuyasha always said!"

"Monk," Sesshomaru hissed with the first hint of emotion Miroku had yet heard. "If you don't want the miko dead, get her out of my sight. I refuse to speak to someone who won't see reason."

"Sango, Shippo, why don't you take Kagome and wait outside? I'd like to speak to Lord Sesshomaru alone."

"If ... you think that's best," Sango replied doubtfully. She wrapped her arm about her best friend's waist and guided her unresisting and bawling toward the cave entrance where she paused to look back at Miroku. "Call us if you need anything."

Once they were gone, Miroku sank to the ground in front of the demon lord. "So ... what happened?"

"Where would you like me to start?"

"How about the night Inuyasha left? He sounded nervous, perhaps even frightened."

"I ... coerced him into coming here with me." He held up a hand before the monk could say anything to object. "It was necessary. His heat was coming and, regardless of his own desires, it would most likely drive him to do things he would regret--such as attacking your miko. In order to relieve his heat and prevent the regret and guilt he would surely feel were he to rape any one of you as his pack, I made this den and coerced him into coming here."

"You slept with him?"

To Sesshomaru's surprise, the monk didn't seem at all disturbed by the idea, only curious. "Yes, I rutted with him. You are right in believing he is afraid of me. In defeating me he took on the role of alpha. His fear originated from the fact that I could, and most probably would, take back that role and he'd become my submissive, which did, in fact, happen, but only at his behest. I would never have forced myself on him."

Considering that and comparing it with what he'd heard of the demon lord from Inuyasha, he nodded. It fit the stoic daiyoukai's character. "So it was necessary to relieve his heat like that." Well, now Miroku knew what that glance was about when he asked Inuyasha what kind of ass he preferred.

Sesshomaru nodded. "It was. Generally an inu youkai's heat comes on when one reaches maturity. In human terms, puberty. At that point, it is tradition that we seek a female who is also in heat to mate with. She we would call a heat partner."

"And since there were no females in heat you had to take on the role of his heat partner," Miroku finished for him.

Again, the daiyoukai nodded that he was correct. "Heats are often violent, unpredictable things. I knew he would not wish to risk injuring a member of his pack, the miko in particular, while in thrall to his heat. Humans are too weak to meet the physical demands of having a heat partner. Inuyasha's heat was also late, which meant it would be even more violent than would be usual, so I took it upon myself to help him."

"Does that mean you're also in heat?" Miroku wondered nervously. He snuck a peak at the western lord's sex. Nothing seemed out of place. At least, he didn't look like he was erect.

"No. It is only necessary when seeking a female heat partner for that partner to be in heat. A male's body automatically produces the necessary chemicals and hormones to become a heat partner. I know this because my Lord Father was my heat partner."

"Y-Your father?"

"Yes, but that's neither here nor there. The issue is where Inuyasha has been taken."

"Wait, wait, wait, back up. Does this mean your memories have returned? How did that happen?"

"The day before your group found me I was attacked by an elite group of slave traders. Michio, an inu youkai like myself, injected a parasitic youkai into my brain which blocked my memories as well as most of my youki. When Inuyasha and I were attacked I managed to inject enough poison into myself to kill it. By the time I was completely freed of the youkai's influence, however, they had taken Inuyasha and fled."

"Then why aren't you going after them?"

"It's not that simple."

"Of course it is! You just change into your inu form, track their scent, and take Inuyasha back!"

"If that were an option, monk, I would have done so by now. Michio is one of the finest slave traders in the world. There is a reason he hadn't been caught, and that's because, as another inu, he knows the tricks to hiding his scent as well as the scents of those traveling with him."

"So that's it? You're just giving up?"

"Do not be foolish. Even if I was under the influence of my youki from that parasite, it does not negate the fact that I took him as my submissive. As such, I have a duty to keep him safe. For now, I will retrieve Jaken and Rin from Bokseno and return to my Lord Father's castle. You and your companions will be accompanying me."

"Whoa, whoa, slow down. Who are you to tell us what we're going to do?"

