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
- 4
- 5
- 6
Been a while huh? Now let's see, reviews first, then chapter.

Madamdragon: Glad you like the update. Sesshomaru actually wasn't keeping it a secret that he got his memories back. He only just got his memories back when Inuyasha was taken, that's the reason Michio and his gang ran away instead of capturing him, too. Maybe that wasn't quite clear enough. Hmm ... do I need to somehow make it clearer? Well, this chapter's definitely shorter than the last, but I hope you like it nonetheless! Thanks so much for the review (:

Vyperbites: Lol, well, I don't think it would be as good if I didn't torture them just a little. Bad things happen, but it'll get better, I Promise. Thanks for reading and reviewing!!

kc_rawn: Thanks! (: I will do my best to update as often as possible.

ardentes: Thanks so much for the compliments!! Honestly, I suck at summaries, and I know plenty of other good stories that have bad summaries, too, so I usually end up looking into a story even if it does have a bad summary. Glad you decided to take a peek and I hope I don't disappoint in the future.

Midnightsscream: I know!!!! It was so LOOOOOOOONG!! My hands seriously hurt after that one, lol. Glad you liked it, and I look forward to hearing from you again.

vampress: Glad you liked it. I wouldn't really say they caught Sesshomaru unawares ... what happened will be revealed later, but let's just say it was something he wasn't expecting. Well, I admit I don't think as badly of Kagome as you do, but I don't fault you for that, she is a bitch a lot of the time. It has more to do with my outlook and personality as a person. I tend to be the type that always looks for the good, so I don't often have completely EVIL people in my stories. I might try it sometime, though. Just not in this one. I have plans for her, and that includes being nice ... for now *evil laughter* Hope you still like the next chapter! Thanks for leaving such a wonderful review (: Oh, the new inu tribe. I just figured there were probably other inu youkai tribes besides the one Sesshomaru and Inuyasha belong to, so I invented a tribe of black inu youkai. They'll also be talked about more a little later on, probably even have some come in some time, not sure when, though. As for e-mail updates, I'm fairly new to all this, so I don't know how to do that yet. If you could explain, then I'll give you my answer. Thanks!!

Niako-san: Oooooh, now that's a word I like to hear. You definitely know how to flatter someone. Thanks so, so, so, so much!! Hope you like the upcoming chapters, too.

hanyoulover: Yes!! You know your writing is doing well if someone really hates the bad guy. Such a compliment. Thanks! Can't guarantee anything in regards to Inuyasha's wellbeing, but I Promise things will get better. Please stick with me!!

SP777: So glad you're enjoying it. Oh, don't worry, I plan to. It may not come for a while, there's plot stuff that's yet to happen, but it will happen. And Sesshomaru will get his little say in that, too, so no worries (: Please keep reading!!

Warning-Warning: This chapter contains profanity (think that's a given by now) and an introduction to another of Kagome's split personalities ... dum dum dum Dum! Remorseful Kagome!!

Thanks to everyone who read and/or reviewed!! It makes writing worthwhile, not that I would stop if I didn't get any, but it would certainly be going slower, lol. All right, on to the chapter!

Chapter Five

Stories

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin exclaimed, rushing toward him. She stopped before touching him. After all, Sesshomaru-sama didn't like to be touched by humans. "You're back, Sesshomaru-sama!"

"Oh, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken cried in nearly the same adoring tone as the girl, though perhaps a little higher pitched.

"I have returned, Rin ... Jaken. Bokseno," he greeted the tree demon with a slight inclination of his head. "I thank you for sheltering them in my absence."

"Something has happened. You've changed," the tree demon observed, gazing at him as if to see inside him. "Inuyasha?"

Cautiously, Sesshomaru nodded. Bokseno missed very little, especially since he had known him and his Lord Father since they were both pups. "What can you tell me about an inu youkai called Michio?"

"Hummmm ... Michio," the tree youkai repeated ponderously. "He is the son and heir of one of the lords of the south. When he was a child he would often travel to my forest to play with the local children while his parents were on business. However, a few years after maturing he was captured by slavers. It changed him. He became cruel and twisted. Later he returned to my forest along with another youkai I'd never seen--a slave, like himself. I learned then that the man was his lover. Within my forest, after making love at my very roots, he killed him. It was not a quick death. I still remember his lover's screams, how they echoed through my branches, as well as Michio's words. He said, 'Scream for me, Naoko. Wash away the lies with your beautiful, honest screams. You will never lie to me again, love, never again.' Afterward, I heard he tortured and killed the one who had taken him as a slave as well as the slavers who originally captured him. Since then the distortion in his soul has only worsened."

