Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

The Emperor and his Champion	By : Lady_of_the_Squirrels Category: InuYasha AU/AR > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 943 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha nor do I profit from any characters or plots within Rumiko Takahashi's wonderful work. I make no profit from this work.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
                A few months passed and Sesshomaru found himself comfortably happy. Helaku and him had arranged to have tea everyday once news broke out and on this day he found himself hustling to his room to meet in his garden. Jules followed behind him, listing off the meetings for the rest of his afternoon and stopped at the top of the stairs. “Can you just text me the times and what they are for? I am almost late.”
                The castle found that while he was happy, the emperor was still himself just less annoyed. The neutral gaze in place, he scanned Jules. Jules just nodded meekly, bowing and hustling back down the stairs. Sesshomaru hurried into his bedroom and to the room disguised as a suffocating office. He moved to the back wall and pulled the latch of the sliding door and broke free onto his terrace.
                He took in the fresh air, allowing the smallest of smiles to cross his face before walking to the table Zander had set up for them. His most loyal of servants was arriving just on time with his favorite tea set clinking as the cart rolled across the stone floor. Zander set the table, putting down a tray of small cakes and snacks before going back to his elevator. “Thank you!”
                Zander smiled, waving to him as the elevator opened. Helaku appeared, frightening the young cat. “I’m sorry! I needed to use your elevator today.”
                “Just because you know about my entrances now doesn’t mean you can use them whenever you want,” Zander sighed.
                “Phrasing,” Helaku smirked, making the cat angrier. He hustled over to the table and kissed the emperor lovingly before taking his seat.
                “He is sorry, Zander. We look forward to seeing you in a half hour,” Helaku looked to Sesshomaru as he nudged him in the side with his elbow. Helaku frowned, looking down at where he had been jabbed then waved to Zander.
                Helaku poured them both a cup of tea and began adding sugar to his cup. He wasn’t the biggest fan of tea, but his lover adored tea and he found that with enough sugar he could drink the stuff. Sesshomaru watched amused, adding only a spoonful to his own cup before sipping. They sat in a comfortable silence before Sesshomaru crossed his legs, resting back in his chair. “The Founder’s Day ball is coming.”
                “I’m aware, I’ve been finalizing the security detail for the palace,” Helaku sipped at his tea to make sure it was to his liking. Needed more sugar.
                “I would like you to wear your formal uniform and not be on security detail this year,” Sesshomaru was looking to him, watching him for a reaction.
                “I am always on security detail for the ball, you have so many strangers coming into your home whenever you throw big parties, who will protect you?” The commander’s eyes connected with him.
                “Well first off, I do not need protecting. I can defend myself, thank you. Second off, if you are so concerned you can protect me on the dance floor,” Sesshomaru reached for a cucumber sandwich, placing it on his small snack plate.
                “You want to me to dance with you, in front of everyone?” Helaku smiled, Sesshomaru looked at him like he was an idiot making him laugh.
                “Who else would I dance with? Lady Handsy Harriot from Rome? Lord Lykra? Potentially Lady Miriam of Warsaw?” Helaku laughed at the disdain in his tone before he took a bite of his sandwich.
                “Handsy Harriot huh? She sounds like a riot, maybe I’ll step in for that dance? Sounds like she might give me a good time,” Helaku watched Sess’s face twist. There was that possessiveness he loved.
                “She groped me last year and I won’t have her touching you,” Helaku laughed as his lover glared into his tea cup.
                “Hey, changing the subject, but tell me more about Founder’s Day. You were there, I don’t think the history books do it justice. I’ve always wanted to ask,” Helaku finally found the right amount of sugar, sipping his tea.
                “Well, it wasn’t that glamourous. It happened in a cave,” Sess mused, sighing as he looked at Helaku. Helaku looked like a child waiting on a bedtime story, making him feel obligated to continue.
                “It was a lonnng time ago and the Human demon war had been raging on for some time. We had traveled all around the world fighting and met in a jungle to rest. We didn’t know each other well but we had been fighting together for our people,” Helaku listened intently.
                The jungle was damp and muggy. Bugs swarmed everywhere and he did not know where he was. General Isaac had given him a rough map on where to meet and he was pretty sure he was lost. He had lost much over the past months. He had found out the village where he had left Rin to grow had been destroyed. They had found out his soft spot and moved to hurt him, hurting many of their own in the process. She had lived a long life at least, had a family of her own. He sighed, in many ways she was his child and he felt he had failed her and his grandchildren, fighting somewhere across the seas.
                He saw the cave and could hear murmurs from inside. He saw a fire flicking against the walls. He kept his hand on his sword as he approached. This was either the correct cave or some humans may be laying in wait. As he arrived at the mouth of the cave, the voices stopped and a moment of panic ensued before they all recognized each other.
                They were the few generals who had survived long enough to matter. Humans weren’t much to deal with compared to their power but once swarmed it was easy to become overwhelmed and that’s when they made mistakes. That is how their friends and comrades had gone down. They had travelled far and wide, helping all they could to maintain their population.
                “This is it then? This is all that is left?” Sesshomaru’s voice was tired. He sat, leaning against the cave wall. All of his body ached and he was uncomfortably wet from the rain. He removed his armor, if he were die in this cave he would be okay with his fate. He used his fluff from his armor to make himself more comfortable, looking at his torn clothing. If Jakken were here, he’d tell him he was a mess. Jakken. His eyes ached but he maintained a straight stare.
                “There are a few more coming.” Only 3 men sat before him, they were in tunics and leggings, their other clothes hanging from the wall in hopes they would dry. All had many battle wounds, so many stories the 4 men could tell of horrors they had seen over their past few years.
                The last of the generals arrived. There was Sesshomaru, Lord of Western Japan and six others. General Sven hailed from the land of Vikings, his battle prowess was well known. General Bastia hailed from Spain, his knowledge of sailing had been incredibly beneficial to the movement. General Xiu hailed from China, Sesshomaru enjoyed his company most as their homelands were neighbors. General Bembe who hailed from the south across the ocean, he called his people the Maya and was the host of this meeting. General Dominik, who hailed from what Sess would come to know as Austria. Finally, General Vitus from Rome, a merciless man who had earned many unsavory names amongst the humans.