"It was a promise I made to Inuyasha. Granted, it was a promise before all this happened and only while he was in heat and unable to protect his pack, however, seeing as he's still in heat and unable to protect your group, I will be taking on the responsibilities as his alpha. You are not obligated to accept my leadership, but if you want to find Inuyasha it would be in your best interest to come. I have never tolerated anything being stolen from me, this time is no different. Inuyasha is mine, and I will have him returned to me if I have to burn down the entire kingdom to do it."

Awed by the daiyoukai's possessiveness, Miroku shook his head. "Kagome will never agree, and I doubt Sango will either. They're more like sisters than just friends. I'll talk to Shippo and see what he wants to do."

"I take it you've made up your mind to accompany me then?"

The monk shrugged as he got to his feet. "He's my friend. Despite how your relations may have been in the past, I can see you care for him. Besides, when it comes to rescuing Inuyasha you may be our best bet. You're the most powerful youkai we know, and probably the only one who can fight that Michio fellow."

"Should I find someone to protect your women?"

"Well, Sango can take care of herself for the most part--she's a demon slayer by occupation. It's Kagome I'm worried about. But, don't fret, I have someon in mind, it's just a matter of getting in contact with him. He's been chasing after Naraku ever since the majority of his pack was slaughtered."

"A canine youkai? Can he be trusted?"

Imagining the ookami youkai and his attachment to Kagome, Miroku laughed. "I think so. He's been attempting to court Kagome for a while now. He'll to anything if it involves showing off for her. His name's Kouga."

"The prince of the northern wolf tribe, correct?"

Surprised, Miroku nodded.

"As the Western Lord I've had relations with his tribe before. Not long ago we were able to negotiate an alliance. They protect our northern border, and in exchange, we keep out of their territory's business. You have no need to concern yourself with finding him; I'll have the word passed along. If all goes well, he should be here within the day."

"Very well, then I'll go get things smoothed over with Kagome and Sango." As he was about to go outside, he paused. "She means well, you know."

"Who?"

"Kagome. She's just worried about Inuyasha."

Slowly, Sesshomaru nodded. "I am aware of how she feels, monk."

"The name's Miroku, my Lord. I'd prefer, since we're going to be working together, that you call me by my name."

"As you wish."

With fluidity Miroku was envious of, the daiyoukai rolled to his feet. Clearing his throat, blushing in spite of Sesshomaru being a man, he quickly exited the cave. Damn, the demon lord was good looking. Even he, womanizer of all womanizers, wouldn't mind getting a taste of that ass.

After a short time Sesshomaru came out of the cave as well, but in his inu form. Miroku had never seen him like that before--a beautiful, albeit gigantic and still somewhat frightening white dog with a moon on its forehead and jagged magenta stripes by its mouth. Lifting his head to the sky, Sesshomaru let out an earsplitting howl that seemed to vibrate the very air around him.

"Miroku, what's going on?" Sango yelled, cautiously walking to his side, although, he noticed, keeping on his far side away from the giant inu.

"He's calling Kouga to stay with you and Kagome until we're able to bring Inuyasha back."

"Wait. You're going somewhere with him?"

"To his father's castle. Apparently, he's regained his memories. I don't think he had anything to do with Inuyasha's disappearance. According to what he's told me, a slave trader called Michio took him."

"You believe him?"

Miroku nodded. "I do. From what Inuyasha's told me, he's a cold, arrogant bastard, but he's not a liar. He has too much pride to lie. So, that being the case, I'm going to accompany him, help him in whatever way I can, and hopefully, we'll be able to find Inuyasha before those slave traders sell him off to some old pervert somewhere."

"They're not planning to sell him," Sesshomaru disagreed, appearing beside them, raising an eyebrow at Sango when she averted her eyes with cheeks burning scarlet.

"We really do need to find you some clothes, my Lord," Miroku snickered, unable to help himself.

"Hn, be that as it may," the daiyoukai replied, not a hint of embarrassment in his words or posture, "Inuyasha will not be sold."

"Why do you say that?" Sango inquired, doing her best not to look at him. He was gorgeous, she had to admit, but naked was naked.

