Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

In Saving You, I Saved Myself	By : CrimsonStained Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male > InuYasha/Sessh?maru > InuYasha/Sessh?maru Views: 9734 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: All names/characters belong to the great Rumiko Takahashi. The only thing I own are my ideas to manipulate her characters to my whims. I make no money from writing this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
In Saving You I Saved Myself – Chapter 8. Apologies and Revelations
InuYasha trudged guiltily forward, sniffing out the path his sibling had taken a short time before. He followed after the scent of thunderstorms and winter, that’s what Sesshoumaru smelled like to him. He inhaled deeply; pristine with a distinct bite at the end. Even as a pup, the hanyou had been fond of his scent; after his mother had passed he’d sometimes catch Sesshoumaru’s scent and track his brother for miles. Though he never allowed himself to get too close, never let his sibling know he was there. He merely found it comforting as a kid to have the essence of someone he knew surrounding him; lonely if nothing else.
InuYasha frowned; why was he focusing so intensely on his brother’s scent and drudging up the past anyway? I’m just ‘recognizing’ his smell right? Youkai shit and whatnot… Yeah. I mean, it ain’t like he stinks or nothin’; he smells pretty… good… actually. But just good! That’s it! Yup, I’m just – what’d he call it…Scenting!... Nnnghh…
Uncomfortable with the fact that he couldn’t answer himself truthfully, InuYasha took a deep breath and sighed, expelling all thoughts from his head. Perhaps later he would revisit this topic, when his mind was clear.
“Intense…” Kagome blew her bangs out of her face, giving Sango a half-hearted, exhausted, smile, “It’s sure gonna be interesting with Sesshoumaru around the next little bit… Now that he’s awake anyway…”
The taijiya raised her eyebrows, staring into nothingness as she nodded her agreement; she could see it now. There would be fights, there would be blood, perhaps a few casualties…
A small chirping came from Kagome’s side before Kirara jumped onto her shoulder, nuzzling reassuringly against her cheek. Kagome laughed and scratched the feline’s jaw, “Thank’s Kirara, we’ll be fine.”
“I wonder what he generally does…” The miko pondered aloud, gaining the huntress’ questioning gaze, “I mean, I can’t see Sesshoumaru building a fire, or catching fish, or really anything so…. Mundane, you know?”
“Can you imagine, though?” Sango countered, eyes gleaming suggestively.
The two females chuckled before Rin and Shippou raced by, their chuckles slowly dying as they looked back at each other, paused then glanced back at Rin.
“Of course! We can ask Rin-chan! You two!!!” Kagome raised her voice to call out to children, “Rin-chan, Shippou-kun! Come back here!”
A short while later found the four of them in the water, using Kagome’s shampoo to scrub their hair. Kagome currently fretting over Shippou who had gotten some in his eye and was rubbing at it furiously.
“So Rin-chan,” Sango glanced over at the young girl as she burst from under the water, wiping the droplets from her eyes, “What does Sesshoumaru-sama do when you aren’t travelling?”
Rin cocked her head back and looked at the sky in thought, “He likes to sit against trees, and look at the sky!”
Kagome tried not to giggle at the answer the child put forth, “But does he talk much?”
“Mm, no, Sesshoumaru-sama is pretty quiet,” She answered before pausing, “Well… Unless he’s telling Rin and Jaken-sama to be quiet, follow, or stay.”
Somehow… That isn’t hard to picture, Sango thought, fighting not to grin, “Then, what does he like to eat?”
“I dunno.”
“How do you not know?” This question came from Shippou who had finally successfully rid his eye of the irritating soap, one eye visibly redder and puffier than the other.
“Sesshoumaru-sama doesn’t eat much, I think,” Rin frowned and curled her fingers around her chin, “Sometimes it’s like he doesn’t eat at all. Rin thinks maybe he forgets. But whenever he does eat, it is never around us.”
At this Kagome pursed her lip slightly and thought about if she should bother catching an extra fish for him or not. He’d probably refuse it, but even so she guessed it couldn’t hurt to have one more fish anyway – it wasn’t like InuYasha would let it go to waste.
“Does he ever, you know… show… emotion? Or does he always…seem that uncaring?” She tried to delicately pick her words, but Kagome felt Rin understood what she meant.
“Sesshoumaru-sama shows many emotions! You just need to know how to see them,” Rin smiled broadly as she brightly pointed out, “But don’t worry! Sesshoumaru-sama is actually very nice!”
Kagome coughed sharply to cover the noise of disbelief she couldn’t prevent loosing, while Sango cleared her throat. Shippou was the only one to speak his mind bluntly, as all children do, “No way! He’s super scary! Who are you trying to fool?”
