Strength | By : ajj77sunhawk Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 43606 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1 |
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story. |
Thank you all for the reviews and support. This chapter was a challenge to write. Let the show begin.
Read, Review and Enjoy Chapter 42 : The most probable outcome. Death was heavy in the air. Most of the castle stood in the courtyard. The death of one was bad enough; the death of three beyond their ability to bear. The cloudless sky was empty of stars, only the tilting of faint music interrupted the silence of the night. Not even the sound of breathing from so many, broke the heavy silence. The weight of sorrow seemed to crush down, the closed coffins on display; mocking them all. The castle members stood watching, Sesshoumaru with moko moko a dead weight on his shoulders stood before the coffins, statue like. Nothing moved as largest coffin slowly opened, within it, his face twisted as if caught in unimaginable pain lay Inuyasha. Beside him were two new born pups, dead before they had a chance to breathe. The screams of denial, thundered though the castle. Death stalked their dreams. Through out the castle, adults sat up abruptly on their beds. Eyes wide and filled with horror. Tears and blood soaking cheeks and hair. The echoes of their screams ringing in their ears. Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open. Sweat rolled down his face. His mouth and throat dry, as he felt the scream fade. He inhaled and the spicy wooded scent of his mate filled him. Inuyasha was fast asleep beside him in the bed. His face relaxed in deep slumber. Sesshoumaru reached out, and with a supreme act of will curbed the trembling of his fingers. Very quietly he curled protectively around his mate, one arm resting carefully on the distended belly, the other touching Inuyasha's flat chest to find the steady beating of the Hanyou's heart. Inuyasha unconsciously leaned closed into his mate's warmth. Burying his nose in the warm cotton hair, Sesshoumaru relaxed and tried to sleep, but the echo of the strange dream mocked him from the shadows. :) :0 :( :3 The day dawned bright, and the laughter of children rang through the gardens. Inuyasha now confined to the Royal wing was surrounded by all the castle's children under age of ten. Ever since his tumble from the balcony four days ago he had been confined to the Royal wing, and his pups had flat out refused to leave their Papa for more then a couple of hours. Rather then argue Sesshoumaru had ordered all the children's lessons be conducted in the Royal wing; effectively turning the palace garden into a class room for the first half of the day. Technically they were supposed to be studying, but with Inuyasha feeling trapped and frisky, whenever the Hanyou was awake, class became play. The kids loved it. The tutors knew better then to complain, also joined in the fun. The laughter of twenty three children was usually a good indicator that the Hanyou was up and active. The day had dawned bright, the laughter of the children rang in the air, but among the adults, a heavy depression seemed to coat the day. Sesshoumaru watched with narrowed eyes as both Hana and Kouga sat at different edges of the garden, They were tense, with dark rings around their eyes. They were not the only ones, Inuyasha's assistants all looked like they and not the Hanyou were deadly ill. This day Sesshoumaru too elected to stay close, and his suspicions grew as he noted that the laughter in the garden, was for some reason acting as a magnet, drawing all kinds of humans and Youkai to peek in just to see and stare at his mate. None of them who came to looked seemed to have had much sleep. Ryoku sensei strode in. Her energy seemed normal. No dark rings marked her perfect skin, but Sesshoumaru's teeth ground together. The was too much, he broke his cover and strode forward. His impeccable mother, had three strands of hair out of place. Something was definitely not normal. The sudden presence of the Daiyoukai drew everyone's attention. Sesshoumaru ignored them all, went to his child covered mate, kissed him soundly. Then turned and strode off, making sure to catch Kouga, Hana and his mother's eye. The three pretended that nothing had happened as they teased the red faced Inu Hanyou over the kiss, and then slowly one by one they drifted indoors to where Sesshoumaru stood waiting. "Why did you call us out like this? I would like to spend precious time with my youngest son." Ryoku sensei snapped at her son. "That is rather short of you