"Because he is in heat they will use him for their own pleasure. They will rape him one after another, and because he is in heat he will be unable to stop them nor will he faint from exhaustion, until his heat ends when they will discard him. However, I fear by the time his heat is over and they find him of no use, they will have succeeded in breaking him."

"So ... I was right in believing you and he were using that den as a place to ... uh ... mate?"

"To ... what?" Kagome choked, having walked over in order to confront the demon lord again. "You two ... had .. s-sex? Wait a moment ... I must have heard wrong right? I mean, you're both guys, you're brothers!"

"Um ... that is ..." Sango stuttered, unsure how to cover up her mistake. "Y-You see, uh, youkai are ..."

"Well, Kagome ..." Miroku began when sango couldn't continue.

"You did not hear me wrong, miko," Sesshomaru stated, no longer concerned with her reaction. If they were going to find Inuyasha it would be better if she found out sooner rather than later. "Inuyasha and I did, indeed, have sex. He came into his heat and I was the only one with the necessary capabilities to relieve him."

"What do you mean? I could have ...." She trailed off, blushing in mortification for what she just suggested. What would her mother say if she heard her now?

Sesshomaru shook his head. "You could not, he would break you."

"Inuyasha wouldn't hurt me," Kagome protested, nervously worrying her lower lip under the daiyoukai's unrelenting indecipherable gaze. "He ... wouldn't."

"Under normal circumstances, you are right; he would die before he caused you any harm. However, in thrall to his heat and his youki, he would take you over and over, regardless of how you might protest, regardless of how you might cry, even if you were to beg him, he would not stop. He would not be able to."

Unable to believe her beloved hanyou would do such a thing, Kagome covered her ears and shook her head. "You're wrong! Inuyasha would never do something like that."

Exasperated, Sesshomaru sighed. Ningen were such narrow minded creatures. For inu it was all instinctual, imprinted into their genetic make up. An inu would relish in the aggression of Inuyasha's heat and the blood spilled between them, whereas a ningen would assuredly break before his heat ended. He couldn't believe he was even trying to explain this to the miko. But ... something during the day and night he'd been with his younger brother had changed him, altered him so irreversibly he would never be able to go back to the person he was before losing his memories. It was still confusing and conflicting thoughts kept racing around in his head, but he had made promises, promises he intended to keep no matter what the cost. "Can you believe what I'm telling you if I were to say it would not be him as a hanyou, but as a full demon? Could you believe he would attack you, rape you, if I were to say it was his youkai side controlling his actions?"

"I-I'm not sure ... I mean, he's transformed before and slaughtered people in cold blood, so ... I think ... I might be able to believe it." She felt bad saying it after seeing how Inuyasha reacted to slaughtering that group of bandits when he fought the moth youkai, but it was true nonetheless.

"Cold blood?" Sesshomaru murmured, his lip curling in contempt. "When a youkai transforms there is nothing cold about the way we kill. Our full youkai form thrusts us into a state of absolute reliance on our instincts. After years of transforming one can learn to control is as I have, but Inuyasha does not have that option. Because my Lord Father's blood is so powerful, it overwhelms his human blood when he transforms, thus making his instincts far more violent than would be normal. It must be so in order to protect him. Imagine what would have happened if he had not been able to transform while battling me without the use of Tessaiga. He would have surely died."

"O-Okay, I can see that ... I guess, but ... but still, if he did that I could--"

"You could what? Use that accursed necklace to bring him to heel?" the daiyoukai snarled. "You cannot accept what he is; therefore, you cannot understand him. The more you insist on attempting to claim him while rejecting his youkai nature, the more you hurt him."

"What do you mean, 'the more you hurt him'? How dare you accuse me of hurting him when you--"

"Yes, I hurt him, but I did so openly and without deception. I did not pretend to accept him and then refuse to remove the thing controlling him. You are terrified of his transformation. You cannot accept the way his instincts make him act because you cannot accept his youkai half. As a ningen, he doesn't expect you to be able to understand, but he does expect that you'd try. You cannot hold him, miko. Eventually, you would break his spirit with your ignorance."

"So ... you raped him because he couldn't have sex with me?"