                They all sat quietly, taking in all that was left of their strong leadership. This disheartened them, as at one time this cave would have been full of allies. Now they were so few. “We have to do something, they are destroying us.”
                “What are we to do? It doesn’t matter how many we cut down, their numbers grow like weeds! We are too few! We may as well die gracefully. The time of demons is done.” Sess did not know who spoke, his eyes shut as he rested his weary body.
                He could feel eyes on him as he was not participating in the conversation. “I do not believe I shall lay down and die like an animal tossed aside. I will fight until I cannot fight any longer.” He didn’t open his eyes, just let the words roll out of his chapped lips.
                He didn’t think he could fight much longer at all. The time would come soon where his injuries would overcome him. None had properly healed in a long while as he had to keep moving, rarely getting time to rest and heal.
                “I am with Sesshomaru! We cannot back down so easily! We can gather more armies, we can train more generals! We can rise again!” Bembe spoke, Sesshomaru could recognize his accent the most. It was the most foreign to him.
                “We cannot! How can we ask more of our people to die for this cause? We can no longer protect them!” Dominik now, Sesshomaru found he liked his accent. He had taken shelter with Dominik before, he had shown him how to play cards as they hid in the woods for several days and nights, waiting for the right moment to escape from human territory.
                “Enough.” He spoke again, his voice like thunder in the cave. The cave became quiet as Sesshomaru stood, almost stumbling in exhaustion. “I think we should all rest, we have travelled far for this meeting and not a one of us has eaten or drank since I have arrived. I will go out and hunt for food, who will join me?”
                “I will go,” Sven, grabbing his bow and securing his axe to his back joined him. They searched for what felt like hours for prey before finding something they felt was edible. The poor beast hadn’t stood a chance between the two generals and they hauled it back to the cave. Bastia had collected water in their absence and Xiu had left as well, gathering some fruits from the jungle. They dined in silence and soon fell asleep, all not having rested soundly in many months.
                In the middle of the night Sesshomaru was awoken. Panic gripped him and he drew his weapon as he sat up. All of the generals were awake and a lone figure stood by their fading fire. They all looked to each other, trying to decide how the situation would be handled. “Calm yourselves.”
                The voice was ethereal, dancing along the whisps of smoke from the flames. Not a one dropped their weapon, but they all rose from their beds. They moved around the fire to see the figure, unsettled on how well it remained in shadow even in the flames. “Who are you to disturb us?”
                “I am Lucifer, do you not remember me?” Sesshomaru found the voice unnerving.
                “I have heard tales of Lucifer from a long time ago, a God who fell to the mortal plane and rose again upon his death. Those are legends told by elders.” Xiu was quiet, his eyes trying to search for a trick to this being.
                “Good. You have heard of me. I wish to save my creations, will you entertain my presence?” The figure moved closer to the fire, two hands coming out of thick dark robes and warming themselves above the flames. His hands were almost skeletal with thin flesh adorning them. Abnormally long fingers twisted and turned trying to take in the heat.
                “We will hear you.” Bembe spoke, his eyes focused on where the beings face should be. It was still somehow hidden, almost like someone had blacked it out in an eclipse.
                “I would build a haven for your people, and in exchange I will take your lives. Do you wish to make this deal?” They all looked at each other now, not sure if this was some trick.
                “Can you prove to us you are this God?” Sesshomaru stepped up to the flames.
                “How do you wish me to prove my holiness to you, Sesshomaru?” The being’s voice was a soft cackle with a chittering noise. He did not like it.
                “Show me my family,” Sesshomaru said quietly. He figured only a God could show him a heavenly plane.
                “As you desire,” the being withdrew his hands from the fire and swung his arms out. Rin stood next to him suddenly, her three children with her. Her husband stood to the side of them, Sesshomaru had never thought him good enough and the man was constantly avoiding him when he visited. This was his family. Jakken was there too, waving his stupid staff at the young adults in dismay. Then his father, proud and noble. Sesshomaru’s face twisted, he had very mixed feelings about both of his parents but his father especially.
                “I have seen enough. I forfeit my life for the safety of the demons.” Sesshomaru laid down his weapons. He had been through enough, he would join Rin and his grandchildren in the afterlife, continuing to keep her safe in death.
                The other generals froze, watching Sesshomaru fall upon his knees, head bowed awaiting his fate. He was so tired, he was so ready. All of his bones and muscled ached. He could feel nothing but numbness as he waited.
                There was much debating as he sat quietly, his weapons neatly in front of him in an offering to the God. Sven came down next, placing his axe in front of him in the same fashion. Then they all came, their weapons laid down for the final event. They would no longer fight, they would be freed from their pains and aches and they would die knowing they had chosen the best path forward.
                The fire went out, leaving the cave dark and colder than before. Air swirled around them and Sesshomaru felt light inside his heart. He cried, his eyes squeezed tightly shut waiting for Rin’s voice to come tell him he had fought long enough. She would tell him he needed to rest after his long adventure and bring him flowers like she had done as a young girl. He could smell the fields they used to lay in on the road then it all left.
                His body was heavy again and the aches came piling back onto him. He rocked on his knees, his head falling to the cold stone of the cave. He opened his eyes to see the cave, the fire swirling back to life and roaring bigger than it had all night. He looked to see which general had ruined this and they were all gone. He looked to the god and then sobbed, unable to contain himself. He had wanted to die, he had wanted to leave this world behind.
                “Why? You said you would take my life! Why do I remain?” His voice was raw and tired. He clawed at the ground in agony.
                “You will give your life in servitude. Your people need a leader.” The God’s voice was soft.
                “I wish to die! Let me join my family!” His voice croaked out of him.
                “You will lead them to peace and prosperity. You alone are the one that can do this.” The God took no mercy on him. It watched as Sesshomaru picked up his blade and then Sesshomaru saw his face. It was like a skeleton, skin barely there and stretched thin. His eyes bulged and his lips were peeled back revealing a disgusting amount of teeth and gums. He was hideous in all aspects of the world.
                It watched as Sesshomaru positioned his blade and cut into his stomach, a sickening noise as it pierced through him and he dragged it down his torso. He watched shapes swirl and darkness take him as his blood ran out of his body leaving him cold. He slumped further forward when he no longer could hold himself, his body falling further onto the blade.