“Nuh uh! Sesshoumaru-sama protects Rin all the time, and is always kind to Rin,” She immediately protested, a small scowl on her face.
“Just ‘cause he’s nice to you, doesn’t mean he’s nice to everyone!” Shippou countered.
“Hey, now now guys, let’s not start any fights. Kagome and I were just curious that’s all,” Sango interjected, looking between the two kids disapprovingly.
Rin pouted but resolutely held back a retort, sulking as she finished her bath. She glanced over as Kagome put her hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
“I believe you, Rin-chan; I know you aren’t lying,” Kagome smiled warmly, “We’ll just… have to witness it ourselves. Sometimes when people have a certain perception, they find things hard to believe until they see them.”

Kagome tousled Rin’s hair when she nodded before clapping her hands together, “Okay! Now who wants to help catch lunch?!”
The youkai trained his expression to neutrality as the scents of Rin and InuYasha’s pack members drifted across his nose. He recalled they had gone bathing a while back, perhaps they had lingered to swim on one of the last warm days?
Childish banter bubbled into his ears as Rin and Shippou burst onto the path laughing hysterically, InuYasha’s miko looming over them in hot pursuit, chanting dark poems about eating them if she caught up.
The three skidded to a stop when they saw him, the huntress following shortly.
“Sesshoumaru-sama! You’re looking much better!” Rin clasped her hands together in delight while the other three seemed to shift awkwardly, “And you’re half-naked!”
“Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Kagome attempted a kind smile, slightly dampened by the flush in her cheeks, “Rin is right, you look a lot better today; but should you be walking so soon? Where’s InuYasha?”
The Daiyoukai glanced up and down the miko, her short green garment catching his gaze. Idly he wondered how one of her stature could dress so… inappropriately and not realize it. The girl’s innocence was not in question by any means, Sesshoumaru could easily tell no man had been with her anytime recently. A small breeze reminded him he should dignify her with an answer, seeing as he had no right to criticise her state of attire when his own was currently lacking, “I am fine Miko. I wish to be clean is all; as for InuYasha, he should be near your camp.”
Kagome seemed a little stunned that he’d answered her properly at first, then couldn’t help but smile warmly, “Of course you are. You know… You two are a lot alike…”
Her intention was obvious, he did not need to ask who. Sesshoumaru scowled slightly and looked away, “This Sesshoumaru finds that hard to believe.”
As he made to move past them, Sango spoke up, “I do not know if you will care to join us, but we caught an extra fish for you just in case. We’re heading back now to cook them soon.”
The inu youkai paused for a moment, they had caught him food? Were they slighting him by making it appear he was incapable? No, it was unlikely; they were just stupidly kind. Kindness like that could get them killed one day, “This Sesshoumaru will provide for himself.”
Alright, maybe he felt slightly guilty at the way the mortals shoulder’s both dropped; he sighed. Damn he was getting soft, perhaps Rin was to blame, “Thank you for the thought.”
Sango and Kagome looked to each other with wide eyes before they grinned happily, Kagome nodded, “Right. You’re welcome to change your mind any time! Well…Until InuYasha finds it that is.”
“InuYasha always finds it! I’m gonna eat it first this time!” Shippou declared, pumping a little fist into the air.
“Alright, let’s go start lunch!” Kagome smiled, grabbing the children’s hands.
“Oh, oh wait!” Rin protested, softly drawing her hand away and running after the retreating inu youkai, “Sesshoumaru-sama, wait!”
“Rin-chan?” Kagome questioned aloud, glancing over her shoulder. The three watched as she covered the short distance; speaking in soft tones while smiling up at the fearsome demon, “I wonder what she’s saying to him…”
“Um… Please do not be too hard on InuYasha-sama,” Rin looked up into the questioning gaze of her caretaker. Other’s may not be able to, but to her Sesshoumaru was actually quite easy to read; the trick was to look into his eyes. His face spoke in the smallest of movements, if you weren’t watching you’d miss them entirely.
Sesshoumaru cocked his head in the slightest, Rin always had a way of knowing when something had happened; was this the true power of women’s intuition? She would be frightening if she should ever become a mother; no child would ever be able to hide their wrong-doings.
Old brown eyes met his flagrantly, small fingers hooked together behind the child’s back. She cast forth that eerie air of knowingness as she spoke, “InuYasha-sama refused to leave your side the past few days. He didn’t want anyone else to even go near you. He even yelled at Kagome-sama.”
