AfterShock

Sesshomaru sighed, "I'll be there in ten minutes."

"You had better!" His mother shouted through the receiver. Sesshomaru looked at the phone, he learned long ago to never hold that retched thing to his ear when his mother was in one of her moods. Pressing the end button, Sesshomaru put the cell phone in his pocket. Looking over at the sleeping man, he sighed again. Maybe it was a good thing he would not be here when Sephiroth woke. Grabbing his coat he exited the room, and closed the door as quietly as possible. Turning towards the main area of the club he searched the sea of people for his brother. Finding him easily, Sesshomaru tapped him on his shoulder.

"Inuyasha, I need to step out for a while. Story emergency." He said while putting on his coat. When he looked back to his brother he saw a smirk on the Hanyo's face. "What?"

"Well I hope you didn't kill him because Sakura seems attached to that attractive man for some reason." Sesshomaru couldn't answer as he stared at his brother with what he was sure was a look of shock. "So, did he leave the back way a satisfied..."

"No!" Sesshomaru barked, interrupting his brother.

"Oh. Gone and unsatisfied?" Inuyasha asked with a sly smile.
"No." Sesshomaru said fighting the urge to look away. "He is sleeping." Inuyasha's brow shot up and before he could make another comment he said, "I don't care what you tell Sakura just make sure she doesn't try to kill me when I see her next." Then he walked away.

Inuyasha just stood there watching his brother run away, and he knew for a fact that was what Sesshomaru was doing.

"What's wrong love?" Miroku asked as he wrapped his arms around Inuyasha's waist.

Turning Inuyasha looked at his lover, "I think I need to go check on the man who caused my great brother to run like a coward."

But Miroku held him in place, "What are you talking about?"
"Not here." Inuyasha said pulling Miroku in the direction of the offices. Once out of earshot of everyone, he said, "When my brother came up to me I could smell it, and that man was the only one back there and he hadn't come out yet, so I just assumed..."

"Inuyasha." Miroku barked causing the Hanyo to shut up then look at him. "Smell what, what man, and assume what?"

Taking a deep breath Inuyasha smiled, "He had sex with the tall pale-haired man Sakura knows and I assumed the man left out the back, but he is still here." Inuyasha said turning his gaze to Sesshomaru's office, "Unconscious."

"Really." Miroku said turning towards the office. They both started forward to peak.

"Where the hell did your brother go?" The men froze from the anger-filled voice that came from behind them.

Turning they saw Sakura standing in the hall, her arms crossed, and her green eyes practically glowing with rage. "Huh?" Was the only intelligent thing either man could come up with.

Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, then the green orbs snapped open pinning them with an icy stare. "Where. Is. Your. Brother?" She asked again, each word hissed out through clinched teeth.

"I....he...his mother called with an emergency." Inuyasha said taking a step sideways to stand behind Miroku. At least his lover would die first.

"Did she now." Sakura hissed, "and just where is he hiding Sephiroth?"

"I...umm..." Inuyasha stuttered while trembling in fear.

"Sesshomaru said that the man did not seem very well and passed out. He is sleeping in the office. You can look, but we were told to let him rest." Miroku said taking pity on Inuyasha.

Sakura's angry face turned to concern, "Are you sure we shouldn't call a doctor?"

"Sesshomaru assured us that Sephiroth was not in any danger, he just seemed a little dizzy, that is all." Miroku said.

"Sometimes that happens around my brother because of the demonic power he suppresses. If someone is a little ill it affects them that way." Inuyasha said peaking over Miroku's shoulder.

Sakura looked to the door fidgeting, "Well if you're sure."

Then she opened the door slightly peaking in to see her friend laying on the bed. Closing the door she pointed to the door. "No one disturbs him, got it?" She growled, then she turned and stormed off.

Both men sighed, "Man your brother owes us." Miroku said looking at Inuyasha.

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Sesshomaru parked his car in front of his parents home. Looking up at the mansion, he sighed. Sesshomaru really hated coming to his parents home. Though he loved his parents his childhood was never pleasant. The fights his parents would get into were terrifying to a child who never understood what an arranged, loveless marriage was. There were times he would hide under his bed while they screamed at each other.