                His eyes opened again, his body hurt. His blade was on the ground, covered in blood. His blood covered the area where he kneeled. The God sat gracefully on a rock, observing him. “Are you done?”
                He clenched his eyes shut and accepted his fate. This God would not let him die it seemed. He picked up his weapons and then hesitantly gathered the weapons of the generals. He wouldn’t let their sacrifice be in vain. He let Lucifer lead him into his new realm where he reluctantly took the throne Lucifer had given him.
                Sesshomaru swore Helaku had not blinked for the whole story and Zander now stood to his side, having listened from the point he had walked up. Both men were quiet, observing the ruler. “I take it I am running late. Jules is going to blow a gasket.”
                With that he stood, kissing Helaku’s forehead before heading back inside. Helaku looked to Zander, he knew he had never heard anything like this in his many years. The history books didn’t cover this in depth, he knew men had died to create the realm but like this? No one would imagine the emotions he could just feel swirling around the words Sesshomaru had said.
                Zander’s voice broke the silence. “It sounds like such a burden.”
                “It will always be a burden, but he carries it gracefully,” Helaku smiled a little. He remembered their fight and how Sesshomaru had given him a blade. It had read ‘Xiu’ in the handle, inscribed with a prayer written in Mandarin. He had given something very special indeed.
                “Are you done with tea, Commander Foxx?” Zander snapped back to duty and Helaku was quick to nod and help him clean up.
                When evening came, Helaku joined his lover in his bedroom. Sesshomaru had let him do a little redecorating, adding a TV to the main bedroom and switching the chaise for a more comfortable sofa. Helaku sat down and switched the television on and Sesshomaru came and joined him, a book in his hands. Sesshomaru had learned to just be comfortable with him at this point, curling up to his side, head resting on Helaku’s shoulder as he opened his book to where he had left off. It was a mix of old and new for him. Katherine read books with him, Helaku liked watching tv with him.
                “Hey, about earlier, you okay?” Helaku curled his arm around him, rubbing his hip with his hand.
                “I’m fine. It’s been a very long time since then,” Sesshomaru lowered his book.
                “You just told us you committed seppuku this afternoon,” Helaku bore his eyes into him.
                “I can’t die. I don’t think it counts if you can’t die,” Sesshomaru was realizing this was going to take longer than a short answer and brought his book down into his lap.
                “You didn’t know you couldn’t die,” Helaku pressed the issue.
                “I have come to terms with my destiny a long time ago, I am fine. I run the realms, I saved my people and I serve them to the best of my ability,” Sesshomaru smiled.
                “I just wanted to make sure,” the Commander looked away from him.
                Sesshomaru nuzzled his nose into his neck, taking in the musk that was his champion. “If I had wanted to die, all I had to do was lead this world into ruin. That’s the deal, if I misuse my power, it all goes away. This world disappears, and all of our world would crash back in with the humans. Our numbers are strong now, but I wouldn’t dare send them back to that world. The countries aren’t even the same anymore. Your dad would be from Scotland, Ireland or the UK, hard to tell, humans wouldn’t understand that the demons chose ‘The Celts’ as their country. It’d be very confusing.”
                “Thank you for your sacrifice,” Helaku smiled a little, frightened by his words briefly. The fact it could all disappear so easily terrified him.
                “Do not worry, I have no plans to sacrifice an entire world for my own death,” Sesshomaru rubbed his chest to comfort him.
                “Did you ever do it again?” Helaku moved to look at him more directly.
                “Commit suicide?” Sesshomaru tilted his head, now setting his book completely to the side. Helaku nodded.
                “Twice more, very early on. I woke up each time, covered in my own blood, my weapon placed neatly on the ground like he removed it himself. It took weeks to get the stench of death off me,” Sesshomaru continued to rub his chest as he spoke, still trying to comfort.
                “And have you… died more recently?” Helaku was processing how he felt.
                “Helaku, is this really what you want to know about me? It’s a rather depressing subject,” Sesshomaru stopped rubbing his chest.
                “Yes, it’s important to me,” Helaku was somber.
                “I have died a total of 21 times in my life outside of the three suicide attempts. All in battles in the realms when our people clashed before I had established all of this. It was reckless, I would admit, but I knew I couldn’t die so I took unnecessary risks,” Sesshomaru kissed his cheek.
                “Lucifer, Sesshomaru,” Helaku stroked his hair.
                “Can I read now?” Sesshomaru hunkered back down against Helaku’s side, head resting on his shoulder. Helaku nodded, lost in thought. They sat enjoying each other’s presence for a long while until Sesshomaru yawned, his eyes beginning to close. He snuggled closer and Helaku smiled, nudging him.
                “Go to bed, you’re exhausted. I’ll be there in a minute,” Sess got up, upset to be leaving his comfortable spot but he knew Helaku was correct in sending him to his bed. Helaku watched the rest of his show, listening to the soft snores behind him.
                He was at the point where he kept a set of night clothes in the closet and some other small personal effects in the west wing with his love. He got changed and joined Sesshomaru in bed, pulling that muscled body up against his. Sesshomaru woke up just enough to sling an arm around his waist and bury his cheek against his chest, placing a kiss tenderly against his shirt as his body fell back into slumber.
                He woke in the middle of the night, clutching onto Helaku. His body was in a cold sweat and he felt ill. He looked around the room and there he was, the dark robes around him. He had no weapons this time. He shook Helaku but the man was out cold, this could only be trickery as he knew Helaku woke at the smallest of movements or sound. “I’ve done everything you ask, why do you visit me on this night?”
                “You told him of me, I thought I should visit,” His face was hidden again.
                “You can leave, I am fine without your assistance,” Sesshomaru felt as if he needed to protect Helaku since he could not wake.
                “I will leave, but not before I impart a gift,” That horrid cackle filled the room.
                “I need no gift,” Sesshomaru’s jaw clenched.
                “You worship me and yet you detest my existence, I am your whole religion,” Lucifer sighed.
                “You asked for your churches and we made your holy books. We did only what you asked,” Sesshomaru’s voice trembled.
                “Your gift has been given. Enjoy it,” Sesshomaru felt his body go limp. He woke up and gripped Helaku’s shirt in his hands shaking him, startling him awake.