He yelled at his miko? Why? Sesshoumaru blinked in shock and looked away.
“Right! Sesshoumaru-sama, enjoy your bath!” Satisfied with his acknowledgement of her request, Rin saluted the demon and smiled broadly before dashing off towards the others, “Scrubby, scrubby, scrubby; all fresh and nice! But be forewarned, the water’s like ice! Hahahaha!”
It is a wonder why I continue to put up with her, Sesshoumaru frowned softly, wondering just where children received all their energy from. He certainly didn’t remember being that happy as a child; but then again, he wasn’t that happy as an adult either. Suddenly the youkai wished Rin never lost her luster for life.
“Please do not be too hard on InuYasha-sama. InuYasha-sama refused to leave your side…”
Why, the youkai refrained from giving in to the temptation to pinch the bridge of his nose, I’ve figured it out. It doesn’t matter what the situation; there’s only one explanation… InuYasha is simply a contradiction of himself and I should cease to worry about it further.
Decision made, he moved onward.
Sesshoumaru stopped at the edge of a field, admiring the lush green of summer’s ending. The sun was slightly past its peak, making it a little after noon. The youkai closed his eyes and allowed the breeze to skitter across his skin, drawing forth moon-spun tendrils to splay around him.
With everything that had happened, Sesshoumaru hadn’t gotten much of a chance to enjoy being back inside tangible flesh again. It wasn’t until this moment that the youkai had even remembered all that had happened before the hydra’s appearance. Truly the mind was a curious thing.
Thoughts of leaving began to cross the Daiyoukai’s mind, perhaps he was harming more than helping their already tedious relationship. The demon felt more than just obligated to assist in his brother’s quest, he wanted to stay. He truly wanted to atone for their past; teach InuYasha what the youkai world really was composed of as he should’ve done since birth.
He wanted to, but perhaps the better decisions would be to leave and rethink his approach.
Sesshoumaru long knew of InuYasha’s impending arrival when a twig snapped behind him. The inu slowly opened his eyes, focusing in on the fact that he could feel… The only way he could describe it would be to say he could feel InuYasha himself tickling at the edge of his senses. Interesting… Sesshoumaru thought.
Kami, InuYasha swallowed dryly, watching the wind tossing the demon’s hair about his bandaged wrapped body; the sun glinting off the dancing tendrils, I wonder if he secretly poses when he knows someone’s coming.
The expression the hanyou was giving as Sesshoumaru glanced back took him off-guard, the half demon was blushing, his shoulder slightly sagging forward with a wide-eyed expression of… Surprise possibly? Why? “What is the matter, InuYasha.”
“Wh-Wha-Nothing!” He sputtered, lifting his hand to thumb his nose only to have the haori clasped in his fingers remind him of his purpose there, “Uh-I … Here. I figured you… you know, might want this…”
“And you came all this way to give me my haori,” Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in both disbelief and disapproval at the poor excuse.
InuYasha flinched slightly before snorting and averting his gaze.
“Hn.”
“Rrrgh!” Irritation evident in his tone InuYasha snapped, “Okay, okay! I came to fuckin’ apologize, dammit!”
Sesshoumaru looked unconvinced but turned towards the rolling fields; enjoying the ribbons of wind that caressed gently against his exposed flesh. He itched to move onward, his innate senses were in upheaval that an enemy knew where they were, and that he was weakened. By the morning he’d be fit to travel again; then his and InuYasha’s pack would set out once more to find Naraku and the last jewel shard, and now the Magi Riko as well. Speaking of InuYasha, wasn’t he going to apologize? What is he waiting for? Sesshoumaru prompted, “Well?”
InuYasha flushed a deep red, scowling harshly as he spat back, “I’ll fuckin’ do it when I damn-well want to! Take your haori, dammit!”
The two stared at each other in silence for a moment before InuYasha witnessed Sesshoumaru’s lips quirk upward as he laughed softly through his nose as he accepted the cloth.
Did… Did he just laugh? Is he smiling?! What?!! InuYasha could only stare at his brother with a blank face, he really was smiling. He looked so… different, “Wh-What’s so funny?!”
“Everything truly does need to be a confrontation with you,” Sesshoumaru responded almost warmly, seeming very satisfied with himself as he shouldered the thinner cloth.
“Yeah? Well… I’m sorry,” The hanyou scoffed lightly, looking at the ground with a haze of pink settling across his cheeks and nose, “For that and… You know. Makin’ assumptions and stuff.”
How did I not notice before? Sesshoumaru questioned himself, It’s so obvious now! All of it.