mother." Sesshoumaru responded with a tilted head, "More bite than normal, did you perhaps have a bad night?" Unconsciously Ryoku stroked the Meido lying heavily around her neck. "My night is none of your business." She snapped back. "Did you perhaps have a really, really bad dream?" Hana asked suddenly, her eyes wide as realization began to dawn. "The worst kind, I am trying to forget..." Ryoku's voice trailed off as she finally looked at Kouga and Hana. "And, it seems I am not the only one." She said slowly. "The quietest and darkest of nights..." Hana whispered. Kouga shuddered at the memory, "Three coffins." Ryoku nodded, "Most of the castle was there and.." "Enough.. say no more. It is enough. You will not say it." Sesshoumaru's growl cut off his mother. "It is clear we all had the same dream, there is no need to say more." Sesshoumaru would not allow the horror they had witnessed in the dream world to even be repeated in this one. "Further," Sesshoumaru indicated to the number of visitors peeking in to see Inuyasha "It is clear that the dream was not limited to us." "None of the children seemed to have had the dream." Hana said softly, nodding at the giggling young ones. "I do not think all the adults had the dream either." He scanned the faces of the observers, "I do not remember the whole castle being in the dream, but I am pretty sure that each individual who has dropped by today was in the dream as well." "I have never heard of such a thing." Ryoku said her eyes deep in concentration. "I cannot even make a guess as to what it means." her voice was not as smooth as usual. "What do we do?" three pairs of eyes turned to Sesshoumaru. The Daiyoukai's eyes were fixed on his mate, "We will remember it was a dream, and we will ensure that it stays a dream." Sesshoumaru's voice was flat. Everyone nodded and the group dispersed. :) :0 :( :3 The next two nights the same dream replayed itself. Tensions ran high, and fear was almost palatable. Many simply did not sleep to avoid the dream. Everyone focused on one thing, not letting the Hanyou or the children even hear a whisper of the dreams. The morning of the third day dawned obscenely bright to some. The children's laughter mocking their fears. The sun had crawled across the sky, and at noon most of the castle children were sent off to their respective parents for lunch, and the royal family had a picnic in the gardens. Inuyasha was happily slurping up a large bowl of soup, a shudder seemed to run through him. Moisture soaked into his shirt. Inuyasha went red, darn it he had spilled the soup like his pups. He glanced down and for a second was confounded by his immaculate bowl of soup. They his eyes widened as he saw moisture seep out of his clothes. The birthing lines were ripe... he was out of time. Pain stabbed through him almost immediately. He hid it and continued to eat as if nothing had occurred. He smiled and joked, he ate and ensured the children had their fill. Then, ensuing that he did not move out from under the cover of the table, he kissed each of the pups and sent them off with Hana and Jaken. The pups were off to the practice fields. When the pups had gone, Inuyasha slowly stood, and made his way indoors. His instincts were already telling him that there were too many people around who could hurt his pups, he needed to get to cover. He had no hope of making it. The pain that shot though him was like nothing he had ever experienced. Inuyasha would have hit the floor if not for the strong pair of arms that caught him firmly, and cradled him tight. The only pair of arms Inuyasha was bear near him at this time. Inuyasha looked into his mate's eyes, "Its time." he whispered "It hurts Sesshou, it should not hurt like this. It hurts so much." Fear and pain reflected in Inuyasha's eyes, his claws clung to his mate, as the wave of pain took him again. And for the first time, Inuyasha screamed in pain. :) :0 :( :3 Inuyasha lay in bed, the birthing lines oozed. But something was wrong. For the last ten minutes his body throbbed, his pups needed to be released, but the numbing pulses had not come. All that came was waves of pain, and the bed was soaked in Inuyasha's sweat. Some of the most powerful Youkai were in the room, but none knew what to do. The memory of the dreams, the fear holding them in place. Sesshoumaru held Inuyasha but could do nothing else. The only others in the room were Ryoku, Kouga, two of the head healers and Kaede. The old lady had been teleported there by Sesshoumaru's mother. All the assistants and others were with the pups, strictly keeping them away from the