                “Sesshomaru!” Instinct told Helaku to cover him with his body, protecting him at all costs. The guards in the hall burst in at the panic in his voice. Sesshomaru looked to Helaku, so thankful he woke up. Helaku was confused and smoothed his hair then looked at the guards in the bedroom, dismissing them.
                “You’re awake,” He breathed in relief.
                “Yes, because you woke me up. What is wrong?” Helaku grumped a little, his heart had almost leapt from his chest at the hard shake of his body.
                “I couldn’t wake you up and Lucifer said he was giving me a gift. It was terrifying, you wouldn’t open your eyes when I shook you,” he held tightly to him, he knew it hadn’t been a nightmare. Helaku stroked his cheek and relaxed back down in bed, this disturbed him greatly. The two barely slept the rest of the night.
                Their next few days they spent all their time together trying to find anything that could be considered a gift from a God. Sesshomaru even visited the hospital, making sure his body was in top shape. Nothing seemed amiss and so they focused their attention back on the ball.
                Helaku got his formal uniform cleaned and pressed to prepare for his first very public night at Sesshomaru’s side. Sesshomaru picked out his best suit for the occasion and made sure it fit his body perfectly to look his absolute best when he took his throne for the celebration. They even took time to practice their dancing, Helaku absolutely in love as Sesshomaru whisked him around the ballroom. He knew his emperor would want to lead and he gladly let him take charge and move him around the room as if he were nothing but a feather.
                His kids watched as the dance instructor gave very few pointers on their posture, mostly on Helakus part. Sesshomaru had, had many years of practice. The girls loved watching their father and him dance, seeming to swoon at the romance they shared. He could hear them giggle as Sesshomaru gently pressed his forehead to Helaku’s, smiling with their lips barely apart as he led him into the next step. He looked to them a moment before he dipped Helaku.
                They gasped; their eyes filled with delight with the exception of Akiko who just kept a little smirk on her face. His boys on the other hand were rolling their eyes, Helaku figured they’d be better off taking a few lessons from their dad on how to win the ladies over. His moves were suave, and he knew Handsy Harriet would absolutely die if he danced with her how he danced with him.
                Sesshomaru restrained himself from any displays of public affection but Helaku could feel his intent as his eyes smoldered into him. If the dance instructor were not there, he knew he’d of gotten a kiss and if his children were not there he may have gotten a few kisses. Instead, there were only the secret smiles when his face came close that disappeared as soon as he turned where someone else would see it. This was enough for him.
                Sesshomaru stepped into the hallway after their lesson and in walked several members of the guard. Helaku stared in confusion, wondering why his guards were being taken from their posts and then smirked as he looked at his sons, forcing them onto the dance floor to take instruction with the guard. The four girls also joined, letting the few lucky guards dance with them.
                Sess sat on the sideline with him, his legs crossed and focused on his children. “Think you can resist kissing me all night when we’re at the ball?”
                “It will be hard, but I am sure I’ll manage,” Sess looked to him, smirking.
                “I’m still worried about the ‘gift’,” Helaku stated quietly.
                “Me too. Maybe it was nothing,” He knew better but if he told himself it had been some cruel prank he would feel better about it. They observed, hiding their clasped hands to avoid any more attention.
                When the ball came, Helaku found himself nervous. He looked at himself in his formal wear, maintaining the posture and composure of a commanding officer. The uniform was black with gold trim, the Taisho family crest was proudly on chest with his medals and rank. His white gloves were pristine and his pants were creased. His shoes were polished, so clean and shiny he could see his reflection in them.
                His hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, every hair in its place. Long hair was extremely common in demon culture and it had been widely accepted in their military regulations as long as it was kept neat and presentable. The ends of his hair naturally curled a little and he sighed, suddenly very self-conscious of his natural waves. The royal family would enter the ballroom down a set of stairs, just like in the movies. He had been instructed to wait at the bottom of the stairs, maintaining his salute until the emperor reached the bottom as he had always done.
                He reported to his position early, eying the crowd as he anxiously awaited the event to begin. Soon the lights dimmed, and various important people were introduced, coming down the same steps. Helaku fell into at attention, making sure his guard maintained the same level of respect for the guests. His eyes were full of command of his troops and they made sure to follow their instructions to the letter. Then the royal family began and he raised his hand in salute, the youngest presented first. Lua took the stairs, coming in a black gown with pearls strung in her curled brown hair, gorgeous blue eyes gleaming in the light accentuated by a pearl necklace and matching bracelet. She turned and smiled to him before going to the family table and standing behind her seat.
                Her twin brother followed, Alexavier was in a nice suit, the perfect picture of nobility. He walked the same path to his seat. One after the other they came: Hisoka, Fumitaka, Makoto, Marcus, TaDaaki, Naoki, Keiko & Akiko, Izumi, Daichi, Toji, Goro, Hideaki, Akinori, Eileen and finally Shikamaru.
                Shikamaru came down the stairs with his twin sons. One young boy on either side clasping his hands. Modern males could bare children, it was a gift given when their female population grew thin centuries ago. These two had come from his body and their father had been an evil man. Helaku remembered arresting him, Shikamaru bloodied and beaten in his room, afraid for his unborn boys. He was happy to see them thriving. Like their loving parent, they would be exact replicas of Sesshomaru as well and he knew it.
                Braydon and Benji looked around with wide eyes as everyone admired them with their dad. They were 4, attending their first ball. Lots of pictures were taken as they walked down the stairs and in the middle Benji tugged on Shikamaru’s suit jacket, making them stop. Shika kneeled, quietly speaking to him before picking him up, carrying him on his hip while Braydon walked diligently next to him to the table.
                Then the nerves hit Helaku. All of the kids were at the table and now Sesshomaru stood at the top of the stairs, he didn’t dare look or he knew he’d melt. The guests bowed gracefully to him and he descended the stairs. At the bottom he turned instead of going to the table, releasing Helaku from his salute then gently offering his hand to him.
                Helaku looked at him now, he looked perfect. He took his hand and watched as Sesshomaru kissed the back of it lovingly for the whole world to see. He then led Helaku to the table where there was a seat just for him next to his emperor. Servants pulled his and Sesshomaru’s chairs out and they took their seats. The rest of the family and guests sat after they were down.