"And Inuyasha was captured by this guy?" Miroku asked in disbelief, feeling sick to his stomach.

"Lord Sesshomaru, why are you with this ... human?" Jaken inquired with a disdainful sniff. "Isn't he one of those disgusting creatures that travels with your half breed brother, Inuyasha?"

"Didn't you know?" Miroku chuckled, giving the daiyoukai a mischievous glance. "Your Master and I have become lovers recently. Have you ever seen such a perfect ass in your life? Mmm-mm! Beautiful."

The toad's jaw dropped nearly to the ground and his face paled, turning his green skin a sickly puce color. "Th-Th-That can't b-b-b-be. Y-You ... You're lying. Milord w-w-would n-never ... w-with a human ..." Jaken swallowed convulsively, peeking up at the Master he so admired. "H-His a-a-ass ...? Y-You c-can't mean ...."

"Jaken."

"Yes, m-milord?" the toad squeaked.

"Be silent."

"Yes, milord."

"I am not in a relationship with the monk," he stated absently, his focus elsewhere. "I couldn't possibly consider courting him."

"O-Of course not, milord!" Jaken exclaimed in relief, shooting the impudent monk a scathing look.

"Inuyasha's trouble enough all on his own; no need to add to it by seducing his best friend."

"Inuyasha?! Lord Sesshomaru, you're courting that disgusting, unworthy half breed? I can't believe it ...." The daiyoukai shot him a withering glare. "I-I mean, I'm not saying anything bad about you, milord. Of course not. I could never say anything bad about you. You must have a brilliant plan in mind to steal the Tessaiga, right milord? After all, he is only a half breed."

"Only a half breed? Hn," Sesshomaru agreed with a pensive nod, "perhaps you are right."

"I-I am, milord?" Jaken stuttered, stunned. The daiyoukai never verbally acknowledged when someone was right. Was the Lord sick?

"Inuyasha, as just a half breed, performed most beautifully in bed. Because he is 'only a half breed', he had never been touched by another. It made his skin that much sweeter when he went into heat, made his reactions so much fresher. He writhed under me and begged for more, and because I had treated him as 'only a half breed' for so many years, he became one who's personality, nay, his very being challenges my own on every level. Is that what you meant by 'he is only a half breed', Jaken?"

"A-Ano ... milord, are you sick?"

"Hn, perhaps. It is not a sickness that can be cured, though. Retrieve Ah-Un. Prepare for departure. We shall return to my Lord Father's palace."

"Yes, milord! Right away!" The toad immediately dashed away into the trees and returned moments later, out of breath, with the two-headed dragon youkai. "Here is Ah-Un, milord!"

"Miroku, you and Shippo will ride Ah-Un with Jaken and Rin."

"Shippo?" Rin asked excitedly. "He's here with you, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"He's sleeping currently. Our journey was long and has exhausted him. For the time being, it would be best if you do not disturb him."

"Rin won't disturb him! May I see him?"

A foolish grin spread across Miroku's face as the demon lord got down on one knee and moved the concealing hair away from his shoulder where the kitsune slept in a tight ball. Surprisingly enough, the man seemed to be good with kids. Shippo had taken an immediate liking to him, even if the daiyoukai was cold and silent throughout most of their travels.

"I wonder why he never sleeps with Inuyasha like that," Miroku murmured.

"Inuyasha is not a true alpha. Your kit's father was most likely the alpha in his family. His instincts make him feel safe when he's with me. That's why he can sleep so soundly. He knows, as Inuyasha's alpha, I won't let any harm come to him."

"True alpha?"

"An alpha since birth. When Inuyasha was conceived, his disposition was that of a submissive. Forced into solitude where he had no one to rely on but himself, he learned to be an alpha in order to survive. Currently, he is neither an alpha nor is he a submissive except when it concerns myself."

"What do you mean by that?"

"To my knowledge, besides the periods in which I lost my memory and became his submissive, my ototo has never viewed me as anythign less than his alpha. I am, and will always be, the only true alpha in his life."

"You're ... very possessive," Miroku commented, only realizing after the words were out of his mouth that he might have offended the powerful inu youkai.

However, Sesshomaru only looked at him in smug amusement. "Most inu are, although, we consider it being territorial rather than possessive."

"What's the difference?"

"Hn ... well, I suppose most wouldn't see a difference. Possessiveness is the ownership of a being or object, giving one the right to do with it whatever the owner might wish, also allowing one to throw it away for any reason whatsoever, even if that reason is a mere whim. Territory, on the other hand, is not something taken on lightly. Inu protect their territory to the death. An inu must be dedicated to whomever or whatever he or she claims as territory. It is a lifetime obligation to protect, care for, preserve, and enhance. In a way, territory claims an inu as much as that inu claims it."