birthing room. But with all the power and knowledge gathered in the room, none knew what to do. The pulses had to start. The air shimmered and the the water goddess appeared. No one reacted as the Goddess swept to the writhing Hanyou. She tried to keep calm, as she gently reached out and touched Inuyasha's forehead. Her gasp was audible. Inuyasha between pain waves, watched her, his golden eyes filled with pain, and a quiet determination. The news was not going to be good. "Tell me." The words we simple without blame, without fear. There was no room for fear in Inuyasha at this time. That emotional burden had been taken on by those who dreamed. Tears slipped down Suijin's face "The pulses, they are formed from Youki... Inuyasha... Inuyasha... you have no more Youki, the pulses they are not coming. You.. you.. have.." she could not continue. "I have to do it without the pulses." Inuyasha finished. His voice was extraordinarily and unnaturally calm. What ever was necessary, he would do it. "Kaede, give me some human pain medicine and I will do it." The determination in the Hanyou's voice was rock solid. "Sesshoumaru be prepared to link with the pups as soon as they are out." The Hanyou ordered and his claws grew in preparation. Lightning suddenly lit the room, blinding them all. Three ageless beings appeared. Their faces serene, their genders indeterminably, the power contained within the three almost beyond comprehension. The power generated by the four Daiyoukai during the eclipse ceremony was but a tickle compared to the power the three beings throbbed with. The Elder Gods had made their appearance. Suijin curtsied, but her face was regretful, not welcoming. The Three Gods spoke in unison, their voices one. "Inuyasha, young Hanyou, you have been deemed worthy by the Gods to be a guiding light for all those who come after you. You will be a star, a hero, a God among your kind, the first Half Demon to be awarded such an honor. Come with us." Inuyasha looked at them in confusion and irritation. "Keh! I ain't going no where with you lot. I have no intention of being a star, go away. I have work to do." Inuyasha's eyes burned with fire as he defied the gods. The Gods smiled as if addressing a babe throwing a tantrum, "We know of your ignorance child, and we understand your reluctance. But this is not a choice, given what is the most likely outcome, this is your best option. As you leave your material body, we will ensure your pups are separated safely, and since you will not be dead, they will not perish. Given a few hundred years, you will agree with this decision." "Fuck a few hundred years. I have no intention of going anywhere. I am not dying. I am..." Inuyasha's words were cut off by a wave of pain, he writhed on the bed. The Gods frowned in sadness. "This is unnecessary, your pain is not necessary. Lord Sesshoumaru we can just take him. But it will be easier if Inuyasha comes with us willingly, you have seem the dreams that we have sent. It is the most probable future, will you gamble everything? Will you allow your mate to be consumed by such pain, and fight only to lose everything and die in unimaginable agony? This way there will be some joy. Will you lose that on the slim hope that the most probable future does not eventuate." Sesshoumaru had been primed to stop them, to insist they would win, but the dream rose in his mind's eyes, he looked around the room, and everyone was remembering the dream. Could they do it? Should they do it? Risk everything? Inuyasha's corpse with its face grotesquely twisted in agony, ...could he live if he allowed that to happen? The dream rising strong, they all froze. The Gods saw the fear and indecision. The nodded gently, comfortingly, their auras warm and gentle. "See young one, your physical selves mean little, allow us to free this brave hanyou from the shackles that bind him to this pain and agony. He will be with you, guiding you all always." They smiled gently and made to move to Inuyasha who, caught in the vortex of pain missed the small exchange. The doors of the room, slammed open. His ribbon whipping around him, Naoya ran into the chamber. His aura pulsing like it had when he first burst into the castle, the babe God jumped and stood arms spread out between the Elder Gods and his parents. For the first time the Elder gods reacted, surprise showing on their faces. "Little one, summoning such power before you are ready is not good for you. You will hurt yourself . Pull back your energy." the Elder Gods warned the infant. "NO!" the pup answered defiance in every pore. The other Pups not sure what