                “You could’ve told me that was your plan,” Helaku said it quietly to him, not turning his head. He was smiling, a blush on his cheeks.
                “And ruin the surprise?” Sess sat his napkin on his lap, expression unchanging.
                “I love you,” Helaku grinned even bigger. He knew that news cameras were on them but he couldn’t help himself.
                “I love you too,” his face was still stoic but Helaku knew him well enough to know it was sincere. The two of them were nobility tonight, and Helaku did not disappoint with his mannerisms. He matched Sesshomaru’s class to a T, showing the world he was the perfect companion for their emperor.
                The night started with a grand dinner and when it was time to take the dance floor, Sesshomaru always had the first dance. This year, he was relieved to have a dance partner before the first dance instead of needing to choose one from the crowd as he had done since Katherine’s passing.
                He led Helaku masterfully to the dance floor and looked to him, using the quietest voice he spoke, “Just like we rehearsed.”
                Helaku didn’t offer a response, instead he waited for Sesshomaru to present his hand again to request a dance. The small symphony played as he took the hand. Sesshomaru placed a hand on his hip, his other pulling Helaku’s to his shoulder. He began a waltz, gracefully gliding Helaku over the dance floor just as he had before. Their eyes were locked on each other, lost in their feelings for each other.
                They were perfectly in harmony, each step and movement complimented their strength as a couple and showed the world they were a team. It was safe to say a lot of the bachelorettes that came for their shot at Sesshomaru were envious and Helaku was glad he would be taking the object of their desire to bed on this night.
                As the music came to an end, he braced himself as he was dipped. Those pools of honey staring lovingly into his. He wished desperately Sesshomaru would kiss him but knew he would bring him back up to his feet without daring to do it. They all clapped as Sesshomaru held him close around the waist for a second then released him, giving him a small bow and then escorting him off the dance floor.
                The ball began, the night filled with dancing and drinking. He himself enjoyed sitting next to Sesshomaru as he drank wine, speaking with all the nobles that approached him. Helaku was amused that some of the nobles annoyed him and they hadn’t the slightest clue. They needed to dial into his facial expressions. He was pleasantly surprised when some of the nobles began speaking to him as well, requesting his input on defenses and various other political factors around the globe.
                Sesshomaru took him to the dance floor a few times, indulging in those secret smiles when his face was close to Helaku’s. He wouldn’t kiss him, but he knew that smile was hidden as they danced. Towards the end of the night, Helaku found himself being snuck away on the arm of his love through a back hallway. He snickered at Sesshomaru, wondering just how many secret entrances this man had hidden in this palace. “Well, isn’t this romantic?”
                “Shush and just follow,” Sess pulled him along the twists and turns. This was a true secret hallway, many doors and exits peppered the walls as they hustled through. Then they stopped. Helaku knew they had gone up a few flights of stairs but was not prepared to come out in what appeared to be an attic.
                Sesshomaru kneeled and felt the floor then took a few steps and knelt again before he pulled a latch. The wall on the far side opened and a large room revealed itself. The stars sparkled around it, another room where the walls were only magic around it. There was a bed, covered in red sheets and pillows with a gold duvet.
                There was wine chilling on a table in the room and Helaku knew he had prepared it earlier in the day. “I haven’t been up here since…”
                “Katherine?” Helaku smiled, looking at a chest at the foot of the bed. He opened it, finding extra pillows and blankets. He then looked to a wardrobe and when he opened it he blushed, some lingerie was folded on the shelves, other hanging up.
                “You have to keep it interesting where you can,” Sess snorted, looking at his expression.
                “I don’t suppose you were expecting me to wear this,” Helaku held a lace bodice up to his torso.
                “It’s a bit small for you, I think,” Sesshomaru sat in a chair and untied his shoes, getting his aching feet out of his dress shoes.
                “What about this one?” He held up a red nightie, picking up the matching garters.
                “Leave those alone. Kat liked to keep those secret up here,” Sess couldn’t deny the image was delicious but he wished to leave his memories in the wardrobe.
                Helaku laughed, setting them back in the wardrobe. “I wouldn’t have thought you liked to spice things up before I knew you like this.”
                “I think I’ve always been plenty spicy, thank you,” His eyes drawled to Helaku’s left and Helaku followed them to a sex swing sitting in a box. He looked back to his emperor.
                “Are we using that? I would not mind using that,” Helaku looked for where to hang it up.
                “Stop, I wish to stay under the stars with you tonight. We can play with the other things some other time,” Sess got into a side table, pulling out a pair of sleep pants.
                “Other things?” Helaku waggled his eyebrows, now beginning to explore the room. He was not disappointed, finding a drawer of organized sex toys and a drawer under it with cleaning products. He glanced to Sesshomaru, holding up a large dildo. Sess just sighed and folded his arms, watching him explore as if left unattended in a candy store.
                “Put that back where you found it once you’re done ogling it,” Sess sat on the bed.
                Helaku put it right back in its place and opened yet another drawer pulling out a pair of cuffs and a cat o nine tails. “My EMP-eror!”
                “Helaku, please just come join me on the bed,” Sess would admit he was amused but he was also tired. This wasn’t supposed to turn into a game of ‘what else can I find’ when he had thought to bring Helaku to his favorite place to rest after a ball. Helaku put the items back and then hesitantly dangled the cuffs towards Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru shook his head no and he put them back again before wandering back to the bed.
                Sess changed quickly into his sleep pants and offered a pair to Helaku. Helaku declined, stripping down to his boxers and crawling into the silk sheets. “I know you’re going to be taking those off shortly, no point in having my own pair of pants in the way.”
                Helaku laughed as Sesshomaru hit his arm with the back of his hand. He went over and shut the secret entrance, lighting some candles before shutting the main lights off. The stars were beautiful and Helaku curled up to Sesshomaru as they laid there, gazing up at them.
                “Magic is amazing. You’ve managed to hide open rooms and make them appear as if walls blocked them all in, are there more of these rooms?” Helaku grazed his fingers over his chest.
                “A few. I like to be outdoors, and the palace is lovely but, it’s not the best place to try and create outdoor spaces,” Sesshomaru smiled.