"So ... Inuyasha is your territory now?"

"As I am his," Sesshomaru replied with a definitive nod.

"Can I ask ... why you threw him away when he was just a pup? Shouldn't he have been automatically a part of your territory when he was born into your family?"

"Later, monk. We have wasted enough time here as it is and that story is one that will take some time to relate. Rin, Jaken, mount Ah-Un."

"My Lord ... when can I expect to hear about it?"

Wondering why he felt obligated to tell the monk anything, but knowing his answer nonetheless, Sesshomaru faced the hoshi once again. "You can expect to hear about that time after Inuyasha is returned to me, and after I have told him, not before. Then, if he still chooses to stay with me, you may inquire after it. Should you feel uncomfortable hearing it from me directly, you may tell him he has my permission if he chooses to share it. Beyond that I can give you no set date."

"Hmmm," Miroku hummed, taking a step back as if to scrutinize the demon lord from a different angle.

"Something amuses you, monk?"

"Miroku, remember my Lord? Amuse isn't quite the word I'd use, it's more ... pleasant surprise. You're acting like an upstanding elder brother. I thought once you'd regained your memories you would return to being the stoic, cruel, emotionless bastard Inuyasha always described, but ... you're actually an okay guy."

Sesshomaru frowned, glancing over at Rin who had obediently climbed onto the two-headed dragon youkai's back along with Jaken. "Refrain from using such profanity, Miroku, a child is present."

"Ah, apologies!" the monk exclaimed, turning to offer a bow to Rin. "Forgive my carelessness, dear lady, I intended no offense."

Rin giggled at the monk's exaggerated tone of flattery. "Rin forgives you, Miroku-sama."

"Keep your hands to yourself, monk," Sesshomaru warned, "unless you wish them removed at the wrist."

Even though he could have easily denied having any interest in the child--he wasn't a pedophile, after all--the daiyoukai's threat was clearly meant in all seriousness. Realizing this, Miroku whipped his hands behind his back. "Hands to myself, haha ... haa ... right. No problem."

"Hn," the demon lord grunted. Reaching up to his shoulder, he gently lifted Shippo by his middle and tried to hand him off to Miroku. Tiny claws latched onto his hand. Blinking, Sesshomaru tried to shake the kit off, but he wouldn't budge.

With a laugh Miroku shook his head and climbed onto Ah-Un behind the toad youkai. "Seems you're stuck, my Lord."

"Indeed," Sesshomaru muttered, setting the kit back on his shoulder. The claws released his hand, and instead, latched onto his clothes. "Perhaps, rather than seeing me as an alpha, your kit merely misses Inuyasha and my scent is closest to his."

Making certain the kitsune child was holding on tightly, Sesshomaru let his youki surround him and transformed into his inu form before leaping into the sky. Tossing its heads, Ah-Un followed.

*** ***

In the middle of the night, Miroku unexpectedly wakened from a pleasant dream only to find Sesshomaru sitting propped up against a tree staring at the stars. Shippo lay peacefully sleeping curled up in the daiyoukai's lap, his head pillowed on Sesshomaru's leg. For a moment, the monk felt like he was suffering from deja vu. It was only a couple nights ago he'd awoken to find Inuyasha pacing in front of the fire. They were definitely siblings. He seemed to have a sixth sense for when the inu were worrying about something.

"Lord Sesshomaru, are you all right?"

"Sleep, monk. This Sesshomaru is fine."

"'This Sesshomaru', huh? Don't talk like you're in court. You get the same pensive look on your face when you're worrying as Inuyasha does when he's worrying and doesn't want anyone to know."

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. He could've sworn on his Lord Father's grave his expression was as blank as usual. Was he really so concerned about his half breed younger brother that he was losing his composure?

"Your eyes, my Lord," Miroku explained upon sensing the daiyoukai's confusion. "Since you lost your memories your eyes have more emotion in them. In fact, they look a lot more like Inuyasha's eyes, showing every feeling, every thought."

"This Sesshomaru has no feelings."

"Don't be a fool," Miroku snapped irritably. "You're worried about Inuyasha, aren't you? It is not something you should feel ashamed of."

"I am aware of that, monk."

"Miroku."

"Miroku," Sesshomaru agreed with a discreet sigh. Why were these ningen so infuriatingly persistent. Rin was never so obnoxious. "Whether I worry or not, such emotion will not bring Inuyasha back to my side. It is pointless; therefore, I am not worrying about him."

"Then ... what are you doing?"

"Yearning ... longing ... whatever you desire to call it. I have never wanted for a bed partner."