The Daiyoukai thought back to the last night of the new moon, after he’d injected traces of his poison into a human InuYasha:
“But, I hate you… I have to… I have to hate you…”

“Pray tell, Brother, why would that be?”

“Because… Because you won’t be the one to get hurt… I will.”
Everything, it all made sense! Sesshoumaru revelled in the bright bubbly feeling coursing through him at his epiphany, InuYasha wears this façade of confidence and angst to protect his feelings. He shouts and blows up like a child when he feels too vulnerable. His heart is big but fragile; and he fears letting others in - for then they have the power to truly hurt him.
His enlightenment came with hope; the inu had admittedly been feeling overtaxed and a bit dejected by the constant fights with InuYasha, the judgements and assumptions. Yet, perhaps the frequency lie in the fact that they were making progress, and InuYasha was looking for reasons to push him away. Of course. Everything fit together like a puzzle now, the conundrum that was InuYasha became a little easier to understand.
“InuYasha,” Sesshoumaru decided vocalizing his wishes would allow InuYasha the best insight to his thoughts, maybe he was just as much an enigma to InuYasha, as InuYasha was to him, “This Sesshoumaru wishes you to allow him to assist in your quest.”
The hanyou’s eyes widened hilarious, “Wh-Huh? Why?”
“This one is duty-bound to repay your services to me.”
InuYasha hesitated before reigning in his emotions, suddenly a little more demure than before, “It’s fine; I saved your life, you saved mine – in fact, I’d say I owed you one for almost killing you by accident,” he muttered the end.
The Daiyoukai glanced away again, his gaze unfocused with visions of the past; there were plenty of incidents in days gone by that he’d almost killed the hanyou; and none of them, by any means, were accidental. He narrowed his eyes, there were so many times, so many memories of thrashing the half-demon, verbally tearing him apart, watching him break a little more each time. Honestly, Sesshoumaru felt he should not have the right to allow himself to be angered by reactions he’d caused. That thought hurt a little more than he’d expected.
“No, Brother. I am cognizant that I have many unpaid debts to you, this barely breaches the surface. If you insist that you’re indebted, than allow this one to restore his honour, at least until your mission is completed. That is all this Sesshoumaru requests.”
InuYasha blushed for what had to be the billionth time since Sesshoumaru had entered the scene. Why? Why did he have to react this way towards him? And only ever really towards him. It seemed all of Sesshoumaru’s questions, all of his compliments, his complaints, they all held more weight to them than anyone else’s. Why?
In a deep, dark corner of his mind, InuYasha was aware that he was… happy Sesshoumaru wanted to stay. Eager to lean from, and know more of, his brother that he’d always secretly harboured an admiration for.
“Keh! Like I could stop you… You’re just gonna fuckin’ do what you want regardless… Right?”
Sesshoumaru’s mask slipped, his astonishment showing on his face. He had genuinely thought InuYasha would tell him to leave, but this was a very… pleasant surprise. This warmth, it was comparable to anticipation; was this ‘happiness’? There was that urge to smile again, pesky persistent feeling that it was.
Sesshoumaru supposed that he could give in just this once as he stepped forward toward the hanyou. The youkai lifted his hand near InuYasha’s cheek and snagged a few tendrils of snowy white hair as a small grin tugged at his lips. He slowly let the hair slide through his claws as he blatantly ignored the half –demon’s naked expression of shock as he hummed, “Indeed.”
The demon allowed the wind to steal the last strands from his fingers before he dropped them, turning on heal and beginning to walk slowly away, a little stiffer than normal.
“Sesshoumaru…” InuYasha cocked his head, not knowing how to feel. The way his brother had caressed his hair had felt very… intimate, but he’d also just affirmed he was going to stay, and now here he was leaving again. Why did it always feel like he was always looking at Sesshoumaru’s back? Why was he always walking away?
It wasn’t until Sesshoumaru paused and glanced back over his shoulder and down his arm that InuYasha realized his hand had caught his siblings sleeve unbidden. The hanyou hastily drop the cloth like it had burned him, burned like the heat rising once more in his cheeks, “I-I um… I-”
“I wish to be clean; would you care to accompany me, Brother?” Sesshoumaru blinked, carefully keeping his face and tone neutral.
InuYasha glanced up to the unaffected face of his sibling and straightened his back, care to accompany? Care was not the right term. Compelled was far more suitable, “Uh, sure… I guess.”
“Are you serious?” Miroku was astounded, who knew Jaken would be such a source of entertainment? The little kappa knew far more about the world, mortal and youkai alike, than anyone gave him credit for.