                “They’re going to know you’ve gone from the ball, why would you sneak off without dismissing yourself,” Helaku suddenly realized they had just disappeared.
                “Me and Kat did this all the time. People notice but it’s such a big party, they assume you are just in another area,” Sesshomaru stretched and pulled Helaku tight against him, watching the moon. His own crescent moon on his forehead glimmered in response, as if taking strength from the moonlight.
                Helaku stared in wonder and slowly ran his finger over the mark, instantly taking his fingers away when he felt Sess tense around him and a moan slipped between his lips. Sesshomaru blushed and looked to him. “That’s uh… that’s very sensitive.”
                “I knew we wouldn’t be needing pants,” Helaku laughed, drawing his fingers over it once more with feather light touches.
                “Helaku,” Sesshomaru warned. It was already too late, his body had responded immediately.
                Helaku let out an evil little chuckle, “What about the ones on your cheeks?”
                His fingers moved before he could get an answer, drawing a little gasp out of his lover accompanied with a warning growl.
                “Okay, okay, but what about,” Helaku was fast, pulling the cuffs he had pretended to put back from his pants on the floor and cuffing one of Sesshomaru’s hands to the headboard. Sesshomaru looked at him, anger and lust pooling in his eyes. Helaku smirked at him and hustled to get the other pair of cuffs from the drawer before the man could protest too much.
                He had to wrestle him, the emperor easier due to being one handed and he sat back and admired him once both hands were secured. Sesshomaru was not amused. He pulled against the restraints but he knew from experience he would not break free.
                “I dunno, I think Kat would approve,” Helaku smirked at those deadly angry eyes.
                “Let me go and I will not be angry with you,” Sess growled it out.
                “Mm, or… I could keep you here and I know you will not be angry for long,” Helaku grinned.
                He climbed up the bed and located all the little purple marks he could see. Two on his real arm, four on his cheeks, his moon, two on each hip. “How have I not thought to touch these before!”
                “Helaku,” There was a warning growl again, his hands yanking on the cuffs.
                Helaku sighed, looking deep into his expression, “Are you really so against this? I will let you go, I’m not going to force you into having any fun.”
                Sesshomaru was about to cave and then the palace alarms went off. Both men looked to each other, Helaku quickly unlocking the cuffs before rushing to look around outside at one of the invisible walls. Sesshomaru joined him, both strictly business as they tried to find the threat. The palace alarms had not gone off once in Helaku’s lifetime.
                Sesshomaru spotted it first, “Oh fuck.” He didn’t bother putting the rest of his clothes back on, he opened the secret entrance and ran back down the winding hidden hallways. Helaku pulled on his pants and tried to follow, getting lost briefly in the twists and turns. By the time he made it outside, Sesshomaru already stood holding his old sword.
                Helaku started towards him, grabbing a weapon from one of the guards.
                “Stay back!” Helaku stopped, obeying. “Go to the barracks!”
                A large blast of wind ripped through the ground and Sess threw himself into the air as it hammered against his palace. Helaku watched, the elegance in his leap and the way he seemed to float back down. Then he saw the attacker, unable to make out much except his silhouette.
                Their swords clashed very suddenly, the two men growling venomously at each other. Sesshomaru turned his head enough to see everyone froze. “To the barracks! NOW!” He hollered it, pushing the attacker away with such a force he flew across the lawn, backflipping to catch his footing and come charging again.
                Helaku regained his senses, torn between his duty and his orders. His orders won and he looked at the crowd that had accumulated, “To the barracks! To the barracks! Go! Go!” He quickly stepped into commanding mode, herding everyone away from the battle.
                He wanted to stay, he wanted to make sure he would be okay, but he knew it was more important now to listen. It was about getting innocent demons to safety. He took one last glance, wishing they had, had time to give him armor or something as the man stood only in his sleep pants facing off against some evil.
                Time seemed to move so slowly in the barracks, he could hear the destruction as that wind continued to tear through the palace grounds. He could only picture his love, he should have stayed. He looked back at the people he protected, some gawking at him in only his pants. He pressed his hand on the door to the shelter he had ran to, ready to guard it with his life.
                Outside went deathly silent suddenly. No more sounds of the ground ripping and splintering up in unknown attacks. Had he fallen? Tears stung his eyes, Sesshomaru could not die but he didn’t think he could stand the sight of him having fallen. Would he still be in one piece?
                It was taking too long, the silence unbearable. He strained his ears against the door, even just the clinking of blades would let him know he was okay. Then it came, a howl that shook the shelter to the point he thought it may collapse. The ground shook almost like something giant was walking the grounds. He couldn’t wait here any longer, he sought the highest ranked officer in the shelter and positioned him at the door, leaving the shelter.
                What greeted him once he was outside was the palace in ruin, walls and windows smashed. Furniture and other items strewn all over the lawn. A large white dog with bleeding red eyes fought against that figure, the crescent on its head the only way Helaku knew how to identify him. He was dumbstruck, this was the power that made people fear him. He didn’t know how to help.
                He ran to another barrack, tearing through it to dress himself in armor and grabbed a sword. He hustled back out, seeing the giant dog was now bleeding down his shoulder, giant drops of blood splattering to the earth. He ran towards the assault, both demons recognizing the power of a third player in their battle.
                The other man turned his attention away from the dog, another weaponized tornado of wind being summoned. Helaku tried to take shelter as he saw it forming and closed his eyes tightly as it ripped through the ground at him, he found himself blocked and the overwhelming scent of blood filled his nostrils. Sesshomaru had covered him, at a cost to himself.
                “I’ve cut your arm off once; I’ll remove it again Sesshomaru!” Helaku saw the man now as he got closer. InuYasha.
                “We don’t have to fight like this,” the growl rumbled from him. Helaku felt fluff around him finding himself thrown in the air and landing on the very large, powerful beast as it moved away from another attack. Those huge red eyes and purple pupils darted around, trying to find a safe space for him and when realizing nowhere was safe from his brother’s attacks he kept him on his back. He took off, InuYasha following in close pursuit, jumping tree to tree as the large dog ran through his acreage trying to get as far away as possible. Helaku hung onto his fur for dear life.