"Actually,"Sango interjected quietly. "The first time it was Inuyasha who raped Sesshomaru."

"Hn, you're well informed," Sesshomaru grunted, impressed.

"I'm a slayer; it's my job to be informed. Fact is, Kagome, youkai with Inuyasha's disposition tend to gravitate toward partners who are either as strong or stronger than they are, whether or not they're related. With Inuyasha being as strong as he is, well, it only made sense he would desire Sesshomaru. I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you."

"Miroku ... you knew, too?"

"I had my suspicions. The way Sesshomaru acted with Inuyasha ... well, it was as if his whole world revolved around him."

"How could you? How could you guys keep this from me? How could you just let him to something like that?! It's wrong and disgusting and ... and ... I should have been the one to help him! No matter what the problem was before I always found a way to help him. I could've done something."

"Are you prepared to become a mother, miko?" Sesshomaru questioned, folding his arms across his chest, determined to force the girl to see sense. "Even if, by some miracle, Inuyasha did not break you, he would have surely impregnated you. Or are you going to tell me you would abort his pups?"

"Pups?"

His eyebrows shot up at her disbelief. "We are inu youkai, miko. We do not have one or two young like ningen, although I can't be certain about an inu hanyou. Would you be prepared to give up everything you have, your original time, your family, a normal life, to birth and raise a litter of pups for him?"

Before Kagome could come up with a suitable answer, a whirlwind of dust from the south stopped in their midst, revealing Kouga, the prince of the northern wolf tribe. "Yo!" he greeted, grinning from ear to ear, "Heard ya needed my protection, Kagome. Knew you'd need me someday, though I didn't expect the message to come from prissy ass over there. Have you decided to become my woman? You know that mutt face isn't good enough for you, leaving you vulnerable like this."

"Um ... Kouga," Miroku tried to caution the wolf youkai, acutely aware of the murderous aura coming from Sesshomaru and the almost inaudible rumble in his chest.

"So, where is the stupid mutt? Did he finally realize how superior I am to him so he ran off with his tail tucked between his legs? Ha! That'd serve him right--"

"Sit!" Kagome shouted and then shook her head, seeing Inuyasha for a moment in his older sibling. "Uh, no, I mean ... Sesshomaru wait!"

The daiyoukai's hand stopped mere inches from her face, eyes narrowed for the girl's stupidity in trying to shield Kouga from him. If he didn't have reflexes as well honed as he did, he would have surely crushed her skull. "You protect this wolf even when he insults the man you claim to love, miko?" he murmured, moving his hand to her neck. She trembled as his hand closed around her throat. "Does Inuyasha mean so little to you that you would not even defend him against verbal insults?" Voice low and dangerous, Sesshomaru leaned in to her ear, giving the ookami a warning glance when he moved as if to interfere. Kouga wisely backed off, tail tucked neatly between his legs in apology. Sesshomaru's hand tightened ever so slightly, enough to serve as a warning even for a ningen child as dense as the miko. "You are cruel to him."

Miroku let out the breath he was unconsciously holding when Sesshomaru released Kagome. She sank to the ground, scared out of her wits, no doubt, but unharmed. Sango immediately went to her and wrapped her arms around her, glaring over her best friend's head at the inu youkai.

"Miroku, come. We have much to do and little time in which to do it. Ookami," the daiyoukai called, expression cold, voice level, "you will remain with the women until I return Inuyasha to them."

"Hey, hey, who do you think you're talking to?"

"Make no mistake, Prince Kouga. We are not in your territory. The Western Lands are my domain. You will obey. As for the miko, you may do with her as you like. Inuyasha will not be hers. I will not allow it."

"Ano ..." a tiny voice interrupted, breaking the near tangible tension in the air. "L-Lord Sesshomaru ... is it okay if I come?"

"You may join us if you so choose, Shippo," Sesshomaru said, inclining his head to the fox kit. "Rin will be glad of the company."

"Shippo, you can't go!" Kagome exclaimed, grabbing onto him before he could go to the daiyoukai. "It's way too dangerous. You'll be killed!"