“Indeed I am!” Jaken proclaimed proudly, satisfied someone was finally seeing his merit. He’d been pleasantly surprised to find a good conversation partner in the houshi; who, while being borderline perverted, was also very intelligent. He’d just finished explaining the latest concepts in the youkai world on sealing, and draining jewels.
“Like the manju and kanju jewels,” Miroku commented, plunking a fist into the other open palm in revelation.
“Exactly!”
“So let me see if I got this straight; there are elemental youkai that special in semi-precious stone creation and control, that have the ability to make a jewel that steals or amplifies energy,” Miroku intoned thoughtfully, “If this was the case, why has it been so concealed? I would think there would be many more demons and humans alike seeking out these youkai for their talents.”
“Yes, yes there were many that sought them for hire,” Jaken suddenly sounded graver than usual, sad almost, “Many were destroyed after refusing to create the gems. It was an art that became outlawed in their tribes soon after discovery for that purpose. Their numbers were greatly affected in the ensuing wars, as you know- youkai don’t often take well to being told no. Especially those who are used to getting their way.”
Miroku nodded sullenly, a shame it was, but sadly it made sense.
“Ah, Houshi-sama! You’ve returned,” Sango straightened, throwing the monk a small smile, “Have you seen InuYasha?”
“I have not… Jaken-sama and I decided to take a walk earlier and give the brother’s some space,” Miroku responded, looking over to the fish cooking by the fire.
Across the clearing, the miko frowned slightly, hoping the two weren’t fighting again. Now that Sesshoumaru was moving around, she wondered if he’d have choice words for InuYasha for neglecting to listen to his wishes beforehand. Kagome glanced over her shoulder into the woods; Sesshoumaru had said InuYasha should be nearby right? Should she look for him?
Riko grinned maliciously, satisfied that it’d been worth her time and effort to cast her observation magic; she’d learned of the brother’s tenuous-at-best relationship. This makes it all the more easy to tear them apart; better yet – I’ll set them back against each other.
The shell she resided in craned it’s avian head, blinked, then silently took to the sky, soaring after the inu’s covered by the shade of the trees.
InuYasha narrowed his eyes, furry white ears perking curiously; he had an odd feeling, “Sesshoumaru…”
“Yes, it has been following us for a while,” The Daiyoukai responded softly, turning his burnished amber eyes towards a branch off to the left.
“Rrgh! Stop fuckin’ spyin’ on us and come fight in the open, you stupid bitch!” InuYasha jumped at a tree before preforming a rather impressive flying roundhouse kick, the heel of his foot obliterating the flimsy spell mid-caw. Black feathers exploded into the air, individually lighting up in an ominous purple flame, disintegrating before hitting the ground.
“Perhaps they too are recovering,” Sesshoumaru murmured flatly, seemingly disinterested as he turned away and continued toward the smell of water.
Riko’s hand forcefully gripped her skull as she was thrust back into her body, panting slightly, “Cocky little ingrate.”
She smiled again, it’d all been worth it. Who would’ve guessed, their weak point would’ve been each other?
InuYasha paused, looking at his brother’s back to the path leading the other way, and back again, “Ah, Sesshoumaru? The stream is that way…”
“I was not heading for the stream.”
“Well then… Where are we heading?”
“For warmer water,” Sesshoumaru answered, “My muscles are sore from disuse, frigid waters would only irritate them more.”
“Wuss,” InuYasha muttered.
“I’d prefer the term creature of comfort,” It felt easy between the two, comfortable, Sesshoumaru realized. It left him feeling a little lighter.
InuYasha grinned mischievously, “C. O. C. So does that make you a ‘coc’ then?”
The pun was not lost on Sesshoumaru as he glanced towards his brother’s playful face, “No, it makes you a fool.”
“Wh-What?! I am not!” InuYasha sputtered back, scowling.
“Indeed, and the truly insane do not question their sanity.”
“Asshole.”
Sesshoumaru felt that was his win. He paused to sniff at the air for a moment, left then right, and turned slightly north before continuing.
“I’m pretty positive there aren’t any springs around this area, hot ones anyway,” InuYasha hooked his hands behind his head, shrugging his shoulders.
“This way.”
“Whatever, don’t say I didn’t warn ya,” InuYasha conceded. He had travelled these forests for years, slept in all of the good oaks and maples, hunted all through these lands. Not once had he ever come across a hot spring so close to Edo, never before – “Holy shit there is one!!”
Sesshoumaru glanced at his brother with a look that completely said ‘no shit’ before pushing his open haori off of his shoulders, working on unwinding the bandages on his torso; ignoring InuYasha’s speechlessness.