When he was older, he learned to anticipate their hostile times and went to his friend Byakuya's home until the storm passed. Stepping from his car, Sesshomaru approached the front doors. They opened as he reached the platform to reveal his parents butler. The raven-haired man gave him a cheshire smile as he said, "Good evening Lord Sesshomaru. Your mother is waiting for you in your sister's room."

"Thank you Sebastian." Sesshomaru said stepping in and watching the demon butler closely. "Is there anything else?" Sesshomaru asked, an unsettling feeling creeping down his spine from the butlers smirking gaze. Damn the demon gave him the creeps. If it wasn't for the demon's fierce loyalty to his father, Sesshomaru would have found a way to get rid of him long ago.

Then his mother screeched "You're late." The shrill voice so loud Sesshomaru had to fight the urge to cover his abused ears. If he had ears like his brother they would be laid flat to protect his sensitive hearing.

"That would be it sir." The butler said with laughing eyes.

"You enjoy torturing me don't you, demon?" Sesshomaru said walking towards the stairs.

"Of course.....not."

Sesshomaru snorted as he began to ascend the grand staircase. "It's about damn time, that minion wouldn't go to sleep. So if you don't mind I will now see to my guests." She said lifting the skirt of her gown and descending the stairs in a huff.

"Nii san." His sister screamed, launching at him. Laughing he caught her and lifted her into his embrace. "You gonna read me a story?"

"That is what our mother called me for." Sesshomaru said.

"EEEEEEE!" She screeched and dove from his arms to run to her room. Sesshomaru couldn't help but chuckle at her exuberance. She reminded him of Inuyasha but he would never say so in front of his mother. His sister peaked out of her room, "Come on."

"Yes your highness." He answered with a bow. She giggled and ducked back into the room. Entering the room he asked, "So which story will I be reading to the princess tonight?"

"This one. This one." She shouted bouncing on the frilly pink bed.

Walking over he plucked the book from her hands and she scurried under the covers. Then she fluffed a pillow and leaned it against the headboard for him. Sitting he opened the book, "There was once a prince, a lonely prince. He traveled around the world to find someone like himself, a proper princess to share his life. But this he knew: She must be a real princess."

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Carmen wiped down the empty tables in the nearly empty club. Last call was thirty minutes ago and most of the patrons had either paired off to enjoy each others company or went home to spend the night alone. Sighing she deposited another tray full of glasses and bottles on the counter. She really didn't want to go back to her empty apartment.

"Thanks Carmen." Inuyasha said putting the empty beer bottles into a box behind the counter.

"No problem." She answered dully.

"So, your name is Carmen." A male voice said from beside her. Turning, Carmen was about to give the owner a dressing down for ruining her unhappy mood with his interruption, but she froze. Sitting on the stool was one of the red-haired guitarists from the band.

"Actually, Carol is her real name." Inuyasha said with a mischievous smile.

"Ka-rule." The red-head drawled.

"Inu demon." She hissed at her boss.

"We all prefer to call her Carmen 99." Inuyasha chuckled as Carmen threw her towel at his head.

The red-head's eyes dropped to Carmen's oversized chest and a lopsided grin crossed his face, "It fits." Turning on the stool he held his hand out to her, "The name's Gojyo, Sha Gojyo."

Reaching out she took his hand then let out a breathy 'O' as he pulled her hand to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Umm... Ya. You too." She stuttered as she pulled her hand back and felt her cheeks begin to warm. Looking to her side nervously she caught Inuyasha smirking at her. Anger viciously threw down her school girl reaction and she turned from her boss. "Well, If you would excuse me. I need to get back to work."

Gojyo watched the beautiful woman storm away with a smile on his face. Maybe if he played his cards right he wouldn't be spending the night alone.

"She was told earlier that the band is off-limits." He heard the bartender say.

"What?" Gojyo barked, turning surprised eyes on the Hanyo, "Who told her that?!"

"My brother. He didn't want you and your band mates to run for the hills from our over eager waitresses." Inuyasha said with a seemingly innocent smile.

"No fucking way. So I can't tap that?" Gojyo nearly shouted. No way, No way in hell was some grumpy bar owner going to cock block him.

Inuyasha chuckled as the man stared at him with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "Guess you'll have to wait for me to convince my brother otherwise."

Gojyo narrowed his eyes at the bartender, "Can you convince him?"

A wide smile crossed Inuyasha's face, "I'm sure I can, but it may take a little time."