"Will not," Shippo argued, struggling against her surprisingly strong grip. "I want to help find Inuyasha!"

"Let him go, miko," Sesshomaru ordered, exasperated by her continued interference. If it wasn't for his promise to Inuyasha he would have disposed of her five mintues ago. "He's old enough to make his own decisions."

"No he's not. He's just a kid. You don't know the first thing about him."

Infuriated by her persistence, Sesshomaru gritted his teeth, clenching his hand by his side so as to not lose control over his rapidly deteriorating mood. Was she always this difficult? If anyone needed that accursed necklace his ototo wore it was her. Or, if not that, a way to render her mute. She could learn to hold her tongue more. It would certainly raise her chances of survival.

"He is a youkai, miko. Who would know more about him than another youkai? I will look after him."

"I don't trust you," Kagome retorted, protectively holding Shippo closer to her chest.

"Kagome," Kouga cautiously interjected, keeping one eye on the frustrated inu youkai. "I think it's best if you do as he says. Miroku will be there in case anything happens. Besides, Shippo's growing up. He'll be entering maturity soon. It's about time the kid leaves his mother's den, don't you think?"

"But ... he's so small."

Sesshomaru barely refrained from rolling his eyes, an action he hadn't used since he was a pup. "Youkai age differently than ningen. In physical years, he's older than you are. Twenty or so?" he asked, looking to the kit for confirmation.

"Twenty-four this coming spring," Shippo answered, puffing out his chest in pride.

"Kitsune heats occur during their twenty-fifth year. By this time next year you'll hardly recognize him for how much he'll grow. Let him go, miko."

"Are you sure you'll be okay, Shippo? You trust him?"

The kit shrugged. "Sure. He might have hurt Inuyasha in the past, but he's trying his best to find him now. And he smells honest. Besides, he's what Inuyasha needs right now. Even I can see that. He'll take care of me. He was Inuyasha's beta, after all; he's got a ... a ..."

"An obligation," Miroku finished for him.

"Yeah, that," Shippo agreed.

Reluctantly, Kagome released him, and to hers as well as everyone else's surprise, he immediately dashed over to Sesshomaru and leapt up onto his shoulder. More shocking, however, was the fact that the demon lord let him, only giving him a single stoic glance before looking away.

"I will require clothing from the next village we pass through. For the time being, however, I will travel in my inu form. It seems the best considering my state of undress appears to make others nervous."

Miroku snickered, ducking his head when Sesshomaru turned on him. "Apologies, my Lord, it's just ... was that intended as a joke? Your inu form is far more intimidating than getting a glimpse of your ... ahem ... assets. I mean, you have to be at least four or five times the size of a normal dog. Anyway, what happened to the clothes you had?"

Sesshomaru ignored the last question in favor of answering the one that came before. The white kosode his brother had lent him along with the roughly fashioned pants were fit to wear no longer, covered with Inuyasha's blood, and he had no intention of wasting time washing them. He felt as comfortable in his own skin as he felt fully clothed, more comfortable even. "We will not be traveling within sight of villages for most of our journey, Miroku, therefore, that will not be an issue. If it is required that we enter a village before I am able to locate suitable attire I can adjust my size to that of what you termed a 'normal dog'. Now come, we must travel swiftly. I wish to reach Bokseno's forest before nightfall."

*** ***

"Damn mutt."

"Did you get bitten, Kano?" Michio snickered, slapping the hebi youkai on the back.

"Your poissson doessn't ssseem to affect him as sssstrongly as it ussually would." Wincing, Kano rubbed his hand across the bandage on his arm. The hanyou was certainly a feisty creature. If he was a century or so younger, he would have asked Michio-sama for permission to devour him. Young boys really were the best. Their youki, blood, and flesh was fantastic, so unspoiled. "Couldn't you have Taka take care of him? You know how I hate doing ssssuch menial tasksss."