It was a smaller spring, but more than big enough that their two packs would fit comfortably inside together. Sesshoumaru, frustrated with attempting to unbind himself, sliced through the rest of the bandages on his torso.
InuYasha watched the bloody strips flutter to the ground, swallowing softly as he averted his eyes, reminded of how unabashed his brother was about nudity when the demon smoothly started on his hakama ties.
“Just remember that I did this with your permission granted…”
Great, why’d I have to fuckin’ think of that? Heat flooded the hanyou’s face as the breeze brought his brother’s scent roiling around him. Maybe getting into the hot springs wasn’t such a good idea, especially considering the last time. Would he try something like that again?
InuYasha had been surprised that it had been so… different when someone else did that to him. How much more he’d enjoyed it. No one else had ever shown him such interest before, no one had looked at him with eyes lit with… whatever that was. He couldn’t have placed the emotion behind Sesshoumaru’s gaze at that time. Hell, he couldn’t even remember the whole thing! Only bits and pieces of the experience itself lingered. Like the way Sesshoumaru’s bright golden gaze darkened and his lids lowered; or the feel of soft lips against his own, sharp fangs nipping, tongues battling-
“InuYasha.”
“Y-Yes!” Jolted back to awareness, the hanyou spun to meet his brother’s gaze. Sesshoumaru was already waist deep, his long hair trailing behind him.
“Are you planning on getting in sometime today? Or would you rather sit ashore allowing your libido to daydream freely?” Sesshoumaru gracefully sunk into the water, sitting against a rock on the far edge.
“Sh-Shut up! I-I am not! I’m gettin’ in, dammit!” Stupid Sesshoumaru and his pale stripy skin, and stupid water too with its stupid reflective qualities. It made avoiding looking at his brother twice as difficult. All of it! Stupid!
“Hn. Then I will turn away,” The inu youkai murmured drawing InuYasha’s attention; did the hanyou truly believe he could deny the scent of arousal whispering through the air? Sesshoumaru reclined, arcing his neck to lean his head back against, staring straight up into the clear blue sky.
“I-oh… Ah, thanks,” InuYasha spoke low, his eyes glued onto the long pale column exposed to him. Sesshoumaru was intentionally bearing his throat. He wasn’t sure what it was, but something about this situation tickled deep inside of him. He wasn’t sure why but he felt a little proud.
Quickly disrobing, the hanyou waded into the water, one hand situated to cover his privates just in case. Just in case… In case what? In case he needed to protect his innocence? InuYasha frowned at his hesitance as he submerged his body in the warm water, “O-Okay. I’m good.”
Sesshoumaru exhaled slowly, giving no other indication that he’d heard. He closed his eyes and was focusing on feeling the heat emanating through his sore body, already he felt better just by being clean. His could feel his body gaining strength, feel his youki replenishing itself.
InuYasha nervously went about scrubbing his skin and dragging his claws through his hair; forcing himself not to look over where he brother sat (he assumed) doing the same. I feel like… I’m nervous… Why am I nervous? InuYasha thought, thankful the blood rising in his cheeks could be blamed on the heated springs.
The sound of water displacing drew his attention as Sesshoumaru stood, wringing out his sopping hair. For a second – just a second, InuYasha was captivated by the water lapping at his siblings jutting hip bones, before Sesshoumaru began towards shore, “Th-that’s it?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, his hand was there, blocking any other embarrassing unbidden thoughts that might slip through his flimsy (read: nonexistent) brain-to-mouth barrier.
“What were you expecting to happen?” Sesshoumaru intoned playfully, golden eyes gleaming, as he turned towards the hanyou’s blushing face, “Why Brother, once again you surprise me.”
“Th-that’s not it! It-It’s just you that you’re so fucking unpredictable! I don’t know whether you’re going to beat me up, or beat me off!”
Is that what he wants? Is it perhaps a better way to atone? Originally it had started out as a way to force-feed youki and explain some of his demon heritage; Sesshoumaru shouldn’t have been surprised InuYasha wanted it again. He couldn’t help the small grin that slid over his lips, one that looked completely and utterly predatory, “And yet even thinking that, you followed…”
“Urk!” Cuneate white ears twitched. Seeing that heated stare angled at him rose panic and embarrassment, but even more concerning it brought forth bad thoughts. Very bad thoughts.
“So, not only were you expecting something, you wanted something to happen.”
“I didn’t!! Th-That’s not - I, I mean, No –Wait!” InuYasha glanced about frantically, as if he would be able to spot an acceptable excuse he could throw out; backing up against an edge as Sesshoumaru glided toward him.