Gojyo smiled back, then looked over his shoulder to Carmen, "Good."

Inuyasha watched the way the guitarist devoured his waitress with his lust filled eyes. The poor man had no clue what he was getting himself into. Inuyasha chuckled to himself, he could just about imagine the look on the mans face when he finally got Carmen into bed. Looking at the man, he briefly wondered if he should warn him, but then rejected it. It was more fun when it came as a surprise.

"Hey boss man, can I leave a little early?" Inuyasha turned his attention to Sakura as she walked up to the counter, her raven-haired boyfriend in tow.

"Sure. It looks like things are winding down and the other girls can handle the clean up. You have a good night Sakura." Inuyasha said as the young woman smiled wickedly at him then looked up at Sasuke.

"I intend to." She answered, then left the bar. Inuyasha chuckled as he went back to cleaning up the mess from the night and covertly watching the way both Carmen and Gojyo would sneak glances at each other.

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Sesshomaru watched his sister as she slept. She looked so much like their mother but she acted nothing like her. He could only assume her personality came from their father.

"So she has finally fallen asleep." Looking up Sesshomaru saw his father leaning against the door frame with a gentle smile on his face.

"Yes." Sesshomaru said raising from the bed and pulling the covers higher on her body.

"So which book today?" Inutaicho asked.
"The Princess and the pea." He answered as he joined his father at the door. His father chuckled, "That is the fourth time today. I think your mother wants to burn that book."

"No doubt." Sesshomaru said following his father from the room. As they approached the stairs, Sesshomaru's eyes floated over the pictures that had hung on those white walls for years. But today one stood out. Stopping he held in the gasp of surprise that threatened to escape.

"What is it?" Inutaicho asked as he came up to his side. "Oh yes, that picture was from the mayoral party."

Sesshomaru wasn't paying attention to his father and himself standing by the mayor. It was the boy in the background that caught his attention. "What is bothering you son?" Inutaicho asked with concern.

"Do you remember this young man in the background?" Sesshomaru asked as he tapped the spot where Sephiroth stood.

"Oh yes. He was Lady Jenova's son. Why do you ask?"

Sesshomaru felt a sharp pain in his chest from the simple statement his father had given. "I met him tonight. I did not recognize him."

"Is that a problem?" Inutaicho asked, the tone of his voice dropping demanding an answer from his son.

But Sesshomaru answered the question with his own, "Did you know he has been working for Zaraki?"

His father's brows furrowed. "No." Looking at the picture he asked. "What is his name?"

"Sephiroth." His fathers eyes shot to his in comprehension. "I thought so." Sesshomaru said. "I wonder what could have driven him to work for Zaraki."

"I do not know. I guess when his mother died he had to do something." Inutaicho said quietly, but Sesshomaru could tell the news bothered him far more that he was letting on.

"That is not all father." His father stood quietly, waiting for him to continue. "I may have done something despicable... No, I have done something despicable." With a deep sigh he looked his father in the eyes and said, "He drew the attention of my demon nature and I..." he looked down, "I..."

"You raped him." His father said placing his hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder. He didn't answer, there was no need. Then his father did something he had never done. He thumped him on the back of the head. Looking up in surprise Sesshomaru rubbed his hand over the spot, but instead of anger, his fathers features were coated with laughter.

"But I thought..." Sesshomaru began.

"That I would be angry or disappointed in your actions?" His father said with a smile. "I am a bit disappointed in you raping Lady Jenova's son, but I understand. I may have done something similar long ago."

"Well... you're not disappointed that he is a man?"

"Che, no. After-all the one I want now is a man." His father said with a chuckle. "You need to make this right." Inutaicho said as he walked away, "Oh." He added turning back, "Have you thought about my offer."

"I need a little more time." Sesshomaru responded hoping to delay making such a choice.

"I understand. Let me know." Then his father was gone. Looking back to the photo Sesshomaru knew he had fucked up royally to have not noticed who Sephiroth was, but to his defense, Sephiroth looked very different than he had when he was younger. The shorter, heavier, short-haired boy was not the same person sleeping in his office.

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A/N: I'm sorry I didn't give Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's sister a name. I honestly couldn't come up with one cute enough for her and I've already planned Rin's role. If anyone has any ideas I would appriciate your help. Thank you.