"Hnn ... you're right, my poison doesn't work on him like it does on others. He's more powerful than I expected, especially since we can't get him to transform back into his original state. And that is exactly why it's not Taka taking care of him. He can't handle that amount of power. You can. Just bear with it until we reach our hideout. Once there, we'll let the crew have their fun and that 'mutt' won't have the energy to go against you anymore. Who knows, maybe you'll discover the 'taste' of him isn't as disgusting as you thought. It is his first heat, after all, even if that bastard brother of his did manage to touch him."

"Perhapssss," Kano agreed thoughtfully. The hanyou was easy on the eyes. It was true he was over the age Kano preferred, but he retained his youthful looks well. Those cute puppy ears espicially looked delicious. "If I do like him, Michio-ssssama ... would you allow me to have him for mysssself? You know I alwayssss take good care of the thingssss I take a liking to."

Michio's mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "I'll think about it. He is something, isn't he? Even if he is just a half breed, there's no doubt he's Lord Sesshomaru's younger brother. No one could fabricate those looks." Thinking of that innocent body being taken by his crew members, the whip lashes ripping open from the movement, claws cutting into that tanned skin, the beautiful color of his crimson blood and the sounds of his screams made Michio's groin warm. He lustfully licked his lips, wondering just how long it would take to break the stubborn hanyou. Though he liked to see such beautiful things broken, he didn't want it to be over too quickly. Judging from Inuyasha's personality, though, he doubted his puppy would disappoint him. "Kano."

"Yessss Michio-ssssama?"

"Make him scream some more for me."

"You really enjoy his screamssss, don't you Michio-sssama."

"Screams ... yes, they're the best. More than words, more than tears, more than smiles, they are the most honest. There is nothing more honest than a scream borne from unadulterated agony. Such feelings cannot be lied about. There is something so very ... fulfilling about hearing that sound. Do it for me, Kano."

"Of coursssse, Michio-ssssama. I, too, enjoy the hanyou'sssss screamsss."

"Very good. You can have your choice of slave as a reward when we go on our next run."

"You are too kind, Massster."

The hebi youkai bowed and retreated. A few minutes later the screams began. Michio closed his eyes, savoring it. Inuyasha's screams were so raw, so filled with emotion. He could almost taste how the hanyou felt. Compared to this treasure, Michio had no interest in capturing Sesshomaru again. The daiyoukai was too controlled. He would never scream with such feeling. But ... he couldn't afford to disappoint their benefactor. The man had given him a year within which to capture the demon lord. Perhaps if he used Inuyasha as bait he could pull it off. Once broken, those they captured never screamed again. Inuyasha would be no different, which meant, after he was broken there'd no longer be a point in keeping him. Yes, that was good. That way if the plan failed by some miracle, as it had when attempting to take both inu at once, it wouldn't be a great loss at all.

He hoped, irrationally, that the hanyou wouldn't given in like all the others. His screams really were attractive. The best he'd heard in many long years of searching.

"Scream for me," he whispered into the night air. "Naoko. My beautiful, beautiful Naoko. Scream some more for me, show me your honesty. You can never lie to me again, love. Never again."

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Definition of Terms

Kuma - bear

Hebi - snake

A/N: FINALLY!!! I think this was my longest chapter yet. I really must love you people to be doing this until my hands ache and my eyes itch. It's like ... 2:50 and I gotta get up at about 7 to fix food for mother's day. Well, hope you guys like the chapter! Questions? Comments? Praise with the intention of making my head swell? Please leave a review! (: (: Reviews really are food for the soul for us authors.

PS. Yes, Sesshomaru is still out of character even though he has his memories back. My reasoning on this will be explained in the next chapter. But, for the briefest of explanations, he's trying to adjust from having no memories to suddenly having them all back. I know, sounds complicated. Poor Sessh ): Also, concerning his statement about inu youkai having pups (plural) rather than pup (single) ... some of you may protest that Lord Inu no Taisho only had one both when Sesshomaru was born and when Inuyasha was born. My reasoning behind that is--for Sesshomaru--the more powerful the pup the less likely they'll be born with any siblings because they essentially suck away all the youki needed for more to be conceived. For Inuyasha--well, I figured his mother's human genes were more powerful in that instance and so she only conceived one pup. So yeah, just go with it. Anyway, talk to ya'll later!
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A Heat to Overcome