“You misunderstand, InuYasha,” Sesshoumaru lowered himself down to his knees near his brother, tendrils of hair unfurled back out into the water as he was closing the short distance between the two, “There is no shame in wanting release.”
InuYasha swallowed hard as Sesshoumaru curled a finger beneath his chin, forcing his face up slightly. He should expect it by now, but seeing those clear golden orbs staring at him without distain or disgust still blew him away. Perhaps it was just because he didn’t often meet Sesshoumaru’s eyes for any extended amount of time, “B… But…”
“The reply to the majority of your qualms is that ‘we’ do not hold the same standards as ‘they’,” Sesshoumaru answered smartly, cocking his head slightly to the side, “Do you have more objections?”
The hard rock bit into his back as he flattened himself against the wall, bringing a little clarity and sense into his flustered brain, “B-But But, you, this… Is this… I mean-”
Sesshoumaru silenced him with a chaste kiss, feeling more than hearing InuYasha inhale sharply through his nose. He could smell the hanyou’s spike in arousal and knew at the very least, contrary to the boy’s denials, he was desiring, “You’re overthinking the issue; just close your eyes and feel.”
“Is this… normal between youkai acquaintances?” InuYasha mumbled, his breath hissing through his teeth as Sesshoumaru allowed his hand to trace down the hanyou’s neck, his claws tickling across the sensitive flesh there.
“Indeed, youkai proposition each other all the time; there are many heterosexual and homosexual demons – though bisexual demons outnumber both sides,” The Daiyoukai reveled in the shiver InuYasha failed to prevent, enjoying the nervous tremor InuYasha’s body had adopted.
He watched the hanyou’s expressions as he let his hand wander; sliding along his collarbone, smoothing along his pectoral muscle, skating over his ribs and delving lower. Sesshoumaru could smell InuYasha’s desire growing; his anticipation skyrocketing when the demon paused with his fingers splayed over the hanyou’s iliac crest.
Sesshoumaru hesitated and glanced over his shoulder, scenting, “Your miko is coming.”
“Sh-She what?!” InuYasha damn near jumped straight out of the water, panicked aureate eyes swinging around wildly. He too lifted his nose to the air and concentrated, fear spiking when he caught the wisps of her scent reaching out like plant cirrus.
InuYasha realized he felt a little more than mildly guilty; like he was sneaking around behind his mate’s back – only, Kagome wasn’t his mate, she was his best friend. The guilt came more from knowing how she’d disapprove of these actions, on multiple levels.
“InuuuYaashaaaa! InuYasha?” Kagome’s voice came from beyond the trees, worry colouring her tone, “InuYasha, where are you?!”
“K-Kagome!” InuYasha stiffened, “D-Don’t come over here!!”
The Daiyoukai flicked his eyes off to the forest and back to his sibling, beginning to feel a little more than irate at the girl for interfering.
“Ah! InuYasha! Don’t go over there?”
“Yes! I mean, no! I mean yes but no, just stay there!” InuYasha felt a little calmer knowing she’d heard him and wouldn’t come tromping through the trees. He threw Sesshoumaru an odd look as the demon moved forward.
“You’re okay?”
“Yes, everything is f-INE!!!” He threw Sesshoumaru a scowl attempting to bat away the demon’s hand that had gripped and began stroking his semi-erected member, causing his voice to crack high.
“What was that? Are you sure you’re fine?” Kagome’s voice sounded even more concerned, what if he and Sesshoumaru had fought and InuYasha was injured? Was he in pain and just didn’t want her to know?
“No! R-really! I’m fine, I’m – I’m just taking a-a bath!” InuYasha’s ears flicked back against his skull as he swallowed a moan, why was he so much more sensitive when someone else was…giving him a hand. The pun was so bad InuYasha almost outwardly cringed.
“If you’re sure…”
“Y-Yup! I’m fine, I’ll be heading back soo-OON!” Out of all the things Sesshoumaru could’ve done in that moment, InuYasha had not expected to have his nipple bit, the Daiyoukai’s tongue snaking out immediately after to salve it. What an unexpected feeling; it zinged through his spine without warning when the demon nipped him, but it was almost a… complimentary pain to his pleasure. Shit. I’m becoming perverted like Miroku… A complimentary pain? How does someone classify pain as complimentary?
“That’s it! I’m coming over there!” Kagome declared, crackling foliage signifying her approach.
“No, NO! No, Kagome, DON’T!” InuYasha clenched his jaw as he stifled a moan in his throat, was Sesshoumaru trying to get them discovered? “Don’t, I-I told you I’m bathing! I just tripped is all! I’m nngh-naked! I’m naked so… J-Just go back t… Back to camp, I’ll b-be back soon.”