                Sesshomaru reached a point in the wilderness where he quickly took his humanoid form again, Helaku amazed at the power before he found himself hanging around his shoulders. “Hide! Hurry! He’ll be here in minutes!” Sesshomaru shoved him away, trying to lead InuYasha further away from him.
                It didn’t work, InuYasha stopped at his brother’s smell nearby and saw the Commander. His lips curled, he was in a blood lust, his own eyes raging crimson. Helaku prepared his blade, ready for what would come.
                He heard a sickening sound and found that InuYasha’s blade had found Sesshomaru instead. He had shielded him again and now stood, panting, blade cleaved into his body. “InuYasha. Brother.” He croaked
                InuYasha’s gaze faltered confused. “Brother? You wish to call me brother now?”
                “You are my brother.” Sesshomaru spluttered, blood began to gurgle out of his mouth, his legs trembling before he hunched over and fell to his knees.
                “Sesshomaru!” Helaku didn’t recognize his own voice. He scrambled to the man’s side, tears streaming down his face.
                “Why do you defend him? He is evil, he is cruel,” InuYasha sneered.
                “He is benevolent! He loves his people! He loves me,” Helaku’s whole body shook as he tried to find a way to save the day. He had never been so lost in a battle before. No amount of training had prepared him to try and heal a man who had just received a death blow, let alone his lover.
                Sess’s eyes looked to him and with his last strength tried to push Helaku to safety. His fingers barely worked, all the strength in them gone. He looked so scared.
                InuYasha withdrew his blade from his brother, the motion making Sesshomaru’s blood spill faster with another disgusting sound. He gasped, choking on blood as his body turned paler and then the life left him as he hit the ground with a soft thud. Helaku trembled on the ground, looking to the half demon. “Why?”
                “He had me pinned to that damn tree! He made my life hell!” InuYasha roared.
                “That was so long ago, why now?! Why do you come now?!” His heart ached and anger began to well up inside. When did death reverse, when would Sesshomaru take his next breath? How long could he stall before InuYasha killed him too? He was a warrior, his hand found his sword again.
                InuYasha didn’t have that answer. He didn’t know how he had come to be here, only that he had. Something had pulled him from his slumber in the tree and led him to Sesshomaru. Something about his brother had enraged him past all points of comprehension.
                “You smell like him,” InuYasha’s nostrils flared.
                “I am his,” Helaku stood, a foolish strength pooling in his body. He would fight.
                “He possesses no emotions. He is incapable of loving,” InuYasha spat.
                “Stop stalling,” Helaku raised his blade, closing his eyes for only a moment. It wasn’t his blade, it felt foreign in his hand but it was all he could grab. It possessed no magic, swords had stopped being magic a long time ago. InuYasha seemed to like the challenge and he found himself fighting this beast that had destroyed everything.
                Helaku held his own, matching Inuyasha’s sword skills strike for strike. He was a well-trained warrior after all. His heart ached and while his head told him Sesshomaru would return to him, his soul yearned for revenge.
                InuYasha cut him suddenly and his anger and despair bubbled, making him less rational. He began swinging wildly. InuYasha began to lose footing in the fight, he was becoming tired. He could use magic he thought, but he wasn’t one for an unfair fight unless the opposite party had initiated it.
                Helaku had him cornered in some trees and then a sound that roared through the trees causing an awful cracking noise caught their attention. The wind picked up as Sesshomaru’s lungs filled with air with a croak, his wounds healed just enough to stop bleeding and fight once more. His hair danced all around him, his eyes were unsettling as they laid upon InuYasha. The half demon was confused, backing away from them both.
                “InuYasha! Stay!” His voice rumbled mightily in the wind. “We will talk this over.”
                InuYasha tried to escape but it was like the forest itself held him in place. Sesshomaru was dropped to his knees, his wits coming about him. He looked around and quickly hurried to Helaku, trying to shake the shock of having just died off. He reeked of it, the smell of death rotten and unforgiving in his nose.
                “Are you hurt?!” He looked Helaku over in a panic before grabbing him and kissing him, holding him close to his chest. Helaku was thankful, dropping his blade and holding fast to him. They sat this way for a long time, Helaku did not know when he had started sobbing but was glad that his face was pressed tightly to Sesshomaru’s chest so he could hear his heart beating again.
                Sesshomaru finally turned to his brother, a quiet rage under his gaze. He knew anger would get him nowhere with his half-brother, he looked at him closer and then frowned deeper. “What is this?”
                He pulled an odd necklace off InuYasha’s neck. The half demon immediately became less intense, almost confused on why he was here. Sesshomaru hummed before putting his arm around his brother’s shoulders and pulling Helaku along by the waist, heading back towards the palace. “Sesshomaru?”
                “Yes, InuYasha?” His eyes lifted to him, exhausted.
                “I don’t understand what happened,” InuYasha looked around, taking in the unfamiliar forestry.
                “I don’t either. Who woke you from the tree? Why did you attack me? These are questions we’ll have answers to in due time. For now, will you come to my home and stay with me?” His diplomat was back and InuYasha seemed absolutely lost on what to do with the lack of sibling rivalry.
                Back at the palace everyone had emerged from the barracks already. Stunned, terrified guests were leaving while all was calm. Shikamaru was the first to spot his father emerging from the woods, running full force across the yard. “Father!”
                Sesshomaru practically yelped as Shika crashed into him. His other kids followed suit and InuYasha found himself trapped in a Taisho family bear hug. He was incredibly confused, all the clones of Sesshomaru smothering him in bliss at the return of their battered father.
                He looked to Helaku who had been smart enough to move away, ashamed of himself. Helaku pulled him out of the pool of royals and sighed. “He’s changed, give him a chance.”
                “I’m sorry for what I said,” InuYasha was being proven wrong. He noted his brother held his children tight, each one that he could hold in his arms. He remembered his brother pleading with him as they fought, not trying to attack him. He had been terrified as InuYasha had tried to destroy him this time.
                “You were not yourself. We know that now. We will find who led you into this attack,” Helaku held his head high, watching guests look at the royal family as some of the kids wept. Sesshomaru was buried in the middle, and Helaku could not say for sure but he was pretty confident he heard Sesshomaru weeping as well.