"I should think not," Miroku responded with a rueful laugh, fully sitting up and turning to face the demon lord. "Your point of bragging would be?"

"I cannot forget how it felt to hold Inuyasha. For the life of me, I do not believe I would be able to banish him from my thoughts in order to bed another be it man or woman. It is ... unsettling and completely unacceptable for a youkai of my stature."

"Why is it so unacceptable? Because he's a hanyou?"

Frustrated--though whether it was the fault of the monk or his own thoughts toward Inuyasha, Sesshomaru didn't know--he snarled, causing the fox kit to groan and shift in his sleep. "It is precisely because he's a hanyou. I am not supposed to have these feelings for a half breed, someone so far below my own station."

"Below?" Miroku repeated incredulously, eyes narrowing in anger. "Explain to me how you can think that he is any lesser than you. You might be a daiyoukai, but he is your brother, the son of your father. You share the same noble blood!"

"That is not what I meant."

"Then explain what you do mean, because it sure as hell sounded that way to me."

Closing his eyes in resignation, Sesshomaru leaned his head back against the trunk of the tree. Usually there was no need to discuss anything with anyone. He didn't have friends, he didn't have confidants; he didn't need them. However, this situation was so unusual, so confusing and conflicting, he felt he would go insane if he didn't tell someone about it. That that someone just happened to be the monk, a human, was irrelevant except when he considered that Miroku was Inuyasha's closest friend and most probably the one who knew his ototo best.

"I wasn't fully prepared to take over lordship of the Western Lands when my Lord Father was killed. Though I was aware of such inadequacy in myself, I could not allow anyone else to believe that was so. There are many who would take any opportunity to claim the territory my Lord Father sacrificed his life to preserve. I cannot appear to have any weaknesses, even if that weakness is my own brother, or they would rise up against me in numbers you could not even comprehend."

"Have you ever considered, my Lord, that you're being too harsh on your brother? He might be a half breed, but he's strong. Maybe he won't be a weakness."

"I do not speak in terms of physical strength, Miroku. I should know best of all how strong Inuyasha is. What I speak of is this infernal feeling I cannot banish that no matter what might happen, what I might have to give up, I would do anything if it was for my ototo's sake. It is ... inconceivable that such irrational emotion should exist within myself."

"That's a natural part of having a lover, isn't it?"

"Quite honestly, I do not know."

"You've never had a lover?"

"This Sesshomaru has bed partners, not lovers. This Sesshomaru does not love. Such emotion is meaningless. It blinds those infected by it and will eventually bring about their downfall as it did my Lord Father."

"But you love Inuyasha," Miroku prodded.

Sesshoamru lowered his head, his golden eyes shadowed with confusion and doubt. "That cannot be. It is impossible. I have rejected his existence from the time he was conceived. Before losing my memories he was utterly filthy; he filled my mind with disgust. Catching his scent on the wind was reason enough to seek him out in order to show him his place." Frowning, the daiyoukai lowered his voice. "It is not right."

"Yet, after spending part of one night in which you were possessed by your youki and the next day with him as purely yourself, you long for him. Explain that."

"I cannot. But I do not love him."

"Because it's not right?" Miroku wondered.

"Because what I have experienced as love does not feel like this. It is not this ... frustrating and confusing and completely impossible."

"I thought you said you've never had a lover."

"I did. My Lord Father was never my lover. He was my heat partner and sire." Seeing the monk's look of skepticism, Sesshomaru continued. "It only lasted for those two weeks and he only came to me when I called. I was fully in control of the situation, Miroku, and though I was young when compared to youkai, I was far past the age of consent in human terms. I understood what I was doing, as well as the consequences of doing it. My Lord Father granted it because I asked it of him."

"Why? If you weren't in love with him, then why did you do that with him?"

"I was having difficulty choosing a suitable heat partner. My Lord Father held a ball in order to bring those female inu in heat for me to choose from among them, as was tradition among our race, yet I could not be satisfied with them. They were ... petty and shallow, or else, their parents were. All they wanted from me was the status and power granted them when they conceived my firstborn heir. When I told my Lord Father I would take none of them, he told me the second option--that I could choose a male partner who has already passed his heat. I chose him."

Miroku's brows furrowed, finally grasping what that must have been like for Sesshomaru as a young man just into maturity, having to worry about succession and learning to rule a kingdom once his father passed on.

The daiyoukai abruptly turned his head away, his cold exterior returning. "I have no obligation to explain myself to you, monk. I only do so because you are Inuyasha's friend."

"So, you chose your father because you couldn't trust that another man wouldn't betray you."

