InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Brothers-in-Arms ❯ Last Resort ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: The only claim I have on these characters was made in the Live Journal community 30Shards, whose story prompts serve as a basis for this tale. In point of fact, the inu-brothers belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
 
Dedication: For Racing Stripes, whose suggestions often verge on the suggestive, and for Kittenish, who had the audacity to call me a tease.
 
Date: 06.06.07
 
 
Brothers-in-Arms by Ginger Bits
 
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Chapter 3: Last Resort
 
Silence, thick with unspoken assumptions, stretched to fill the space between brothers. Sesshomaru concealed his distaste as he let his eyes wander over the spartan confines of the human dwelling. It smelled of dust and reeked of kitsune, but this depressing little space was definitely Inuyasha's home. His eyes dipped resentfully to the transformed blade resting across Inuyasha's knees. The bright surface, strewn with the faintest shimmer of celestial starbursts and swirls, was a keen reminder of all that he'd lost. Its very presence in the room mocked his plight. Tessaiga. He did not want his father's fang… but he needed it all the same.
 
This was more courtesy than he'd expected from the half-breed, who lounged cautiously against the opposite wall, studying him with eyes that still gave too much away. Emotions swirled across Inuyasha's face in quick succession as he misinterpreted the taiyoukai's acquisitive glance towards the sword. A hand tightened possessively around the hilt even as Inuyasha's eyes snapped with impatience. “You said we need to talk. Start talking.”
 
He'd changed. Somewhere in the intervening decades since Naraku's demise, Inuyasha had grown up a bit. Sesshomaru wondered if time alone had managed to temper the brash hanyou or if grief had a hand in it as well. The taiyoukai had been there when his half-brother's miko had vanished with the Shikon no Tama, though he'd not stayed for explanations. Sesshomaru would never forget the anguished scream that had torn through the skies after he'd turned his back, nor ignore its haunting similarity to the cry that had ripped through his own soul the day Rin died.
 
The taiyoukai could feel anger and suspicion pouring off his half-brother. Past impulsiveness would have driven them to crossed swords by now, and to be honest, Sesshomaru was tempted to push the half-breed into using Tessaiga against him. Giving vent to the fury that raged within was preferable to this indignity.
 
“Well?” persisted Inuyasha impatiently. The role of supplicant chaffed against the inuyoukai's formidable ego, and his half-brother managed to bring out his contrary streak. Refusing to speak simply because he'd been bidden to do so, Sesshomaru stared his brother down. Rolling his eyes in frustration, Inuyasha tried again, his tone only slightly less combative. “Why are you here, Sesshomaru?”
 
If I had any choice at all, I would not be. The taiyoukai's jaw tightened as he struggled to find words for what must be said.
 
“Listen, you arrogant bastard. I haven't seen you for more'n a hundred years, so I know you're capable of avoiding me when you want to. You're here, but if you don't start explaining, I won't be. For the last time­—what do you want?”
 
It could not be put off any longer. “There has been talk,” the Western Lord began in a voice edged with bitterness.
 
Finally! Inuyasha scrutinized the closed countenance before him. “Talk. What kind of talk?”
 
“Whispers. Rumors. Insinuations.” Sesshomaru spat out the last word.
 
Inuyasha waited, eyes fixed on the small crack that had developed in his brother's control, fascinated by the passions warring in Sesshomaru's eyes. He's madder'n hell about something.
 
Words were coming faster, dripping with sarcasm. “While I carry father's fang, it is considered a lesser inheritance and an insufficient mark of his favor. Tenseiga's power is diminished, and I am scorned for permitting the Meidou to be passed to Tessaiga. They are saying that the weakened blade is emblematic of a weakened leader.”
 
“Who are they?”
 
“There is a faction within the Western court.”
 
“They decided this recently?” Inuyasha asked in some confusion. “I've been able to summon the Black Tessaiga for almost a century.”
 
“No. This has been building for some time.”
 
“Isn't it more your style to just kill 'em off or something?” Inuyasha asked seriously. Sesshomaru's flat look alerted the hanyou to the apparent stupidity of that suggestion. Fine! So I ain't a fucking diplomat. “What does all this have to do with me?” he growled belligerently.
 
“They will challenge my right to rule the West. I need to reestablish my claim as a son of the Inu no Taisho.”
 
I don't like where this is going. “What do you want from me?” Inuyasha repeated warily.
A sour look crossed Sesshomaru's face. “Your support,” he muttered through clenched teeth. Inuyasha's ears flattened against his skull in astonishment. Sesshomaru forged ahead. “I need an ally; someone I can trust. Your presence at court would silence many of the naysayers.”
 
“Let me get this straight—you want me to back you in front of all those aristocratic assholes?” Inuyasha asked incredulously. “You're trying to drag me into all this fucking intrigue, but what good is that going to do? I'm `just a hanyou', right? They're not going to listen to me.”
 
“I need a show of strength,” Sesshomaru declared, letting his eyes fall significantly to the Tessaiga. Inuyasha looked down at the transformed blade, tilting it slightly so the expanse caught the light and shone dully. “You wield father's fang,” Sesshomaru continued, a touch of frustrated ambition leaking into his voice.
 
“No shit. It's mine.”
 
“Half-breed or not, you are father's son,” The words looked like they cost the taiyoukai dearly. “Together we can present a united front.”
 
“You're serious.” The disbelief faded slowly from Inuyasha's face as he pondered his half-brother's words. Finally, he met Sesshomaru's eyes and smirked. “This is killing you, ain't it?”
 
“It is necessary,” the taiyoukai said calmly, though his eyes betrayed his supreme displeasure.
 