                “Daddy!” Keiko’s arms hugged Sesshomaru tight causing him to wince but he still held her with all his strength. “I was so scared. Please don’t ever do that again! What if you had died?! Who would take care of us?!”
                Helaku cringed, he had died. Had he not told his kids he could not pass through to the afterlife? “I will never leave you, Keiko. I promise this.” He kissed her head, clutching her even closer. The thought of how scared they must have been made a tear roll down his cheek. For the first time he was overjoyed that he had returned to the living. His tears caused all the kids to cry, and they took turns getting hugs and forehead kisses from him.
                “I’m going to send you to a hotel downtown and I will join you shortly. I am going to need to try and fix our home. I will send whatever personal affects I can to you, it’s unsafe for you to go inside.” He looked at his destroyed palace.
                “Sesshomaru, what orders do you have for me,” Helaku’s throat felt raw from his sobs. His voice came out rough.
                “You will stay here and assess damages with me. I want second in command with my brother to keep an eye on him. No one goes near him without my approval. InuYasha, please listen to my men. I am sending you with my children, the place you will stay is safe.” Sesshomaru emphasized his safety.
                InuYasha did not argue, simply waited for his escort. Once the chaos was sorted, the two of them stood on the lawn together. Sesshomaru brought his arm around Helaku, Sesshomaru’s pants were soaked in his own blood, and in a way Helaku imagined he was thankful his children had not noticed.
                “We’re gonna call the mages, they will be able to reverse spell this mess back into a home in no time,” Sesshomaru sighed, his tiredness catching up to him. His injuries were still raw, having only healed enough that he could get up.
                “Let’s get you to my house. I want to dress these wounds and then I’m locking you in my room and never letting you fight anyone ever again,” Helaku sighed. Sesshomaru laughed, not even minding the news crews covering the damage. He kissed him, lovingly and longingly surprising Helaku.
                “I will fight as many fights as I must. I am just glad he did not kill you. Anyone else and I’d have kept you by my side. We are not equipped for attacks like this any longer. We’ve had no need to prepare ourselves against this kind of enemy in a long time,” Sesshomaru took his hand, walking with him towards his home.
                The walk seemed longer than it should, his body aching in places he hadn’t ached in a long time. He could still feel the blade lodged in his body and he swallowed hard as he walked with Helaku. They were silent, arms winding around each other’s hips as they tried to support each other the last few meters to the house.
                In the house, Helaku set Sesshomaru down on a stool. He went to a closet in the bathroom and dug through the items before coming back with wraps, bandages, salves and a stitch kit in case he would need it. When he came back Sess’s head was on his counter. “Are you okay?”
                “I smell,” Sess sat up and looked at him.
                “I mean, you smell like a fight, yes,” Helaku looked at him and realized he might want to get out of his bloodied pants.
                “Like death. Don’t you smell it?” Sess looked so tired.
                Helaku looked to him thoughtfully, he didn’t smell death on him. He moved in front of him, stroking his cheeks with his thumbs, careful to avoid those purple marks he had been so excited to touch earlier. “Come with me.”
                Sesshomaru stood, Helaku leading him to the bathroom. He started a bath, Sesshomaru staring at the tub. “Helaku, I really need to get to the children.”
                “I really need to take care of you. You need to rest before you swoop in to save the day,” Helaku tested the water with his hand before pulling the drain so the tub would fill. He examined his wound carefully and then started stripping his layers off. Armor was set on the floor followed by the uniform he had stolen from the barracks. He looked at Sess and started to help get his PJ bottoms off.
                “Helaku,” Sess looked at him, his face relaying that he really wasn’t in the mood.
                “Trust me,” Helaku dropped his pants to the floor and then climbed into the tub. It wasn’t as big as Sesshomaru’s nor was it as nice as his hot spring but he figured it got the job done.
                Sesshomaru sighed and very carefully got into the tub, his back to Helaku’s chest. Helaku was very careful, keeping his wound as much out of the water as he could. He grabbed a rag from a nearby stand and dipped it in the warm water and gently started cleaning him. Sess shut his eyes, how he wished this had been part of being a general so long ago.
                He fell asleep, Helaku running gentle circles over his body with soap. The warm water lapped against him, his exhaustion easily catching up to him. He woke up when Helaku gently moved him to get out of the tub. His body was still warm and relaxed. He felt a kiss to his clean hair and furrowed his brow as he was lifted from the tub. So tired.
                Helaku held him on his feet, his eyes flicking open and shut as he dried him off. He barely managed to keep his balance an Helaku found himself amused. He was gentle as he picked him up again and put him on the bed, resting his emperor down on the blankets. He went to go get the medical supplies he had taken to his counter and grabbed his house phone. He called Shikamaru, the number on speed dial for emergencies. Shika would take the throne if his father were to become incapable of ruling afterall.
                “Shikamaru,” The man sounded just as tired as his father. He could hear all the siblings with him.
                “Hey, this is Helaku. I’m gonna keep your dad tonight. He just like passed out, I don’t want to wake him up,” Helaku gathered the last of the items, walking quietly back to his room.
                “Sounds good. Probably a very good idea anyway, I think he’d get swarmed if he came right now. Reporters are everywhere because of the attack. I got things handled with my brothers and sisters, don’t worry about us. Keep me updated on my dad,” Shikamaru sounded as if he was looking around the room in thought.
                “Of course, I’ll call as soon as we’re up,” Helaku stared at the man from his doorway.
                “You’re too cute. Take care of him, that looked like a gnarly wound,” Helaku felt his smile.
                “I’m patching him up now. Good night prince,” Helaku hung up, tossing the cordless phone to his sofa before going into the room and gently taking care of his wound. His touch was tender, careful not to wake him up. After he was bandaged, Helaku put everything away and climbed into bed. He held him as close as he could without hurting him.
                Sesshomaru’s dreams were not peaceful, he could still feel the stab of the blade. He could still feel his life leaving him and his terror for not only his people but his loved ones. Most of all he could feel Lucifer, as if his eyes bore into him from the gates of the afterlife as he slept. He could only assume this was part of the ‘gift’ and could only wonder what else could be coming. He was thankful for one thing through the night: each time a nightmare came upon him, a soft kiss was placed to his forehead giving him peace for just a little bit before the next one came.
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The Emperor and his Champion