Surprised at the hoshi's insight, the demon lord nodded once. "I was not always as powerful as I am now. At that time, I was still in the midst of training. When my heat first started coming on, I realized the partners I looked at as potentials were only those who were closest in power to my Lord Father, my alpha. I believe it is because I admired him so greatly, my youki naturally sought out someone who might be able to equal him."

"They were all alphas?"

"They were. As a natural born alpha, I could not tolerate the thought of another attempting to top me. The only solution was to choose the one man I could tolerate doing so, the man who was my alpha since birth. For that reason and that alone, my Lord Father gave in to my selfish demand."

"I think ... I can understand that. But what about Inuyasha? How do you feel about him?"

"I don't yet know what I feel for him. There are discrepancies between the person I was before losing my memories and the person I became once they were lost. I am in turmoil, caught between myself as polar opposites--one that hated and scorned anything having to do with my ototo, and the other that adored him and wanted so strongly to touch and be touched by him that it was nearly a physical ache. I cannot reconcile the two."

"Then don't try to reconcile them," Miroku suggested with a weary yawn. He laid back down and pulled his blanket up over himself to keep out the night's chill. "Every sentient being with the ability to learn constantly evolves as they experience life. You're no exception. You can't be who you were five minutes ago, let alone a day, two days ago. Therefore, as you are now, you must discover for youself how it is you feel for Inuyasha. It is not something another person can answer for you. Give it time. The answer will come."

"You sound so certain," Sesshomaru murmured, still skeptical.

Miroku shook his head, chuckling. "I'm only giving advice to you as a humble monk, my Lord. It's your decision whether or not you take it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to get at least a few hours' sleep before he go on our merry way."

*** ***

"Kagome?" Kouga called uncertainly, sensing distress in the tense way she was sitting.

"Go away, Kouga. I'm not in the mood to talk right now."

Keeping in mind he was planning to make her his mate, Kouga kept his temper in check. Still, she didn't have to be so pissy, he was only coming over to see how she was doing. "I just thought you might be cold. The night's are going to be getting colder the further north we travel. If you want I could hunt down some warm fur."

"Sure ... I guess. If you want to."

Scratching his head, Kouga walked away. What the heck was wrong with her? She looked like the world was coming to an end. Normaly she was more ... fiery. Yelling about this, yelling about that, though normally at Inuyasha. Was that why, because the mutt was gone? Damn it! he cursed. That pisses me off. Fucking dog doesn't know how to treat a woman. She'd be better off with me.

"Kouga," Sango hissed, beckoning the wolf youkai over.

"Hm? What do you want, slayer?"

"Stop being a sulky brat and go talk to her."

"What? Why should I? She's obviously pining over that mutt face, Inuyasha. I swear, one day I'm going to put that smelly dog in his place--"

"Would you shut your trap for a moment?" Sango demanded. "Not everything's about you, you know. Have you even considered what Inuyasha's going through? What Kagome's going through?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kouga growled, thoroughly confused.

"By the gods, you're dense! You're such an ass. I know you don't really hate Inuyasha. Everyone knows it. You two are more like friends and rivals than enemies, but you know nothing about him!"

"What the fuck are you going on about, bitch? Get to the point."

Heaving an exasperated sigh, Sango shook her head and sat down, leaning back against the trunk of a tree. "Have you ever heard of a slave trader named Michio?"

"Of course. He's well known in these parts. Chased him and his band out of our territory just a while back. Why?"

"Inuyasha was taken by him."

Kouga's eyes went wide as a chill like ice water being dumped on him went through his body. "Y-You're joking, right? I mean, Michio's like the worst guy a person can get involved with ... besides that bastard brother of Inuyasha's, but ... seriously, he's one bad dude. There are stories that would make even a filthy bandit feel like puking."

"What did you think was happening when Sesshomaru said he was going after Inuyasha?"

"Well ... I thought they had a fight. They're brothers, aren't they?"

"That's another story," Sango replied, still wondering herself at the changes in Sesshomaru.

"You're telling me this Michio guy took Inuyasha while he was in heat?"

"You could tell?"

"Psh," Kouga laughed. "Of course, I could smell it from a mile away." He sobered immediately. "That's a bad situation he's in, though. If I had known I'd have gone to search for the mutt myself. No one deserves to be treated like Michio treats his victims, 'specially the ones in heat."

"You ... know something about that?"

"Hmm ... well, a few years back we had a pup go missing, one just coming into heat. He was a male, like Inuyasha. I sent the entire pack out searching for him. For days we searched. The next full moon, probably about a week or so after he was taken, we found him several miles to the south of our den." Kouga shook his head, remembering the awful state he'd found Akemi in when he'd stumbled upon him that night by mere happenstance. "The things they'd done to him ... the torture and rape ... for weeks after we found him he was like a living corpse. He wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink, didn't even sleep so far as I could tell, he just sat there, blankly staring at the far cave wall. When he became aware for the first time, I'll never forget the way he screamed when he saw me. I had known him from the time he was born, but seeing another male, even a youkai as close as an older brother, terrified him."