He held his breath while Sesshoumaru continued his ministrations, awaiting the miko’s answer. Sesshoumaru quite obviously would not be dissueaded, if she decided to ignore him she would undoubtedly get an eyeful that he could not easily explain.
“… O-Okay, I just wanted to make sure,” Her embarrassed reply floated back shortly followed by scuttling footsteps.
Relief washed over him like a pail of cold water though it was severely short-lived before the Daiyoukai raised up and captured his lips. Adrenaline converted to desire as Sesshoumaru pushed him flat against the rock wall, ravaging his mouth in time to his pumping hand.
Everything felt so good, the heat of Sesshoumaru’s fist, the current crackling under his skin, a familiar coiling beginning low in his tummy. The hanyou found his hips rocked involuntarily into his brother’s hand, his body riding the high and attempting to find his own completion, too far gone to do anything but. He felt there was something more, something else that he should be doing; but what?
Sesshoumaru pulled back, brushing his cheek softly over InuYasha’s before craning his head to nibble at one of his furry white appendages.
“Come for me, InuYasha.”
That seductive whisper in his ear was the straw that broke the metaphysical camel’s back; InuYasha pushed his face into his brother’s neck as he ejaculated, clenching his eyes shut tightly and gripping Sesshoumaru’s shoulders as the youkai’s flesh muddled his cry of completion.
With wobbly knees, InuYasha began to sink back into the water, his hands sliding down Sesshoumaru’s arms. The demon visibly stiffened as InuYasha’s fingers glided over the stump of his missing arm, drawing confused satiated eyes up to his own as the hanyou collapsed the rest of the way into the water.
He’s… self-conscious about it, InuYasha’s hazy mind concluded, his gaze flickered to the stub of Sesshoumaru’s missing arm and back again. It was pure irony to now feel bad about a wound he had originally intentionally inflicted.
Sesshoumaru stepped back, his usual mask in place, calmly rinsing the little residue left from his hip. Automatically InuYasha’s gaze shifted to follow his hand, immediately blushing and looking away as he realized just how much of his brother he hadn’t seen before that moment; any and all stray thoughts flew from his mind.
“I’m going to hunt,” Sesshoumaru announced softly, using the excuse to turn and wade towards the shore. It took a lot more willpower than it should’ve to walk away in that moment; he wanted to dominate the hanyou, show him the full extent of the pleasure males were able to achieve together. He is not ready for that, He reminded himself strictly, “I suggest you hunt -and eat- before returning to your friends. Youki-sharing is taxing enough for a full demon; eating fresh meat will replenish you faster.”
InuYasha caught the small flashes of purple strips riding over his brother’s hip as he walked away, the urge to run his fingers across them flared to life. He wondered if they’d feel different from the rest of his skin.
Sesshoumaru dressed surprisingly swiftly with one arm, almost finishing before InuYasha had even mustered up the strength to get out of the water, his muscles like jelly, “I’ll be leaving first.”
Roughly yanking on his hakama, the hanyou glanced up and nodded, unsure of what he should say. Did youkai outwardly show appreciation after these situations? Sliding his haori over his nagajuban, InuYasha remained tight-lipped until Sesshoumaru left.
The hanyou began travelling the opposite way into the forest. He happened upon a big rock and plunked his ass down, propping his elbows on his knees and cradling his cheeks.
What just happened… That was… that second time, InuYasha thought pragmatically, his eyes unseeing as he stared, The first time I couldn’t stop it… The second time I wanted it… InuYasha kneaded his eyes with open palms, slowly dragging them down his face.
What the fuck is wrong with me...
AN: Speaking of apologies, I'm sorry I'm late! Here's the 9th installment =]. I didn't like it when I first composed most of the chapter last week, it didn't seem right and it felt like there was so much missing! I guess that feeling sparked my writers block so I took me up until right this moment to complete it. I do enjoy it more than before, and I discovered a slew of ideas by writing and re-writing. So a guess that's the silver lining. My apologies for missed typos, it's currently 5:15am so I may be reading a little wonky, haha.
I'm still going to try to update weekly, but as I said before there are times it will take two. On another note, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years! My family is like National Lampoons Chistmas Vacation movie; its a whole bunch of people yelling over each other to see who can one-up the last insult. Fun, but gets over-bearing real fast sometimes.
Anyway! I hope you enjoyed this one, let me know what you think!
-Crimson
- 8
- 9
- 10
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In Saving You, I Saved Myself