was going on, slipped into the room as well, and quickly joined their brother. Yuusha stood beside Naoya, the other children fanning out behind. As Inuyasha had trained them, the siblings stood as family, backing each other in battle, and they instinctively understood, this was Naoya's battle. "Children, you do not understand it is best that Inuyasha come with us. He will be with you in spirit always" "No!" In a unison equaling the God's they responded. "Children, please step aside, there is no need for Inuyasha to suffer. " The Gods said their decision had been made. Naoya's energy flared, "NO! My Papa! No go Bye Bye! Papa Fight! Papa Win! NO GO BYE BYE! MY...PAPA!" The last two words were a wail and tears filled the small but defiant face. "My Mate." Sesshoumaru suddenly said calmly. "You sent the dream of the most probable future. But you discount the strength of my mate. He makes the impossible – possible. Therefore, to quote MY MATE, FUCK your probable future. We will fight and we will win. Leave! You are not welcome here." Sesshoumaru's Youki flared, holding Inuyasha to him, he combined his Youki with Naoya's. Yuusha and the other children immediately joined in, Ryoku, and Kouga combined theirs. The energy of defiance grew, and slowly one by one, the Youkai in the palace not quite sure what was going on, only seeing that their Lords required their support, joined their wills to the collective. Suijin, finally smiled. She moved to stand beside Naoya. "Our mother Universe, deemed that Inuyasha be the parent of the newest God, perhaps because we have moved so far from humans and Youkai, we have forgotten the hidden depths they can call on when they fight for Love. Inuyasha has done the impossible, not even you can deny that he may do it again. That is why the future is only the most probable and not inescapable. The newest God has made a clear Demand of the Elder Gods, and it is customary that such demands be honored. Leave our family to use our own strength to write our future. Please leave." The Goddess said with equal determination and respect. "Ya what she said. Keh!" The pain finally passing, Inuyasha rested his head on Sesshoumaru's arm as he addressed the Gods again. "Look thanks for the offer, but I want to fight. I wont lose. I won't lose." Inuyasha whispered. The three Gods smiled, as one, they raised their hands in blessing. "Very well, our youngest brethren has made a request and we will be pleased to honor it. Little God, we will be most pleased to have you beside us when you reach maturity." They blessed the little God, who smiled toothily at them. Then they turned to the Hanyou. "Young one we cannot interfere in what you have caused yourself, but we can ease your path a little. There is no need for human medicine, we will grant you enough Youki to allow the pulses to begin and ease the birth. The rest will be determined by you and your mate." Light streamed from their palms and kissed Inuyasha's skin gently. Desperately needed energy filled him. Inuyasha lifted his head to thank the Gods but they had already vanished. Naoya, his energy depleted, sagged as his levels returned to normal. Yuusha caught him firmly. Inuyasha felt the sweet numbness fill him. Easing the sharp pain, allowing him to think and feel the unborn pups. It was time. His growl shocked everyone in the room. With the added Youki Inuyasha instincts had all asserted themselves, and this was not a public event. "Pups, others, GET OUT. All of you, GET OUT. This is between my mate and I, Thank you for what you did, but now GET the HELL OUTTA here!" The aggressive voice a relief to hear, they all quickly filed out of the room. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru inhaled deeply, it was time. -tbc- And its time for me to go to sleep. Really long chappie – hehehe arent you glad I didnt make a cliffie in the middle somewhere. Well my friends we are really close to the end now. Did you like the opening? Heheehe... review please an thank you, :)While AFF and its agents attempt to remove all illegal works from the site as quickly and thoroughly as possible, there is always the possibility that some submissions may be overlooked or dismissed in error. The AFF system includes a rigorous and complex abuse control system in order to prevent improper use of the AFF service, and we hope that its deployment indicates a good-faith effort to eliminate any illegal material on the site in a fair and unbiased manner. This abuse control system is run in accordance with the strict guidelines specified above.
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