"Where is he now?"

"Dead. Not long after his awareness returned, he took his own life, and I don't blame him. No one should have to suffer through what he did. I swore to myself if I ever ran into that bastard Michio, I'd rip him limb from limb. Now he has Inuyasha. I hope Sesshomaru finds him and tears him apart!"

"Be patient with Kagome, okay?" Sango implored, glancing over at her best friend. "She only just found out about Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's relationship. It's going to be hard for her to figure out what to do for a while."

Kouga frowned. "Why should it be hard? Sesshomaru's that mutt's older brother; therefore, he has first rights to Inuyasha as his alpha. It's that simple. If Sesshomaru's laid claim to him, then Kagome doesn't have to worry about what to do anymore, she can become my woman instead."

"It's not that simple, Kouga. She doesn't think like you do. Where she was born there are no youkai. However much time she might spend in this world, she doesn't understand the nature of demons as well as even a human child raised here might. You can't expect her to immediately switch her affections from Inuyasha to you in such a short amount of time, neither will it help anything if you try to force your affections on her. Think about it. How would you feel if Kagome were to suddenly declare she was going to be mated to ... Miroku?"

"What?!" Kouga shouted. "That lecherous monk? No way, no how! She would never let that hentai lay his filthy hands on her! I would never--"

"Hypothetically speaking, Kouga," the slayer soothed, grinning a little inside at his description of the hoshi. It was true he was a pervert, but she knew very well how tender and thoughtful his touches could be, even if they were inappropriate at times. "How would you feel?"

Grunting, the wolf looked thoughtfully toward Kagome, and then nodded. "I guess I ses what ya mean. I'll try to keep my youki in check."

Smiling her approval, Sango walked back to the campfire she'd started not long ago and began to skin the rabbits Kouga had been kind enough to catch for them. The wolf might be annoyingly arrogant around Inuyasha, but the slayer knew that was only because they were both alpha canines, Kouga was actually a decent enough youkai. Humming to herself, she watched contentedly as the wolf slowly made his way back over to her best friend, this time obviously more careful in his manner of approach.

"Kagome, do you mind if I sit with you?" Kouga asked, consciously making an effort to be kind to his mate-to-be. "If you don't want to talk, it's fine. I just thought you might want some company."

Sighing, the miko shook her head, looking directly at him for the first time. "You don't give up, do you?"

Excited by the minor victory, Kouga grinned. "Nope. I'm a persistent wretch."

Shaking her head, she gestured for him to go ahead and sit. He did so with more than a little pride for the way she didn't get mad at him. However, that pride didn't last long as he noticed once again her distressed aura. It bothered him, seeing her like this. "You know, when I was a pup ... I was infatuated with my older brother."

Almost expecting her to get angry that he was talking about something that was so close to what Inuyasha had done, Kouga couldn't help feeling relief when she only looked at him curiously. "I didn't know you had an older brother."

"Actually, I had a lot of older brothers ... and sisters, for that matter. They were from different litters. See, in a wolf pack, succession doesn't happen like it does in the case of Inu no Taisho and Sesshomaru--by birthright. I had to fight for my position. Being the youngest in my litter, I battled my way from the bottom of the hierarchy right to the very top. Accepting my position as a submissive never sat well with me, cause I'm not a submissive," he laughed, remembering how once his older brother had tried to force him to show his belly. Okaasan had punished him good for sending his brother home with his broken pride as well as a few broken bones and a smashed up face. "Anyway, I was infatuated with my older brother. His name was Kin. He played with me as if I was his own age even though I was centuries younger than him. Later I learned it was because I had alpha tendencies and he was trying to strengthen that in me so, one day, I could, hopefully, take over the pack from my great uncle who ruled at the time. I was so sure when I grew up he was going to be my mate."

"You ... didn't think it was strange to fall in love with your brother?"

He chuckled, leaning back on his hands. "Nah. My parents were brother and sister. If I thought it was disgusting it'd be just like disrespecting their union. I couldn't do that. Besides, among youkai, mating with one's sibling makes our youkai blood stronger, not like humans where it weakens the blood and causes deformities. Anyway, when Kin went into heat I was still only in my third spring season. He fell in love with an ookami youkai from another pack, a female, no less. I thought my heart would break in two. So, well, ya know I'm not trying to say I know exactly what you're going through, cause I don't--I mean, I was a kid--but ... I just wanted to make sure you know you're not alone. Whatever happens, you have friends that care about you. I care about you."