“You don't like it, though,” the hanyou observed, his eyes glinting. “You fucking need me,” he laughed quietly and shook his head. The youkai recoiled at Inuyasha's words, and a growl of displeasure vibrated through the room, but Sesshomaru did not deny the truth of the statement. “Why should I help you?” he challenged.
 
“Family honor.”
 
Inuyasha snorted at that. “You're the only family I've got, you idiot. I ain't interested in your honor.”
 
“A home in your father's house.”
 
“I've got a home. Here,” Inuyasha pointed out.
 
“You have no mate here,” Sesshomaru observed, the question implied.
 
“No, not yet anyhow,” the hanyou agreed. “These are family though—what's left of my pack. The monk and the slayer, remember them? Their grandkids and great-grandkids all live here now. I'm keeping an eye on them.”
 
“Let the kit do it.”
 
Inuyasha tugged on an ear. “It ain't that Shippo's not able,” he admitted slowly.
 
“What holds you here?”
 
“I've been keeping Edo safe and watching out for these people since Kagome was taken away. If I stay here long enough, she'll be back.”
 
“How long?”
 
“A really long time,” sighed Inuyasha pensively.
 
“I will guarantee it,” Sesshomaru suddenly announced.
 
“What?”
 
“This village—it is a part of the Western Lands. I will guarantee its safety if you will ally yourself to me.”
 
Inuyasha frowned. Sesshomaru must be fucking desperate. Realization dawned. His brother had probably spent the last few decades trying every other means possible to put a stop to the mutiny in his courts. “I'm your last resort, aren't I?” he asked grimly. Sesshomaru did not deny it. Inuyasha thought he saw hostility, discomfort, and weariness flicker through his bastard of a half-brother's eyes. Well, shit. He let out a gusty sigh. “If I was to come, and I mean if, what would my role be?” Inuyasha demanded.
 
“You want a title or an official position?” Sesshomaru asked stiffly.
 
“Nah, I don't care about that. I wanna know if you're expecting me to grovel at your feet and call you Sesshomaru-sama. I ain't licking your fucking boots for you.”
 
The corner of the taiyoukai's mouth actually twisted at that. “Indeed, that would be too much to expect,” he said dryly.
 
“So, would I end up being a personal guard for your sorry ass, or are you planning to keep me locked up so you can put me on display as needed?”
 
The hanyou's eyes were sharp, and Sesshomaru gave a brisk nod, understanding the need for assurances. “As a son of our father, you will be given a place of honor in our house. As such, we shall be on equal footing—in the eyes of the court,” he added the last as a disclaimer. “I do not expect you to abase yourself before me, though a show of proper courtesy due the alpha must be observed.”
 
“What do you mean `proper courtesy'?” the hanyou asked warily.
 
He is probably completely ignorant of his youkai heritage. Realizing that this alone would lead to future misunderstandings, Sesshomaru sighed. “I will not make unnecessary demands of you, Inuyasha.”
 
“But you'd be making necessary demands?” countered Inuyasha.
 
Magenta lids slid shut, hiding from view the surge of impotent anger that the hanyou's persistence invoked. I do not explain myself to anyone. Reluctantly, the taiyoukai opened his eyes and met his brother's suspicious gaze. “It will be necessary to give the impression of unity. Even a hint of dissention would be used as a weapon. They will not hesitate to drive a wedge between us, or to use you against me.” Sesshomaru chose his words with care. “You would need to exercise… restraint in public settings.”
 
Inuyasha turned this over in his mind for a few moments. “So you're sayin' I gotta make nice in front of the court, but I can still call you an asshole behind closed doors?”
 
“Hnn,” murmured Sesshomaru wryly. “I see no reason you cannot be your own charming self in private.”
 
The hanyou nodded his acceptance, but he wasn't done asking questions. “Where would I stay? What would I do all day? Could I come and go as I please?”
 
“For your safety and mine, I would need to keep you close, at least at first,” replied Sesshomaru, trying to gauge the hanyou's reaction. “I moved into Father's rooms upon succession, so you will be given my old rooms, which are next door.” He paused thoughtfully before adding, “For the time being, it seems you will have to do whatever I do.”
 
“So I'll be stuck following you around all day,” grumbled Inuyasha. “Please tell me it ain't all boring.”
 
He's already talking as if he's decided to come, Sesshomaru realized, some of his tension draining away. “No doubt you'll find meetings and correspondence dull, but there will be training and the occasional patrol to break up the monotony.”
 
Inuyasha stood, absently dusting off his fiery hakama. “How long till you straighten out the mess in that court of yours?”
 
Sesshomaru shook his head slowly. “I cannot say for certain. Only time will tell.”
 
The hanyou reached his decision. “Well, I just happen to have some time to kill—four centuries or so,” announced Inuyasha with a rueful smile. “I need time to get things in order here. Why don't you…” Seeing the rebellious glint in Sesshomaru's eye, Inuyasha hesitated, carefully rewording his offhand invitation. “You are welcome to stay here.” The taiyoukai looked dubiously at the cramped quarters. “It ain't what you're used to, but it's got a couple things going for it,” Inuyasha grinned slyly. Sesshomaru raised a skeptical brow, inviting an explanation. “First off,” said Inuyasha from his position beside the door, “There's no backstabbing bastards lurking around every corner, looking for a chink in your armor.”
 
“Hnn,” conceded the inuyoukai, “And the second?”
 
Shouldering Tessaiga with a cocky grin, the hanyou tossed one word over his shoulder before strutting out the door. “Me.”
 
 
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Shard 14, Whispers
1,904 words