Brushing away the tear that had silently fallen down her cheek, Kagome smiled timidly over at the normally obnoxious, loud-mouthed ookami. "Thanks, Kouga."

"Sure, anytime," he responded. Abruptly sniffing the air, he got to his feet. "Looks like those two idiots finally decided to show. Yo Ginta, Hakaku, where ya been?" Kouga shouted as his two companions stumbled, panting, out of the trees.

"What ... haa ... the heck's goin' on Kouga?" Ginta huffed, bending over, hands on his knees to catch his breath. "You don't ... normally ... leave us so far behind."

Grinning, Kouga shrugged. "Kagome needed my protection."

"Oh!" Hakaku exclaimed upon seeing the miko beside their pack leader. "So that's ... what it was. One mention of Sister Kagome ... and he's off ... like a rocket! No offense, sister," he added in Kagome's direction. "I thought it was ... something serious ... when Sesshomaru called."

"Wait!" Ginta shouted, looking around, even going so far as to spin in a three-hundred and sixty degree circle. "Where's Inuyasha?"

Kouga growled, startling Kagome with the intensity of the hatred in the sound. "Michio took him while he was in his first heat."

Both Ginta and Hakaku snarled in response, stunning the miko further. She'd never heard such a furious sound from the 'idiot pair'. Maybe they weren't as unreliable as they looked.

"Like our brother Akemi?" Ginta asked.

"He'll end up just like Akemi?" Hakaku repeated sorrowfully.

"No!" Kouga barked, causing both their tails to tuck between their legs at the authoritative sound. "Inuyasha will not be like Akemi. When we reach our home we'll send out our best hunters and trackers to find him. I will not lose another brother to those filthy slavers! They'd better have a damn good hideout. If they don't," his lip curled up into a sneer, "the gods help them ... cause I'm gonna send 'em all to hell!"

"Kouga ..." Kagome called hesitantly, irrationally frightened by the way he was acting.

"Don't worry Kagome," Kouga murmured, kneeling down in front of her. "We'll get Inuyasha back to you. I know you've been hurt by what he's done with his brother, but he's still your best friend, ne? You still love him. When we get him back he's going to need your friendship more than ever. You have to be a good friend to him, regardless of his choice in mate. And ... well, I'm not going to ask you to stop loving him, Kagome, but I hope you'll consider seriously that his brother might just be what he'll need most after this ordeal. Whatever happens, though, I'll always be there for you. I pledged my heart to you the moment I laid eyes on you, and I promise you now, I will never stop loving you."

"Hey guys!" Sango called. "Dinner's ready!"

"Hey, is that rabbit I smell?" Ginta asked Kouga excitedly.

"Hai, hai, go dig in," their alpha replied exasperatedly. "I'm gonna go look around the area one more time, make sure it's safe."

"Hey Kouga?"

He paused, poised with his foot in the air, and spun back around to face Kagome. "Nani?"

She bit her lip nervously, just now noticing how completely captivating his cerulean gaze could be. "Ano ... how good are you at seeing in the dark?"

"Hmm ... not as good as a neko, but better than a ningen, why do you ask?"

"Do you still have enough energy to carry me on your back for a while?"

"You do realize who you're talking to, right?" Kouga questioned with a cocky grin. "I could easily run all night and the day after."

"Sango?" Kagome called, turning to her friend.

"You don't have to worry about Kirara. She can keep up, no problem. I think it'd be better if we ate first, though. It's more dangerous to travel at night and we may run into problems, so the more energy we have to fight with, the better."

"I agree!" Hakaku exclaimed, tearing into the skinned rabbit he held in one hand as he tossed another to Ginta.

"Guess I'll eat, too, then," Kouga stated, seating himself beside his pack members and gesturing for Kagome to join him on his other side. "No sense scouting the area if we're not gonna be here long. Since I'm gonna be carrying you this time, I think we'll be able to make the caves by sunrise."

"Thanks again, Kouga," Kagome said softly, seating herself next to him.

"No problem. Just let me know if there's anything else you need. I'd be happy to get it for you."

Embarrassed by his attention, Kagome just nodded. It still hurt, what Inuyasha had done. Though she knew it shouldn't, it felt like a betrayal. She knew Sesshomaru wasn't a liar, knew that what he said about Inuyasha possibly hurting her while he was in heat had to be true, but the ache in her chest just wouldn't go away. After all, she had believed they would be together. And, she was certain, so had Inuyasha. When had that changed? Was it only when Sesshomaru came? If not, when had it started and why hadn't she noticed?

Lost in thought, she didn't realize everyone had gotten up to get ready to leave until Kouga touched her shoulder. "Come on, Kagome, time to go." Upon noticing the tears in her eyes, he carefully wiped them away with one of his fingers. "Kagome, what's wrong?"

"Oh ... um, nothing. I was just thinking." Sniffling, she got up, shivering when the chill night air brushed against her bare arms and legs.

"Kouga?" Sango called from up on Kirara.

"You go ahead with Ginta and Hakaku; they'll show you the way. Kagome and I will catch up." With a nod and an encouraging wave, Kirara and Sango followed Ginta and Hakaku northward. "Now," Kouga said, lifting Kagome into his arms. "Tell me, what's got you shedding tears as hard as a storm cloud on a rainy day?"

"A-Am I really a cruel person?"

"Now why would you say somethin' like that?"

"Well ... ngh ... Sessho ... maru said ... that I'm cruel to ... t-to Inuyasha."

"Ah ... he did, didn't he?"

Sobbing, Kagome nodded. "And he's right! I n-never think about ... about Inuyasha's feelings, I just willfully tell him what I want ... and get mad when he doesn't do it! He protects all of us so well and al I've ever done is whine and complain because things aren't as easy as they are in my era. Maybe he's been drifting away from me all this time and I was too self absorbed to notice! Miroku was right ... I am a bitch."

"No ... well, in ookami terms, yeah, you are, but not in a bad way. Look, maybe you were a little selfish, but that's to be expected in someone as young as you are. I mean, you're only in your sixteenth year, right? I don't know how things are where you come from, but here that's only two years past when ningen normally get married. Inuyasha knew that. Trust me, he cared about you. This thing with Sesshomaru, I know it hurts to think about, but as a youkai and as Inuyasha's older brother, he has first rights to him."

"What do you mean 'first rights'?"

"It's ... kinda hard to explain to a ningen."

"Try." Sniffing back her tears, Kagome squared her shoulders and finally managed to look directly into Kouga's piercing blue eyes. "I want to understand."

"Hmm ... well, your parents have told you about right and wrong, haven't they?"

Confused, but willing to be patient, Kagome nodded.

"So you can discern between right and wrong when you're in a compromising situation, right?"

"Yeah, of course I can. Doesn't mean I always do the right thing, I make mistakes, but for the most part ..." she shrugged.

"Then think of it this way. Our youki is like that sense of right and wrong. When Inuyasha was born Sesshomaru's youki naturally claimed him as his younger brother and pack member. That was right. Sometimes, thought, we ignore our youki and do something we shouldn't. From what I've been able to gather Sesshomaru abandoned Inuyasha, which went against his inu youkai nature, correct?"

"That's right."

"Then he came back and this thing with Inuyasha's heat happened. To Sesshomaru's youkai nature, that was the only right course of action. He was, from the beginning, Inuyasha's older brother and alpha. It was his obligation as a member of his family to take care of his younger sibling. When it comes to Inuyasha, he may have tried to go against Sesshomaru at first, but his youki wouldn't allow it. No matter what's happened to them in the years between, he never fully rejected his brother or else he wouldn't have responded to him like he did. To Inuyasha, though he probably didn't realize it, having Sesshomaru for a heat partner was right, it's what his youki needed. It might hurt you to say this, but at that time, there was no room in his heart for you. He belongs, first and foremost, to Sesshomaru."

"So ... Inuyasha had no choice?"

Kouga shook his head, knowing this was going to be almost impossible for the miko to understand. "He chose. He chose when he didn't reject his brother's existence when he abandoned him. He chose when he abstained from touching you ..."

"But, that was--"

"It wasn't because you were too young, Kagome," Kouga refuted, cutting her off, "though that may have been a part of it. If he had chosen you from the beginning, he would have had his first heat already; he would have taken you regardless of your feelings. Ningen go into heat every month, yet it never spurred him into his heat. It was the same with the first priestess. Part of him may have believed he loved her, part of him may have also believed he loved you--and perhaps he did--but the rest of him belongs to Sesshomaru. It always has. He chose Sesshomaru, but he only acknowledged that choice, whether consciously or not, when his brother induced his heat and they mated. Unless he rejects the importance of his brother's existence in his very soul, Inuyasha cannot and will not return to who he was."

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A/N: Don't think there were any Japanese words that needed to be clarified or defined, if there were, please let me know! I think this chapter may have been a wee bit longer than I thought, lol. Still took me more than two hours to type the whole thing. Hope everyone liked it, and next chapter ... we get to meet some of Sesshomaru's people at his Lord Father's palace. Won't that be fun! (: (: Till next time!
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A Heat to Overcome